Better Place Project with Steve Norris: Recent Episodes
Steve Norris
It started out with a simple question: How can we help make our world a better place? In the midst of a global pandemic, feeling lost and disconnected, we decided to make it our mission to search for ways to cultivate positive change in our world. We’re holding this space for conversations about all the things, big and small, that we can do to create impactful changes in our communities. You will hear in depth conversations with inspirational guests from every corner of the planet who are doing incredible things to brighten our world, in some cases, after overcoming devastating circumstances. We’re here to celebrate the flaws and imperfections that make us human and find ways to come together in this world that feels heavy and divided.Ultimately, this project is about inspiring change and spreading joy. We hope that this podcast will leave you feeling better than when you found it. If so, please subscribe and come along and join the journey with Steve.
Divorce is both an ending and a beginning, especially when children are involved. Join me, Steve Norris, as I unravel the complex web of maintaining a child-centered focus during and after custody splits. With guidance from research by Gritsch, Fincham, and the Gottman Institute, this episode shares eight critical strategies that prioritize your kids' emotional well-being. You'll hear heartfelt personal stories and learn why it's crucial to steer clear of negative talk about your ex in front of the children, how to communicate effectively, and the profound influence of kindness on your family's future dynamic.
Transitioning to co-parenting doesn't have to be a battleground; it can be a path to personal growth and fortified resilience. Here on Better Place Project, we discuss not just the challenges but the opportunities that kindness and cooperation bring to the forefront in post-divorce family life. This journey through compassion and mutual respect isn't just about making life smoother for your children—it's about setting an example that will echo into their adult lives. Together, let’s explore how these small acts of kindness ripple outward, crafting a world that's just a little bit brighter for everyone involved.
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Caught in the whirlwind of modern love and personal transformation, I, Steve Norris, alongside the insightful relationship coach Jillian Turecki, share an intimate view on the dance of connection and self-discovery. In a world where the swipe of a finger can dictate the next chapter of our love lives, we unpack the digital age's impact on relationships and the courage it takes to nurture authenticity. As we unravel the threads of connection, you'll be privy to heart-stirring stories and transformative wisdom that beckon you to look inward and foster healthier bonds with those you cherish.
Journey with us as we traverse the challenging terrain of personal growth, illuminated by my own raw experiences of loss and change. The conversation veers into the uncharted territories of self-awareness, where the power of accountability and communication skills becomes your compass for navigating relationship dynamics. Jillian's no-nonsense approach encourages listeners to confront fears, engage in effective dialogue, and embrace the potent alchemy of self-reflection to reshape not only their romantic ties but all interpersonal relationships.
As we tie together the threads of our discussion, actionable insights emerge on maintaining intimacy in long-term commitments and finding balance during life's major upheavals, such as divorce. Discover how the sanctity of morning routines, the grounding force of meditation, and the joy of shared passions can rekindle the embers of connection. Each narrative shared is a testament to the resilience of the human heart, a guiding light for those seeking to thrive within the complex tapestry of love and life's relentless evolution.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Imagine swapping cleats for a drum set, and a soccer field for the world stage—Jim "Soni" Sonefeld of Hootie and the Blowfish made that leap, and he's here to recount the harmonic convergence of sports, songwriting, and a life enriched by overcoming personal demons. Soni peels back the curtain on his memoir "Swimming with the Blowfish," narrating the symphony of his life from the first downbeat of "Hold My Hand," through the crescendo of fame, to the hushed tones of his battles with addiction. This conversation isn't merely a backstage pass to music history; it's an intimate look at the rhythm of redemption and the melodies that resonate through life's challenges.
As Soni reflects on the indelible influence of his mother's love for classic rock and high harmonies, we're reminded of how the echoes of our upbringing can shape our future compositions. He shares candidly about the shadows cast by alcoholism and the transformative power of facing one's flaws head-on. In these revelations, there's a chorus of vulnerability and courage, inviting us to confront our own hidden selves and to harmonize our authentic stories with the lives we lead.
Our journey with Soni takes us from the studio, where the band grappled with capturing their live magic on tape, to tales of camaraderie and cutthroat encounters with fellow musicians. There's a dissonance between the critique of the public eye and the authenticity that an artist strives for, but humor and resilience play through. Soni's story crescendos with a message of hope—a testament to the enduring power of music, the strength of the human spirit, and the belief that each one of us can compose a life of harmony and purpose, one note at a time.
To learn more about and follow Jim:
www.JimSonefeld.com
Instagram: @sonitime64
https://www.facebook.com/jimsonefeld
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In this week's episode, Jeff Krasno returns to chat about his new online course Good Stress!
Have you ever felt like modern life is out of sync with our ancient DNA? Journey with us and our guest, wellness maven Jeff Krasno, as we navigate the terrain of evolutionary mismatches and the holistic health practices that can steer us back to vitality. Jeff's revelation of reversing diabetes and his embrace of Good Stress through fasting and resistance training is not just his story—it's a blueprint for anyone seeking rejuvenation at any age. We traverse the healing powers of nature, fasting, and the surprising benefits of welcoming a little discomfort into our daily routine to rekindle our ancestral resilience.
From the rise of global yoga communities to the power of simple, in-sync-with-nature habits, our conversation with Jeff peels back the layers on democratizing wellness. We share the backstory of how a post-9/11 need for solace and an unexpected partnership with Oprah sparked a wellness revolution, and the ensuing growth of an inclusive, online yoga collective. The stories from diverse participants are a testament to the emotional resonance of shared wellness experiences. We also uncover the potential of practices like cold therapy and mindful eating not only for our physical health but in training the mind to navigate life's stressors with grace.
In wrapping up, we turn our focus to the art of nuanced communication in a world brimming with polarized views. Drawing upon Jeff's encounters and our own, we discuss how empathetic listening can be as transformative as any physical health practice. This episode is an invitation to integrate these strategies into your life, promising a profound impact on well-being. Whether you're looking to optimize sleep, engage in challenging discussions, or simply introduce more plant-based foods into your diet, this episode is a tapestry of insights for a healthier, more harmonious life. Join us for an episode that's as much about fostering a better world as it is about personal transformation.
To learn more about Jeff's new course Good Stress, please visit:
https://www.onecommune.com/
Jeff on Instagram: @JeffKrasno
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This is a story that inspires, that can instantly give us perspective on our own lives, and how so precious our time here on this earth is, and how it can all be taken away from us at any moment…or we may get lucky and get a 2nd chance. Well maybe that’s what we all are getting when we hear this story. A 2nd chance to change the way we show up in the world. A 2nd chance to live our life with joy and gratitude, a 2nd chance to appreciate all that we have, right here and now.
Today’s guest is Dr. Darcy Benway. I’ve asked Darcy to come on the show to share her incredible story of learning one day less than 3 years ago that she had a fatal heart condition and was going to die unless she had a heart transplant. Imagine being perfectly healthy, an athlete living your best life, to suddenly have a rapid decline and be sitting face to face with death. Darcy is going to bravely walk us through that experience…the days leading up to the transplant, the actual event, and the days thereafter, including dealing with the emotions of knowing that someone had to die, in order for her to live.
Also joining us on the show is her cardiologist, Dr. Joel Schilling, who does a fantastic job of sharing what goes on behind the scenes and with the patient before during and after a transplant. Dr. Schilling is board certified in Cardiology and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.
In light of April being National Donate Life Month, please consider registering to become an organ donor and give the gift of life.
Please visit:
https://www.barnesjewish.org/
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What if we taught the value of kindness, along with math in our schools?
What if we ran our businesses with kindness and math as our core principles?
What if we lead with kindness, in every single decision we made, and in every interaction we had with others?
As James Rhee demonstrates in his new book Red Helicopter - A Parable for our Times: Lead Change with Kindness (Plus a Little Math), leading with kindness and math may just change your perspective on your career, your relationships and your overall purpose in life.
Listen to this in depth discussion about how the gift of a Red Helicopter to a young 5 year old ended up changing the trajectory of a women’s clothing store 40+ years later, by transforming the lives of the many who were inspired to do better, to be better.
Follow James at:
@iamjamesrhee
www.RedHelicopter.com
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This week, I'm privileged to share an enriching conversation with James Rhee, the transformative leader who authored "Red Helicopter: Lead Change with Kindness (Plus a Little Math)." In our latest episode of Better Place Project, we traverse the landscape of societal evolution, dissect the true measure of success, and unveil the human side of business often obscured by balance sheets. James, with his unique blend of empathy and analytical precision, provides us with a roadmap for systemic change, drawing wisdom from lessons learned from his parents, the gift of a red helicopter, and the historic turnaround of Ashley Stewart, a plus-size women's clothing chain.
The journey to a meaningful life is often laced with childhood truths and the legacies we inherit. This episode peels back the layers of Rhee's personal anecdotes, from the formidable women who've shaped his path to the discomfort with societal elitism. It's a contemplative voyage through the principles that govern a balanced life, where intuition trumps comparison, and the scalability of teaching business concepts becomes apparent. The narrative extends an invitation to listeners, especially the youth and those at life's crossroads, to find meaning in daily work and to embrace success as a deeply human endeavor.
We close with a powerful call to action: to nurture kindness in the face of adversity and to understand the complex dance of societal challenges. Rhee's father's compassionate legacy as a pediatrician and entrepreneur echoes throughout this episode, guiding our discussion on leadership, feedback, and the quiet wisdom of kind business practices. It's not just about the hard-hitting economics; it's the unquantifiable moments of life that bring us together.
So join us on this journey, be moved by the stories, and let’s commit to treating each other with kindness, fostering a world that hopefully we will leave someday, better than we found it.
To learn more about James, and to order his new book, please visit:
RedHelicopter.com
To learn more about the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, please visit:
https://curealz.org/
Follow James at:
Instagram: @IamJamesRhee
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In this episode, I talk about the benefits of stepping out of our comfort zones. Every time, throughout my life, when I've taken a big chance, challenged myself to do something I didn't want to do, or taken a huge leap of faith, it ended up working out wonderfully in the end. So then I thought “I wonder if there’s any research around the benefits of stepping out of one’s comfort zone? And as it turns out, there is a ton of research out there. And it’s pretty stinking fascinating.
So that’s what I talk about in this week's episode. I share with you some of my stories (and maybe a failure or two) of SOOMCZ (Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone), and share with you why, if you’re not doing it already, allowing yourself, or even forcing yourself to step outside of your comfort zone might just change your life!
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In this week’s solo episode, I’m going to pull back the curtain on Ayahuasca – I’m going to talk about what it actually is, why I felt called to do it, why it’s not for everyone (I want to say that right up front), at least perhaps not right now in your life, and I’m going to share intimate details about my experience traveling to the rainforest of Costa Rica for an ayahuasca plant medicine retreat, consisting of 3 ayahuasca ceremonies. And I’ll tell you right now, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Davidji is an internationally recognized meditation expert, stress-management counselor, corporate trainer and author of the award-winning Secrets of Meditation: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace & Personal Transformation, and of the upcoming book on managing your stress through meditation: Destressifying: The Real-World Guide to Personal Empowerment, Lasting Fulfillment, and Peace of Mind. He created the 21-day
meditation challenge, and his voice can be heard on more than 300 guided meditations,
including his best-selling CD, Fill What is Empty; Empty What is Full, and his latest release, the critically acclaimed Ayurvedic opera Journey to Infinity with sound healers SacredFire.
After a 20-year career in business, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, davidji began
a new journey to wholeness, which he found through meditation. He apprenticed
under Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon, serving as the Chopra Center COO, Lead
Educator and then as the first Dean of Chopra Center University, training more than
200,000 people to meditate and certifying more than 1,000 meditation teachers.
He has since left the Chopra Center to travel the world teaching the practical
integration of meditation, mindfulness, conscious choice making, and ancient wisdom
into our real-world, modern-day experiences. For more than 12 years davidji has
helped thousands of people around the world to be more reflective and less reflexive,
make better decisions, sleep better, enhance their relationships, experience
abundance, and live a purpose-driven life.
davidji is a certified Vedic Master, and every month, throughout the world, he hosts
empowerment workshops, life-change immersions, exotic spiritual retreats, and
teacher trainings.
To learn more about davidji:
https://davidji.com/
Buy davidji's books:
https://davidji.com/books/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/flowoflove
Instagram:
@davidjimeditation
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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How can we create a better world for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren, if we make poor choices in the person who is to lead us?
Donald J. Trump is the biggest threat to democracy in the history of the United States. He is now leading Joe Biden in the polls and if he ends up being re-elected, the United States may never be the same again.
In this episode, Steve breaks down the reasons why, with the "Big Lie," 4 criminal indictments and 91 charges, authoritarian wanna be Dictator Donald Trump is not a politician, but a dangerous cult leader causing great harm to America, most likely irreparable harm if he succeeds at becoming president again.
But the solution to this problem is NOT to try and talk to or convince Trump worshipers that he is a dangerous man. That is a plan to fail, and it's far too late for that. But there are other steps that we can take to ensure that our sacred democracy remains in tact. But is it too late?
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In this week's episode, Steve sits down with Debra Berndt Maldonado and Dr. Robert Maldonado to talk about all things Jungian Psychology including the importance of doing shadow work, tips for facing your shadow, imposter syndrome and how to overcome it, the power of spiritual goals, accessing you inner archetype, the difference between our personal unconscious and collective unconscious, what we can learn from our dreams and so much more!
Debra Berndt Maldonado CCHT, CMJCI, is the CEO of
CreativeMind. Debra is a Certified Master Jungian Life
Coach Instructor and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. She is the
author of the bestselling books “Let Love In” and “Like a
Spark From Fire.” Debra believes that, no matter what has
happened to you or whatever odds were against you, you
can change your life, find fulfillment in love and success,
and experience true happiness.
Robert Maldonado, PhD is the President of CreativeMind.
He is recognized internationally as a human behavior and
relationship expert. He has had a life-long interest in
Jungian Psychology, including the study of dreams,
mythology and comparative religion. Robert's academic
training includes neuropsychology, neurodevelopment,
social neuroscience, and multicultural psychology.
Debra and Robert have helped thousands of people
around the world improve their personal relationships,
increase their income, create their dream business and
discover their life purpose using the CreativeMind
Method. Their vision is to create a conscious world,
free from conditioning, where people can experience
life in all its fullness.
To learn more about Debra and Dr. Rob, please visit:
https://www.creativemindlife.com/
For the free 3-Video coaching series, please visit:
https://www.creativemindlife.com/about/
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the significance of cultivating joy. Yet, it is in those moments of shared laughter, the simple pleasures that bring a smile, that we find resilience and strength. Joy is a transformative force, capable of turning mundane days into extraordinary memories.
The importance of joy extends beyond mere happiness; it nurtures our mental and emotional health. It acts as a remedy for stress, a balm for the soul in times of adversity. By embracing joy, we not only enhance our own lives but also contribute to a positive ripple effect, spreading happiness to those around us.
Ultimately, we are responsible for creating our own joy in our life. But how do we do that? In this short, solo episode, Steve walks us through his Top 9 Tips for Creating Joy in Your Life.
Give it a listen and start creating more joy in your life!
Meditation Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oefYByVeSU&list=PLmtQGVCjGqE_O2rQu1IHk-HPpdSvX_Ad9&index=8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TcF_Sow3r8&list=PLmtQGVCjGqE_O2rQu1IHk-HPpdSvX_Ad9&index=5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtEpngNbLIE&list=PLmtQGVCjGqE_O2rQu1IHk-HPpdSvX_Ad9&index=14&t=4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2zdUXve6fQ&list=PLmtQGVCjGqE_O2rQu1IHk-HPpdSvX_Ad9&index=19
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
In this week's episode, Steve sits down with intimacy expert, Tantra Teacher, and Relationship Coach, Magda Kay to talk about all things sex.
Magda has written a brand new book titled No More Faking it: A Woman’s Guide to Getting the Love, Pleasure and Fulfillment She Deeply Desires – And Steve & Magda leave nothing on the table in this conversation. They talk about tantra sex, orgasms, why some women aren’t having orgasms and how to fix that, They talk about F Power, what that means and the 4 inner voices that women and men have that can help us properly follow our intuition. Magda shares tips on how to spice up a stagnant sex life, goes over the benefits of sleeping naked, and so much more!
To learn more about Madga, please visit:
https://magdakay.com/
To follow Magda on Instagram:
@MagdaKayOfficial
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MagdaKayOfficial
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@MagdaKay
To order a copy of her new book:
https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Faking-pleasure-fulfillment-ebook/dp/B0C23QYPHW/ref=sr_1_1
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Dr. Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization.
He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, Essence Magazine, TEDx, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Magazine, NBC News, AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Upworthy. These campaigns have been viewed by millions of people worldwide.
Terence has authored seven books and three traditionally published works, including: I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together, and All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity, all with InterVarsity Press.
He also has a children’s book coming out with IVP Kids that he co-authored with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Zion Lester, which deals with homelessness, belonging, inclusion, and encouraging children to serve others with empathy and compassion.
Terence has also received numerous awards for his community activism, including being named one of Atlanta’s top 500 leaders by Atlanta Magazine, being named one of Coca-Cola’s History Shakers, receiving the National Urban League Humanitarian Award, Brawny Giant Award, the American Express NextGen Award, the SCLC Social Advocacy Award, Atlanta Voice’s 50 under 50, the True to Atlanta Award presented by the Atlanta Hawks, Fulton County Schools Service Award, and Plywood People’s Innovator Award.
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In this Encore Presentation of a Special Edition Holiday Episode from 2021, we compiled responses from 18 different guests of the podcast this year who answered the question "What is your favorite holiday tradition?"
We received so many wonderful answers from all across the board, and even a few holidays and traditions that we've never heard of, from different cultures around the world.
