Episode 82 Karen Siff Exkorn, consultant, author
Release Date: 09/09/2019
Episode 420 Here To Stay
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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!
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Episode 419 Love Legacy
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 418 Death and Life
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 417 Musician Dena DeRose
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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 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,...
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Episode 416 Invigorated by Yosemite
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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,...
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Episode 415 Evening Strolls
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 414 Grateful For Greece
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 413 Barry Danielian, Musician & L. Ac
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 412 Jocelyn Jane Cox, Author
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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...
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Episode 411 Evolving Retirement
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
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! ...
info_outline My guest today is Karen Siff Exkorn. Karen is an Executive Coach, Corporate Consultant, Author, Playwright, Autism Expert and Motivational Speaker. She also happens to be my sweet soul sister! Karen grew up in Worcester, MA and shares her background in dance, her college experience at Brown University where she explored her love of dance, while majoring in psychology. She moved to NYC and immersed herself in the corporate world, which gave her the experience and confidence to start her own corporate consulting firm. She completed her Masters at NYU’s Gallatin School, where she created her own concentration, combining psychology, spirituality, dance and performance.
Karen tells the story of how she met her beloved husband Franklin, and how their world was turned upside down when their two-year old son Jake was diagnosed with autism. Searching for support and guidance, Karen immersed herself in research, determined to understand what this meant and how best to advocate for her son. She ended up writing a comprehensive book for parents, teachers, therapists and doctors that provides critical information on autism. I am so inspired by Karen’s intellect, heart, creativity, spirituality, and sparkly gift of embodying Joy!
Check the show notes below for links to Karen’s website, books, articles and the Emmy award-winning Nightline segment that features her son Jake’s, rare journey of recovery. Please keep an eye out for Karen’s one-woman play “Do This” - it’s heart-warming, poignant, funny and deeply moving! Enjoy the podcast.
Links:
SpeakOn.org
Nightline segment: How This Child With Autism Was Able to Recover with Therapy. Emmy-Award Series following Jake from 4 years old to 18 years old, produced by Karen Zukor and John Donovan
The Autism Sourcebook:
Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment,
Coping and Healing from a Mother Who’s Child Has Recovered
Toni Morrison—My Movie Date
LinkedIn
Fifty Two Shades of Blue-ish