The Hosts
Michael Ellick
Michael Ellick is a meditation teacher and minister currently serving University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle, WA. As a long time Spiritual Director and Community Organizer, Michael is especially interested in providing spiritual nurture for public capacity, and exploring the relationship between personal and public transformation.
Formally trained in Depth Psychology at Union Theological Seminary, and Vajrayana philosophy and practice at the Pema Ts’al School of Tibetan Buddhist Studies under Khenpo Pema Wangdak, Michael has also studied under a variety of other contemplative teachers, hesychastic practitioners, and Jungian analysts, and is a lifelong student of comparative mythology and mysticism. But his chief spiritual teacher has always been the Wilderness of the American West, which is also where he spends most his free time with wife Alana Hartman and their two children Zuzu and Desmond.
“As a Spiritual Director, I’m drawn to those places of breakdown that so often have the potential to become breakthroughs. Usually these are discovered in the midst of grief, loss, depression, or anxiety - or in response to the myriad of social and cultural pressures that confront each of us every day. Such moments of change and transformation can reveal what C. J. Jung calls “the Spirit of the Depths.” These dark places of epiphany can be disorienting and frightening of course, but with the support of a trusted companion to help us face the journey and navigate the territory, they can also reveal our own innate wisdom and strength. I am passionate about accompanying such work, and have become skilled at knowing when to offer guidance, and when to bear witness to the power of healing that unfolds from within. If you’re interested in learning more about working with me, email michael@tahomamoon.com to set up a free 30 minute consult.”
Jeff Mansfield
Jeff Mansfield is a Spiritual Director, mystic, and guide dedicated to accompanying others on their journeys toward deeper connection, meaning, and transformation. With over a two decades of experience as an ordained minister and pastor in the United Church of Christ, Jeff has supported individuals and communities in navigating life's most profound joys and challenges.
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Jeff’s work centers on helping people encounter the divine not as a distant concept but as a living, present reality. He draws on years of theological study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he explored the intersections of Christianity, interfaith dialogue and belonging, and social justice.
Jeff’s approach is deeply intuitive and relational, blending ancient spiritual practices with a contemporary understanding of human psychology. He believes that the divine speaks uniquely to each person and that the most powerful spiritual guidance comes not from dogma but from direct, personal encounters with the sacred.
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Based in Ellenville, NY, Jeff finds inspiration in the mountains that surround his home, which are a source of spiritual power and insight in his life. He works with individuals and groups, offering a supportive and nonjudgmental space for exploring faith, doubts, and embodied spiritual practice on the mountain, in his office, or online.
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When he’s not leading sessions or podcasting, Jeff spends his time hiking, cracking the secrets of the universe and consciousness, and loving on his wife and two young sons.
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If you're interested in learning more about Jeff's Spiritual Direction practice, check out Deep Mountain.