On today’s episode, I share an unexpected encounter in Dublin, Ireland that I’m calling An Irish Blessing. It occurred on the Grattan Bridge, one of the few bridges over the River Liffey that had benches. I had just finished reading Michelle Obama’s book “The Light We Carry” when a man kindly asked if he could sit on the end of my bench. Unintentionally, we both participated in a social experiment, which broke the ice for him to share his life story. I was blessed by his humility, vulnerability and gratitude. I blessed him with my interest and compassion. We carried our light, shared our light and helped shine light into the world. May you be open to your version of An Irish Blessing. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Grattan Bridge The Light We Carry - NYT Review

On this week’s episode I describe how I am experiencing Poetry in Motion. Thanks to Upper Nyack’s River Hook Preserve, and their Arbor Day celebration, we now have poems displayed at the preserve from a dozen local poets. You can read each poem as you meander through the grounds of the Preserve. I share five of the poems that were on display. May you experience poetry in motion, literally and metaphorically. May we see the organic poetry of nature. May we live our lives poetically, in graceful, intentional motion. Check out links below to learn more about Nyack’s Arbor Day Celebration. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Arbor Day at River Hook Preserve Friends of River Hook/facebook

With the celebration of Earth Day a couple of days ago on April 22, I offer an idea that you can practice on any day throughout the year. This practice is a shift in mindset and will not only help you honor the earth, but more profoundly heal the earth. Inspired by Victoria Loorz’s book “Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred” try conversing with nature. Conversing with nature, is a reciprocal act, enriching our relationship with our beloved planet earth and allowing the earth to enrich us. Give it a try. Begin with a sense of wonder. A conversation includes both speaking and listening. Converse with the leaves, the budding Spring blossoms, the wind, the rocks and the butterflies. Add this to your spiritual practices. Develop a language of intimate connectedness with other beings and elements. May our conversations with nature awaken a sense of kindred belonging as we restore our planet and our own souls. Check out the link below for “Church of the Wild”. Enjoy the podcast! Links: “Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred” by Victoria Loorz

My guest today is Pete Dominick. Pete is a stand-up comic, news commentator, and journo-activist. After 12 years of hosting a 3 hour live radio show on Sirius XM, reporting for CNN, a panelist with Bill Maher and being the warm-up comic for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and currently John Oliver, Pete has created, produced and now hosts his own podcast: “Stand Up with Pete Dominick”. He describes his show now as ‘NPR with personality’, for Pete likes to make people laugh and think at the same time. At the time of this recording Pete was considering running for our local Town Council, but recently decided against it. Pete is well qualified for politics, but he felt he didn’t want that responsibility to jeopardize his new podcast, work community or family. Check out the show notes for links to Pete’s website and podcast, Enjoy the podcast! Links: standupwithpete.com Pete's Podcast: Stand Up With Pete Pete on Twitter

The Tennessee 3, surprisingly provided me a profound Spiritual experience this past week. You don’t need to be religious or practice Judaism or Christianity to find liberation and resurrection in how the two Justins conducted themselves, in order to rise above the racism and authoritarianism from the Tennessee House of Representatives. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones proudly represented the people whose children had just been murdered, represented the marginalized, gave voice to the voiceless. The two Justins gave me hope, invigorated me with new life, with a promising vision forward. Check out the show notes for links to follow Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. Please join me in supporting the inspiring work of Justins for Justice!  Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @justinjpearson IG: @brotherjones IG: @gloriajohnson Twitter: Justin Jones Twitter: Justin Pearson Twitter: Gloria Johnson Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Equity Alliance Memphis for All

On this week’s episode, just after April Fools Day, we PLAY with the power of PLAY! From definitions, childhood memories and numerous researched benefits of PLAY, I spell out why play is so important. Let play lighten your day, infuse you with curiosity, spontaneity, creativity and joy.  As George Bernard Shaw said: “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” May this podcast remind you how good it feels to play, no mater your age and encourage you to find time to play!  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I share how struck I was by a few teams of migrating geese that stopped me in my tracks. Amazed and curious, I learned some interesting facts about geese. Geese have a lot to teach us about conserving energy and working collaboratively together, with rotating leadership. May you let nature and its creatures inspire you and offer important life lessons. May we trust that the world calls us like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing our place in the family of things. Check out the link below for Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese”. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Mary Oliver's Poem

On this week’s episode, I share a recent experience of how humbled I was by Mother Nature. New York’s one and only snow storm (so far) this winter caught me off guard and frightened me. Thankfully, I reached out for help, admitted my vulnerability and did my best to deal with the challenge before me. Even when we bump up against disturbing emotions and experiences, we can look at how we treat ourselves. May we be respectful of the unpredictable power of Mother Nature. May we allow these experiences to humble us, be gentle with ourselves, ask for help and teach us lessons of love. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Julie Sherry. Julie is a physical therapist, body whisperer and first time author of her new e-book The Attached Buddha. I was delighted to get to know Julie, her warmth, thoughtfulness and positive, compassionate energy. I am eager to read her book, where she shares her personal and professional journey of integrating mind/body and soul, in her holistic approach to healing. It promises to be a rich gift to all who read it! Check out the links below to Julie and her e-book, and I’m excited to announce that the audio book is now available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon. We’ve also included links for many of the books Julie referenced, that inspired and shaped her. Enjoy the podcast! Links: The Attached Buddha, Kindle Edition Email Julie Additional books referenced: Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron  Why God Won’t Go Away by Andrew Newberg Non Violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg Myofacial Release by John Barnes CranioSacral Therapy by John Upledger   Meditating on A Raisin and Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn How to Be Well by Frank Lipman      When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate   When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron  Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley

Despite good physical vision, we don’t always see clearly. Bias, worry and fear can blind us from seeing things as they really are.  Sometimes we miss what is right in front of us and sometimes we fabricate what is not there. William James, the 19th century American psychologist and philosopher, highlights how little we access the fullness of our seeing, perceiving, and being. We end up living restrictively instead of expansively.  Here’s to breaking free from our restricted vision. Here’s to seeing more clearly the fullness of our potential. May we expand our dreams as we reach for exciting heights and meaningful depths. Enjoy the podcast!