First U Think is a podcast designed for you, just as you are. We're bringing you weekly talks about the topics that matter. Living with values. Caring about the world and the people in it. Making a difference. Learning about prophetic people and their work. Want to change the world? First you think. First U Think is brought to you by the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines IA.
13 min
Send us Fan Mail Healing is rarely linear. One day we're improving, the next day it feels worse than before. And one person's healing journey rarely looks like another's. Join us for a service to explore the complex journey of healing. Support the show
15 min
Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to heal? Why is healing often so difficult or scary? Join us for a courageous look into the practice of healing. We will honor those we have lost in our annual ritual of ribbons of remembrance. Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail No one is an island unto themselves; we embrace our interconnectedness and social nature. Often it is the inspiration of others that gives us courage, and the awareness that others, too, experience fear and yet find a way to act in courage. Given the cost of staying comfortably avoidant in harmful situations, how do we best nurture courage in our community? Support the show
The newest 50 of 267 episodes
13 min
Send us Fan Mail Healing is rarely linear. One day we're improving, the next day it feels worse than before. And one person's healing journey rarely looks like another's. Join us for a service to explore the complex journey of healing. Support the show
15 min
Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to heal? Why is healing often so difficult or scary? Join us for a courageous look into the practice of healing. We will honor those we have lost in our annual ritual of ribbons of remembrance. Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail No one is an island unto themselves; we embrace our interconnectedness and social nature. Often it is the inspiration of others that gives us courage, and the awareness that others, too, experience fear and yet find a way to act in courage. Given the cost of staying comfortably avoidant in harmful situations, how do we best nurture courage in our community? Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail We all feel fear and the pressure to cave to it. What helps us strengthen our ability to put fear in its place? What helps us choose courage when facing difficult decisions and dangerous actions? Speaker Katy Swalwell lives in Beaverdale with her husband and two children. A former social studies teacher and education professor, she is now an educational consultant, author, and book publisher. She has been a member of First Unitarian for almost a year. Support the show
12 min
Send us Fan Mail The word courage reminds us to honor the practice of heart-wisdom and love. The opposite of anxiety isn’t calm, it’s trust. Can we foster our capacity to be courageous by centering compassion and love? How might we treat a friend taking on something scary? Can we extend that love to ourselves? Support the show
30 min
Send us Fan Mail What Do You Think, Episode 4: Dr. David Courard-Hauri, Professor of Environmental Science, Drake University Iowa Environmental Council: https://www.iaenvironment.org/ Support the show
21 min
Send us Fan Mail Courage means taking on risk of failure or foolishness, of becoming vulnerable. And, courage asks us to confront what is easier to avoid, to say what needs to be said. How do we find courage in the midst of fear and avoidance? Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail There is great hope and trust needed to begin something truly great. The caterpillar has to trust the molting process to become a butterfly. What spiritual and ethical practices do we need, personally and communally, to begin something special? Support the show
34 min
Send us Fan Mail What Do You Think? Episode 3: Dr. John Pauley Professor of Philosophy, Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Simpson College Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail As we come to the Autumn Equinox, the earth reminds us that the end of summer is the beginning of autumn, that every beginning is also an end. What must we end in order to begin something new in our lives? Support the show
29 min
Send us Fan Mail “What Do You Think?” Episode 2: Josh Mandelbaum Josh Mandelbaum is a Des Moines City Councilmember representing the 3rd Ward, and a senior attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Support the show
13 min
Send us Fan Mail How do our Unitarian Universalist commitments support us in this season of beginnings? Bring water to share in our annual Water Communion ritual, bring energy and curiosity to find something new to begin at the Community Faire after the service! Support the show
32 min
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Tim Knepper, Drake University Professor of Philosophy, director of the Comparison Project Upcoming events: https://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/events/ Support the show
23 min
Send us Fan Mail As a long-time agnostic secular and member of the Humanist Society, Paul Derrick doesn’t rely on any God or gods to watch over and comfort him, to hear and answer prayers or to intervene in human affairs. So, where does he turn for strength, comfort, solace, support and consolation? This Sunday we welcome back the Westphals for horn duet music. Support the show
11 min
Send us Fan Mail 11 Minute Meditation to Let Go and Forgive with Rev. Steve Sieck Support the show
5 min
Send us Fan Mail 5 Minute Meditation for Awareness by Rev. Steve Sieck Support the show
9 min
Send us Fan Mail 9 Minute Meditation to Understand our Feelings with Rev. Steve Sieck Support the show
22 min
Send us Fan Mail At First Unitarian we're in a season of big changes: to faith formation, service schedules, architecture, and more! How do we hold a sense of peace and community when everything is in flux? Join us this Sunday for a service of grounding and visioning. Support the show
17 min
Send us Fan Mail For many, the word politics has come to mean division, spectacle or partisan warfare. But, politics, at its best, is the work of the people for the common good. Come hear how ordinary people learned to turn private pain into public action, and believe that good power grows where people are connected and ready to act together. AMOS: https://www.amosiowa.org/ with Elaine I., Eileen J., and Crystal L. Support the show
22 min
Send us Fan Mail What if play is not something we outgrow, but something that helps us grow? This sermon explores the theology of play—the role of imagination, wonder, and joy in developing faith, strengthening mental health, and building beloved community. Through humor, personal stories, and Unitarian Universalist values, we’ll consider how staying curious and a little silly can be a sacred practice. Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail We joined together for a fully improvised service! With a few prompts from the audience, we created a story for all ages, along with meditations, sermons, and music. Support the show
