The Book of Everything and Nothing

MOTHERLOVING Rooted in Resistance

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, we’ll look at the history of Mother’s Day, and how we came to celebrate women one day a year. We’ll talk about the role of mother figures in our lives, their wisdom and their legacy. We all come from mothers, what did your mother teach you? It does not matter if your own mom is living or not, if you are close or not, what matters is the spirit of the feminine, that mothering principle that nurtures and unites. This energy needs to be in balance with the masculine energy in our lives. To quote Rilke in Letters to a Young Poet “In the man too there is motherhood.” I’m freestyling this time. No formal guests, just me and my own curiosity about the wisdom of mothers, the power of the feminine, and what’s unearthed when we tug the mother root. If you’ve be wondering when I was going to let my freak flag fly and explore what’s going on in my own Secret Heart, have a listen. And if you’ve ever had a mother, this episode is for you.

The Book of Everything and Nothing

Lorna Crozier is an Officer of the Order of Canada, winner of the Governor General’s award for poetry and is a Canadian literary icon. She’s written 20 books, including “Small Beneath the Sky” which Amazon calls one of the 100 books you should read in your lifetime. A professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria, her work has been translated into many languages. Her last book “After That” is a beautiful meditation on living after loss. Upcoming writing explores new love, and familiar objects. If you're interested in hearing from someone who is a master of living the creative life, and is a wise and generous teacher, then this episode is for you. WHY LORNA: In my early 20s my Mom told me about a Canadian Poet, Lorna Crozier. Her book had just won the Governor General’s award for poetry. I did not read the book right away, but when I did I was hooked. Lorna Crozier’s words are like medicine. Whatever you need, her poems are a pharmacy. Feeling grateful? Humble? Sexually frustrated? Longing? Grief? Looking for a poem about everyday objects? Lorna Crozier has a poem for that. She’s not just a brilliant writer, she is a wise and generous teacher, whose mentored some of the brightest on the CanLit scene. She’s also honest, frank and very funny. I cannot believe Lorna accepted my invitation to be on the podcast. I hope you love her as much as I do.

Inconceivable: the History of IVF (in the US)

The first baby conceived through IVF was Louise Joy Brown, 1978, in England. Louise’s birth was global front page news. Today 2.6% of new babies in the US alone are conceived through IVF. Dr. Lisa Harris MD, PhD., has just completed a manuscript about the history of IVF in the United States. Over her impressive career, she’s seen many advancements in technology, witnessed inequity in terms of who can access the treatments, and worked to neutralize the polarization surrounding IVF. She believes it is possible to hold that two differing beliefs can be true, which she refers to as “the tension of opposites,” and encourages us all to flex that muscle. If you are curious about in vitro fertilization and the History of IVF, interested in a courageous conversation about science and reproduction and know that multiple points of view can be true at the same time, then this episode is for you.

Secrets of the Heart: With art historian Dr. Jennifer Salahub

If you are curious and love to ask why, then you will love Dr. Jennifer Salahub. An art historian and self described detective, Jennifer Salahub investigates how the heart came to represent love and fidelity through the ages. What is literally a muscular pump has become the seat for romance, true love and emotional wisdom. How did this happen? Jennifer Salahub brings her love of art, and insatiable curiosity, as we dive back to uncover the secret of the heart. This is a conversation that sizzles with insight and fun facts, tracing the history of the heart from ancient times to modern emojis. There’s a reason why Dr. Salahub was such a beloved art history professor, and we’re so lucky to have her indefatigable insight as we answer questions about the heart in art. If you love art history and the meaning behind images, this episode is definitely for you.

From Anxiety to Empowerment: The Money Episode

What if money wasn’t a source of anxiety? Jodi McLaughlin is a senior wealth advisor who says the first step when it comes to money is asking, “What are the goals for my own life?” (Jodi cautions this question is not a group exercise.) Knowing what you are working toward is the most important step. Budgeting doesn’t have to be this negative thing says Jodi. On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting we’re talking about financial goals, how women have traditionally faced vulnerabilities around money that men just have not, and how to create a powerful plan based on your own life goals. It takes time, but it is possible to convert money from a source of anxiety to a source of empowerment. I met Jodi when I was looking into financial planning for the future. I am entrepreneurial by nature, so I was a risk taker (starting up a new company for example) but I had inherited some of my mother’s practicality (saving for taxes). I had not spent a great deal of time planning for the future, as I was focused on the now and had never sat down to talk about what my personal goals were. Here’s Jodi’s approach in a nutshell: goals, budget, saving, investing. Simple, right? But without starting at the very beginning, it’s impossible to map the way. The map is different for everyone. Jodi is fierce about asking people about goals as a first step. Once you know where you’re going, the path forward becomes clearer. With less anxiety. And more purpose. Jodi’s wisdom is timeless, practical, and empowering. Blue Monday, the third Monday of January, is sometimes referred to as the most depressing day of the year. Why? Well, it’s mid-January, and the bills from the holidays are arriving. You can’t change the weather, but what if you could change attitudes around money? Jodi McLaughlin, Senior Wealth Advisor with the Susan O’Brien Group Wealth Advisory at Richardson Wealth is our guest on this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting. When you have more knowledge about money, you’ll make better decisions.