Curito Connects

Jenn speaks to current professor of medical anthropology at the University of La Verne and founder of Ehtheon and author of “Book of Queens: The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror”, Pardis Mahdavi. Born in Minnesota to Iranian immigrants, Pardis grew up bridging her Iranian and American immigrant identity in her early diplomacy work at the UN. Her curiosity for cultures, people and being a bridge that connects us together has led her to a career in academics, publishing books and most recently creating a wellness tourism company. Through her own experiences, Pardis shares with us how the courage to cross the bridges we build is essentially the foundation in discovering our inner self and in the process understanding the world we live in! (Recorded on July 16, 2024)

About Pardis:

Pardis Mahdavi, PhD is a professor of medical anthropology and founder of Entheon Journeys. Prior to this role, she served as President at the University of La Verne, Provost and Executive Vice President at the University of Montana, as well as Dean at Arizona State University and the University of Denver after serving in multiple roles at Pomona College. Her research interests include gendered labor, human trafficking, migration, human rights, and public health in the context of changing global and political structures. She has published seven single authored books and two edited volumes in addition to numerous journal and news articles. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Young President’s Organization and has been a fellow at the Social Sciences Research Council, the American Council on Learned Societies, Google Ideas, and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She serves as a board member for the Lumina Foundation and the Human Trafficking Legal Center.

Episode Resources:

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 Entheon

Jenn speaks to Colorado based Hannah Ritchie and Kait Tomkosky founders of Together a company whose mission is to help others experience life with more consciousness, particularly those in the music scene through the magic of meditation and ceremonial grade Cacao. Hannah & Kait share their own personal journeys, how they met and how Together was created in 2022 after leading their first cacao ceremony for musicians before they start their concerts! (Recorded on April 23, 2024)

About Hannah & Kait:

Hannah grew up in Richmond, Virginia, while Kait grew up in western Pennsylvania. Hannah and Kait met on their first day of college at West Virginia University and have been inseparable best friends since. While in college, they got into the jam band scene, and music quickly became a huge part of their lives. After moving to Colorado, yoga, meditation, and spirituality also became a huge part of their lives, and they eventually obtained their meditation teacher training certifications through the Shambhavananda School of Yoga. 

In an attempt to cultivate a greater sense of inner awareness, intention, and presence while seeing live music, they began drinking cacao as an alternative way to "pre-game" before shows. They became increasingly captivated by the sense that this "spirit" was working behind the scenes to manifest their intentions for the night. Intrigued by this guiding force, they dove into the world of cacao - drinking cacao in their daily lives, completing a month-long cacao immersion, and eventually obtaining their cacao ceremony facilitator certifications through Keith's Cacao. Eventually, they founded their business, together, whose mission is to help others experience life with more consciousness, particularly those in the music scene. Their signature offering is "the conscious pre-game" - a cacao ceremony and meditation circle that's designed to deepen the live music experience by providing space for bands or fans to ground, become centered, and connect with one another on a deeper level before the show.

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Insight Timer

Living in a Mindful Universe

The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck and Guidebook

Free Meditation with Email Sign-Up

Jenn speaks to Spanish chef and restaurant owner of Juju Spanish Gastrobar, Pablo Lorenzo Ten! Pablo shares with us how from dreaming of becoming a movie director to living in Xian, China teaching English to falling in love and moving to Taiwan to then discovering his talent for cooking and opening a restaurant in a foreign city that one should keep an open mind to embrace the opportunities that presents itself as life is full of unexpected surprises! (Recorded on March 12, 2024)

About Pablo:

Born and raised in Tenerife, Spain, Pablo Lorenzo Ten was always hungry and curious about the world. Movies have always been one of his biggest passions which led him to major in media and communications. After graduating he wanted to travel and explore the world so he moved to London and obtained his certification to teach English. With this on hand, it allowed Pablo to work, travel and experience what the world has to offer. In 2010, Pablo decided to relocate to Taiwan where his partner resides and found his true professional calling: cooking. Today Pablo owns and runs JUJU Spanish Gastrobar in Taipei serving authentic Spanish cuisine to share with Taiwan.

