Silver Lining Moments with Kerry

A moment of REFLECTION is lined by LOVE

A SLM conversation : My husband interviews me

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

As 2019 is coming to an end, I wanted to take some time and reflect on Silver Lining Moments. To help me do this, my husband, Rob, interviewed me. Through his questions, I reflect on how and what Silver Lining Moments has meant to me.

I share what a Silver Lining Moment is. And, we discuss what I find challenging and rewarding about publishing this podcast:

• Challenging: The technical and promotion side of the podcasts including the recording of my introductions. (Let's face it - my introductions are a bit rough. But, they're getting better.)
• Rewarding: My guests, our conversations, and when someone messages me saying how something that my guest said was what they needed to hear that day.

My Silver Lining Moments of Silver Lining Moments is that after the moments where I compare Silver Lining Moments to other podcasts and feel not good enough is a moment where I get to step into and practice self-love and acceptance. Each time, the latter become stronger, the former weaken, and love expands. In discussing this with Rob, I realize how:

a moment of reflection is lined by love.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By our conversations and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

A moment of authenticity is lined by abundance

A SLM conversation with Tasha Chen

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

Manifesting and creating a RICH life of your dreams, broken down into everyday steps that work, is what Tasha Chen does and shares with the world. Tasha is the face of Science of Getting Rich Academy, a business she created with her business partner and best friend, Diane Bettencourt. They expand and share what they learned from reading, and LIVING the principles discussed in, the book, The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles.

I attended Tasha and Diane's first Science of Getting Rich Academy workshop in 2015. Having done personal development retreats in the past, I was not sure if I was going to learn anything new. But, at that point in my life, I knew that I needed to fill my cup up with some positive energy, reinforce some personal development tools, and I needed money. Plus, a very dear and trusted friend of mine gifted this workshop to me. I was glad that I went!

One thing they shared is that being RICH is more than money. RICH as an acronym for:

• Relationships – having the type of relationships, with the people you want, in your life
• Integrity – living in integrity with your dreams, your soul's desire, your best self
• Cash – having more than enough money for yourself and to overflow from you to others
• Health, [Harmony, Happiness] – having good health, being happy, and living in harmony

As Tasha tested the principles of Science of Getting Rich Academy and living the Certain Way, she knew that her success depended on being AUTHENTIC with herself. This meant being authentic

• with her own practice, her beliefs, and thoughts;
• with her trust of the process, and
• in her experiences and in her sharing of her experiences.

And, when she did, the ABUNDANCE just flowed, and continues to flow. Science of Getting RICH Academy went from barely breaking even with the 2015 workshop to having a global impact. Tasha is an international speaker, a workshop and retreat facilitator, a coach, a community leader and connector….an international presence.

Listen as Tasha shares about living a RICH life, learn some manifesting tools (or reinforce some ones you already have), feel Tasha's presence, and discover how:

a moment of AUTHENTICITY is lined by ABUNDANCE

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By Tasha sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

A SLM conversation with Gerrard Gosens

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

"Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends." These words welcomed me as I was walked into Chocolate Moments in Brisbane, Australia. Walking into the store was a serendipitous happenstance that led to this episode with the store's owner, Gerrard Gosens.

Gerrard Gosens was born with congenital blindness. Even though he has never seen a day in his life, he lives a life full of adventure and experiences. These are some of his accomplishments:

• Climbed Mount Everest
• Ran over 2,000 km to raise money for charity – 5 times
• Represented Australia in the Paralympics – multiple times
• Competed on Australia's Dancing with the Stars
• Received the Order of Australia
• Awarded the Fervent Global Love of Life Medal for his humanitarian efforts
• Makes delicious chocolate

As he discusses these experiences and his outlook on life, it becomes clear that:

ALTHOUGH HE IS BLIND, HE IS A MAN WITH GREAT VISION

In this SLM episode, we discuss:

• His different adventures and accomplishments
• How exactly does a blind person swim in open water for a triathlon course, dance with a partner showing passion on his face, and simple activities of everyday life
• His daily schedule of training three times a day, making chocolate for Chocolate Moments, and working full-time as a project manager
• His love of the "Bad Dad Jokes" and puns
• His upcoming book "My Eyes Have a Wet Nose"
• Trusting in people and situations
• Looking for the opportunity in every situation

I walked into Chocolate Moments as a stranger but I left our SLM conversation as a friend. In my conversation with Gerrard, I realize how:

a moment of BLINDNESS is lined by VISION.

