The Camino Cafe

Leigh Brennan

The Camino is all about connection. Reconnecting to your soul and connecting with the people you meet while walking. Pour a glass of Vino Tinto at The Camino Cafe as we feature the stories of Pilgrims. We hope to inspire those that want to walk the Camino someday and to nurture the Camino essence for those that have already walked through telling the stories of our pilgrimages. Join Host, Leigh Brennan, as she discusses all things Camino with fellow Pilgrims. Interviews are also available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw and at our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thecaminocafehttps://linktr.ee/leighbrennan
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Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness
Kelli Field - Kelli is back to discuss her new novel set on the Camino, “The Grief of Goodbye”,  and her adventures of living on and walking the Camino Francés
Sep 29 2023
Kelli Field - Kelli is back to discuss her new novel set on the Camino, “The Grief of Goodbye”, and her adventures of living on and walking the Camino Francés
***Bonus - Meet Kelli at our upcoming Santiago de Compostela Bookclub meeting on Saturday , October 14th at 8:00pm CEST.  Get information to register for the call here:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092678497699Kelli Field is back at The Camino Cafe Podcast and we had so much to catch up on as we walked through the charming old town of Santiago de Compostela.  This discussion is a soulful exchange about living on the Camino Francés, her new novel,  “The Grief of Goodbye” which is set on the Camino, and life lessons she has learned from both walking and meeting with pilgrims daily. We'll chat about the transformative power of the Camino, as told through the eyes of Kelli's protagonist Tess, a cancer patient who puts her treatment on hold to walk the revered path with her daughter. Kelli’s storytelling seamlessly weaves universal themes,  the rich tapestry of Spain, and stories that may resonate from our own life or from pilgrims we met along the Camino.Kelli and Jeff’s life on the Camino de Santiago provides an extraordinary perspective, living at marker 59, they witness a procession of pilgrims on their transformative journey. Each day, up to 3000 pilgrims pass by their home, each carrying their own stories of resilience and transformation. Kelli and Jeff are channeling the Camino's positivity into their plans for the 2024 season, creating a haven for pilgrims, complete with a stationary food truck and cabins.Here’s the link to the first interview we did with Kelli and Jeff a few years ago:Season 1 Ep 33  Septemeber 20, 2021Kelli and Jeff Dream come truehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aQeHSn9VtQ&t=9s Finally, Kelli shares her personal experience with the Camino's challenges and how it taught her the beauty of surrender and the power of patience.  The fear of the unknown is a common sentiment among pilgrims preparing for the Camino, but as Kelly reveals, the real lessons and feedback often come after the journey. We round off the episode in the square in front of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, swapping stories and reflecting on the profound impact of Kelly's book and the Camino itself. So, join us in this soulful exchange about life, love, and lessons from the Camino de Santiago.To connect with Kelli:https://linktr.ee/authorkellifieldWatch this interview and more at The Camino Cafe Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw
John Brierley - Ch 3 - "The Camino: A Path of Self Inquiry" - The Docuseries
Sep 13 2023
John Brierley - Ch 3 - "The Camino: A Path of Self Inquiry" - The Docuseries
Have you ever yearned for a journey that goes beyond physical travel, delving instead into the realm of self-discovery and existential exploration?  In this short message, John Brierley,  paints a vivid picture of such a journey – the Camino and its transformative potential. Known for the profound impact it's had on countless individuals, the Camino serves as a unique space to step back from the noise of everyday life, encouraging us to pose existential questions that often get overshadowed by our daily routines. John highlights the power of self inquiry, and how the very act of questioning our identity can have a cathartic effect.As the conversation with John unfolds, we touch upon the fears and challenges that come with embarking on this path of self-discovery. We discuss the courage it takes to question our identities and beliefs, and the beauty of embracing a state of being 'lost.' This transformative journey is not without its hardships, but it is within the supportive environment of the Camino community that we find the strength to let go of our prejudices and preferences. We conclude with a thought-provoking quote from the third patriarch of Zen emphasizing the importance of freeing ourselves from our biases. Join us for this enlightening discussion with John Brieley about seeking and finding our true selves through the Camino journey.Watch the video version filmed on location in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw
20 CAMINO QUESTIONS WITH REBEKAH SCOTT -  PILGRIM, SPANISH RESIDENT, AND CAMINO MEMOIR AUTHOR OF "FURNACE FULL OF GOD"
Sep 10 2023
20 CAMINO QUESTIONS WITH REBEKAH SCOTT - PILGRIM, SPANISH RESIDENT, AND CAMINO MEMOIR AUTHOR OF "FURNACE FULL OF GOD"
Join me and Rebekah Scott as we play 20 Camino Questions. Rebekah is an American journalist who has been living in Spain for the last 17 years. She's the author of several books including,  "A Furnace Full of God" a memoir about her life in Spain and living on the Camino Frances route.  This book is a featured selection of the Santiago de Compostela Book Club. Her contributions to the path and the Camino community have been numerous.  During this interview, we chatted briefly about her books and her foundation, Peaceable Projects. Imagine living on the silent stretch of the meseta section on the Camino, where the hustle of everyday life fades into the background. Rebekah enriches our understanding of this solitude, revealing how walking through it throws into sharp relief those truths that are often obscured by life's chaos. She dives into her love for solitary walks but also highlights the unique bond shared with fellow pilgrims on the trail. We discuss her recent visit to Machu Picchu, exploring her experience on the mystical Inca trail and how it contrasts with the Camino.She shares her thoughts on preserving the heritage of the Camino while navigating its evolution—how do we protect the path for everyone, regardless of their economic status, and honor its spirit of inclusivity? Lastly, we revel in her insights on the Camino’s magical power to bond people, encourage resilience, and inspire a purpose-driven life.Link to Rebekah's books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rebekah-Scott/author/B082T3TKC8?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueWatch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQwJoin the Sanitago de Compostela Book Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/273761715169505
Navigating the Camino de Santiago: Kari Gillespie’s Personal Pilgrimage Experience - 20 Camino Questions
Aug 1 2023
Navigating the Camino de Santiago: Kari Gillespie’s Personal Pilgrimage Experience - 20 Camino Questions
Book Club Teaser! Meet our first featured author for the Santiago de Compostela Book Club in this short interview and then come to our meeting this Saturday, August 5th (registration links below). We're thrilled to introduce you to Kari Gillespie, a UK-based pilgrim who shares the profound effect of her journey on the Camino de Santiago. This episode dives into her experiences, from the fears she grappled with before her first Camino to the emotional shifts and evolving relationship with pain she navigated during her journey. We also probe the key question of safety for women on the Camino and discuss John Brierley's influential book, which beautifully blends the practical and spiritual aspects of this journey. In an enlightening exchange, Carrie presents invaluable tips for anyone considering walking the Camino for the first time. She discusses the subtle differences between walking solo or with a friend and how these choices can impact decisions like lodging.  Lastly, we extend a warm invitation to our upcoming Santiago de Compostela book club meeting, where we'll continue unearthing the life-changing impact of the Camino de Santiago.Meeting #1— 11am Central European Time:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdeirpzMjGtUoPgpY_RAihtdT_nzHE8pJ#/registrationMeeting #2—8pm Central European Timehttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce6orjwjGtLx3fACJWs05mZv4JSnu-Cl#/registrationSign up for the bookclub newsletter:https://subscribepage.io/santiagodecompostelabookclubJoin Santiago de Compostela Book Club Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/273761715169505Follow Santiago de Compostela Book Club Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092678497699
John Brierley - Ch 1 - "The Camino: A Path of Awakening" - The Docuseries
Jul 17 2023
John Brierley - Ch 1 - "The Camino: A Path of Awakening" - The Docuseries
