Episode 73 Tyler Mix, fitness trainer, DJ, writer
Release Date: 06/03/2019
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 My guest today is Tyler Mix. Tyler is a fitness trainer, DJ, and a formerly incarcerated man, dedicated to turning his life around. For the first time in his life, Tyler has chosen to be clean and sober and is grateful for the support from his substance abuse program at Lexington Center in Airmont, NY. Tyler has taken his recovery program seriously which has been both intense and life-changing. Tyler is a resident in a transitional house run by M.A.D.E. Transitional Services, a Rockland County, NY non-profit organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated people with housing, re-entry, life skills training and job readiness. Check out my conversations with the two M.A.D.E. founders, Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr.
Tyler shares what his life had been like before prison, during prison and, now that he is out. He speaks of facing his past, not being proud of who he was or how he lived; about taking responsibility for his behavior and feeling genuine remorse. Tyler was a victim of correctional officers’ brutality, and although the C.O.’s covered up the abuse they inflicted, prevented Tyler from getting medical attention and manipulated the paperwork, Tyler is determined to not become bitter. He is learning the balance of being strong and confident, while making room for humility and vulnerability.
Tyler has found creative outlets in hand-writing a novel, a screen play and drafted some animations, but his consistent solace is in working out and personal fitness. My husband Paul is helping Tyler create a website to launch Tyler's personal training business. It is inspiring to witness Tyler move in such a positive direction to transform his life! Enjoy the podcast.
Links:
www.made-transitions.org
Lexington Center for Recovery