Grey Matters Now

Conversations in the grey

Episode 41: The Power of Adventures & Pursuing Wild Ideas 08/07/2023

Episode 41: The Power of Adventures & Pursuing Wild Ideas Shelby Stanger is the host and creator of the hit podcast, Wild Ideas Worth Living, an REI Co-op Studios production and the author of the new book Will To Wild. Shelby started the Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast on her own though and it became SO popular and influential that REI purchased it in 2020. Like her adventurous podcast guests, Shelby is a true badass and trailblazer whose trails have led her to major wild outdoor adventures, writing a book, large speaking engagements and even most recently a Ted Talk. Over the years, her work has appeared everywhere from Outside Magazine to ESPN, and she has spoken to organizations all over the world. Always chasing adventure herself, Shelby has surfed from Canada to Costa Rica; sandboarded down desolate dunes in Cape Town; paddled down a remote portion of the Amazon River; and interviewed countless CEOs, athletes, activists, and thought leaders. She regularly consults with highly motivated individuals and brands to tell better stories and even launch their own podcasts and wild ideas. As a matter of fact she helped me on several occasions when I attended her no bullshit podcasting workshops back when there was little to no support. She is a genuine enthusiastic, joyful, curious fun, stoked, and insightful human! And even more so in person. All of that energy is infectious. After following her and interacting with her virtually for like 10 years when I finally met her in person, it was hard to just stick to one avenue. I mean she is my favorite host of my favorite podcast and her new book has enriched my life and motivated me in seriously profound ways! Her adventure roots have grown into something really magnificent that is branching out in all sorts of exciting new directions . I felt like there was so much to explore in such a short amount of time and I wanted to go in so many places! So …I just let us free flow, we had a fun nonstructured expression session and I think we took the most beautiful scenic route in conversation. We had a blast…Enjoy our talk on the wild side! To learn more about all things Shelby I really encourage you to visit Photo with Mic by Jianca Lazarus(Photo)/ Outside Magazine Photo with surfboard by Sarah Lee Ukulele and singing by Sheila Grimsley /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/27682734

EPISODE 40: A First Person Experience With ROCD - a Newly Recognized Type of OCD That Deeply Impacts Relationships 05/20/2023

EPISODE 40: A First Person Experience With ROCD - a Newly Recognized Type of OCD That Deeply Impacts Relationships Samantha Colicchio is a San Diego-based writer who focuses on feminism, sex, and mental health. She writes regularly for lifestyle and wellness blogs and she is currently working on a book of nonfiction. To me, she is Sam my sweet neighbor and friend that is apparently also humble and a VERY talented writer. I knew nothing of her phenomenal writing skills until she recently wrote an article that was featured in the Huffington Post. It is a brilliantly written, brave, very transparent and vulnerable account of her struggles with Relationship OCD, a relatively new subtype of the disorder. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the U.S. since 1949 every year to highlight mental health issues in order to fight stigma, provide validation and support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions and millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness. This is so important but is a very a tall order and such a large infinitely evolving issue. The giant umbrella and mountain of mental health is so large it can be paralyzing. I’m not sure there is anybody that has not been affected by a mental health issue in some way. How do we start …how do we feed a nation of people starving for a connection that lets them know they are not alone, that lifts a stigma or breaks chains of shame or secrets that will set people free? Well, a great start is sharing and listening….rolling up our sleeves and digging in. We all have closed door stories that, let’s be honest, are usually rooted in a mental health issue. So… when someone is brave and generous enough to open that door for us (whether it be public or private) graciously accept this gift and opportunity and go in!!! The more we understand the more we can cultivate compassion. Sam’s article is a perfect example of opening a very public door. She had such a massive amount of positive responses and connections that The Huffington Post has her creating videos that dig deeper into the layers of ROCD and her story. For me personally, I waltzed right in her door and asked her if she wanted to go for a walk because I wanted to know more and have a conversation. This, in turn, opened up a door for me to step out of and share with Sam a mental health issue I have, and never discussed publicly until now. We decided we had so much more relative conversation that we should record a podcast episode to open does for others and help them peel back layers to become lighter and start feeling free. All the links and resources we discuss will be in my show notes. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health care professional if you or someone you know needs help. There is no reason to ever suffer in silence! You can learn more about her at or on Instagram at . Relationship OCD, or rOCD, is a newly recognized type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that is primarily concerned with fears and doubts about one's relationship, typically of an intimate or romantic nature. Mental Health Care Resources : OCD: ADHD: Amazon Book link: (the author doesn't have a personal website) /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/26897109

Episode 39: Enjoy The Ride: A Regenerating Journey From The Surf To The Turf with Ed Lewis/Enjoy The Farm and Enjoy Handplanes 03/18/2023

Episode 39: Enjoy The Ride: A Regenerating Journey From The Surf To The Turf with Ed Lewis/Enjoy The Farm and Enjoy Handplanes Enjoy: "To enjoy something is to take delight or pleasure in something." Upcycling: “The act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. In doing so, the finished product often becomes more practical, valuable and beautiful than what it previously was.” Ed Lewis started his first business in 1996 right out of college and since then his goals have shifted significantly. In the beginning work was all about self and making a living… admitting that in his twenties he couldn’t see too far past himself. photo credit: In 2005 after experiencing the birth of his daughter, something shifted for him and he suddenly had a view of the world that was less about self and more about others. In 2010 he cofounded Enjoy Handplanes with the mission of making products from other peoples trash. It was a cool way to save broken surfboards, old wetsuits and production waste from going to the landfills while creating products that are fun to use and environmentally responsible. He describes this time as an awakening that got him thinking seriously about the environment and how doing business could actually have a positive impact on his community locally and globally. In the process of doing business he also became a filter for community and became a resource for people to drop off their trashed products. Over the past 10 years he has been a pioneer in the space of converting trash to beautiful, functional products and his business became a lab for him to think more and more outside the box. In this experience, he has learned valuable lessons along the way and has helped to inspire others around the world to do the same. His latest venture is Enjoy the Farm. Enjoy The Farm is a 9.5 acre upcycled maker space, learning center and regenerative rare fruit farm located in North County San Diego and is focused on DIY regenerative - food, water, energy, materials, shelter and soils. This passion driven endeavor created a space to come learn how to incorporate upcycling and holistic land management into lives and businesses, and most importantly cultivate community. This is definitely not just a story of a business evolution. Can we also upcycle what life tosses at us and to us? Yes Indeed, and Ed is the perfect example of an evolution of personal growth through regenerating experiences. This up cycled energy is infinite and will germinate and spread like collards. Enjoy! Instagram Intro Music: J45 & Dime by Will Kimbrough Episode Artwork Photo Credit: Alia Lewis /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/26266053

Episode 38: Resonating With Full Circle Sound Healing: Healing The Mind, Body & Soul Through The Power of Sound with Mary Cap, Sound Healer 11/21/2022

Episode 38: Resonating With Full Circle Sound Healing: Healing The Mind, Body & Soul Through The Power of Sound with Mary Cap, Sound Healer Mary Cap is a sound healer based in Carlsbad, CA where she lives with her husband and son. After leaving a fast paced and high stress career in the hotel wedding & events industry to be a stay-at-home mom when her son was born, she found herself feeling lost in both identity and direction after about a year of being at home. Experiencing depression for the first time in her life, she began to unravel the layers of trauma and conditioning that she realized were affecting her everyday life, relationships and ability to live life to the fullest. This “dark night of the soul” led to a spiritual awakening and ultimately led her to sound healing and starting her own business. Music has been a passion in Mary’s life since she was a young girl, and being able to help others and ease the burden of their stress was what she enjoyed most about her previous career in events. Being able to marry these two is her ultimate calling and purpose in life, allowing her to serve others while also cultivating an important tool for herself as a parent, wife and human who has to navigate the world. The powerful impact that sound and music can have on an individual is no secret, but through Mary’s training with the Sacred Science of Sound, she discovered that there are actual scientific properties behind why - and that it can help to heal your mind, body and soul on a cellular level. Her mission is to help bring this powerful healing modality into the mainstream and hold safe spaces for others to experience this. Her business, Full Circle Sound Healing, was born from her heart and intends to serve her local community. Mary hosts a monthly Full Moon Sound Bath & Women’s Ritual here in Carlsbad with the intention of creating a community of women and mothers who commit to taking the time to gather together each month and honor nature and their unique gifts as women in the world. Full Circle Sound Healing is only just beginning and Mary offers both private group sessions, individual sessions and couple’s sessions in addition to community events. Website: Instagram: Mary Cap’s Story: An Chau & Susie Sands on Insight Timer: /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/25087560