YouTube Version https://youtu.be/DlaVlJXJERsIt was in John’s last wishes that Leigh Brennan and Patti Silva document the most important pieces of wisdom he gained from walking the Camino paths for over a quarter of a century. This project grew into this docuseries of several short but poignant video messages for Pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago. This is the first chapter of the multipart series. John stated the driving thought behind the title of this chapter by saying,  “The Camino as a Path of Awakening: This is, perhaps, the easiest to grasp because it pre-supposes we are asleep. Every mystical tradition has Awakening as a core theme of spiritual development and no more so than in Christianity. The Bible tells us that, ‘A great sleep came across Adam’, and nowhere in the bible is there any reference to Adam waking up! We, collectively, are Adam and we remain asleep but now urgently need to awaken to a new consciousness. The Camino can offer us a path into transformation”.About John Brierley:John Brierley spent his early life in Dublin where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and set up practice as Brierley & Co in 1971 later merging with Jackson-Stops. An existential crisis took him and his family to Findhorn in Scotland in 1987 as part of a mid-career break. This was to prove a pivotal time in his life with a reordering of priorities towards a spiritual perspective.In 1996 he convened the international conference ‘Business for Life’ where the core issue was identified as the crisis of the human spirit and the search for meaning in life. The idea of Business sabbaticals as an antidote to burn out and pilgrimage as a way to reappraise life's purpose became his abiding passion. In 2000 he walked up through Western Nepal into Tibet to complete the renowned Mount Kailash pilgrimage sacred to Buddhism, Hinduism and esotoric Christianity.t of a celestial alarm clock.WAKE UP CALL10 years of quiet desperation led to a turning point, that opportunity that comes to each of us at some pivotal stage in our life and offers us a time to re-assess our direction. The classic existential mid-life crisis that can lead to breakdown and breakthrough. For me it started in January 1986 with an alarmingly persistent wake-up call. Looking back I laugh at the idea of my spiritual guides working overtime to wake me up. The dream needed very little interpretation but I was so blind that I still could not read its message. I had this dream, off and on, for a whole year before its significance began to dawn on me. I really thought I was going mad during that period and of course, in conventional terms, I was. The turning upside down of consensus reality is frequently misunderstood as some psychotic episode whereas, within the bigger picture, it is simply spiritual emergence and the opening to knowledge of higher worlds. I slowly became aware of a spiritual reality behind the sense-perceptible world.SABBATICALAt the end of that year I realised that something profound was trying to happen and it gave me enough courage to claim a mid-career break. I was 39 and Ireland was in recession so my business partners needed little persuading, my wife and children needed none. She had spent her earlier years in an Ashram and couldn't wait to break away from the mindless social and business circles. The children had suffered a few years of the state curriculum and where likewise ready to experience something more liberating. So a gap suddenly appeared with this amazing potential for change and growth - I was off the treadmill for a year!THE JOURNEY OF AWAKENINGWe headed away in a camper van to ‘travel the world’ and during that year, 1987, I stumbled onto the Camino de Santiago for the first time and felt its welcoming embrace. The Findhorn Foundation in Scotland was the next stop along the Way and it was there I realised that i
Russ Eanes - Maybe a Walk in Italy is Next after hearing about the Pilgrim Paths to Assisi
Jul 10 2023
Russ Eanes - Maybe a Walk in Italy is Next after hearing about the Pilgrim Paths to Assisi
Russ Eanes is back with his new book about the Pilgrim Paths to Assisi!  Maybe a walk in Italy will be on your list after hearing this discussion. Russ is a US-based pilgrim. This is his second book. His first was about the Camino de Santiago.The first Camino Cafe Podcast episode with Russ (Season 1, Episode 34)https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751717/9223929-russ-eanes-walk-of-a-lifetime-better-to-die-with-your-memories-than-your-dreams.mp3?download=trueLinks mentioned in the interview:NY Times Article featuring Russ:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/business/retirement-entrepreneurs-social-security.htmlFacebook Live event with Russ FB Live event: https://www.facebook.com/1325193832/videos/1847322855638722/Matt's Harms Guidebook:https://www.villagetovillagepress.com/travel-guidebooks/way-of-st-francisSandy Brown guidebook: https://www.cicerone.co.uk/the-way-of-st-francisRuss's book pages: https://russeanes.com/pilgrim-paths-to-assisi-300-miles-on-the-way-of-st-francis/https://russeanes.com/book/GPX Mapshttps://www.viadifrancesco.it/en/download-map-and-gpx-tracksShenandoah Valley APOC Chapterhttps://americanpilgrims.org/iwpmap_directory/shenandoah-valley/Tours with Russ and Pilgrim Paths https://pilgrimpaths.com/about/https://pilgrimpaths.com/about/the-via-di-francesco/The Camino Cafe Podcast  - Connect with Leigh:Watch  The Camino Cafe Podcast on audio podcast platforms:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCaminoCafePodcastJoin our private Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/216352732761518
