Gratitude Blooming Podcast

Send us Fan Mail As the year draws to a close, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson invite us into a rare and honest pause — one rooted in winter, vulnerability, and the courage to rest inside the practice. Recorded from two very different journeys — Belinda traveling through Prague , drawn by its alchemical history and mystery, and Omar returning from a weeklong Loving Kindness retreat — this f...

Send us Fan Mail As we move deeper into November, the world around us begins its slow descent into winter. The days contract, the evenings lengthen, and nature invites us inward. In this episode, Belinda and Omar welcome back Dr. Paul Wang to explore how the water element in Daoist wisdom can help us navigate a time marked by uncertainty, loss, and profound change. Winter — and the water element —...

Send us Fan Mail How do we spiral with change and not spin out of control? As 2025 continues to swirl with uncertainty, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson reunite with Dr. Paul Wang to honor the Fall Equinox and the elemental transition from metal to soil — a time of release, grounding, and gathering perspective. Together, they explore how nature, Daoist wisdom, and community rituals can help...

Send us Fan Mail Discover mindful ways to transition into fall with Belinda, Omar, and Dr. Paul. This episode explores harvest wisdom, Daoist teachings, and gentle practices for balance, gratitude, and stress relief this autumn season. From coffee trees ripening on the Big Island to the Daoist teachings of the metal element, this episode invites us to notice the signals of what is ready to be gath...

Send us Fan Mail 2025 has been a year of relentless waves — uncertainty, upheaval, and unexpected turns. In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson are joined again by Dr. Paul Wang to explore how Daoist seasonal wisdom can guide us through noisy, volatile times. Together, they reflect on the transition into the metal season in Chinese cosmology, represented by autumn — a time of disc...

Send us Fan Mail How might letting go open space for something new (and even different) to grow in your life? In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson, joined by season 4 guest, Dr. Paul Wang, explore how we move from the heat of transformation into grounded stillness — from fire to soil.  Through their personal stories from Hawai‘i, Los Angeles, and the Galápagos, they reflect on n...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Omar and Belinda, joined by Dr. Paul Wang, explore the intense transition from spring to summer—a time of rapid blooming and expansive energy. Omar shares a profound moment of wayfinding amidst a board meeting, guided by nature’s messages of patience, kindness, and the unexpected wisdom of a slithering snake. Dr. Paul offers insights from Daoist wisdom and C...

Send us Fan Mail What if awe begins with remembering?  In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson are joined by Dr. Paul Wang to explore the seasonal shift from budding to blooming—and how the heart holds the wisdom to navigate both. Rooted in Daoist philosophy, plant medicine, and the Gratitude Blooming card of Simplicity , this conversation offers a gentle invitation to slow down, f...

Send us Fan Mail How might simplifying your focus create space for what truly matters to flourish in your life this spring?  A delightful spring energy infuses this conversation as co-host Omar Brownson shares his transformative experience with the Ubuntu Climate Initiative in South Carolina's Gullah Geechee lowcountry. His beautiful poem " Purple Sarongs " captures the essence of g...

Send us Fan Mail The world around us can feel chaotic and overwhelming, especially in the face of social and environmental challenges. In this episode, we delve into the value of finding sanctuary within ourselves—the importance of the "cave life"—and how it can lead to restorative growth. Our conversation invites you to explore the connections between solitude and community, embracing g...

Send us Fan Mail What if we could harness the wisdom of nature to transform our lives?  Join us as we explore this intriguing question with our esteemed guest, Dr. Paul Wang, whose expertise in Chinese medicine and Daoism guides us through the profound themes of grief, gratitude, and self-care. Reflecting on the recent natural disasters in Los Angeles, we delve into the crucial importance of align...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the profound insights of seasonal living with the esteemed Dr. Paul Wang, whose extensive experience in martial, medical, and mystical practices illuminates the path to a life in harmony with nature's cycles. Join us as Dr. Wang reveals the art of dancing through life's changes, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the natural rhythms of birth, growth, ma...

