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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]

My guest today is Jocelyn Jane Cox. Jocelyn is a former competitive figure skater, coach and current writer. I was very moved by her recent book "Motion Dazzle: A Memoir of Motherhood, Loss and Skating on Thin Ice", which was described as "a tribute to her mother, a love letter to her son and a testament to resilience as a caregiver." Jocelyn's beautifully written memoir captures her vulnerability, humor and relate-ability. We discuss how the book came about, her focus on one day that embodied both suffering and celebration, as well as the lessons learned when we take a leap of faith. The title motion dazzle, symbolizes a zebra's survival mechanism, a metaphor woven throughout the book, that represents Jocelyn's coping skills as a skater, mother and caregiver to her Mom. She acknowledges how our fanciness or frivolity can actually save us. I loved her book and was delighted to shine light on this gifted writer, who is also a gracious, inspiring woman.  Check out the Show Notes for links to Jocelyn's website, and social media accounts along with her NPR interview. Add "Motion Dazzle" to your summer reading list, and please leave a glowing review for this wonderful book! Enjoy the podcast!  Links: www.jocelynjanecox.com Motion Dazzle: A Memoir of Motherhood, Loss, and Skating on Thin Ice(9/2025, Vine Leaves Press) Subscribe to Jocelyn's newsletter Instagram Facebook Threads NPR interview

On this week's episode, I acknowledge my retirement from 47 years of my professional career. I've had various roles, responsibilities and titles. It has been an honor to work with children, teens, adults, policy makers, teachers, parents, researchers and social workers from all backgrounds. As I bring my private practice to a close, I am humbled from all that I have learned. I am filled with gratitude as my clients process a wide range of emotions and co-create a healthy, intentional goodbye. I embrace all the ways I will evolve in this next chapter of my life. Enjoy the podcast!  Links: Enlighten.NYC

My guest today is Cait Conley. Cait is running for Congress in NY District 17, determined to stop Donald Trump and cowards like Mike Lawler who enable him. Cait was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, graduated at the top of her class at West Point, served 16 years as an Army officer, and broke barriers as one of the first and only women in Special Operations leadership and was awarded three Bronze Stars. Cait's career as a public servant continued at home, protecting security and democracy while serving as Director of Counter-Terrorism on the National Security Council at the White House. She later helped safeguard our critical infrastructure and election systems at CISA, defending our democracy by standing up directly to Trump's big lie that the 2020 election was stolen.  Cait is dedicated to bringing dignity and courage back to Congress. She is fighting to lower costs, clean up corruption, reign in ICE, address climate change as a national security crisis, protect our elections and stop Trumps' unlawful and authoritarian agenda. I am impressed with her strength, courage and proven leadership and have been motivated to have as many people as possible hear from Cait directly, so they can make an informed decision when voting in the primary. Early voting started June 13th and the primary is Tuesday, June 23rd. This is a critical election, so please spread the word and get out and vote!  Check out the Show Notes for Cait's conversation with Ali Velshi on MSNOW as well as Cait's website. There you will find links to donate, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Cait Conley's Website Ali Velshi-MSNOW

My guest today is Andrew Kravatz. Andrew recently completed his junior year at Fordham University, majoring in Political Science. Andrew is an intern for Cait Conley who is running to win the Democratic primary for Congress to flip NY District 17. With so many people complaining that young people are not politically involved, I was impressed with Andrew's passion to be the change he wants to see. He describes his confidence in Cait's background, service to our country, as well as the values and policies that she stands for.   Andrew appreciates the loving examples from his parents and extended family who he describes as kind, selfless people, whose driving principle in life is to care for others. Caring for the whole person is foundational to his Jesuit education and Andrew was experientially embodied during his powerful high school service trips. Check out the show notes for links to Jay Forbes' letter to the editor in The Hudson Independent, the man responsible for introducing me to Andrew, an article Andrew wrote for Fordham's Political Review, as well as Cait Conley's website. Do Andrew proud, vote for Cait in the primary on June 23rd so we chose the best candidate to beat Mike Lawler in the fall.   Enjoy the podcast!  Links: Jay Forbes Andrew's article Cait Conley