Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode, I describe the word Justice that I've chosen for 2026. I want this word to be integrated into my thoughts, words and actions this year. I want justice to guide me, inspire me, and empower me to advocate for fairness, accountability, and restorative relationships. Yes, I will start with myself, but, oh how I want to live in a world where justice is upheld and can radiate thr...

On this week's episode, I mark the beginning of our podcast's 9th year and reflect on the 5 people I honored and the 45 stories I shared from 2025. It was a very challenging year personally and politically, yet I trust that there are spiritual lessons and opportunities for learning and healing. May we all practice restoring humanity, dignity, compassion and justice. Blessings for a healing, engage...

In addition to the wide range of emotions, this past week, I've also felt humbled. Humbled by my friend, Wayne who is living with the brutal disease ALS. Paul and I spent 4 days and 4 overnights with Wayne, while his wife was out of town. I am humbled by the human spirit that can still nurture a positive attitude, despite being so physically limited. Humbled by resilience, the choice to remain gra...

On this week's episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us.  May we be present to the fullness of life, the...

On this week's episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended.  It began with the...

On this week's episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this pa...

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd highlight the gratitude theory and the 4 A's of gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Action . This week is an ideal time to be reminded of the power of an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset can lighten us, enrich what is in front of us and help us navigate our challenges. A grateful heart shifts our own mood and positive...

On this week's episode I honor Jude Vasquez, a beloved soul who shockingly died at the age of 34 from a heart condition. My son, Wil considered Jude not only one of his closest friends, but his bonus sister. Wil took this stunning photo of Jude, his Silver Queen. I describe the unexpected blessings I received when I attended a Celebration of Life gathering for Jude at the Bushwick Flea Market. As...

On this week's episode, there were two things that ignited hope for me this past week. One was the championing of ordinary people by the new mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani. Witnessing a leader with compassion, courage and integrity stirred in me some much needed hope. The other was how powerfully the black voters came through, once again, to ensure most of the blue wins across the country. As Kieth...

On this week's episode, as we are in the heart of the Autumn season, I describe what it means that the veil is thinner. The boundary between the physical world and the spiritual world is more permeable, therefore the veil is thinner. This thinner veil allows for greater, more direct communication with our spirit guides, our deceased loved ones and ancestors.  So in this period of the veil being th...

On this week's episode, I highlight Leigh McGowan, also known as Politics Girl , who tells it like it is. Her honest, courageous posts inspire me to speak my truth, particularly these days when speaking truth is ignored or punished by this administration. @iampoliticsgirl helped me process the profound, invigorating and joyful experience of the NO Kings protest we attended in NYC on October 18th....

On this week's episode, I highlight the No Kings 2.0 protest that happened this past weekend and the importance of this event. In addition to it being one of the largest protests in American history, and the solidarity and invigorating energy it filled me with, the protest is one of many necessary actions we need to take to stand up to Trump's unconstitutional violations.  I share a clip from Keit...

On this week's episode, I highlight the second word in the title of my podcast: UPLIFT. Even in the midst of hatred, violence and negativity, we can focus our attention on what lifts us up and how we might lift up others. I reference Hafiz' poem about Joy, particularly the line that says "we were created to smile, to love, to be lifted up and lift others up". May we honor what we were created for...

On this week's episode, I honor Dr. Jane Goodall, for her groundbreaking work as a naturalist, scientist, conservationist and dedicated activist. Even up to her death last week, at the age of 91, Jane Goodall embodied her mission to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature. I share some of her quotes that perhaps will encourage you to carry on her legacy. Check out the show notes fo...

On this week's episode, I share how full and grateful I am to be celebrating another year around the sun. I felt blessed on my birthday, plus the days before and after, soaking in nature, people, wonder, connection and so much love!  James Taylor's song "Shower the People" was my internal soundtrack all week.  May you feel surrounded by blessings and remind yourself that even in the midst of outra...

On this week's episode, I acknowledge the Fall Equinox, when the length of the day and night are equal. Can you feel the promise of new beginnings in the fresh, crisp air of Autumn? I am partial to the symbolism of the Fall Equinox, since my birthday is September 23rd. The Fall Equinox and the Libra qualities of balance, justice and equanimity course through my veins.  May we all take time this Fa...

On this week's episode, I explain the triple nine portal of last Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The number nine invites us to close old cycles and prepare for a fresh start. Triple nine energy equals Release, Align, Rise.  It's not too late for you to focus on what you what to release, how you can forgive yourself and others with compassion and rise into a higher vibration.  Reflect on what no longer...

On this week's podcast I remember my mother, Sylvia Sinclair Carr Berking, whose birthday was less than 2 weeks ago, on August 28th. It would have been Mom's 96th birthday. She was 86 and a half when she died on February 7th, 2015. It's nearly 11 years since my mom died and I think of my Mom on a regular basis.  I am so grateful for my mother's generosity, humor and her spiritual curiosity.  In th...

On this Labor Day, as the summer comes to a close and you (hopefully) enjoy a day off, time with family and friends, before the school year starts, let's not forget all those who have risked so much to protect our work force. May we advocate for even better working conditions that reflect social justice, decent work and the safety and health of all workers. Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the podcast. Link...

On this week's episode, I share my recent encounter with a hawk feather and all that brought up for me. What words, images and spiritual wisdom do you associate with a hawk feather? May the qualities of gentleness, softness, light, spirit, gliding and expansion bless you this week. May you feel the presence of the spiritual realm guiding you, watching over you and protecting you. May the hawk feat...

On this week's episode I acknowledge how helpful it is to remember and reignite some of the meaningful experiences we've had, even if life tends to tuck them away on a shelf. Being with my cousin and her husband last week, and their genuine interest in my June trip to Vietnam, I remembered and reignited a deeply moving experience I had. My visit to the Tu Hieu Temple where Zen Master Thich Nhat Ha...

On this week's episode, I share my vision of what heaven entails and the magnificent glimpse of heaven I experienced at my niece's wedding last week. The couple's radiance of love, compassion, mindfulness and integrity raised the vibration for us all to break down the illusion of separation and show up with our best selves. This incredible couple, how they live their lives and their inspiring circ...

On this week's episode I revisit the power of humility. I had chosen the word HUMILITY for my word of 2025 and as we enter the 8th month of the year, it continues to be exactly the word I needed. Humility can be applied in any situation - casual interactions and intense interactions. Humility can be used for our own self talk or the way we approach people and situations.  It's humbling to recogniz...

On this week's episode, I honor Joanna Macy, PH.D, author, teacher, a scholar of Buddhism, systems thinking and deep ecology. Joanna died last week at the age of 96,  and I trust that her respected voice in movements for peace, justice and ecology will live on in my heart and in the world.  Whether you know her rich contribution to our consciousness or she is new to you, I invite you to learn abou...

On this week's episode, the word that stands out from my 3 weeks away is KINDNESS. There were so many random acts of kindness that I experienced while traveling in Vietnam and Bali, from people I know and cherish, as well as from strangers. So today I pause, reflect and absorb how powerful it is to receive and give kindness. Our small acts of kindness are often returned with humility, gratitude an...