You'll here answers from Anaise and Carine Kanimba (Daughters of Paul Rusesabagina, real life hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda), Bailey Richardson (One of the first employees at @instagram), Caroline Rose (3 Time Stage 4 Cancer Survivor), Christy Harrison (Best Selling Anti-Diet Author), Dr. Chloe Carmichael (Psychiatrist and Author), Dr. Christian Heim (Psychiatrist/Preventative Mental Health Expert), Eric Winters (Author /Wellness Coach), Freddie Fuller (The Singing Cowboy), Hema Vyas (Psychologist and "Heart Whisperer"), Linda Bjork (Founder of Hope for Healing), Missy Bellinger (Co-Founder of A Shelter for Cancer Families), Paul House and Angie Gade (HouseInTheWoods.org), Robin Parrish (Co-Founder of Ecstatic Dance LA), Dr. Shad Helmstetter (Best Selling Author), Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig Gomez (Professional Swing Dancers), Terence Lester (Activist, Author, Founder of Love Beyond Walls), Woody Fairthcloth (Founder of Emergency RV), and Zach Correa (Founder and CEO of LemonGRAFT).
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In this Holiday / Christmas Bonus Episode from 2020, Erin & I chat about our own holiday traditions growing up and what we look forward to the most about the holidays. We even take a trip down memory lane and listen to clips of some Norris original Christmas songs from the 90s and early 2000s. That’s right, we have our own Christmas album. Hehe! Pour yourself some eggnog or hot cocoa and enjoy this holiday special!
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Daniel Blevins is a salon owner, social media influencer, LGBTQ+ advocate, activist and founder of Stand In Pride. Daniel and his husband of 22 years reside in rural East Tennessee. He’s a proud father of two children and three grandchildren.
Daniel founded the Facebook group Stand In Pride in early 2021, the group has since grown to over 60k members, with members in over 70 countries. The success of the group has gained national and international recognition in news publications including USA Today and People magazine as well as being featured on NBC news and The Today Show.
Outside of the salon and advocacy work he enjoys spending time with his family, painting, gardening and volunteering with local charity organizations.
Stand In Pride Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1058795144614107
Follow Daniel on Instagram:
@the_zombie_dan
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In a world that often seems divided by lines drawn in blood and conflict, I find myself at a crossroads. The Israel-Gaza conflict, a longstanding and painful struggle, has once again erupted into headlines and social media feeds. As the world debates and takes sides, I have taken a side. I have made my choice, but it's not a choice between Israelis and Palestinians. It's an altogether different choice.
The Israel-Gaza conflict is a deeply complex and emotional issue that has defied resolution for generations. Innumerable lives have been lost, homes destroyed, and families torn apart. The cycle of violence, while it may ebb and flow, persists. It's easy to be swayed by the prevailing narratives and to feel the pressure to pick a side, to become a cog in this destructive cycle.
But I've finally come to the realization that I do need to pick a side. And I choose Love.
Credit to Reuters for history of Gaza passages used in this episode: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gazas-centuries-war-brief-history-2023-10-30/
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
This week on the podcast, I talk about a book I’ve recently read that I’ve been wanting to read for years, and I finally put in my queue and read it. It’s a legendary book called Autobiography of a Yogi by the one and only Paramahansa Yogananda. Steve Jobs was so inspired by this book that he gave hundreds of copies of it away at his funeral in 2011.
This episode is my humble attempt to share some pearls of wisdom or top takeaways that I got from the book, which is chock full of precious insights on different facets of the human experience.
I will share my insights from the book on impermanence, the search for truth, the power of meditation and Kriya Yoga, the universality of spirituality, the guru-disciple relationship, the illusion of material success, the reality of miracles, and the journey of self realization. But perhaps the "must-listen" moment is the part where I share the "Cauliflower Robbery" Story!
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This is my birthday week, so, I’ve decided to do an episode on my top tips for staying young.
When I decided to do this episode, I googled “Tips for staying younger….” And I couldn’t believe it. Virtually every article was about how to LOOK younger. Good Housekeeping has 19 ways to LOOK younger, readers digest has 47 simple ways to look younger, and they all talk about “use this skin cream, this moisturizer, this sun screen, take supplements, use this hair conditioner etc. It’s all about focused on Looking younger:
I’m talking about how to FEEL younger and BE Younger in your heart. What’s the point of looking young if you don’t FEEL young and you aren’t actually living like a young person.
If you work on doing things that make you feel younger, you will have a young energy about you, and you will therefore act and “look” younger. Looking younger will be a byproduct of feeling younger, AND you’ll be enjoying your life along the way.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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I am so honored to have Dr. Terence Lester back to chat about his thought-provoking new book, All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity.
In this Part 1, Steve & Terence cover topics such as:
- Terence's near fatal auto accident
- His receiving his Ph.D.
- The inspiring story that was the impetus for launching Love Beyond Walls
- Dismantling unrecognized prejudice
- "The Talk" that Terence and other black parents have to have with their children
- Steve shares his white privilege story
- Terence's take on "color blindness."
- Black history and the importance of it being taught accurately in schools to future generations
- The controversy of removing confederate statues
- Much more!
Dr. Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization.
He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, Essence Magazine, TEDx, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Magazine, NBC News, AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Upworthy. These campaigns have been viewed by millions of people worldwide.
Terence has authored seven books and three traditionally published works, including: I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together, and All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity, all with InterVarsity Press.
He also has a children’s book coming out with IVP Kids that he co-authored with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Zion Lester, which deals with homelessness, belonging, inclusion, and encouraging children to serve others with empathy and compassion.
Terence has also received numerous awards for his community activism, including being named one of Atlanta’s top 500 leaders by Atlanta Magazine, being named one of Coca-Cola’s History Shakers, receiving the National Urban League Humanitarian Award, Brawny Giant Award, the American Express NextGen Award, the SCLC Social Advocacy Award, Atlanta Voice’s 50 under 50, the True to Atlanta Award presented by the Atlanta Hawks, Fulton County Schools Service Award, and Plywood People’s Innovator Award.
To learn more, please visit:
https://terencelester.org/
https://www.lovebeyondwalls.org/
Instagram: @imterencelester
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
This week’s episode is a very special one with @katerina.Satori
Katerina’s ultimate devotion is to evolutionary consciousness. Her work is focused on guiding visionary leaders to stand fully in this devotion, too, through transcending stuck attachments, embodying their genius, and ascending into ecstatic co-creation with life.
After moving to the USA at age 23 with $3 in her pocket, she worked towards the spiritual initiation that would forever shape her devotion, and anchor her mission. Katerina is a transdimensional seer, wisdom channel, mystical mentor, and forever student of the path of ecstacs.
This conversation WAS A BLAST! Katerina and I chat about so many things spiritual, including walking the path of your soul, finding our purpose, raising your frequency, manifestation, shadow work, her work with Ayahuasca, communicating with your spirit guides and so much more. Whether you’re new to spirituality or a guru, this episode is for you!
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
This week we bring you an encore presentation of our August, 2022 interview with Relationship Coach, Therapist & Healing Teacher, Quentin Decamp.
In this conversation, we chatted about childhood trauma, commitment fears, wounded inner child work, anxious partners, avoidant partners, trauma bonds, toxic relationships, twin flames, healing via somatic breathwork and meditation, and so much more..
Quentin is an embodied relationship coach, somatic therapist and breathwork facilitator. He is also a dedicated, passionate writer, content creator & in depth body-mind worker who uses powerful knowledge, tools, breath techniques and movement to create a safe, transformational space, helping people to dissolve their subconscious limitations, trapped emotions and past traumas. Quentin guides individuals to heal the connection they have with themselves, so they can build a strong, connected and conscious romantic relationship with their partner that would be a reflection of their healing journey, and not a mirror of their past hurts.
Reflecting on how deeply lost he was in the darkest, most painful spaces a human being can emotionally experience, his journey has helped him become extremely accurate at understanding people's constraints and helping them to move past their most stubborn, unconscious blockages.
With a unique perspective, mixing deep writing and his own sense of humour, intertwining spirituality, science based ideas and other diverse approaches, Quentin makes the work something that anyone can relate more and more to.
To follow Quentin on Instagram:
@quentin.g.decamp
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Join us on a transformative journey where we explores the profound quest of finding your true purpose. Steve will guide us through the maze of self-discovery, humor, and enlightenment as we uncover the magic of purpose.
Discover why finding your purpose can be utterly life-changing, like unlocking a treasure chest within yourself. We'll dive into the six steps that lead you to your life's most exciting story, your "why," and your compass for navigating life's seas.
Prepare for an adventure filled with nuggets of insight, as Steve guides you toward your own treasure chest of purpose. Don't miss this episode because your purpose is waiting, and it has the power to change your life in ways you can't even imagine.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Anyone who has ever had a dog will agree, that the old expression “A dog is man’s best friend” absolutely holds true. For thousands of years we have domesticated and welcomed dogs, and other pets into our lives…they become a part of our family. We develop deep, meaningful bonds with our loyal companions.
Therefore, when they become sick, or have been traumatized, we desperately want to heal them. As a professional animal healer from Ireland, Lisa Tully has an international practice working with dogs & other species using a multi layered holistic approach. She gets to the root cause of their emotional or physical problems to bring lasting healing using natural botanicals; So they can live longer & stronger by your side.
But one of the more surprising twists that Lisa discovered in this work, is that through healing the animals she also ends up healing their people too. As she states “It's almost like the animals are the missing key to unlock their hearts that may have been shut down.” So in this week’s episode, we do a holistic healing deep dive. We learn how we can tap into our pet’s innate wisdom, the insights we can learn form our pets about our personal blind spots, connecting with our pets that have passed on, the power of animals to heal us, and so much more. Whether you have a pet or not, I think you’re going to love this fascinating episode. I certainly did!
To learn more about Lisa Tully, please visit:
https://animalhealing.ie/
To follow her on Instagram: @animalhealinglisatully
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Happiness, that elusive state of contentment and joy, has captivated human minds for centuries. Philosophers, poets, and psychologists have all sought to understand its nature and uncover the secrets to attaining it. While the pursuit of happiness might seem like an individual journey, modern science has revealed certain universal keys that can unlock this cherished emotion. So I wanted to bring to you with this week's episode, my top ten keys to happiness…AND, I back it up with scientific research.
So give it a listen and learn how to bring more happiness into your life!
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
This week, I’ve got another incredible guest, Charlsey Childers!
Charlsey is a North Carolina raised self worth and confidence coach for big dreamers and high achievers looking to align with the fullness of who they are so they can achieve the level of success and impact that they deeply deserve.
Just a few years ago, she was running around and running herself to the ground trying to do it all: build her Project Management career, raise a family, and be who everyone wanted her to be. Until she hit her breaking point. She was tired of pretending and struggling in silence.
So she decided to put her Masters in Psychology to use on herself and started exploring why she didn't feel good enough to step outside of her corporate career.
When she tried to change her life though, she got blocked and triggered. It felt like she was going backwards instead of forward. This put her on a five-year personal growth and development journey.
Little did she know that her journey would lead her to discovering a system to help other women achieve the same freedom she would find. That season of digging deep led her to helping women quiet the negative, cultivate inner confidence, and believe they are worthy of the life they want... in between dance parties, of course. :) **To learn more about Charlsey, please visit:
https://www.charlseychilders.com/
Instagram:
@charlsey_childers
Podcast:
Seeing your Inner Brilliance**
August 27th Somatic Breathwork Session Registration (12PM Pacific, 3PM Eastern):
https://calendly.com/betterplaceproject/zoom-somatic-breathwork-session-with-steve
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober, better known as Anneagram Ashton is an author, public speaker, Community Psychologist, and certified Enneagram educator. Ashton helps people strengthen their relationships and become the best versions of themselves through the framework of the Enneagram.
Enneagram Ashton was created after Ashton discovered how impactful the Enneagram can be in understanding yourself and others. As someone who loves to help others (aka an undeniable Enneagram 2), Ashton considers it a privilege to share this amazing tool with others.
For a long time, Ashton thought that success needed to be something tangible. The amount of followers she had. How many books she wrote. How many businesses she had, etc. etc. etc. But now she knows that success to her is seeing lives, relationships, and businesses changed because of the Enneagram.
Ashton has written three books (all available on her website):
"The Enneagram Made Simple: A No-Nonsense Guide to Using the Enneagram for Growth and Awareness," "The Enneagram for Relationships: Transform Your Connections with Friends, Family, Colleagues, and in Love," and "The Two of Us: A Three-Year Couple's Journey."
Website:
https://enneagramashton.com/
Instagram: @Enneagramashton
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Lucas Salame had an awakening experience from being faced with a life or death choice: To keep following the path of a drug addict or pull himself out of the darkness. After a series of personal challenges, including being placed on over eight psychiatric medications and attempting suicide due to the side effects, coupled with fighting the stigma of being labeled bipolar, Lucas finally committed himself to a life of inner work by addressing his internal wounds through deep contemplation, prioritizing his health and well-being, as well as through sharing his experiences with his followers worldwide. Today, Lucas is no longer using drugs to escape. Instead he is channeling his energy into what he believes is his true life purpose; being a voice and creating a community for people who have experienced mental health issues and the difficulties that come with that.
Lucas is dedicated to providing an abundance of resources to assist those on the healing path through his show, The New Age Sage Podcast, and his expansive archive of written content.
Lucas holds a BS in Political Science from Brown University.
To learn more about Lucas Salame:
https://new-age-sage.com/
Instagram: @Lucas__Salame
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the final chapter in this series, part 5, Culturia, which brings us right up to the arrival of humanity on planet earth. Dr. Blundell walks us through how creatures began to move…and how “Simply moving from one spot to another offered a whole new way of seeing the world.”
We chat about what happened upon the arrival of Neanderthals and homosapians, and how the earth Earth has endowed us with our capacity to do art precisely so that we may feel our intrinsic belonging, and connection to the planet, ourselves and each other.
Religeions, Emerge, new ideas form. Science and technology were born, along with commer, creating the industrial revolution.
But what lessons have we lost along the way? What ideas will we bring with us into the future? And more importantly, can we save our future. Can we save ourselves from ourselves?
How did we get here? And where do we go from here? In this five-part series, Ecologist and founder of Oika, Dr. Rich Blundell takes us on a journey of the cosmos. But this is way more than a history lesson about the universe. This is about you, and me and everyone and everything around us, how it all came to be, and how we all are connected.
Nature has intelligence; A magnificent, sublime, complex intelligence that science is just now beginning to understand. What would it be like if we felt that intelligence inside of us? In this series, you will discover how to tap into, and feel that innate intelligence that is already inside of you right now. Once humankind begins to understand this, to know this, to feel this, we will be living in a very different, much more beautiful world. So join us on this journey. It just might change your life.
Prior to listening to this episode, please watch the following 2 videos:
Culturia:
https://vimeo.com/richblundell/culturia
Where to Earthlings?
https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/232044799
To learn more about Dr. Blundell, please visit:
www.Oika.com
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
This week we bring you Part 4 of History of the Cosmos: Animalia, where things are really starting to happen here on earth after millions of years of being frozen solid. We talk more about this cool little lipid membrane that, as Dr. Blundell says, “will be an essential element of all life on our planet. It lets the world flow into us and out of us in the relationships that sustain us.”
Plants begin to evolve, animals arrive, we talk about the connection between the salt in the oceans and the salt in your tears, and after listening to this episode, you may never look at your vision the same way.
Now, for those of you out there who, like me, or not science nerds, please don’t worry about, or trip on the science, just kind of let it wash over you and take in the overall message here, because it’s a very powerful one that can truly make a positive and beautiful difference in your life.How did we get here? And where do we go from here? In this five-part series, Ecologist and founder of Oika, Dr. Rich Blundell takes us on a journey of the cosmos. But this is way more than a history lesson about the universe. This is about you, and me and everyone and everything around us, how it all came to be, and how we all are connected.
Nature has intelligence; A magnificent, sublime, complex intelligence that science is just now beginning to understand. What would it be like if we felt that intelligence inside of us? In this series, you will discover how to tap into, and feel that innate intelligence that is already inside of you right now. Once humankind begins to understand this, to know this, to feel this, we will be living in a very different, much more beautiful world. So join us on this journey. It just might change your life.
**To get the most out of this episode, please first watch this short 9-minute film:
Animalia: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/483691027
To learn more about Dr. Rich Blundell and Oika, please visit:
https://oika.com**
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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To follow Steve on Instagram@SteveNorrisOfficial
Facebook: Facebook.com/BetterPlaceProjectPodcast
Twitter: @BetterPlaceProj
Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
How did we get here? And where do we go from here? In this five-part series, Ecologist and founder of Oika, Dr. Rich Blundell takes us on a journey of the cosmos. But this is way more than a history lesson about the universe. This is about you, and me and everyone and everything around us, how it all came to be, and how we all are connected.
Nature has intelligence; A magnificent, sublime, complex intelligence that science is just now beginning to understand. What would it be like if we felt that intelligence inside of us? In this series, you will discover how to tap into, and feel that innate intelligence that is already inside of you right now. Once humankind begins to understand this, to know this, to feel this, we will be living in a very different, much more beautiful world. So join us on this journey. It just might change your life.
In this week's Part 3 Episode, Earthea, we pick up where we left off last week in Part 2, 4 and ½ billion years ago when our planet earth was created. Earth was a harsh place back then, frozen for millions of years, but eventually, oceans and clouds started to form, and new patterns start to emerge.
Dr. Blundell breaks down the importance of Fractals: The mathematical discovery that highlights or perhaps even proves that we are all connected.
We chat about the 3 core concepts of OIKA and how they are connected, and what all this has to do with humanity right now, what we can learn from the cosmos, and how we really should be examining how we interact with nature.
Before listening, please watch the below short 10-minute films:
Fractals: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/432639406
Earthea: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/479026498
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
Instagram: @BetterPlaceProj
To follow Steve on Instagram@SteveNorrisOfficial
Facebook: Facebook.com/BetterPlaceProjectPodcast
Twitter: @BetterPlaceProj
Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
How did we get here? And where do we go from here? In this five-part series, Ecologist and founder of Oika, Dr. Rich Blundell takes us on a journey of the cosmos. But this is way more than a history lesson about the universe. This is about you, and me and everyone and everything around us, how it all came to be, and how we all are connected.
Nature has intelligence; A magnificent, sublime, complex intelligence that science is just now beginning to understand. What would it be like if we felt that intelligence inside of us? In this series, you will discover how to tap into, and feel that innate intelligence that is already inside of you right now. Once humankind begins to understand this, to know this, to feel this, we will be living in a very different, much more beautiful world. So join us on this journey. It just might change your life.
