Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire – Details, episodes & analysis

On this week’s episode, as I process the devastating election results, I know we are to hold onto love. In addition to the trauma, disappointment, sadness and fear, there is love. Surround yourself with loving, kindred souls. Let yourself be held in love and hold others in love.

I know we are all trying to make sense of this, figure out how to navigate a way forward. As a country, we must wrestle with how deeply ingrained racism and misogyny is. We are in for more darkness and now more than ever, we need to be present and connected with love. Be gentle with yourself, take time to rest and regroup. We need each other, we need to shore up our circles of support. Hold onto love. Hold each other in love. I am holding you, my listeners in love. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, with the election tomorrow, I invite you to see your vote as a prayer, a prayer reflecting the depths of your heart. It is important to stay grounded in an atmosphere of fear. May you release the grip fear has on you. May your heart be aligned with trust, with compassion, with a connection to all the caring people, working for equity, justice and peace.

Remember that your spiritual heart belongs to a collective spiritual heart. There are so many caring people bringing comfort and healing to others, to their communities and wanting to make this world a better place. Tap into that energy of our collective love. Let your vote be a prayer to protect our imperfect democracy, a prayer to protect the most vulnerable, a prayer to heal the divides, a prayer for our earth and all living beings.

Check out the show notes for links to Tara Brach’s website where you’ll find her newsletter, courses and guided meditations. I’ve also included a link she shared for additional resources and organizations. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Tara Brach
Mind Our Democracy

My guest today is Nancy Brenner. A graduate of NYU’s School of Social Work, Nancy is the Care Services Coordinator for ALS United - Greater New York. If you or anyone you love has or had a debilitating disease, you know having an earth angel to guide you through the journey is priceless. And that is who Nancy is: an earth angel - kindly, compassionately present to patients with ALS and their families, providing support, education, guidance and resources.

After recording our conversation, Nancy wanted to clarify the proper pronunciation for ALS is A-My-O-Trophic Lateral Sclerosis and in addition to her explanation of ALS, add that this disease effects the motor neurons, which weakens the muscles in the body. In the darkness of the body’s betrayal, it’s a soothing balm to experience Nancy’s integrity and dedication to her ALS patients.

Please check out the links below to connect with Nancy and the incredible work of ALS United. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
ALS-NY
Nancy's Email

On this week’s episode, I talk about timing - is it everything? And when our timing is off how do we cut ourselves slack and be open to the lessons there for us to learn. Timing does matter and I care about being as intentional as I can be to align my podcast episodes with current holidays or events, but am learning to cut myself slack when my timing misses the mark.
 
Whether your timing is off or spot on, may you be gentle with yourself, dare to speak your truth, listen to others’ feedback, and encourage authentic conversations, that illuminate, heal, transform. May you respect the importance of your timing and trust that spiritual wisdom is timeless. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Perry Gartner, a C.I. Consultant who jumps into a phone booth to become a drummer, card counter, and writer. Oh and yes, his nearly 2 year employment with Space X. You decide if he is a spy. Perry has a thirst for knowledge, a curiosity for deeper understanding and childlike enthusiasm for life’s simple pleasures. Let us now praise Perry for launching a fascinating newsletter that illuminates passionate details about the Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, and soon to be included: Babe Ruth and Buddy Rich.

Check out the links below to read the well-researched blogs on Perry’s substack platform. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
perrygartner.substack.com
Twitter: Perry B Gartner
Twitter: Beatles Praise
Twitter: Chaplin Praise
Nine Men’s Morris
Segue Records
Wayne’s podcast episode
Vaneese’s podcast episode

On this week’s episode, I reference the recent Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” which, if you shift the first two syllables, can also be thought of as “At-One-Ment”. Regardless of your religious or non-religious affiliation, it is wise to reflect, forgive and cleanse that which blocks us from being at one.

From Judaism to Catholicism, to a Buddhist joke, to whatever spiritual practices speak to you, I encourage you to drop into At-One-Ment. May you find a gentle, compassionate inner voice that helps you acknowledge and reconcile with yourself, with others, with your personification of Divine Love. 

May you be at one with everything! :)   

Check out the links to hear the Dalai Lama pizza shop joke and Hafiz’ book of poetry.  Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
The Gift: Poems By Hafiz, The Great Sufi Master
Dalai Lama pizza shop joke

This week’s episode is a simple prayer to bless the earth. I share a free form meditation that I say when walking in nature, that focuses on my gratitude for the beauty and wonder of the land, waters and sky. May this accompany you as you walk through the woods, along the river, up the mountain, or through a field of wildflowers. May we pay attention to how mother earth nourishes, nurtures, inspires and sustains us. May we cultivate care, reverence and advocacy for the health and well-bring of our planet. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I reflect on birthdays, honoring the aging process, embracing life and how we give and receive love on birthdays. How do you enjoy celebrating birthdays for the people you love? How do you prefer to be celebrated on your birthday? Young or old, birthdays are great chance to let the love flow! Birthdays are a chance to pause and absorb how deeply loved we truly are.

Blessed, Happy Birthday to all my fellow Libras out there!!!
Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I acknowledge all the responses I’ve been hearing from listeners who are connecting and reconnecting with their angels. With an increase in the employment of angels, I have a sense that the angels are rejoicing with jubilant dancing!

I also share a story where the calming wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh showed up in an unexpected place, and his presence continues to reveal sweet synchronicities. His simple, yet profound teachings remind me to be still, breathe, and embrace the gift of being present. How many seemingly insignificant coincidences have you experienced this week? Take a moment to reflect, acknowledge and delight in the mystery, wonder, synchronicity and sweetness that infuse your days.

Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Thich Nhat Hanh’s Mindfulness Essentials series:
How To Sit
How to Walk
How to Eat
How to Relax
How to See
How to Fight
How to Connect
How to Love

On this week’s episode, I report feedback from last week’s episode “Asking for Signs” that highlight the synchronicity and comfort that listeners experienced. Asking and receiving signs demonstrates the relational aspect of communication with the spiritual world. Whether it is in our relationship with humans or angels/spirit guides, it is important to express what we want and need. Direct, clear, assertive communication builds healthy relationships.

The Irish author and mystic, Lorna Byrne, sees angels as clearly as we all see people. Lorna claims that every human being, has been assigned a personal guardian angel, the gatekeeper of our soul, but most of us don’t access their help. Lorna sadly announces that there are so many unemployed angels, waiting for us to employ them, invite them to be of help to us. As you continue asking for signs, please also consciously employ your angels. And then delight in how they work wonders for you.

Check out the links below for last week’s episode, and how to learn more about Margaret Dulaney and Lorna Bryne. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Asking for Signs Episode
Margaret Dulaney/Listen Well
Lorna Byrne
    Angels in My Hair
    Stairways to Heaven