Episode 37: Life's a Garden, Dig it / Cultivating Soul Food, Community, Hope, and Fun! With Stacie Vanags of Teaquila Farm 07/08/2022

Episode 37: Life's a Garden, Dig it / Cultivating Soul Food, Community, Hope, and Fun! With Stacie Vanags of Teaquila Farm A couple of years ago I started following a social media account Salted Spirit because I was so drawn to the beautiful images of this cool waterwoman podcasting and serving tea at the beach from my ultimate dream recording studio - a vintage Westfalia named Salted Carmela. This beautiful salted spirit is Stacie Vanags and she was creating something way deeper and more comprehensive than just beautiful images. Her mission was to make her way around Southern California, hosting Salted Spirit podcasts, workshops and cultivating COMMUNITY for waterwomen.   Her workshops focus on techniques and strategies for work/life balance, pursing passions, mindfulness and resilience. Turns out Stacie has a background in mental health and the abbreviated version of her full time job is to help large companies develop innovative plans that prioritize the mental health of their employees. So …everything this generous salted spirit is offering through social media, workshops, newsletters and websites is completely from her heart - pure organic passion projects. Amazing and selfless huh?!!! Well It gets even better and more fun and she is sharing even more as she takes the world along with her and her husband in an unvarnished evolution to design a happier, healthier and more sustainable life. Stacie invites the world to join them in this pursuit via the creation of Teaquila Farm . Teaquila Farm documents their journey building an urban farm in Ventura, California as they lean into sustainable urban farming practices, gardening, composting, planting for biodiversity, raising backyard chickens, and more! More indeed… In doing this she is really really expanding her community. A community of folks that are creating foundations together rolling their sleeves up getting their hands in the dirt, getting grounded, creating healthy nourishing gardens, creating growth root to rise growth and hope for the future. I love my garden so much - it grounds me and nurtures me and feeds me. Through Teaquila Farm it has been super fun to connect with others that have so many seeds of wisdom and tools to share. When we connect, even if it’s virtually, we create community gardens and right now we need grounding and a lot of community! I love this snippet from Teaquila Farms latest newsletter: "You take a bunch of selfies with a strawberry and immediately forget about all the time, money and energy you invested to get a single strawberry, and it's aaaaaall worth it. Life is sweet, you've officially started urban farm life. These small victories in the garden keep us encouraged, but nature also keeps us humble. Nature reminds us we cannot control the outcome or speed things up to meet our human timeline. There is a basket of lessons just waiting to be dished up to us over time if our hearts are open to listening. Audrey Hepburn said to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." Thanks Stacie and Teaquila Farm for the hope, light and heaps of fun! Planting New Thoughts, Weeding Out the Old - GoodTherapy IG To learn more about gardening's mental health benefits check out . Music: Mahana by Abe Lagrimas, Jr. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/23688692

Episode 36: Breathe Well to be Well / Breathing Your Mind Home to Your Body and Into the Extraordinary with Reis Paluso /Breathwork coach and facilitator, certified Wim Hof Method instructor and co-founder of Our Breath Collective One common tool in everyones wellness, healing and navigation toolbox and mentioned in every podcast episode is breath. Yes - we need breath to exist, but we also need it to live and thrive. Whether we feel stuck, paralyzed, escalated or ungrounded by the weight of the world or everyday challenges, breathing is our vehicle to navigate forward. Our breath is a powerful and exciting tool that can take us many more places than just forward. A guide and expert can show us how to utilize this tool we carry with us everywhere, to unlock new spaces and experiences. As a surfer, husband, father of two young girls, and an owner of two start-up businesses, Reis Paluso found himself searching for a way to maintain balance in life. By making a mind-body connection through the Wim Hof Method and summiting mountains in sub-zero temperatures wearing only shorts he began on a journey of unlocking his true potential and found the capacity to dig in just that much deeper into the things he is passionate about. After some exciting self discovery, he followed his heart down the path of becoming a certified Wim Hof Method instructor Instructor, breathwork coach, facilitator, and co-founder of Our Breath Collective in order to share these powerful tools with the world. Our Breath Collective is a phenomenal ndeavor with a vision to share the power of breath to inspire the extraordinary by connecting community with daily breathing sessions and breath education. Like all of our healing and wellness tools, breathwork is not one-sized-fits-all. We are all slightly different, particularly our nervous systems. This is why Reis takes a multi disciplinary, principle-based approach to breathing. It provides the ability to work with individuals and groups based on their specific needs. He believes we all have the innate power to be Happy, Strong, and Healthy so let’s do this together! There is so much power and energy in collective healing and wellness work. Reis and Our Breath Collective hosts a variety of amazing experiences, classes, workshops, daily live breaths, private training, and retreats. To learn about and be a part of all these epic opportunities follow Reis and Our Breath Collective on IG and check out their websites linked in my show notes. Breathe and enjoy! Instagram: LinkedIn: Instagram: weekly classes Gather Encinitas - Instagram: ------------------- 🎵 Song: 'Sappheiros - Embrace' is under a creative commons license. 🎶 Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/22317143

Episode 35: The Layers and Pages of Authoring Dear William: A Father's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss 02/10/2022

Episode 35: The Layers and Pages of Authoring Dear William: A Father's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss Best selling author David Magee, formerly a columnist for Newsweek, a former daily newspaper and magazine publisher, and the author of many books about businesses and sports figures began to shift his focus when he wrote wrote an article for the front page of the local paper in 2016. This personal article ripped the bandage off a wound, to air out and share for a greater good and healing all around. It began with these 2 sentences: "A new freshman class started at Ole Miss this week and I wish I could tell them ALL this story. It’s about my oldest son William, who was a freshman in 2008, he would gladly tell you himself if only he were alive." By the next morning the story had gone viral and read by millions of people not only coast to coast but all over the world!! The ripple affect of this article turned into waves of conversations, community and brainstorming about the why’s re: drug overdoeses, substance misuse, addiction and mental health…evolving into tangible solutions with the opening of the first wellness center of it’s kind on a college campus - The William Magee Center For Wellness. David decided to go deeper turning his focus inward, layers kept coming off and a lot of these layers were dark and uncomfortable yet he kept going. Peeling off layers of intergenerational trauma, addiction, loss and shame. Shedding these old personal heavy layers of responsibility eventually uncovered truth and lightness of self discovery and the joy out weighed the darkness of the past until they reached a personal and family core, and pages were made. He and his supportive family became fully vulnerable and discovered a bright heart center at that core and new found space for more light and love to hold and shine back out to the world. These pages and this journey of self discovery is now a best selling book: Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Love and Recovery. Dear William began as a grassroots movement in order to push the healing message farther to those who can benefit. This has also branched into public speaking, Ted Talks, National News, round table discussions…the branches are limitless In my opinion there is a reason this book became a best seller in just a couple of weeks and book stores all over the country are hustling to keep it in stock. What David has done with this book is bust down the door of shame and free everyone that was locked behind it to share their own stories and to discuss topics normally considered taboo, weak, embarrassing or sordid. Free people to breathe….I am not alone…free people to make their OWN decisions…free people of peer pressure….free students to care about and help their peers…free us all to dump all of our, now uncorded, de-stigmatized shame, crap and laundry out in the open. We are all now free, chains cut weights lifted, able to move forward to discuss and sort through all this old uncomfortable stuff together and finally use it to problem solve. It frees my generation to stop the cycle of silence and walls and what our parents considered airing dirty laundry in public. W are free to come together as a community to create some solutions to foster compassion, healing and brainstorm about solutions. Thank you Magee family for sharing how to take tragedy, struggles and dark truths into light, strength and hope. I have had THE most profound, deep and beautiful conversations after sharing this book , I can’t wait for you to have the same experience after reading and sharing Guitar Music by Will Kimbrough /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/22094405

Episode 34: Rerooting Ourselves Through Harmony with Tina Page, LCSW and founder of Rerooting Circles 01/18/2022

