In the next few weeks, a new feature will appear on the SGTI website. We are excited about spotlighting our current students and alumni and have plans to do both beginning in February. We feel that our new features, "Student Spotlight" and "Alumni  Spotlight," will help you get to know the Institute better, especially when it comes to the kinds of students we attract, why they take SGTI's unique training, and how they hope to serve others once their training is complete. 

In the meantime, one of our current students, Matthew Whitney, has been featured as a guest on the Spiritual Directors International podcast, "SDI Encounters." Matt is usually the host of this wonderful series, but this time the tables were turned and he is interviewed about his life as a contemplative artist and a student of spiritual companionship. We hope you will take a listen!

Visit this main page for SDI podcasts:
https://www.sdiworld.org/podcasts
then look for Matt's podcast:
"Art, Creativity, and Spiritual Companionship" 

You can also listen here:
https://sdiencounters.podbean.com/
On Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2ufeZhwf9z6WuBi5pZEeNn
On Apple Podcasts  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sdi-encounters/id1451231142?mt=2
On Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/sdi-encounters

Friends, we are pleased to announce the release of a new SDI (Spiritual Directors International) podcast featuring SGTI cofounders, Jan and Jeanette, on "Spiritual Fluidity." Please take a listen as they are interviewed by SDI's Matt Whitney. This conversation may speak to your heart, especially if you are a spiritually independent person, or someone who companions people who are inclined this way. 

Here is how Matt introduced us in the podcast: 

Jan Lundy and Jeanette Banashak are longtime members of SDI, they are spiritual directors, and founders of a unique training program called the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute – which educates and equips people to be spiritual directors and companions.

This episode is Part 1, with a focus on what it looks like to be a “spiritual independent” or “spiritually fluid”. It doesn’t mean you have no faith tradition (though it might), but in your life’s journey to commune with mystery and the ground of all being, you may find that no one particular tradition has all the answers you seek. What is perhaps most true is that each person’s spiritual journey is unique, and not easily identified by a way of thinking or an ideology. Jan and Jeanette both have been on this journey personally and vocationally.

Part 2 will premier next week. 

You can listen to (and download) the podcast on these channels: 

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dt3O436sjqzfbPwPvJ9dO

Podbean:sdiencounters.podbean.com/?fbclid=IwAR2HV2b0rqlcg13FTwZU8M3OXyjXDUvu4yk-8aQITyJLExcd_EOF4HgF9LQ

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sdi-encounters/id1451231142?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR23dNyG5b-uGelb0qHJbJ3wwCwz1wiCs1iU3r23QR2OR0CJZJUMFB4LIC4

Knowing that SGTI just completed its first residential institute in Chicago, we thought you might like to hear OUR thoughts on this extraordinary experience. "What were the highlights for you?" people have asked us. So here are our answers. 

Listen and enjoy! (14 min.)
Jeanette Banashak
Janice Lundy
​Co-Founders, Spiritual Guidance Training Institute

http://www.awakenedliving.com/SGTI/Podcast3.mp3

SGTI at the Midwest Buddhist Temple, Chicago, IL

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Kenny Brixey of "Life's ToolBox" on Empower radio about SGTI and the topic of spiritual guidance. 

We discussed some important questions:
What is spiritual guidance?
What is the importance of spiritual guidance in someone's life? 
Can we ever serve as our own spiritual guide?
Can we be a spiritual guide for others? 
​
"Now more than ever we could all use guidance in our lives. Understanding that guidance, how it works and where to find it are all keys to living a life that is in alignment with our greatest good. We do not have to rely on our own efforts and struggle along trying to make things fit in our lives. With spiritual guidance, we have a loving guide. We need only tune into it." ~ Kenny Brixey

Submitted by Janice L.  Lundy

Co-founders and directors of SGTI share their thoughts on how important spiritual guidance is in today's world as our religious affiliations continue to shift and change. Drs. Banaskak and Lundy discuss spiritual guidance and the emerging need for genuine hospitality and deep spiritual care to foster understanding in diverse communities. They also emphasize the importance of professional training in spiritual guidance because of this need.

Listen to the podcast. Enjoy! (18 min.)
​www.awakenedliving.com/SGTI/Podcast2.mp3

Listen in on the conversation. "What is Spiritual Guidance?"
https://www.awakenedliving.com/SGTI/Podcast1.mp3