✨⭐ In this Sparkle Snacks episode, @Betsyhoo & @HalcyonPink explore the power of the pause — the simple yet profound act of slowing down. In a world that rewards constant motion, we rediscover the value of stillness, breath, and mindful awareness. From transforming moments of rushing into calm focus to reclaiming spontaneous “Shavasanas” in daily life, this conversation invites you to embrace quiet as a path to balance and presence. Learn how small pauses between tasks, conversations, and even breaths can deepen connection, extend your life force, and bring harmony to your day. Take a breath. Tune in. Feel the magic of pause.🔥

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.

Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com

@HalcyonPink shares his recent experiences joining the Wholehearted Chorus and the challenges of being a beginner.  @Betsyhoo adds her inspiring flute-learning journey and the two discuss how important (and hard) it can be to learn new things.

In this bite-size conversation, Betsy and John dive into the power of a beginner’s mind—why leaning into discomfort is the doorway to growth. From wobbling through the first tries on a bike or musical instrument (Betsy’s journey with the Native flute) to stepping onstage to facilitate groups, they explore how being a beginner is humbling, empowering, and necessary.

The episode closes with a short song, ways to connect, and a sparkling affirmation:
“I stay humble as I live my life with a beginner’s mind.”

If this mini-episode lit you up, share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review. Stay humble. Stay curious. Stay Sparked. 🔥

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.  

MASSIVE Thank you to  for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com

Thank you, Jane Goodall.
In this shorter episode, we honor and give thanks to the inspiring life of Jane Goodall. (1934-2025)  

Patron Saint of Love Ambassadors:
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
-Jane Goodall  



This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.  

BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.  http://poweraffirmation.com/  

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for people experiencing homelessness. In his free time he coaches groups and individuals on how to live joyfully and authentically.  http://links.hugnation.com

MASSIVE Thank you to  for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com   

In this episode, We sit down with our dear friend Justin Gary — game designer, author, speaker, world traveler, longtime Burner, and all-around inspiring human. Together, we dive into a playful and profound conversation about how the principles of game design can help us create more joyful, intentional lives.

We explore:

✨How healthy habits and powerful questions can guide us toward living our best lives 

✨Using the metaphor of games to set goals and see challenges differently

✨Why “failure” can actually be one of our greatest teachers and growth opportunities

✨Laughter, friendship, and the playful spirit that makes life more meaningful

Justin also shares insights from his journey as a creator and traveler, weaving together wisdom from his adventures and projects.

Mentioned in this episode:

 ✨www.JustinGary.com

✨Level Up   

✨www.lifestudent.com 

✨poweraffirmation.com

Tune in for an inspiring and joy-filled conversation that will leave you thinking differently about your habits, your goals, and the “game” of life itself.

This episode is sponsored by Lucid — a delicious mushroom nootropic drink designed to boost focus, creativity, and calm energy without the crash. It’s our go-to for staying clear, inspired, and present. 

Learn more:  BecomeLucid.com 

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
This episode is sponsored by LUCID - combining the power of mushrooms and nootropics with a balanced dose of caffeine. Creating a next-level beverage that Halcyon & Betsy have been enjoying as part of their daily lives.

Relationships suffer when we are expected to read the other person's mind. 
The idea that,  "They should know better!" is simply WRONG.  Being clear with communication, even when it is difficult, is the way to build trust and deeper connection.
@Betsyhoo & @Halcyonpink share personal experiences and helpful practices of direct, clear communication.

HOSTS

BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.

http://poweraffirmation.com/

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. In his free time he leads mens groups and coaches individuals on sharing their gifts and maximizing their joy.
http://lifestudent.com


MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online.
https://dubsutra.com

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com

Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash. 

In this podcast's description it lists "BURNING MAN" as one of the core things we talk about.   Then WHY are neither @halcyonpink or @betsyhoo going to Black Rock City this year?

That's the topic for this short, 9 minute SPARKLE SNACK episode. 

HOSTS

BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.

http://poweraffirmation.com/

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. In his free time he leads mens groups and coaches individuals on sharing their gifts and maximizing their joy.
http://lifestudent.com


MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online.
https://dubsutra.com

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com

Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash. 

@Betsyhoo & @Halcyonpink are not headed to Black Rock City this year.  (It's the first time Halcyon has missed it since 1998!)

But that doesn't sim their excitement for those who are about to make the trek.   They share some of the juiciest last minute tips and philosophies to make your Burn EPIC.

NOTE:  For a deep dive into Burning Man tips, visit one of Halcyon's resource sites (including his 5 part BURNING MAN BOOTCAMP):

http://PlayaPrinciples.com

or 

http://Instagram.com/BurnerPrep

HOSTS

BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.

http://poweraffirmation.com/

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. In his free time he leads mens groups and coaches individuals on sharing their gifts and maximizing their joy.
http://lifestudent.com


MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online.
https://dubsutra.com

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com

Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash. 

In this fun episode we and do a deep dive with, Touvan Sitara, music producer and creator of LUCID functional mushroom and adaptogen drinks.
Touvan is a long-time friend of ours so it was a treat to hear the sparks that inspired his entrepreneurism, his passion for health, and his music career as CAZZTEK. 
We talked about how Burning Man Gifting has inspired all of our careers and announce how our love for his LUCID product inspired us to seek out our first show sponsorship.

GUEST:
TOUVAN SITARA walks the path of life as both an artist and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of multiple eCommerce ventures, including the premium CBD brand Vida Optima and his latest creation, Lucid —a functional mushroom and nootropic brand for modern minds. Outside the business world, Touvan lives behind the decks and in the studio as an electronic music producer and DJ, performing at clubs and festivals around the globe. A creative at heart, tech nerd by nature, and relentless biohacker, he’s on a mission to reverse biological aging and turn life into an endless playground. Whether he’s formulating products that help people live better or dropping tracks that make people move, Touvan is here to make an impact and have a damn good time doing it.

HOSTS

BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.

http://poweraffirmation.com/

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. In his free time he leads mens groups and coaches individuals on sharing their gifts and maximizing their joy.
http://lifestudent.com


MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online.
https://dubsutra.com

This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com

Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash. 

Few of us had role-modeling for the healthy expression of anger.  And yet anger is a perfectly natural emotion!  In this episode John and Betsy discuss their personal struggles with anger and share some tools to help with healthy expression for ourselves and in relationships.

HOSTS
BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer of massage therapy, CranioSacral and Dharma Coaching. She is an 8 year burner and has spent the last several years seeped in the personal development world, cultivating her passion for transformation and growth. Her recent project, The Power Affirmation Journal and virtual group empowers women to cultivate self awareness and healthy habits so they can live in greater freedom, mind body and spirit.
http://poweraffirmation.com/

Click here to get a FREE affirmation for Stay Sparked Listeners!

HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation YouTube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for people experiencing homelessness. In his free time he coaches individuals on how to live joyfully and authentically. His other podcast is "Hard on the 80's."
http://LifeStudent.com

MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online.
https://dubsutra.com