Episode 34: Rerooting Ourselves Through Harmony with Tina Page, LCSW and founder of Rerooting Circles Tina Page is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California. She has been creating and holding safe space for individuals for over 20 years. In both informal settings as well as in structured therapy settings she utilizes intuitive wisdom and best practice approaches that support each individual in their journey. For the past 3 years, she has provided therapeutic services on-line and has worked with people all over the world. Her ability to connect and create a safe and compassionate space while challenging her clients transcends technological limitations. She has also been a big support and been a part of several of my podcasts over the years as a colleague, staff expert and guest. Tina is not only a friend but someone I really really like and admire as a professional and as a human. She is a wise woman that thinks outside the box and is consistently very open to weaving new and innovative healing tools into her own fabric in order to provide the best and most comprehensive care for her clients. Tina has most recently created a program called rerooting circles. For the first time she candidly shares on this episode about how she had her epiphany and vision for this program. Rerooting circles (original title) was created out of the realization that what we circle around is what we root into. This idea came to her in February 2019 and she continued to nurture it, practice it, and explore its deep meanings. As our current way of living in this world has been taking on a drastic shifts, the concepts behind Rerooting could not be more necessary and timely. Rerooting Circles also has a podcast and Tina and I thought it would be cool to do something different and record our podcasts together…like a duet we brought our own tones and sounds to create a unique and harmonious episode. It was super fun - enjoy! /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/21814694

Episode 33: Processing waves of grief through the ebb and flow of life's losses 12/07/2021

Episode 33: Processing waves of grief through the ebb and flow of life's losses On June 11, 2020 I recorded Episode 25: Healing Trauma Through Surf Therapy and Waves of Love With Natalie Small LMFT and Leanne Tibiatowski. Groundswell Community Project a sisterhood of inter-sectional womxn holding safe & brave space for individuals and communities to find their healing, power, and belonging in Mother Ocean’s Waves. Since our last podcast GSCP realized that the world was in need of a specific resource for processing grief. Waves of Grief: Their Waves of Grief community drop-in groups were birthed out of response to the various types of personal and communal grief that resulted from COVID’s impact on our lives. They welcome women and their families who are grieving loss of loved ones, jobs, homes, and normalcy. The in person or virtual group sessions integrate grief practices that include movement, art, and the ocean to honor and grieve what has been lost. After time in circle and setting of intentions, everyone is invited to interact with Mother ocean’s waves and notice what she teaches you! I am joined to discuss this program with: Captain Natalie Small LMFT, the founder of Groundswell Community Project and an active facilitator live from Costa Rica Tracey Chester LMFT, Certified Grief Counselor, Certified Surf Therapy Facilitator & Waves of Grief Facilitator / San Diego County Founder and Clinical Director of San Diego Pain Trauma Institute And Kelsey Ellis Kelsey is stoked to represent and grow the roots of Groundswell in Northern California! Kelsey is a Grief Facilitator in Half Moon Bay, California who lost her twin sister to COVID-19 and is turning her grief to impact by healing women through surf therapy. After the sudden loss of her twin sister in 2020, Kelsey formed Waves of Grief surf therapy groups in her community to honor and address collective grief, isolation and stress experienced during the pandemic through the Groundswell Community Project. National Geographic’s IMPACT is a short-form documentary series that follows the powerful stories of six women who are making an extraordinary impact on their communities around the world. Kelsey’s profound story is featured in this series. This documentary is extremely powerful - please please watch it to see and feel the comprehensive magnitude of the healing effects of Kelsey’s processing her grief and healing others at the same time. Audrey Marie Ellis Foundation: The Audrey Marie Ellis foundation was recently founded in honor of Kelsey’s twin sister Audrey, a nurse who died of COVID-19. The foundation provides direct support for women and healthcare workers while creating safe supportive spaces to gather and honor collective grief and love. The Audrey Marie Ellis Foundation is the starting point for inspiring Audrey's biggest passions: health, wellbeing and community. Music by Josiah Samadhi /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/21400295

Episode 32: The Aquadolls - We ARE the band...How to maintain balance, purpose, respect, and success 11/06/2021

Episode 32: The Aquadolls - We ARE the band...How to maintain balance, purpose, respect, and success Meet the Aqua Dolls The band is composed of a power trio Melissa / vocals & guitar Keilah / vocals & bass Jackie/ vocals & drums And... their amazing manager Jaysea Devoe who is always behind the scenes taking care of business! This was Jaysea's 3rd time on the podcast. In her 1st episode, a teenager's guide to balance, we discussed how valuable her foundation, light, and tools would be as she navigates through life and things become more challenging. It has been a gift to follow her growth and evolution into her new role and how her foundation and light were so important in her journey!! These young women are TALENTED, caring, smart, pro-active FIERCE FEMALES, and they ROCK !! Historically and unfortunately women have always faced unique challenges in the music industry. The Aqua Dolls eagerly joined me for some powerful conversation about how to maintain balance, respect and sanity in hopes of helping anyone being mistreated in the industry for being their true selves! The energy of music is undeniably healing on SO many levels. Whether you're performing your own music, singing along, dancing, moshing, belting out songs in the car …it all feels SO GOOD! HUGE BONUS and honor - It was an incredible treat to have them perform 2 songs acoustic & live on the show!!! Shout out to Bram and Arden Rock Records for always providing a quality studio experience ... Check out all things AquadollsI promise you will be entertained !: The Aquadolls were founded in January 2012 by Melissa Brooks, the lead singer and songwriter for the band in La Mirada, California. Melissa began recording bedroom demos of her songs and eventually released We Are Free in early 2013, and then debuted her album Stoked on You in December 2014. After a brief break from releases, the stars aligned in July 2018 and the new era of The Aquadolls commenced with Jacqueline Proctor on drums and Keilah Nina on bass . The band grew as a powerful threesome leading up to the release of The Aquadolls highly anticipated second album, The Dream and the Deception, recorded and self-produced by Brooks and self-released October 28, 2018 on Aqua Babe Records. Following their sophomore album, they have self-released the single Suck on This in summer 2019, followed by their viral cover of Lash's Take Me Away in October 2020. In July 2021, The Aquadolls signed to indie label Enci Records and released their latest single Disappearing Girl. Having opened for artists like Pennywise, Kate Nash, Vivian Girls, and X, playing festivals with Weezer, Rancid, Cat Power, and FIDLAR, touring with White Reaper, as well as headlining North American tours and playing local California shows, The Aquadolls are in-your-face and good vibes all at once with energetic performances that leave you anticipating the next show. The Aquadolls pack a punch with tongue-in cheek lyrics, hard-hitting licks, and soothing vocal harmonies that will guarantee a head bang from anyone listening. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/21072476

Episode 31: Mindful Foundations - Cultivating Mindfulness as Part of Your Daily Routine with John Abate, MBSR Certified Instructor 07/21/2021

Episode 30: A Songwriter With Soldiers: Behind The Music with Will Kimbrough: Songwriter, Singer, Producer, and Instrumentalist 04/27/2021

