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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes76Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationReligion & SpiritualityChristianity

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Artwork for Desert Fathers

Latest Episodes

Imagine a voice that shakes the heavens. A light that makes you radiant from within.

That’s what St. Benedict wants us to experience.

This week, we hear about the divine thunder and deifying light that rouses us into the fullness of life.

God does... more

St. Benedict saw the world differently.

Others pursued knowledge, pleasure, prestige. He wanted more.

Once he grew up and could make his own decisions, he sought only what would last: God.

In this week’s episode, we reflect on Benedict’s journey ... more

Imagine a narrow cave. A little bell to signal a visitor. A rope lowered to bring food.

Alone, fasting, praying… Benedict spent three years here preparing for his sacred mission.

In this episode, we visit the very cave where Benedict emerged to gi... more

What should we do with intrusive, impure thoughts?

The more we try to push them away, the harder they seem to stick.

If only we had a mental delete button. It’s exhausting to feel like our own minds are working against us.

This week, we see how th... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Jared Stout
A participant in the discussion
Episode: Bonus Roundtable: Compunction
Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop of Trondheim and a Cistercian monk
EWTN
Episode: Episode 14: Compunction

Hosts

Jamie Baxter
Host from Exodus 90 who guides discussions related to the themes of spiritual discipline. He collaborates on exploring how the wisdom of the Desert Fathers can be integrated into modern life.
Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop and Cistercian monk who provides spiritual insights drawn from the teachings of the Desert Fathers. He offers reflections aimed at connecting historical spiritual practices with contemporary challenges.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 323 ratings
  • So deep and practical

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ronanKerleo
    France3 months 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 States4 months ago
  • No Roundtable

    Bishop Varden is great. The Roundtables are predictably underwhelming.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DeacRipps
    United States6 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 States8 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 States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed opinions regarding bonus episodes, with some feeling they are less insightful than the main content.
Many express gratitude for the focus on the Desert Fathers and the spiritual wisdom shared throughout the episodes.
Overall, reviews highlight the engaging delivery and depth of content, suggesting it serves as a valuable spiritual resource.
Some find the discussions to be comforting and enlightening, contributing to their personal growth and understanding of faith.
Listeners appreciate the practical and profound insights provided by Bishop Varden, often finding the teachings relevant to their daily lives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Fathers

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

A series that explores the profound teachings of the Desert Fathers, featuring insightful reflections from Bishop Erik Varden. The content centers around themes such as purity, humility, and self-mastery, connecting ancient wisdom to the struggles of modern life. Each episode illuminates the spiritual lessons derived from early Christian figures like St. Anthony of Egypt, emphasizing their relevance in today's distracting and materialistic society. This series serves as a guide for those seeking deeper spiritual engagement, drawing parallels between the historical context of the Desert Fathers and contemporary challenges faced by individuals pursuing a more disciplined and prayerful life.

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Which podcasts are similar to Desert Fathers?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Fathers:

1. Godsplaining
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
4. The Thomistic Institute
5. The Road to Emmaus with Scott Hahn

How many episodes of Desert Fathers are there?

Desert Fathers launched a year ago and published 76 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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What guests have appeared on Desert Fathers?

Recent guests on Desert Fathers include:

1. Dr. Jared Stout
2. Bishop Erik Varden

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