Wines & Wonders podcast

In this episode, Dannielle walks us through her year-long medicine wheel program. She outlines each direction (south, west, north and east) and the exercises and practices we can use as we learn to navigate life in a different way. Kirsten pairs this journey with Carol Shelton's Coquille Blanc, a white blend of Rhône grapes, out of Paso Robles, which has four grapes to pair with the four directions on the medicine wheel path.

In this show Kirsten and Dannielle discuss our Energy Anatomy, what it is and why it matters.  Using computers as an analogy, Dannielle and Kirsten go over different ways we can we can maintain our energy bodies, how it helps and simple tips for a daily practice.

Kirsten pairs this topic to the Rhone region of France, known for their biodynamic farming style.

www.shamanictwist.com

Dannielle begins this episode with an explanation about how being in nature has a calming, healing and restorative effect on our overall well being. Kirsten mentions studies that back this up. They also discuss how even nature photos and faux plants can produce the same effect as being in nature.

Kirsten pairs a 2,000-year-old wine making method that is seeing a resurgence of popularity called pétillant naturel wines to the fun discussion of how getting outside helps us all.

In this episode, Kirsten and Dannielle discuss the tradition of fire ceremonies, what they are and how to create one.  When would you use a fire ceremony? Why would you use a fire ceremony? And what are we actually doing at a fire ceremony?

Having used fire ceremonies personally for letting go, Kirsten pairs the U.S. government's letting go of alcohol regulations to a boutique Napa Pinot Noir. 

Kirsten interviews Dannielle about shamanism as a practice in modern society. What is shamanism? Who are shamans? Can anybody become a shaman? They discuss where it came from over the thousands of years it has been practiced, and how shamanism can fit into our lives today.

Then Kirsten tells the story of Vinho Verde from Portugal, a wine that is perfect for a spring or summer cocktail hour.

In this episode, Dannielle and Kirsten talk through what repeating patterns are in our lives, why we get stuck in them and how we can break free. Discover questions to ask yourself to help you figure out what may be underneath your decisions to repeat behavior you don't actually like. 

Kirsten pairs this discussion with walking into the liquor store and always buying the same two or three wines. How can you figure out a new wine to buy that you will probably like? It's not difficult and will expose you to amazing new wines!

In this episode, Kirsten and Dannielle discuss the final week of Sandy's life, as her body fails. They discuss what is both happening to Sandy and to the family around her, and what dynamics are changing. 

They share the books that they both feel are helpful for both the family and the dying person to hear. Kirsten shares a funny story about her mom and the firefighters who came to the house to help carry her to the living room.

Then, Kirsten pairs the episode with a Hook & Ladder Petite Sirah from the Russian River Valley in California. Discover both the history of the winery and why Petite Sirah is anything but meek and small. 

In this episode Kirsten and Dannielle discuss when we have a plan for the death process of a loved one - we get more quality time together. We get to hear from Kirsten's sister as she shares stories of helping their mom move into her new assisted living home.

Dannielle discusses and highlights how staying ahead of the emergencies absolutely opens the space for a more meaningful connection with our loved ones as they move into this next phase of life.

Kirsten pairs a wine from a country that is getting ahead of the end as they shift up their vines due to the changing weather and climate patterns of the growing region.

In this episode, Kirsten and Dannielle delve into discussion and statistics that highlight the difficulty the elderly and their loved ones have with admitting it is time to move an elderly person into less risky environments. Dannielle provides suggestions for exercises to help a child begin to care for a parent.

Then, Kirsten pairs their discussion to a unique wine found in South Africa called Pinotage, a wine she pairs with any BBQ on her plate.

Join us for another episode in our Ahead of the End season.

Join Dannielle and Kirsten as they discuss a hot topic in current history as US states and other countries debate how or if someone can be involved in the timing of their end of life. They highlight many of the laws that currently govern this choice. 

Then, Kirsten pairs the episode to a French Chablis, honoring her mom's favorite grape.