Episode 30: A Songwriter With Soldiers: Behind The Music with Will Kimbrough: Songwriter, Singer, Producer, and Instrumentalist Welcome to Grey Matters Now Episode 30! My last episode with Mary Judd, the director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers (SW:S), left such an huge impact on me that I have not been able to stop thinking about it really felt like I needed to know more - more about the ripple affects, collective and community healing and collaborations. I became really interested in the perspectives of the songwriters and what the experience and process is like for them. I have had numerous conversations with my friend Will Kimbrough, who is a musician and part of the SongwritingWith:Soldiers team after returning from retreats. Our conversations are SO interesting and are kind of like de-briefs of his fresh experience. I soon realized this program has such a profound affect on the songwriters and that they also leave with new tools to take out into the world and that they too experience healing. I decided there is so much to this, and since the songwriter experience is not publicly discussed much, I wanted to do a whole episode about it. This episode is kind of like the B side of a record. It is not the single, the hit or the name of the album but it is part of the same album.…the same story. The B-side (or "flip-side") is a secondary recording that typically receives less attention, although some B-sides have been as successful as their A-sides. I asked Will how he would like me to introduce him re: his bio. and many projects Instead of listing his accolades, awards, albums, productions or famous people he has worked with, Will simply said "I have had a long and eclectic career, from punk rock bars to bluegrass festivals. Everything has always revolved around the song. I’m a songwriter." Will Kimbrough has spent a lifetime writing songs and performing them, and along the way becoming a respected recording artist, producer and musician. Will has made MANY records - solo and collaborative. His latest album is I Like It Down Here and his next release is Spring Break, a solo acoustic record in the tradition of Folkways and Vanguard folk records. Will's songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Feat, Todd Snider, Jack Ingram, Gretchen Peters and many many others. His production credits include Buffett, Doug Seegers, Todd Snider, Radney Foster and Steve Poltz. Will is a prolific writer and recording artist, a member of Willie Sugarcapps, DADDY and Emmylou Harris' Red Dirt Boys. NPR's Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis just named Shemekia Copeland's Uncivil War Best Album of 2020 - Jim says - "Uncivil War is both angry and empathetic, and that is a rare combination". He does a lot of work for SongwritingWith:Soldiers and has resumed a few, COVID-safe SW:S retreats and recently worked with combat veterans in Northern Virginia and Southern Arizona. SW:S is also partnered with the Warrior PATHH Program Will explains, "I have worked with Combat Veterans and other First Responders dealing with the affects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) quite a bit since the program resumed this past Summer. Most gratifying and deep work." To learn more about Will and be in the loop with all sorts of cool stuff he is doing, visit: Please check out - if you're a fan of Will's music, you will love it! /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/18858818

Episode 29: SongwritingWith:Soldiers / Behind The Scenes with Mary Judd, Co-Founder/Program Director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers 02/23/2021

Episode 29: SongwritingWith:Soldiers / Behind The Scenes with Mary Judd, Co-Founder/Program Director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers For years I have been a huge fan of the organization SongwritingWith:Soldiers / SW:S and the depth, power and beauty of what they produce. SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats across the U.S. for veterans from all conflicts. Since 2012, we have connected with hundreds of veterans and military families, creating a safe and inspiring environment to share their experiences and write songs with professional songwriters. These songs have been recorded and streamed across the internet, reaching and connecting more veterans and raising civilian awareness of the challenges the military community faces. So… you can only imagine how BEYOND thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to have a conversation with the program director and co-founder Mary Judd. She is a brilliant and down to earth woman, visionary, and trailblazer. Mary is a master at creating collaborative programs that inspire connections and highlight individual and community strengths. When witnessing Darden Smith write a song with a veteran, she was compelled to put her skills to work in creating the SongwritingWith:Soldiers program. With vast experience in Positive Psychology, educational programming and organizational communications, Mary helps SW:S create the most effective and meaningful experiences for everyone involved. Her creative reach is reflected in her client list which includes New York State Department of Economic Development (I LOVE NY); MentorCoach training programs; VIA Institute on Character; Indian Ladder Farms: The Mayerson Academy, The HAPPY Movie; Discovery Retreats, and more. She has studied Positive Psychology with leading researchers from around the world, is an international workshop presenter on the subject and was a discussion facilitator at a United Nations meeting on Happiness and Well-Being. She serves on the editorial board for the India Journal of Positive Psychology and PsyInsight magazine. Mary co-founded The Barn School, an award-winning sustainable agriculture camp that raises funds for family farms and Heifer International®. She earned coaching certifications from Dr. Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania, MentorCoach and others. She has a B.S. in Organizational Communications from the University of Texas at Austin and teaching certifications in Speech, English and Spanish. MARY JUDD Co-Founder/Program Director Mary joined me from her home in New York and, as you can imagine, is incredibly busy. I am super grateful for her generosity of time to discuss this treasure of a program that she has poured her heart and soul into. I want to whole world to know about the power and beauty of this program and that post traumatic healing does exist Make sure you listen to the song at the end of this episode to get a full understanding of the results of this program. It is one of Mary’s favorite’s. The song Strumming hand was written by Maia Sharp and Veteran John Cameron at a performed by Maia Sharp. If you are inspired by this story, want to learn more about or support SW/S please visit /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/18063269

Episode 28: Hiking My Feelings/Healing Happens One Step at a Time with Sydney Williams - author and director of Hiking My Feelings/ wilderness wellness, education, & advocacy 01/20/2021

Episode 27: Exploring Responsibly Wherever Life Takes Her with Gabaccia Moreno - environmental, human rights & diversity advocate 11/04/2020

Episode 26: Feeding a Community's Body, Mind and Soul With Chef Mic True: Professional Chef, Violence Interrupter, and Holistic Healer 08/19/2020

Episode 26: Feeding a Community's Body, Mind and Soul With Chef Mic True: Professional Chef, Violence Interrupter, and Holistic Healer Chef Mic True is an award winning international chef that has committed himself to feeding and introducing his community to healthy food rooted from the earth. He is an incredibly humble and holistic chef and peace warrior that feeds the mind body and soul of his community. As a Violence interrupter with Gideon's Army, he nurtures and protects the roots of his community and helps to fuel the powerful movement and mission of this extremely comprehensive and effective endeavor. Chef True feeds and nurtures a community starving for representation, protection, tools, mentors and trauma first response - a community zip code 37208 in Nashville, TN with the highest incarceration rate in the nation! The Mission of Gideon’s Army is to act collectively, boldly and strategically as a unified force for all children and to dismantle the school to prison pipeline. I love one of their latest posts that reads: Stop blaming systematic failures on individuals trapped in that system. Fight for people to have better choices. On March 3, a devastating tornado ripped through North Nashville leveling hundreds of homes and businesses. Now in the midst of a global pandemic and civil unrest, Gideon's Army is STILL working non-stop on the front lines every day assisting and supporting North Nashville. As a matter of fact, Mic True is so busy in the field, that we recorded the whole podcast in his truck via zoom while he juggled his community work with the construction of a new vegan restaurant, market and resource center in the center of 37208 an area considered a food desert. We even get to go through the building with him in the podcast and I’m introduced to Rasheedat Fetuga the founder and CEO of Gideon's Army when she pops her head in the truck. Rasheedat is an absolute genius and a goddess BTW. I encourage you to visit and learn more about this impressive and comprehensive organization as I am just barely able to highlight the surface of all they do. There is SO much to learn and it WORKS!!! I am personally learning SO much and have been so inspired that I have gone down a rabbit hole of reading and watching documentaries about other inner-city programs that implement violence interruption. I hope you are inspired to do the same – the more we know the more connections we can make to fill the gaps of a disconnected broken system. Thank you Chef True for your truth and for your passion that lights the high road for us all with hope and shines a light on the deep roots of a community sometimes overlooked. To learn more about Chef Mic True, his mouth watering recipes, and his live interactions with his healing communities, follow him on IG or . To learn more about Gideon's Army visit , follow Gideon's Army United on IG and . As they say The end of the podcast / the altro was created as a very special production. Tanee Osborne is a female West African Drummer from LA . Through a mutual friend I contacted Tanee about her thoughts and potentially playing the drums for this episode. She expressed that she felt this to be a divine vibrational connection to Chef True, she too is a black Vegan and she would love to play. Tanee is a very special woman - she is joined by fellow drummer and African dancer Daunte for this gift of vibrational percussion. Chef True loved it! You can follow Tanee and Daunte on IG , , Producing and delivering this passion project and show to you has become an actual job. The show places large demands on my time and finances. In order to continue providing the very best content and quality, I could really use your help. 100% of all funds contributed through will be used to cover my production, equipment and growth expenses so I can focus on creating great content with one goal -- to facilitate conversations for REAL healing! So… if it feels right to you, anything you're comfortable contributing is most appreciated. HUGE LOVE AND LIGHT FOR THE SUPPORT! Photo credits: & Eric England. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/15664655

Episode 25: Healing Trauma Through Surf Therapy and Waves of Love With Natalie Small LMFT and Leanne Tibiatowski 06/11/2020