In this episode, Celestia, we continue to follow ecological intelligence along the path of ontological continuity. But now, across celestial scales. We discuss Emergence, which is, as Dr. Blundell says, is “The unseen force of nature that invents new things. From stars to butterflies, from orcas to orchestras to the ideas in your head.”
Steve and Rich also wax philosophical about the sheer beauty and awe of the chaotic but organized universe and discuss "The Golf Ball Experiment" and Mathematician John Conway's Game of Life, which helps explain how new life emerges.
Prior to listening to this episode, please watch the following two short videos:
Celestia: **https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/474775410
Emergence: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/430783955**
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
Instagram: @BetterPlaceProj
To follow Steve on Instagram@SteveNorrisOfficial
Facebook: Facebook.com/BetterPlaceProjectPodcast
Twitter: @BetterPlaceProj
Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
How did we get here? And where do we go from here? In this five-part series, Ecologist and founder of Oika, Dr. Rich Blundell takes us on a journey of the cosmos. But this is way more than a history lesson about the universe. This is about you, and me and everyone and everything around us, how it all came to be, and how we all are connected.
You see, nature has intelligence; A magnificent, sublime, complex intelligence that science is just now beginning to understand. What would it be like if we felt that intelligence inside of us? In this series, you will discover how to tap into, and feel that innate intelligence that is already inside of you right now. Once humankind begins to understand this, to know this, to feel this, we will be living in a very different, much more beautiful world. So join us on this journey. It just might change your life.
In this week’s Part 1, which covers from the Big Bang through the first 380,000 years, we discuss what Dr. Blundell calls the Primordia era, going all the way to the Big Bang. In this episode, we trace the origins of ecological intelligence to its source; the primordial light of the cosmos, or at least get as close as the science will allow us. We’re going to learn how the whole of nature, including us, is an expression of relationships. We’ll discover how ecological intelligence is the creative force of nature and if we choose to participate, it will amplify our own creativity as well.
As we’ve explored space, we’ve discovered that there IS an intelligence out there. and now we’re going to begin to understand it, because it’s an intelligence that’s also within us.”
Primordia Video (Watch before listening to this episode:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/7295405/video/471941087
To learn more about Dr. Rich Blundell, please visit:
https://oika.com/
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
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To follow Steve on Instagram@SteveNorrisOfficial
Facebook: Facebook.com/BetterPlaceProjectPodcast
Twitter: @BetterPlaceProj
Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Encore Presentation of my Interview with Daniel Mate from November of 2022: After reading his game-changing book "The Myth of Normal," it was such an honor to have Co-Writer Daniel Maté on the show to do a deep dive on trauma, sickness and health and the mind/body connection.
Daniel and I chat about how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?
This is one of my favorite conversations that I've ever had on the show. It may just change how you look at western medicine.
Daniel Maté is a composer, lyricist, and playwright for musical theatre based in BC and New York.
He received the prestigious Edward Kleban Prize for Most Promising Lyricist in American Musical Theatre, a Jonathan Larson Foundation Grant, and the ASCAP Foundation’s Cole Porter Award for Excellence in Music and Lyrics. He has presented his work at the historic Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and New York’s Lincoln Center, and was an invited participant in the inaugural Johnny Mercer Writers Colony.
Outside of music and theatre, Daniel runs the world’s only “mental chiropractic” service, Take A Walk With Daniel and he Co-Authored the brand new Internationally Bestselling book “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture” with his father, Dr. Gabor Mate.
Website: https://www.walkwithdaniel.com/
https://www.danielmate.com/
Instagram: @Danielbmate
Twitter: @Danielbmate
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
Website:
https://www.betterplaceproject.org/**
Instagram: @BetterPlaceProj
To follow Steve on Instagram@SteveNorrisOfficial
Facebook: Facebook.com/BetterPlaceProjectPodcast
Twitter: @BetterPlaceProj
Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Vash Tomanec, who went from being an Uber Eats driver to achieving 7-figure success. Vash, the founder of Mindtrepreneur, shares his experiences and insights on mastering mindset for entrepreneurial success.
Vash Tomanec embarked on his transformational journey with Mindtrepreneur, a venture aimed at helping 1 million entrepreneurs achieve fulfillment and joy in their lives by mastering their mindset. He reveals that just three years ago, he was delivering food on his bike for Uber Eats, and now he is on a mission to empower others to achieve their dreams.
During the episode, Vash opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced along the way. He also highlights a pivotal moment in his life, a 7-day meditation retreat in complete darkness, which profoundly impacted his mindset.
Vash talks about his extensive meditation practice, having completed an astonishing 5,000 meditation sessions. He explains the benefits of meditation and how it has contributed to his personal growth and success.
Vash also explores the topic of breathwork and how he discovered its transformative power. As a somatic breathwork practitioner, he shares the impact breathwork has had on his life and how it can positively influence others.
Vash also unveils his 4-step framework for achieving any goal, which he used to build three 7-figure companies within just two years, all before turning 26. The framework emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, understanding your why, creating a plan of action, and aligning your identity with your goal
Vash Tomanec is a 25-year-old serial entrepreneur who has built three successful seven-figure businesses. With his latest venture, Mindtrepreneur, Vash is on a mission to help 1 million entrepreneurs transform their business and live more fulfilled and joyous life by mastering their mindset. He does it through 1-1 and group coaching, various online programs, in-person masterminds hosted 4x per year.
Vash is known for his inspiring, present, loving, and driven nature. He is obsessed with helping people level up and live their most fulfilling lives, and he loves mastering subjects rather than just dabbling in them. His frameworks and principles have helped over 1,000 people from 60+ countries. He is skilled at using the power of the subconscious mind to achieve his goals faster and live a better, more fulfilled life.
In addition to his dedication to personal growth and helping others, Vash is also passionate about biohacking and finding ways to stay productive and disciplined. He spends a lot of time researching and experimenting with different techniques and strategies to optimize his health and performance.
Vash’s passion for meditation, personal growth, and the science of happiness has also led him to share the stage with renowned expert Dr. Joe Dispenza in 2022.
To stay in touch with Vash:
https://mindtrepreneur.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vash_tomanec/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaclav-tomanec/
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In this episode, we explore the profound impact of seasonal changes on the human psyche and discuss strategies to alleviate the effects on mood and promote well-being. We begin by understanding how seasonal variations influence our biological clock, hormonal balance, and neurotransmitter activity, directly affecting our mood. The reduction in daylight hours during winter disrupts the natural production of serotonin, leading to feelings of lethargy, sadness, and a decrease in overall well-being.
We also explore how changes in daily routines and activities, such as limited outdoor time and colder temperatures, can contribute to a sense of isolation and exacerbate mood changes. Steve shares a personal experience of going through a "funk" that he attributes to the weather and changing seasons, highlighting the phenomenon of June gloom in Southern California. We learn how the tilt of the Earth and its movement around the sun bring about the seasons, and the Steve reflects on an episode from a documentary series that highlights the impact of seasons on various species.
Delving deeper into the effects of seasonal changes on humans, we discover that there is evidence for seasonal variations in physiological functions and even complex behaviors. The episode touches on circadian and infradian rhythms regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, as well as the Belgian study that found changes in brain activity and cognitive performance across seasons.
The discussion turns to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Major Depressive Disorder, which affects millions of adults. We explore various ways to combat the mood changes associated with seasonal transitions, including light therapy, outdoor exposure, exercise, mindfulness, self-care practices, learning new skills, and seeking support from professionals when necessary.
Steve shares insights from a personal course he is undertaking on Jose Silva's teachings, emphasizing the power of gratitude journaling and focusing on the magic witnessed each day. The episode concludes with a quote from Gandhi, encouraging lifelong learning and living each day to the fullest.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In this week's episode, Steve spends some time with Monica Haughey, a Transformational Coach and Psychotherapist, to explore the topic of creativity and its transformative power in our lives.
The conversation begins with the question, "What is a creative entrepreneur?" Monica shares her insights into the concept of creative entrepreneurship and sheds light on the unique qualities and mindset of individuals who combine creativity with entrepreneurial endeavors. She explains how creative entrepreneurs bring innovative ideas to life, often in the form of businesses or projects that disrupt traditional norms and offer new solutions to problems.
Building upon this understanding, the discussion evolves to address the question, "Can anyone become more creative?" Monica emphasizes that everyone has the capacity to nurture and develop their creative abilities. She encourages listeners to tap into their innate creativity and embrace the possibilities it brings.
As the conversation progresses, Monica highlights why this is a crucial time for more of us to engage our creativity. In a rapidly changing world, she explains how creativity can help us adapt, innovate, and find unique solutions to challenges. She discusses the importance of creative thinking in all areas of life, including personal growth, professional pursuits, and societal change.
Monica and Steve also explore the significance of community when venturing into creative entrepreneurship. They discuss the power of collaboration, support networks, and finding like-minded individuals who can inspire and motivate us on our creative journeys. They highlight the role of community in fostering growth, sharing resources, and amplifying our impact.
Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion on finding creativity in the small things. Monica explores how mindful awareness and a shift in perspective can unlock creative potential in everyday activities. She encourages listeners to embrace curiosity, explore new interests, and find beauty and inspiration in the ordinary.
Overall, this episode with Monica Haughey offers a rich exploration of creativity, creative entrepreneurship, and their transformative potential. Listeners will gain valuable insights on embracing their own creative power, navigating challenges with courage, and finding beauty and innovation in all aspects of their lives.
Monica's passion as a highly experienced psychotherapist and coach is to assist individuals and groups in seeing possibilities and thinking beyond their current horizons. She is also a serial entrepreneur, Founder of the School of Conscious Living, Conscious Living and Working Conference and Good Food Initiative, among other ventures.
Since launching her Creative Entrepreneurship group learning programs in Dublin in 2022, Monica is asked to comment and speak in national media on the topics of creativity and entrepreneurship. In October 2022, Monica was featured in The Irish Times, Joanne Hunt's 'How To' column on how to be creative and as a result was referenced on national radio.
Recently, Monica has spoken at the National Psychotherapy conference, hosted her own Conscious Living podcast during the lockdown, and appeared on Carole's Lady time and Back to Work connect programs.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In Hema's second appearance on the show, Steve and Hema chat further about what it means get out of your head and tap into your "Heart Intelligence," and the impact that can have on your life.
Other topics discussed include:
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The heart's electrical field (Did you know that it's electrical field is stronger than your brain's
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Why leaders should use heart intelligence
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The heartache of high achievers
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What is a heart-centered workplace?
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Societal problems such as misinformation and gun violence
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Artificial Intelligence: will it be good or bad for mankind?
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The power of meditation and the importance of having a meditation practice
Hema Vyas is a multi-award-winning corporate wellness mentor and trailblazer in heart intelligence. With her refined intuitive skills and innate ability to read heart energy, Hema brings a seer’s perspective to modern business. She waves contemporary leadership principles with the power of the heart.
Omnipreneurs value health, humanity, and sustainability alongside business objectives. As The Omnipreneurial Psychologist™, Hema champions the fusion of health, humanity, and sustainability alongside business objectives. She teaches startups, corporates, and global audiences how to harness the power and potential of the heart, enabling them to become more effective, conscious and successful. Hema addresses the silent heartaches and aspirations of high-achievers.
Hema's website:
https://hemavyas.com/
Find your Haven: transformative healing and learning experiences
https://hemavyas.com/find-your-haven/
LIve coursed on heart-centered leadership:
https://maven.com/hema-vyas/heart-centered-leadership
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I am back from a 1-month hiatus after needing to take some time off and hit the proverbial reset button.
In this episode, I share my 6 favorite ways to reset your life when you’re in a funk and just can’t seem to come out of it. I packed my bags and headed to Nantucket Island, disconnected from social media, got out in nature and learned a few things, which sent me back to California with a new perspective.
Please share in the comments your best trick for getting out of a rut. We’ve all been there…let’s share our tips for getting out of it and getting back on track!
Tap the link in bio to listen to this solo "6 Ways to Hit the Reset Button and Super-Charge Your Life."
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The one and only Barry Nicolaou is back on the show again!! This time we talk about his new book “Move the Mountain: Intention Reset,” where Barry talks about how to manifest exactly what we want in life, and the obstacles we all put in place that slow the process down. In this clip, We chat about the importance of releasing the timing of what it is that we want. Just as we can’t tell the universe to make the flower open up when we want it to, (it will open up when the timing is just right), we can’t expect the universe to deliver what we want before it’s the right time.
We also talk about the 6 steps to Resetting Intention, why we should embrace failure, how we can “See the possibility” and visualize what we want, the power of gratitude, the lessons in a Rudyard Kipling poem, and we browse through a handful of Barry’s 101 Move the Mountain Power Quotes.
Barry is a fierce advocate of well-being to be able to chase down life’s sought after moments. His ability to unlock and define corporate Inspiration, purpose, gratitude and drive led him to his #1 Best-Selling book: The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfillment in 2015.
Barry’s national talks, keynote addresses, webinar presentations, and workshops work to deconstruct the untapped power of subconscious thought and the science of creative visualisation. He focuses on the deconstruction of mindset blocks which surround cognitive fear, old-wired subconscious paradigms, Inherited thinking, and their connection to real-world managerial expectations and experiences.
Barry instills his corporate well-being and executive coaching programs primarily through 4 Inspirational programs. Barry’s merging of spiritual based fulfillment practices into the corporate space not only makes Barry’s programs highly sought after, but seen as a secret weapon for employee engagement in a post-pandemic era.
Tap the link in bio to listen to the full episode.
For more information or to order his book, please visit:
https://barrynicolaou.com/
instagram: @Barrynicolaou.com
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Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS is a journalist, registered dietitian, and certified intuitive eating counselor. She’s the author of The Wellness Trap: Break Free from Diet Culture, Disinformation, and Dubious Diagnoses and Find Your True Well-Being(coming in April 2023) and Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating. Christy is also the coauthor, with psychotherapist Judith Matz, of The Making Peace with Food Card Deck.
Christy is the producer and host of two podcasts, Rethinking Wellness and Food Psych, which have helped tens of thousands of listeners around the world think critically about diet and wellness culture and develop more peaceful relationships with food.
In addition to her media work, Christy offers online courses and private intuitive eating coaching to help people all over the world make peace with food and their bodies.
Christy began her career in 2003 as a writer and editor covering food, nutrition, and health, and she’s written for publications including The New York Times, SELF, BuzzFeed, WIRED, Refinery29, Gourmet, Slate, The Food Network, and many others. Her work has been covered in numerous outlets including The Washington Post, Health, and TODAY. Learn more about Christy and her work at christyharrison.com.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Encore presentation of our #1 downloaded episode of all time!!!
In this episode, Relationship Coach and Teacher, Jillian Turecki and I talk all things relationships. We start off with Jillian sharing a little about her childhood and what led up to her finding her passion in the world of relationships. Jillian shares some hardships she went through during her "dark night of the soul," from the breakup of her marriage to her mother's diagnosis with stage 4 lung cancer.
We chatted about the "unshakeable courage" it takes to face our fears and learn the relationship and communication skills none of us were taught in school. We talked about the importance of changing the way we see ourselves, the importance of authenticity, the unlearning that must be done, learning how to "feel enough," and actually "make ourselves happy."
But most importantly, we chatted about the importance of working on ourselves. As Jillian says, “Every relationship that I’ve ever had, had one thing in common, and that was me.” Hence we need to stop saying "it's all them."
Jillian also shared her thoughts on marriage counseling, why that often fails, and why she prefers to work with individuals, as opposed to couples.
Other topics included Jillian's thoughts on dating apps, love verses compatibility, how to keep romance and sex alive in a long-term relationship, twin flames, soul mates and so much more!
Jillian Turecki is a certified relationship coach, teacher and writer who for 20 years has taught others how to transform their relationships with themselves.
Under the tutelage of Tony Robbins and world renowned family therapist Cloe Madanes, Jillian is certified by the Robbins Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention, a renowned coaching program known for its innovative strategic solutions to the most difficult relationship problems. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity about what makes a relationship thrive, Jillian has helped thousands through her teaching and writing revolutionize their relationship with themselves so that they transform their relationships with others. Jillian is sought out for her compassionate, direct, and very authentic style of coaching and teaching.”
Jillian on Instagram: @JillianTurecki
https://www.jillianturecki.com/
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In this solo episode, titled “Why Truth and Accountability Matter in a Better World,” I share my thoughts on the declining value of truth in our society and how imperative it is that, if we are truly trying to build a better world, we need to reclaim truth and accountability as necessary pillars supporting our foundation.
As Winston Churchill said, "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
Join me on this episode as I talk about the mind-numbing lies (and lack of accountability) running rampant around the world, as I desperately search for my pants and attempt to figure out how to pull them up.
But in the end, the truth always prevails! Or does it?
Tap the link in bio to listen.
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Back by popular demand, I am so stoked to have Dr. Rich Blundell back on the show for a 3rd time! In this clip, he’s talking about how when i asked ChatGPT how to make the world a better place, it got it all wrong. It’s not about doing “things,” but changing our thoughts and perspective. “We need to change the way in which we identify the lands that we live on, the air that we breathe, the planet that we inhabit. Then those other problems not only solve themselves, they become non-problems. All we have to do is fall back in love with the earth that has loved us."
We sat down for a chat about ecological intelligence, the cosmos, our connectivity to nature, the dynamic between science and spirituality & religion (you might be surprised at what he has to say, being a scientist.), non-duality, climate change (you might be surprised by his thoughts on this as well), we talked about Oika, which is a word he coined and what that means and the power of artists to help change the world.
Dr. Rich Blundell is an ecologist working at the interface of art, science, nature and culture. His research examines how transformation happens across the scales of person, place and planet. As a cultural communicator, Rich tells a scientific story of the universe that includes art and human creativity as natural phenomena. Dr. Blundell’s research and work has received numerous grants and awards including, The National Science Foundation grant for Science Out There, the Michael Brinkman Award, and The Deep Time Values video award for An Earth Story. Blundell’s creative video work has appeared on PBS, National Geographic and his art has hung in numerous galleries.
