Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week’s episode, as I travel from Vietnam to Bali, I offer John O’Donohue’s blessing “For Presence”. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, may you take a moment to pause and tune into being present. Be present to your surroundings, to your body, to your thoughts, to your feelings. What a gift to pay attention, to open up to appreciation, gratitude and compassion. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be present to the mystery of being alive. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode, I share another John O’Donohue blessing, called “For The Senses”. My senses have been sweetly awakened and nourished on my travels. Wherever you might be this summer, I hope you are noticing the gift of your senses. May your senses breathe in all the wonder and beauty around you. May your senses illuminate sensations that stimulate and nourish you. May you be uplifted and inspired by nature, people, food, travels, experiences and all that enlightens you.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week’s episode I offer a blessing for those who may be traveling this summer. I feel blessed and deeply grateful to be spending 3 weeks in Asia this summer.  I’ll first be in Vietnam for 10 days and then traveling to Bali to visit my son, Wil, who moved to Indonesia in December of 2023.  I recorded some short offerings before I left, so my listeners can still receive their weekly episodes. Wherever you might be this summer, I hope you are able to listen and continue to be uplifted and inspired by nature, people, travels, experiences and all that enlightens you.  May John O’Donohue’s blessing “For the Traveler” provide images and wisdom that nourishes your soul and blesses your travels. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Nandini Austin. Nandini, a British Indo-Mauritian, now living in the Hudson Valley, is a performer, workshop facilitator and certified Holistic Ayurveda Coach. Nandini masterfully blends ancient wisdom with her modern spirit of wellness in a workshop called “Temple Goddess: Global Dance and Ayurveda Retreat”. Temple Goddess will be at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY starting Friday evening July 4th through Sunday afternoon July 6th. From Chaka Kahn’s  “I’m Every Woman” to Fleetwood Mac’s “A Woman of a Thousand Years”, two songs that reflect Nandini’s essence, you will experience the vitality, wisdom and joy that Nandini embodies and infuses into everything she does!!  Whether she is facilitating a retreat, teaching a dance class, hosting a culinary workshop, or guiding personal self care sessions, Nandini presents healing modalities in a creative, fun, engaging way.   What an honor to be introduced to this wonderful person! Check out the show notes for links to Nandini’s website, IG account and the flyer for the Temple Goddess Retreat at Omega in July. Even though I will be out of town for her retreat, I am hoping many of my listeners go and experience Nandini’s magic! Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.nandiniaustin.com [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nandiniaustin.com%2F&xid=117efb4436&uid=86114525&iid=576a7f51a0&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748711895&h=3c7314ef1568b2ba22a5a44f8a63855a071a3255cdc41cc576c36d395ba75e74] IG: @nandiniaustin [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fnandiniaustin%2F&xid=117efb4436&uid=86114525&iid=576a7f51a0&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748711895&h=e9f5954baa1280b2a6aa8e46cd473992868242f62566a0138bf88e69f5f433ac]

On this week’s episode, I describe the uplifting event I attended in my community to honor and celebrate Tom Chapin’s 80th Birthday. Tom, his family, his music, the special guests, the stories and the social justice woven throughout the evening, were magnificent. I didn’t realize how much I needed to experience something so joyful and inspiring. As Tom’s step-daughter, Jessica Craven so beautifully articulated: “I was reminded once again…of the profound power of the arts, community and family to heal and uplift. It’s never been more important to make sure we’re immersing ourselves in one or all of them, and often!” May you surround yourself with people who share your values, so we can hold our ground together. Check out the show notes for links to Arts Rock, Tom Chapin, The Chapin Sisters, “Abigail Rose and Lily Too”, Jessica Craven’s newsletter “Chop Wood, Carry Water” and a video of Tom, with two of his daughters, Abigail and Lily singing a powerful song that is carrying me through the days. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Arts Rock [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.artsrock.org%2F&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=a2f93691008086c25db4fec36ec26507cf6bdbe3282a0814ef6043b3b3cc41b0] Tom Chapin [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomchapin.com%2F&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=90e16a0aa54d0d09bad69b447a183bd6687dcd7936502030d606cb352a2b36c9] The Chapin Sisters [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thechapinsisters.com%2F&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=54648a37cf9c1fc8172019573c72581431989bd00435ad795d27aacb6686ad73] Abigail Rose Store [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabigailrosestore.com%2F&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=f3b4f707915ea771bf52377a3c75362bd15310ade02f34fb4eed6f864f009a4e] Jessica Craven Substack [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com%2F&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=a7202b0ee71edc94e6bfc33e808486d980c266abb46ba99430eb393aa4d097eb] Hold Our Ground Forever: Tom Chapin & The Chapin Sisters [https://us17.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FVkfZ4JS0WnY%3Fsi%3D4LejuHqJf1MRZfI0&xid=a60e25e4d8&uid=86114525&iid=7012ef5902&pool=cts&v=2&c=1748194522&h=d92ed910c62b7e21b23a9cf76ece153ef2e09de3240f5833ef5e385e2a237187]