Episode 6: Tree hugging, Seminary and the Socially Anxious episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 6, 2026 · 11 MIN

Episode 6: Tree hugging, Seminary and the Socially Anxious

from To Be a Mystic · host Rev. Marcella Velandia Ciccotelli, M. Div, M. A. Ed

What happens when your "star word" contradicts your fear?In this special Epiphany episode, I’m sharing a story I’ve never told in detail: my first year of seminary, hiding in my car during lunch breaks, and the moment a yellow paper star changed the trajectory of my life.We talk about:​ The "J-Term" struggle: Surviving seminary when you feel like an outsider.​ The Connection: Why none of us are "qualified" to lead alone.​ Tenderness: Reflections on my very first star word from 2019.https://open.substack.com/pub/thegroundedsoul/p/tree-hugging-seminary-and-the-socially?r=17n5on&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueVisit the link above to see the original 2019 worksheet mentioned in this episode and to join our community of clergy and seekers.About the Host:Marcella Ciccotelli is an Eco-Chaplain and Clergy member currently exploring the intersections of grief, nature, and spiritual rest.#StarWords #Epiphany #ClergyWellness #UMC #VulnerableLeadership

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 6, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Episode 6: Tree hugging, Seminary and the Socially Anxious

0:00 11:45

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of To Be a Mystic?

This episode is 11 minutes long.

When was this To Be a Mystic episode published?

This episode was published on January 6, 2026.

Can I download this To Be a Mystic episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!