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Thesis

Jenn speaks to Romanian bred, Taiwan based Talida Van Boxstael, founder of Light of Ki a palo santo company that empowers seekers to start and deepen their spiritual practice by bringing mystical palo santo to modern spiritual seeker from around the world! Talida breaks down her spiritual journey in correlation with her life chapters and and how it has taught and shaped her and linking the past and present together in the integration of your life now and the business she created. She shares insights on childhood trauma, career path, motherhood, healing modalities, spirituality and energy work! (Recorded on April 17, 2024)

About Talida:

Talida founded Light of Ki, a Palo Santo Spiritual Tools Boutique based in Taiwan. She is passionate about getting spirituality off the pedestal and bringing magic into the mundane. She has lived in 9 countries over the past 20 years with her husband and three kids.

Episode Resources:

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The Secret

Oprah Daily Show

A Court of Thorne and Roses 

Abraham Hicks Law of Attraction Podcast 

A Bit of OptimisonSimon Sinek Podcast 

We Can Do Hard Things Podcast 

Good Inside Podcast 

Tim Ferris Podcast 

Jenn speaks to Taiwanese American Jessica Hwang, a purpose coach and host of Permission to Flow podcast. From her personal experience of leaving corporate America, calling off an engagement, and being completely burnt out, Jessica will share how this led to where she is today offering a space to help other women find their dream life by defying convention to create the life you want. (Recorded on January 25, 2024)

About Jessica:

Jessica Hwang is a Purpose Coach, host of Permission to Flow podcast, and an 800-Hr Dharma Yoga Certified Instructor.  Jessica's work as a coach is focused on helping first and second-generation women in corporate pivot to creative careers. She helps her clients reconnect with their dreams and pursue careers filled with creativity, passion, and purpose.

Episode Resources:

Book a free strategy session with Jessica

Dare to Dream Program

Permission to Flow Podcast

YouTube

IG

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron

Clarity and Connection by Yung Pueblo

The Mastery of Love by don Miguel Ruiz

Bhagavad Gita Pocket Edition

Jenn speaks to classical trained Taiwanese flutist Jenni Tsai. Born and raised in Taiwan, Jenni began her musical journey at a young age having been a childhood prodigy with her chosen instrument early on to discovering improve and jazz to navigating the professional musician career path. She shares her upbringing in Taiwan, the obstacles musicians face, balancing motherhood, mother daughter relationships and fighting racial stereotypes within the family. (Recorded on February 5, 2024)

About Jenni:

美國新英格蘭音樂院長笛演奏碩士

參與上海JZ爵士音樂節，杭州花朵音樂節，台中爵士音樂節，兩廳院夏日爵士派對。

演出足跡略述：林肯爵士樂上海中心，台北國家兩廳院，波士頓愛樂管弦樂團，新加坡Victoria Hall。

合作音樂家略述 : Jerry Gonzales/Walter Blanding/Laura Fygi/Jeremy MonteiroTina May/Arno Hass 等葛萊美提名或獲獎樂手。

音樂軌跡從台灣到美國到中國，古典到爵士與流行，音樂廳到小酒吧與音樂劇樂池。

2017年於國家演奏廳演出長笛獨奏會"經典不設限"票房告捷

2021於國家演奏廳與爵士長笛家Rit Xu演出台灣國際長笛藝術節之爵對愛笛音樂會

現任東吳大學音樂系兼任教師

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Jenn speaks to Honduras born and raised Taiwanese entrepreneur, Tiffany Wang founder of Herbgens a Taiwanese based company combating plastic straws one reed and grass straw at a time. Tiffany shares how her upbringing shaped her, from her early days in Honduras, Vietnam, Taiwan and the US to how she viewed the world and her place in it to how she threaded her own experience to find her self and identity today. (Recorded on August 22, 2023)

About Tiffany:

Tiffany Wang was born and raised in Honduras where she discovered her love for nature and animals while playing with worms in her backyard during her childhood. After studying Photography and Communication and Design at Parsons in New York, she is now combining her love for nature and designs together to spread awareness about single use plastic and finding solutions on how to reduce it. In the meantime, she is focusing on selling grass and reed straws in Taiwan as the coffee and tea drinking culture in Taiwan is immense and they all mostly use plastic straws for cold drinks! After living in places that do not depend on single use plastic and use leaves instead like Honduras and Vietnam, Tiffany believes that small changes add up and even the replacement of plastic straws is a start. She would also like to create events that bring many ecofriendly brands together in order to build a community that can create awareness together and support each other.

