
A Spiritual Almanac is a short, daily audio and video podcast for on-the-go seekers and spiritually minded listeners. About five minutes in length, each episode features a piece of writing from a well-known poet or spiritual thinker, and snack-sized vignettes to feed your soul and mind.
You can download “A Spiritual Almanac” at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and everywhere else you find your favorite podcasts.
For a recap of the highlights from last week’s podcasts, check out “A Spiritual Almanac” playlist on Granola Soul’s YouTube channel.

A Spiritual Almanac: “Walk Away Quietly”
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a piece of writing from the naturalist, John Muir, the first federal quarantine legislation and more.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Song of a Dream”
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a dangerous political ideology, the unusual relationship of the brothers Grimm, and a poem by the Indian poet and social activist, Sarojini Naidu.
A Spiritual Almanac: “The Convert”
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about the unexpected spirituality of Andy Warhol, the opening of the first Woolworth’s, and a poem from G.K. Chesterton.
A Spiritual Almanac: “As Air Carries Light”
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a poem from the Italian Franciscan, Jacopone da Todi, the Hindu festival of Maha Shivatri and the life of civil rights leader, John Lewis.
A Spiritual Almanac: “I Live, I Die, I Burn, I Drown” by Delmira Agustini
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about Johannes Stoffler’s failed flood prediction, the photographer Ansel Adams and a poem by the South American writer, Delmira Agustini.
A Spiritual Almanac: “I Hate Incense”
Today we’re talking about Kansas’ prohibition on booze, the life of the novelist, Harper Lee, and a poem from the Zen master, Ikkyu Sojun.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Love Is Not All” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a poem from Edna St. Vincent Millay, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and the life of Toni Morrison.
A Spiritual Almanac: Ash Wednesday
In today’s episode of A Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a piece from the Christian mystic, Thomas Merton as well as the history and customs of Ash Wednesday.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Albert Schirding” by Edgar Lee Masters
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a piece from Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology, the Hindu holiday of Vasant Panchami and the sneeze.
A Spiritual Almanac: Catherine of Sienna
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a piece by Catherine of Sienna, Nirvana Day in the Buddhist tradition and the trial of Socrates.
A Spiritual Almanac: The Feast of Saint Valentine
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about Elizabeth Barret Browning’s sonnet, “How Do I Love Thee?” as well as the religious and cultural roots of Valentine’s Day.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Deep in the Quiet Wood” by James Weldon Johnson
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a poem by James Weldon Johnson titled “Deep in the Quiet Wood,” the fall of Baghdad, the trial of Galileo and the spirituality of talk show host Jerry Springer.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Listen” by Vladimir Mayakovsky
In today’s podcast, we’re talking about a poem by the Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky titled “Listen,” Lincoln’s birthday and the formation of the NAACP, and the 1994 theft of Edvard Munch’s painting, The Scream.
A Spiritual Almanac: “In the Fog” by Giovanni Pascoli
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a poem by the Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli titled “In the Fog,” the establishment of Vatican City as an independent state, Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, and the life of the actress, Eva Gabor.
A Spiritual Almanac: “My God and My Lord”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a poem by the Sufi mystic, Rabia al Basri titled “Love Has Subjugated Me,” Amsterdam’s naked Anabaptists, and the life of Shirley Temple Black.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Love Has Subjugated Me”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a poem by the 13th-century mystic, Hadwijch, titled “Love Has Subjugated Me,” the creation of the US Army’s Chaplain School, and the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
A Spiritual Almanac: “An Old Man”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a piece by C.P. Cavafy titled “An Old Man,” the appearance of the “devil’s footprints” in Devon, England, and the creator of the periodic table of elements.
A Spiritual Almanac: “At Home From Church”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a piece by Sarah Orne Jewett titled “At Home From Church,” the social activism of equipment manufacturer, John Deere, and the near-destruction of the Portland Vase.
A Spiritual Almanac: “I Came to Love You Too Late”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a piece by Saint Augustine titled “I Came to Love You Too Late,” the monarchy of Queen Elizabeth II and the spirituality of reggae legend, Bob Marley.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Brother, I’ve Seen Some”
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at a poem by Kabir titled “Brother, I’ve Seen Some,” Japan’s “26 Martyrs,” the life of baseball great, Hank Aaron and more.
A Spiritual Almanac: “Canticle of the Sun” by Francis of Assisi
In today’s podcast, we’re looking at Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Sun,” the Mormon migration from Nauvoo, Illinois, and the discovery of the oldest complete manuscript of the New Testament.
Spiritual Almanac: Rabindranoth Tagore
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a piece by the famous Bengali writer, Rabindranoth Tagore, the sacrifice of the “Four Chaplains,” and the death of Grandpa Munster, Al Lewis.
A Spiritual Almanac: Letitia Pilkington
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the colorful Irish poet, Letitia Pilkington, Bertrand Russell’s “teapot” concept, and the religious roots of Groundhog Day.
A Spiritual Almanac: Al-Khansa
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the legendary female Arab poet, al-Khansa, the election of the world’s first openly gay head of government and Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Spiritual Almanac – Edwin Markham: Sunday, January 31, 2021
In 1876, the American poet Edwin Markham abandoned his Methodist roots for a utopian socialist spirituality that focused on social harmony. It was a theme that would come to characterize his life and work — much of his writing celebrates the concepts of peace, love...
Spiritual Almanac – Ella Wheeler Wilcox: Saturday, January 30, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the American poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the death of civil rights icon, Coretta Scott King and the life of the actor, Gene Hackman.
