Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

In today’s edition of Espresso Yourself I share some of what is coming up for me in light of the passing of Pope Francis, a little bit about my own spiritual journey, and what I’ve learned about showing up

🎙️Episode References

Revolution of Tenderness Clip from my Tedx “Heroines Show Up”

And what is tenderness? It is the love that comes close and becomes real. It is a movement that starts from our heart and reaches the eyes, the ears and the hands. Tenderness means to use our eyes to see the other, our ears to hear the other, to listen to the children, the poor, those who are afraid of the future.To listen also to the silent cry of our common home, of our sick and polluted earth. Tenderness means to use our hands and our heart to comfort the other, to take care of those in need. Pope Francis 2017 Ted Talk

Pope Francis 2017 Ted Talk

My Books

📚Love at the Threshold

“This memoir, studded with poetry and insights, carries the reader through several tumultuous years of the author's life, the people she met and the groups she was in who helped her along the way, her setbacks and breakthroughs, and documents her incredible perseverance in the face of a series of obstacles” G. R. Elmendorf - Amazon Customer Review

📚A Little Book of Questions

In a world that demands immediate answers, sometimes the greatest joy in life is to linger in the questions and let the answers reveal themselves. In A Little Book of Questions Dina has gathered 40 of the questions that have transformed her heart and invites you to linger in them too.

Curious about the journey that inspired the creation of La Befana’s Table?

Check out my 2022 Speaker Salon performance where I first shared story of how a puppet from ancient Italian folklore transformed my story into a living legend.

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself Monday — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

In today’s edition of Espresso Yourself I share the story of an ornament of a black sheep that I’ve been holding onto for years, an excerpt from Toka Pa Turner’s book Belong, and why I think now more than ever the so called “black sheep” of the family are being called to leads us into new ways of being, doing, and relating.

References

Excerpt from Toko Pa’s book Belong

My self published memoir Love at the Threshold

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself Monday — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

What do a 2,000-year-old redwood, a fourth grader’s question, and a virtual Italian folk dance have in common?

This week, I share a story from my teaching days that’s been echoing lately—about a student who once asked, “What’s the difference between revolution and evolution?” and another who blurted out the phrase “innovative resistance.” I didn’t have an answer then, but I knew it mattered.

Now, years later, in a world on fire and a body in motion, I think I’m starting to understand.

Tune in for a reflection on what it means to bear witness, hold on to cultural traditions and practices, and keep dreaming of a future rooted in beauty, justice, and joy.

And if you’re craving movement and connection, join us this Friday, April 11th for a virtual Tarantella class with Anna Harsh (yes, from Episode 29!) followed by a free community gathering.

More details below For now—press play. 💫

www.labefanastable.com

#LaBefanasTable #InnovativeResistance #EnergyDemocracy #Tarantella #TheEverlivingTree #DanceAsMedicine

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself Monday — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

What do a 2,000-year-old redwood, a fourth grader’s question, and a virtual Italian folk dance have in common?

This week, I share a story from my teaching days that’s been echoing lately—about a student who once asked, “What’s the difference between revolution and evolution?” and another who blurted out the phrase “innovative resistance.” I didn’t have an answer then, but I knew it mattered.

Now, years later, in a world on fire and a body in motion, I think I’m starting to understand.

Tune in for a reflection on what it means to bear witness, hold on to cultural traditions and practices, and keep dreaming of a future rooted in beauty, justice, and joy.

And if you’re craving movement and connection, join us this Friday, April 11th for a virtual Tarantella class with Anna Harsh (yes, from Episode 29!) followed by a free community gathering.

More details soon. For now—press play. 💫

www.labefanastable.com

#LaBefanasTable #InnovativeResistance #EnergyDemocracy #Tarantella #TheEverlivingTree #DanceAsMedicine

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself — your weekly shot of unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

Greetings from La Befana's Table. Espresso Yourself Mondays are espresso fueled musings meant to warm the heart & stir the Soul.

Greetings from La Befana's Table. Espresso Yourself Mondays are espresso fueled musings meant to warm the heart & stir the Soul.

Yesterday we celebrated Valentine’s Day and love in all of its beautiful manifestations whether it's romantic, platonic, or the love we hold for ourselves and the world around us.

However you spent Valentines day, we have a special treat for you.

An Enchanting Conversation with Mariana Barcellos

In this conversation, we are honored to be joined by Mariana Barcellos, a luminous presence in the world of Brazilian Bossanova.

In our conversation, Mariana shares insights into her latest musical offering, a heartfelt duo that echoes the heartbeat of human and heavenly love, released just in time for Valentine's Day. These songs invite listeners to immerse themselves in the depth of emotion they evoke.

Reflecting on Love's Intricacies

Mariana and I delve deep into the complexities of love, unpacking its layers of passion, commitment, and transformation. Together, we contemplate the profound impact of self-love on our relationships, recognizing the ripple effect it creates in our interactions with others. We discuss the importance of self-awareness and the alignment of celestial forces in nurturing balanced partnerships, and the ongoing challenge of cultivating and sustaining passion and trust.

In an Ocean of Love

We also explore her album Contos do Mar where Mariana embraces the enigmatic allure of the ocean, finding solace and healing in its mysterious depths and the gifts of love the bring.

Key insights include:

- Exploring the Depths of Love: Mariana Barcellos unveils her latest pair of love songs, capturing the essence of human and heavenly love. Her work, inspired by her personal journey and experiences, offers a fresh, compelling perspective on the varied dimensions love encompasses.

