If you’re new to the concept of Dark Retreat, six months ago, so was I. It turns out to be just what it sounds like. Time (usually alone) in total darkness.

In this episode I share about my most recent Dark adventure, which took place at Dark Havens, in southern Vermont.

Do you ever find yourself rushing while some part of you is begging you to slow down or stop or take a pause? You can listen to this exploration even while you're still in the midst of motion to explore the relationship between stillness and activity.

Leah Pearlman at www.welcomingway.com

Recently, I spent four days alone in the dark. During that time, I learned a lot about myself and my relationship with pace. In this episode, I explore what it means to shift from living a life of fast-paced, goal-oriented outcomes to learning to take the scenic routes in life. If you are someone who finds yourself rushing, even when you suspect it would be healthy to slow down.

Leah Pearlman at www.welcomingway.com

This exploration is for times you're feeling like crap and have no idea why.

This morning I woke up feeling depressed. When I wake up feeling bad and bad about myself, I can feel like I’m the only one. Am I?

MainOutput_2025-05-21_14-54-12 by Welcoming Way

Finding the wisdom in the panic or overwhelm in the face of choice.

This episode brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Pearlman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcoming Way⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Perhaps there is wisdom in the Panic that accompanies indecision, overwhelm, or the lack of clarity we face when stumbling upon a free block of time. Inspired by the work of David Whyte, this is a short personal piece about accepting fear in the face of indecision.

This episode brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Pearlman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcoming Way⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

When faced with open time, many of us want to use it in the best way possible. That can be an overwhelming experience because there are so many "best ways" depending on our competing priorities. This exploration helps relieve the anxiety of that indecision, and hopefully helps the body/mind find it's way into easy and relaxed action.

This episode brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Pearlman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcoming Way⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Saying "No" isn't always easy. This episode explores what it means to realize we have a "No" to something, and how and why to honor it within ourselves. This episode features a short new essay called "No. Period." As well as a personal story about realizing I had a "No" to something, and the internal journey and clarity that followed.

The music is brought to you by ⁠Vale Tubert⁠⁠

If you like to simply hear the poem "No. Period." You can listen here. or read it here

If you're experiencing a "No." internally, here is an exploration that may support you to be with it in a kind and curious way.

This episode brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Pearlman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcoming Way⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.