For more info, please visit Oika.com
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Ryan Zofay is a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker. He teaches personal development strategies that measurably improve performance, connection and mindset. Using the teachings of his own successes and failures, Ryan has a unique ability to facilitate deep change for individuals and organizations. Ryan Zofay is the founder of We Level Up Treatment Centers and Personal Development Events. We Level Up produces a liberation from the mental chains that bind us, and enable us to operate at our fullest capacity.
Have you ever wondered why you’re always living the same patterns over and over, end up feeling like a victim, or making the same choices which always lead to stress, anguish, and inevitable upset? We Level up offers not an answer, but a solution to these grave dilemmas that face us on a daily basis. Ryan lives for pivotal moments. He has used his history to create change so great in his own life he became inspired to help others too.
Ryan has been studying his mentors Tony Robins and Grant Cardone for the past several years and has dedicated nearly 1500 hours of time to personal development training. Ryan feels best when he is able to contribute to those around him. In the last year he has partnered to give back to HomeSafe, H3 (raising 50k) and has begun offering the HOPE scholarship for those suffering from Substance Use Disorder without the resources to go to treatment.
https://ryanzofay.com/
Instagram: @Ryan.Zofay
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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For this week’s solo episode I do a quick update on exciting things that are going on with past guests, as well as an update to last month’s solo episode about ChatGPT.
Topics/Guests included are:
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Carine and Anaise Kanimba, daughters of Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of the Movie Hotel Rwanda who has been falsely imprisoned in Rwanda for 922 days! You can support Paul’s cause by ordering a T-shirt like the one I’m wearing in the pic above at PaulR.org
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The last slave ship Clotilda. Over two years ago I interviewed descendants of enslaved africans and a descendent of the captain of the Clotilda in an emotional 2-part series. A Netflix Documentary is now out, National Geographic and many others have done pieces on this story and Ben Raines, the author and documentary filmmaker who found the Clotilda has a new book out. And a new museum in honor of the Clotilda is opening in Mobile Alabama in July.
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Ibu Robin Lim update - She got her birthday wish!
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Anti-Diet Author Christy Harrison, who was on the show back in January of 2021 has a new book coming out in April!
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Terence Lester of Love Beyond Walls update (Near fatal accident and on the cusp of his PhD.
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Paul Watkins currently competing in his 3rd Arctic Ultra Marathon (He’s WON once already!)
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Barry Nicolauo: Best-Selling Author and frequent BPP guest has a new book coming out!!
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Dan Fischer of One Last Wave Project has gone global and is working on his 5th board!
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Daniel Mate, Co-Author of Bestselling The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture has a new podcast out called Let’s Get Lyrical with Carice and Daniel, and it’s awesome!
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The ever inspirational Clint Hatton has a new book out called Big Bold Brave: How to live Courageously in a Risky World.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Zach Skow, Marley’s Mutts Founder rescued Marley, a Rottweiler-Pit Bull from the Mojave Shelter in 2002 at eight weeks old. He used to carry him around in a backpack with just his head poking out.
When Zach was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, it was Marley who helped pull him from despair and into the fight. It was his relentless love, omnipresent affection, and “today can be the best day of our life” mentality which helped Zach live again.
When Zach contemplated suicide, Marley looked at him with a blinding affection that just couldn’t be ignored. He forced Zach to love himself by giving unconditional love.
Zach founded Marley’s Mutts in 2009 and nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status was granted in 2010. Growing from a nonprofit about dog rescue providing second chances and rescuing the unrescuable dogs, was the Pawsitive Change® Prison Program and Miracle Mutts® Therapy Dog Program.
Sadly, Marley was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 and fought a courageous battle. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2016 Marley’s Mutts and the Mutt Militia are his legacy.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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We had a good laugh over this story. This week’s guest, my good friend Glenn Crawford, who played on the ASU Football Team during their undefeated 12-0 season, tells the story of his wife thinking that he was a “white receiver” back in the day. 😂
But nowadays, Glenn is known more for his work helping people with their financial needs, especially those who happen to be going through something that they never thought they’d have to deal with: Divorce.
But Glenn is way more than a wealth management advisor and Divorce Coach, he’s also a good human, a charismatic storyteller, and he also just seems to have in his pocket, some golden nuggets of wisdom just about everyday life. Enjoy this conversation where we tackle a difficult topic, provide some great information, all with a little levity and humor injected.
Glenn is a Wealth Management Advisor (Series 65), is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), is a Life & Health Agent is Medicare Certified and is a member of Strategic Divorce Planning.
Much of his practice is focused on working with people thinking about, going through or planning their financial future after divorce. In short, he provides people with clarity, comfort and confidence in their decisions in dissolving the family enterprise. He helps them understand the question everyone asks, “Am I going to be OK?”
Glenn, himself, was divorced after 24 years of marriage and raising 3 young adults. He knows firsthand the physical, mental and emotional strain of divorce. Glenn’s mission is to “clear the fog” so clients can better navigate the divorce process by providing clarity, comfort and confidence when it comes to their decisions about marital asset division and understanding their “new financial future.”
For more information on Glenn:
https://www.strategicdivorceplanning.com/
Instagram: @glenntcrawford
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Email: BetterPlaceProjectPodcast@gmail.com
Have you heard about ChatGPT yet? If not, you need to know about it. It is a brand new world of artificial intelligence and we better pay attention to it or we could very well pay a price.
in this short solo episode, I break it down for you, show you the awesome capability that it has, but also present the very real concerns that we all need to take very seriously.
This is some powerful technology that needs to be respected. If we can harness it properly, it can be of huge benefit to mankind and greatly improve our lives. But if we don’t take it seriously, it can take us down.
Tap the link in bio to listen.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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What a remarkable conversation I had with the truly remarkable Chloé’ Valdary!
Chloé’s insights and teachings on anti-racism that she’s bringing to the world via her organization Theory of Enchantment, are game-changing, yet at their core, are simply based on unity and love. The curriculum of Theory of Enchantment is rooted in 3 guiding principles:
1) Treat people like human beings, not political abstractions
2) Criticize to uplift and empower, never to tear down or destroy.
3) Root everything you do in love and compassion.
To listen to the wisdom and knowledge coming from Chloe, you would think she has been at this for 30+ years. But what is even more astounding is that she has not yet celebrated her 30th birthday! But she passionately and unapologetically spreads her message of love, while challenging us on how best to tear down the walls of racism. In fact, I love that she, in a very respectful and eloquent way, subtly called me out on a few things in this episode, which led me to pause and reflect on how I am showing up in the anti-racism discussion, and whether or not I am always truly checking my ego at the door in discussions pertaining to equality and racism.
Listen in and let us know your thoughts on how we can all collectively learn from each other, understand each other better, and build a more kind, united, and loving society.
After a year as a Bartley Fellow at The Wall Street Journal, Chloé Valdary developed the Theory of Enchantment (ToE), an innovative framework for compassionate anti-racism that combines social-emotional learning (SEL), character development, and interpersonal growth as tools for leadership development in the boardroom and beyond.
Her work has been covered in Psychology Today, and her writings have appeared in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She’s lectured in universities across America, including Harvard and Georgetown. She continues her work with Theory of Enchantment to bring compassion to diversity inclusion training and fight bigotry with love.
To learn more, please visit:
https://theoryofenchantment.com/
Online Curriculum
John Vervaeke's meditations
Theoryofenchantment.com
Substack
Podcast
Instagram:
@CValdary
@Theoryofenchantment
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Louise Phipps Senft, Founder and CEO of Baltimore Mediation is an attorney and nationally recognized Transformative Mediator for Family, Divorce, Commercial and Complicated Business and Healthcare Issues. She is the author of the best-selling book, Being Relational: the Seven Ways to Quality Interaction & Lasting Change. She is also the creator of a Top 15 Podcast, Blink of an Eye, on trauma and trauma healing, and she is the founder of the non profit I C THAT, the Integrative Center for Trauma Healing, Advocacy and Transformation, changing the way we respond to Spinal Cord Injury.
She has been named a top CEO in the state of Maryland and she has been awarded on multiple occasions the distinguished “Top 100 Women” in Maryland honor.
Ms. Senft’s life was changed when one of her five children was tragically injured in a 2015 freak diving accident in the ocean surf rendering him a quadriplegic. She spent months living by his side in ICU’s and hospitals battling for his life and quality of his care, paralyzed from the neck down. She and her family responded with love and fierce advocacy. Her son Archer’s choice to live and be hopeful has been a beacon to many. She brings this life experience combined with her years of intuition, relational practices, and conflict transformation skills to leaders committed to making a difference in the lives of those they serve. She created Blink of an Eye Podcast in 2020 during the Pandemic, her own storytelling of her experience with Archer and the medical profession, which includes trauma healing insights and learnings. Blink of an Eye has thousands of listeners across the U.S. In 2021, she founded the non-profit, the Integrative Center for Trauma Healing, Advocacy, and Transformation, I C THAT, to be a national resource to families and medical teams to change the way we respond to Spinal Cord Injury.Blink of an Eye 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: www.blinkofaneye.org
@blinkofaneyenonprofit on IG / FB
Blink of an Eye Podcast: www.blinkofaneyepodcast.com
@blinkofaneyepodcast on IG / FB
Baltimore Mediation: www.baltimoremediation.com
@baltimoremediation on IG / FB
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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This was a first for me. I had a blast just shooting the sh*t with Adam Carbary of Embrace & Expand.
Adam and I decided to not interview each other on our separate podcasts, but rather just plug in the mics and chat, no set questions (except the 1 signature questions from each of our podcasts), just two wanderers in the world sharing their journeys.
Adam has a question he asks his guests on his show: "What did you have to embrace in your life in order to expand into the person you are today?” What a magnificent question! This clip includes portions of my attempt to answer it. And Adam answers Better Place Project’s signature question, “What advice do you have for us and our listeners on how we can help make the world a better place,” with as beautiful an answer as I have ever gotten for this question. And obviously he has mastered the art of brevity WAY better than I have!
Adam, who founded Embrace & Expand in 2021, is a fellow @Somaticrelease Breathwork Practitioner, a Wellness Coach and a Reiki Teacher. He also happens to be a beautiful human being who is a much-needed lightworker in this world.
To follow Adam:
https://www.embraceandexpand.com/
Instagram: @Adam.Carbary
@embraceandexpand
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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Imagine having to endure the senseless murder of your beautiful, innocent 6 year-old child, and then having to endure the torment of a powerful media personality screaming to his rabid fan base that the Sandy Hook Massacre was all a hoax, that you are a liar...a paid actor, and that your son never existed!
In this episode, Steve & Scarlett talk about that fateful day 10 years ago, and how she got through those first brutal days, and how she confronted Alex Jones, the Infowars head and man behind the conspiracies, face to face in court. But if you are expecting bitterness and anger in this conversation, you will not find it in Scarlett. Instead, you may find yourself inspired by what can happen in our lives when we choose love.
Scarlett Lewis founded the nonprofit Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement in honor of her son, Jesse, who was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society — that also caused the tragedy — and turned it into an opportunity to build a culture of love, resilience, forgiveness, and connection in our communities at a time when it is needed the most.
For more information on Choose Love Movement, please visit:
https://chooselovemovement.org/
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Matthew Fray is a relationship coach and writer who leans on the lessons of his failed marriage and divorce to help others avoid making the same mistakes. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Times and The Sunday Times of London, The Daily Mail, Salon, Huffington Post, as well as with television programs The Tamron Hall Show in the United States and ITV's This Morning in the United Kingdom. He is the author of "This is How Your Marriage Ends: A Hopeful Approach to Saving Relationships." And his blog, Must Be This Tall To Ride has a dedicated following which has reached millions of readers.
For more information, please visit:
https://matthewfray.com/
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I am back from hiatus and kicking off 2023 with the inspiring Clint Hatton, the founder of BigBoldBrave.
BigBoldBrave was inspired by the life of Clint’s oldest son, Gabriel, who achieved his life-long dream of becoming a pilot at the young age of only 17. But unfortunately, just months later, to the sheer horror of his family, Gabriel tragically died in a plane crash. In this episode, Clint openly shares what happened that fateful night, what it was like to receive the news, and then have to tell his two younger sons who had just lost their big brother.
This is one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had, on or off this podcast. Yes, this is a tragic story. Yes, some tears are shed. But as you are about to hear, this is also a beautiful story about love, family, marriage, hope, dreams, gratitude, and as Gabriel teaches us, living a big, bold and brave life, in spite of the obstacles and challenges we face on our journey.
To learn more about Clint or to order a copy of his new book, please visit BigBoldBrave.us
To Subscribe to the BigBoldBrave weekly newsletter, please visit:
https://bigboldbrave.us/join
Instagram: @Clint.Hatton
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In this Encore Christmas Bonus Episode from 2020, Erin and I chat about our own holiday traditions growing up and what we look forward to the most about the holidays. We even take a trip down memory lane and listen to clips of some Norris original Christmas songs from the 90s and early 2000s. That’s right, we have our own Christmas album. Pour yourself some eggnog or hot cocoa and enjoy this holiday special!
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In this episode Steve and his guest, therapist Lisa Strawn, discuss their life changing experience with Somatic Breathwork. Steve and Lisa participated in a recent in-person Somatic Breathwork Practitioner training conducted by Somatic Breathwork founders, Steven Jaggers and Fish Fischer. In this episode Steve and Lisa discuss:
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What Somatic Breathwork is and how it helps people heal.
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The release of stress, emotions and trauma through Somatic Breathwork
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The power of community
*The process of healing
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Combining Somatic Breathwork with other modalities
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How you can experience Somatic Breathwork
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How you can become a Somatic Breathwork Practitioner
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How Steve plans to introduce Somatic Breathwork to the Better Place Project Community.
For more information or to become a Somatic Breathwork Practitioner, please visit:
Somaticbreathwork.com and enter Promo Code "BPP."
To sign up for Adam Carbary's Inner Child Breathwork Session on 12-17-22:
https://calendly.com/embraceandexpand/inner-child-breathwork-session?month=2022-12
Steven Jaggers: @Jaggersjr
Fish Fisher: @fishfischer_
Rachel Cuthbert; @rachelcuthbert
Jordan Perry: @jordanjperry
Nadeem Al-Hasan: @nadeem.alhasan
Casey Riley: @healthfulcasey
Lisa Strawn: @leorisen
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Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of sustainable transport and inspire happier, healthier, more human-scale cities. Their first book, Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, explored the urban and transport planning decisions that established the Netherlands as a bicycle paradise, and how North American communities are translating these ideas to build their own cycling cities.
In 2019, Melissa and Chris, along with their children Coralie and Etienne, relocated from Vancouver, Canada, to Delft, the Netherlands. Melissa now works with Mobycon—a bicontinental mobility consultancy—supporting the promotion of Dutch transport knowledge, policy, and design principles in countries across Europe and North America. As communications manager for the Dutch Cycling Embassy, Chris uses his knowledge and passion to share practical lessons for global cities wishing to learn from the Netherlands’ extraordinary success. Together they continue to be inspired by their new home, watching their children (and countless others) enjoy a quality of life only possible in an environment that puts people first.
To learn more about Melissa and Chris and/or to order their books, please visit:
http://www.modacitylife.com/
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After experiencing the devastating loss of his father and best friend, Dan Fischer turned to surfing to heal through the transformative power of the ocean.
After one faithful salt water session on January 4, 2022, he decided to throw out an open invitation on Tiktok to others who may be struggling with loss. He invited them to share the stories and names of loved ones who they'd lost and promised to etch them onto his board, as a way to forever memorialize them in the place they so deeply loved.
That inaugural board has now become a beacon of hope, which has turned a simple idea into a global movement.
https://www.onelastwaveproject.com/
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This week concludes our 4-Part, 4-Month Series (We had one guest per months who is a specialist in relationships) with Divorce Recovery Coach Leah Marie Mazur.
With past guests, we've learned how to find a good partner, how to be a good partner, and how to save or improve our existing relationship. We close the loop with this episode as we navigate the waters regarding how to move on when after all of our best efforts, our relationship or marriage ends and we suddenly find ourselves single, alone, and grieving.
We cover so much in this discussion, including:
- Advice on first steps to take when newly single
- The main obstacles that divorced women encounter
- Advice for those who struggle with being alone
- The biggest mistake most people make after divorce
- Tips for rebuilding self-confidence
- How do you know when you've found "the one."
- Dating apps: Use them or dump them?
Leah Marie Mazur is a certified Divorce Recovery Coach for women and founder of Mindfully Ready, LLC. She specializes in helping women release guilt, shame, & feelings of failure so that they can find acceptance, rebuild their self-confidence, and thrive after divorce. She also provides a safe, judgement-free community for women rebuilding after divorce in her private Facebook group Divorced & Empowered.
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This week's episode is a true story about a 6-year-old girl who has a talent and a passion for writing. She overcomes some devastating obstacles and goes on to achieve a level of success beyond her wildest dreams.
Spoiler alert: You may know who this person is, but you probably didn't know her story....Until now.
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After reading his game-changing book "The Myth of Normal," it was such an honor to have Co-Writer Daniel Maté on the show to do a deep dive on trauma, sickness and health and the mind/body connection.
Daniel and I chat about how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?
This is one of my favorite conversations that I've ever had on the show. It may just change how you look at western medicine.
Daniel Maté is a composer, lyricist, and playwright for musical theatre based in BC and New York.
He received the prestigious Edward Kleban Prize for Most Promising Lyricist in American Musical Theatre, a Jonathan Larson Foundation Grant, and the ASCAP Foundation’s Cole Porter Award for Excellence in Music and Lyrics. He has presented his work at the historic Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and New York’s Lincoln Center, and was an invited participant in the inaugural Johnny Mercer Writers Colony.
Outside of music and theatre, Daniel runs the world’s only “mental chiropractic” service, Take A Walk With Daniel and he Co-Authored the brand new Internationally Bestselling book “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture” with his father, Dr. Gabor Mate.
Website: https://www.walkwithdaniel.com/
https://www.danielmate.com/
Instagram: @Danielbmate
Twitter: @Danielbmate
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In this uplifting story, three laughing monks go from village to village in China, stand in the market place and simply laugh, causing all the villagers to gather around and become infected with the joy of laughter.
