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Artwork for Desert Fathers

Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden

Exodus 90
Desert Fathers
Christian Life
St. Antony Of Egypt
Exodus 90
Spirituality
St. Anthony
Christianity
Trials and Temptations
Athanasius
St. Anthony Of Egypt
Scripture
Asceticism
Abba Isaiah
Prayer
Exodus 90 Challenge
Perfection
Meekness
St. Antony Of the Desert
St. Antony
Sayings Of the Desert Fathers

Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well. Amid the ceaseless distractions and allurements of materialism, God can seem absent. As the Desert Fathers of old fled the noise of the world to seek God in silence, we too have been been called into the desert. Guided by Bishop Erik Varden, this year-long series—beginn... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes68Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityChristianityEducation

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Artwork for Desert Fathers

Latest Episodes

Bishop Erik Varden explores the theme of detraction and judgment through the lens of a hermit's vision. The conversation covers the consequences of gossip, the importance of conversion, and the efficacy of sacraments, emphasizing that divine grace is... more

In this episode of Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden explores the theme of judgment through the lens of the Desert Fathers' teachings, particularly focusing on the story of Abba Isaac. He discusses the dangers of judging others, the importance of hu... more

In this episode of Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden reflects on the teachings of the Desert Fathers, focusing on the themes of forgiveness, community, and the transformative power of God's mercy. Through the story of Abba Anthony, Bishop Varden emp... more

In this Q&A session with Bishop Erik Varden, Jamie Baxter and Bishop Varden explore:

• The nature of love and self-forgetfulness

• Philosophical perspectives on progress

• The relevance of Stoicism

• The implications of artificial intelligence

• Th... more

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Recent Guests

Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, and a leading Catholic voice
Cistercian Monk and Bishop
Episode: Bonus Roundtable: Sympathy
Dr. Jared Stout
A participant in the discussion
Episode: Bonus Roundtable: Compunction

Host

Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop of Trondheim and a leading voice in Catholic thought, Bishop Erik Varden offers deep insights into the teachings of the Desert Fathers, blending theological understanding with accessible language. A Cistercian monk by formation, he draws upon his extensive academic background and pastoral experience to guide discussions around spirituality, community, and personal growth.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 306 ratings
  • So deep and practical

    Thank you so much for enlightening my miserable life with true wisdom

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ronanKerleo
    Francea month ago
  • Inspiring dive into ancient wisdom

    Learning the desert father’s has been a gift so far this year. Grateful you aimed this offering at men and women. Having a guide through it has been the key for me. Bishop Varden’s reflections are so rich in goodness and poetically articulated in a way that make the concepts sticky in my mind. The bonus round tables have also been really helpful for me to reflect deeper on the beautiful nuggets and applying it to daily life. Appreciate the vulnerability and effort put in to the podcast.

    Thank... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    amy _lou
    United States3 months ago
  • No Roundtable

    Bishop Varden is great. The Roundtables are predictably underwhelming.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DeacRipps
    United States4 months ago
  • This show changed my life

    I was listening to an early episode and you said “hurry does damage to the soul.” I realized I was listening to that episode on 2X while speeding to work because I had left late. I made a commitment to myself to eliminate hurry. I now get up a little earlier and drive the speed limit and let all the cars pass me. I feel so much more peace. I never worry when I see police because I know I’m in the right. I also listen to everything on 1X now so I actually retain more of what I listen to. A few we... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Komencanto
    United States6 months ago
  • Dig for the nuggets!

    I appreciate and learn from Bishop Varden’s reflections but agree that the intro and outre are frequently distracting. As a 70 year old man , I find that the discussions are too often centered on the younger male Exodus 90 group and have less to offer my demographic, although there are some nuggets buried in there occasionally.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Midwest Norske
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the profound insights and poetic articulations from Bishop Varden, often praising the practical applications of ancient wisdom in today's context.
Some audience members express concerns regarding specific roundtable discussions, suggesting they could benefit from greater depth or relevance.
Many find the content transformative, identifying personal life changes as a result of applying the teachings presented in the episodes.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 40: Q&A w/ Bishop Varden
Q: How to balance romantic relationships and God in one's life?
Focus on self-acceptance and recognizing that love for God and others is interconnected; don't let romantic desires overshadow God's love.
Episode 40: Q&A w/ Bishop Varden
Q: What wisdom from the Desert Fathers applies to artificial intelligence?
They would emphasize the importance of personal, embodied encounters over disembodied algorithms that lack understanding.
Episode 40: Q&A w/ Bishop Varden
Q: How should one navigate the challenge of silent prayer?
Pursue the spiritual life with pragmatism; practice in small steps and integrate prayer into everyday activities.
Episode 40: Q&A w/ Bishop Varden
Q: How does a solitary religious life serve others?
It works through the mystical body; the blessings received contribute to the community and prayer supports others.
Episode 27: Q&A with Bishop Erik Varden: Wisdom from the Desert - Answers on Chastity, Temptation, and Communal Redemption
Q: How can we learn to endure our temptations without falling into despair, discouragement or self-condemnation?
We can learn to recognize temptations honestly, remember they don't define us, and view them as opportunities for maturity and purification.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Fathers

What is Desert Fathers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The exploration of ancient wisdom from the Desert Fathers offers a pathway for contemporary spiritual seekers, as guided by Bishop Erik Varden. Each episode intricately weaves teachings from early Christian monastics with modern life challenges, uncovering depth in themes such as humility, self-mastery, and repentance. Through engaging meditations, listeners are invited to reflect on their personal spiritual journeys, drawing parallels between the struggles of the past and the distractions of today's world. The unique format not only provides theological insights but creates a year-long spiritual practice that resonates with both the devout and the curious.

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Which podcasts are similar to Desert Fathers?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Fathers:

1. What God is Not
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. Godsplaining
4. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
5. The Thomistic Institute

How many episodes of Desert Fathers are there?

Desert Fathers launched 10 months ago and published 68 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on Desert Fathers include:

1. Bishop Erik Varden
2. Dr. Jared Stout

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