Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Today marks our 300th episode! I am so happy to celebrate this milestone with you! We started this podcast in January of 2018 and have released an episode almost every week for over 6 years. I am deeply grateful for the 160 guests and 140 stories that capture my own personal reflections and observations, that help me evolve spiritually. Even in the midst of political unrest, personal and collective trauma, chaos, hatred, violence and war, I marvel at the human spirit: the ability of people to find ways to live from compassion, forgiveness, connection and gratitude. So thanks for listening, for...
info_outline Episode 299 Bali BoundEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
When I wrote this week’s episode, my husband Paul and I were Bali Bound. We are visiting our son Wil and his girlfriend Shannon, who have been in Bali for the past 3 months. We are thrilled to experience first hand all the beauty, spirituality, creativity and magic they have felt there. There will NO episode next week April 8th, but feel free to scroll through previous episodes and catch up on episodes you’ve missed. My next episode will be released on April 15th, which marks our 300th episode! Please tune in to celebrate 300 episodes of Enlighten: Uplift and Inspire! Enjoy the podcast! ...
info_outline Episode 298 More WomenEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we close out the month of March, Women’s History Month, I want to honor a few more women. Some include women who have died before I launched this podcast and some who are still alive but they're uncomfortable being a guest, so I couldn’t shine light on them here. And one is a woman I do not know personally but my respect and gratitude for her is immense. New York State Attorney General Letitia James is not only protecting the vulnerable, she is effectively holding Donald Trump accountable for his deceit, fraud and years of cheating lenders, insurers, the government and the public. She...
info_outline Episode 297 The WomenEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
March is Women’s Month so on this week’s episode, I honor the women in my life who have believed in me, supported me, challenged me and continue to make such profound impacts on me. I share the back story of how International Women’s Day came to be and eventually grew into a month-long celebration called Women’s History Month. There are so many women who have been trailblazers, who have shattered barriers, defied expectations, and paved the way for future generations! I honor my relatives, the women whose shoulders I stand on and the women I stand beside and hold hands with,...
info_outline Episode 296 Geraldine Anello, Author and MusicianEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Dr. Geraldine Anello. Geraldine is a pianist, conductor, music director and author. She just recently launched her book The Pulse of the Musician: Connecting Sound, Soul and Stories: Navigating a Successful Music Career. We discuss what motivated her to write this insightful, illuminating book, her hopes that it becomes a required text book in music education, and the calling, passion, identity and sacrifice embedded in a musician’s path. I also inquired about Geraldine’s own passionate journey as a successful musician, her strategies of risk-taking, networking,...
info_outline Episode 295 Winter CleaningEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share a cathartic experience of some winter cleaning. I know we typically wait for the springtime for these kinds of cleanings, but I am here to say, winter cleaning was just as satisfying! What cabinets, closets, dressers, shelves of yours might need some de-cluttering? I encourage you to give yourself the gift of a cleaning - at any season of the year. Enjoy the sense of accomplishment and the freedom of lightening your load. Happy Winter Cleaning. Enjoy the podcast!
info_outline Episode 294 Black FuturesEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we come to the end of the month, I highlight the concept and philosophy of Black Futures Month. In addition to honoring people and movements that enrich Black History Month, the emphasis on Black Futures is “a visionary, forward-looking spin on celebrations of Blackness in February; a time to consider and celebrate our radical Black history and to dream and imagine a world in which all Black people are free.” May we all understand and respect that our past directly impacts the present and future. May we all educate ourselves on the compelling stories from Black people, learn...
info_outline Episode 293 RustinEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we continue to honor Black History Month, I encourage you to see the movie "Rustin”. I was so deeply moved by the movie, this man Bayard Rustin and the instrumental role he played in creating and implementing the March on Washington. In addition, the brilliant performance of Colman Domingo embodying Rustin was electrifying. The movie, produced by Michelle and Barack Obama, sheds light on an important man and a critical time in our history. May we be well-informed about our history, grounded in our present and inspired to contribute to a more just, compassionate future. Enjoy the...
info_outline Episode 292 The Greensboro FourEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I highlight and honor the Greensboro Four: Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain and David Richmond. Sixty-four years ago these four African American college freshman sat down at a place where African Americans were not allowed to sit. Their act of non-violent protest and the publicity they received ignited a national sit-in movement, that initiated desegregation actions and laws. I wanted to learn the names of the Greensboro Four and learn how their lives had unfolded since their 1960 college days. Thank you Jibreel, Joseph, Franklin and David. I am glad...
info_outline Episode 291 Origins of Black History MonthEnlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, at the beginning of February, as we honor Black History Month, I focus on the man behind the origins of this important month. I am embarrassed to admit I did not know the name Carter G. Woodson nor that it was initially celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926. Thanks to Bakari Sellers, who mentioned Woodson’s name in his conversation with Trevor Noah, which ignited my curiosity. I’m grateful to learn more and want to share with you the wisdom, vision and determination of Carter G. Woodson to educate us all. Check out the links below to Bakari Sellers, the Daily...
info_outline Today we enter Week Three of Black History Month. I am moved by all the tributes on television and social media to Black artists, activists, trailblazers and truthsayers. May these tributes be infused in us, not just this month, but throughout the year, throughout our lives. Let us stay aware and awake to the courage and sacrifices made, as we all do our part to contribute to cultivating true racial justice. In honor of Black History Month, I’ve decided to do more inner work on racism in order to face my white privilege and take responsibility on a deeper level to dismantle white supremacy. Author Layla Saad provides a very helpful guide in her book “Me and White Supremacy” as I continue to read and dive into her prompts for meaningful journaling.
Toni Morrison’s powerful words years ago when interviewed by Charlie Rose, took white supremacy to task by emphasizing that racism is a white person’s responsibility to address.“If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem. And my feeling is white people have a very, very serious problem. And they should start thinking about what they can do about it. Take me out of it.”
Racism is crazy, it is a neurosis, a cancer that will continue to metastasize in this country unless we, white people do our part to face it, be uncomfortable, inconvenienced and take responsibility for dismantling it. We have a serious problem, a very, very serious problem. What are we going to do about it?
One concrete thing I am doing about it is letting the journal prompts from “Me and White Supremacy” take root. Having just completed Week Two in Saad’s book, I was grateful to reflect on the topics of Anti-Blackness, Racial Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation. This book and these journal prompts call me to go within, to stop making it about other people. Who am I? How do I respond? Can I find meaningful ways to engage with other white people about our race, about our responsibility in creating, sustaining and benefiting from white privilege? Can I stop my mental gymnastics that prevent me from seeing my own race or what my race has done to Black, Indigenous People of Color?
This past year I’ve also added Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), those working for equal justice and prison reform, social justice activists, enlightened political and spiritual leaders, those terrorized by police brutality and white supremacy to my daily Metta meditation. I think of these individuals and groups of people everyday, holding them close to my heart. I typically say these meditations while walking up to the top of Hook Mountain, but if I am not at the mountain, I make sure to say this wherever I am: sitting on my meditation cushion, walking in the woods, by the river, skiing, biking, wherever…
This is a small, humble way I personally take responsibility for my thoughts and beliefs. As Layla Saad says: “Create the change the world needs by creating change within yourself.”I take this very, very serious problem of racism to heart and will continue to create change within myself. May you be inspired to do your inner work.
Check out the links below to hear Toni Morrison’s interview with Charlie Rose and access the book “Me and White Supremacy”. Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
Toni Morrison clip with Charlie Rose
“Me and White Supremacy” by Layla Saad
Good Ancestor Podcast