Here the twist at the end when one of the monks dies...yet the laughter continues. :)
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After going through a painful breakup over the weekend, I decided to scrap today's planned solo episode content and share with you all the emotions I am going through over the ending of our almost 2-year relationship.
Recording this, stretching my comfort zone again and allowing myself to be vulnerable, during a very emotional time, was very cathartic for me. I hope perhaps it can provide a little comfort to anyone else out there who is going through a breakup. You are not alone.
And it's election day, so I would be remiss if I didn't throw out a call to action to vote. This one is too important to skip guys!
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One day a boy asked his father, “What is the value of this life?” Instead of answering, the father told his son, “Take this stone and go offer it at a market, however do not accept any offer and bring the rock back to me. If anybody asks the price, raise two fingers and don’t say anything."
The boy then went to the market and a woman asks, "How much is this stone? I want to put it in my garden.” The boy didn’t say anything and raised two fingers, so the woman said… “$2? I’ll take it.” And the boy went home and told his father. His father says "Son, the next place I want you to go is to the museum and if anyone asks the price, don't say a word and raise up two fingers." So the son takes the stone to the museum and after about twenty minutes a middle-aged man in a suit approaches the boy and says "Sir, how much is the Stone?" The boy doesn't say a word and raises two fingers.
Listen to this short 5-minute inspiring episode to find out what happens. It just might make you question how you are valuing your own life.
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This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Seibo Shen, creator of The I Am Self Mastery Academy, and he did not disappoint! This episode is just full of takeaways, as we learned from Seibo about the “I Am Equation,” which consists of Intuition, Actualization, and Manifestation, and "takes the pressure off of yourself for having to figure everything out. You simply follow your HIGHEST JOY and the rest of life will unfold even more beautifully than you could have envisioned."
We also talked about the law of attraction, having professional AND personal success, the 3 categories of consciousness, the power of meditation, breath work, the double slit experiment and so much more!
Seibo Shen, is an entrepreneur, mindset and business coach who has had 6 successful exits. He has spoken at SXSW, ArcView, New West Summit, and been interviewed by publications such as Business Insider and Forbes
Seibo has put together a framework that combines practical, utilitarian skills with a metaphysical ideology to help us lead a life of passion and purpose without sacrificing abundance. Now, he wants to share this framework with as many people who want to begin prioritizing fulfillment and have self mastery over their own lives.
To learn more about Seibo:
Website:
https://iamselfmastery.com/seibo-knows-home
Instagram:
@SeiboShem
@Iamseflmastery
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For this week’s story we go to the streets of Los Angeles to tell the story of TikTok sensation Isaiah Garza who’s gone from homeless to helping the homeless, those in need and those that perhaps just need a friend.
Isaiah with his 8 million followers on Tiktok, 1.6 million on Youtube and 755K on Instagram is taking the world by storm one act of kindness at a time. And he's changing so many lives along the way!
Follow Isaiah Garza: @Isaiahgarza
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I so enjoyed this conversation with Relationship Coach Stefanos Sifandos. He opened up to me about his childhood, abuse, bullying and other trauma that led him towards a life of debauchery, alcohol, prostitution, and infidelity in his relationships.
His downward spiral brought him to a crossroads where his 3 choices were 1) Suicide 2) A Psychiatric Ward or 3) Break free from his limiting patterns and live to share and help others.
Thankfully he chose #3 and has blossomed into one of the top relationship coaches on the planet. If you are looking for some raw, honest, authentic advice on relationships, this is the episode for you!
We chat about the Father Wound, his work with MPowered Brotherhood, the importance of "willingness" in our lives, sexual abuse, the power of healing circles, masculine and feminine energy, the importance of setting "rules of engagement" in relationships, resolving conflict, the dynamic when a woman earns more than her male partner, the importance of mediation and breath work, dating apps and so much more!
With over 15 years of experience in the personal development space, Stefanos is a trained educator, Behavioural Scientist and relationships expert with an extensive background in Psychology, Philosophy and Ecology. He is passionate about and committed to leading people to closer to their highest potential and to each other. Stefanos’ philosophy merges the best of Eastern and Western methodologies to promote spiritual balance and empower people in life and love.
From trauma release to navigating the murky waters of modern masculinity, to helping women understand the men in their lives, he helps people escape negative patterns and cultivate a positive sense of self. Stefanos has worked with thousands of men and women from all walks of life; special forces soldiers, Olympic gold medalists, elite world champion fighters, and everyday people have relied on him to restructure and reframe their relationships with themselves, their past, their trauma, their potential and their loved ones.
https://stefanossifandos.com/
Instagram: @Stefanossifandos
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For this week’s story we go to Chicago Il, and feature an organization called The Simple Good. I was inspired to do this episode after reading and article on BitterSweetMonthly. Com written by Kate Schmidgall.
After hearing this story and reading this article, I was curious to learn about the Simple Good, so I went to their website and discovered a little bit about Founder Priya Shah’s background. Turns out the inspiration for The Simple Good (TSG) came from her own experience of overcoming adversity which was inspired by art and world travel. She was born without a left hand, a woman and a person of color and because of this there was a lot of doubt, shame, and oppression towards her aspirations
Says Shah, "I want to connect youth to a world beyond their own so that they can be inspired by examples of hope and resilience, just like I was. TSG is dedicated to creating environments that encourage positive self-esteem, self-worth, and empathy towards others. We work to foster individual purpose and accountability to one another, and through this we decrease the global risks of violence and create peaceful environments for everyone."
TSG believes that ‘good’ means the same no matter where you go and universality connects us as human beings. Their mission is to embody that message in their work with students, artists and the greater community. With every interaction, they aim to empower a more connected, empathetic and resilient world by identifying, creating, sharing and celebrating “the simple good.”
To learn more about The Simple Good or to make a donation, please visit:
https://thesimplegood.org/
Instagram: @thesimplegood
Instagram: @priyashah16
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Despite being a self confessed non-athlete and scientist - Paul Watkins has managed to compete in and win some of the worlds toughest races, as well as build multi-million dollar businesses - in multiple fields.
Paul has climbed some of the toughest and most iconic mountains across all seven continents. He has climbed, trekked and adventured in Tanzania, Argentina, Alaska, the Arctic, Antarctica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Jordan and Nepal to name a few. He has also managed to race in some of Australia and the world’s toughest ultra-marathons - including being one of only eight people in the world (and the first Australian) to finish and win the 614km 6633 Arctic Ultra. His training for these expeditions led him to becoming a Nationally certified weightlifting coach and an avid student of the nuanced art of endurance training.
In the business world, armed with little more than a Pharmacy degree, Paul became a business owner, starting small and eventually building and running a multiple site pharmacy business with over 60 employees and over $15m in turnover. He went on to complete his MBA through the Melbourne Business School, left the pharmacy world and built (sometimes literally) a multi-million dollar property development portfolio. He is also a father to two young boys, a husband, a brother and a son - and still thinks of himself as a ‘nerd’.
To learn more about Paul, visit:
https://www.paulwatkins.com.au/
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In this episode, Steve shares an old tale called "The Sower."
In life, whatever you plough and sow in your mind, you will receive. "Faith is the seed I sow: good works are the rain that fertilizes it; wisdom and modesty are the plough; my mind is the guiding-rein;”
If you have a dream, belief and faith is the seed, good works are the rain that fertilizes it. Wisdom and modesty are the plough – Your mind is the guiding rein. Let this be a reminder to all of us to pay very close attention to what it is that we plough and sow in our mind. What is it that you believe you are capable of? If you believe you are capable of greatness, then you are! If you believe that you have nothing to offer the world, then you most likely will offer the world nothing. Why not choose to believe in your greatness? Plant that seed now, water it and watch it grow, as the master of your own universe.
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I am back with a brand new episode featuring a fascinating interview with cognitive scientist and host of A Slight Change of Plans, Dr. Maya Shankar. I loved this conversation, as we started the talk about Maya’s being accepted to Juilliard as a 9 year-old violinist and how and injury changed her life forever. We talked about what it’s like to be a UTTL (Unwilling traveler through life) as well as challenges Maya had to overcome that led to her launching her successful podcast, which blends storytelling with with neuroscience, to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of big change.
Maya also shares some really cool stories about her time working in the Obama administration, her sometimes painful journey with her husband Jimmy as they try so desperately to have a baby, we chat about the power of initiative and what role that has played in her life and so much more.
Dr. Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and the creator, executive producer, and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple recently awarded as the Best Show of the Year 2021. Maya was a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. She also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations under Ban Ki-moon, and as a core member of Pete Buttigieg’s debate preparation team during his 2020 presidential run.
Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph.D. from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale. She's been profiled by The New Yorker and been the featured guest on NPR's “All Things Considered,” “Freakonomics,” and “Hidden Brain.” She's a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music's pre-college program, where she was a private violin student of Itzhak Perlman.
Tap the link in bio to listen to the full episode.
For more information on Dr. Maya Shankar:
Instagram: @drmayashankar
https://mayashankar.com/
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In this episode, Relationship Coach and Teacher, Jillian Turecki and I talk all things relationships. We start off with Jillian sharing a little about her childhood and what led up to her finding her passion in the world of relationships. Jillian shares some hardships she went through during her "dark night of the soul," from the breakup of her marriage to her mother's diagnosis with stage 4 lung cancer.
We chatted about the "unshakeable courage" it takes to face our fears and learn the relationship and communication skills none of us were taught in school. We talked about the importance of changing the way we see ourselves, the importance of authenticity, the unlearning that must be done, learning how to "feel enough," and actually "make ourselves happy."
But most importantly, we chatted about the importance of working on ourselves. As Jillian says, “Every relationship that I’ve ever had, had one thing in common, and that was me.” Hence we need to stop saying "it's all them."
We chatted about marriage counseling, why that often fails, and why Jillian prefers to work with individuals, as opposed to couples.
Other topics included Jillian's thoughts on dating apps, love verses compatibility, how to keep romance and sex alive in a long-term relationship, twin flames, soul mates and so much more!
Jillian Turecki is a certified relationship coach, teacher and writer who for 20 years has taught others how to transform their relationships with themselves.
Under the tutelage of Tony Robbins and world renowned family therapist Cloe Madanes, Jillian is certified by the Robbins Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention, a renowned coaching program known for its innovative strategic solutions to the most difficult relationship problems. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity about what makes a relationship thrive, Jillian has helped thousands through her teaching and writing revolutionize their relationship with themselves so that they transform their relationships with others. Jillian is sought out for her compassionate, direct, and very authentic style of coaching and teaching.”
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@Erinorris
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For this week’s story, we go back to the music industry to tell a story about folk legend Pete Seeger, as told by the late Scott Alarik in his folk music novel, Revival.
Seeger was invited to perform in Barcelona, Spain in 1971. At that time, Spain was still ruled by Francisco Franco's Fascist dictatorship that told Seeger prior to going on stage that he could not sing some of his most popular songs.
So Seeger went onstage with his banjo in front of 100,000 people and simply started playing the chords to the song and after telling the audience that he was just told that he's not allowed to sing his songs, he said to the audience, "perhaps YOU know the words." So the entire stadium of people broke the law in tandem, and started singing these songs together. They had been listening to these forbidden songs for years. And after all, the government couldn't arrest 100,000 people.
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What an amazing conversation I had with Steven Jaggers of Somatic Breathwork! Whether you are just now hearing about Somatic Breathwork, or you’re a seasoned veteran, this episode is for you!
Steven Jaggers, the founder of Somatic Breathwork, is an Integrative Manual Therapist and Holistic Heath Coach with many years of experience in a variety of clinical and cultural settings. He is the host of Mind-Body Mentor Podcast where he interviews masters in Health & Spirituality for the modern life. Steven helps people from all over the world align their Minds & Bodies through potent movement practices, energetic bodywork and a deep reconnection to nature. Steven’s purpose in life is to liberate people from the stress and overwhelm that lies unprocessed in our body so that we become free in our mind. He believes there is an exact correlation between our physical vitality and mental health. If we want to improve the quality of our lives we MUST address both.
Somatic breath work has been the most powerful modality he has found that has truly created a lasting change for his clients, community and the world. We are changing the paradigm of Mind-Body Health.
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Would you donate one of your kidneys to a complete stranger? In fact, a stranger that you've never met and may never meet? Well that's exactly what 21 year-old Ben Norris did.
Listen to this short, inspiring 15 minute episode to learn about what made Ben decide to do this and why we all should consider donating, not necessarily a kidney, but blood, platelets, plasma etc, and becoming an organ donor (upon death).
For more information about kidney donation, please visit:
https://www.kidney.org/
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Are you familiar with Akashic Records? Wikipedia denies them as “a compendium of all universal events, thoughts, words, emotions and intent ever to have occurred in the past, present, or future in terms of all entities and life forms, not just human.” In other words, these are records of every thought and action every human has had since the beginning of time, including past lives! And you have access to these records.
In this week’s episode, I had a captivating conversation with Best-Selling Author and Teacher, Lisa Barnett of @akashicKnowing about the existence of Akashic Records and how we can access them to get a glimpse into our soul and improve our lives dramatically.
This is all very new to me so I came armed and ready to hit Lisa with all kinds of questions and after this conversation, I am more intrigued than ever.
Lisa Barnett is the internationally recognized #1 bestselling author of "The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records" and “From Questioning to Knowing – 73 Prayers to Transform Your Life”. Her brand-new 3rd book “Your Soul Has A Plan ~ Awaken to your Life Purpose” will be available in the Fall of 2022 on Amazon.
She is the Founder of the Akashic Knowing School of Wisdom where she has taught thousands of students worldwide to access their personal Soul Library to receive wisdom, guidance and support to transform their life.
With more than thirty years of experience in spiritual healing, Lisa teaches empowerment tools to help you find: greater fulfillment, happiness, abundance, and health. She offers Akashic reading & Quantum Healing sessions to heal trauma, release karma, clear old soul contracts and vows; Helping individuals align with their Soul’s Plan & path.
To learn more about Lisa, please visit:
https://akashicknowing.com/
Instagram: @AkashicKnowing
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In 1992, New York City based rock 'n' roll band The Spin Doctors released their hit song "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" from their 1991 album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, which hit #17 on the pop charts.
Virtually everyone at the time assumed the song was written about an ex-girlfriend of frontman and songwriter, Chris Barron. But 27 years later, Barron tweeted the truth; the song was written about his step-mom, who bullied him, told him he would never amount to anything and he would "die in a gutter."
Well Barron use this abuse as fuel for his fire and wrote a song about her. Here's the tweet that went viral:
"My stepmom told me I'd be a janitor [nothing wrong with that] and live in the basement of a school and play guitar for the rats. I wrote a song about her. It's called Little Miss Can't Be Wrong. It's been played on the radio three million time."To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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In this episode, I share my recent experience with having to remove a toxic person from my life. But more importantly, I chat about how we can have people in our lives that are toxic, and not even realize it. Hence, we need to be aware of and notice the warning signs when they appear.
Sometimes toxic people can have wonderful qualities, and actually be a good friend or spouse to us at times. That's what makes identifying a toxic person tricky. Sometimes toxicity is not on the surface; it's hidden down below and only rears its ugly every now and then. But this is toxicity nonetheless and it can have a very negative impact on our lives.
This episode is all about learning how to stop giving time and attention to those who are unworthy of your time and attention and open up room in our lives for positive, uplifting people that we should be spending our time with.
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In this episode, Steve tells the story of Himalayan Cataract Project. The vast majority of blindness in the world is unnecessary—caused by cataracts, actually, and curable with a five-minute surgery. High costs kept the surgery out of reach for many millions until Nepalese ophthalmologist, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, saw differently and invented a way to cure blindness for the poor, everywhere. This is the work of the Himalayan Cataract Project—the most inspiring, innovative nonprofit you’ve never heard of.
Two ophthalmologists, Dr. Sanduk Ruit and Dr. Geoff Tabin, started the Himalayan Cataract Project to fulfill their personal goals of eradicating as much unnecessary blindness in their lifetimes as possible.
Drs. Ruit and Tabin have proven that hospital quality standards can be applied in poor areas lacking electricity and clean water. Their inventive approach and dogged perseverance made what 20 years ago was considered impossible – possible. Today HCP reaches the most unreachable patients wherever its services are needed.
Special thanks to Bittersweetmonthly.com for their article "Restoring Sight to the Blind Tens of Thousands of Times and Not Nearly Enough" (written by Editor Kate Schmidgall) featured in this episode.
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In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with humanitarian and best-selling author Jennifer Van Wyck about choosing love over fear.
Other topics covered were:
- What is a highly sensitive empath? (HSE) and how do you know if you are one?
- How to connect to your heart
- The four types of intuition
- The importance of surrendering
- Emotions and why they are so powerful
- The key to happiness
- Jennifer shares some behind the scenes (and terrifying) stories of her work in war-torn countries, her biggest challenges, and how she deals with all the suffering she witnesses first-hand.
Humanitarian, author, and registered clinical counsellor. Jennifer has
been director of her company Van Wyck Consulting for over 10 years and
has served thousands of clients. She has received a medal of honor from
the Canadian Govt. for her humanitarian work during the Ebola response
in West Africa, and has set up programs all over the world helping people
to recover from war, natural disasters and epidemics. Her book "The
Good Thing About Mortar Shells: Choosing love over fear" was a
best seller in multiple categories at its release in 2020. The book is about
how to deeply connect with your heart and intuition to hear the message
your emotions are trying to give you.
To **stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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For this week’s story, we go to Keene, New Hampshire, a small college town, where in 2019 a Vietnamese restaurant with a very creative, and turns out controversial name, was opening up. If you are familiar with Vietnamese food, you know all about Pho, which is pronounced “Fuh.” And as I mentioned, the restaurant is located in Keene, New Hampshire. Hence, the owners decided to name it Pho Keene Great!
This led to a big controversy that turned into an international news story! And for this week, a Friday chuckle!
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This week's guest is Relationship Coach, Therapist & Healing Teacher, Quentin Decamp.