While many of my SLM guests do charitable work, which I support and applaud, I generally do not promote their fundraising efforts in the podcast. However, I am making the exception with Gerrard. He has spent his life helping others and now he needs some help. https://www.gofundme.com/f/gerrard-gosens-blind-chocolatier

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By Gerrard sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

A SLM Conversation with Brent Kraus

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

Suicide. The next words that come to mind are often: sadness, shame, and stigma. My guest, Brent Kraus, shares his experience surrounding his brother's suicide. His is a story of strength.

Suicide by the numbers:

• 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide per year[1]
• 1 person dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the US[2]
• 1 suicide affects 115 people[3]

It's pervasive. It's all around us. But, it's not about numbers. It's about individuals, many who use smiles to mask sadness, families and communities.

Brent shares his experience of losing his brother by suicide, his love for his brother, and the incredible loss he felt. He was working at a tech job, coding in a cubicle. During this time, he listened to a podcast about earning money while following your passion. From this, Brent got an idea to form a business that honors his brother's memory, celebrates his brother's love of fashion and bow-ties and that advocates for suicide prevention and awareness. He discussed this with his mother and Ella Bing Bow Ties (now Ella Bing Haberdashery) was born. Brent focuses on the business side and his mother and father make the bow ties.

As I listened to Brent, I was overcome by the Silver Lining he and his family are for those affected by suicide. Many, those struggling with suicidal thoughts and those who lost someone to suicide, deal with shame and stigma. When shame and stigma exist, they have a way of darkening the clouds of depression, grief, and loneliness. Yet, when people share their stories of suicide, shame and stigma cannot persist; compassion and love take their place. And, in this place, healing can happen; the dark clouds can be lifted; and connection with others restored. By sharing their experience and through Ella Bing Haberdashery, Brent and his family are shining compassion and love for others to see their way through the darkness. In this light, there is no place for shame and stigma. They are saying: you are not alone; I understand you; I support you.

As part of their advocacy work, Ella Bing Haberdashery supports the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. "[O]ut of a passion to help provide resources for suicide prevention and awareness after individually experiencing the loss of a loved one due to suicide[,]" Brent and Kim Randall started an annual fundraiser Beer & Bow Ties. This September's Beer & Bow Ties raised $91,000! As Brent explains, it is not a sad event, rather, it is a celebration that "Every Life Is Worth Living."

For more information or for anyone in need of support,

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: https://www.crisiscenter.com/

The Crisis Center provides a hotline: "If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide; verbal, physical or psychological abuse; or have any reason to be afraid,please call 2-1-1 for support and services."

In Brent and his parents, David and Lisa Kraus, I see strength:

• in how they honor and celebrate his brother Matt as the "light up the room" person who had an illness,
• in how they came together to start Ella Bing Haberdashery as a social enterprise and advocate for suicide prevention and awareness;
• in how they are helping to replace shame and stigma associated with suicide with compassion and love; and
• in their commitment to their family and to the community.

And, from my conversation with Brent Kraus, I discover how:

a moment of SUICIDE is lined by STRENGTH.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By Brent Kraus sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

[1] World Health Organization at https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/

[2] "11 Facts About Suicide" by DoSomething.org at https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-suicide#fn4 citing American Association of Suicidology. "Facts and Statistics." Accessed September 6, 2019. https://suicidology.org/facts-and-statistics/.

[3] "The Ripple Effect of Suicide" by Elana Premack Sandler, LCSW, MPH, September 10, 2018 at https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2018/The-Ripple-Effect-of-Suicide

A SLM conversation with Greg Pettit

(in spirit and memory of Mamie Brisker Pettit)

A MOMENT OF DEATH IS LINED BY LIFE

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

What do you do when someone you love, someone so full of life, suddenly and tragically loses theirs? I was faced with this question in May 2018. Or, more like it, this question punched me in the face and knocked me down in May 2018. In the days since, I searched for this answer --- in my tears, in photographs, in conversations with friends, in following my dreams, in my journal writing, in yoga, in moments of staring into space, and in my questions – Why? What for? What?!

