Our first guest of Season 2 is Russell Sato, a proud dad of two, his district's 2021 Teacher of the Year, and a dear friend.  He shares about his Buddhist roots, parenting, and thoughts on legacy as we explore the impact of attending to our spirit.  

I open Season 2 with an explanation of the new season's theme and by sharing a story about a unique experience during a long time tradition.  

Season 1, The Beginning, has come to a close.  I share about a hectic day during January's omicron surge and share how contemplative practices have helped me move through challenges.  

In Season 1, I shared how contemplative practices provide stability in my busy life. Join me for Season 2, Fellow Travelers, when I will be joined by several friends as we continue to explore the gifts of contemplation and community.  

Before COVID-19 changed our lives, my life was changed by a retreat with Father Ron Rolheiser. After suffering a terrible loss, I needed to reconnect with myself and the world around me.  The retreat helped me embrace my contemplative journey.  

A more traditional contemplative practice is going on a retreat. I give a brief history of the Christian retreat tradition and describe a typical retreat. I then highlight three retreat centers in the Bay Area.  

Episode 7 describes how one of my favorite activities, dancing, has led me into contemplation.  I share my history as a dancer and include fellow dancers in my family. I discuss the mind-body connection. I explore how the joy of dance can lead me to the peace of contemplation. 

Running is great exercise but it is also an opportunity for mindfulness and contemplation. I discuss how running is a contemplative practice. I describe my recent experience completing a half-marathon. I also take a moment in honor of Thich Nhat Hanh.  

I reunite with the former members of Queen of All Saints, a chapter of the Legion of Mary to which I belonged many years ago. These women became my lifelong friends and taught me so much about my faith and were important in my contemplative journey.  We reminisce about our childhood as cradle Catholics, our adult journeys into faith and spirituality, and provide advice on where to begin a journey into contemplative practices.  

While some might think the pandemic shutdown was an ideal time for contemplation, I found it created new challenges.  I go back to the early chaos of quarantine and then discuss two positives that came out of that troubled time.  I also mention how a mentor's reflection on one of my character traits inspired me to make this podcast a reality.