In this conversation, we chatted about childhood trauma, commitment fears, wounded inner child work, anxious partners, avoidant partners, trauma bonds, toxic relationships, twin flames, healing via somatic breathwork and meditation, and so much more..
Quentin is an embodied relationship coach, somatic therapist and breathwork facilitator. He is also a dedicated, passionate writer, content creator & in depth body-mind worker who uses powerful knowledge, tools, breath techniques and movement to create a safe, transformational space, helping people to dissolve their subconscious limitations, trapped emotions and past traumas. Quentin guides individuals to heal the connection they have with themselves, so they can build a strong, connected and conscious romantic relationship with their partner that would be a reflection of their healing journey, and not a mirror of their past hurts.
Reflecting on how deeply lost he was in the darkest, most painful spaces a human being can emotionally experience, his journey has helped him become extremely accurate at understanding people's constraints and helping them to move past their most stubborn, unconscious blockages.
With a unique perspective, mixing deep writing and his own sense of humour, intertwining spirituality, science based ideas and other diverse approaches, Quentin makes the work something that anyone can relate more and more to.
To follow Quentin on Instagram:
@quentin.g.decamp
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This week's Feel Good Friday Episode comes courtesy of LoveWI.com, where I found this inspiring story of Qwantese Winters, "The Food Doula."
Qwantese, who is black, discovered that so many women of color were dying from pregnancy and childbirth. So she decided to become a doula where she could "provide more emotional support and help the mother feel safe enough so that she can birth her child freely. " But she didn't stop there. She also felt strongly that part of the nurturing process should involve making sure they have good, healthy food. So she called upon her cooking skills that she learned from her mother, and her Gullah Geechee ancestry. Learning this history became the catalyst for her journey. She went on to become "The Food Doula."
Qwantese is now the Co-Host of "Let's Grow Stuff" on @pbswisconsin
Special Thanks to LoveWI.com for this story.
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In this week's episode, I sit down again with Australian Best-Selling Author, Barry Nicolaou, and boy did we cover a lot!
Topics included:
- 3 Areas that stop happiness in its tracks
- 3 Strategies to dispel fear for good
- Authenticity
- What happens when we die?
- Barry's upcoming book
- Fleetwood Mac stories!
- And so much more
Barry is a fierce advocate of well-being to be able to chase down life’s sought after moments.
His ability to unlock and define corporate Inspiration, purpose, gratitude and drive led him to his #1 Best-Selling book: The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfillment in 2015.
Barry’s national talks, keynote addresses, webinar presentations, and workshops work to deconstruct the untapped power of subconscious thought and the science of creative visualisation. He focuses on the deconstruction of mindset blocks which surround cognitive fear, old-wired subconscious paradigms, Inherited thinking, and their connection to real-world managerial expectations and experiences.
Barry instills his corporate well-being and executive coaching programs primarily through 4 Inspirational programs. Barry’s merging of spiritual based fulfillment practices into the corporate space not only makes Barry’s programs highly sought after, but seen as a secret weapon for employee engagement in a post-pandemic era.
https://barrynicolaou.com/
Instagram: @Barrynicolaou
Moses Code Meditation referenced in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FChcb4u4vq0&list=PLmtQGVCjGqE_O2rQu1IHk-HPpdSvX_Ad9&index=6&t=3s
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For this week’s story, I look to none other than the legendary Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.
About 6 months ago, I was visiting wine country in the Central Coast of California and popped into a really cool little store and ended up buying one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books entitled Being Peace. It’s just a wonderful little book that I’ve kept on my nightstand ever since.
And while watching the news the other day and seeing examples of people desperately holding on to a false truth, I was reminded of a story in this book that I’d like to share with you. It's a bit of a sad story about a man who thinks he knows the truth about his son. He clings on to that truth so strongly that he misses a lifetime with the boy who longs to be with him.
This story serves as an inspirational reminder to all of us that "if we take one thing to be the truth and cling to it, even if truth itself comes in person and knocks at our door, we won't open it.
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In this episode, Steve sits down with former LA Times Music Veteran Randall Roberts to chat about the power of music in our lives, why we should be carving out time to listen to music, and they even swap some behind the music scene stories as Randall shares what it's like to sit down with the likes of Mick Jagger, PJ Harvey, Danny Elfman and others.
Randall Roberts is an award-winning writer, editor, music freak and disc jockey who recently left his post covering music and culture for the Los Angeles Times. During his 12 years there -- at various points as music editor, pop critic and staff writer -- he explored the layered history of L.A. music, from Rosecrans to Sunset to Ventura Boulevard and beyond. His 2020 project on the early Southern California phonograph industry helped identify the first-ever commercial recording made in Los Angeles. For his acclaimed 2010 story for the LA Weekly, “On the Road to Burma,” Randall traveled to Myanmar with L.A. band Ozomatli and wrote about its role as State Department-sponsored cultural ambassadors. The story was included in the book Best Music Writing 2010.
A two-time Getty/USC-Annenberg Arts Journalism fellow, Randall has witnessed and adapted to the profound changes in journalism and storytelling since his start in the 1990s. He has edited and reported on quick-turnaround deadlines and in extreme conditions such as the backstage artists' camp at Coachella, behind the scenes at the Grammy Awards and in a terry-cloth-robed Axl Rose’s dressing room after a Guns ‘n Rose concert. Now editing and consulting for the University of Missouri communications department, Randall lives in Columbia with his wife Jenny and their daughter Liza.For more information on Randall, please visit:
Ballparkvillage.com
Instagram: @Liledit
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In this weeks, episode, Steve tells the story of Dr. Margaret McCollum, who would go to the Tube Station in London, sit on a bench, and wait for the subway doors to open, so that she could hear the sound of her late husband on the recording warning the passengers to "Mind the Gap."
But one day, as the train approached and the doors opened, she was devastated to learn that they had replaced the technology and the recording made in the 1950s by her husband, Oswald Laurence was no longer being used.
So Dr. McCollum reached out to Transportation for London, (TFL) and asked if they could provide her with a recording of her husband saying the iconic phrase. The TFL authorities not only provided her a recording, but they also decided to bring back the recording and play it at Embarkment Station. Now, Dr. McCollum can sit on her favorite bench at her favorite station and hear the sound of her late husband once again.
Well done Transportation for London!
Tap the link in bio to listen to this short, inspiring 5-minute episode.
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In this week's episode, Steve reflects on the first 100 episodes and does a deep dive into what events in his life lead to the launch of Better Place Project.
Topics Covered:
- Podcast launch with Steve's daughter Erin
- History of the show
- Steve's childhood
- Falling in love
- Early Music Career
- Success in Business
- Divorce
- Betrayal by a business partner
- Behind the scenes trivia
- Compassion Prison Projects's Letter Writing Campaign
- Future Direction of the show
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In this short, 6-minute episode, Steve tells the story of a young boy named Jack Bennett who befriended the man next store, Mr. Belser. Years later, after Jack had grown up and moved away, he receives a phone call from his mom letting him know that Mr. Belser had passed away.
Jack flies home for the funeral and discovers that a gold box that had been locked on the top of Mr. Belser's desk, was missing. That box was there for Jack's entire childhood and whenever he would ask Mr. Belser what was in it, he would always reply "The thing I value most."
Listen to this inspirational reminder of what’s really important in life, and find out exactly what was in the gold box.
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Did you know that a gratitude practice can actually rewire your brain, helping you to live a happier, more purposeful life? Do you know the difference between gratitude and fearless gratitude, and why the latter is so much more powerful?
Check out my conversation with Omar Brownson to find out. After listening, I’m quite confident that you will never look at gratitude the same way again!
Entrepreneur and public speaker, Omar Brownson inspires Fearless Gratitude, leadership and large-scale culture building.
Omar is a frequent guest speaker and storyteller, teaches Gratitude At Work on Simon Sinek Live Online, and co-hosts the Gratitude Blooming Podcast (ranked in the top five percent in the world). Having led a number of social impact initiatives, Omar brings a real world perspective to tackling leadership challenges, design thinking and culture change.
He recently launched Long Horizon to advise on and invest in web3 projects and is an advisor to Full Spectrum Capital.
Previously, Omar co-founded the gratitude app Gee Thanks, and was the founding executive director of RiverLA where he collaborated with architect Frank Gehry and local leaders to reimagine the 51-mile Los Angeles River.
He has held leadership positions across finance, land use, and social impact. Wherever he is, Omar makes sure to take a beat to notice beauty and share his joy.
Website:
GratitudeBlooming.com
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In this episode, I showcase an article written by my friend Brad Aronson called **Positivity — 3 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Happier.
Brad writes:**
“Until recently, I had no idea that you could fairly easily teach your brain to be happier. As most of us could have guessed, researchers have found that positivity (having a positive outlook) makes us happier. I didn’t know that positivity is also proven to make people more successful.
Luckily for us, there are simple, proven ways researchers have found for us (even pessimists) to be happier by training our brains to think more positively.”
Research mentioned:
https://hbr.org/2010/11/why-a-happy-brain-performs-bet
https://www.livescience.com/4443-study-good-feel-good.html
https://www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/practicing-gratitude-can-increase.php
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This is an encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes of 2021. I wanted to bring this episode back because the teachings of Dr. Helmstetter, one of, if not THE leading experts around the world in Nueroplasticity and self-talk, can literally change people's lives. I know this, because it changed mine!
Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D., is the author of more than twenty books in the field of self-talk and personal growth. His books include the classic self-talk best-seller, “What to Say When You Talk to Your Self,” "Negative Self-Talk & How to Change It,” and “The Power of Neuroplasticity.” His books are published in more than 74 countries worldwide. Dr. Helmstetter has appeared on over 1200 radio and television programs, including repeat appearances on Oprah Winfrey, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN News.
For a free 30-day pass to listen to positive self-talk sessions, please visit https://www.selftalkplus.com/.
**To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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This week’s story is about Harland David Sanders, or as most of us know him as, Colonel Sanders, the face of Kentucky Fried Chicken, or now known as KFC. What most people don't know though is what an interesting life, and what a difficult, traffic life filled with obstacles, that Harland Sanders lived.
Losing his father at the age of 6, was simply the first tragedy and setback that Sanders had to overcome. In this short, 10-minute episode, you'll hear just how many setbacks and failures Sanders had to overcome before launching one of the most successful fast-food restaurants of all time!
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www.BetterPlaceProject.org
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In this episode, I sit down with Grammy award winning producer, filmmaker and activist, Fritzi Horstman in a compelling conversation discussing her very powerful documentary "Step Inside the Circle." We discuss trauma, particularly childhood trauma, what it does to the brain, body and spirit, its horrific effect on incarcerated men and women as well as society as a whole.
We chatted about the Adverse Childhood Experience Survey (ACE Survey) that helps one discover how much trauma they experienced in their early childhood years. Childhood trauma is the primary reason why men and women end up in the prison system. Fritzi went over the benefits for us as a society to have a shift on how we view crime and punishment vs rehabilitation.
Other topics covered were:
The power of healing circles
The 13th Amendment and what changes are in order
Increase in inmate wages
Programs to increase a feeling of self worth and belonging
The impact solitary confinement has on young minds.
Gabor Mate's thoughts on why one man with an ACE 10 score ends up in prison, but another family member with a 10 score does not.
Converting prisons to "Healing Centers"
What constitutes "Violence?"
* The Compassion Prison Project Letter Writing Campaign
And Fritzi pressed me with some questions that forced me to take a hard look at some childhood trauma that I experienced and may still be showing up in areas of my life.
Fritzi Horstman is the Founder and Executive Director of Compassion Prison Project. She is a Grammy-award winning producer for her work on “The Defiant Ones”, has been a producer and post-producer on dozens of television projects and documentaries and has directed several films. She believes it is urgent to bring humanity and compassion to those living behind bars and these acts will help transform our society. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Vassar College.
Step Inside the Circle Documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVxjuTkWQiE&t=47s
Compassion Prison Project Website:
https://compassionprisonproject.org/
Follow Fritzi on Instagram:
@Fritzihorstman
@Compassion.prison.project
Website:
www.BetterPlaceProject.org
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Don’t let anyone ever tell you the younger generation in America is anything but impressive. In a week where we had a heroic barely 26 year old young woman, in Cassidy Hutchinson bravely testify in front of congress to protect our democracy here in the US, in today’s story, I introduce to you yet another young hero, Anthony Perry, a 20 year-old man from Chicago who saved a young man who was electrocuted and lying on the train tracks unconscious.
While others stood and video taped the poor man lying and convulsing on the tracks, this young man sprung into action and risked his life to save another. And it was all caught on tape.
And the story has not only the happy ending of the electrocuted man surviving, but also that Anthony was honored and surprised with a brand new car for his heroism (and he had been taking 2 buses and a train to get to work every day, 90 minutes each way)! But not until after the donor played a little trick on him. :)
Website:
www.BetterPlaceProject.org
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For over 25 years Sharon Lebell’s internationally bestselling book, The Art of Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, has inspired philosophy lovers and the modern Stoicism movement. A contemporary interpretation of the ancient sage Epictetus’ teachings, it is a perennial classic that is a cherished spiritual companion and daily guide for readers from every walk of life.
Sharon is a strong proponent of expressing philosophy in accessible language so anyone can apply it to better their own lives and be invited to delve further into philosophical inquiry. The imperative to use our lives to improve the lives of others and the importance of beauty and engagement with art, music, and design are central to her message of what makes the best possible life.
Since Sharon Lebell was a child, she was obsessed with the questions “how do we each live the best possible life and what does that mean?” She has thus spent her adult life writing and speaking about philosophy, spirituality, meditation, Buddhism, Judaism, ethics, feminism, and related topics. She is also the author of Naming Ourselves, Naming Our Children and co-author with Brother David Steindl-Rast of The Music of Silence.
For more information about Sharon:
https://www.sharonlebell.com/
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In this week's Feel Good Friday episode, Steve shares the inspirational story from 1909 of an Irish-American hero named Patrick Cadagin, who gave his life to save a young woman.
Cadagin, who was living in Springfield Illinois, was a watchman at a railroad crossing when a woman named Pearl Bunes was approaching in her horse and buggy. The horse panicked at the roar of an approaching locomotive and bolted towards the tracks. Cadagin took action and grabbed the horse by the reigns, only to be thrown upon the tracks and killed by the train.
He's been gone 113 years, but the story of his legendary heroism lives on.
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Lisa Grezlak is a healer, advocate, teacher and creator. She created SVOUND to promote the incredible healing Sound Vibration offers to provide RESTORATION and CALM for those struggling with any form of dis-ease in their lives. Our minds and bodies are meant to be in a state of total wellness. But in today's world, there is so much going against the balancing of our energy systems and people are suffering tremendously.
From an early age, Lisa suffered with severe levels of anxiety and depression. As life progressed PTSD popped up, and a host of other emotional and physical issues. that were managed through medication and 'hiding'.
While visiting Sedona, AZ in 2016, she got an 'accidental' sound massage (as she thought she was getting a standard body massage). and that session changed her life forever. Today she is free from the physical and mental pain she lived with her entire life by incorporating sound vibration healing regularly. A whole new world of understanding herself has opened up and she can say that she has reclaimed the most important aspects of the self she never knew, and with gained healing.
Today, she is a Certified Sound Vibrational Practitioner, Trainer, Advocate, Transformation Mentor, and Retreat Facilitator offering Sound Vibration / Energy work and Education to individuals, groups, companies, and more.
Her vision is to be a leading advocate to support the emerging evidence that "The Future of Medicine is Sound Vibration."
For more information, please visit:
https://svound.com/
Research mentioned in the podcast: Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Studyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871151/
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Garrain Jones is a coach, international inspirational speaker, podcaster, and bestselling author of Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life. Garrain has gone from $200K in debt and living in his car, to millionaire through deeply meaningful work touching millions of lives. His greatest belief is that when we tap into our truest, creative essence we open up magical doors of possibility for abundance and transformation to flow into our lives.
https://garrainjones.com/
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In this solo bonus episode, Steve checks in from Santorini, Greece and shares his thoughts from overseas on sights he's visited, our belief systems and why we should question them, the Uvalde Mass Shooting and his first time going au naturel at a nude beach.
This week, Steve decided to try and inject a little humor into your Friday (or whatever day it is that you happen to be listening to this), and borrow again from his friend Brad Aronson’s blog. Brad is best known for writing the inspiring bestselling book Humankind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time (all proceeds go to nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters).
In this episode Steve reads excerpts from Brad's blog detailing actual exchanges taken by court reporters between lawyers and witnesses on the stand, taken from a book called Disorder in the Court: Great Fractured Moments in Courtroom History.To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please visit our website at www.Betterplaceproject.org
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In this episode, Steve chats with Wanderlust Co-Founders and husband/wife duo Jeff Krasno & Schuyler Grant. On top of having a few laughs about Schuyler's Mom embarrassing her as a child in a Mexican restaurant in the case of the missing fajitas, and some Curb Your Enthusiasm stories, Steve, Jeff and Schuyler do a deep dive on topics such as community, relationships, having babies at home, the early days of their relationship, current political divisions, whether we are or not in a the midst of a consciousness revolution, forgiveness, free will, gratitude and much more.
In 2008, Jeff Krasno created the concept for Wanderlust, a series of large-scale events combining yoga & wellness with the arts. Wanderlust has become a global wellness platform with 65 events in 20 countries. In 2018, Jeff founded Commune Media, an online learning platform for personal and societal well-being. He also hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of guests from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Brendon Burchard and Russell Brand.
Jeff serves on the board of Pure Edge, a non-profit organization dedicated to integrating yoga and mindfulness curriculum into the public school system. Jeff is a contributor to the Huffington Post and Fast Company.His first book, eponymously named, Wanderlust, debuted in May 2015 on Rodale and has sold more than 35,000 copies worldwide. His new Wanderlust cookbook, Find Your True Fork came out in July 2017.
In 2016, he was selected by Oprah Winfrey to be part of the SuperSoul100 as one of the nation’s leading entrepreneurs.
In 1995, Jeff married Schuyler Grant, his college sweetheart. Schuyler, a yoga teacher and director of Kula Yoga Project, served as the inspiration for Wanderlust. Jeff & Schuyler have three beautiful daughters, Phoebe, Lolli and Micah. They currently live in Los Angeles, California.
