SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman

Alaina Levine is a professional speaker, career coach and science writer. This is our second SIA conversation and we discuss how to grow through pitfalls such as the perfectionism , comparison, shame and embarrassment all with the goal of embracing our messy selves as we seek to work, serve and earn a living.

Talking with Sy and, reading any of her 35 (!!) books, is always an adventure, an education and a source of genuine inspiration. We talk about many things with an emphasis on all things Turtle. Sy's book: Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, shell by Shattered Shell will be released on September 19. https://symontgomery.com https://donnalsherman.com

This episode covers: How the primary neurotransmitters involved (GABA & Glutamate) in Ketamine Infusion Therapy act on the human brain and body, what a Ketamine infusion treatment might look like in a professional clinic, when Ketamine treatments are contraindicated and more. Jill is a compassionate medical professional with extensive experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthesist. ht...

Do you find yourself thinking that your life is filled with too much of the mundane? Listen to this and learn to flip the script. Listen to the very end; keep listening after I sign off. Can you identify the sound at the very end?

How we start our day matters. I've got a behavioral tool for you that will lift your spirts and settle your mind. Let me know what you thinkl. https://donnalsherman.com Link for study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nim.gov/36229489

Veterinarians face enormous stress; however we rarely think about the fact that they encounter death, loss and complex medical decisions on a daily, perhaps even hourly, basis. Dr. Sonja Olson worked in emergency veterinary care for many years and has an insiders understanding of the complexity of practicing veterinary medicine. Sonja is part of a dynamic movement to bring therapeutic services to...

Raj Pandya is the Director of the John R. Kirk Planetarium and a lecturer in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the State University of New York in New Paltz, NY. Allyson Sheneman is a student of Astronomy, Biology and Physics and an outstanding presenter of planetarium shows. In our fact-filled, fun and lively conversation they  explore a variety of topics such as the possibility o...

I want to grow Sparks In Action and to do that I need a minute of your time. Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. SIA is an uplifting community service, please help me keep it thriving. Thank you! xoxo

Alaina worked as a science writer and over the years has created a dynamic data-driven, and process- oriented, approach to helping others work and live outside of narrow boxes. She is especially interested in working with people in the sciences( and STEM) who wish to pivot and transfer their knowledge and skills in new directions. Alaina does all of this with humor, color, sincerity and fierce str...

Liz is a medical doctor, a hospitalist,  who is committed to her patients while also being actively engaged in programs aimed at caring for caregivers. Our first conversation on the podcast happened in May of 2021. In this part 2  we continue to peel back the curtain that divides patient and  health professional. We discuss how medical professionals can attune to their patients vuln...

Sara is a Professor at  of Psychology at University of California where she directs the Sleep and Cognition Lab.  In this episode Sara lays out a little more about the premise of her book: The Power of the Downstate: Recharge Your Life Using Your Body's Own Restorative Systems and we discuss  steps that will help you  activate more consistent, health-promoting behaviors. Take some notes while...

 Lisa is a  licensed psychotherapist, a long-time teacher of meditation, a fiercely intelligent and compassionate woman who has never shied away from speaking her straightforward truth. Lisa also  happens to be a dear friend of mine. This rich conversation between colleagues and friends was prompted by our shared concern that the often popular approach of "optimization" can be misle...

Ethan has been involved in progressive international and domestic drug policy along with innovative harm reduction policies for decades. Our lively conversation includes many aspects of all things drug policy such as how justice intersects with drug policy and the human desire to alter our consciousness. We reveal some personal information about our marriage, the dissolution of our marriage and ou...

Sara, in her down to earth style, shares her vast scientific knowledge about how we can listen to, and utilize, our body's innate rhythmic cycles to increase our overall health. Sara has a vast and deep knowledge of our body's fascinating rhythmic nature and, more than that, she is devoted to bring her knowledge out into the wider world so we can all understand and work with our body's cyclic natu...

How we start our day matters. Chirps are like sonic hits of gratitude and joy. Listen to this 3 minute episode, try my suggestion and let me know how it works for you. More info and tools: https://donnalsherman.com

This episode falls into the "tools for better living" category of the podcast. This new 25 minute episode moves right into a guided practice that is designed to mitigate mental agitation and physical exhaustion so you can resume your day with a clear mind and settled body. For more info and tools: https://donnalsherman.com

Sy Montgomerys' love for our natural world, and all the creatures in it, has taken her on soul enlarging adventures to distant areas of the earth where she takes readers on deep dives  into the mystery and wonder of the minds and behaviors of fascinating- and wildly intelligent- creatures such as pacific octopuses, hawks, pigs, dogs, amazonian pink river dolphins, tigers, tarantulas and more....

I wrote this one way back in 2000. "Wild life, life lived wild..."  Let's celebrate it!

 This is designed for mid -day or anytime you begin to feel brain fog, eye strain, mind overdrive or simply want a guided reset. Do not listen while operating a car or any sort of machinery.  You can follow this while seated at your desk or lying on the floor. As always, if you have questions or want to reach out visit my site at https://donnalsherman.com

After a few of us created a story that involved time travel, George Washington, a blue flying horse and a run in with a T Rex I asked Lisa this question this question:  " What's the best thing about being a child?" Here is her response.

Allen Taylor, PHD and Kim Kronenberg, MPH have created an inspiring and uplifting program called STEP-GTP: Science Training Encouraging Peace- Graduate Training Program. This visionary program pairs Palestinian and Israeli Graduate Students so they can do scientific work and research together with the  aim of "reintroducing Israelis and Palestinians to each other" and cultivating endurin...

Jimmy shares his rich history in the world of radio and how his path led him to where he is now at the the vibrant, non- commercial Radio Kingston in Kingston, NY.  Radio Kingston (WKNY 1490 AM /107.9 FM) breaks the boundaries of commercial radio and creates a vital and diverse platform for the exchange of information, ideas, inspiration, story telling and community actions with the goal of c...

Out of the mouths of kiddos... All I asked was: "What do you think we grown ups need to know?" This is what he said.

If your tank feels empty and you need some juice, here is a stream of good sparks from me to you.

Whoever you are, wherever you are in this world, this is for you. I've received requests that I create a guided relaxation episode on this podcast so here it is. There is a lot I can say about the profoundly restorative guided relaxation that is Yoga Nidra but it's better for you to directly experience the therapeutic value. If you have listened to the introduction before you can  forward/ski...