11 min
Send us Fan Mail Join us as we celebrate the creativity within our own congregation. Support the show
21 min
Send us Fan Mail The Celebrant Team explores how space exploration, science, and spirituality intersect. Diane F., Faithyna L., and Louise A. Support the show
17 min
Send us Fan Mail Join us for “Attention is a Precious Resource” with longtime Iowa journalist Dave Busiek. Being an informed citizen these days demands a lot of our attention. To protect their sanity, too many people have tuned out the news. What should we pay attention to and how should we do so to stay aware but not overwhelmed? Support the show
17 min
Send us Fan Mail Our theme for our July 5 service is America’s 250th birthday. Listen to reflections by church members about what our nation’s 250th birthday means to them. Todd L. and Oge N. Support the show
16 min
Send us Fan Mail What does it look like for queer joy to flourish in our shared community? We take time this week to hear perspectives on the myriad ways that queer joy presents itself and how we can help it grow and thrive together. with Barb & Deidre, David & Walter, and Jaycie Support the show
19 min
Send us Fan Mail What are the conditions necessary for flourishing? How do our pasts – even across generations – affect our capacity to flourish? Join us as we honor the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the deep work of nourishing and repairing the soil in which we grow Support the show
18 min
Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to truly flourish? We'll explore three introspective personal stories that reveal the many ways people experience growth, purpose, resilience, and joy. Together, we'll reflect on how flourishing can look different for each of us—and how we might cultivate it in our own lives. Marsha Carty, Jim Carty, Elijah Evans If you notice any differences in sound quality this week, please let us know! This was made using a new system. email- hnotch@ucdsm.org Support the show
19 min
Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to Flourish Together? Join us for Annual Meeting Sunday as we explore the interplay of resources that makes a garden flourish, and celebrate the work our church does to love, grow, and serve. Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail This Sunday we honor the 103rd annual ritual first designed by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek. How might this beloved tradition help us become more curious citizens in an interdependent world? Support the show
26 min
Send us Fan Mail Memorial Day is a complicated holiday for many of us. How do we honor those who serve without glorifying war? How do we build a peaceful future for our children? This morning we will hear perspectives on military service and war from a variety of UU voices with Paige Shivvers, Megan Klee, David Witke Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail As we explore our May theme, Awakening Curiosity, our youth take the lead in imagining a more fully inclusive, multigenerational church. Through their reflections, they’ll share what helps them feel truly seen and valued—and what could help us grow. Come ready to listen, learn, and be inspired by their vision. Featuring Thea, Penny, and Simon. Support the show
22 min
Send us Fan Mail This Sunday we honor all those who are or have been mothers. How might the experience of motherhood help us all awaken our curiosity for the world and one another? Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail As we begin this month’s theme of “Awakening Curiosity”, we take this Sunday to honor Vesak and the Buddha’s quest to understand suffering in the world. How might the Buddha’s journey help us to become more curious and wise? Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail It takes preparation, stamina, and patience to embrace possibility. In a world that seems to measure possibility in quarterly earnings, how do we reclaim the perspective to plant trees whose shade we will not be here to enjoy? Support the show
18 min
Send us Fan Mail Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail The Green Sanctuary Team is highlighted as we celebrate the upcoming Earth Day 2026 and our church's commitment to environmental action. Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sUSN080hWFqv2uSb1Ux-IZrp-6LEvU1L/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115773222253600430449&rtpof=true&sd=true Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail We’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work! Support the show
21 min
Send us Fan Mail Sometimes difficult experiences in life teach us to be cautious of embracing possibilities. Join us for a powerful service focusing on the work to nurture a trauma-informed community. Support the show
15 min
Send us Fan Mail We’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work! Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail It takes courage to see which possibilities might emerge out of present challenges. Join us for an Easter service that explores abundance as a mindset, the art of improv, and the power of radical acceptance. Support the show
12 min
Send us Fan Mail In this month of Paying Attention, this Sunday we honor the power of being seen and heard. We’ll begin with a 30-minute service focusing on Trans Day of Visibility, and then move into small groups for an hour to support AMOS’ work to listen to what’s on the minds of “we the people” in Iowa. Support the show
17 min
Send us Fan Mail How does our work of paying attention affect our relationships with others? How might the practice of attention deepen our capacity to love one another? Support the show
14 min
Send us Fan Mail Speaking: Aaron Rosenfeld When we cultivate our capacity to pay attention, we may start to notice patterns in ourselves or our relationships. How can this practice support us in growing ethically and spiritually together? Support the show
1 hr 11 min
Send us Fan Mail We are drowning in input to compete for our attention. How do we navigate the constant distractions of contemporary life to steward our attention where we want it to go? Support the show
19 min
Send us Fan Mail What we choose to attend to is where we direct our time, energy, and love. How can we be good stewards of the resource of our attention? Support the show
15 min
Send us Fan Mail What does resilience look like in community? Join us this Sunday as we explore stories of communities that have faced remarkable challenges and found ways to spring back, let go, and transform. Support the show
20 min
Send us Fan Mail Age, wisdom, experience, with reflections from the congregation Support the show
19 min
Send us Fan Mail As we deepen our exploration of resilience, what role do our expectations play in our ability to adapt and respond to life’s challenges? Support the show
16 min
Send us Fan Mail As we begin our February theme of Embodying Resilience, we look at the nature of resilience and how it differs from resistance. In a world that frames most conflicts in win-lose zero-sum terms, how might embodying resilience improve our lives? Support the show
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