In a world increasingly shaped by noise, urgency, and distraction, Teresa Blythe offers a radically different invitation—one of listening. A pioneer in the field of contemporary spiritual direction, Teresa brings decades of experience to her practice, rooted in contemplative wisdom and a deep commitment to vocational discernment. Since founding the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction in 2014, she has created an inclusive space for seekers of all backgrounds to encounter the Divine in the everyday. From walking alongside young adult mission volunteers to mentoring future spiritual guides, her work is both pastoral and prophetic. In this conversation with Mystic Mag, Teresa opens up about the evolving role of spiritual direction, the power of deep listening, and how we might all become more attuned to the sacred whispers of our lives.
After years in journalism, what inner prompting or pivotal experience led you to walk the path toward seminary and spiritual direction?
Interesting question! Thanks for asking. I had been in spiritual direction for many years while working in radio as a newscaster. I knew my shelf-life as a radio announcer was short—stations were trimming back on news significantly. But the pivotal moment was kind of hilarious, actually. The classic rock DJs I worked with one day invited a stripper into the studio (made no sense—this was radio after all) and as I prepared my newscast while she was gyrating on the console entertaining my male co-workers, I realized it was time for a change. That was when I enrolled in an ecumenical seminary to obtain both an M.Div. and a spiritual direction certificate.
You’ve founded and led both in-person and online formation programs—what have you learned about spiritual formation in digital spaces that surprised or challenged you?
Working online has been an awesome experience for me. It tripled my client list because I was no longer bound geographically. I’ve been fortunate to work with people all over the world. Also, I find it is comfortable for both me and the client. We both are in our safe spaces.
The challenge is that technology doesn’t always do what I expect it to do. I’ve had to learn patience and how to be a “non-anxious presence” when Zoom crashes.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer spiritual direction, supervision for spiritual directors and the Apprentice Training Program for spiritual directors through my Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction. All done live via Zoom. I occasionally receive honoraria when I preach, give keynotes or present at retreats.
In case any readers are curious about spiritual direction, it is the practice of helping a person explore their spiritual needs, beliefs and questions. Directors are trained to be present, deeply listen and prayerfully assist the directee in this exploration. We do not give advice or tell people what to do. The only thing we really direct is attention—to places where the Divine may be inviting the person to transformation.
As someone who’s guided spiritual seekers across decades, what are some of the most common questions people bring to direction today—and how have those questions evolved?
The most common question is how do I maintain a lively spiritual practice in such a hectic world? I work with a lot of clergy who need more rest and longer sabbaths. Many people have discernment questions such as “what is mine to do in this particular situation, and what do I need to let go of?”
Many people right now are asking how to resist authoritarianism in a peaceful, loving way. By the way, I have no answers to any of these questions. I simply help people listen to the wisdom I believe God has planted deep within them.
Your writing covers everything from prayer practices to spirituality and media—how do you discern which spiritual conversations are most needed in the public sphere?
I mostly write “how to” books and blog posts for spiritual directors. I noticed years ago that the most commonly used books in spiritual direction were, as the old country song puts it, “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.” I write for clarity, honesty and understanding. When I write about the media, it usually is inspired by something I’ve noticed in the culture that I feel needs to be addressed from a spiritual director’s point of view.
Looking back over your vocational journey—from journalist to spiritual director, educator, and author—what threads of grace or divine movement have stayed constant through it all?
The thread of grace is the reality that deep listening and presence with another person is a magnificent gift from God. In journalism, you have to listen in order to properly digest and relay important information. The spiritual director listens, reflects what we notice and asks honest, open-ended questions for the benefit of the directee we are with. This sort of presence can be hard to find, even with friends, family members or within the various communities we are part of. If I could teach everyone in the world how to “listen with the ear of the heart” (as the Benedictines say) I would.