Episode 25: Healing Trauma Through Surf Therapy and Waves of Love With Natalie Small LMFT and Leanne Tibiatowski Natalie Small is a LMFT and the founder and CEO of a unique surf therapy program called Groundswell Community Project. Groundswell Community Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers surf therapy for self-identifying women overcoming various forms of trauma and it’s effects. With their home roots in San Diego, California and branches that extend across the globe, they are a transformational community of surfsisters who provide intersectional, brave, and safe spaces for all self-identifying women to find their unique healing, community, and power in the waves of Mother Ocean. Groundswell’s surf therapy curriculum is grounded in positive psychology, somatic and arts-based therapy modalities and mindfulness practices. They are proud members of , supporting the advancement of surf therapy research and best practices. Their Surf Therapy sessions are unique in that they are facilitated and supervised by licensed trauma-informed therapists and surf coaches that hold intentional, safe and brave space to invite your body, mind, and heart to join you in the healing process and adventure of surfing. Their hope is that every surfsister who opts into the programs creates their own sustainable surf practice held and supported by a community of surfsisters. We recorded this episode at the end of May which is mental health awareness month. Natalie is currently in Peru due to the Covid virus quarantine and closed borders and was generous enough to drop in to a conversation with GMN to address new and old traumas we are experiencing during this global pandemic. Natalie also connected me to Leanne Tibiatowski so that she could join the conversation as well. Leanne attended the groundswell community project to help process and heal from complicated trauma. She found it to be so healing that she bravely decided to share her story to validate and provide light and hope to others. Leanne is proof of the strong ripple effect of this program and has developed support and advocacy groups of her own that also reach women all over the world. Leanne is a local San Diegan committed to creating healthy community experiences that ignite authentic communication, self-discovery, friendship, and professional connections. She is a facilitator, speaker, and writer. Leanne is known for her ability to create safe spaces for small and large groups where truth, transformation, and connection happen. Her knowledge base includes emotional literacy, communication, leadership, mindfulness, grief, trauma, bereavement, surf therapy, PTSD, community, conflict resolution, and personal development. she is The Founder of Together We Rise: and In 2 Clarity: TOGETHER WE RISE IS… Leanne’s passion project… our solution to the pain and suffering we see in the world around us. We create safe spaces where women feel free to be themselves. We recorded this in May to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month. It is apparent now, more than ever that every month and every day should be about mental health awareness. Since recording this episode, the world’s waves have kept shifting and traumatic events have compiled as we have been slowly phasing out of quarantine. This pandemic has us perfectly positioned to sit with and process images, first person stories and social viruses. The tipping point for a perfect storm. The waves may be new but the undercurrent is always there. Again… new trauma, old trauma, intergenerational trauma and cumulative trauma. Thank you Rachel Mauricio from Groundswell Community Project for recording our intro and your poignant and powerful perspective as a black woman and a surfer!!!!! Sister Circles. Educational Workshops. Retreats. Community + Team Building Events. Support Groups. Research-based surf therapy that builds safe & Brave community for those on their healing journey. You can find a variety, integrative and comprehensive list of mental health resources: Instagram: /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/14789663

EPISODE 24: The never-ending journey and adventures of an earth lover and captain with Captain Liz Clark - author, surfer, animal lover, eco-activist, and kind human 04/02/2020

EPISODE 24: The never-ending journey and adventures of an earth lover and captain with Captain Liz Clark - author, surfer, animal lover, eco-activist, and kind human Captain Liz Clark traveled over 20,000 miles Sailing to Surf and explore and wrote a book called Swell – a sailing surfer’s voyage of awakening. She is an incredibly gifted writer, a legit waterwoman, her first mate was a rescued Cat Amelia the Tropicat, and she absolutely rips as a surfer! She also has the most sweet and gentle energy and is a genuinely kind human committed to Loving our planet & animals completely. I discuss her book a lot amongst my friends and on this podcast because she illustrates so well through her writing the parallels of wellness maintenance of her vessel (her boat) and her human vessel and spirit. We recorded this episode in February 2020 with Liz live from the Island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. We had a bit of sound quality issues but I think it makes the recording sound so exotic!!! Today is April 1 2020 and I am referencing the date because a lot has happened and escalated in the world since our recording in February. We are globally and collectively experiencing a health pandemic so surreal it feels like an awful sci fi movie or an April fool’s joke! The Corona Virus – something that has us on lock down, quarantined and practicing something called social distancing. This virus is not only affecting our physical health – it is seriously affecting the mental health of so many. This podcast episode is SO timely!!!! This is Liz’s post on Instagram regarding our current situation: "Stormy times we’re in, my friends. Ironically, our Oneness is more evident than ever, even though the most compassionate action we can take right now is to stay separated from others. Self-quarantine reminds me a lot of a sea passage. Time slows down, you become very present. Simple daily tasks take on more meaning. Resources are limited. You deal with the gusts and squalls as they come, because there is too much uncertainty to plan a week or a month out. You just have to appreciate what’s good right now. The angst of hurry is gone, and what a luxury that is in our modern world ... time to stop and reflect on who we are, as individuals, as a society... what would we like to improve on, should we hold this course? Or alter it a few degrees ... or more? Time is a gift these days. May we slow down and enjoy the subtleties that we miss in our constant hurry. And do what we can from our confinement, to help those being severely affected by the virus and its widespread impacts. Beaming love to all, especially the world’s most vulnerable, and our healthcare workers. You are all heroes! " -Liz SO I hope you find inspiration, validation and comfort from this special podcast episode. If you are looking for a great book that you won’t be able to put down read Swell – you will not be disappointed. Make sure you listen to the song at the end of the episode. It is the song Liz chose as her life theme song right now. Bob Marley’s Coming In From The Cold written by Bob Marley and performed by the uber-talented musician Will Kimbrough…..Thanks Will for cranking this out for me – what an incredible gift! To learn more about Will you can follow him on Instagram, Facebook or . Captain Liz Clark’s book may have an ending but her story does not!!!! Living on the Island of Tahiti in French Polynesia she is currently spearheading and a part of new organizations that will make the world a better, healthier, more beautiful place. Keep following her journey through the following links. Thanks, Liz, for all you do for planet earth and those that inhabit it. You are a genuinely kind and epic human!! Learn about and keep up with Captain Liz Clark : , Liz shares her journey with the world in an effort of inspire people to live out their passions, spend more time in nature, engage in self-awareness and personal growth, and develop a consciousness of their everyday planetary impact. Instagram: Thanks for all the comments from your listening platforms – I read them all! If you would like to be a part of keeping the platform of GMN strong and growing consider donating to my account – I have some kick ass rewards! Photo credit –JODY MACDONALD /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/13824059

EPISODE 23: The Art of Exploring New Passages and Choosing Self Love with Inocente 02/10/2020

EPISODE 23: The Art of Exploring New Passages and Choosing Self Love with Inocente Inocente the documentary won an Academy Award in 2013, among many other awards, and should be a required watch for everyone! It is an incredibly important film and just as relevant now as it was when it was filmed as we are still struggling with a serious homeless crisis and lack of funding for after school programs and the arts. At 15 years old, Inocente the human courageously and vulnerably told her whole story to the world in hopes of putting a face with homelessness (among other huge challenges), bring attention to the importance of what works and to validate others going through similar situations.⁣ Her story did not start with the film nor did it end when the cameras stopped rolling . She stated that one of the most common misconceptions is that she became wealthy after the film won an Oscar. As the subject of a documentary she was not paid. As a matter of fact, The film was financed by Kickstarter and was the first crowdfunded film to win an Oscar. New doors and opportunities did open for her but getting through those doors and utilizing her opportunities on her own were challenging. She did it though and used her platform to become an advocate to end homelessness, keep the arts in schools and facilitate immigration education. Now 26, she opened up for the first time about the challenges and passages she has been experiencing now along with the details of her life story before any film documentation began. She is still willing to open up and be completely vulnerable in hopes of creating a greater good. Our very organic and candid conversation involved a lot of courage and processing. Through this processing of childhood events that come up as we become young adults, she came to an understanding that self-care is the path to her newly evolving passions. Let me tell you when this young lady is inspired to do something- there’s absolutely nothing that’s going to get in her way she will push through anything to a higher order of thinking. After recording an emotional conversation, we went outside into the sunshine and the energy felt light, hopeful and inspiring. At the beginning of the documentary when she was 15 she begins with dear people of the world …. so I asked her present self how she would begin her address… She said it is time to take care of herself before she can take care of anyone else. So… she said “Dear Me…” To Contact Inocente and or set up a screening facilitated by her: “Three Is The Magic Number” – performed by Canela Rose McCoubrey Recorded and sound wizardry – Arden Rock Records For more information about homelessness and domestic violence resources: Find your local Community Resource Center! (domestic violence hotline) Grey Matters Now Patreon - /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/13091567