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In this week's Feel Good Friday episode, Steve tells the fable of two frogs who fall into a deep pit and how the power of encouragement (or lack thereof) affects the outcome.
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In honor of Mothers around the world, this week we are releasing an Encore Presentation of our interview from 6 months ago with Every Mother Counts (EMC) founder Christy Turlington Burns. Christy's work in maternal health began after experiencing a childbirth related complication in 2003—an experience that would later inspire her to direct and produce the documentary feature film, No Woman, No Cry, about the challenges women face throughout pregnancy and childbirth around the world. Under Christy’s leadership, Every Mother Counts has invested nearly $21 million in programs in Africa, Central America and Caribbean, South Asia and the United States focused on making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.
Before founding Every Mother Counts, Christy received international acclaim as a model representing the world’s biggest fashion and beauty brands. She was the Founder of Nuala, a yoga lifestyle brand in partnership with Puma, co-founder of Sundari, a skincare based on the principals of Ayurveda, and author of the bestselling book, Living Yoga: Creating a Life Practice.Christy has been featured on thousands of magazine covers, one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, and among Glamour Magazine’s 2013 Women of the Year. In March 2016, EMC was recognized as one of Fast Company magazine’s Top 10 Most Innovative Not-For-Profit Companies.
In this episode, we chat with Christy about her childhood growing up in Northern California, a middle child raised by an Airline Pilot father and flight attendant mother from El Salvador. She talks openly about her experience on that fateful day that changed the course of her life forever. We chat about the problems in maternal healthcare worldwide and here in the US, where a woman is twice as likely to die in childbirth now as her mother was decades ago. We discuss the disturbing disparities in mortality rates in childbirth between women of color and white women, and why that is, as well as the amazing work that Every Mother Counts is doing in order to bring about change around the world.
To make a donation to EMC, or to learn more about their work, please visit:
EveryMotherCounts.org
To send a quick email in support of the Build Better Act (discussed in this episode), which includes policies that improve maternal health and equity, please go to https://p2a.co/eydcbjc
To learn more about pregnancy, and postpartum during the time of COVID-19, please visit justbirthspace.org
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For this Feel Good Friday episode, we're bringing you 23 stories to inspire you to overcome and even embrace your failures, and use them as fuel to pursue your dreams.
Whether it's Steven Spielberg, Colonel Sanders, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, or 15 year-old Jack Andraka who created a diagnostic test for Pancreatic Cancer that was better than the tests developed by scientists, research labs and billion dollar pharmaceutical companies, all of these success stories had one thing in common. They all had huge failures along the way, but never gave up!
Special thanks to Brad Aronson for his article Famous Failures: 23 Stories to Inspire You to Succeed, that is featured in this episode.
To learn more about Brad, or to order his National Bestselling book Humankind: Changing the World, One Small Act At a Time, please visit BradAronson.com.
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Daniel Blevins is a salon owner, social media influencer, LGBTQ+ advocate, activist and founder of Stand In Pride. Daniel and his husband of 22 years reside in rural East Tennessee. He’s a proud father of two children and three grandchildren.
Daniel founded the Facebook group Stand In Pride in early 2021, the group has since grown to over 36k members, with members in over 70 countries. The success of the group has gained national and international recognition in news publications including USA Today and People magazine as well as being featured on NBC news and The Today Show.
Outside of the salon and advocacy work he enjoys spending time with his family, painting, gardening and volunteering with local charity organizations.
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This week's Feel Good Friday episode shines a light on Bernadette Russell from the UK, who after having a random positive experience in a post office, decided to commit to doing an act of kindness for 365 consecutive days. The experience would change her life forever!
Steve chats about Bernadette's story, while playing clips from her BBC 4 appearance, while also sharing some fascinating findings that have just come in after the completion of the world's largest study on kindness, conducted by the University of Sussex, involving 60,000 volunteers. There is so much to learn from this study about the benefits to the world when we are kind to each other. And the good news is that kindness is all around us!
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In this episode, Steve and Brad chat about the Power of Kindness, the ripple effect of kindness, what Kindness means to Brad, how it effects us physiologically when we do acts of kindness, and you’re definitely going to love the stories he shares from his book about amazing humans doing breathtaking acts of kindness.
Brad Aronson is the author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time. All proceeds from his book go to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Brad is deeply involved with youth nonprofits, and he’s on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hopeworks. Brad also teaches entrepreneurship to students in Camden, NJ. Everyone in his class starts their own business, which has led to many adventures in entrepreneurship.
Brad and his family— his wife, Mia, their son Jack and their dog Perry—live in Philadelphia.
For more information about Brad and his book, please visit:
https://www.bradaronson.com/
For more information about Kara Bitar's Manifestation Blueprint Sessions, please visit:
https://www.karanicolebitar.com/ and click "Optimization Sessions."
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For today’s story, we are featuring a fellow podcaster…but not just any ordinary podcaster. We go to Duluth Minnesota, where Fr. Mike Schmitz, a catholic priest, along with renowned bible scholar Jeff Cavins, have been stealing headlines all over the world for their podcast that they launched last year.
In the podcast, called “The Bible in a Year,” Fr. Mike walks the listeners through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way.
But on this podcast, they follow a plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, developed by Cavins. For each period in the timeline, Jeff and Fr. Mike record an episode and help the listener understand the context of each reading.
Well, the podcast took off. In fact, it exploded, rising through the ranks to become the top-rated podcast on the planet, currently at over 238 million downloads!
For more information, please visit:
https://organicmentalhealthcenter.com/To become a Better Place Project Member (and receive free BPP Merch) and support our show, please visit:
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Kelli Foulkrod is a holistic psychotherapist, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and healing arts practitioner based in Austin, Texas and licensed in Colorado. She has been working in the mental health field for 21 years and for the past 12 years, she has managed her private practice, Organic Mental Health Center. Kelli supports pregnant and postpartum women, reproductive trauma, grief and loss, psychosis, bipolar, OCD, psychiatric drug withdrawal and healing trauma and PTSD.
By integrating somatic modalities and energy practices with Internal Family Systems and depth psychology, a holistic approach to healing is offered. Kelli believes each individual is their own healer and re-frames the current model of giving authority over to an expert for healing. For 12 years, Kelli has been passionate about assisting new moms into their initiation into motherhood and offering holistic healing options outside of the pharmaceutical industry.
Kelli has worked in a variety of academic and clinical settings. Kelli’s time working for a clinic bringing SSRIs to market with FDA approval process opened her eyes to the corruption in the pharmaceutical industry; this sparked a paradigm shift in the way she approaches mental health healing. She has been apprenticing in earth based healing traditions for eight years, and learned a variety of energy balancing techniques. Kelli has training in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy and currently offers integration services only.
**Kelli believes the mental health system in America is based on oppression and works to advocate for informed consent. She is currently working on a startup to create a regenerative mental health farm, as an alternative to traditional inpatient psychiatric hospitals in service to psychiatric drug withdrawal and trauma healing. She has created a nonprofit organization, Earth Pharma, to play a part in the paradigm shift.
For more information, please visit:
https://organicmentalhealthcenter.com/**To become a Better Place Project Member (and receive free BPP Merch) and support our show, please visit:
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For this week’s story, we head to Wisconsin. Steve stumbled across a project called “Love Wisconsin,” whose mission is to use storytelling and social media to bring about a more connected, compassionate, and engaged Wisconsin.
In this episode, Steve reads and essay written by Yia Lor that was published in the Wisconsin Historical Society Press' book ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. Yia, whose parents came to Wisconsin as refugees of the Vietnam War, writes about coming from a long line of farmers and growing up working long hours barefoot in the mud with her five siblings.
In this gentle story, Yia contemplates how she can preserve history through her stories. "This past year I’ve been thinking about how to hold on to what it means to be Hmong. How can I hold on to this part of me that is really important? How can I be that seed that continues?"
Special thanks to "Love Wisconsin." For more information, please visit:
https://www.lovewi.com/
and the Wisconsin Historical Society Press:
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/
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Matthew Fray is a relationship coach and writer who leans on the lessons of his failed marriage and divorce to help others avoid making the same mistakes. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Times and The Sunday Times of London, The Daily Mail, Salon, Huffington Post, as well as with television programs The Tamron Hall Show in the United States and ITV's This Morning in the United Kingdom. He is the author of "This is How Your Marriage Ends: A Hopeful Approach to Saving Relationships." And his blog, Must Be This Tall To Ride has a dedicated following which has reached millions of readers.
For more information, please visit:
https://matthewfray.com/
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**For today’s story, we go all the way back to 1887 when a group of men put Susanna Salter’s name on a ballot for mayor as a joke intended to humiliate her and put women in their place. Well, the joke backfired and she won over 60% of the vote and became American’s first female mayor.
Susanna Madora Salter** (née Kinsey; March 2, 1860 – March 17, 1961) was an American politician and activist. She served as mayor of Argonia, Kansas, becoming the first woman elected to serve as mayor in the United States (Nancy Smith was the first woman elected mayor in the United States, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, but chose not to serve) and one of the first women to serve in any political office in the U.S
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Kara Nicole Bitar is an Optimization Coach and Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She helps her clients live the happiest, healthiest and most successful versions of themselves. She holds a J.D. from Duke University School of Law and worked in high-stakes corporate litigation at one of the largest law firms in the Southeast. She combines the dedication and commitment that it took to become a successful attorney, real-life training in what it takes to succeed at high-levels, and extensive research, experience and training in how to optimize our lives. She is also a KRI Certified Instructor of Kundalini Yoga, Reiki Master, Certified ThetaHealing® Practitioner and Certified SoulRealignment® Practitioner.
For more information on Kara and her services, please visit:
https://www.karanicolebitar.com/
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For this week’s story, we head to Ukraine, which we all know is in the middle of a war with Russia right now, and we shine a light on Levgen Klopotenko, who was the winner of Master Chef Ukraine in 2015 and is one of the best known chefs in the country. Klopotenko owned a restaurant in Kiev, but fled the day that Russia invaded. Klopotenko can’t leave the country because he is a man of fighting age and will have to fight if called. He says he’ll fight if he gets the call, but that he probably wouldn’t be much help, as he's not nearly as good with a gun as he is with a chef's knife.
Klopotenko is now in the western city of Lviv and has opened up a restaurant called “Inshni,” which means “others.” But what makes this restaurant unique is that it offers free meals, no questions asked, to anyone who asks for menu #2. And menu #2 is no ordinary meal…it’s a gourmet meal made by one of the best, in an act of kindness for his fellow countrymen and women. His mission is to feed the refugees who have fled their war torn neighborhoods and in many cases, are on their way to Poland, with nothing to eat. The meals are paid for by Klopotenko, donations, and customers who order and pay for menu #1, which attracts people trying to support the cause, who also may want to meet the celebrity chef.
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Simon Drew is an Australian poet, author, musician, photographer, and philosophical mentor. He has a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and is currently studying for a Master of Divinity.
He is most well known for his work with the Practical Stoic Podcast, which has since evolved into The Walled Garden — a podcast and online community where he, Kai Whiting (philosopher), and Sharon Lebell (writer) explore a wide range of topics regarding philosophy, beliefs, ideas, and creativity.
Simon's poetry, music, and writings often play in the realms of mysticism, prophecy, mythology, and wisdom, bringing the deepest insights of his consciousness to light in search of answers to life's most fundamental questions.
His first book, The Poet & The Sage, was released in November 2021
For more info, please visit:
https://www.simonjedrew.com/ and https://thewalledgarden.com/
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Fascinated by nature since her earliest memories, Tigrilla Gardenia turned that passion into her vocation.
Her journey began in a polyethnic childhood. She earned a degree in music and electrical engineering, entering the high-tech corporate world via RealNetworks and Microsoft in the early days of the internet.
The desire to escape the confines of the corporate world proved too strong, and Tigrilla soon began following her own spiritual path. She co-owned a circus, produced intentional dance events, taught Kabbalah, and even toured with Cirque du Soleil.
Today, she works as a Nature-Inspired Mentor, Leadership Coach, and studies Plant Intelligence and the Effects of Plant Music on Human Health.
Tigrilla has the honor of being a Damanhur citizen in Italy — one of the largest spiritual eco-communities in the world.
Her roots are firmly planted in the arts, communication, and the avant-garde. Tigrilla uses her expertise to empower mission-driven leaders to achieve personal and professional success by integrating nature-inspired innovation in order to bring meaning to Life and make an impact with work. She is an influential speaker and mentor, running courses and workshops on reconnection with the plant kingdom.
Always eager to learn, she studied with some of the greatest minds in bio-inspired sciences, gaining a masters degree in Futuro Vegetale (Vegetal Future): plants, social innovation, design under Stefano Mancuso, University of Florence. She has also studied Biomimicry for Social Innovation and Product Development.
Tigrilla is a World Ambassador for Plant Intelligence and champions connection to nature as the basis for long-term health, happiness, and success.
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This week's story is about the San Francisco Giants baseball player Drew Robinson's battle with mental illness, which drove him to the point of shooting himself in the head in an attempted suicide. Against all odds, Robinson survived and is now on a mission to help others who may feel like they have nothing to live for.
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Zach Skow, Marley’s Mutts Founder rescued Marley, a Rottweiler-Pit Bull from the Mojave Shelter in 2002 at eight weeks old. He used to carry him around in a backpack with just his head poking out.
When Zach was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, it was Marley who helped pull him from despair and into the fight. It was his relentless love, omnipresent affection, and “today can be the best day of our life” mentality which helped Zach live again.
When Zach contemplated suicide, Marley looked at him with a blinding affection that just couldn’t be ignored. He forced Zach to love himself by giving unconditional love.
Zach founded Marley’s Mutts in 2009 and nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status was granted in 2010. Growing from a nonprofit about dog rescue providing second chances and rescuing the unrescuable dogs, was the Pawsitive Change® Prison Program and Miracle Mutts® Therapy Dog Program.
Sadly, Marley was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 and fought a courageous battle. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2016 Marley’s Mutts and the Mutt Militia are his legacy.
To learn more, of go make a donation, please visit:
Marleysmutts.com
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For this week's feel-good story, we go half way around the world to the democratic republic of Congo to shine a light on a man named Jay Nash and the organization he founded called StandProud.
Mr. Nash first began assisting disabled people in the developing world when serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He resumed spare-time work with disabled Congolese youth upon returning to the Congo in 1998 to work for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in 1999 helped them to organize themselves into a charity (ACDF) designed to assist other poor, disabled young people to obtain free orthopedic equipment. In 2000, he founded StandProud in the United States to serve as a funding source for the Congolese organization.
Here in America, we are fortunate that polio has been all but eradicated. However, in other parts of the world, it is still a sad reality, and it leaves many destined to a life of dragging themselves down dirty streets in shame and humiliation as they are subjected to ridicule from their community and sometimes even their own family. Stand Proud builds and provides braces for these young men and women. They are a non-profit organization that has helped more than 5000 people stand up and walk.
For more information, or to make a donation, please visit:
https://www.standproud.org/
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After experiencing the devastating loss of his father and best friend, Dan Fischer turned to surfing to heal through the transformative power of the ocean.
After one faithful salt water session on January 4, 2022, he decided to throw out an open invitation on Tiktok to others who may be struggling with loss. He invited them to share the stories and names of loved ones who they'd lost and promised to etch them onto his board, as a way to forever memorialize them in the place they so deeply loved.
That inaugural board has now become a beacon of hope, which has turned a simple idea into a global movement.
https://www.onelastwaveproject.com/
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Today’s story shines a light on Dan Blevins, who after walking his daughter down the aisle in 2018 said that just the thought of someone not having a parent at their wedding or in their life, was just heartbreaking to him. So, what did Dan do? He uploaded a video to Tiktok where he invited anyone from the LGBTQ community to ask him to stand in as a parent at their wedding if their own parents were not supportive of their relationship.
No one should have to say “I do” alone.
Dan's TikTok video has now gone viral with so many people commenting on emotional experiences of their parents or families members rejecting them for their sexuality or gender identity.
In an interview with Today, Blevins, of Tennessee, said the response inspired him to start a Facebook group where community members and stand-ins could meet each other. The group, "TikTok Stand In Families," is fast approaching 40,000 members as of this writing.
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Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of sustainable transport and inspire happier, healthier, more human-scale cities. Their first book, Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, explored the urban and transport planning decisions that established the Netherlands as a bicycle paradise, and how North American communities are translating these ideas to build their own cycling cities.
In 2019, Melissa and Chris, along with their children Coralie and Etienne, relocated from Vancouver, Canada, to Delft, the Netherlands. Melissa now works with Mobycon—a bicontinental mobility consultancy—supporting the promotion of Dutch transport knowledge, policy, and design principles in countries across Europe and North America. As communications manager for the Dutch Cycling Embassy, Chris uses his knowledge and passion to share practical lessons for global cities wishing to learn from the Netherlands’ extraordinary success. Together they continue to be inspired by their new home, watching their children (and countless others) enjoy a quality of life only possible in an environment that puts people first.
To learn more about Melissa and Chris and/or to order their books, please visit:
http://www.modacitylife.com/
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In this episode, Steve shares some good news about things we humans are doing right as a species.
Credit and Special thanks to Johan Norberg and Tony Morley for their article "Reasons to be optimistic in 2022" which was the resource for this episode.
Dr. Kyra O’Keeffe, PhD, is an educator and speaker who celebrates love, or the direct experience of our shared being.
She earned her masters degree in Educational Neuroscience at Harvard University and her Ph.D. in the Learning Sciences at Stanford University, where she studied ego—or “the performance of the separate self”—in the American educational system. She then taught at Stanford, before leaving to pursue her own spiritual aims more fully. In 2019, she met Francis Lucille and Rupert Spira, who shared their understanding of the ancient wisdom of non-duality, which delivers the freedom, peace and happiness that lives eternally at the heart of our being. Now, she is joyfully celebrating love—or the direct experience of our shared being—with anyone and everyone who is interested.
She shares this message through juicy stories, simple observations, at-home experiments and a fierce blend of modern research and ancient spiritual wisdom.
