Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

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 stories. Hoping that my guests and stories this past year have helped to uplift and inspire you along your journey. Blessings for a healing, engaged, empowering year. May you be safe and healthy, and join me in searching for the mysterious, wondrous ways the Universe is conspiring to help us evolve and step more fully into our potential in 2024. Enjoy the podcast!

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 daily routines and change it up! Have fun expanding your perspective and seeing things anew!  Enjoy the podcast!

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 all, we were created for joy! Check out the show notes to find links for previous episodes with 4 of the women mentioned here. And for beautiful, creative shopping, please go support Maria Luisa’s boutique filled with fair trade gifts from around the world. Enjoy the podcast ! Links: Hafiz “The Sacred Dance of Life” Mary Oliver: "Don’t Hesitate” Karen Siff, Podcast Episode #82 Terese Dana, Podcast Episode #12 Maria Luisa, Podcast Episode #86 Lisa Green, Podcast Episode #107 Shawna Emerick: JTTP Journey To The Peak Maria Luisa Boutique

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 below for the poem, to Jan Richardson and Shawna Emerick. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Poem: How the Light Comes by Jan Richardson Jan Richardson's Web Site IG: Jan Richardson Studio IG: Shawna Emerick Shawna's Web Site

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 four winds, for all they do to sustain, nourish and strengthen us. May we find ways to gather in community to create ritual that honors all Indigenous People, to bring our minds as one, as we honor all of creation. I hope you found meaning and nourishment in body, mind and spirit this past Thanksgiving. May we all experiment with thoughts and actions that help us live in more equitable relationship with ourselves, others, and our planet. Click the link below for the Haudenosuanee Prayer. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Haudenosuanee Prayer

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 levels. You don’t need to travel to generate gratitude. Simply turn to your 5 senses and notice what stimulates and inspires you. What sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches nourished you today? When you focus on how your senses were stimulated, it inevitably brings you back to gratitude…for all you saw, heard, smelled, tasted and touched. Let your five senses cultivate your attitude of gratitude. And may we honor our Indigenous People this Thanksgiving! Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: Julia Adamy

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 thinking of how you might be perceived by others. Would their observations of you spur a nickname? If so, what might yours be? Feel free to share with me your nicknames! I’d love to hear them!!  Enjoy the podcast.

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 vocalists and band members. Dani is a seasoned dancer, having performed and choreographed with Beyoncé, danced with Sidi Larbi’s Belgium Dance Company & Royal Ballet of Flanders. Dani shared the video of an extraordinary dance called Mea Culpa that moved me to tears and gave me a sacred window into Dani’s heart and soul. We recorded this conversation at the end of September when the Sam Smith tour had a break between the North American tour and the Asian tour. By now the tour is in Australia, where I will see, in person, my daughter, Dani and all the other performers for their last shows of 2023. Check out the l

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 your spiritual practices on a regular basis, I hope you can tap into what Love wants to say to you and let that love comfort and hold you on your journey. These letters from Love bring solace, comfort, and peace - something we all need now more than ever. Check out the links below to learn more about Elizabeth Gilbert’s project and the inspiring writings of Suleika Jaouad. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Elizabeth Gilbert Suleika Jaouad IG: Suleika Jaouad

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, with oneness and our humanity.  Check out the links below for quotes referenced and the book “See No Stranger" by Sikh activist, Valarie Kaur. Particularly during trying times, may we chose love, may we hold onto our humanity. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Valarie Kaur Ted Talk Maha Rose Thomas Merton Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

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 evolution which she often sees reflected in the healing process of so many of her clients. Andrea focuses on the purpose behind her work, encouraging women not to forget who they are and why they are here. Andrea honors transitions, the in between space that holds the potential for the ALMOST!   Check out the links below to contact Andrea and sign up for an online workshop she is co-facilitating tomorrow Tuesday October 17th with Abi Keene (also a previous podcast guest) called “Who Am I Now: How to Create the Change You Long for That is Aligned with Who You are NOW.”     Enjoy the podcast! Links: Andrea's Web Site