EPISODE 22: Together We Are Better: Adventure Consciously with the Changing Tides Foundation with Becky Mendoza 11/26/2019

EPISODE 22: Together We Are Better: Adventure Consciously with the Changing Tides Foundation with Becky Mendoza Becky Mendoza was born and raised in Miami, Florida to parents who emigrated from Cuba, it wasn’t until she graduated from the University of Florida and backpacked through Europe, that her desire for an education through travel and adventure, was born. With a Law Degree and Masters in Sports Administration in-hand, she moved to Encinitas, CA and began her career as an action sports and entertainment lawyer, opening up her own firm, Action Sports Law Group (ASLG), in 2009. Through ASLG, Becky works with top companies, artists and athletes in action sports helping them with general contract matters and visas to the US. As she became more well-traveled, she began to seek more from her adventures. In 2014, she did her first Clean Water Courier trip through Waves for Water to Nicaragua, where she raised funds to purchase and distribute 54 Sawyer water filters on a surf trip. After that, she decided the following year to bring filters to Mainland Mexico, to the remote coastal areas of Jalisco, south of Puerto Vallarta, launching “Clean Mexi-Agua” with fellow CTF board member, Sam Bennett. After a successful first trip, their intent was to return to provide more filters for the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, Hurricane Patricia hit the Clean Mexi-Agua communities head-on just 6 months later and she returned for some very impactful disaster relief work. Through her work in Nicaragua and Mexico, Becky has realized her calling to help others around the world, which is where the idea for Changing Tides Foundation was born. Her goals are to inspire others to help while they’re on their adventures, because there is no better way to show your appreciation to the places you visit than to give back to its people. Changing Tides Foundation was born from the simple idea that the world would be a better place if we were all given the opportunity to give back. Established in 2016, by a group of water women and adventurers, they feel it is their calling to help others. They do this by teaming up with local organizations globally to raise awareness and address social, environmental, health and safety concerns in the places they visit, because TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER. Their mission is to bridge the gap between you, the traveler, and the causes on the ground. They are paving a way for you to , adding life-changing experiences to your journey. By collaborating with eco-minded brands, , leaving behind the smallest footprint possible, in an effort to preserve the beauty of the places we travel to. INSTAGRAM Links: Every link discussed can be found on The Changing Tides Foundation website Instagram links discussed Ed Lewis: and Captain Liz Clark: Kimi Warner: /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/12178070

Episode 21: Creating an Epic Private Journey Through Conscious Living, Travel, and Growth with Bridgit Corbin Fried of Epic Private Journeys 10/17/2019

Episode 21: Creating an Epic Private Journey Through Conscious Living, Travel, and Growth with Bridgit Corbin Fried of Epic Private Journeys Bridgit Corbin Fried had a successful career in public relations and marketing before taking time to raise her four children. Bridgit recently combined her passion for travel and adventure with her sales and marketing skills and joined Epic Private Journeys. An experienced mountaineer, Bridgit has climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Whitney, several 14,000 ft peaks in Colorado as well as Everest Base Camp. She believes the best travel experiences have purpose, through authentic and conscious first hand local encounters, personal challenge and seeking new perspectives. Epic Private Journeys has been a great fit for Bridgit as she can apply her experience as a socially and environmentally conscious traveler with others. Epic Private Journeys designs trips by passionate and experienced professional guides. Having “lived” the product, they have a profound understanding of what makes the ultimate trip. They want their travelers to feel the same passion, awe and respect for the places that they love. This intimate and direct experience is fundamental to their ongoing success. Bridgit and I have known each other since we were teens and we have indeed been on our own epic private and collective journeys. It was so cool to be able to share a 41 year journey with my guest and have a conversation about the importance of our roots, our foundations, and our navigation tools. Bridgit – you are a badass! We want others to know that it is NEVER to late to enrich your journey with endeavors, adventure, nature, new cultural experiences and travel!!! More about Epic Private Journeys: To follow Bridgit and Epic Private Journeys: Instagram and Facebook: Other epic things mentioned: Instagram: Swell A Sailing Surfers Voyage of Awakening by Captain Liz Clark Instagram: Contact me or Bridgit for our favorite books – we have SO MANY!!!!!!!!! /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/11673365

Episode 20: Making Mindful Decisions For Your Pets - Ingredients to Fuel Critter Wellness with Denise Clifton - Owner/Director/Animal Wellness Specialist, Pupologie 09/03/2019

Episode 19: Healing from Mass Violence and Trauma with Dr Shiva Ghaed Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist & Route 91 Las Vegas Mass Shooting Survivor 08/02/2019

Episode 19: Healing from Mass Violence and Trauma with Dr Shiva Ghaed Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist & Route 91 Las Vegas Mass Shooting Survivor Dr. Shiva Ghaed is a California-licensed Clinical Psychologist, currently working for the Department of Mental Health in the Naval Medical Center San Diego healthcare system (Marine Corps Recruit Depot). Dr. Ghaed provides group and individual therapy to active duty patients in the catchment area, maintains ongoing involvement in academia and research, and has served as a voting member on the Institutional Review Board for NMCSD. Dr. Ghaed’s clinical experience includes several years of training and specialization in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of San Diego and Los Angeles. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the San Diego VA, specializing in anxiety disorders, non-combat trauma, and combat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans. Dr. Ghaed is a member of the American Psychological Association, and strives to maintain competency and excellence as a therapist and professional in her field. In 2015, she was presented with the Associate Master Clinician Award. Oct 1, 2017, Dr. Ghaed’s love of country music took her to Route 91 on the night of the shooting in Las Vegas and she, along with many others, witnessed the horror of that night as people around her were shot and killed. She found purpose and meaning in surviving the massacre, and made it her mission to give back to her community and help guide other Route 91 survivors in their healing. One week following the shooting, Dr. Ghaed launched a free weekly support group for survivors and their family and friends. She posted weekly therapy-based articles specifically catered to and witnessing the Route 91 community recovery process. Her goal is to help people better cope with the traumatic aftermath through education and support, and with the hope of preventing the development of PTSD. A website was created, , to allow public access to these documents, and this information has been disseminated to the Route 91 community across the United States and Canada. In April, 2018, Dr. Ghaed was honored with the Citizens of Courage Award by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, and the National Hero Award by the American Red Cross (Metro New York). There are still many people who have not connected to care or who do not have adequate social support or healthcare. Dr. Ghaed’s strong belief that healthcare is a basic human right, her faith in the resiliency of the human spirit, and her sense of obligation to serving others fuels a mission of destigmatizing mental illness through knowledge and awareness. In honor of the 1-year anniversary of the Las Vegas massacre (on Oct 1, 2018), Dr. Ghaed released her book, Route 91: Healing from Mass Violence and Trauma for free download . The book documents her experience surviving the massacre, as well as the journey of recovery since then, for her and her Route 91 community. She hopes that her book will provide insight into the process of recovering from mass violence, expected reactions, barriers to recovery, and tools to heal. Furthermore, her teachings are applicable to a broader audience who may suffer from anxiety, depression, or other types of trauma. For anyone that has survived a traumatic event, you can find MANY resources on Dr. Shiva’s site: If you need help finding resources contact Dr Shiva through her website: To find a Therapist in your area: To find an online counselor: provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/10752776

Episode 18 : Spreading Sunlight to Survivors of Rape/How to Take Care of Ourselves and Others With Brittany Catton Kirk, Founder of Sunlight Retreat For Survivors 07/19/2019

Episode 18 : Spreading Sunlight to Survivors of Rape/How to Take Care of Ourselves and Others With Brittany Catton Kirk, Founder of Sunlight Retreat For Survivors Brittany Catton Kirk is the Founder and Executive Director of the Social Enterprise Sunlight Retreats for Survivors, an accelerator for healing for survivors of rape. After being attacked overseas in 2012, she struggled in her career, relationships and gained 60 pounds as she tried to recover from her attack and Post Traumatic Stress. She looked for a safe place to go and heal but found nothing so she created Sunlight Retreats for Survivors. Drawing on her ten years’ experience creating award-winning programming for military families and wounded warriors at the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, she set out to create a tangible in-person program to empower survivors with tools, trauma education, resilience training and peer support. Sunlight Retreats is a change-making program that gives survivors a better way to heal, so that they can rebuild and empower others. 100 percent of the forty participants from the first two retreats reported via anonymous survey that they would recommend Sunlight Retreats to a fellow survivor, 100 percent said it aided them in their healing, and 100 percent said Sunlight Retreats made them stronger. To learn more about Sunlight Retreats For Survivors of Rape visit . If you are a survivor of rape, please do not think you have to suffer in silence or alone!!! You can get resources straight from the website above or send an email through the contact portion of their site. You can also contact: The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 RAINN25: 1-800-656-HOPE For individual therapy - resources can be found through Psychology Today: For on line therapy Talk Space: Please do not think you have to do this alone!!!! Instagram: Facebook: Epic recording and sound engineering from Bram Kaprow owner of Arden Rock Studio . /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/10589456

Episode 17: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times : Harmony at Home & Work through Ayurveda With Katy Bray and Zeb Severson 06/18/2019

Episode 17: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times : Harmony at Home & Work through Ayurveda With Katy Bray and Zeb Severson Every individual is unique. Every organizational ecosystem is unique. Building trust and mutual understanding through the understanding of our unique temperaments: Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems, originating in India over 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda translates to “wisdom of life,” combining the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). As a medical tradition, the practice of Ayurveda brings the body in balance to heal itself. However, its holistic principles can also be applied to the unique psychological and physiological elements of individuals as well as to the collective ecosystems of organizations. Cultivating a conscious balance of these elements brings greater vitality, well-being, creativity, and happiness. The elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Space offer accessible metaphors for learning how our personal qualities, motivations, and behaviors shape how we relate and engage with others. Designed and developed from decades of applied learning, observation, and client feedback, Katy Bray and Zeb Severson have created an efficient and effective system that integrates the wisdom of with transformational coaching and skill-based practices that increase self-awareness and drive performance, innovation, and success. They have also created many other resources in the form of published books, workshops, videos, webinars and more. With this understanding of the temperaments of Ayurveda, we can better understand ourselves and others, creating a more harmonious dynamic for the workplace, family, friends….any dynamic! It is so cool to realize our parallels to nature – once we have this simple understanding, it makes life on this planet earth so much more enjoyable! Ahhhhh harmony… Connect to their websites below to learn about all of Katy and Zeb’s resources and products : /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/10199450

Episode 16: : The Heart Center Of Rollin’ From The Heart/ The Life, Light And Legacy of Ian “Poods” Barry With John, Alison & Kiva Barry 05/09/2019

Episode 16: : The Heart Center Of Rollin’ From The Heart/ The Life, Light And Legacy of Ian “Poods” Barry With John, Alison & Kiva Barry Ian Barry, better known as Poods to his friends, was an extremely gifted athlete that found meditation in movement, an unconditionally kind and creative soul that lived by his words “keep doing your thing and keep being who you are”. On September 27 2012, Ian passed away at 22 years old when he accidentally fell from a bluff. Although it is important to know that his death was an accident and that he was in his element being one with nature (adhering to another one of his mantras – less technology and more nature), Ian’s death is not the focus of this conversation and podcast episode. This is a discussion about living….about how Ian lived so fully and how his parents John and Ali and younger sister Kiva continue to live while they process the grief of losing their only son and brother. Ian was VERY special and made people that he came to know feel like their “best friend”. He had a quiet, humble, disarming charm combined with an attitude of accepting everyone for exactly who they were without judgment. He truly made you feel better when you were around him. According to his family and friends, his personal struggles simply made him more compassionate and accepting. Ian always tried to see the good in people but never understood acts of unkindness. This is a story about how Ian’s family channeled his spirit into healing energy for the LARGE community of people he touched also grieving the loss of a friend and special soul. This is a story that is infinite and very much ALIVE. This light from Ian’s heart center, that has been stoked and kept alive by his family and community, has lit and fueled the Rollin’ From The Heart Foundation. It is all summed up in their mission statement: Providing disadvantaged and at-risk youth the opportunity to participate in skateboarding, surfing and camping in an effort to promote a more active lifestyle and encourage positive choices. By teaming with peer/mentors that share our values of kindness, compassion and acceptance we strive to instill confidence in those we serve so that they can overcome personal barriers regardless of their economic, social or mental health status. It's pretty simple really – be kind, be yourself and have fun. This organization provides toolboxes and beams light on the futures of infinite young lives. THIS is a vital, living and moving memorial. This is the story of channeling challenges into positivity that provides us all with hope rollin’ into the future! Learn more: and follow on Instagram for daily doses of smiles and feel goods Woody Gutherie song “So Long It’s Been Good To Know You” ( one of Ian’s all time favorites) performed and recorded for this podcast by singer/songwriter John Finkbiner. John is an acclaimed and talented musician and visual artist is a native of Southern California, also with roots in Nashville, TN, and currently lives in Leucadia, CA. Check all his projects out at on Instagram If you or someone you know is in need of grief support or resources call your local Hospice! For Hospice resources visit The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: Rollin’ From The Heart supporters are mentioned in the podcast. To see all their partners visit . Brixton: Vans: /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/9722861

Episode 15: The unique perspectives and processing of surviving a shark attack With Keane and Ellie Hayes 03/15/2019

Episode 15: The unique perspectives and processing of surviving a shark attack With Keane and Ellie Hayes Ocean photo of Keane by Ellie Hayes Portrait photo of Ellie and Keane by Corey Vilicana. Keane Webre-Hayes sustained traumatic wounds to his upper body, lost half his blood, underwent at least five hours of surgery, and received 1,000 stitches to repair his torn upper back, shoulder, torso and face, while diving for lobsters. His mother Ellie was on the bluff as the incident was happening. There happened to be several other divers in the water that day that calmly went straight into action and kept Keane alive and got him back to shore safely. Keane was diving for lobsters with a friend just off the coast of Encinitas, a popular beach city in San Diego County, California, when an eleven-foot Great White shark attacked. Since he woke up after his first surgery Keane has been adamant about getting back in the water to dive and surf again. “I definitely want to get back out there,” He told his 8th grade classmates, a few weeks after the attack, and he hopes to get back to surfing and skating, “really, really soon”! Keane has been quoting facts and statistics to his mom and the public about how improbable it would be for him to be attacked again. He does this to ease fears others may have about getting back in the water and also to rationalize to his family why it is ok for him to get back in. This young man is SO calm, intelligent, well-spoken and wise beyond his years. He even let me know that he was more at risk of a vending machine killing him than a shark attack (I looked it up and he is right)!!! Despite Keane’s positivity and eagerness to resume his normal activities, the reality is he has a long road to recovery. His mother Ellie has been SO balanced at letting him own and express his feelings and being a responsible parent, being realistic about their recovery, and learning to navigate a strange new normal. As we know, most of the deepest wounds are you cannot see, like the ones under Keane’s shirt and the intense and painful emotional wounds Ellie and her family have sustained and are still processing. Ellie has consistently stated “We are so grateful Keane is alive but we have a long road ahead of us”. Everyone that was a part of that day on September 29, 2018, is on that road to recovery together. This is not just a story about the miracle of survival, this is a story that is still very much alive and is about healing layers of wounds and highly personal processing. This is the rest of the story. to support Keane Hayes Shark Attack Survivor organized by Justin Wright. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/9024314

Episode 14: The Thin veil of life and death/the importance of exploring the dynamics of death and dying With Cheryl Dienes, MSW and Kenn Orphan, MSW 02/08/2019