Spiritual Almanac – Stephen Crane: Friday, January 29, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the Civil War novelist, Stephen Crane, the apocalyptic predictions of Scottish mathematician, John Napier, and the founding of The Seeing Eye organization in Nashville.
Spiritual Almanac – Francis Ellen Watkins Harper: Thursday, January 28, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the African-American poet, Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, the religious motivation for the term, Pakistan, and the Livingstone-seeking journalist, Henry Morton Stanley.
Spiritual Almanac – Moses ibn Ezra: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the Spanish Hebrew poet, Moses ibn Ezra, the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, journalist Nellie Bly and the death of the father of indoor plumbing, Thomas Crapper.
Spiritual Almanac – Helen Hunt Jackson: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the American writer, Helen Hunt Jackson, the development of the world’s first vaccine, and the life of Maria von Trapp.
Spiritual Almanac – Tulsi Sahib: Monday, January 25, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the yogi mystic, Tulsi Sahib, the anniversary of the Harwick mining disaster, the first female Anglican priest and robot clergy.
Spiritual Almanac – Prayer of Saint Francis: Sunday, January 24, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at the history of the Prayer of St. Francis, the televangelist, Oral Roberts, and the spirituality behind Apple computers.
Spiritual Almanac – Paul Laurence Dunbar: Saturday, January 23, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re looking at a poem by the great African-American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar, the baptism of John Wilkes Booth, and the death of the devout beer-maker, Arthur Guinness.
Spiritual Almanac – Navajo Poetry: Friday, January 22, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re talking about an anonymous Navajo poem, Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible,” and the arrest of a woman in NYC for smoking a cigarette.
Spiritual Almanac – Ryokan Taigu: Thursday, January 21, 2021
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a poem by the Buddhist monk, Ryokan Taigu, Carter’s pardon of Vietnam draft dodgers and the birthday of the Russian mystic, Rasputin.
Spiritual Almanac – Inauguration Day: Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about Inauguration Day traditions, Myrlie Evers-Williams invocation at the 2013 inaugural ceremony, and the spiritual backgrounds of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Spiritual Almanac – Mordechai Gebirtig: January 19, 2021
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a song by Mordechai Gebirtig, the first Warsaw ghetto uprising and National Popcorn Day.
Spiritual Almanac – Martin Luther King Jr.: Monday, January 18, 2021
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about Martin Luther King Jr.s’ last sermon, the black surgeon who performed the first open heart surgery and the life of Sargent Shriver.
Spiritual Almanac – Sunday, January 17, 2021: Khalil Gibran
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a poem by Kahlil Gibran, World Religion Day, Ben Franklin and the day Prohibition went into effect.
Spiritual Almanac – Saturday, January 16, 2021: Pope Francis
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about National Religious Freedom Day, Pope Francis’ “A Prayer for Our Earth,” the first Persian Gulf War and Hamilton’s Lin Manuel-Miranda.
Spiritual Almanac – Friday, January 15, 2021: Cyprian Norwood
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a poem by the Polish artist, Cyprian Norwid, National Bagel Day, Henry VII and the co-founder of Amnesty International, Sean Macbride.
Spiritual Almanac – Thursday, January 14, 2021: Lewis Carroll
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about Lewis Carroll’s life and his poem “Jabberwocky,” the Russian saint, Seraphim of Sarov, and the counterculture event, the Human Be-In.
Spiritual Almanac – Wednesday, January 13, 2021: Rudyard Kipling
In today’s Spiritual Almanac, we’re talking about a poem by Rudyard Kipling, Wyatt Earp’s burial in a Jewish cemetery and Johnny Cash’s concert at Folsom Prison.
Spiritual Almanac – Tuesday, January 12, 2021: Meera
Today’s inspiration comes to us from the sixteenth-century Hindu mystic and poet, Meera. Although biographical details about Meera are sketchy, secondary sources tell us she was forced to marry the crown prince of Mewar in 1516. According to legend, her in-laws tried...
Spiritual Almanac – Monday, January 11, 2021: Julian of Norwich
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the mystic, Julian of Norwich, the religious philosopher, William James, the first Jewish person elected to office in America and England’s first public lottery at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Spiritual Almanac – Sunday, January 10, 2021: Thomas Hardy
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the English writer, Thomas Hardy, Napoleon’s marriage annulment and the religious views of Ethan Allen.
A Spiritual Almanac – Saturday, January 9: 2021: Rebekah Hyneman
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by Jewish-American poet, Rebekah Hyneman, mermaids and the feast day of Adrian of Canterbury.
Spiritual Almanac – Friday, January 8, 2021: Symeon the New Theologian
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the Byzantine monk, Symeon the New Theologian, the expulsion of the Jews from Genoa, Italy, voting rights for Black men in Washington D.C., and the death of the founder of the Scouting movement.
Spiritual Almanac – Thursday, January 7, 2021: Ghalib
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the 19th century Indian poet, Ghalib, the first Black performer at the Metropolitan opera and the wedding anniversary of the world’s most recognized author of horror fiction.
Spiritual Almanac – Wednesday, January 6, 2021: Katharine Tynan
Topics covered in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the Irish poet, Katharine Tynan, Epiphany customs, and vignettes about Mother Teresa, Joan of Arc and John Smith.
Spiritual Almanac – Tuesday, January 5, 2021: William Blake
Topics in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the English poet, William Blake, Henry Ford’s eight-hour workday, the utopian vision of the inventor of the disposable razor and George Washington Carver.
Spiritual Almanac – Monday, January 4, 2021: Miyazawa Kenji
Topics in today’s Spiritual Almanac include a piece by the Japanese writer Miyazawa Kenji, Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society,” Solomon Northrup and Isaac Newton.