Ritual Sisters

How can birding help us feel more connected and committed to the natural world? Who gets to call themselves a “birder”? We discuss this and more in this week’s episode with Hannah Wurster, PhD. Hannah is a Early Childhood Mental Health expert and birding enthusiast. She discusses how she fits birding into a busy schedule of being a full time working toddler mom - and how you can too! 

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Resources from today’s episode:

“The Bird Way” by Jennifer Ackerman

https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/the-bird-way

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

https://www.aldoleopold.org/products/a-sand-county-almanac

Invisibilia Saving the Whales Episode 

https://www.npr.org/programs/invisibilia/812703083/two-heartbeats-a-minute

Merlin Birding App

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/?utm_source=adgrant&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=merlin&utm_content=birdidapp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=367929544&gbraid=0AAAAADzNbpx6-E__fRZTy__Ct6xep-G0Z&gclid=CjwKCAjw3f_BBhAPEiwAaA3K5JYrTkxmSgL-uJgwznUXBplY76Jt46sdh9Ariw1Q5oMWb0zNV3ZDdBoCU8wQAvD_BwE

How do we slow down and notice what’s happening within and around us? How do we build a great connection to the universe? On today’s episode, we speak with spiritual mentors, Jon and Susan Hokama. We talk about spending time in nature, ancestral wisdom, and getting comfortable with the unknown. 

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Resources from today’s episode:

Center for Action and Contemplation 

https://cac.org/

Wisdom and Money

https://wisdomandmoney.org/

“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver

http://www.phys.unm.edu/~tw/fas/yits/archive/oliver_wildgeese.html

Today we interview Layra Marte, a boudoir photographer based out of NYC and founder of Layra Marz Photography. We take a deep dive into ways to get comfortable with yourself, honor your body how it is right now, and listen to what you need. 

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Contact us: ritualsisterspod.com

Resources from today’s episode:

Layra Marz Photography https://www.layramarz.com/

Shauna Shapiro Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeblJdB2-Vo

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/

The Body is Not an Apology https://www.sonyareneetaylor.com/books/the-body-is-not-an-apology-the-power-of-radical-self-love-h2x6p

Kimberly Lucht coaching www.kimberlylucht.com/about

Love Your Body Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iy792hWM3ipUN7KapTKxK?si=JJZgkGHNT6qQVljYdJ6blg

How do we make time for connection in a busy world? How do we rebuild connection after a difficult time? In today’s episode, we speak with Dr. Tasha Seiter, founder of Heart of the Matter Therapy to unpack simple but effective ways that we can build better relationships right now. We talk about issues that come up in couples therapy, Dr. Seiter’s favorite rituals she’s learned from her clients, how families can be more intentional in how they move through their lives and so much more! 

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Resources from today’s episode:

Heart of the Matter Therapy

https://marriage-counseling-fort-collins.com/about/

The Gottman Institute 

https://www.gottman.com/

Sensate Focus

https://www.smsna.org/patients/did-you-know/what-is-sensate-focus-and-how-does-it-work

On today’s episode we have professor Emerita of Indiana State University, Iris Rosa Santiago. She shares her wisdom from 43 years of running the African American Dance Company as well as starting a dance studio and company in her retirement! Iris has studied and taught dance all over the world and talks to us about expanding creative vocabulary, getting brave, and humbling ourselves. We also talk about how dance can help us literally and figuratively move through transitions.  

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Resources from today’s episode:

Iris Rosa Dance Studio https://www.irisrosadance.com/

African American Dance Company and Indiana State University (Directed by Stafford C. Berry Jr) https://aaai.indiana.edu/ensembles/dance/index.html

In today’s very special episode, Michelle and Kelly get real about what they’ve learned over the last ten years of being therapists! How do we balance work and life? How do we help people grow and feel seen? We have a lot of hot takes and discuss how we can bring these lessons into our daily lives whether you’re a therapist or not! 

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Resources from today’s episode:

Rachel Brathen https://rachelbrathen.com/

Atul Gawande TED Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHDq1PcYkT4

Atul Gawande “Being Mortal” https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/

Gary Landreth “Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship” https://cpt.unt.edu/product/46

Tonglen practice https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-tonglen-meditation/

Is it possible to build community with a solitary activity? How can reading help me understand how to move through different stages of life? In today’s episode, we speak with Josh Kahn of Derry Public Radio about all things reading, life transitions, and Stephen King. You’ll be surprised where this one goes! 

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Resources from today’s episode:

Derry Public Radio https://www.patreon.com/DerryPublicRadio

“Firestarter” by Stephen King

“Needful Things” by Stephen King

“The Long Walk” by Stephen King 

Theraplay https://theraplay.org/

Show Description

How do I deal with stress buildup? How do I even know when I’m stressed? We’ve all been there - yelling at our partners, road raging, grabbing that extra drink etc. after a long week at work. In today’s episode, we get real about simple ways that you can attune to your stress response and get that stress out of your body! There is a way that you can end your week feeling refreshed instead of drained. 

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Resources discussed on today’s episode: 

Colorado Center for Trauma and Reslience https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/ctrac/

“Trauma Stewardship” by Connie Burk and Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

The Art of Growth Podcast https://www.theartofgrowth.org/podcast

“Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Amelia and Emily Nagoski

How do I know what I really want? What’s the difference between trauma and stress? In today’s episode we speak to Chelsea Kline, who is an expert in trauma and resilience through her work at CSU’s Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center. She talks to us about how she’s learned to move through fear and create a life that is both exciting and nourishing. She explains the difference between trauma and stress. Listen to part two for a great conversation on how to release stress!

Follow us: @ritualsisterspod

Contact us: ritualsisterspod.com

Resources discussed on today’s episode: 

Rachel Cargyle’s “Rich Auntie Supreme” 

https://www.richauntiesupreme.com/our-story

“Trauma Stewardship” by Connie Burk and Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

“Rest is Resistance” by Trisha Hersey and The Nap Ministry 

https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model 

https://www.neurosequential.com/

What defines an artist? What makes art “good enough”? In today’s episode, we welcome Kayla Jackson to discuss how we can expand our relationship to creativity across seasons of life. Kayla has a Master’s in Public Administration. She is an artist, an activist, and a new mom. We talk about working through creative blocks and using art as grounding through turbulent times. 

Follow us: @ritualsisterspod

Contact us: ritualsisterspod.com

Resources from today’s episode:

“For Times Such as These: A Rad­i­cal’s Guide to the Jew­ish Year” by Ari­ana Katz and Jes­si­ca Rosenberg

Bread and Puppet Theater https://breadandpuppet.org

Article about Seattle Chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/protesters-block-space-needle-demanding-cease-fire-in-israel-hamas-war/