What Would Dolly Do?

We may never sing onstage at the Grand Ole Opry or pen a number one song. Perhaps we won’t star in movies, have our own theme park, or start a literacy program that gives kids millions of books.  But we can learn to be brave, to follow our dreams, and to practice love and forgiveness: lessons offered by the life of Dolly Parton – a talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with the joyful music of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Prayer and Another Voice

An exploration of prayer, not as supplication or a mental exercise, but as a practice of stillness and an opening to what has been called “another voice.”  Thoughts on prayer by songwriter & speaker Doug Benecke with the inspired music of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Judgment Day!

A form of Christianity warns believers to be prepared for the Judgment Day.  "Judge not, lest you be so judged," are the  familiar words of Jesus; the implication being that judgment is reserved for the Creator. But... let’s get real:  we all judge, all the time – both others and ourselves. In truth, every day is Judgment Day.  Given all that, how do we work with our judgments?  What can we learn from them? And how can we begin to replace condemnation with compassion? Reflections by speaker and songwriter Doug Benecke with Sallie Spirit’s free-flowing musical accompaniment.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Imago Mundi

Imago Mundi --- our image of the world; our map of what we believe ourselves and our world to be.  How do we envisage lives that are more fulfilling, loving, and useful?  How can we use our creative faculties for the best outcomes? This week at Unity, thoughts about utilizing the gift of imagination by songwriter & speaker Doug Benecke accompanied by the inspired music of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Radical Acceptance

When we feel we just can’t accept . . . a fact, a condition, a reality – when we find something simply unacceptable – what if the truest pathway to peace is radical acceptance of what is?  This week at Unity, the path of acceptance, moment to moment, and day by day. Thoughts by songwriter & speaker Doug Benecke with the exceptional musical accompaniment of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Faith, Hope, and Charity

According to "famed spiritual teacher" Bob Hope: ‘If you haven't got any charity in your heart, then you've the worst kind of heart trouble!' This Sunday at Unity, a story about charity- - - in our hearts, in our lives, and in our world.  Thoughts by Doug Benecke with generous musical contributions by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Getting To Know . . . Me

Is every day an opportunity to get to know your self and your world more deeply?  Or is it more like just another day, same old stuff?  Do you find that you’re growing in self-love and self-forgiveness – or is the jury still out?  A talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with musical contributions, as ever, by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Free Time

In the rhythms of our lives, periods of constructive work alternate with stretches of what we call ‘free time.’  It's instructive to remember that each moment we spend, in whatever fashion, has, in fact, cost us nothing – is absolutely free – yet it is irreplaceably precious. What are you doing with your ‘free time?’  This and other questions will be explored by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with priceless musical contributions by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Reawakening

It’s easy – and natural – for any of us to get caught up in our preferences and concerns, our worries and attachments. 

In this New Year at Unity, we'll be looking at whatever hinders our usefulness and joy and locating a new focal point for 2026 – a talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with music from Sallie Spirit and Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.