Episode 326 Honoring Indigenous People 2024
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode we belatedly honor Indigenous People’s Day. I share an example from my cousin, of how we can acknowledge the dark history of oppression while remaining open to learning, healing and reconciliation. May we all be inspired to reflect, learn and better understand the history and legacy of Indigenous People. Reconciliation is not just a moment, but an on-going process. May we each seek opportunities throughout the year to learn and engage with Indigenous voices and stories. May we contribute to the healing of past, present and future generations of Indigenous...
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Episode 325 Flip The Vote volunteer Diana Bianco
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we honor Indigenous People’s Day, may we acknowledge and honor the native people on who’s land we live. May we honor the spiritual wisdom and respectful partnership that indigenous people, all around the world, brought to their relationship with our planet earth, allowing them to live in harmony, reciprocity and balance with all of creation. I’ll share more about Indigenous People’s Day next week, because my guest today has timely information that I want my listeners to have the option to act on this week and next! My guest today is the inspiring Diana Bianco. Diana has social...
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Episode 324 Lila Carr, Skidmore College student
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Lila Carr. Lila is a junior at Skidmore College, majoring in Social Work, with a minor in Studio Art. Lila also happens to be one of my beloved nieces, genuinely curious, compassionate and open-hearted. She believes we all are longing to be seen, known and loved and is inspired to carve out a career that centers on seeing, knowing and loving people. She shares her round-about journey that landed her at Skidmore, from leaning into ‘NO!’ and listening to the wisdom of her body. Lila describes the healing power of art, as a companion, an avenue for self care and...
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Episode 323 Hope Is A Discipline
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I focus on hope, and how my hope has inspired action. I share my experience of the Flip the Vote Birthday Zoom I hosted last week and how the gathering of people I love, focused on our desire to create a blue wave, expanded even more hope. Hope is a discipline. How are you nurturing hope in your life? What actions are you taking to keep hope alive? May our hope help us see that there is light despite all the darkness. May our hope give us a destination and the energy to get started! Check out the show notes for links to learn more about Flip the Vote. Enjoy the...
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Episode 322 Birthday Flip The Vote
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I celebrate my birthday and invite my listeners to attend a Flip the Vote event tomorrow night. The most meaningful birthday gift possible for me, is to ignite people to rally in solidarity for human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, health care, education, advocacy for the health of our planet and social justice. May the Autumn Equinox bring us in better balance. May my Libra birthday inspire us to harmoniously work together for justice and the collective good of our country. Check out the show notes for links to Flip the Vote’s rationale, the impact they...
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Episode 321 Grassroots
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
In this heightened political season, we are all inundated with countless emails and texts asking for donations; it’s hard to sift through where and how to invest our time and money. On this week’s episode, I offer a grassroots organization that I have recently learned about that feels worthy of highlighting. It’s called Flip The Vote. They educate and engage concerned people to make the most out of their political investments. They make strategic recommendations based on careful research about where and how to invest in winning critical elections. Attending a Flip The Vote Zoom party,...
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Episode 320 Do Something
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share my experience of taking Michelle Obama’s words: “Do Something!” to heart. The ‘somethings’ we do, can be spontaneous, planned, casual or organized. Writing postcards to encourage people to vote and spelling out what is at stake with our upcoming election is a tangible way to do something. Would you be interested in hosting a postcard party? If so, check out the show notes for links to sites that help you get started. I’m jazzed looking for tangible, meaningful ways to DO SOMETHING, do many things that help move our country forward with integrity,...
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Episode 319 Nancy Brenner, ALS Care Services
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Nancy Brenner. A graduate of NYU’s School of Social Work, Nancy is the Care Services Coordinator for ALS United - Greater New York. If you or anyone you love has or had a debilitating disease, you know having an earth angel to guide you through the journey is priceless. And that is who Nancy is: an earth angel - kindly, compassionately present to patients with ALS and their families, providing support, education, guidance and resources. After recording our conversation, Nancy wanted to clarify the proper pronunciation for ALS is A-My-O-Trophic Lateral Sclerosis and in...
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Episode 318 Honest Conflict
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
I used this week’s episode to channel my frustration when one of my weekly groups came to a close. Trust was violated and the facilitator violating trust didn’t acknowledge or own up to his behavior. I marveled at how uncomfortable people can be with conflict, myself included. Do I name the elephant in the room? Do I remove myself from this game of pretending? It takes courage to deal with conflicts honestly. Most people opt to sweep problems under the rug, clinging to the concept of being the ideal family or the ideal group. They choose dishonest harmony rather than honest conflict....
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Episode 317 Pick Up Your Trash
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I share a recent experience of my beloved hiking trails being trashed with trash! My initial reaction of anger and needing someone to blame eventually morphed into sadness. I watched the strong feelings course through me, appreciated the kindness and support from fellow hikers who helped me reframe my irritation. I took the simple action of picking up the trash to redirect me. If only we could live by John Muir’s advice while enjoying nature “Take only photographs, leave only footprints”! Yes, I will do my part to care for my surroundings. And in the meantime,...
info_outline The Tennessee 3, surprisingly provided me a profound Spiritual experience this past week. You don’t need to be religious or practice Judaism or Christianity to find liberation and resurrection in how the two Justins conducted themselves, in order to rise above the racism and authoritarianism from the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Justin Pearson and Justin Jones proudly represented the people whose children had just been murdered, represented the marginalized, gave voice to the voiceless. The two Justins gave me hope, invigorated me with new life, with a promising vision forward. Check out the show notes for links to follow Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. Please join me in supporting the inspiring work of Justins for Justice! Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
IG: @justinjpearson
IG: @brotherjones
IG: @gloriajohnson
Twitter: Justin Jones
Twitter: Justin Pearson
Twitter: Gloria Johnson
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition
Equity Alliance
Memphis for All