Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

I typically begin the new year by reflecting on the past year and expressing gratitude for all my podcast guests. Instead however, on this week's episode I'm going to bring Covid up close and personal, because in fact, Covid has been up close and personal for me this past week. My husband Paul and I had scratchy throats on the day after Christmas that quickly developed into all the Covid symptoms: sore throat, cough, chills, congestion, low-grade fever, headaches, and sure enough 3 days later we both tested positive for Covid. As our symptoms intensified in the middle of the week, I was brought to tears a few times by the thoughtfulness and kindness of others. My tears would flow each time a friend went out of their way to leave, on our door step, a test kit, a bag of groceries, Chinese herbs and cough syrup. I was challenged to receive the love, take it in, absorb it and let the power of love be as medicinal as the Chinese herbs were. Covid, up close and personal, reminded me of what it feels to tap into wholeheartedness. WHOLEHEARTED people live with courage, compassion, connection, and the willingness to be vulnerable. So many of our family, friends and neighbors were the courageous, compassionate ones helping Paul and me feel connected through our Covid isolation; I was the vulnerable one learning how to receive their love. Here's to 2022 being a year we all practice living WHOLEHEARTEDLY! Be healthy, be gentle, be kind, be courageous, compassionate, connected and vulnerable. Links: IG: @tworiversacupuncture IG: @drlaurendulberg IG: @brenebrown Two Rivers Acupuncture & Wellness

My guest today is Alison Heller. Alison is a lawyer who left her law practice to become a writer. Alison has published 3 books, and her most recent novel "The Neighbor's Secret" just came out this year. We discuss her book, her writing practice, what it took for her to leave her 14-year NYC law career, and how we treat ourselves in the process of writing, working and living. I am just as fascinated with the relevant themes she weaves into her novel, as I am with Alison as a person. Alison's gracious, honest, open, curious exuberance will inspire you to read her books, too. Check out the Show Notes for links to Alison's website, Instagram & Twitter, along with links to the comedian Gary Gulman, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, the author we reference. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Alison's Web Site Alison/IG Alison/Twitter Gary Gulman/IG "Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn Video clip of State Abbreviations - Gary Gulman The Great Depresh - HBO Madeleine L'Engle

On this week's podcast, I acknowledge how noisy our world and own minds can be. I invite us to explore ways that we can stop the noise and drop into quiet and stillness. Whether it is through meditation or journaling or other avenues, may we open up opportunities to stop the noise and dive deep into our inner sanctuary. I read from the wise soul, poet and philosopher, Mark Nepo who has provided such intimate companionship on my journey. I highly recommend his book "Things That Join the Sea and the Sky: Field Notes on Living" to inspire you to stop the noise. May you explore, play with, be nourished by the different ways that you stop the noise, that you create silence in your world. May you trust that stopping the noise, from time to time, helps you not retreat from the world, but helps you to live more fully in it. As Rumi said "When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is music." What do you hear, learn, experience when you stop the noise of your mind? Links: Mark Nepo IG: Mark Nepo IG: Joel Cross

On this week's episode, I share a simple ritual we created this Thanksgiving, inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants". My desire was to honor the Lenni Lenape people who's land we live on, to honor Mother Earth and to acknowledge what Debra Beal, my guest from last week uncovered for me about the origins of Thanksgiving from the indigenous perspective. She said that the original Thanksgiving feast was a celebration by the colonizers once they had massacred a substantial number of Indians. I wanted to take that information and incorporate it into the way my family celebrates Thanksgiving. I think it is critical to be aware and conscious of our history and do what I can to weave it into how we celebrate this holiday. The 12 of us gathered in my home, took turns reading the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. This translation of the Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was developed and published in 1993, and provided courtesy of Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project. May we bring this depth of gratitude for the natural world not just once a year on Thanksgiving, but every day as we cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Blessings, love and deep gratitude. Links: How To Live On Purpose Haudenosaunee Guide For Educators Podcast 188 with Debra Beal

My guest today is Debra Beal. Debra was one of the women featured in Lisa Levart's photography exhibit "Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation". Debra shares her own assimilation experience of how her parents initially downplayed their Native American culture when she was a child, only to pursue and embrace a relationship with her Lenape tribe when she was a young teenager. As her father's bumper sticker read "I was Indian before it was cool to be Indian". Debra has recently retired from her 33 year career in NY State's Office of Mental Health and is exploring the ongoing delicate balance to integrate the fullness of who she truly is. Her Indian name "Walela" translates as Hummingbird, which symbolizes Debra's desire to create harmony in the world, by building genuine, compassionate relationships, helping people and being a conduit for healing. Check out the show notes for links to see Debra featured in Lisa's photography exhibit at Bergen Community College, opened through November 24th, as well as in Myles Aronowitz's documentary. I hope this inspires you to learn of the Native people of your land; let's make Thanksgiving more meaningful, by educating ourselves and our extended family of our true history with American Indians. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation Bergen Community College Gallery Exhibit IG: @goddessonearth IG: @debra.powell.7587

