I am so proud to welcome my samba mama, my mestra to the podcast to reflect on the spirituality of samba. She is a deeply rooted and radiant guest whose life work flows at the intersection of movement, memory, and Ancestral healing.

Jazz-Ylaine Baptiste is a second-generation dancer, Cultural Arts Educator, and Visionary Entrepreneur with over 22 years of experience in Brazilian Samba. She is the Founder and Director of Samba Journeys, a dance school and healing practice dedicated to honoring the roots of Samba through in-person and online classes, cultural immersions, and transformational retreats.

Her journey has taken her from stages across the U.S. and around the world, to the sacred grounds of Bahia, Brazil, where she lived for two years deepening her connection to Samba through the wisdom of the land and the stories of her Ancestors. It was there that Samba became magnified as a living portal to Ancestral remembrance and liberation.

Over the years, Jazz-Ylaine has trained, mentored, and nurtured countless dancers through schools she’s founded, including Alegria Samba Dance School, Samba Queens Academy, and now Samba Journeys. She’s also the Creator of the upcoming Rooted in Samba Summer Retreat, a sacred weekend immersion grounded in joy, community, and the spiritual medicine of Samba.

Whether she’s dancing, teaching, or holding space in ceremony, Jazz-Ylaine carries the heartbeat of her lineage in every step. Please join me in welcoming a true keeper of rhythm, roots and remembrance—Queen Jazz-Ylaine Baptiste.

Space is still available for this weekend's retreat. Sign up for it and other offerings at

https://www.sambajourneys.com/offerings

A companion piece to Episode 44, the cohost of Empowered Conversations with Elin and Christina, Dr. Christina Macalino discusses her spiritual journey and how prioritizing her values shapes all aspects of her life. We also discuss the importance of retreats for educators.

After a hiatus, the podcast returns for its final season with another special guest. I am joined by Dr. Elin Peinado Cervantes of Empowered Educational Conversations with Elin and Christina for a conversation about retreats for educators and how considering student wellness has shifted post pandemic.

Elin Peinado Cervantes has a rich and diverse background in education, spanning over 18 years as a high school counselor, assistant principal, CSUEB adjunct professor, and an Educational Consultant & School Leader Coach and currently serving as a COSA District Counselor. This extensive experience underscores Elin's expertise in educational leadership, counseling, and advocacy for effective school systems. She is also a mom and a book lover.

I come back for a solocast that is both new and older. I make a special announcement about the future of the podcast. I share a brief reflection on the passing of Pope Francis along with recordings made during a private retreat I made in November at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, California. I discuss the resources the retreat center provides, enjoy a mindful meal, and celebrate the gifts of the retreat.

TV shows mentioned:

Pope Francis, Stories of a Generation, Netflix

https://www.netflix.com/title/81306329

The Pope Answers, Hulu

https://www.hulu.com/movie/the-pope-answers-99bb958e-e16d-407d-8209-33155f5d7ec5

To book a private retreat or learn more about San Damiano Retreat Center:

https://sandamiano.org/

To order your copy of Echoes of Eternity or Sacred Fire or to learn more about those titles:

https://bookshop.org/wishlists/1a7bf1fae498aab8ec870d1f822ad53f2c0cd940

After a short hiatus, I welcome my first guest of the season, my dear friend Renee Bacchini.

Renee in her own words:

I’m a grown woman with the heart of a playful teenager—a mother, grandmother, and friend, deeply blessed by vibrant communities of dance, recovery, and fellow adventurers in this journey of life. My life has been a masterclass in “doing,” with decades of experience balancing personal growth, career, family, and self-discovery.

My journey began with a lifetime devoted to dance and travel.  I am in my 3rd career. The first: I was a hairstylist and single mom, all while spending 13 years completing my bachelor’s degree. This included a transformative year in the study abroad program through UC Davis in Costa Rica with my two teenagers, where we navigated new cultures and adventures. I've traveled extensively, including a bold trip to Cuba with my “subversive adolescents” pre-9/11.

After 15 years in communications and social marketing for the state, I embarked on yet another chapter—earning my master’s degree at age 59 in design. Today, I’m in my third year of teaching, including my first year at Oakland Tech High School, inspiring young minds in industrial design.

Throughout this journey of doing, retreats have been my saving grace, offering me essential rest, spiritual renewal, and rejuvenation. From formal organized retreats to personal retreats filled with meditation, yoga, hiking, and art, I’ve learned the power of finding quiet in the buzz of life. A 10-day Vipassana silent retreat at North Fork was one of my most profound experiences. While retreats are rare, daily practices of prayer and meditation provide a steady anchor, helping me stay centered, sane, and cared for.

I bring a lifetime of rich experiences, a passion for connection, and an openness to share the beauty of life’s many seasons.

Season 5 begins with a look back at Season 4. I discuss another loss I sustained last season and how all the losses I endured impacted my faith and my vision for this podcast. Though plans for a summer retreat fell through, I plan to share a retreat experience later this season. I preview how guests will discuss their own experiences on retreat.

Coming in Fall 2024:

The fifth season, A Hospitable Place, will take an insider's look into retreats including my own spiritual retreat in the summer of 2024. I and my guests will talk about how we withdrew from our daily routine to nurture our spirit.

I share two brief reflections on experiences that provided closure to Season 4. My daughter and I finally made to Leah's Tea Shoppe. I also returned to Mass after a short hiatus. I also provide a simple preview for Season 5.

Visit Leah's Tea Shoppe via Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/teashoppeadventures/

World Labyrinth Day is celebrated internationally on the first Saturday in May. I learned of a labyrinth workshop led by my podcast madrina Paula Jenkins at San Damiano Retreat Center. I decided to brave the rainstorm in honor of Leah.

To learn more about World Labyrinth Day:

https://www.worldlabyrinthday.org/

Paula Jenkins' podcast, Jump Start Your Joy can be found at:

https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/

San Damiano Retreat Center:

https://sandamiano.org/

Season 4, Weathering Storms, concludes in honor of Leah Ferrer, who passed peacefully in Switzerland, on April 30, 2024. I share a reflection I recorded after Wayne Kitchen's homegoing service and then discuss why I chose the themes of grief and loss for this season. I say goodbye to Leah. The podcast will be going on hiatus until the fall. Thank you for being part of this labor of love.

The photo used as this episode's cover art was taken on the road from Palestine.