But, let me take you 10 months before then. I was visiting my friends Mamie and Greg. Mamie and I were sitting on their patio having a good conversation about everything. I asked Mamie if she would be a guest on this podcast. At that time, this podcast was only an idea that had been brewing in my mind for a few years. Mamie didn't question whether I would actually follow through with the idea; she was excited about it, believed in Silver Lining Moments, and believed in me. She said yes. It took me another 15 months – 6 months after Mamie's death -- before I published the first Silver Lining Moments episode. I didn't get the chance to have my Mamie on this podcast.

This left me feeling unsettled. I recalled all ways Mamie was a Silver Lining Moment in my life and all the reasons why I wanted her as a guest. Because of my delay and inaction, I didn't get to share her light with the world. So, I asked Mamie's husband, Greg, if he would be a guest on this podcast. With the same encouraging spirit as Mamie, he readily said yes. In this episode, Greg shares Mamie with us, how they followed their dreams, and his loss, grieving, and healing. By doing so, Greg made a wish of mine come true.

Now, my wish for you is that by listening to this episode:

• You get to know Mamie and how she lived fully, authentically, courageously, and, yes, LOUDLY;
• You feel the love she had for her family, her friends, life, and for THE Ohio State Buckeyes;
• You connect to this love and feel your love for, and love from, all the Mamies in your life;
• You revel in the love and partnership between Mamie and Greg;
• You are inspired and empowered by Mamie and Greg's experience to live the life of your dreams even if it means taking the first step without seeing where the staircase ends;
• You see all the people who are Silver Lining Moments in your life -- just as Mamie and Greg are Silver Lining Moments in my life;
• Greg's healing becomes your healing;
• You PAUSE, breathe in love, breathe out worry, RESET; breathe in love, breathe out love, JUST BE;
• You see how love and light truly expand…even after death.

LOVE AND LIGHT EXPAND

Photo Credit: Kathy Susterka

Mamie's love has expanded even after her death through her family and friends. This expansion is in our hearts, our lives, and has manifested in many ways. Here are just two:

Saving Lives with 5 Defibrillators: Through the kind donations of family and friends, Greg bought five defibrillators. These were donated to local clinics, a doctor's office, a neighborhood that hosts both indigenous people and expats, and a local meet spot for all the expats that hosts plays and a Tuesday vegetable market. In developing countries like Panama, places like these do not have defibrillators. Now five of them do. They will save lives.

Empowering Lives with Scholarship Fund: Mamie's sister, Carrie Brisker Purcell, created the Mamie Brisker Pettit Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Scioto Foundation. To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be a graduating senior at Minford and/or Notre Dame High School, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 and show evidence of excellence in academics and athletics.

To learn more about this scholarship, go to Scioto Fund's Facebook page at:

To donate to the Mamie Brisker Pettit Memorial Scholar Fund:

• Click on the Donation Page https://p9.secure.hostingprod.com/@sciotogives.org/ssl/donation.html
• Under Select Membership/Endowment Fund, scroll to new funds for 2019 and select Mamie Brisker Pettit Scholarship Fund

So…what do you do when someone you love, someone so full of life, suddenly and tragically loses theirs? LIVE YOURS.

From my conversation with Greg, I discover how:

a moment of DEATH is lined by LIFE.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

With Mamie's spirit, by Greg sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

A SLM conversation with J. Kim Wright

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

What do you when you find yourself in a profession that sucks the life out of you? Well, when you get to the point where you say "enough", you have two choices – leave the profession or change it? My guest, J. Kim Wright decided to change it; and, by doing so, she has made a positive impact - worldwide, a thousand times over.

