In this podcast episode, Tara, Mare and Peter have a Conscious Conversation reflecting on current events as well as their goals and experiences for the upcoming year 2026. They discuss concepts like personal growth, trust, and the importance of incremental shifts. Tara emphasizes her word for the year, 'shift,' focusing on small changes to align with her desired self, and confronts her internal struggle with feelings of inadequacy and privilege amid global struggles. Mare and guest Peter J. Hughes explore how joy and creativity, such as through Tara's quilting, can serve as powerful acts of protest and resistance. Hughes shares analogies and stories underscoring the transformative potential of joy and its role in contributing to humanity's collective well-being. The conversation is interwoven with themes of hope, community, and the importance of choosing joy, even in challenging times. What if living our joy is the antidote to creating human conflicts?

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J.Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/