Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

As we honor Indigenous People’s Day, may we acknowledge and honor the native people on who’s land we live. May we honor the spiritual wisdom and respectful partnership that indigenous people, all around the world, brought to their relationship with our planet earth, allowing them to live in harmony, reciprocity and balance with all of creation. I’ll share more about Indigenous People’s Day next week, because my guest today has timely information that I want my listeners to have the option to act on this week and next! My guest today is the inspiring Diana Bianco. Diana has social justice running through her veins. Founder of Artemis Consulting, Diana is passionate about better health for all and helps a range of clients navigate the dynamics of health care environments. Her professional advocacy for equitable and responsible policies and programs also drives her volunteer work for political activism at Flip the Vote. Please join one of the October Flip the Vote events, as a participant or a co-host; it’s an empowering way to help create a blue wave for this year’s elections.   Check out the links below to Diana’s website and Flip the Vote’s website, particularly the October events. Time is of the essence!! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Artemis Consulting Flip The Vote

My guest today is Lila Carr. Lila is a junior at Skidmore College, majoring in Social Work, with a minor in Studio Art. Lila also happens to be one of my beloved nieces, genuinely curious, compassionate and open-hearted. She believes we all are longing to be seen, known and loved and is inspired to carve out a career that centers on seeing, knowing and loving people. She shares her round-about journey that landed her at Skidmore, from leaning into ‘NO!’ and listening to the wisdom of her body. Lila describes the healing power of art, as a companion, an avenue for self care and expression. As a first time voter, we discussed the upcoming presidential election and how empowered Lila feels to be voting and is actively engaged in making voting accessible to all. Check out the links below to follow Lila on Instagram. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @lila.carr IG: @lilas.crafts

On this week’s episode, I focus on hope, and how my hope has inspired action. I share my experience of the Flip the Vote Birthday Zoom I hosted last week and how the gathering of people I love, focused on our desire to create a blue wave, expanded even more hope. Hope is a discipline. How are you nurturing hope in your life? What actions are you taking to keep hope alive? May our hope help us see that there is light despite all the darkness. May our hope give us a destination and the energy to get started! Check out the show notes for links to learn more about Flip the Vote. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Flip The Vote

On this week’s episode, I celebrate my birthday and invite my listeners to attend a Flip the Vote event tomorrow night. The most meaningful birthday gift possible for me, is to ignite people to rally in solidarity for human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, health care, education, advocacy for the health of our planet and social justice. May the Autumn Equinox bring us in better balance. May my Libra birthday inspire us to harmoniously work together for justice and the collective good of our country. Check out the show notes for links to Flip the Vote’s rationale, the impact they had on the 2022 election, how to donate and RSVP to attend my Flip the Vote Birthday Zoom tomorrow Tuesday September 24th, 5:30pm (PT)/8:30pm (ET). Enjoy the podcast! Links: RSVP for Tuesday 9/24 Flip the Vote Strategy Rationale Flip the Vote Impact in 2022 Donations to Flip The Vote

In this heightened political season, we are all inundated with countless emails and texts asking for donations; it’s hard to sift through where and how to invest our time and money. On this week’s episode, I offer a grassroots organization that I have recently learned about that feels worthy of highlighting. It’s called Flip The Vote. They educate and engage concerned people to make the most out of their political investments. They make strategic recommendations based on careful research about where and how to invest in winning critical elections. Attending a Flip The Vote Zoom party, inspired me to then attend an Orientation so I am now jazzed about hosting my own virtual Flip The Vote party. I want to host this as a Birthday celebration, so it will be the week of my birthday, either 9/24, 25 or 28.  Stay tuned, I’d love for my listeners to join me! Check out the show notes for the link to Flip The Vote website. Enjoy the podcast! Links:Flip The Vote Postcards To Voters Activate America Postcards: Take back the House and Hold the Senate

On this week’s episode, I share my experience of taking Michelle Obama’s words: “Do Something!” to heart. The ‘somethings’ we do, can be spontaneous, planned, casual or organized. Writing postcards to encourage people to vote and spelling out what is at stake with our upcoming election is a tangible way to do something. Would you be interested in hosting a postcard party? If so, check out the show notes for links to sites that help you get started. I’m jazzed looking for tangible, meaningful ways to DO SOMETHING, do many things that help move our country forward with integrity, hope and JOY. What else are you doing to help elect Harris and Walz? Feel free to share the somethings that you are doing. I’d love to hear form you. Let’s inspire one another. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Postcards To Voters Activate America Postcards: Take back the House and Hold the Senate

My guest today is Nancy Brenner. A graduate of NYU’s School of Social Work, Nancy is the Care Services Coordinator for ALS United - Greater New York. If you or anyone you love has or had a debilitating disease, you know having an earth angel to guide you through the journey is priceless. And that is who Nancy is: an earth angel - kindly, compassionately present to patients with ALS and their families, providing support, education, guidance and resources. After recording our conversation, Nancy wanted to clarify the proper pronunciation for ALS is A-My-O-Trophic Lateral Sclerosis and in addition to her explanation of ALS, add that this disease effects the motor neurons, which weakens the muscles in the body. In the darkness of the body’s betrayal, it’s a soothing balm to experience Nancy’s integrity and dedication to her ALS patients. Please check out the links below to connect with Nancy and the incredible work of ALS United. Enjoy the podcast! Links: ALS-NY Nancy's Email

I used this week’s episode to channel my frustration when one of my weekly groups came to a close. Trust was violated and the facilitator violating trust didn’t acknowledge or own up to his behavior. I marveled at how uncomfortable people can be with conflict, myself included. Do I name the elephant in the room? Do I remove myself from this game of pretending? It takes courage to deal with conflicts honestly. 
Most people opt to sweep problems under the rug, clinging to the concept of being the ideal family or the ideal group. They choose dishonest harmony rather than honest conflict. It’s a delicate balance speaking up when everyone else is invested in dishonest harmony. Here’s to not sweeping problems under the rug. Here’s to learning the skills of addressing conflicts constructively. Here’s to the courage and authenticity to live into your truth. Here’s to discerning how and when to address conflict honestly. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode I share a recent experience of my beloved hiking trails being trashed with trash! My initial reaction of anger and needing someone to blame eventually morphed into sadness. I watched the strong feelings course through me, appreciated the kindness and support from fellow hikers who helped me reframe my irritation. I took the simple action of picking up the trash to redirect me.

If only we could live by John Muir’s advice while enjoying nature “Take only photographs, leave only footprints”! Yes, I will do my part to care for my surroundings. And in the meantime, please pick up your trash! Enjoy the podcast!

This week’s episode contains Guided Meditations found at the end of Thich Nhat Hahn’s book “How To Sit”. I’ve spent the past three episodes reading aloud portions from this book, a third of the book at a time. Even if you have read this book, I hope my readings have allowed you to absorb the wisdom more fully. Many people have asked me for more guided meditations. Why not offer a few from the master of mindful meditation? May these guided meditations help you integrate meditation more readily. May these guided meditations build your mindfulness skills, inspire and nourish you. Happy meditating! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation