Episode 131 Douglass DeCandia, agricultural abolitionist, poet
Release Date: 08/31/2020
Episode 390 Beth Adubato
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Beth Ellen Adubato. I met Beth last month and was so impressed with her background and dedication to making a positive impact in the world. From her own personal experience of being sexually assaulted in college, Beth has championed women’s issues for decades and created an organization that supports women of domestic violence. She has been a journalist, researcher and professor of criminal justice, at both Saint Peter’s University and Rutgers University, training her students to be critical thinkers, who care for others with empathy. Beth now feels compelled to...
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Episode 389 MLK Day
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate this inspiring civil rights leader and his work for racial equality and social justice. I feel it’s imperative to be reminded who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he fought for, particularly amidst our current toxic atmosphere of erasure. I highlight 10 significant facts about Dr. King, and play an audio clip of what Dr. King had the audacity to believe. It moved me deeply, as a child, to hear Dr. King speak and now 60 years later, I marvel at how poignantly his words resonate for us at this moment in time. ...
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Episode 388 Justice
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe the word Justice that I’ve chosen for 2026. I want this word to be integrated into my thoughts, words and actions this year. I want justice to guide me, inspire me, and empower me to advocate for fairness, accountability, and restorative relationships. Yes, I will start with myself, but, oh how I want to live in a world where justice is upheld and can radiate throughout this country. May 2026 be a year where injustices are no longer tolerated and people are held accountable for their dehumanizing behavior. May we work in solidarity to cultivate...
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Episode 387 Reflections of 2025
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I mark the beginning of our podcast’s 9th year and reflect on the 5 people I honored and the 45 stories I shared from 2025. It was a very challenging year personally and politically, yet I trust that there are spiritual lessons and opportunities for learning and healing. May we all practice restoring humanity, dignity, compassion and justice. Blessings for a healing, engaged, empowering year. May you be safe and healthy, and join me in searching for the mysterious, wondrous ways the Universe is conspiring to help us evolve, help us to live more authentically, more...
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Episode 386 Humbled
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
In addition to the wide range of emotions, this past week, I’ve also felt humbled. Humbled by my friend, Wayne who is living with the brutal disease ALS. Paul and I spent 4 days and 4 overnights with Wayne, while his wife was out of town. I am humbled by the human spirit that can still nurture a positive attitude, despite being so physically limited. Humbled by resilience, the choice to remain grateful and generous. Humbled by the aides who make personal sacrifices to show up with kindness, patience, and professionalism. Humbled by what this brings out in my husband, in me, as we...
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Episode 385 Fullness of December
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us. May we be present to the fullness of life, the hurt, pain, tenderness and generosity. May we allow ourselves to feel deeply. May we nurture ourselves in our vulnerability. May we embody love, truth, and justice and allow those words to...
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Episode 384 If You Give a Mouse A Cookie
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children’s book and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended. It began with the clearing out of kitchen shelving, then the kitchen pantry, then a new hinge for a cabinet door, which reminded us that the kitchen window needed replacing. Listen to see what unfolds from there! I’m guessing you might be able to relate!...
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Episode 383 Embracing Change
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this past year. Their absence has an impact on me along with a web of other people, all experiencing changes without these individuals in our lives. I am comforted by the Buddhist teaching on...
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Episode 382 The Gratitude Theory
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d highlight the gratitude theory and the 4 A's of gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Action. This week is an ideal time to be reminded of the power of an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset can lighten us, enrich what is in front of us and help us navigate our challenges. A grateful heart shifts our own mood and positively impacts those around us. May we give thanks every day by cultivating a gratitude theory with the 4 A's. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 381 Honoring Jude
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I honor Jude Vasquez, a beloved soul who shockingly died at the age of 34 from a heart condition. My son, Wil considered Jude not only one of his closest friends, but his bonus sister. Wil took this stunning photo of Jude, his Silver Queen. I describe the unexpected blessings I received when I attended a Celebration of Life gathering for Jude at the Bushwick Flea Market. As Rumi says: “Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don’t claim them. Feel the artistry moving through, and be silent.” Listen to the podcast to hear of all the small wonders I observed....
info_outline Oh what an emotional week this has been! How my heart aches for Jacob Blake, the black man who was brutally shot 7 times in the back by police officers, with his young children witnessing such racial violence as they sat in their car. The outpouring outcry in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, pleading for justice. The appalling, intentional hatred by a 17 year old white supremacist who illegally crossed state lines with an AR-15 to terrorize and murder protesters. The racist policies that allow such terrorism to exist, with people and policies not being held accountable. Then as if the emotions weren’t intense enough, we learned on Friday that Chadwick Boseman, beloved actor, role model, humanitarian, died of colon cancer. He was a symbol of compassion, strength and black power! Rest in peace, inspiring one.
My guest today is Douglass DeCandia. Doug is an agricultural abolitionist, poet, and truthsayer. Doug had been my guest 2 years ago and I felt compelled to invite him back because he continues to inspire me, particularly during this critical period of racial reckoning in our country, for he has his finger on the pulse of the earth and of humanity. He and his partner, g. adabelle, co-authored a chapter that will be published in a handbook for international abolition. Doug sees the intimately correlated relationship of land with abolitionist work, experiencing the healing aspect of agriculture as it easily flows into activism and social justice work. He acknowledges that 4 centuries of white supremacy has left this country in utter turmoil, economically, socially and morally. Think of it, we haven’t ever seen a just food system in this country.
Doug encourages white people to call each other in and call each other out, to listen to the land, listen to the elders, listen to the black movement leaders. Doug, humbly urges all white people to do the work within ourselves and with each other, to not only dismantle racism, but to envision a more just and equitable society. Check out the show notes for links to contact Doug, access his poetry and learn of the abolitionist groups and people he references.
I invite you to follow me on Instagram, where for the first time, last week, I posted 4 short video clips of my conversation with Vonetta Taylor. I’ll also be posting some clips of my conversation with Doug. Let me know what you think. Comments can be posted on Instagram, below each video. We are also thinking of offering complete videos of my weekly podcast conversations on YouTube and would love your feedback. Thanks so much for your support. Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
Email Doug
Center For Humans & Nature
Doug's Poetry
Soul Fire Farm
North Star Fund - Victory Bus Project
"Grandmother’s Hands" by Resmaa Menakem
Enlighten Podcast on Instagram