In the Balance

"You can find micro canvasses for creativity in everything that you do."

Story-teller, entrepreneur, writer, and avid outdoorsman Lux Narayan discusses discovering his own true creative nature, bringing his insights and learning to this inspiring conversation.

He discusses his fascination with stories and why we tell them, what his forays into improv and stand up comedy taught him, and his own personal formula for happiness.

"When you're called, you need to be able to walk through that door."

In this fourth and final episode of the Voice is a Wild Thing Series, Susan Eichhorn Young discusses her career in the arts and how it has shaped her perspectives on teaching voice, the role of the artist within society, and how their voices tell the stories of the present, doing the work to create more conscious social awareness.

She also talks about finding your authentic voice, not letting it be influenced or dictated by what we feel society or the industry expects of us, and reminds us of the power of our voice, and the importance of giving ourselves the permission to use it, embody it, and live it.

"I never really felt all that Indian until I picked up a sitar. Even now after playing for almost 30 years, I hear that and it sounds like the authentic voice of my soul."

Musician, actor, composer, singer, dad, and overall renaissance man Ronobir Lahiri takes us through the journey of following his dream and finding his voice as an artist. He discusses his experience navigating the racial landscape of American theatre and television, and how he was able to pivot, adapt and find a place as a creative artist in that paradigm.

Ronobir also performs live for us, a beautiful rendition of "I Say a Little Prayer," and talks about his music, how he began to play the sitar and the importance of not burying our voice as we go through life, in defining who we are, what we're doing, and how we talk to ourselves.

"We have many lives, many great opportunities. And they don't stop coming."

Broadway and television actress, singer, and teacher Carolyn Mignini discusses her life and career through the lens of change and the freedom that can be found in making decisions, particularly those decisions that come from listening to inner cues of your deepest self.

She also talks about her love of singing, how the vibration of our voice opens us up to expansion, balancing contemplation with action, and how she has come to find that in order to find peace and fulfilment, you must first get to the centre of yourself.

"You are worthy and you're beautiful. You belong here and you belong anywhere you want to go."

In this first episode of the "The Voice is a Wild Thing Series" Susan talks to artist, teacher, activist, Lisa Teasley about her work, from writing to her paintings. Lisa knew she wanted to be a story-teller from a very young age, acutely aware of the power and rhythm of words and language to build bridges of understanding between people and cultures, to communicate with others and come to a place of understanding. She shares with us a story of her first book Glow in the Dark, as well as parts of her own journey in developing her voice as a writer, and the deep connection she builds through her work with children, particularly adolescents in juvenile detention.

How do we retain an optimistic viewpoint when so many troubling things are happening in the world?

Playwright, poet, and author Irene O'Garden returns to In the Balance to discuss the ingredients to maintaining optimism, compassion, and hope. She encourages us to listen with our heart, not to question moments of "gladness," and to never doubt that optimism always lies within.

How do we let beauty in while we're suffering? How do we let truth in when we're afraid? How do we weather the storm when we feel like we are about to drown?

Susan talks with NY Times best-selling author, poet, and philosopher Mark Nepo about beauty, truth, fear and his process of looking inward in order to rise and meet the daring and dangerous outer world we now find ourselves in.

This week Susan talks with Kitty O'Meara, author of "And the people stayed home" viral poem that inspired people all over the world. She talks about her creative and spiritual journey, her experiences being present for people's life and the moment they pass on, and her vision for healing. Kitty also shares some of her poetry with us, in this beautifully touching and hopeful episode.

"Put yourself out there and learn about the people close to you. Community is so much more than hanging out. Community is action."

In this week's episode performance poet, actor and profoundly connected activist Tamora Israel talks about bringing people together, speaking your truth and allowing your own personal experience to inspire others and create community wherever you are.

"Sometimes in the beginning of grief we feel like 'How dare I continue? How dare I go on with life when someone I love is not able to? How dare I ever experience joy again?' And yet writing new chapters of life is what they would wish for us. It's a way of taking them with us."

In this last episode of the Grief Sessions, Susan talks with Dr Ken Druck, an author and pioneer of helping people become more resilient and courageous, particularly after the loss of a loved one. Ken talks with us about his own journey of embracing life after the loss of his beloved daughter, his own work and what he calls the "six honorings," and how to become more compassionate and resilient while facing the challenges of today's world.