Gabriel's Camino - A hero's journey fueled by an unstoppable team from around the world
Apr 28 2023
Gabriel's Camino - A hero's journey fueled by an unstoppable team from around the world
Bonus - Match "voices to faces" by checking out this episode on our YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/3caMqElwCrQThis interview was filmed on location outdoors in Santiago. Please excuse the background noise! Imagine achieving the unthinkable. Refusing to let a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy stop you. This is Gabriel’s Camino.  A 4-year quest to achieve a dream even when the odds were against him. He, along with his trusted and dedicated teacher, Kym, set out to accomplish what few would even try. Together, they assembled an international team of pilgrims who put aside their own goals to help Gabriel reach his. As a team, they overcame numerous obstacles to complete the ancient 500-mile pilgrim path from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain via the Camino Francés.  Few thought they could do it.  Yet, with faith, courage, and determination, Gabriel and his team proved that we are all capable of being unstoppable.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the cathedral plaza when they arrived.  Filmed in Santiago, just hours after their arrival, you’ll hear team leaders, two key team members, and finally, Gabriel share their emotional reactions to completing their 4-year quest.  Prepare to be inspired, to cry, and to cheer for this hero and his team. It will mean so much to Gabriel if you comment on this interview with congratulatory comments and give this interview a "thumbs up"!  Please share the link to this interview with your friends as I think we all could use a little inspiration right now! BONUS - Meet Gabriel and Kym in person at our live online event! We will celebrate and then catch up with them to see how this journey has impacted them months after. The live event is at 4:00 pm EST tomorrow (Saturday, April 29th, 2023).  Save this link to join us on Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7404049190 Hope to see you there! Time Markers for Interview:0:00 - Welcome from Leigh1:06 - Team Leads, Kym & Susan20:07 - Team members, Nick & Robin28:08 - This episode's featured guest, Gabriel TempestThanks to Gabriel, Kym, and the entire team for allowing us to present their story. Timothy Ringering - Thank you for all you did to make this interview happen and look so beautiful! OP Forever xoCamino Connections:Thanks to  Camino Connections for sponsoring this episode of the Camino Cafe Podcast.This special episode was filmed and produced by Camino Connections, an app designed for pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago. To download the Camino Connections app, visit the App Store or Google Play. https://caminoconnections.com/The Camino Cafe Podcast  - Connect with Leigh:Watch The Camino Cafe Podcast Episodes on our YouTube  channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCaminoCafePodcastJoin our private Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/216352732761518
Steve & Carol Lytch - Grace, Generosity, & Giving Back
Mar 20 2023
Steve & Carol Lytch - Grace, Generosity, & Giving Back
Meet Steve and Carol Lytch! They have a passion for the Camino and for volunteering. Steve is Chairman of the Board of the American Pilgrims on the Camino and the two of them have walked numerous Caminos over the last several years. They enjoy giving back to the Camino Community by volunteering in numerous ways including serving pilgrims at the Albergue Peregrinos Ribadiso. In this interview, we chat about how the Camino provides us an opportunity to open to the giving and the receiving of grace, the generosity one experiences on the Camino, and the Beatitudes of the Pilgrim. This was a deep conversation about spirituality, the power of pilgrimage, and the Camino as a metaphor for life. APOC Board Interview with the Camino Cafe Podcast Season 2, Episode 18https://youtu.be/yA-_dQ2kw0gAmerican Pilgrims on the Camino Websitehttps://americanpilgrims.org/Ribadiso Volunteer Info with APOChttps://americanpilgrims.org/ribadiso/The Beatitudes of the PilgrimBlessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino opens your eyes to what is not seen.Blessed are you pilgrim, if what concerns you most is not to arrive, but to arrive with others.Blessed are you pilgrim, when you contemplate the Camino and you discover it is full of names and dawns.Blessed are you pilgrim, because you have discovered that the authentic Camino begins when it is completed.Blessed are you pilgrim, if your knapsack is emptying of things and your heart does not know where to hang up so many feelings and emotions.Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that one step back to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without seeing who or what is by your side.Blessed are you pilgrim, when you don’t have words to give thanks for everything that surprises you at every twist and turn along the way.Blessed are you pilgrim, if you search for the truth and make of the Camino a life of your life, Blessed are you pilgrim, if on the way you meet yourself and gift yourself with time, without rushing, so as not to disregard the image in your heart.Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino holds a lot of silence; and the silence of prayer, and the prayer of meeting with God who is waiting for you++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Please check out our new show, "Good Morning, Santiago"! It's exclusively here on YouTube:)https://youtu.be/cNLAk8w0ZNcPlease share this episode with your friends and give us a "thumbs up" if you like this interview!++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Connect with Leigh:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQwJoin our private Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/216352732761518The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song was made possible with the generosity of fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney.Original Song  -  "Finnis Terre"  - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Pilgrim, Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR
Camino Croatia and Camino Frances with Vedran and Pia
Mar 3 2023
Camino Croatia and Camino Frances with Vedran and Pia
After this interview, all I can think about it walking a Camino in Croatia! I think you'll see why after you meet Vedran Prazen, an eight-time Camino veteran, and Pia Veronika Klinac, a 15-year-old first-time Pilgrim in this interview. recorded in Santiago. Vedran is one of the key people involved in revitalizing the Croatian Camino paths. His personal story is so inspiring from overcoming major health challenges to falling in love on the Camino! His insights on how the Camino is like "getting to peek into the keyhole of paradise" and how the walk feels like an "internal shower" are beautiful descriptions of what it's like to walk a Camino. History buffs will also love hearing about the findings of Pilgrim traditions in Croatian dating back to 1203 AD!  Pia shares some delightful insights on what it was like to walk as a 15-year-old, with her Mom, and with the Croatian group. I found her to be wise beyond her years and it was such a joy to spend time with her. I hope you enjoy meeting Vedran and Pia as much as I did! To connect with Vedran and Camino Croatia:https://caminocroatia.com/https://www.instagram.com/caminocroatia/https://www.facebook.com/groups/caminocroatiaConnect with Leigh at The Camino Cafe Podcast:Please check out our new show, Good Morning, Santiago! It's exclusively on YouTube:)Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQwJoin our private Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/216352732761518The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song was made possible with the generosity of fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney.Original Song  -  "Finnis Terre"  - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Pilgrim, Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR
Brien Crothers - Camino Child - experienced pilgrim, adventure racer, published Camino author talks
Feb 26 2023
Brien Crothers - Camino Child - experienced pilgrim, adventure racer, published Camino author talks
What fun it was to chat with Camino Author, Brien Crothers, when he arrived in Santiago from finishing a Camino! During this chat, we discussed his previous adventure racing, major hikes he's completed around the world, his four Caminos, and of course, his new Camino book! I really enjoyed this chat and hope you to as well! Catch our game of 20 Camino Questions available here and on Youtube!  Brien's book:  https://www.amazon.com/Camino-Child-Brien-Crothers/dp/1958637033/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27VSOOWUJCW5X&keywords=brien+crothers&qid=1664023091&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjY5IiwicXNhIjoiMS41OSIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTkifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Brien+cr%2Caps%2C475&sr=8-1Interviews mentioned during this chat:Meg Mahoney - https://youtu.be/63tZQbXgtEQJackson Mahoney - https://youtu.be/7yV60-xnEgoBeth Jusino - https://youtu.be/yS2o3nkSHzgPlease check out our new show, Good Morning, Santiago! It's exclusively on YouTube:)Please share this episode with your friends and give us a 5-star rating if you like this project!Connect with Leigh at The Camino Cafe Podcast:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQwJoin our private Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/216352732761518The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song was made possible with the generosity of fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney.Original Song  -  "Finnis Terre"  - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Pilgrim, Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR