In this episode I talk about the foundational skill of Presence: being able to focus on the present moment and also remaining calm in the midst of difficulties. This episode includes:

• Why calm presence is contagious
• How having greater presence helps you practice kindness
• How humans are hard-wired to co-regulate their nervous systems
• Practices for developing greater Presence
• How to return to calmness after being triggered emotionally
• Book recommendation: Present Through the End by Kirsten DeLeo

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In this episode I'm sharing research by Dr. Jonathan Haidt that demonstrates the ripple effects transmitted from each and every act of kindness. When other people see us being kind it changes them. And this moment in time--when people are feeling overwhelmed, polarized, frightened, and uncertain--is exactly when kindness is needed.

"Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,

you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing."

from the poem Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye

This episode includes:

• How we collectively know deep sorrow at this time in history
• Apples: a simple story of kindness becoming contagious
• Dr. Jonathan Haidt's research findings about kindness
• Noticing the effects of kindness on others
• The Kindness Walk as a practice
• Invitation to share your kindness stories with me at [email protected]

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In this episode I share a useful and simple metaphor for levels of consciousness that can help us understand why there are so many opposing views of the world in our society right now - and how to navigate them. This episode includes:

• The "building" metaphor for levels of consciousness
• How the view differs from the ground floor to the penthouse
• Why we need to have compassion for people who have only seen life from the ground floor
• Practices to move up the staircase of consciousness
• Wisdom is knowing which floor the conversation is happening on

Watch full video here

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In this episde I share two interlocking stories about the burden we carry when we hold onto resentment, anger, self-blame, and self-loathing. Find out how I learned to begin to let it go. This episode includes:

• My forgiveness garden
• How I finally recognized the cost of carrying negative emotions
• The healing of long-ago relationship disruptions
• Finally releasing myself from blame
• How creativity flows more freely when we're no longer carrying the heavy weight of self-blame

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War is unfolding in many parts of the world right now, yet for many of us life continues largely unchanged.

In this episode I reflect on the difference between how earlier generations experienced war—especially during World War II—and the distance many of us feel from today’s conflicts.

Drawing on a story from my father’s experience in the war, I explore how we might remain present to the suffering of others without becoming overwhelmed or turning away.

I also invite listeners to consider creating a simple Sunday evening vigil—a moment to pause, light a candle, and hold the people of the world in compassion.

Download the Sunday Evening Vigil

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This episode is a companion for my latest post on Substack which you'll find a link to below. Many of us are reaching a stage in life where it is important to begin cultivating our life's wisdom in order to move into the role of an elder for our society. Read about that on the post first and then listen to this episode which includes practices for becoming an elder:

• Set aside time every day for reflection or journaling
• Lovingkindness Blessing
• Letting go rituals
• Slowing down
• Practice recording stories
• Embrace physical changes
• Cultivate humor
• See yourself as a mentor

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In this brief episode I'm sharing with you my own experience of the spiritual realm and the afterlife since many people have wondered whether or not I "believe" the afterlife exists. This episode includes:

• Childhood experiences of the spiritual realm
• Why I don't "believe" in heaven or hell but instead have an inner knowing of the spiritual realm that we already always exist within
• How deathbed experiences and visions with hospice patients were part of my inner knowing
• Why I don't fear death

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In this episode I share with you a powerful tool that we all need right now: The Lovingkindness Blessing. You can use this every day to transform your life and relationships - the world is starving for lovingkindness right now so I hope you will give this practice a try! This episode includes:

• The power of tiny acts of kindness
• Metta as a Buddhist practice
• How I began to use The Lovingkindness Blessing
• The 5 components of the blessing

Download The Lovingkindness Blessing

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In this episode I'm sharing my own up and down journey of learning how to step forward with love in this world where hatred surrounds us. This episode includes:

• My desire to not add to the burden of hatred the world is already bearing
• How the March for Peace by Buddhist monks inspired me this week
• Why we need to stay motivated by love even during times of fear, anger, dismay
• What fierce love really means and why it's not soft or weak
• The Milgram Experiment and what it tells us about our human nature

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In this episode I talk about the horrific state of affairs in the world and especially here in the US where we are confronted on a daily basis with violence, hatred, and inhumanity. We are awake now to the reality of the dark side of human nature and though we feel change is coming we don't know how long it will take. This episode includes:

• Societal change takes time - we have to be in it for the long haul
• Every little step makes a difference
• Find a reason to stay hopeful and grateful every day rather than falling into despair
• Keep working on your own shadow
• Be creative in your own unique way every day

Learn about my books here

Check out End-of-Life University Podcast

Read my latest Substack post

Make a donation here