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Richard Riccardi

Richard Riccardi

Author of The Wandering Worshipper on Belonging, Presence, and Community in Faith

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Richard Riccardi Podcast Episodes

The Spiritual Forum

The Spiritual Forum

33 Churches: A Spiritual Quest for Belonging with Richard G. Riccardi - EP 359

May 1, 2026

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About this episode

Richard G. Riccardi shares how a New Year’s resolution led him from an irregular, uninspired Catholic practice to visiting 33 worship spaces across denominations, races, cultures and faith traditions. His unique year-long journey was filled with profound personal lessons and heartwarming face-to-face experiences, allowing him to discover the beauty of community, the essence of belonging, and the commonalities among vastly different places of worship. With the mantra, “there's a place for everyone, and everyone needs a place,” Richard ultimately found the place where he belongs and he encourages others to do the same

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https://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Worshipper-Reluctant-Churchgoers-Belonging/dp/B0FMG1CM81

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BIO-

Richard G. Riccardi is a curious observer who approaches life with an open heart and mind. He invests most of his time writing, including his blog, 52 Steps Forward.

When he’s not writing, Richard enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting his cherished philanthropic causes, planning his next trip to explore different cultures, and cycling.

Richard also advocates for the early-stage consumer packaged goods industry. Formerly, he led his family’s food business and is an attorney and Certified Public Accountant.

And yes, you can find him in church every weekend.

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Richard Riccardi Podcast Episodes

Spiritual Life and Leadership

310. Why Do Guests Find Church Visits Intimidating? With Richard Riccardi, author of The Wandering Worshipper

Spiritual Life and Leadership

May 2026

The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast

Lessons from The Wandering Worshipper with Richard Riccardi

The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast

Apr 2026

Authentic Talks 2.0 with Shanta

Episode 300 | Wandering Worshiper Journey | Guest: Richard Riccardi

Authentic Talks 2.0 with Shanta

Apr 2026

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Latest episodes

Spiritual Life and Leadership

310. Why Do Guests Find Church Visits Intimidating? With Richard Riccardi, author of The Wandering Worshipper

Spiritual Life and Leadership

The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast

Lessons from The Wandering Worshipper with Richard Riccardi

The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast

Authentic Talks 2.0 with Shanta

Episode 300 | Wandering Worshiper Journey | Guest: Richard Riccardi

Authentic Talks 2.0 with Shanta

View all episodes →

Key topics

What church communities can learn from someone who kept walking in as a stranger

This conversation is for people who already attend or lead churches and care deeply about what community is supposed to feel like. Richard reflects on what he noticed by repeatedly entering congregations as an outsider — how small gestures of recognition, warmth, and presence often mattered more than programs or polish. Rather than critiquing churches, he shares what made certain communities quietly magnetic and others easy to forget. The discussion invites listeners to see their own churches through fresh eyes, and to reconsider how belonging is created long before anyone decides to stay. 

What happens when you walk into a different place of worship almost every week for a year?

This conversation is for listeners who are curious about faith but unsure where they belong, whether belonging even matters anymore, or where to start. Richard describes the experience of visiting a different place of worship almost every week as surprisingly energizing rather than destabilizing — each visit sharpening his appreciation for how people gather, welcome, and care for one another. Instead of feeling scattered, he found patterns emerging: the same human needs, the same moments of grace, expressed in common yet different ways. The conversation becomes an exploration of how repeated exposure didn’t dilute meaning, but deepened it, turning curiosity into genuine affection for communal worship. 

We are not the same, but shared humanity and values create belonging despite difference

This conversation is for listeners who worry that difference automatically leads to division, especially in religious spaces. Richard reflects on visiting communities where beliefs, culture, and practices didn’t match his own, yet the same underlying values kept surfacing—care for one another, reverence, hope, and responsibility to the people beside you. Rather than flattening differences, his experience showed how shared human instincts create a foundation for acceptance without requiring agreement. The discussion explores how churches can hold diversity honestly while still nurturing real unity.

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