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 the brutal treatment of Indigenous Peoples. May we address the current state of discrimination and its ripple effect toward Indigenous Peoples. May we honor the rich cultures, histories and invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples who have inhabited the Americas for thousands of years. May we humbly learn from Indigenous Peoples’ spiritual wisdom and respectful partnership with our planet, its elements, creatures and resources. May we contribute to the healing of past, present, and future generations of Indigenous People. Check out the links below to learn more about Indigenous Peoples. Enjoy the podcast!

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 aerialists and acrobats in a circus tent in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Jesse drove up from Louisville, KY to design the lighting for the show, but as a freelancer, he also designs the lighting for ballet, opera and theater. I thought it fitting to shine some light on the guy who lights up artists and venues. I appreciate Jesse’s curiosity, warmth and thoughtfulness in not only how he collaborates with artists but how he lives his life.  Check out the links below to follow Jesse, as well as the link for The Legend, which runs now through 10/29. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Jesse's Web Site IG: Jesse IG: Westchester Circ

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 one with your family and friends, at one with our planet and at one with the Divine.  Forgiveness is key!  Enjoy the podcast.

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 deepen our understanding and our capacity for compassion expands. There is even room for the layer of forgiveness. May we avoid reducing people into one dimensional aspects. May we notice that as we peel back layers, there is beauty, humility, vulnerability and precious nuances. May we practice the power of forgiveness for ourselves and others.  Enjoy the podcast!

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 a labor of love to stay true to our values. As much as I can, I want to live by my values, knowing that it can be a labor of love to honor those values. So belated Happy Labor Day and may we all invest in the labor of love that honors ourselves and all beings.  Enjoy the podcast! Links: History of Labor Day

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: Helping Hands of Rockland, an interfaith volunteer organization that provides support for people who are homeless and Midnight Run, a volunteer organization dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and the homeless. Let’s honor Bert and help keep his large heart alive in our hearts by making a donation in Bert Hughes' memory to either or both organizations. Thank you so much!  Enjoy the podcast! Links: Bert's Obituary Helping Hands Midnight Run

My guest today is Lynn Sinclair. Lynn is my aunt, married to my mom’s younger brother, a mother of 3, grandmother of 6 and great grandmother of 2. Even though we rarely see each other, Lynn listens to my podcast and emails me notes of acknowledgement, support or thanks. It’s a meaningful way to stay connected despite the 3,000 miles between us. Now it’s  my turn to shine some light on this kind, gracious elder, who has given me so much. At the age of 88, and dealing with her fourth cancer diagnosis, Lynn, reflects on what is most meaningful to her and the anchors to windward that steer and steady her. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I share a recent experience of being struck by the power of the sun’s brilliant rays of light. Those rays of light, illuminated the woods, penetrating everything around me and reminded me to honor the title of my podcast. I recall the origins of my podcast and how ENLIGTHEN came to be. May this episode remind you to claim your light. May you honor the light within you, even when it is not visible. May you radiate your light today and enjoy shining your light on the light of others. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.enlighten.nyc IG: @indiaarie IG: @asoulcalledjoel

On this week’s episode, a man named Jim offers me gems every time I see him. These gems come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Sometimes we exchange words, sometimes gestures of kind acknowledgment, sometimes I simply watch Jim from a far and witness his slow, peaceful, meditative presence. Jim’s essence exudes humility and light and I walk away from an interaction with Jim feeling soothed, calmer and more aligned.  Even though Jim has declined my invitation to have him as a guest on my podcast, I feel drawn to express how grateful I am for Jim and the many gems he offers, simply by being himself.  You may have someone in your life that offers gems like Jim. Feel the gratitude course through you. Find your own way to thank them. Enjoy the podcast!