- The Ocean's Melody in Healing and Self-Discovery: Mariana reflects on her own album "Contos do Mar," which pays homage to the ocean as a source of healing and a path to finding oneself. She shares her journey through music and how it’s interlaced with her evolving understanding of love and her identity as a singer-songwriter.

- The Soundtrack to Our Soul's Journey: The episode beautifully ties together music, love, self-reflection, and the larger love story of humanity. Mariana emphasizes the substantial role of contemplation and balance in love, mirroring the natural cycles of the sun and moon.

A Table Set with Love

As we conclude our conversation, we invite you to pull up a seat at the table of love. Here, amidst the melodies and musings, we celebrate the boundless capacity of the human heart to love and be loved.

Connect with Mariana:

Website: http://marianasong.com/#marianasong

Music: https://marianabarcellos.hearnow.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7uBDOyRnEtSb0GadfnzB7z?si=HBbyrlvvREmjd0WT8Ahf4w&fbclid=IwAR1cn_x_YYcD79GIC3PHkQOKWIAYWzeW5_XZlmTQJnP8cYZjNIqiPy3ytv8&nd=1&dlsi=63b81d15c29f4907

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider recommending La Befana’s Table to a friend.

Blessings,

Dina and Team Befana

After a period of reflection and rest, we are excited to bring you another soul-nourishing conversation, this time with the incredible Chef JJ @chefjjskitchen

Love for cooking

Chef JJ's culinary journey began as therapy for his mind. In the kitchen he found solace in chopping away his worries. His open-mindedness led him to embrace new recipes and unfamiliar ingredients, seeing them as gateways to understanding different cultures. 

Influence and cultural roots

In this episode, Chef JJ talks about his mother's influence on his culinary journey and her traditional Palestinian recipes. He also shares his family background, living in Oman, and his Palestinian roots, expressing his connection to his culture through food.

The Therapeutic and Connective Power of Cooking

We delve into the healing power of cooking and how it helps him stay connected to his roots and the role of food as a form of education & resilience.

Together, we explore the ingredients for a future where there is room for all of us at the table.

🌟 Cultivating Humanity: Chef JJ emphasizes the essential ingredient of humanity in fostering understanding and empathy towards one another. Understanding different perspectives lies at the core of creating a truly inclusive future.

🌟 Open-mindedness and Forgiveness: Through Chef JJ's own experiences and insights, he highlights the transformative power of being open-minded and the importance of forgiveness in paving the way for meaningful conversations and understanding.

🌟 Love and Connection: Chef JJ reminds us that love is an essential ingredient for a harmonious future. Embracing love and nurturing connections with others is vital for building a world that encompasses and uplifts everyone.

Exciting announcement 

Chef JJ is now hosting a series of interactive Middle Eastern cooking classes, where you can learn to prepare delicious and traditional dishes from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Here are the details:

- Chef JJ will guide you through six authentic recipes, including Palestinian and other Middle Eastern cuisines.

- The sessions will be interactive, allowing you to cook alongside Chef JJ or simply watch and learn.

- Prepare to engage in discussions about the history, ingredients, and cultural significance of each dish.

If you're interested in reserving your spot for these special cooking classes, sign up here!! https://bio.site/chefJJ

Connect with Chef JJ:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjjskitchen/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRhi2YOJXtYoXuO6dhRhYA

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening episode of La Befana’s Table!

Stay tuned for more soul-nourishing conversations.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider recommending La Befana’s Table to a friend.

Blessings,

Dina and Team Befana

Greetings from La Befana’s Table!

In today’s episode I’m joined by Mattie Clark, a luminary in the realms of Family Constellations and Convergence, who guides souls toward their true essence.

Mattie takes us on a heartfelt exploration of the concept of "courting convergence," where the integration of our parts leads to surrender and allowing the life force to work its magic, in bringing all aspects of our lives together.

If you remember, we also touched on the topic of convergence with Rebecca GinaMarie in our last episode, where we imagined a Great Convergence Zone in the United States, where individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives unite to address common challenges, through mutual care.

Today, we delve deeper into these ideas, exploring how acknowledging and understanding family dynamics play a pivotal role in in personal and societal change.

So how does acknowledging and understanding family dynamics impact our personal growth?

In this episode, our guest explores this profound question, delving deep into the ways in which our family histories shape our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. By recognizing the ancestral patterns, beliefs, and behaviors passed down through generations, we gain the power to break free from limiting cycles and chart our own destinies. 

Key takeaways:

* Surrender and Integration: Explore the art of surrender and how integrating different aspects of ourselves can lead to transformative experiences.

* Breaking Limiting Cycles: Understand the power of recognizing and breaking free from generational patterns, beliefs, and behaviors.

* Emotional Alchemy: Discover the transformative potential of emotional alchemy, turning challenging emotions into sources of personal growth.

* Authentic Activism: Learn the importance of engaging in activism from a place of authenticity and personal connection.

By the end of this episode, you'll gain profound insights into the art of surrender, emotional alchemy, and finding your authentic self within the complexities of the world. You'll learn the importance of acknowledging your place in societal structures and discover the power of engaging in activism from a place of authenticity and personal connection.

Learn More About Our Guest:

To learn more about our insightful guest, Mattie Clark, and explore her transformative work, visit her website here!

Interested in courting convergence with Mattie?

7 Thursdays 6-7:30pm EST

October 12th, 19th and 26th - November 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th

Learn More Here

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening episode of La Befana’s Table!

Stay tuned for more soul-nourishing conversations.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider recommending La Befana’s Table to a friend.

Blessings,

Dina and Team Befana