Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode I reflect on the legacy of Sidney Poitier and Martin Luther King, Jr. The gifted actor, director and activist, Sidney Poitier died on January 6th, 2022. The following week we honored MLK Day, a hard-fought national holiday to pay tribute to the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Both these men had such a significant impact on me, from early childhood, through my formative...

On this week's episode I explore some of the ripple effects of Covid-19. Seems like everyone has been directly or indirectly impacted by the recent Covid surge! The virus has spread exponentially. And whether you've had the virus or someone in your close circle has had it, most of us have been up close and personal with Covid. With our personal Covid stories, the ripple effect of Covid continues....

Last week, for the first episode of 2022, I shared my personal experience with Covid. On this week's episode, I reflect on this past year, thanking my guests from 2021 and acknowledging that 2022 marks the beginning of our 5th year of the podcast. In the year 2021, we had a total of 19 guests, plus 2 tributes to dear friends, previous guests who died this year: re-releasing my conversations with P...

I typically begin the new year by reflecting on the past year and expressing gratitude for all my podcast guests. Instead however, on this week's episode I'm going to bring Covid up close and personal, because in fact, Covid has been up close and personal for me this past week. My husband Paul and I had scratchy throats on the day after Christmas that quickly developed into all the Covid symptoms:...

My guest today is Alison Heller. Alison is a lawyer who left her law practice to become a writer.  Alison has published 3 books, and her most recent novel "The Neighbor's Secret" just came out this year. We discuss her book, her writing practice, what it took for her to leave her 14-year NYC law career, and how we treat ourselves in the process of writing, working and living. I am just as fascinat...

On this week's podcast, I acknowledge how noisy our world and own minds can be. I invite us to explore ways that we can stop the noise and drop into quiet and stillness. Whether it is through meditation or journaling or other avenues, may we open up opportunities to stop the noise and dive deep into our inner sanctuary. I read from the wise soul, poet and philosopher, Mark Nepo who has provided su...

On this week's episode, I share a simple ritual we created this Thanksgiving, inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants" . My desire was to honor the Lenni Lenape people who's land we live on, to honor Mother Earth and to acknowledge what Debra Beal , my guest from last week uncovered for me about the origins of...

My guest today is Debra Beal. Debra was one of the women featured in Lisa Levart's photography exhibit "Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation" . Debra shares her own assimilation experience of how her parents initially downplayed their Native American culture when she was a child, only to pursue and embrace a relationship with her Lenape tribe when she was a young teenager. As her father's bumper s...

My guest today is Liz Moyer Benferhat. Liz is a Change-Maker, Facilitator, and Coach who has taken her experience in social impact/sustainable development and international development to a new level. As the founder of We Heal For All, Liz facilitates Circles, Circle Training, and One-on-One Coaching, acknowledging that we are in a great transition, politically, culturally and environmentally. We...

With a heavy heart and tears in his eyes, my husband, Paul informed me last week that our dear friend, Tony Falco had died. We knew Tony had been struggling with complications with Covid-19 for the past 6 months, but the news of Tony's passing hit us hard. We, among countless others, are heartbroken over the news of Tony's passing. We have been deeply touched by Tony and the generous, humble integ...

My guest today is Reda Rackley. Reda is a Diviner, Storyteller and Mythologist. I personally was deeply impacted by a Divination session I recently had with Reda and am so excited to have my listeners learn about the magical, mystical gifts that Reda offers. Learn the difference between the term 'shaman' and 'diviner', the healing power of ritual and the significance of connecting with our ancestr...

On this week's episode, I offer a simple meditation to remind us of the healing energy that flows through our bodies. Find a comfortable position to relax so you can breathe in the vibration of healing energy coursing through every organ, joint and cell of your body. Say it for yourself and say it for those who are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually. May healing energy flow through...

My guest today is the innovative Lisa Levart. As a photographer, Lisa has devoted the past 20 years to witnessing, evoking and capturing the essence of everyday women, their goddess archetypes, stories and myths, as she admits "I am a photographer on a mission!" Her gorgeous coffee table book "Goddess on Earth: Portraits of the Divine Feminine" eloquently reflects Lisa's passion and gifts. She has...

