Episode 394 Arianna Injeian
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Arianna Injeian. And what an honor to shine light on Arianna, who is shining light on so many others; what an inspiring woman! Her background in Medical Anthropology, Sociology, and Public Health allows her to look at systemic health, particularly in the area of women’s reproductive care. In undergraduate school, she started off with a dual major in anthropology and biology. Her love for travel and learning about other people and cultures, brought her to a masters program at the University of Amsterdam, where she had another dual major: medical anthropology and public...
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Episode 393 LoraKim Joyner
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is LoraKim Joyner, a passionate protector of parrots, who knows that the health of one is interconnected to the health of all beings. LoraKim received her B.S in Avian Sciences, her Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine, a Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, which led to meaningful work in bird conservation throughout Central and South America. Years later she saw the need to address human well-being and obtained her Masters in Divinity and was ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister and became certified in NonViolent Communication. LoraKim’s expansive...
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Episode 392 Pascale Jean-Gilles
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Pascale Jean-Gilles. Pascale and I bumped into each other last week at two local events: a high school student-led protest in solidarity with Minneapolis in our town and at the County Legislature Building with hundreds of people showing up to support the “Safety and Dignity for All ACT”, a bill to ensure guardrails with ICE agents in our county. Having known Pascale since she was 2 years old, it was a pure delight to reconnect with her and learn about who she is as a thoughtful, compassionate, dedicated young woman. Pascale is Chief of Staff for NY State...
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Episode 391 Mea Culpa
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I propose that mea culpa is a good place to start as we honor Black History Month. The Latin phrase mea culpa is an exclamation of apology or remorse, admitting that one has caused harm. For true racial healing to happen in this country, I long for us to own up to the threats, controls and discrimination embedded in our country’s systems. I am relieved to notice more white people expressing their own forms of mea culpa, as they are dedicated to learning, open to admitting harm, and willing to take responsibility. That feels like a meaningful way to celebrate Black...
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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...
info_outline Hafiz's poem reminds me that we are called to dance. I’ve used this beautiful poem as oxygen, especially when I was feeling the darkness and uncertainty of life creep back in. I hear so many people bracing themselves that things are going to be getting worse, before they get better. I don’t want to get sucked into the darkness of hopelessness. This poem pulls me away from the despair, shifts my mood, brings me back to a deeper truth, a radiant light that I know lies within us.
May we heed the call to dance, see life itself as a beautifully choreographed dance. We were created for joy, to smile, to love and be lifted up and to lift others up. Yes, and may our dancing be contagious! Check out the show notes for links to Hafiz’s poetry, to Barbara Holmes, and the Center for Action and Contemplation. Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, the Great Sufi Master
Barbara Holmes
Center For Action and Contemplation