Send us Fan Mail Zen Master and movement leader Norma Wong returns to share her profound insights on tenacity and transformation, illuminating the intricate dance between persistence and stubbornness. And, she shares insights from her new book, When No Thing Works. We pull the dandelion card, representing tenacity, and explore the art of nurturing curiosity and playfulness amidst adversity, much l...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for our Empathy & Democracy series, a live podcast and pop-up art series brought to you by the Democracy Center, VC Film Fest and Gratitude Blooming. Guided by the changing seasons, this fourth and final installment centers on the transformative practice of "Fearless Gratitude" in action as we pause together to feel and share the depths of our emotions as we...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we are joined by beloved movement creatrix adrienne maree brown in a conversation about talking with trees, finding your murmuration, and holding complexity (and each other). With wisdom from Gratitude Blooming’s rose card representing choice, the celebrated author of Emergent Strategy joins co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson for an insightful conversation on buildi...

Send us Fan Mail What shapes our identity and fuels our courage to challenge societal norms? Today, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Jim Herr, director of the Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum. Jim opens up about his experiences as a Hapa kid in rural Pennsylvania, where he faced exclusion and was told he couldn't be president because of his skin color. His jo...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a reflective journey with us, as we begin to weave together the wisdom of over 100 episodes, creating a tapestry of insights that transcend time. Imagine uncovering forgotten treasures and gaining new perspectives through the essence of sound, a medium as eternal as the themes we explore. This special installment brings a spotlight to our collaboration with Zen master No...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever experienced a moment so quietly powerful that it demanded your full presence? This episode, with facilitators Angela Oh and Alex Dorsey, captures just that, as we recount an unforgettable evening at the Japanese American National Museum and the Democracy Center—a night where rose petals and silence laid the foundation for an exploration into empathy and democracy. We...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a transformative exploration with us as we reflect on a profound year investigating the intersection of empathy and democracy. Our heartfelt discussions have led us to recognize the unsung heroes who create nurturing environments in every corner of society.  Today, we delve into lessons from our poignant collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, underscor...

Send us Fan Mail As the seasons begin to change, we find ourselves wrapped in the afterglow of a snowstorm — a perfect time to foster our aspirations and face the hurdles ahead. Join us in a heartwarming journey where we embrace the art of grounding ourselves through meditation, connecting deeply with the earth and our innermost dreams. We'll navigate the ancient philosophy of Wu Wei or effor...

Send us Fan Mail As the frost of winter blankets parts of earth, we find ourselves wrapped in the cozy musings of transition and the gentle guidance of nature's rhythm. Based on our recent travels, including to a snow-cloaked Yosemite, we invoke the power of nature's symbolism to inform our reflections on the year gone by. Our conversation meanders through the interplay of presence, inte...

Send us Fan Mail As we meander through the intricate pathways of artistry, poetry, and land stewardship, Arlene Kim Suda, Belinda Liu, and Omar Brownson uncover the profound synergy these realms share in steering life's grandest inquiries. Our conversation, rich with personal experiences like a recent trip to a sanctuary in Tijuana, spotlights the vitality of communal ties and the bravery ent...

Send us Fan Mail As we journey through life, we often find ourselves confronting the paradox of ambition and rest. Come with us, be part of our personal reflections on recent travels, and you might just hear the whisper of your own inner compass urging you to make necessary changes. Let's walk together as we share our tales of self-discovery, pondering the effects of modernity, particularly w...

Send us Fan Mail You ever find yourself searching for an antidote to the chaos of the world? Let's journey together into the warm, comforting embrace of hope, gratitude, and the soothing scent of candles. Special guest Kate De Palma, former teacher turned candle artisan and founder of Scented Designs, illuminates us with her story of transformation. She shares her leap from the classroom to t...

Send us Fan Mail How do you find hope and personal empowerment in the face of war and political unrest?  According to Lea Endres, the CEO of NationBuilder, democracy is the least violent form of government currently known to humans.  It's a system. It's also an idea. And it lives in our imaginations.  Research shows that when citizens are actively engaged in showing up for their communit...