Heath Hollensbe

As a public speaker, podcaster and author, Heath Hollensbe certainly keeps his life action-packed. He’s toured the globe as a musician, earned his doctorate degree in Semiotics and Future Studies, founded a storytelling branding agency, and writes a book a year. Today, we’re asking Heath about his spiritual habits, his favorite meals and resources, and his passion projects.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

I call Tacoma, Washington, home, but my life’s a whirlwind of travel — I’ve explored 50 states and ventured through 73 countries. One of my favorite things is settling down for a meal with great company and diving into a wild conversation. Ask anyone close to me, and they’ll tell you I never stick to a particular dish on a restaurant menu. Instead, I always pose the same question to the server: “If this were your last meal here, what would you pick?”

I’m not one to send food back and have no dietary restrictions, so chefs often whip up something special, off-menu creations or unique combinations. It’s like a secret world of incredible flavors and dishes that never make it to the printed menu. I can’t even recall the last time I ordered conventionally.

Menus feel too restrictive; they’re like ruts I might fall into, and I’m all about staying adaptable. Embracing this spontaneity keeps things fresh and exciting. Who knows what surprise awaits at the table?

That’s life, right? Too short to limit yourself to the same old routine. I believe in savoring not just the meal but primarily the company — it’s where the best memories are made.

Fire and sparks at night — Krišjānis Kazaks; Unsplash

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity (or activities) do you love engaging in, which also help you find essential spiritual renewal?

I’m just your average guy, finding joy in the simple things most people love.

There’s something serene about dipping my toes into different waters while I immerse myself in ambient Icelandic post-rock tunes.

I’ve got this quirky hobby. I can’t resist adding googly eyes to statues, especially those of religious or governmental significance. It’s my little way of injecting some humor into the cityscape.

Maps are my playground. I pick a remote spot and dive deep, scouring Google Earth and hunting down local websites — anything to absorb as much as possible about that place.

Picture this: a starry night, me lounging with a cigar, sipping mugwort tea by a crackling fire, dreaming up constellations that exist solely in my imagination. Who hasn’t done that, right?

I’m all about spontaneous experiences. I’ll snag tickets to shows I know nothing about just for the thrill of something entirely new.

Also, I once tried tempting an orca to shore with an amazing homemade chocolate chip cookie. Turns out, whales aren’t big fans of local sweets. Lesson learned.

Stress relief for me? Strolling the paint section at Home Depot, getting lost in the rainbow of colors on those swatch templates.

Another oddity: I have a thing for ranch-flavored sunflower seeds and long drives. Oh, and when a tailgating driver irks me, I spit the seeds into a cup, then dramatically empty them onto my roof while cruising away, leaving a trail of sunflower shells in my wake. It’s my, uh, unique form of road rage therapy.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you hide it?

My Achilles’ heel? I’m hooked on intensity, and honestly, it might just be my downfall.

Isn’t it the cruel irony of life? The very things that bring us joy often evade our control.

My jam? A jam-packed schedule. I practically leap out of bed five minutes before I’ve got to dash out the door, and from then on, it’s all systems go. People often ask, “How on earth do you accomplish so much in a day?”

I’ve got this knack for handling a crazy workload — it doesn’t faze me much. My to-do list would blow your mind, but here’s the catch: I don’t know how to hit the brakes. Every year, like clockwork around November or December, my body just forces me to slow down, taking me out for a week or two.

And I anticipate it. I see it coming and almost plan for it. It’s easier for me to cope with my body shutting down than to grant myself the rest I actually need throughout the year.

Folks tend to peg it as me wanting to please others (which I’m not really about) or as an inability to say “no” (which I’ve mastered). But when someone suggested it’s an addiction to intensity, it hit me like a ton of bricks. They were spot-on.

I’m aware this lifestyle’s a dead end, but I’m stuck in this cycle. I’m an addict without a clue on how to pump the brakes.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?

I’ve got quite a few plates spinning at the moment.

First and foremost, my biggest endeavor is raising four incredible kids alongside my amazing wife. Parenthood? Well, let’s just say I’m learning as I go, and mistakes come with the territory.

Then there’s my baby, The Meraki Agency, a visual storytelling hub in Tacoma, Washington. Documentaries, commercials — we do it all.

But wait, there’s more! I’m on the road as a tour manager for a celebrity comedian. World tour plans for 2024 are brewing, which means more countries to explore. Stand-up comedy? It’s a unifier, bringing folks together in the best way possible.

Teaching is another gig I’m into — graduate-level courses where, honestly, I often learn more from my students than they do from me. It’s a guarantee.

On a lighter note, I get a kick out of playing with my son’s fancy rat. I wear an oversized sweatshirt and let her go to town. I always giggle when she goes under the armpit and pops up over my shoulder.

Then there’s my doctoral dissertation — hallucinogenics as a spiritual sacrament. It’s a topic I love diving into, especially when challenging others’ fixed opinions on the subject.

Oh, and in my “spare” time, I’m adapting a one-man show I penned into a full-fledged motion picture. Funding? Well, that’s the hurdle. Got a hundred grand to toss into the film fund? Hit me up!

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?

I’d say I’m an Alltheist — a believer that divinity resides in all things and every person. It’s a challenging concept, especially when you consider even your worst enemy as a reflection of the Divine.

