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On this week's episode, I urge you to get off the couch and vote in tomorrow's midterm election. Vote for healthcare, women, immigrants, people of color, for the poor, the disabled and trans kids. We are facing the greatest existential crisis in our nations' history and it's an inside job. Vote to reign in the abuses and violence against our own neighbors. Vote for civil and human rights to be restored.  Check out the show notes for IG links to John Pavlovitz, Jenifer Lewis and Amanda Gorman's poem about the importance of voting. Hearing Amanda say her own poem is more powerful than my feeble attempt! Please get off the couch and VOTE!! Enjoy the podcast!  LINKS: @jeniferlewisforreal  - Get Out and Vote www.vote.gov @amandascgorman @johnpavlovitz

On this week's episode, I share an inspiring writing by Omid Safi that moved me deeply about the magic of autumn colors. Safi who studied medicine before he became a scholar of religion, explains that the leaves don't turn or change colors. Once what has been masking the colors die off, the magical golden, reds and oranges which have been there all along, can shine through. What might need to die off for your hidden jewels to be revealed? Literal and metaphorical deaths can illuminate colors and gifts we didn't expect. May we all let the divine colors of compassion, kindness, mercy, justice and forgiveness shine through. Enjoy the autumn colors and enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I made up a new phrase that captures my early chapter of retirement. BE RE is the easy-to-say phrase, that represents some relevant words that begin with RE, like reset, renew, realign, remind, replenish and remember. I'm learning to do less and be more, while I embrace the RE words.  BE RE is helping me be present, trust my worth, and take a deep breath of gratitude. May you take time to reflect on how you can BE RE. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I honor my dear friend Wayne Warnecke, who died on October 6th.  Wayne, affectionately called his recording studio "Wayne's World" before Dana Carvey and Mike Myers created the Wayne's World SNL skit that later became a 1992 comedy film.  Wayne was a gifted audio engineer and music producer and in "Wayne's World", every musician, amateur or acclaimed professional, was treated with respect and dignity. The magic Wayne generated reached beyond his music studio; anyone in Wayne's presence experienced his humor, positivity, and gratefulness. During his 4 plus years with ALS, Wayne transcended this debilitating disease and kept us laughing, loving and inspired.  Check out the Show Notes for links to my episode with Wayne from 2019. Reach out to me for details of Wayne's Celebration of Life on 11/9/26 in Stamford, CT. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Wayne's Enlighten podcast episode

On this week's episode, I describe the outpouring of love that was generated at my Retirement/Birthday Party on September 28th. I've spent the week swirling in that love, breathing in that love, and humbly absorbing that love. In addition to the abundant love that was showered on me, I was struck by the love being exchanged in interactions with everyone there.  May we generate kindness, curiosity, warmth, respect and love in whatever circles we walk in, with whatever exchanges we have. Let's fill ourselves with love, absorb more deeply that love and radiate that love out into the world.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I acknowledge my September 23rd birthday, which is also the Autumn Equinox. I let the themes of the Autumn Equinox: equilibrium, release, and gratitude be a spiritual reflection. Perhaps the questions I journaled about will be helpful to you as we enter this Fall season.   I received and felt so much birthday love that I want to share it with all my listeners and see if we can radiate it out into the world. May this Autumn Equinox bring us into balance, help us shed all that no longer serves us and may we collectively cultivate new joy, new peace, and better chapters ahead for each of us, for our country, the planet and the world.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I reflect on the fullness of my summer and the welcome of comforting regular routines. May you take a moment to reflect on your summer and notice what fills you with gratitude. May you welcome the return to the Fall routines. Let these routines comfort and ground you this season.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I answer the question I've often been asked in the past couple of months: "Now that you've retired, does that mean you are ending the podcast?" And my reply is "No! I am here to stay and so is the podcast!" In confirming that the podcast is here to stay, I explain what motivated me to start the podcast, what the podcast means to me and the gifts this podcast provides. I am committed to continuing to focus on the light and all that uplifts and inspires me, even through all the challenges we face.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I join the chorus of people paying tribute to our iconic, American treasure, Dolly Parton. You can't help but be impressed with how she lived her life, her talent and kindness. She was humble, business savvy, grounded in compassion, invested in humanitarian values, and had a fabulous sense of humor. Dolly had a positively profound impact on and off stage.  May we all find ways to honor Dolly Parton by loving more deeply, giving more freely and keeping joy alive. May we all honor Dolly's love legacy. Check out the Show Notes for links to Dolly tributes from Heather Cox Richardson, Jessica Craven, Mel Robbins, Rosie O'Donnell and a clip of Dolly singing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Enjoy the podcast.  Links: Heather Cox Richardson Jessica Craven Mel Robbins Rosie O'Donnell Dolly with Ladysmith Black Mambazo "Peace Train"

On this weeks episode, I reflect on how intimately intertwined death and life are. One informs and impacts the other. From my childhood to late teens and early adulthood memories, to recent experiences of facing the death of people I love, I have learned to be present, feel the depth of emotions and look for opportunities for acceptance and personal  reflection.  Nature teaches us about how natural, organic and integrated death is in life. Perhaps, we can envision that our death will inspire new life for others, as the dead trees in the woods give life to 100s of microorganisms. May we cultivate peace in our mind and in our way of life, so our own death has a better chance of being a peaceful one. Check out the show notes for a link to The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and a link to my father's obituary. Enjoy the podcast. Links: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche Stephen Kerry Carr obituary

My guest today is Dena DeRose. Dena Is a compelling, innovative jazz singer and pianist. In addition to her busy international touring schedule, Dena has been a professor of Jazz Voice at the Institute of Jazz at the University of Music and Performing Arts  in Graz, Austria for the past 20 years. Dena has led clinics and workshops around the world. Her passionate ability to embody the heart and soul of music as a performer and educator is remarkable. She describes her students as inspiring her, I can only imagine how profoundly Dena inspires her students.  Check out the Show Notes for links to Dena's website, tour schedule and booking manager, Jay Nachowitz of Preferred Artists (a recent podcast guest). Mark your calendars for September 11 and 12th, to join me in hearing Dena perform with her trio, with Matt Wilson and Martin Wind, at Mezzrow in NYC.   Enjoy the podcast! Links: denaderose.com jazzvoice.com preferredartists.net Mezzrow-NYC

On this week's episode, I share how invigorated I was after 6 days of hiking in Yosemite National Park. I've had Yosemite hiking on my bucket list for 50 years and am delighted I finally experienced a section of it's profound peace and awesome beauty. I felt healthy, strong and empowered walking in the high altitudes, through shaded forests, over sunny granite, and up and down rocky switchbacks. I was so uplifted and inspired by the mountains, meadows and lakes and trust that this intimate communion with nature will live in me forever.  May you find refreshment this summer in lakes, rivers, pools and/or oceans. May you let nature's peace flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I describe my appreciation for evening strolls. In addition to the physical benefits of walking after dinner, evening strolls provide an opportunity to process our day, enjoy our surroundings and nurture an easeful, gentle unwinding of the day.  When my kids were young, we took evening strolls, that later turned into adventure walks but it has been about 25 years so I am happy to return to this simple practice. I am grateful that my husband and I are carving out time 4-5 days per week to add evening strolls to our self care routine. May you try out an evening stroll or an adventure walk and delight in what unfolds for you.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, having just returned from 12 glorious days in Greece, I am filled with gratitude. A week-long yoga retreat, plus 4 additional days on a nearby island were a fabulous way to kick off my retirement. My beloved God-daughter, Aliya runs the retreat and is a gifted, inspiring leader, who creates a very special experience for women from around the world.  I am still absorbing all the magic of Greece: sparkling waters, dolphin sightings, delicious food, playful energy, hearty laughter and soul sister connections. How grateful I am to return to Greece after 45 years, to soak up all the beauty and wonder, while being so fully nourished in body, mind and spirit. May you be feeling gratitude for whatever summer experiences you are having. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Barry Danielian. Barry is an extraordinary musician, playing trumpet while touring with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. Barry is also a Licensed Acupuncturist and Board Certified Herbalist. Barry is currently a doctoral candidate at the Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts and he plans to complete his doctorate this December.  Barry describes his affinity to eastern philosophy, his martial arts and his ability to express and integrate Eastern and Western concepts. Barry is jazzed when he can help people cross the bridge from skepticism to openness, from suffering to being pain-free, from compartmentalizing to dynamic holism. Barry's thirst for knowledge, keen insight, warmth and integrity give rise to this gifted musician, compassionate healer and visionary writer. Whether you want to be uplifted by Barry's music, elevated by his acupuncture and herbal remedies or inspired by his thoughtful writing on his Substack newsletter, please reach out to Barry.  Check out the Show notes for links to Barry's websites barrydanielian.net and findingbalanceclinic.com and more.  Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.barrydanielian.net www.findingbalanceclinic.com Substack Barry's IG Email Barry - [email protected]