Episode Resources:

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Jenn speaks to California musician and Kirtan artist Joss Jaffe. Growing up with a yogi mom, Joss was introduced to the world of yogic philosophy, mantras and meditation at a very young age. In 1998 at the age of 17, Joss traveled to India to study classical India and Nepal music. He shares with us how this experience brought many learnings to him in which he incorporates into his music today to spread around the world because sharing music, particularly kirtan music where the audience joins the format of call in response is a very powerful way to connect with our souls. (Recorded on February 27, 2024)

About Joss:

Joss Jaffe performs as a Vocalist, Tabla player and Multi-Instrumentalist. As a composer and producer he has created innovative albums including Svara Mandala, Echosystem and Dub Mantra to critical acclaim. Joss has collaborated with numerous artists including Grammy Award nominees Jai Uttal, Silvia Nakkach and Dave Stringer as well as Grammy Award winning Reggae artist Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru. No Depression, Vents, Top Shelf, the UK’s Om Magazine, Yoga Journal and other prominent publications.

Episode Resources: 

IG / FB / Thesis

Website

IG

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Live at Yoshi's Oakland

Live at Sedona Yoga Festival 

Performing in Seoul South Korea

Ambient Tabla

Animated Music Video by Maureen Kuo (TW)

Spotify 

Jenn speaks to Australian based multi-disciplinary practitioner Darinka Maja. Darinka shares with us her personal story working through complex trauma and how her experience led her on the path of healing and how she found her way. From the loss of her mom shortly after her birth, to choosing to leave her dad at the age of 13, learning how to cope with social anxiety and more, Darinka hopes that her journey and offerings can help more people find insights, clarify and direction in their own life. (Recorded on January 22, 2024)

About Darinka:

Darinka - is a multi-disciplinary practitioner offering Vedic Astrology consultations & Wholistic Remedial Massage, aimed to facilitate alignment, harmony & clarity. In 2017, she completed Komilla Sutton's three-year foundation program in Jyotish and some additional advanced courses, and have given lectures at her international Fresh Talents of Jyotish conference. She has been practicing bodywork and massage for over 10 years. Her treatments blend and integrate Remedial, Deep Tissue, Myofascial release, Ka Huna & Lomi Lomi, Craniosacral Therapy and Abdominal Massage. Additionally, she completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training in India and 300 hours of Vedic counselling with Dr. David Frawley. Her offerings are for individuals who are looking to gain greater insight, clarity & direction into their path & purpose in this life.

Episode Resources:

Website 

Online Shop 

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 Under a Vedic Sky Podcast

 Darinka’s Spotify Music Playlist

 Komila Sutton 

The Alchemist 

 Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown 

The Greatness of Saturn by Robert Svoboda

Jenn speaks to Ariana Ost a jewelry designer, healer and founder of Ariana Ost. Born and raised in NYC, Ariana enjoyed growing up surrounded by museums and traveling with her father. Her love for fashion and design, history and old world atelier ultimately inspired her to get a degree in design from Parsons which led her to work for her father who ran a jewelry business in NYC. In 2009 she lost her mom to cancer and this experience led her on a deep-end healing journey. Ariana shares with us her journey and how she made sense of her grief, she is so passionate about healing the world through fashion forward aesthetics, motherhood, leaving a legacy and how these are elements that drives her to continue to build the business she started with her father in 2016. (Recorded on April 15, 2024)

About Ariana:

Ariana Ost is a design atelier based in New York City created by Ariana Ost and her father in 2016. The mission is to elevate the everyday by creating decorative objects infused with soul, conviction and healing energy. The companies purpose is to fill a whitespace in the wellness market for decor with a contemporary aesthetic and resonance with mindfulness.

Ariana loves working with her Father Jack and her Maltipoo dog named London at their dreamy Flatiron Studio in NYC. In addition to being a female entrepreneur, Ariana is also a wife to her husband Eric and mother to her precious daughter Aurelie, and charming son Julian.

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Dr Joe Dispenza

The Choice by Edith Eva Eger