I’ve never been good at drawing a line between the sacred and the ordinary. Instead, I’ve bundled it all up and labeled it “holy,” so it’s natural for me to perceive God in everything around me.

Now, about how the Holy Spirit fuels my work — well, that’s a tough one to articulate honestly. For me, it’s about carrying forward Christ’s teachings long after he’s gone.

I don’t view things through the lens of “Did God ask me to do this?” or “Is this God’s will?” It’s more about recognizing a need and responding. There’s no necessity to pray or ask for guidance — it’s about taking action. If it’s done in the spirit of Christ, then I believe God is present in it.

I genuinely think it’s that straightforward.

In this perspective, buying cigarettes for a homeless person is just as sacred as playing in a church band. Serving others, showing love through actions — that’s where you’ll always encounter the essence of Christ’s spirit.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you right now?

I’m always drawn to the Celtic approach to Christianity over the American one. There’s something enchanting about how Celtic Christianity engages the senses — appreciating the elements, the wind’s whisper, the water’s flow, the sturdy rock, the roaring ocean waves, the melodies of birds and more.

One of my quirkiest yet profoundly spiritual rituals involves sitting in absolute silence and darkness, usually in the bathtub. I know, it’s not something you’ll find in a “how to be a better Christian” guidebook. But every night, no gadgets, no timers — just me. I ask my wife to give me an hour, and I ponder, sweat and meditate on my day in that serene space.

I revisit conversations, evaluate my interactions, contemplate moments of confidence and recognize areas where I need to grow. I let these reflections guide me, without dwelling in shame. I repent where necessary, reflect where needed, and then step out of the bath — often to grab some ice cream and join my wife for a show like Suits.

For me, loving God with my mind comes naturally. It’s the loving him with my heart, soul and strength that proves to be the real challenge.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top-three resources stand out to you? What changed the game and changed your heart?

Well, brace yourself for some truth bombs — I’m not one to sugarcoat things.

1. The game-changer in my perception of American evangelical Christianity was Rob Bell’s “What Is the Bible?” That book completely shook me up in the most mind-bending way. It took everything I thought about the Bible and twisted it in ways that demanded a complete reevaluation of my beliefs. Talk about a rebirth.

2. Exploring Jewish theology and diverse religious perspectives has been a mind-bending journey. I realized my Christian teachings mostly came from a narrow circle of wealthy, middle-aged white men. The teachings of Jesus are far more profound than what’s typically drawn from them — way beyond Andy Stanley’s interpretations.

3. Honestly, a pivotal moment for me was an experience with hallucinogenic mushrooms during a lonely period in ministry when I was at my lowest. It led me on a transformative journey that I can’t unsee, like an indelible tattoo on my mind. I know Rapt can’t endorse that, but if you want to delve into next-level encounters with the divine, hit me up on my cell.

We all have things we cling to to survive (or even thrive) in tough times — times like these! Name one resource you’re savoring and/or finding indispensable in this current season, and tell us what it’s doing for you.

Tough times, huh? Seems like they’ve been around forever. We’re just the latest edition of folks navigating life’s roller coaster. Nothing really new under the sun, huh? Others have been here before us.

Lately, a couple of resources have been my go-to. The Book of Ecclesiastes? Man, it’s a gem. Raw, honest, straight-up.

Then there’s this group I hang with about once a month. We dive deep into spiritual matters. But here’s the kicker: We’re from diverse spiritual backgrounds. These folks? They’ve got the most curious, playful minds. When we get into these conversations, nothing’s off limits.

It’s a space where texts get playful, where our assumptions get a good shake and our biases are put right in front of us.

This community? We spar, we challenge, we confront. It’s a commitment to love each other enough that we won’t let anyone walk away the same.

Getting this together isn’t a walk in the park. It needs organization, planning and lots of communication. But man, it’s worth it.

And let me tell you, it’s probably the most vital night of my month. It leaves me yearning to understand God with even more of my mind than before.

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

In the near future, expect the unexpected from me. I’m in the midst of transforming a solo performance into a screen spectacle, hoping to blow minds when it launches in 2024 at TheMerakiAgency.org.

Curiosity, Awe, and Wonder is a book that I’m working on to encapsulate my essence. These are the words I hope will be said about me at my funeral.

I’m toying with the idea of delving deeper into hallucinogens and plant medicine for spiritual well-being, although I’m well aware it might ruffle feathers in the American evangelical sphere. I’m bracing myself for potential backlash.

Then there’s this annual ritual I do — a book released each year, limited to just 100 copies. Purely for the joy of it, no grand purpose.

Oh, and my fascination with drawing parallels between the Burning Man community and the early church? That’s a journey I’m committed to exploring. You will catch me at some of those events.

Ah, the Alltheist clothing brand — a venture that amuses me greatly. I relish the bewildered expressions of traditional Southern grandmothers misreading it as “atheist” and eager to offer their thoughts.

As for divine calls? I’m not feeling any specific nudges from above. God’s been rather quiet during significant stretches of my life. So in the interim, I’ll stay occupied with playfulness while waiting for any signs.

There may be plenty of reasons behind the temptation to overwork. A desire to please others. A love of feeling accomplished. A yearning for recognition. Or, as Heath described earlier, an addiction to intensity.

When you feel tempted to let work overtake your schedule, what motivation is driving you? How is it affecting your relationships with God and others? This week, why not ponder what you think a health schedule should look like?