Episode 358 Nandini Austin
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Nandini Austin. Nandini, a British Indo-Mauritian, now living in the Hudson Valley, is a performer, workshop facilitator and certified Holistic Ayurveda Coach. Nandini masterfully blends ancient wisdom with her modern spirit of wellness in a workshop called “Temple Goddess: Global Dance and Ayurveda Retreat”. Temple Goddess will be at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY starting Friday evening July 4th through Sunday afternoon July 6th. From Chaka Kahn’s “I’m Every Woman” to Fleetwood Mac’s “A Woman of a Thousand Years”, two songs that reflect...
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Episode 357 Hold Our Ground
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe the uplifting event I attended in my community to honor and celebrate Tom Chapin’s 80th Birthday. Tom, his family, his music, the special guests, the stories and the social justice woven throughout the evening, were magnificent. I didn’t realize how much I needed to experience something so joyful and inspiring. As Tom’s step-daughter, Jessica Craven so beautifully articulated: “I was reminded once again…of the profound power of the arts, community and family to heal and uplift. It’s never been more important to make sure we’re immersing...
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Episode 356 Birthday Blessings
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor someone special in my life, Jenn M, whose birthday is Tuesday May 20th. I describe some of the qualities I admire in Jenn and give a shout out to her 8th grader, E, who typically listens to my podcast on the drive to school. Thanks E, for being my youngest listener. As I celebrate Jenn and the dreams that are stirring in her heart, I share John O’Donohue’s blessing “For Longing”. May it resonate for the birthday gal as well as all of my listeners. May we each honor the longings in our heart and trust that our longings are aligned with our soul....
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Episode 355 Beltane
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe and honor Beltane, the Celtic festival of spring. Beltane is rich with magic as we celebrate the fertility of the land, the potential for new life and the abundance of nature. With the following weeks of May, into June, I encourage you to find your own way to honor Beltane. We are invited to be intentional about what we are planting inside of us for future growth. Delight in the late afternoon sun rays, the stunning cloudbursts and rainbows of this season. It’s no coincidence that we celebrate mother’s day around the same time we thank our Mother Earth...
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Episode 354 Childer of Wonder
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I talk about my love for the word wonder. Wonder slows me down, drops me into curiosity, and then opens the rich doors to gratitude. Even as a senior citizen, I consider myself a child of wonder. Let the magnificent gifts of Spring re-ignite your sense of wonder. Check out the show notes for links to hear the poignant words of Dot, a 96 year old woman who strives to live in awe and to the timeless wisdom of Rachel Carson’s The Sense Of Wonder. May we embrace what it means to be a child of wonder. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG:
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Episode 353 I Am Because We Are
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I explore the African proverb Ubuntu, which means ‘I am because we are.’ The phrase came to me in meditation last week and has stayed with me everyday. How do we honor our universal bond that connects all humanity? In the midst of hatred, divisiveness and injustice, how do we deepen our compassion, find forgiveness and treat others with respect? Nelson Mandela’s commitment to Ubuntu reminds me that we are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility to care for one another. ‘I am because we are’ is a phrase and philosophy I am inspired by. I...
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Episode 352 Bless The Earth
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, as we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, I talk about what it means to bless the earth. From cleaning up trash in our local parks to cultivating more awareness and responsibility to care for our planet, we can bless the earth. I share the earth blessing meditation that organically came to me and through me years ago, that is a part of my daily spiritual practice. May we bless the sky, the land and the waters. May we all bless our precious planet earth. May everyday be Earth Day. Happy Earth Day! Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 351 Slow and Steady
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I provide a guided meditation to help ground us in these tumultuous times. Carve out a few minutes for silence, stillness and slow, steady, replenishing, deep breaths. You are not alone. I hold you, my dear listeners in loving-kindness and compassion. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 350 Hands Off!
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share my invigorating experience of attending the NYC “HANDS OFF” Protest this past Saturday April 5th. I was energized and grateful to take a stand against Trump’s lies, corruption, and destructive chaos. Our collective power to show up, organize and have our voices heard across the country is inspiring! I appreciated the art work, the shared values, the chants and the singing that created a powerful sense of solidarity. Participating in this protest gave me a renewed vision of actually creating a real democracy - of, by, and for the people!! Let’s...
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Episode 349 Wisdom from the Planets
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share some insights of what is reflected in the planets that help explain the tumultuous time we are now experiencing. Some astrology basics have not only helped me feel connected to the cosmos, to mystery and that which is bigger than us, but also has provided some much needed HOPE! Now is the time to align with our values, with our communities and with the wisdom of the planets! Let’s take a stand for what we care most about and move this country closer to this dream of democracy. Let’s create the healing transformation our country needs. Check out the...
info_outline With a heavy heart and tears in his eyes, my husband, Paul informed me last week that our dear friend, Tony Falco had died. We knew Tony had been struggling with complications with Covid-19 for the past 6 months, but the news of Tony’s passing hit us hard. We, among countless others, are heartbroken over the news of Tony’s passing. We have been deeply touched by Tony and the generous, humble integrity he lived by.
Tony created and ran the incredible music venue “The Falcon”, in Marlboro, NY and for the past 10 years, Paul has been playing there regularly with the Ed Palermo Big Band. It was only fitting that Tony’s wife, Julie and their children: Julian, Lana, Adrianne and Lee hosted a Memorial Celebration for Tony at “The Falcon” this past weekend. A long, diverse list of musicians performed throughout the weekend on the outside deck, with the gorgeous waterfall flowing behind them. Hundreds of people showed up on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the music, connect with his family and celebrate Tony’s extraordinary life.
Today, we are re-releasing my July 2019 conversation with Tony as a remembrance and tribute to him. So whether you heard it when it was first released or hearing it for the first time, we invite you to get a glimpse of Tony’s heart, vision and profound impact he had on musicians, artists and the wide Falcon fan-base. We are so grateful to have this recording which allows us to hear his voice once again. We thank you, Tony, we will miss you terribly. Rest easy, dear friend, rest in deep peace.
Links:
Tony's Obituary
Ed Palermo Big Band Tribute to Tony
Instagram:
Live at The Falcon
Ed Palermo Big Band
Becca Stevens