Episode 23 Toney Earl, Jr., M.A.D.E. Transitions
Release Date: 05/28/2018
Episode 242 Nugget
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
This week I feature my new best friend, who takes slowing down to a whole new level. While visiting our dear friends Hilary and Carlo in their Massachusetts cabin in the woods, I bonded with their sweet pet bird, Nugget. Nugget, is an orange breasted wax bill, a tiny, precious bird in the finch family. Nugget is teeny, weighs 7 grams and is just over 2 inches long. This adorable 2 inch finch reminds me that there is nothing more important than the present moment. And when Nugget rests on my finger or wrist, I can’t help but drop into full presence. These winter days are a great...
info_outline
Episode 241 Slow Down
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on some of those helpful reminders to slow down. The narrow spout of my electric tea kettle provides an opportunity to slow down, even when I don’t think I need to. As the water slowly, gently pours from this thinly curved neck, I relax and smile. Be present…breathe…slow is good…focus on gratitude… all is well. May we honor the internal and external reminders to slow down. May we be nourished and replenished as we slow down. May slowing down help us delight in being more present, more tuned in to ourselves and all the richness of life...
info_outline
Episode 240 MLK: A Day On, Not a Day Off
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Today marks the national holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr., a day to acknowledge and honor MLK’s birthday and legacy. The mottos for MLK day are: “Remember, Celebrate and Act” and “A Day On, Not a Day Off”. I care about living into those mottos. How am I not only remembering and celebrating MLK, but taking action that honors him? How do I not simply treat this day as a day off, but a day on, where l focus on King’s wisdom, courage and inspiration? How do I integrate what King stood for, not just today, but throughout my life? So whether you are attending a MLK celebration,...
info_outline
Episode 239 Heart Yearning
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I offer two prompts that help us reflect on last year and tune into the coming year. They are more heart-centered than the typical setting of resolutions and goals. It’s a mindful way to start off the new year in these early weeks of January. I invite you to reflect on what you were proud of in 2022 and then explore what you are yearning for in 2023. After focusing on the these two prompts, I saw an IG post from Suleika Jaouad who authored these prompts plus 3 additional questions that might be helpful to reflect on as well. Whether you ponder the...
info_outline
Episode 238 Reflections of 2022
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, as we start off 2023, I acknowledge our 5 year milestone and reflect on this past year. We launched the podcast in January 2018, so here’s to completing 5 years of Enlighten! January 2023 marks the beginning of our Podcast’s 6th year! We had a total of 9 guests in 2022, 3 re-released previous guests, paid tribute to 2 people who died last winter, and shared over 30 brief personal stories or guided meditations. I know many of my listeners join me in seeking to be spiritually connected, grounded and centered, in the face of life’s challenges. The desire to...
info_outline
Episode 237 Graced
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on GRACE - the word, it’s multiple meanings and the energy of GRACE. The concept of Divine Grace means that we are loved for who we are, as we are, not from our actions or efforts to prove ourselves worthy. Whether we are describing the fluidity, flow and effortlessness grace of a dancer, or the pause to give thanks, or the courteous goodwill of taking responsibility for one’s behavior or granting special favor by extending a grace period, or the ultimate gift of unconditional love, grace is thankfully woven into our lives. May we be graced by...
info_outline
Episode 236 Owl Wisdom
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I share my fascination with owls, a recent up close and personal experience with owls and highlights of what owls can teach us. Owls ground me, quiet me, remind me to slow down, be still and listen to the my own inner wisdom. According to Ted Andrews, "Owls represent the Mystery of Magic, Omens, Silent Wisdom, and Vision in the Night. No bird has as much myth and mystery surrounding it than the owl. The owl is the symbol of the feminine, the moon, and the night. It has been believed to have great healing powers both in North America and on other continents. The owl is...
info_outline
Episode 235 Myles Aronowitz, photographer & filmmaker
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Myles Aronowitz. Myles is an extraordinary photographer, filmmaker, animator and artist. From his unusual childhood surrounded by music legends, to making movies in NYC’s East Village at age 11, to a successful career as a photographer for film and television, Myles respectfully allows whoever and whatever he is filming to reveal its true nature. He has honed the gracious skill of being a ‘fly on the wall’ to capture the wonderment in humanity and nature. He tells visual stories that invoke transformation in the story and the viewer. Myles treasures collaboration, his...
info_outline
Episode 234 Gratitude with Patrick Heffernan
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Fitting for the week following Thanksgiving, this week’s episode is a conversation about gratitude. In whatever way you celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope you can tap into a list of what you are grateful for on a regular basis. I am part of a wonderful yoga community called Journey to the Peak (we use the initials JTTP). The co-founders of JTTP, Shawna Emerick and Patrick Heffernan, both have been guests on my podcast and are treasured friends. They recently started recording conversations with members from our JTTP community focusing on the theme for the month. I was delighted to be invited...
info_outline
Episode 233 Lydia Ignacio, Holistic Therapist and Coach
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Lydia Ignacio, a holistic therapist and coach, who is on a mission to awaken, heal and inspire humanity to reach higher heights. She integrates intuitive, energetic healing modalities and cares deeply about the health and vitality of her community. Lydia calls herself a transformational ascension coach. The concept of ascension, is both personal and metaphorical, with Lydia’s roots in the northern tip of Manhattan - Washington Heights. It’s fitting that the name of Lydia’s business is “Reaching Heights, LLC” helping people reach higher heights and bringing her...
info_outline Toney Earl, Jr. is the executive director and co-founder of MADE-Transitional Services, the non-profit agency to provide opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to transform their lives. Through job readiness, job placement and life skills training, MADE promotes personal responsibility, healthy relationships and support for the participants to make a positive contribution to society. Toney is a genuine, dynamic spokesperson addressing at-risk youth, business owners in the private and non-profit sectors, academia, and policy makers. He speaks about mass incarceration, social justice and restorative justice, while helping to develop innovative solutions to expand workforce inclusion for formerly incarcerated men and women. Toney’s devotion to the people he serves and the challenges he faces is driven by his own personal experience of incarceration and a promise he made to God and himself to work twice as hard in doing right as he had done wrong.
The first guest on my podcast back in January, was Tarik Greene, Toney’s business partner, if you haven’t already, listen to episode #2. On the day my podcast was launched, my husband and I organized a Benefit Concert in Brooklyn, thanks to my daughter, Julia and her amazing circle of musician friends, to raise funds for Toney and Tarik’s MADE-Transitional Services. It was so successful that we are hosting another Benefit Concert in June. For those who would like to make a donation to this worthy organization, please visit their website www.made-transitions.org
Links:
Fair Chance Hiring
FaceBook
Instagram
Website: MADE-Transitions.org