We Nurture

Exciting news from We Nurture about our upcoming series! First episode releasing this Thursday October 29th.

In this episode, we speak with Lydia Violet and Leah Song about their course “Singing the Bones”.  Lydia Violet is a singer, songwriter, activist, teacher and founder of Music as Medicine and Leah Song is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumental musician, storyteller, poet, and activist known for her role as front woman in Rising Appalachia, with her sister Chloe Smith.

Together this past spring these ladies launched an amazing online course titled “Singing the Bones” where they dive deep into cultural appropriation, inheritance, ancestry, storytelling and music.

To learn more please visit musicasmedicineproject.org risingappalachia.com and lydiafiddle.com

In this episode, we speak with Nancy Mellon, storyteller and author of several books including “Storytelling & The Art Of Imagination. Nancy has guided storytelling and writing groups for many years in the art of creating and telling stories.  A former Waldorf teacher, she has given many storytelling and art therapeutic courses in the United States and internationally.  Well known as a powerful storyteller and writer, Nancy is pioneering new awareness of the relationship between language, imagination and well-being.

Nancy’s books include: The Art of Storytelling, Storytelling & The Art of Imagination, Storytelling with Children, Healing Storytelling, Body Eloquence, and The Knottles (a children’s story).

Discover more at: www.healingstory.com

The Wise Old Gnome cares for Mother Earth. He lives deep in the Limindoor woods under the roots of a great oak tree.  Every autumn, he gathers acorns from the squirrels so he can plant them to keep the forest growing with lots of trees.  This simple and delightful autumn tale invites us, child and adult alike, to connect with nature and inspires us to care for Mother Earth.

Adapted from the story "Brother Acorn" by Sieglinde De Francesca, author of 'a donsy of gnomes' which you can find at: teachwonderment.com

Ages 2 - 5

To discover more about please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children

Today we connect with Dr. Adam Blanning to talk about Anthroposophical medicine and its unique, integrative medical approach that looks at the whole person.

Dr. Blanning practices integrative and anthroposophic family medicine in Denver, Colorado where he started his holistic medical practice in 2003. Dr. Blanning lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on topics relating to holistic medicine and the dynamics of human development, with a special interest in supporting children. He is the author of “Understanding Deeper Developmental Needs: Holistic Approaches for Challenging Behaviors in Children.”  

To learn more about his practice, Denver Center for Anthroposophical Therapies, please visit denvertherapies.com.

How do we build anti-racist spaces?  How do we begin, in a new way to educate ourselves and the children we teach?  We are so fortunate that Cynthia Aldinger, Founder of LifeWays North America could join us for this important conversation.

LifeWays North America Statement

LifeWays North America welcomes you to our community.  We value diversity of ancestry and nation of origin, gender identity and expression, age, ability, sexual orientation, and religion. We believe diversity strengthens us as an organization. We stand against content found in lectures or written works by Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy, that represents racist ideas.  We continue to examine our policies and training curriculum through the lens of anti-racism to ensure that our community feels safe and supportive of all.  All are welcome.

lifewaysnorthamerica.org

This story, perfect for autumn, has been adapted from the Russian folktale, 'The Turnip'.  In this retelling of the story, grandfather plants a turnip seed in the spring hoping to harvest a big turnip in the autumn so that he can make delicious turnip soup.  The turnip grew and grew, in fact it grew so big that grandfather couldn't pull it out of the ground by himself.  He calls grandmother, who calls granddaughter, who calls the dog, who calls the cat who calls the mouse and then they are able to pull the turnip out.

Recommended for ages 2 to 6

To discover more about please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children

Today we connect with Marlis Harris, Director and Owner of Hummingbird Preschool in San Francisco. She tells us about how she very quickly and courageously transformed her preschool last summer to a program that was completely outdoors so that she could meet the needs of the children in a healthy way while working with the challenges of COVID.  It's an inspirational interview and inspiration is something that we all need!

Born and raised in Germany, Marlis grew up in the small town of Diez.  After earning her Masters in Special Education and Art she embarked on a trip around the world which eventually led her to San Francisco.  In 1998, after completing her three year Waldorf Teacher Training she found opportunities to volunteer, tutor and substitute at the San Francisco Waldorf School where in time all three of her sons would attend and graduate from.  She has been the director and main teacher at Hummingbird Preschool since it opened in 2002.

To learn more about Hummingbird Preschool please visit hummingbirdpreschoolsf.com

Today we are connecting with Laura Scappaticci from the Anthroposophical Society in America.

The Anthroposophical Society in America furthers Rudolf Steiner’s work in the United States. They are an open membership organization that fosters self-development and inspired social engagement, through Conferences, Regional Groups, Online Courses and a wonderful magazine called Being Human.

"Anthroposophy is a philosophy of love; a path of spiritual inquiry, rather than a belief system at the foundation of which is an understanding of the ability for humans to evolve."  Laura Scappaticci

In this episode Laura Scappaticci, Director of Programs for the Anthroposophical Society in America joins us for a lively conversation on the topic of Anthroposophy and the Anthroposophical Society.  In her role, Laura creates events, online education as well as a podcast, The Anthroposopher.  She enjoys connecting people to their best selves on whatever spiritual path they choose.  Laura is also the mother of three!

Anthroposophy.org 

Being Human Magazine 

The Anthroposopher Podcast

This is a wonderful African Folktale story of a magic cow and other animals that teach a lesson to two friends.

Recommended for ages 5 to 9

To discover more about please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children