Richard Rohr
Born: March 20, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas, United States
Richard Rohr is an American Franciscan friar and spiritual writer focused on Christian contemplation, mysticism, nondual thinking, and social transformation. He founded the Center for Action and Contemplation and wrote influential books including Falling Upward, Breathing Under Water, and The Universal Christ, shaping contemporary Christian spirituality for a broad international readership.
Biography & Author's Journey
Richard Rohr was born in Kansas in 1943 and grew up in a conservative Catholic family shaped by pre-Vatican II piety. As a teenager, after reading about Francis of Assisi, he decided to enter the Franciscans, later studying philosophy and theology and earning a master’s degree in theology before his ordination to the priesthood on June 13, 1970, in Topeka. Early ministry proved decisive. As a young deacon, he served at Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico and then at a Black parish in Dayton, experiences that broadened his understanding of faith, culture, and the people pushed to society’s edges. Soon afterward, while leading Teens Encounter Christ retreats in Cincinnati, his preaching drew large crowds; the movement that became New Jerusalem Community emerged in 1971, and taped talks began carrying his voice well beyond the room. ((https://roadtripnation.com/leader/richard-rohr/))
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Community Voices
"Richard Rohr is one of the great Christian spiritual masters of our time"
— James Martin, SJ
"Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things is a much-needed road map to wisdom and higher—more hopeful—ground"
— Pete Holmes
"Fr. Richard Rohr invites us into a relationship with sadness as the path to knowing how actively God works with us"
— Margaret Wheatley
"Richard Rohr brings to his study his long, discerning reflection, his immense pastoral sensibility, and his capacity for close reading"
— Walter Brueggemann
"Richard Rohr brings the voices of the biblical prophets to life, offering a timely and transformative message about our shared humanity"
— Kirsten Powers
"Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest who has become a widely popular author and lecturer with his message about the importance of spiritual experience"
— Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
"In this luminous book, Richard Rohr synthesizes action and contemplation with greater passion and courage than ever before"
— Mirabai Starr
"Fr. Richard Rohr has been such an inspiration to so many of us"
— Brian D. McLaren
"Men of all ages say Richard Rohr has given them a new way into spiritual depth and religious thought through his writing and retreats"
— On Being
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
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