DeepSummary
In this episode, Emily Silverman interviews documentary filmmaker Luke Lawrenson and hospital chaplain Mati Engel about their award-winning film 'A Still, Small Voice.' The film explores Mati's year-long chaplain residency at a New York City hospital, highlighting the challenges and rewards of providing spiritual care to patients. Luke and Mati discuss how they met, the process of filming in a hospital setting, and the importance of witnessing and being present with patients during difficult times.
A key scene from the film involves Mati performing a baptism for a couple who experienced a stillbirth, despite being from the Jewish tradition. This prompts a discussion about the role of chaplains, their theological education, and the nuances of providing spiritual care across different faiths. Mati emphasizes the importance of listening to the patient's needs in those moments and meeting them where they are.
The conversation also touches on the emotional toll of the work, the need for self-care and boundaries, and the parallels between chaplaincy and documentary filmmaking. Luke shares his experience of being changed by witnessing the depths of human experience during the filming, and Mati reflects on her decision to transition out of the hospital setting to have more control over her schedule and workload.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The role of a hospital chaplain involves being a witness and providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, often across different faith traditions.
- Chaplains must strike a balance between being fully present and attuned to the suffering of patients, while also maintaining boundaries and self-care.
- The art of chaplaincy is largely non-scripted and requires the ability to meet patients where they are and respond to their unique needs in the moment.
- Filming a documentary in a hospital setting and witnessing the depths of human experience can profoundly impact the filmmakers and caregivers involved.
- Group sessions and reflective practices are an integral part of the chaplaincy profession, providing a space for decompression, learning, and collective support.
- The challenges and rewards of providing spiritual care in a hospital setting are multifaceted and require a unique combination of emotional availability, theological knowledge, and personal resilience.
- There are parallels between the roles of chaplains and documentary filmmakers, both of whom aim to witness and honor the stories and experiences of those they encounter.
- The decision to transition out of a hospital setting as a chaplain can be influenced by factors such as the need for greater work-life balance and personal agency over one's schedule and workload.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “You have to keep one eye open. Like, you have to see, you have to witness, you have to observe. And that often includes painful things like suffering, uncertainty. But then there's also a need to keep one eye closed and protect oneself and not become consumed.“ by Emily Silverman
- “Prayer is a vehicle and the technique to clean out the body, to do that well. But the craft of chaplaining is non scripted, and I think, I believe that that's what's so complicated and hard.“ by Mati Engel
- “Being there sort of broke me in half and then put me back together with a bit more tenderness and awareness. I really grew my own capacity to feel, my own capacity to experience ups and downs of life and pay attention to them.“ by Luke Lawrenson
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Episode Information
The Nocturnists
The Nocturnists
5/9/24
Documentary filmmaker Luke Lorentzen and hospital chaplain Mati Engel discuss their award-winning film, "A Still Small Voice," which explores the rewards and challenges of providing spiritual care in the hospital setting.
Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.