Inspired Grownups with Alana Banana

In today's episode we're talking about stepping out of your comfort zone, following your inner calling and turning what's tragic and beautiful from your life into art to share.  My guest, Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett has done just that with her one woman show, Trust Me, I'm from Essex.  Lindsay is a British actress and writer who currently resides in Los Angeles. She trained at The C...

Today we're hearing a story of healing and transformation with the practice of breathwork from my dear friend Tina Marie. We've all heard about how beneficial taking deep breaths is but this practice is different from that or yogic breathing.  Two years ago Tina was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and is now on the other side of it. This is a story of resilience, faith, new aware...

Today we're talking with one of my long time friend's Lara Plutte. Lara and I started this conversation a few weeks ago when she asked me to be a part of KCRW's 24 hr radio race with her.  We wrote, produced and recorded a 4 min non-fiction piece around the theme they gave us that day which was "your secret is safe with me" which you'll hear at the end of this episode...

In today's episode Emily gives me a reading from the Akashic Records. I ask her a few questions that have to do with my relationship to our daughter's biological mother. They're personal questions to my own life but the answers that come through are universal and can benefit anyone.  If you're asking "what are the Akashic Records" ? They are known to be the realm of i...

Have you ever heard of the Akashic Records?  They are known to be the realm of infinite intelligence where all information, past, present and future is stored.  If you're curious, intrigued and wondering how this is possible take a listen.  In today's episode, Part 1,  we learn more about the Akashic Records and how we all have access to them. Our guest today, Emily Harrison, guides us i...

We've all heard about the importance and benefits of bringing gratitude into our daily lives.  In this short solo episode I talk about not feeling physically great and waking up in the middle of the night with the very clear message of "Find simplicity in gratitude". I talk about how that helped me move forward in my week and how the reminder of this can help us stay present and cre...

I know most of us can agree that music has healing qualities and can be a source of therapy for us whether we write it, listen, sing or move to it.  My guest today is a very talented singer-songwriter (and mom) who has spent much of her life sharing music and sound in different ways.  We met through the yoga community years ago and decided to have a conversation with each other that we would share...

As a parent it can feel very overwhelming at times with everything on our to-do list and all of the thoughts & emotions that go along with it. My guest today, Kate Kripke, has experience & insight that can help us shift our perspective around it all. I got so much out of this conversation and know you will too.  Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health C...

Today's conversation is not just about sex and marriage. We get into spirituality, transforming your own life and more. I really loved talking with Ashleigh Renard and think you'll get a lot out of this episode as well.  As a figure skating coach and choreographer, Ashleigh spent two decades building trust and fostering teamwork, growing her synchronized skating organization to one of th...

If you're a mom who is looking for a community of other mama's to feel heard and supported by Melissa Clampitt is definitely someone to connect with and follow.  Melissa is a dynamic speaker who brings energy and fun to all engagements.  She is passionate about supporting women and believes that as women we need to take the journey home to ourselves and start loving ourselves first body,...

I love hearing stories of mom entrepreneurs that help others along the way.  That is what my guest, Holly Cooper, is doing. The nature of her products boost our immune systems and can help us stay healthy.  Holly is the founder of Seattle Elderberry. She started the business unintentionally 5 years ago when she couldn't find clean, organic elderberry syrup that she wanted to use for her famil...

If you're a mama who's feeling overwhelmed and needs some inspiration on how to move through it, tap into your creativity and find something new in your life this episode is for you. You can't help but adore my guest today, Jo Dodd. She's authentic, sweet and is doing great things in the world.  Jo is an author, speaker and coach. In 2020, after a 6-month furlough, she took a b...

Are you ready to have more in your life, be 100% authentically you, to share that with others and ultimately feel the best you ever have? In this short solo episode I talk about coming off of a 3 day intimate retreat with Cathy Heller and the transformation that occurred. I mention this quote that I love "To have something you've never had you must do something you've never done.&qu...

Today I'm talking with my friend Dinuka Ranasinghe. This conversation is an important one for any parent or caretaker. I got so much out of it and know you will too. Dinuka is first and foremost the mother of 2 amazing boys ages 12 and 10. They have been her true teachers on this path of Conscious Parenting. Having been admitted to the New York Bar in 2008 as an attorney she decided to follow...

Today I’m sharing the first episode from one of my favorite podcasts “Mindset Check” with My Friend Mesha.  Mesha has decided to read to us from her journal starting when she was 15 and pregnant. The idea is that while she is honoring her 15 year old self she is holding space for all of us in the struggle. She will share all the background to her story and the things that she learned along the way...

Today I’m sharing another inspiring solo episode from Melissa Clampitt’s podcast The Reawakened Mom.  This is one of her "Potty Talk" episodes. She asks:  What brings you joy! Do you even know what lights you up, makes you smile? In todays episode she talk about, *What brings her joy as a person? *Have you ever felt like you have lost yourself? *Word of the year-JOY *Love yourself first...

Today I'm showcasing an inspiring solo episode from my friend Rachael Blair's podcast Raising Vibrant Kids .  Rachael says: Listening to a soundtrack that increases your confidence is such a powerful practice.  Here is a story to illustrate how our energy expands to the people around us and how you can increase your confidence in as little as 3 minutes.  What we choose to consume through...

In today's episode, on my birthday,  I'm sharing a personal conversation I had with my Dad six weeks before he transitioned from this physical world. Having him as my father is one of the best gifts I could've ever asked for and received. It's a life story of unconditional love, breaking cycles of abuse, following your passion, losing it all and building it up again, falling ba...

Today we're continuing an incredible story of resilience with Farhana Hossain.  After the loss of her daughter, Eesha at 18 months old, we talk about Farhana's healing journey and how she was able to find joy again.   Farhana Hossain is a mother and artist helping survivors of loss find their strength and voice through art. She launched her online store, Shakti Art Studios a year ago in...

Today we're hearing a story of inspiring resilience.  I'm talking with Farhana Hossain, a mother and artist helping survivors of loss find their strength and voice through art. She launched her online store, Shakti Art Studios a year ago in memory of my first daughter.  She offers custom illustrations under her Life After Loss series, where she works with grieving clients to show preciou...

Want to feel like a kid again? Taking the time to be present with our kids and play with toys that spark their imagination can bring that out in us and ultimately bring us all more joy.  Today we're talking with Nicole Berru. Nicole is a mom of two and the founder of, The Treehouse, an online store offering quality toys for imaginative play.  She is on a mission to create a resource for paren...

We all have dreams we'd like to see manifest. I believe if we can dream it, we can be it. If the future has endless possibilities then it's about having faith instead of giving into fear (or False, Evidence Appearing Real).  We talk about this and more in this last episode of my solo series. I've been breaking down the word INSPIRED and discussing what each letter represents to me a...

I think we all want the best for our kids. That usually starts with how we take care of ourselves, find joy and do things we love so that we can model that for them.  Today we're talking with Rachael Blair and this conversation will definitely inspire you.  Rachael is the host of a new podcast, Raising Vibrant Kids.  She is a wife, mother of 3 and a nurse. By focusing on mind-body-heart aware...

The real question is "Why do we put effort into something?" The answer will always be personal to you and your purpose.  This is the seventh episode in my solo series where I'll be breaking down the word INSPIRED and talk about what each letter represents to me and how we can all use it to uplift our own lives. In today's episode we'll be talking about the letter "E&q...

If you're fostering or have considered it but the thought of building a relationship with the biological family makes you nervous, listening to Raquel Guerra's story might help you change your mind. Raquel always knew she wanted to build her family through adoption. She grew up with several adopted family members so she knew her and her family would love any child that came in to their h...