Episode 301 The People of Bali
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe how moved I was by the people of Bali. The warmth, kindness, and humility of the Balinese people we met and interacted with was so striking. From casual greetings to exuding compassion in an interaction that could have incited annoyance and impatience, the people from Bali taught me a meaningful lesson. Am I letting my words, gestures and responses reflect and radiate compassion? The Balinese people embodied such a sincere compassion, it was if they were vibrating on a higher frequency. May the light embodied in the Balinese people penetrate the...
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Episode 300 Celebrating 300!
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Today marks our 300th episode! I am so happy to celebrate this milestone with you! We started this podcast in January of 2018 and have released an episode almost every week for over 6 years. I am deeply grateful for the 160 guests and 140 stories that capture my own personal reflections and observations, that help me evolve spiritually. Even in the midst of political unrest, personal and collective trauma, chaos, hatred, violence and war, I marvel at the human spirit: the ability of people to find ways to live from compassion, forgiveness, connection and gratitude. So thanks for listening, for...
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Episode 299 Bali Bound
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
When I wrote this week’s episode, my husband Paul and I were Bali Bound. We are visiting our son Wil and his girlfriend Shannon, who have been in Bali for the past 3 months. We are thrilled to experience first hand all the beauty, spirituality, creativity and magic they have felt there. There will NO episode next week April 8th, but feel free to scroll through previous episodes and catch up on episodes you’ve missed. My next episode will be released on April 15th, which marks our 300th episode! Please tune in to celebrate 300 episodes of Enlighten: Uplift and Inspire! Enjoy the podcast! ...
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Episode 298 More Women
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we close out the month of March, Women’s History Month, I want to honor a few more women. Some include women who have died before I launched this podcast and some who are still alive but they're uncomfortable being a guest, so I couldn’t shine light on them here. And one is a woman I do not know personally but my respect and gratitude for her is immense. New York State Attorney General Letitia James is not only protecting the vulnerable, she is effectively holding Donald Trump accountable for his deceit, fraud and years of cheating lenders, insurers, the government and the public. She...
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Episode 297 The Women
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
March is Women’s Month so on this week’s episode, I honor the women in my life who have believed in me, supported me, challenged me and continue to make such profound impacts on me. I share the back story of how International Women’s Day came to be and eventually grew into a month-long celebration called Women’s History Month. There are so many women who have been trailblazers, who have shattered barriers, defied expectations, and paved the way for future generations! I honor my relatives, the women whose shoulders I stand on and the women I stand beside and hold hands with,...
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Episode 296 Geraldine Anello, Author and Musician
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Dr. Geraldine Anello. Geraldine is a pianist, conductor, music director and author. She just recently launched her book The Pulse of the Musician: Connecting Sound, Soul and Stories: Navigating a Successful Music Career. We discuss what motivated her to write this insightful, illuminating book, her hopes that it becomes a required text book in music education, and the calling, passion, identity and sacrifice embedded in a musician’s path. I also inquired about Geraldine’s own passionate journey as a successful musician, her strategies of risk-taking, networking,...
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Episode 295 Winter Cleaning
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share a cathartic experience of some winter cleaning. I know we typically wait for the springtime for these kinds of cleanings, but I am here to say, winter cleaning was just as satisfying! What cabinets, closets, dressers, shelves of yours might need some de-cluttering? I encourage you to give yourself the gift of a cleaning - at any season of the year. Enjoy the sense of accomplishment and the freedom of lightening your load. Happy Winter Cleaning. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 294 Black Futures
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we come to the end of the month, I highlight the concept and philosophy of Black Futures Month. In addition to honoring people and movements that enrich Black History Month, the emphasis on Black Futures is “a visionary, forward-looking spin on celebrations of Blackness in February; a time to consider and celebrate our radical Black history and to dream and imagine a world in which all Black people are free.” May we all understand and respect that our past directly impacts the present and future. May we all educate ourselves on the compelling stories from Black people, learn...
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Episode 293 Rustin
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we continue to honor Black History Month, I encourage you to see the movie "Rustin”. I was so deeply moved by the movie, this man Bayard Rustin and the instrumental role he played in creating and implementing the March on Washington. In addition, the brilliant performance of Colman Domingo embodying Rustin was electrifying. The movie, produced by Michelle and Barack Obama, sheds light on an important man and a critical time in our history. May we be well-informed about our history, grounded in our present and inspired to contribute to a more just, compassionate future. Enjoy the...
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Episode 292 The Greensboro Four
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I highlight and honor the Greensboro Four: Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain and David Richmond. Sixty-four years ago these four African American college freshman sat down at a place where African Americans were not allowed to sit. Their act of non-violent protest and the publicity they received ignited a national sit-in movement, that initiated desegregation actions and laws. I wanted to learn the names of the Greensboro Four and learn how their lives had unfolded since their 1960 college days. Thank you Jibreel, Joseph, Franklin and David. I am glad...
info_outline Happy 2020! I’d like to welcome you to the new year and share a personal story. Despite the ongoing appalling behavior of our president, that intensified in this first week of this new year, I am inspired by the wisdom, dedication and impactful activism of Shaun King. Look up Shaun to discover his impressive platforms: founder of the Action PAC; Flip the Senate; The North Star 2019; host of the podcast “the breakdown with shaun king”, and author of the book Make Change. His Instagram posts alone, educate me, uplift me and motivate me to get involved in tangible ways. I trust his work will inspire you during this important election year.
I also respect the courageous work of Michael Moore - I have seen every movie he has made, read his book “Here Comes Trouble”, enjoyed his Broadway show, and am now grateful that instead of making a movie this year, he has invested his efforts in creating a podcast called Rumble with Michael Moore. Please listen to his illuminating conversations, in particular, with Daniel Ellsberg, Alex Press, and Anand Giridharadas - each one, articulating many of my inner thoughts, values and longings for this country, each one stretching and enlightening me. So even in the political unrest that Trump continues to ignite, I encourage you to be informed, involved and inspired by these courageous visionary activists! I know it will help me approach 2020 with a bit more clarity, hope, and confidence.
I also share a personal story about how things don’t always turn out the way I plan, regardless of how great my goal appears to be! I appreciate all the humbling lessons I learn when I let go of my well-intentioned expectations and be open to letting the Universe take me in a different direction.
Enjoy the podcast.
Links:
www.enlighten.nyc