My guest today is Liz Moyer Benferhat. Liz is a Change-Maker, Facilitator, and Coach who has taken her experience in social impact/sustainable development and international development to a new level. As the founder of We Heal For All, Liz facilitates Circles, Circle Training, and One-on-One Coaching, acknowledging that we are in a great transition, politically, culturally and environmentally. We Heal For All programs focus on co-creating what it means to collectively heal in the 21st century. We live in complex times and Liz explores healing as both a tool to thrive and an opportunity to impact deeper culture and consciousness shifts. Through meditation, storytelling and resonance practice, Liz addresses the interconnectedness of climate justice, social justice, sustainability, and mental health. Liz's holistic approach, understanding of how our internal world reflects our external world, respect for the ancestors, and her courage to shake up whole paradigm systems definitely excites me. Liz is manifesting visions and concepts my soul has longed to see come to fruition. Thank you Liz, for bringing my dreams into reality. Check out the Show Notes for links to Liz's website, We Heal For All, to see which of her programs speak to you. Enjoy the podcast! Links: We Heal For All Instagram YouTube

With a heavy heart and tears in his eyes, my husband, Paul informed me last week that our dear friend, Tony Falco had died. We knew Tony had been struggling with complications with Covid-19 for the past 6 months, but the news of Tony's passing hit us hard. We, among countless others, are heartbroken over the news of Tony's passing. We have been deeply touched by Tony and the generous, humble integrity he lived by. Tony created and ran the incredible music venue "The Falcon", in Marlboro, NY and for the past 10 years, Paul has been playing there regularly with the Ed Palermo Big Band. It was only fitting that Tony's wife, Julie and their children: Julian, Lana, Adrianne and Lee hosted a Memorial Celebration for Tony at "The Falcon" this past weekend. A long, diverse list of musicians performed throughout the weekend on the outside deck, with the gorgeous waterfall flowing behind them. Hundreds of people showed up on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the music, connect with his family and celebrate Tony's extraordinary life. Today, we are re-releasing my July 2019 conversation with Tony as a remembrance and tribute to him. So whether you heard it when it was first released or hearing it for the first time, we invite you to get a glimpse of Tony's heart, vision and profound impact he had on musicians, artists and the wide Falcon fan-base. We are so grateful to have this recording which allows us to hear his voice once again. We thank you, Tony, we will miss you terribly. Rest easy, dear friend, rest in deep peace. Links: Tony's Obituary Ed Palermo Big Band Tribute to Tony Instagram: Live at The Falcon Ed Palermo Big Band Becca Stevens

My guest today is Reda Rackley. Reda is a Diviner, Storyteller and Mythologist. I personally was deeply impacted by a Divination session I recently had with Reda and am so excited to have my listeners learn about the magical, mystical gifts that Reda offers. Learn the difference between the term 'shaman' and 'diviner', the healing power of ritual and the significance of connecting with our ancestral line. Reda was initiated into the indigenous medicine of the Dagara tribe in Burkina Faso, West Africa and teaches ancient shamanic traditions through storytelling, ritual, art and divination. Her women's retreats and courses integrate mythology, depth psychology and spirituality. Reda is also a certified expressive artist and wisely infuses painting, sculpture, dance, music and writing in her transformative work. Check out the Show Notes for links to Reda's website, and her social media platforms as well as links to her Master Diviner, African Elder, Malidoma Somé and her inspiring art teacher, Chris Zydel (Creative Juices Arts). Enjoy the podcast! Links: Reda's Web Site Facebook Instagram Bonewoman Outsider Art Reda on Spotify Malidoma Creative Juices Arts John O'Donohue

On this week's episode, I offer a simple meditation to remind us of the healing energy that flows through our bodies. Find a comfortable position to relax so you can breathe in the vibration of healing energy coursing through every organ, joint and cell of your body. Say it for yourself and say it for those who are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually. May healing energy flow through all of us.

My guest today is the innovative Lisa Levart. As a photographer, Lisa has devoted the past 20 years to witnessing, evoking and capturing the essence of everyday women, their goddess archetypes, stories and myths, as she admits "I am a photographer on a mission!" Her gorgeous coffee table book "Goddess on Earth: Portraits of the Divine Feminine"eloquently reflects Lisa's passion and gifts. She has also published a beautiful "Goddess on Earth Oracle Deck" with 45 portraits structured around the five elements. Both of these are fabulous, meaningful gifts for the holidays! I encourage you to go see and be moved by her current exhibit at Bergen Community College, in Paramus, NJ "The Ramapough Lunaape Nation: Excavating Identity", there through November 24th. On October 25th, my husband and I plan to attend the screening of Lisa's husband, Miles Aronowitz's documentary "Women of the Lenape Nation". I hope you'll join us. Check out the show notes for links to all of these books, exhibits and events. Enjoy the podcast. Links: Lisa's Photography Exhibit at BCC Goddess On Earth Lush Photography Myles Aronowitz's Documentary Film