In honor of Indigenous People Day, I share a synchronistic story that unfolded for me this past week. From the invitation of a wonderful shaman, Reda Rackley, I looked up the Native People of the land where I live. How wonderful to know the name Lenni Lenape, the peace-keeping "ancient ones", the diplomats and mediators, who lived throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southern New York. I highly...

My guest today is Lauren Mahana. Lauren is a Birth Doula, Intuitive Healer, and Author.  Lauren's rich energetic healing practice, incorporates coaching, pregnancy mentorship, tarot and oracle cards, crystals, and channeling guidance. As a birth worker, she is passionate about supporting the pregnancy journey as well as facilitating a sacred space during birth. Alexandria Moran and Lauren co-autho...

This week's episode is a special, unique treat!  "A Prayer for B" is an exquisite piece of writing written and read by my treasured friend, Anam Cara, Winged Woman sister, Melanie Suchet. The synchronicity here is that Mel recorded this piece on Sunday August 29th, and 4 days later, in the early morning hours of Thursday September 2nd, just as we began to assess the impact of Hurricane Ida here in...

Many listeners commented on how grateful they were for last week's focus of serendipities and synchronicities. Perhaps there is a collective shifting, expanding consciousness, a relief that we can talk openly and boldly about the mystical, the spiritual, magical ways we are personally touched by serendipity and synchronicity. In this week's episode, I share 2 more serendipitous exchanges that high...

Today's focus is on the profound power of serendipity and synchronicity. I've noticed that the more I tune in, acknowledge the presence of forces bigger than me, open my heart to everyday mini miracles, welcome in my angels and spirit guides for support, comfort, direction and guidance, the more they seem delighted to make magic happen. And the fun part of this is that the serendipity and synchron...

My guest today is Dawn Adrienne-Saliba. A Performance Scholar, Theater Artist, and Eco-Activist, Dawn has studied drama and ancient temples. Dawn lives in Malta - okay, fess up, do you know where Malta is?!?  I encourage you to look up Malta, just to have a vision of this unique, small island in the middle of the Mediterranean. This is where Dawn honors the integration of science and spirituality,...

Hafiz's poem reminds me that we are called to dance. I've used this beautiful poem as oxygen, especially when I was feeling the darkness and uncertainty of life creep back in. I hear so many people bracing themselves that things are going to be getting worse, before they get better. I don't want to get sucked into the darkness of hopelessness. This poem pulls me away from the despair, shifts my mo...

In this week's episode I share my recent surprise and delight in being immersed in a Summer Rain. Have you yet enjoyed being in and present to a summer rain? I highly recommend it! Summer rain offers its own version of a spiritual practice. I discovered the calming, playful peace when I embraced the joy of a summer rain. I know for sure that summer rain is a visceral, embodied experience. Try it o...

In this week's episode, I explore the importance of knowing something by name. I acknowledge my own experience that knowing an object, plant, tree, bird or person by name, not only demonstrates respect and value, but deepens the connection. Like Juliet, I ask: "What is in a name?" The answer is PLENTY!! I reflect on how much knowing something or someone by name truly matters. I highlight the lines...

My guest today is Shelby Willeitner. Shelby is my third Utah podcast guest, joining the trio of Marla McPherson and Mary McCourt - all inspiring women I recently met in Utah who have their unique ways of embracing wilderness and adventure. From recreation management, adventure guide, to passionate voyager, Shelby opens up the world of canyoneering to me: the descending exploration of deep canyons...

My guest today is Mary McCourt. Mary is an adventure guide in a Wilderness Therapy Program in Utah. I met Mary a couple of weeks ago in Utah when my dear friend, Elizabeth Van Meter hosted an Awards Night for an inspiring group of outdoor enthusiasts. I was drawn to Mary's calm, compassionate energy and knew she was the first person I personally met working as a guide in a Wilderness Therapy Progr...

This week I reflect on the things we carry, the energy of objects and how we charge our 'things' with memories, emotions, stories, both negatively and positively. We all have countless objects that have energy, meaning and rich stories infused with emotional charges. It's actually a spiritual practice to learn to be an observer to the meaning and emotional charge we project onto our objects. Quest...