Episode 425 “BE RE”
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I made up a new phrase that captures my early chapter of retirement. BE RE is the easy-to-say phrase, that represents some relevant words that begin with RE, like reset, renew, realign, remind, replenish and remember. I’m learning to do less and be more, while I embrace the RE words. BE RE is helping me be present, trust my worth, and take a deep breath of gratitude. May you take time to reflect on how you can BE RE. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 424 Wayne’s World
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor my dear friend Wayne Warnecke, who died on October 6th. Wayne, affectionately called his recording studio “Wayne’s World” before Dana Carvey and Mike Myers created the Wayne’s World SNL skit that later became a 1992 comedy film. Wayne was a gifted audio engineer and music producer and in “Wayne’s World”, every musician, amateur or acclaimed professional, was treated with respect and dignity. The magic Wayne generated reached beyond his music studio; anyone in Wayne’s presence experienced his humor, positivity, and gratefulness....
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Episode 423 Absorbing The Love
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe the outpouring of love that was generated at my Retirement/Birthday Party on September 28th. I’ve spent the week swirling in that love, breathing in that love, and humbly absorbing that love. In addition to the abundant love that was showered on me, I was struck by the love being exchanged in interactions with everyone there. May we generate kindness, curiosity, warmth, respect and love in whatever circles we walk in, with whatever exchanges we have. Let’s fill ourselves with love, absorb more deeply that love and radiate that love out into the...
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Episode 422 Birthday Love
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I acknowledge my September 23rd birthday, which is also the Autumn Equinox. I let the themes of the Autumn Equinox: equilibrium, release, and gratitude be a spiritual reflection. Perhaps the questions I journaled about will be helpful to you as we enter this Fall season. I received and felt so much birthday love that I want to share it with all my listeners and see if we can radiate it out into the world. May this Autumn Equinox bring us into balance, help us shed all that no longer serves us and may we collectively cultivate new joy, new peace, and better...
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Episode 421 Reflections and Routines
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on the fullness of my summer and the welcome of comforting regular routines. May you take a moment to reflect on your summer and notice what fills you with gratitude. May you welcome the return to the Fall routines. Let these routines comfort and ground you this season. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 420 Here To Stay
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I answer the question I’ve often been asked in the past couple of months: “Now that you’ve retired, does that mean you are ending the podcast?” And my reply is “No! I am here to stay and so is the podcast!” In confirming that the podcast is here to stay, I explain what motivated me to start the podcast, what the podcast means to me and the gifts this podcast provides. I am committed to continuing to focus on the light and all that uplifts and inspires me, even through all the challenges we face. Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 419 Love Legacy
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I join the chorus of people paying tribute to our iconic, American treasure, Dolly Parton. You can’t help but be impressed with how she lived her life, her talent and kindness. She was humble, business savvy, grounded in compassion, invested in humanitarian values, and had a fabulous sense of humor. Dolly had a positively profound impact on and off stage. May we all find ways to honor Dolly Parton by loving more deeply, giving more freely and keeping joy alive. May we all honor Dolly’s love legacy. Check out the Show Notes for links to Dolly tributes from...
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Episode 418 Death and Life
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this weeks episode, I reflect on how intimately intertwined death and life are. One informs and impacts the other. From my childhood to late teens and early adulthood memories, to recent experiences of facing the death of people I love, I have learned to be present, feel the depth of emotions and look for opportunities for acceptance and personal reflection. Nature teaches us about how natural, organic and integrated death is in life. Perhaps, we can envision that our death will inspire new life for others, as the dead trees in the woods give life to 100s of microorganisms. May...
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Episode 417 Musician Dena DeRose
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Dena DeRose. Dena Is a compelling, innovative jazz singer and pianist. In addition to her busy international touring schedule, Dena has been a professor of Jazz Voice at the in Graz, Austria for the past 20 years. Dena has led clinics and workshops around the world. Her passionate ability to embody the heart and soul of music as a performer and educator is remarkable. She describes her students as inspiring her, I can only imagine how profoundly Dena inspires her students. Check out the Show Notes for links to Dena’s website, tour schedule and booking manager,...
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Episode 416 Invigorated by Yosemite
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share how invigorated I was after 6 days of hiking in Yosemite National Park. I’ve had Yosemite hiking on my bucket list for 50 years and am delighted I finally experienced a section of it’s profound peace and awesome beauty. I felt healthy, strong and empowered walking in the high altitudes, through shaded forests, over sunny granite, and up and down rocky switchbacks. I was so uplifted and inspired by the mountains, meadows and lakes and trust that this intimate communion with nature will live in me forever. May you find refreshment this summer in lakes,...
info_outline In today’s episode I pay tribute to Alvin Ailey’s iconic masterpiece “Revelations”, celebrating its 60th anniversary. I reminisce about the 50 years this dance has been in my life: as an audience member since I was 12, a teen dancer that learned excerpts of the choreography, a passionate facilitator to introduce “Revelations” to newbies, an enthusiast who delighted in sharing these performances with many friends and family, to the proud wife of the bass player in Ailey’s wonderful band that accompanies a glorious gospel choir. I miss seeing the live performance this year and particularly miss the extended family of all involved in this production.
As we mourn the loss of people, places and performances that can’t be experienced in person, I am focused on the hope, inspiration and joy captured in “Revelations”. I appreciate all that the magnificent Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater stands for and embodies. I am deeply grateful for the warm, inclusive, loving embrace I experience when in the presence of Ailey’s band, spirited choir and exquisite dancers. I’ll let that sustain me till we meet again in person.
Checkout the links below to watch the Opening Night Virtual Benefit and links to my previous podcast guests representing a musician, 2 choir members and a dancer/Associate Artistic director of the company. Enjoy the podcast!
Thanks to everyone who supported and donated to the MADE fundraiser we launched last week. Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr. co-founded MADE, a grassroots organization to address the needs of formerly incarcerated people. MADE stands for Making A Difference Everyday. Please join us in making a difference for an easily forgotten, marginalized group of people.
Our bass playing daughter, her drummer husband and a circle of their talented musician friends recorded an album last year, thanks to the generosity of Matt and Margaret Balitsaris, to raise money for Tarik and Toney’s program.
We’re happy to announce that along with the digital downloads that are available at TheMadeProject.BandCamp.com, MADE-transitions.org is offering physical CDs for purchase. The CDs contain 3 additional bonus tracks not available at bandcamp.com. Thanks for your continued support.
Links:
Alvin Ailey Opening Night Virtual Benefit
Enlighten Podcast Episodes featuring:
Gary Fritz (Ailey percussionist)
Roosevelt Credit (choir member)
Gail Blache-Gill (choir member)
Matthew Rushing (Alvin Ailey Associate Artistic Director)
The MADE Project/GLOW album:
themadeproject.bandcamp.com (Digital Downloads)
GLOW Music Videos/YouTube channel
M.A.D.E. Transitions (Glow CD orders)