Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode, I share a cathartic experience of some winter cleaning. I know we typically wait for the springtime for these kinds of cleanings, but I am here to say, winter cleaning was just as satisfying!  What cabinets, closets, dressers, shelves of yours might need some de-cluttering?  I encourage you to give yourself the gift of a cleaning - at any season of the year. Enjoy the sense...

As we come to the end of the month, I highlight the concept and philosophy of Black Futures Month. In addition to honoring people and movements that enrich Black History Month, the emphasis on Black Futures  is "a visionary, forward-looking spin on celebrations of Blackness in February; a time to consider and celebrate our radical Black history and to dream and imagine a world in which all Black p...

As we continue to honor Black History Month, I encourage you to see the movie "Rustin" . I was so deeply moved by the movie, this man Bayard Rustin and the instrumental role he played in creating and implementing the March on Washington. In addition, the brilliant performance of Colman Domingo embodying Rustin was electrifying. The movie, produced by Michelle and Barack Obama, sheds light on an im...

On this week's episode, I highlight and honor the Greensboro Four: Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain and David Richmond. Sixty-four years ago these four African American college freshman sat down at a place where African Americans were not allowed to sit. Their act of non-violent protest and the publicity they received ignited a national sit-in movement, that initiated desegregation a...

On this week's episode, at the beginning of February, as we honor Black History Month, I focus on the man behind the origins of this important month. I am embarrassed to admit I did not know the name Carter G. Woodson nor that it was initially celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926. Thanks to Bakari Sellers, who mentioned Woodson's name in his conversation with Trevor Noah, which ignited my curi...

My guest today is Aliya Sorgen. Aliya is Head of Global Partnerships and Mobility at University of the Arts in London, a Transformational Coach and innovative yoga retreat facilitator. And Aliya happens to be my beloved God-daughter, a bond that allows us to share a special soul connection. Aliya articulates keen insight into her experience of working with artists, how alive she feels when traveli...

On this week's episode, I focus on awareness and how important awareness is to help us be present, conscious and responsible. Awareness is the first step in the process of healing. Inspired by a quote from the world renowned yoga instructor, Sarah Powers, I've now infused her quote as a prayer to add to my daily practice. May this statement inspire you as well: "I vow now to awaken to awareness, f...

Last week I hosted a Ceramics Open House for Josh Yanko, the son of my dear friend, Lisa Green. This Open House opened my heart to Josh, his beautiful pottery, the strong love Lisa has for her son, and the community that showed up to support him. It also opened my heart to the way loved ones who die are orchestrating loving support from their spiritual realm. What an honor to open my home and my h...

On this week's episode, as we start off 2024, I acknowledge our 6 year milestone and reflect on this past year. We launched the podcast in January 2018, so here's to completing 6 years of Enlighten!  January 2024 marks the beginning of our podcast's 7th year!  Thank you, 2023 for another year of 9 inspiring guests, a tribute to a local hero who died the past summer and 38 personal reflections and...

On this week's episode, I focus on the wisdom of changing things up, shifting our perspective and/or routines to open to new possibilities. I share a simple example of a change I made to one of my daily routines that provided a fresh, expansive experience for me. I was surprised by the energy and fun it provided! Change the way you see something and that something changes. May you take one of your...

On this week's podcast, I share some sparkly synchronicities that delighted me this week. From a Hafiz poem, that reminds us that we are created for Joy, to a yoga community's dharma talk, to a friend in Maine being inspired to dance, to my Jazz Funk Dance Sistahs keeping joy alive, to a store owner's sparkly red boots.   May we pause and notice the synchronicities, the sparkles, the joy. After al...

As the light shifts with shorter days and longer nights, we experience more physical and emotional darkness.  On this week's episode, I share a poem that has been a beautiful reminder for me that the light does come, even when the darkness enfolds us. May we trust that the light will come. May we know that the light is seeking us. May we lift our faces to let the light find us. Follow the links be...

For the past decade I've tried to incorporate into our Thanksgiving gathering, a simple ritual that honors Indigenous People. On this week's podcast, I share the ritual I tried this year. The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address calls forth gratitude for the people, the earth mother, the waters, the fish, the plants, the food plants, the medicinal herbs, the animals, the trees, the birds and the fou...

Thanksgiving invites us to tap into the power of gratitude. Even in the midst of all the suffering in our broken world, paying attention to what we are grateful for, can bring us back to center. Having just returned from an incredible trip to Australia and New Zealand, I share some of the things about travel that fills me up with deep gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for, on so many leve...

On this week's episode, I tell how I discovered that I have a new nickname: The Meditation Lady!   From an unsuspecting group of people I don't personally know, it turns out that I've been referred to as this nickname for a few years. It wasn't until we recorded this episode, that my husband learned of my new nickname. He got a kick out of it and I hope you do, too.  Hopefully this will get you th...

My guest today is Daniel Ralph Mfaya, also known as Dani. Dani is an extraordinary dancer, model and creative director. Dani grew up in France & currently resides in the United States, but is traveling the world as a dancer on the Sam Smith Gloria Tour . Because my daughter, Julia is the bass player in Sam's band, I've had the pleasure and honor of meeting Dani, the other dancers, background vocal...

On this week's episode, I share a moving spiritual practice called Letter from Love , inspired and launched by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the book Eat, Pray, Love . I read examples from Elizabeth and Suleika Jaouad as well as, one I wrote. May these examples and this podcast encourage you to write a letter to yourself from Love. Whether you write one or you integrate this as another tool in...

It is easy to lose sight of our humanity when so many in the world are suffering. Yet it is exactly our humanity that I don't want to lose sight of as the frightening conflict in Israel and Gaza intensifies. On this week's episode, I share some heartfelt quotes that have helped me align with love, as if we were seen in the eyes of the Divine, help me align with our innate goodness, with peace, wit...

My guest today is Andrea Maxine Frade. Andrea is a Transformational Coach, Healer, Bodyworker and Somatic Practitioner. Having been a podcast guest in January 2019, I am delighted to reconnect with Andrea and learn about all the meaningful changes in her personal life, spiritual life and professional work, in the past 5 years.    Andrea is tuned into her own personal process of growth and evolutio...

On this week's episode, I share some of the history and facts about Indigenous Peoples Day  and our efforts as a country to move in the direction of healing and justice. What might seem to some like a simple name change can lead to real social progress for Indigenous Americans. Today is an opportunity for reflection, recognition, celebration and education. May we honestly admit our dark history of...

My guest this week is Jesse AlFord. Jesse is a Circus Coach and Lighting Designer, who stayed in our guest bedroom for a few days at the request of our dear friends and previous podcast guests, Carlo Pellegrini and Hilary Sweeney. Carlo and Hilary are producing The Legend Cirque - an immersive expression of the gripping tale of the Headless Horseman, narrated by Washington Irving, with world class...

Today marks the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Even though I am not Jewish, I've always appreciated the intention and meaning behind this day of reflection, a day to atone for the ways we have harmed others or ourselves. I share once again the Buddhist Prayer of Forgiveness, an appropriate prayer to help us atone and cultivate at - one - ness . May you be at one with yourself, at...

On this week's episode, I acknowledge the layers in people, situations, causes and choices.  It is easy to fall into the trap that any one or any thing is one dimensional. When we get stuck, in that limited view, it's helpful to be reminded of different perspectives. Thankfully a devoted listener helped me peel back layers of my perspective about Amazon and Jeff Bezos. When we peel back layers, we...

On this week's episode I reflect on the history and meaning of Labor Day, and the labor of love it takes to live by our values. I try to stay mindful of the companies that take advantage of their employees and avoid doing business with them. It's challenging to always take that stand, knowing these companies lure us in with cheaper prices and convenient shipping, but at what cost? Sometimes it is...

On this week's episode, I honor Bert Hughes, a kind, generous, inspirational man who died on August 16th, touching those of us living in Nyack and well beyond. Bert lived a full, meaningful life, leaving a profound impact on the lives of thousands of people, through music, social justice and his gracious heart. Please check out the links below to two organizations that Bert cared so deeply about:...