Earlier in her legal career, Kim found the legal system to be set-up in a way that flames conflict and destroys relationships. In law school, lawyers are taught to (in fact, they have a duty to) zealously represent their clients. Put this zealous representation in an adversarial system, the focus is on the fight, lawsuits are referred to as battles, and negotiations seen as a way to one-up the other side. Now, when those, who became lawyers thinking they were going to help others or society, are thrown into this system, they don't quite fit in. Something has got to give. Often, it is the soul and health of those lawyers. Even though they may feel alone, there are many of "those" lawyers.

And, this is not unique to lawyers. This situation is familiar to anyone who has ever looked up during the work day wondering: Is this what it is all about? What am I doing in this career? Is this me – is this what I am all about?

Kim asked herself those questions. In answering them, she first worked on herself and a personal transformation. She became very clear with her goals and vision for herself as a person, as a lawyer, and for the legal system. This clarity transformed into a sense of purpose and quest for societal and systems transformation.

This SLM episode is for anyone who has ever felt disillusioned with their profession, their organization, or any established system – political, governmental, economical, etc., both lawyers and non-lawyers. From Kim's quest for the transformation of the legal system, we learn some steps for change-making:

• Have a clear vision for what you want and the change you want to realize
• Write your vision and mission and include measurable goals with deadlines
• Seek out others who are already doing what you envision
• Connect with others
• Build community
• Collaborate

Kim started with a very clear vision that included:

Lawyers are now recognized for our true purpose: peacemaking, problem-solving, and healing the wounds of the community. We are changemakers in society. Trials are rare and civil. Collaboration, prevention, and transformation are the lawyers' stock in trade. We create sustainable agreements and resolutions.

Lawmakers serve, conscious of all the stakeholders, and of our interconnectedness with Nature and each other. They work on common goals and shared values to benefit everyone.

See Kim's full Vision, Mission, and Values statement on her website at: http://jkimwright.com/vision/.

She interviewed others who were doing what she envisioned. They became the basis for her books, Lawyers as Peacemakers and Lawyers as Changemakers. She has gone on to become a leader in the integrative law movement, writer, speaker, systems change maker, servant leader, and author. She works with governments and communities to create harmony building policies and practices; she trains lawyers and business leaders, and she coaches individual lawyers. She built a world-community of like-minded lawyers who share a similar vision and purpose. Together, they are making positive impact in their communities and our world.

From my conversation with J. Kim Wright, I discover how:

a moment of DISILLUSIONMENT is lined by TRANSFORMATION.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By J. Kim Wright sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

A SLM conversation with Theodore "Ted" Mayer

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

Can we save the world by restoring our sense of connection?

My guest this week is Ted Mayer. He is an anthropologist, educator, an Academic Director of The International Network of Engaged Buddhist (INEB) Institute and help design INEB's School of English for Engaged Social Service (SENS) program. Sulak Sivaraksa and others founded SENS in 2015 "…to meet the crises of climate change, increasing social inequality, and individual confusion and despair about what to do. Its aim is to create a safe and supportive place for learning English as a tool for leadership, self-cultivation, and social transformation."[1]

In our conversation, Ted points to DISCONNECTION as an underlying force of these global crises. Think about it. While we are connected to our phones, social media, and apps, there is a growing and steady disconnection from ourselves, from our communities, from society, and from nature. This disconnection ushers in a sense of overwhelm, anxiety, cynicism and hopelessness. Restoring our sense of connection restores our collective hope and resilience. And, these are stepping stones to positive change.

Putting these ideas to action, TED shares how he used care and concern about these global crises to design the curriculum for SENS that addresses these crises while empowering SENS' participants through a restored connection to themselves and their purpsose, to others, and to our shared world. He shares some of his techniques and practices including creating a culture of appreciation and using co-counseling principles.

Through SENS, Ted and The INEB Institute restore CONNECTION – deep, genuine, and lasting connection. He creates a culture of appreciation where each participant is valued and where they are taught English, communication skills, relationship building, and most of all, self-love.

After completing SENS, participants, many of whom work for NGOS, community projects, or schools, take their restored and empowered selves back to their communities. As a former volunteer tutor with SENS, I can say with 100% confidence that Ted, INEB, and SENS are transforming lives and adding light to our world – one person a time and one course at a time. With participants from across the world, their positive impact expands in all directions.

