As we face the challenge of COVID-19 / the novel Coronavirus, and go further into lock-down as our act of love and caring for each other, here are some thoughts and tools to keep regenerating a sense of calm in a world out of balance. May you be safe and well as we learn new ways to connect and support each other through a time in which the only certainly is change.  Mentioned in this podcast: O'Sensei - founder of Aikido - video footage of a public demonstration at age 85 The Tapping Solution App (for android or iphone) -- this uses tEFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or 'Tapping') and has quite a lot of free material including a very simple and short (5 min) guide for beginners on how to start using the tapping basic recipe on your own. You can also use the guided audios on specific issues (these also have visual reminders of where the tap points are located, so can be really helpful for beginners and excellent for experienced tappers too.)  The free tap-along meditation in this App that I mention  is  'Coronavirus Covid-19 Stress: Quiet My Racing Mind (for sleep)'. There are also millions of youtube videos that show how to tap and how to use it in different ways. And please reach out to a certified practitioner if you need help.  Also see -- the science and research behind EFT Tapping --a list of over 100 studies in peer-reviewed journals -- a recent article in the Journal of Evidence-based Integrative Medicine Also check out Dr Norman Swan's ABC-RN podcast -- Coronacast -- for up to date information on the pandemic and the response You can follow me on Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram. And please subscribe to The Bleeding Heart Survival Kit and Climactic at itunes or wherever you get your podcasts. and thank you to all who have shared the links with friends or on social media. Hugely appreciated.  Stay safe, stay at home, wash your hands, look after each other - and thank you for your contributions and service. 

Never talk about religion, sex or politics goes the old saying. But in a time of unreliable media and widespread disillusionment with political parties, more than ever we need to be having these difficult conversations with those around us about what matters and why, and why their engagement matters.  In this episode I take a look at how we might broach these topics and have these conversations more effectively, in ways that aren't draining for us and are more inviting for those open to and craving better quality information. Mentioned in this episode: 'Climate change splits the public into six groups. Understanding them is key to future action.' Rebecca Huntley, ABC Opinion.

We love our open caring creative hearts but it can be a challenge in these times of climate crisis and increasingly right-wing governments. The Bleeding Heart Survival Kit is a part of the Climactic network, and aims to bring you tips and tools, and explore ideas about how to stay strong, stay creative and stay active in these climactic times. My name is Beth Spencer and I am a writer and author (poetry, fiction, essays), cultural critic, emotional healing coach, and member of the Climactic collective.  I'll be your host as we explore ways to be more creative and productive, work through grief and despair, and keep choosing hope. Thank you, for all you do. Thank you for joining me. www.climactic.fm www.bethspencer.com https://www.climactic.fm/hosts/bethspencer  -- for my interviews on Climactic, with author James Bradley, poet and podcaster Magdalena Ball, and coming up on April 5th 2020, an interview with poet, artist, publisher, editor, academic, Kit Kelen.