Episode 14: The Thin veil of life and death/the importance of exploring the dynamics of death and dying With Cheryl Dienes, MSW and Kenn Orphan, MSW I love that this episode coincides with the release of my friend and fellow Hospice Social Worker, Cheryl Dienes’ book The Final Dance / What The Dying Teach Us About…EMBRACING LIFE!! Join Cheryl, Kenn and I for a conversation about the dynamics of death and dying. It is interesting that we are taught, as soon as we are born, to navigate through all general passages of life and development. The one passage that is not part of our developmental education and, that we are all going to experience, is death. If we explore our own experiences and feelings about end of life ahead of time, the conversations are not that uncomfortable and are actually quite liberating. When we process our feelings and beliefs ahead of time, we create a clear open space for being present for processing our raw emotions and or being present for our loved ones for their sacred transition. It is the one thing we will experience that is half physical and half metaphysical. I have had many personal and professional experiences with end of life. EVERYTHING I have learned has been a gift to help be present for myself, others, and for healing during and after a transition of life. From Cheryl’s book: I have come to see how important it is to turn toward the end of our life and look squarely at it. We need to learn to accept the inevitability of death. Imagine how different out lives would be if we saw death for what it is, accepted it, and embraced it. Until we do, we will continue to cheat ourselves out of the very gifts that death offers us to illuminate the whole of our lives. These are the gift of clarity about what really matters, the gift of courage to follow our life’s calling, the gift of freedom to authentically speak our truth, the gift of wisdom to let go of what hold us back. We owe it to ourselves to feed our personal imaginations with images that see death as the natural, non-threatening phenomenon that it is. -The Final Dance By Cheryl Dienes, MSW To purchase and learn more about Cheryl's book The Final Dance visit . To find resources for Grief Support contact your local Hospice. You do not have to be a hospice patient or family member to receive grief support and services through hospice will be little to no cost! Landscape cover art of me in Big Sur By Kirk Fagergren. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/8576981

Episode 13: The Essential Ingredient is Hope: How to Heal, Recover and Get Back Up Stronger Than Ever 01/04/2019

Episode 13: The Essential Ingredient is Hope: How to Heal, Recover and Get Back Up Stronger Than Ever Happy New Year everyone! Meet John Abate a true beacon of light and hope. John is also a huge advocate for safer roads, believes and practices wellness through nutrition and MSBR (UCSD trained) and….if that is not enough…is the Co-Founder and CEO of JoJe Bars. If you have not tried JoJe Bars, you are missing out – they are SO delicious that it is hard to believe they are packed with all the nutrients your body needs to perform at its best! He is an avid cyclist, outdoorsman and all around super cool and positive guy. He generously took time out of his busy Holiday schedule to record a podcast episode for Grey Matters Now on the first day of Winter Solstice. Winter Solstice is the beginning of new and more light every day and the Holidays we celebrate during this season are all about light and hope. We both felt an urgency to record this ASAP so that John can spread his message of hope through his first hand experiences! A living breathing, walking, cycling, stronger than ever, example of how to manifest hope and healing, provides those fighting for their lives or recovering from accidents and illnesses the tools and light they need to be warriors. He first reached out to me and Grey Matters Now in July as he was interested in having a conversation about mindfulness and sharing his personal journey. I was super intrigued and excited to set up a future conversation and podcast recording. Fast forward to December 15th when John and I officially met through a community cycling event to support our neighbor Roberta Walker who was critically injured on her bicycle when struck by a truck a block from my house and less than a block from Roberta’s on PCH 101. Roberta is one of our communities’ strong advocates for cycling and pedestrian safety and repeatedly stated “it is just a matter of time, someone IS going to get hit by a vehicle here”. Unfortunately, tragically and ironically, she was the one that was hit. John was a speaker and he was the hope component to this “Ride For Roberta” event. John and I connected very quickly and both felt a strong pull from the universe to release this episode ASAP for the New Year! This episode goes out to you Roberta Walker and my dear friend Jessica Kimbrough and all that know and love you both....keep up the fight- you ladies are a warriors!! While most of the world was celebrating Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s, both of these strong women, along with countless others, were in the hospital bravely going through and recovering from major surgical procedures to save their lives! Their fight is not over but I am happy to say both women are getting stronger every day!!! John and I’s wishes are that his story provides anyone fighting to be well the extra hope, tools to heal, and the faith that you can come back even stronger than before!!! JoJe Bars UCSD Center For Mindfulness Thanks always to my recording, recording studio and editing wizard Bram Kaprow of Arden Records in Encinitas. Contact me if you ever need information about an amazing recording studio! This episode is dedicated to these 2 female warriors actively fighting and healing: Roberta Walker Advocate for safer road sharing Recovering warrior fighting back from critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle while cycling Jessica KimbroughAdvocate for affordable women’s health care and breast exams Recovering warrior fighting breast cancer and mastectomy John Abate and I /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/8140034

Grey Matters Now -Episode 12 Part 2 Transformation and Growth / Navigating Through Rough Terrain, Tides and Life with Jaysea Devoe - Child of the Tide 10/20/2018

Grey Matters Now -Episode 12 Part 2 Transformation and Growth / Navigating Through Rough Terrain, Tides and Life with Jaysea Devoe - Child of the Tide The ocean has really inspired me — it's always moving and changing; going and flowing. I just think that's so awesome. It's always different than it was the day before. – Jaysea Devoe Individually, we are one drop but together, we are an ocean… Two years later, to the date, I sat down and recorded a second part to Jaysea’s story. A LOT changes, grows, and evolves for teenagers in a year or two and she is no exception. In the last 2 years Jaysea has pioneered extreme expeditions, been in two movies, has been seeking out and surrounding herself with strong females that she refers to as mentors and fearless females and, after being home schooled most of her life, decided to enroll herself in public school for her senior year to, in her words, “feel like a regular teenager”. She decided she wanted to discuss HER stories that only others and the media have presented so far. She has been through so much I just let her jump in and start talking and let her take whichever direction felt most important and natural to her. Jaysea enthusiastically dove into our conversation with extreme excitement and shared the very intimate and empowering details of her latest adventure and conquest. The path, these past 2 years, to this powerful place has not been an easy one and became partially dark at one point. Adventure and nature, the ocean in particular, are her power and healing sources. Listen carefully as she describes the empowering, stoke filled, challenging, spiritual and most recent circumnavigation expedition around Catalina Island. She and her 2 girl power friends successfully paddled 54 miles in 3 days around the perimeter of Catalina. This “vibe Tribe” of 3 women became the first women ever to circumvent the island, purely by paddle power, in 3 days. This story to me was so strong and profound, that when I listened back to it, I was moved to tears! I did not edit anything out because I thought ALL the words and feelings were pertinent. The parallels to navigating through life and use of coping tools and selfcare were the same but flipped into something positive and exciting. Listen carefully or re-listen over again! The innate importance of telling this story first was such a great demonstration of natural selfcare that I could even feel it at a visceral level. With this foundation of confidence, her bubbly excited tone came down to a more neutral one as she decided she wanted to share a very vulnerable story of being assaulted. It was Jaysea, with the blessing of her family, that decided that she wanted to tell this story to hopefully help others. Although every assault incident is unique, it is our hope that you hear something that you can relate to or use as a coping or healing tool. You are not alone! According to The National Center For Victims of Crime, one person is assaulted every 36.9 seconds and every 98 seconds another American is sexually assaulted and 55% of assaults are at or near the person’s home…these are ONLY reported cases. Jaysea stated she does not want this to define her and that she does not consider herself a victim now but a survivor and a warrior! Her recipe for healing has led her to some beautiful and powerful experiences. We hope you use the right recipe with your own ingredients. This is teenage girl describing personal stories and it took courage. Grey Matters Now is in NO WAY a place for judging, blaming or shaming! This will always be a platform for safe sharing. You will find resources for help at the end of these show notes or feel free to reach out to Grey Matters Now for more. Back to the womb in the blue heart center of the earth…Photo by Fisher Devoe. Collaging The Line Image and art by Susan Wickstrand and her 12 year old daughter Chloe Grace. Susan : Jaysea Devoe is a “sprout”. Just like my favorite Thomas Cambell Movie- which actually got me interested in collaging women in the first place. We Shot Jaysea in front of her family’s home there- with hands on her hips- which was passed on to our 12 year old daughter, who then drew a halo of sorts around Jaysea’s hat and a water droplet, all in white. I collaged in the stem of a flower for each member of her amazing family: Rick, Julie, Ryder, Fisher, Jaysea, and their 2 dogs. Then I created collaged flowers for her, which represent Jaysea’s strength and amazing personality. Danielle Martin Book reference:Swell : A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening By Captain Liz Clark Movie reference:Fish 101 The Movie SeaVibes : If you or someone you know is the victim of assault, you are NOT alone and it is NOT your fault – find a professional that can help you process your trauma and help navigate your healing. Find your unconditional support system, person or community that will hold you up while you heal and strengthen. Counseling resources: Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Talk Space now offering services to teens too: Photo by Fisher Devoe: 1st fish ever speared - her own Dorado for dinner. /episode/index/show/greymattersnow/id/7250318

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