From my conversation with Ted, I realize how: a moment of crises is lined by connection.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments. By Ted sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

[1] http://inebinstitute.org/sensorigin/

A SLM conversation with Serena Aurora

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

If the news and media leave you worried that daunting clouds, caused by systemic power and political structures, are hovering over humanity's future, it would be normal to be a bit cynical. Listen to this episode and focus on the people who are restoring humanity's stewardship for each other, for other animals, for our planet -- for our collective future. Serena is an example of someone living a purposeful life, focused on self-growth, human unity and community, and in harmony with our environment. Serena and others like her are the silver lining to these clouds. By focusing on them, we are expanding their light.

Serena is a filmmaker who lives in Auroville, India. She makes documentary films that share the collective wisdom and knowledge from different cultures and communities. Her films show examples of sustainable and regenerative communal living. In this SLM episode, we discuss:

• Ecovillages
• Auroville, India, a universal town with a purpose to realize human unity
• Aurora's Eye Films (youtube.com/auroraseyefilms)
• How a cancer scare was a silver lining in her life
• Restoring and popularizing humanity's stewardship for each other, for other animals, and for our planet

In my conversation with Serena, I realize how:

a moment of cynicism is lined by example.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.

By Serena sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

Silver Lining Moments:

a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

"Music Lab, we don't focus on teaching music; we focus to use music as a channel to make people happy. The goal is building consciousness in the freedom of people."

Enaut Marti,

Co-founder of Music Lab

& this month's guest of Silver Lining Moments

Enaut Marti is from the Basque Country. We met in India a few years ago while volunteering at Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. He is currently living in Shanghai, China where he co-founded Music Lab.

He began playing the guitar when he was three years old. Now, some twenty plus years later, he co-founded Music Lab. At Music Lab, teaching music is secondary to developing the students' happiness. Our conversation about music and happiness led to a discussion about music and mindfulness.

Think about it. When you're in your car and your favorite song comes on the radio, and as you are singing at the top of lungs, are you thinking about your work, finances, relationships? When you are in the shower and singing, what can only be described as a Tony Award performance, are you thinking about your to-do list, last night's meal, or tomorrow's meetings? No! In those moments, you are practicing mindfulness.

However, before our conversation turned to Music Lab, Enaut and I discuss our volunteer experience with the Missionaries of Charity. Enaut shares how scrubbing a door for hours to remove paint was a silver lining moment in his life. In a very genuine and a completely unpretentious way, he talks about his efforts to live with purpose and follow his dreams. His comments and ideas left me with many insights and much inspiration.

From India to Shanghai, he has learned the importance of giving gratitude and unconditional love. He uses both gratitude and unconditional love as a living mantra guiding his daily life and his business. And, by doing so, he shows us how:

a moment of music is lined by mindfulness.

Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments. By Enaut sharing and by you listening, together we are:

expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.

Silver Lining Moments: a space for conversations, thoughts, and ideas that expand love and light

My guests Carrie Yu and Joe Harvey are passionate, bright, and dedicated social entrepreneurs. Carrie Yu created The Bulk House to promote and empower others to live a Zero Waste Lifestyle. In this episode, she is joined by her partner, Joe Harvey. We discuss what the zero waste lifestyle is; why it is important; and how you can make a positive impact by living it.

It is not surprising that a conversation with two entrepreneurs is filled with new business ideas. We discussed creating standardized wine bottles for a circular economy and an Earth Friendly Business Index. What became clear is - there is space to do good, live in harmony with each other and the environment, and prosper.

All of this started when Carrie was frustrated with her career. She wanted to do something that made a positive impact and that was in line with her values. During her search, she came across information about the Zero Waste Lifestyle. From this search, The Bulk House was born. Listen to our conversation and discover how:

a moment of frustration is lined by inspired action

[A note about the recording: I met Carrie and Joe in a building near the center of Beijing. We searched for a quiet space to record our conversation. Unfortunately, the quietest space we found still has some background noise including some loud bangs. However, as I listened to the recording, the background noise faded as I became more engaged in the conversation.]

Expanding love and light,

one person at a time,

one story at a time,

one Silver Lining Moment at a time.