Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

My guest today is Diane Churchill. Diane is a gifted artist, painter, art teacher and community activist. In addition to her formal education studying Art History at Wellesley College and Studio Art at the Brooklyn Museum Art School, Diane describes her transformative informal education at the “University of the Streets” working in NYC’s Lower East Side back in the late 60’s. It was a time of creativity, opportunity, vitality, diversity, tragedy and loss. Without clear direction or guidance, Diane took the time to build meaningful relationships, as she developed some very exciting projects, that blended art, storytelling, writing and grassroots community activism. Diane is grateful for the sisterhood she found in the feminist art movement, which gave expression to women’s lives and experiences, helping to foster confidence in Diane at a time when everyone else in her world discouraged her from being an artist. Diane taught art in the streets, in public schools, private schools, and recently was an artist-in-resident at the Gowry Art Institute in India. Her rich, vibrant abstract paintings, shown in countless solo and group exhibitions throughout the NY region, reflect her intimate conversations with the canvas, with nature, the elements, color, her inner world and with life itself! She says that painting is central to everything; it has its own life and has changed over the years. She also explains that color is its own subject, color is a force that creates vibrations and possibilities. She has focused on different themes throughout her decades of painting, and now Diane’s current theme s exploring the unknown, the unseen. Her humility, curiosity and ability to be a conduit of creativity and joy, deeply inspires me. Check out Diane’s website and a current exhibit at the Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center in Pearl River, NY through April 5th, 2019. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.dianechurchill.com

My guest to day is Dan Pugach. Dan is a talented drummer, composer and a recent Grammy-nominated arranger. Dan and his wife Nicole Zuraitis, (who was my guest in December 2018) have been nominated for a Grammy for Best Arrangement with Instruments and Vocals, for their co-arrangement of Dolly Parton’s song Jolene. Dan performs with various artists throughout the NY metropolitan area, but his passion for big band music has been channeled into writing and arranging for his own nonet, a 9 piece ensemble. I just heard Dan and his nonet perform at the 55 Bar in NYC last week and I highly recommend that you hear them for yourself! As an Israeli, Dan had a lot of musical opportunities, before, during, and after his mandatory 3 year service in the army, but he had his heart set on moving to New York City. He was grateful for the quick completion of his music degree at Berklee College in Boston, which cushioned his landing in NYC. While Dan was at City College (NYC) for his Masters degree, he was reminded of his roots, his passion for big band music and there, his love for arranging was ignited. He speaks honestly of the struggles, the connections, the challenges and the inspirations that have shaped him, not only as a musician but as a person. Dan takes his career seriously, names the crossroads he faces, looks within for validation, and values integrity in music, in food, in people, and integrity in life. Check out Dan’s website danpugach.com to hear his music, see videos, find his upcoming gigs and buy his CDs or charts. Let’s all send Dan and Nicole positive energy for a win in this year's Grammys! Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.danpugach.com FB: Dan Pugach Nonet IG: @danpugach Dan Pugach Nonet “Plus One”

My guest today is Andrea Maxine Frade. Andrea is yoga and mediation teacher, a Reiki Master and Cranial-Sacral practitioner, as well as a reader of the Akashic Records. After a dark period in her life of being in different forms of abusive relationships, Andrea eventually understood that she had denied her own well-being and self-care. She was so capable, taking caring of her students and clients, yet her personal life was in chaos. The irony was that while she was suffering in a relationship with someone who was suffering, at her core, all she actually wanted was to alleviate suffering. Andrea eventually heard a benevolent, pure voice deep within, that provided the simple life-affirming force she needed; “It is time now for you to go.” Five years ago Andrea moved out of NYC and into my Nyack neighborhood. Andrea’s own immersion in darkness and suffering has intimately informed her process of rising from the ashes, her rich healing journey. As she became fully present to her inner wisdom, aligning with what was highest in her, Andrea deeply understood the collective process of what it is for a woman to reclaim her power. In addition to her yoga classes, private healing sessions, Andrea facilitates weekly and monthly Women’s Circles, guiding women to get in touch with their divine nature, honor their intuition and embrace transformative action. Experience Andrea’s wisdom, compassion and truth, through her new training called “From Guidance Within”, its a weekly program starting February 9th, 2019 and going through December 2019. She also offers a 4 week series, called “Walk the Path: Empowerment Series for Women”, exploring our lives through the 4 universal archetypes of transformation. Check out Andrea’s website, andreafrade.com where you can contact her directly for a free discovery session. Follow Andrea on Instagram @andreamaxinefrade Every Tuesday, she writes a guiding transmission for the collective. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.andreafrade.com IG: @andreamaxinefrade FB: Andrea Maxine Frade

Dr. Deborah Adamy, also known as Mama A, host of the podcast “Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire”, reflects on the past year, thanking her 51 guests of 2018. She enjoys not only the fascinating careers and passions of her guests, Deborah truly appreciates their authenticity and open-heartedness, their ability to be vulnerable, to find meaning in challenges, compassion in suffering and a renewed sense of purpose as they learn and grow from whatever they experience in life. Deborah tells a personal story of how her internal voice of judgment reared its ugly head and applies some simple, effective tools to quiet the judgment, leaving room for compassion to guide her. She reads the powerful essay of American author, poet, and Jungian therapist, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, called “We Were Made for These Times”, a piece Deborah reads often, particularly when she needs to resist the temptation to feel overwhelmed with all that is unjust in our world. Listen to why this piece uplifts and inspires Mama A to honor her light, radiate her light and shine light on the light of others. All souls on deck for a transformative 2019! Click here for information on next week’s LRS Benefit Concert in Brooklyn, Monday 1/14/19 from 6-8pm. If you haven’t yet done so, plan to participate in the 3rd Annual Women’s March on Saturday January 19th, be part of this national and global movement! Go to actionnetwork.org for NYC details or womensmarch.com/2019/ for national details.

My guest today is Diana Bowers-Smith. Diana is the first archivist I’ve had as a guest on my podcast and after my conversation with her, I’d say its about time!! Diana works as an archivist in the Brooklyn Collection, Local History Division at the Brooklyn Public Library. Her recent investigative research settled the debate of the authenticity of the eagle statue that once marked the front entrance of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn’s main newspaper for over 100 years. Diana graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Art History, eventually moved back to NY and received two Masters from Pratt Institute, one in Art History and the other in Library and Information Science. There are numerous ways one can put a library science degree to work, but what was transformational for Diana was the public service aspect, at the heart of library science. Public service is as the heart of her devotion, as well as her genuine curiosity and refreshing thirst for knowledge. For example, listen to how Diana describes the history, lure and charm of Greenwood Cemetery! I learn something new whenever I am in her presence. Check out the show notes for links to Diana’s Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) work, her monthly blogs and check the BPL events calendar for the dates that Diana gives monthly tours of the Brooklyn Central Library - a national historic landmark. Last week, I featured guitarist, Perry Smith, Diana’s husband. You’ll hear how they both use their personal and professional platforms to help advance social justice and the causes they care about. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @brooklyncollection Twitter: @brooklynology www.bklynlibrary.org/brooklyncollection the blog: brooklynology.org