Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode, I continue the theme of "Listen and Learn" for Black History Month. I was so grateful for the 'moment of resistance" that Keith Boykin illuminates in his commentary of Kendrick Lamar's incredible half time show at the Super Bowl last week. I've transcribed Boykin's commentary in hopes that my listeners will further understand the symbolism, history and meaningful context of Lamar's powerful performance. Check out the show notes for Keith Boykin's IG account so you can regularly take in more opportunities for listening and learning. May we honor moments of resistance. May we celebrate Blackness! May we deepen our understanding and compassion for all who have been and are being oppressed. May our resistance unite us in our humanity. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: Keith Boykin

On this week's episode, as we kick off the month of February and Black History Month, I share Nikole Hannah-Jones' poignant explanation of why people want to ban Black History. They want Black people to believe there is something wrong with them, rather than there is something wrong with our country. They don't want people to be educated and empowered to reveal the lie of our country. With our current political chaos, I know we have to sift through a lot of lies. We are all learning how to limit how much news we take in and be intentional about the sources we trust. In this racially divisive climate, honoring Black History Month feels more important than ever. May we seek to listen and learn from the experience and wisdom of our Black brothers and sisters. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: DL Hughley IG: Block Store IG: Nikole Hannah-Jones

I saved 3 quotes this past month that struck me. Without realizing it at the time, each quote lines up with my word for the year: humility. I'm grateful that humility is seeping into my consciousness and unconsciousness.

Are you finding synchronicities and signs that remind you of the word you chose for the year? May you notice the ways your word of the year is showing up for you. May your word of the year seep in…so it can guide you and inspire you. Enjoy the podcast!

Have you ever chosen a word to guide you through the year? This was the first time I've tried it. An inner voice popped the word HUMILITY into my mind. I've been thinking about humility, feeling into humility and on this week's episode, I share some of my early reflections on the word humility.

What word comes to mind for you? What word does your inner voice whisper to you for guidance and growth? Whatever your 2025 word might be, may it enlighten, uplift and inspire you. Enjoy the podcast!

As we remember and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, I want to continue to learn about MLK and discover ways to continue his legacy in my daily life. I am struck by how much MLK had in common with Jimmy Carter. They were only four years apart in age, and even though the late President Jimmy Carter and Martin Luther King, Jr. never met each other, their philosophies were in alignment. It feels incongruent to honor MLK on the same day as Trump's inauguration, but hold onto MLK's words that ring truer today than ever before! "We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity." Check out the show notes for links to today's Nyack NAACP service at Pilgrim Baptist Church and suggestions for meaningful ways to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Rockland News: Nyack's NAACP Service 7 Ways To Celebrate

On this week's episode, I share the familiar Native American parable of the Two Wolves. You probably know the common version of a Cherokee grandfather acknowledging to his grandson that there is a battle of two wolves inside all of us, one dark and one light. The grandson asked which wolf wins and the grandfather replies "The one we feed." As much as this version is a gentle reminder that we have a choice, we can choose to feed just the light wolf, I discovered another version of the Two Wolves story. Listen to the podcast to hear the new version, where the grandfather tells his grandson to feed both the dark and the light wolf. Rather than starving the dark wolf, this version offers more of a balance between the two so you can guide the wolves to serve you. As we reflect on the internal fights within us, may we listen to the voices of deeper knowing. May we release the battle within and align with peace. Enjoy the podcast!

As we start off 2025, I'd like to take a moment today to acknowledge our 7 year milestone and reflect on this past year. We launched the podcast in January 2018, so here's to completing 7 years of Enlighten! January 2025 marks the beginning of our 8th year of the podcast. Wow!

In 2024, I continued to cultivate my intimacy with nature, and took great pleasure in the everyday miracles that surround us. I delight in subtle and blatant glimmers of resilience, growth and transformation both individually and collectively. Thank you, 2024 for another year of inspiring guests, personal reflections and stories. May we all practice restoring humanity, dignity, compassion, and justice. Blessings for a healing, engaged, empowering year. May you be safe and healthy, and join me in searching for the mysterious, wondrous ways the Universe is conspiring to help us evolve, help us to live more authentically, more joyfully. Blessings for the courage, grace and wisdom needed for 2025. Enjoy the podcast!

Even though I initially thought I would skip an episode this week, I changed my mind and wanted to share two simple rituals from previous guests Shawna Emerick and Laura Pensiero. May these rituals help us take a moment to pause, reflect and envision what we want to manifest for the New Year. May we set intentions that help us live more fully, more authentically and more joyfully. May we manifest 2025 to be a creative, connected, easeful, and prosperous year. Check out the show notes for links to Shawna and Laura's websites, they both offer such wonderful soul-nourishing gifts. Happy New Year! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Shawna's Website Laura's Website

The chaos of our political landscape, the stressors of the holidays and tensions in our relationships can convince us that all is not well. In this week’s episode I share a personal struggle I’ve had with someone in my life and how de-railed I felt by fear and frustration. I asked for help and my spirit guides provided gems of wisdom that realigned me with understanding, acceptance and surrender. Louise Hay’s affirmation is a transformative mantra for me “All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. And out of this situation, this so called problem, only good will come. And I am safe.”  This truth put a smile on my face and expanded my heart in a profound way. May we be humbled to ask for help when fear, hurt and struggle take over. May we reset the swirl of pain and remember that shifting our thoughts, shifts our vibration. May we trust that all is truly well so we can show up to whatever we face with clarity, calm and empowerment. I'll be back in 2 weeks with another episode. Happy holidays! Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: Mel Robbins

On this week's episode, I honor the legendary poet, author, educator, activist, Nikki Giovanni who died this past week on December 9th at the age of 81. Her rich biography, prolific work that includes writings, essays, conversations, poetry, children's books, records, tapes, CDs and film, as well as her awards, honors and multiple honorary degrees is expansive and impressive. Thank you Nikki, for all that you embodied and modeled. Thank you for shining your truth through decades of our collective darkness. Thank you for caring about children and the quality of books they read. Thank you for your wisdom, grace and compassion and finding what binds us even in the face of tragedy. Rest in peace, rest in power and may we continue to be enlightened, uplifted and inspired by you. Check out the show notes for links to Nikki's website, NY Times obituary and Wikipedia page. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Nikki's Website NY Times Obituary Wikipedia