To learn more about Dr. O'Keeffe, please visit:
https://kyraokeeffe.com/
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Today’s story brings together NFL star Anthony Harris and a grieving 11-year-old girl named Audrey Soape. Unfortunately, Audrey lost both her father and her grandfather in the months leading up to her church’s father-daughter dance.
In an inspiring act of kindness and compassion, Harris flew to Texas to give young Audrey a night she will never forget!
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Today’s story was submitted by Joseph J. Mazzella to Sunnyskyz.com and reminds us to cherish every moment we have while we’re still here.
Mazzella reflects on his childhood growing up across the road from a 4-H Camp where he would swim, play basketball, ride his bike, play in the woods, and above all, get a quarter from his Nana and buy himself, as he describes it, "a sweet can of Coca Cola to quench my thirst and lighten my heart."
In Mazzella's letter, he talks about what he would tell that boy now if he could go back in time. And his message is sage advice for all of us.
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We go back to Baltimore for this week's Feel Good Friday Episode, where we tell the story of Brandon Jones' quest to cook his dying mother-in-law's favorite broccoli tempura, that she used to order from Ekiben restaurant every time she came to town.
Brandon sent an email to the Chef and Co-Owner of the restaurant, Steve Chu explaining the situation and asking for the recipe. Steve immediately responded and said that he'd drive the 6 hours to meet Brandon and his wife Rina, and personally cook the food for his mother-in-law and serve it to her hot and fresh!
One small victory for humanity!
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In this tear-jerker of an episode, Steve tells the story of soccer star Ian Wright's surprise meeting with a long-lost teacher who had meant the world to him, and who he thought had died. Ian describes him as the first positive male role model he had had in his life.
His teacher, Sydney Pigden, was an ex World War II fighter pilot who had flown over Buckingham Palace at the end of the war. He told Ian, that he was more proud that Ian played for England, than him flying over Buckingham Palace.
This episode is dedicate to my Mom, my brothers Jim and Mike, and my sisters Karen and Anne, and all school teachers past and present who are making such a huge impact in the world.
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Believing in the "Transformative power of the ocean," Dan Fischer sought solace surfing the waves of Newport, Rhode Island after the death of his father and a close friend. After one of those surf sessions where he had written his father's name on his surfboard, he decided to do a Tiktok video inviting others who had lost someone, to send in their names, he'd write it on his board, and take them out for "one last ride."
His video went viral, and before he knew it, the healing power of the ocean was not only healing him, but thousands of other people mourning the loss of a loved one.
"I've spent many nights sitting out there alone at sunset, connecting with the beauty of nature to heal," Dan says. "Now, I have thousands of loved ones joining me…it's truly hard to explain just how truly moving that is for me. I just hope to help in some small way."
For more information, please visit the following links:
Website: https://www.onelastwaveproject.com/
Tiktok: @OneLastWave
Twitter: @OneLastWave
Instagram: @OneLastWaveProject
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Dr. Rich Blundell is an ecologist working at the interface of art, science, nature and culture. His research examines how transformation happens across the scales of person, place and planet. As a cultural communicator, Rich tells a scientific story of the universe that includes art and human creativity as natural phenomena. Dr. Blundell’s research and work has received numerous grants and awards including, The National Science Foundation grant for Science Out There, the Michael Brinkman Award, and The Deep Time Values video award for An Earth Story. Blundell’s creative video work has appeared on PBS, National Geographic and his art has hung in numerous galleries.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Ecological Intelligence - “The intelligence of nature as expressed through human thought and action.”
- Earthling Theory and what makes us human?
- Philosopher Michael Polanyi's Tacit Knowledge
- Embodiment
- Enactivism
- Dr. Blundell's work with Rita Leduc at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest
- The connectedness of Art & Science
- The usage of Block Chain and Crypto in the Art and Science world.
- Oika
- Climate Change
- Science vs Spirituality
For more information on Dr. Rich Blundell, please visit: https://oika.com/
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This week’s story shine's a light on one of the most courageous humans you will ever come across, Nathan Ogden. Back in December 0f 2001, Nathan, an accomplished snow skier, accustomed to catching big air, was hauling down the mountain and launched himself off a huge jump soaring more than 30 feet in the air. But this particular jump went horribly wrong and Nathan crashed, crushing his spine, leaving him in a wheel chair and endless hours, days and months ahead of him to regain the use of his arms and hands. Through all of this, Nathan held hope that one day he would walk again.
That is until an unfortunate series of events that led to Nathan breaking his neck a 2nd time, this time even higher up, wiping out all the work he had done for 13 months to regain the use of his hands and arms, and leaving him permanently paralyzed. But even that didn't stop Nathan from going on to accomplish so many amazing things that most of us only dream of. Listen to this inspiring story where Nathan teaches us that we can do virtually anything we choose in life, in spite of the sometimes overwhelming obstacles put in front of us.
To donate to his charity, please visit:
ChairTheHope.org
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Encore Presentation of this Better Place Project Global Storytelling Series!
Irmela Mensah-Schramm is a 75-year-old activist who set out to erase symbols of hate in the world. Often referred to as “Graffiti Grandma”, she’s spent the last 3 decades removing and covering up Nazi imagery and racist graffiti in Berlin, Germany. She’s removed 88,300 Neo-Nazi stickers since 2007 and continues to fight against racism and discrimination.
In this episode, Irmela describes her experiences growing up in post-World War II Germany and the events that led her to find purpose in removing racist and xenophobic graffiti. We hope that her extraordinary story will leave you feeling inspired as we begin the new year.
If you wish to make a donation, visit www.hass-vernichtet.deSong credit for this episode: "Liebe" by German band Neufundland
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This week's 7-minute feel-good short story is about the NHL Hockey Coach, Brian Hamilton who was working on the bench of the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken's match when I determined young medical student named Nadia Popovici, who was sitting right behind the bench, noticed a peculiar mole on the back of his neck that she thought might be cancerous.
So, she decided to type him an urgent message on her phone saying "The mole on the back of your neck is possibly cancerous. Please go see a doctor" and she held her phone up to the plexiglass while pounding to get his attention. Well, she certainly got his attention. Enough so, that he decided to go get it checked and sure enough, the doctor diagnosed him with stage 2 malignant melanoma, and told him "You definitely have an angel looking out for you."
Excerpt from the podcast: "What I love about this story is it completely stems from one human’s concern for another…a complete stranger nonetheless. We are all truly in this together. Many of us would have said 'who am I to intervene in his life regarding a private matter like this?' and never said a word. But when Nadia’s concern for Brian’s well-being, was stronger than her desire to 'stay out of it,' or just 'not get involved,' both her world and Brian’s world suddenly shined just a little bit brighter. She has taught us that a small act of kindness, compassion, concern for a fellow human being, not only has the power to make someone’s day, it literally saved someone’s life. "
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In this episode, Steve and Erin share their New Year's Resolutions for the year, chat about why it can be so hard sometimes to stick to these goals, and they go over 5 science-based tips to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions.
A resolution has a far greater chance of being a success if it meets the following criteria:
1) Cue-based plan
2) Has a penalty clause
3) It's Fun
4) Allows room for emergencies
5) Has support from friends
A few books that Steve and Erin read in 2021 that they highly recommend:
Steve:
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukov
Super Attractor by Gabrielle Burnstien
Awakening the Soul of Power by Christian de la Huerta
You are a Badass by by Jen Sincero
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Erin:
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
To Shake the Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins
When we Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together by Terence Lester
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This week’s 6-minute Feel Good Friday Episode tells the story of Emily Delfavero, a very unique chair, and a very special Facebook Group that brought them all together.
Emily, an auto mechanic from Syracuse, New York spotted a chair posted to a Facebook group that happened to be the exact fish chair that inspired her to get an image of it tattooed on her leg a couple years earlier. She had not only never owned the chair, but had never actually seen the chair, nor knew it existed. She had only seen the design on a doll house chair years ago. So she commented on the post with a photo of her matching tattoo.
This inspires a group of complete strangers to take action, raise the money, and somehow get the chair to Emily who lives 300 hundred miles away. This is a story of overcoming abuse, kindness, compassion, connectedness, and love all rolled into one.
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At the end of every episode, Steve and Erin ask each guest "What advice do you have for us and our listeners on how we can help make the world a better place?" In this inspiring WOW (Words Of Wisdom) episode, they revisit and play back past guests' answers to this question. Hear perspectives and advice from world-renowned thought-leaders, a psychologist, 3-Time Cancer Thriver, best-selling authors and more!
In this episode, you'll hear from:
Caroline Rose: 3 Time Stage 4 Cancer Thriver
Freddie Fuller: The Singing Cowboy who grants musical last wishes
Robin Parrish: Co-Founder of Ecstatic Dance LA
Woody Faircloth: Emergence RV Founder
Christy Turlington Burns: Founder of Every Mother Counts
Hema Vuyas: UK Psychologist and "Heart Whisperer"
Linda Bjork: Founder of Hope for Healing
Mark Bunn: Author of Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health
* Barry Nicolaou: Author of The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfillment.
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Hear the story about a small town in Southern Indiana named Santa Claus and the "elves" who volunteer each year to respond to the 20,000+ letters that Santa receives each year!
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Barry is a fierce advocate of well-being to be able to chase down life’s sought after moments.
His ability to unlock and define corporate Inspiration, purpose, gratitude and drive led him to his #1 Best-Selling book: The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfillment in 2015.
Barry’s national talks, keynote addresses, webinar presentations, and workshops work to deconstruct the untapped power of subconscious thought and the science of creative visualisation. He focuses on the deconstruction of mindset blocks which surround cognitive fear, old-wired subconscious paradigms, Inherited thinking, and their connection to real-world managerial expectations and experiences.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Barrie's graveyard epiphany that changed his life
- The science behind how thoughts become things
- The 4 ways to manifest what we want
- Einsteins' quote about energy and toxicity
- Steve shares his penguin and fedora story
- Faith vs Doubt: What if the subconscious doesn’t buy a belief you’re trying to sell it?
- How our thoughts directly influence circumstances, opportunities and our realities?
- The 6 steps to achieving a desired outcome
- What to do when our energy is low: How to get out of a funk
- Barry's advice for how we can help make the world a better place
To receive a free copy of Barry's PDF "Attracting Quantum Possibilities," please send us an email to betterplaceprojectpodcast@gmail.com
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This week’s feel good story is about a company called Second Chance, in Baltimore, Md. Second Chance offers 2nd chances for materials and 2nd chances for people.
Second Chance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance. They deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the public for reuse at their more than 200,000 square foot retail center. With the revenue generated, they provide job training and workforce development for those with various employment obstacles in the Baltimore region. Many of the people they hire, were previously incarcerated and/or had drug addictions.
Second Chance's mission has always been:
- to retrain and create employment for displaced and unemployed workers, in many cases, previously incarcerated workers;
- to reclaim building material to reduce environmental harm and demolition debris in burgeoning landfills; and
- to renew both people and products to a useful, purposeful life.
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In this Special Edition Holiday Episode, we compiled responses from 18 different guests of the podcast this year who answered the question "What is your favorite holiday tradition?"
We received so many wonderful answers from all across the board, and even a few holidays and traditions that we've never heard of, from different cultures around the world.
You'll here answers from Anaise and Carine Kanimba (Daughters of Paul Rusesabagina, real life hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda), Bailey Richardson (One of the first employees at @instagram), Caroline Rose (3 Time Stage 4 Cancer Survivor), Christy Harrison (Best Selling Anti-Diet Author), Dr. Chloe Carmichael (Psychiatrist and Author), Dr. Christian Heim (Psychiatrist/Preventative Mental Health Expert), Eric Winters (Author /Wellness Coach), Freddie Fuller (The Singing Cowboy), Hema Vyas (Psychologist and "Heart Whisperer"), Linda Bjork (Founder of Hope for Healing), Missy Bellinger (Co-Founder of A Shelter for Cancer Families), Paul House and Angie Gade (HouseInTheWoods.org), Robin Parrish (Co-Founder of Ecstatic Dance LA), Dr. Shad Helmstetter (Best Selling Author), Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig Gomez (Professional Swing Dancers), Terence Lester (Activist, Author, Founder of Love Beyond Walls), Woody Fairthcloth (Founder of Emergency RV), and Zach Correa (Founder and CEO of LemonGRAFT).
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Steve tells the story of how a very special Santa Claus saved not only Christmas, but the innocence of a small child who never forgot.
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Mark Bunn has spent the last 30 years studying the ancient wisdoms of health, transcendence, higher consciousness, dharma (natural purpose) and the deeper mysteries of life.
Drawing primarily on the timeless Vedic tradition of India (including Ayurveda) and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he discovered how numerous cultures throughout history have known of a great secret to life – that hidden beyond our physical universe are certain unseen ‘natural laws’ governing all of life.
Most importantly, by understanding and learning how to live in tune with these eternal laws of life, we can enjoy exceptionally good health, freedom from suffering, maximum evolution and growth to higher states of consciousness - the supreme state of ‘enlightenment’.
Known as Dharmic Living - Life as nature intended - this is what Mark talks about in his books (Ancient Wisdom for Modern health), keynote talks, podcasts or as he says, "mumbling to himself because no-one else is listening."
In this episode we chat about:
- Vedic Science
- Dharmic Living
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Ice baths and intermittent fasting
- The Consciousness Revolution
- Secrets of the world's healthiest, longest living people
- Breathwork and how it can change your life
- How ancient wisdom can help maximize business success
- What do the world's healthiest and highest performers do differently?
- Mark's advice on how we can help make the world a better place
For more information, please visit: MarkBunn.com.au
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This week’s 5-Minute feel good story is about internet sensation Trashaun Willis, who due to a rare disorder called Amniotic Band Disorder Syndrome, was born with only one arm. But not only has that not stopped him, he has gone on to accomplish remarkable things, going on to become a standout basketball and football player. But as you will hear in this story, he's also become a great human being making a difference in the life of Jayce Crowder, a young boy who was born with the same condition.
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Once again, it’s time for Better Place Badasses of Season 4, where Steve and Erin each shine a light on 5 Badasses that are making a positive difference in the world.
Featured on this episode:
Amy Wright of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee - Amy and her husband started this coffee shop as a safe place of children and young adults to find employment. As advocates for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Wrights have dedicated their lives to making the world better place for their children and others living with disabilities. https://www.bittyandbeauscoffee.com/
Austin Perine: 7 year-old super hero child humanitarian, featured on CNN, CBS, Steve Harvey, who used his allowance money to feed burgers to people experiencing homelessness. Instagram: @austinperine
Riley and Abbie Weeks of EcologicalAction.org: EcologicalAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable tomorrow by encouraging sustainable practices.
Mindy Mayes: Founded Live4Jesse.org where she spreads small acts of kindness in her brother Jesse’s name, to help people who just need enough.
Coral Catch: An all-women coral conservation team, helping to revive Indonesia's world-famous reefs. Instagram: @coralcatch
Keanu Reeves: Actor, philanthropist and all around good human,
Aral Sürmeli: Founder of HERA Digital Health, whose aim is to increase the rate of prenatal care and childhood vaccinations among Syrian refugees in Turkey under temporary protection. HERA’s goal is to prevent health problems for refugees and thereby decrease deaths. HERA now serves 300 women between the age of 20 to 49. Heradigitalhealth.org
Chewang Norphel, The Iceman of India: Designed and built artificial glaciers to bring much needed water to his community of Ladakh.
Lala Land Cafe: Kind cafe with the purpose of hiring foster youth and spreading kindness: https://lalalandkindcafe.com/about/
Craig Kielburger: Social entrepreneur and the co-founder of a family of organizations dedicated to the power of WE, a movement of people coming together to change the world. We.org
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In this episode, Steve tells the story of Betty Jenkins and the inflatable Bra. Betty, in her own words, describes what happened to her when she was just a skinny teenager, was wearing an inflatable bra given to her by her mother, and took a flight over the Andes Mountains.
As the non-pressurized plane increased altitude, her bra started to expand, leading to an embarrassing, but hilarious story that she will never forget.
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Linda Bjork is a best selling author, speaker, host of "Linda's Corner" podcast, and founder of Hope for Healing non-profit charity. Some of her books include “Crushed: A Journey Through Depression,” and Amazon best seller “You Got This! An action plan to calm fear, anxiety, worry, and stress.” Linda’s personal mission is to empower people to become their best selves.
In this episode we chat about Linda's five year battle with depression. She goes into detail describing what it was like living in a "deep, dark hole" and how she climbed out of that hole, one step at a time.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- Coming out of depression
- Linda's message of hope
- Empowerment to become your best self
- The importance of gratitude
- Tips for building self confidence and self esteem
- How doing acts of kindness can change your life, and the science behind it
- Linda's Hope for Healing Foundation and all of its free resources
For more info, please visit:
Hopeforhealingfoundation.org
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In this episode, Steve tells the heartwarming Thanksgiving story of Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench. Wanda went to send a Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation text to her grandson, but unbeknownst to her, he had a new phone with a new number. Hence, her text went to a complete stranger, Jamal Hinton. What happens next, set the stage for a unique friendship and a new tradition that has lasted six years and counting.
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This week's guests are Paul House and Angie Gade of HouseInTheWoods.org.
Paul and Dee House founded House in the Woods after their son, Sgt. Joel A. House, was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in the Army in Iraq. Their vision for House in the Woods began shortly after attending the military memorial service at Fort Hood, TX for Joel and 19 other soldiers from his army base who died the same month as their son. It was both emotionally overwhelming and comforting to be around so many families who were experiencing the same grief and loss. They dreamed of creating a program using Maine's outdoor resources that would help military families support one another.
Paul is a life-long Maine woodsman and Maine Master Guide. Dee is a former Navy "brat" who grew up in military housing and schools during the Vietnam War era.
In this episode we chat about:
Joel House and his childhood growing up
Joel's first tour in Iraq
Joel's second tour when a suicide bomber drove a vehicle through his barracks, killing his friend.
We chat about the documentary "Welcome to Lee Maine," which tells the story about this small town and how it was affected by the war.
The day a van drove up to the house and two soldiers stepped out.
The motivation to start Houseinthewoods.org
* The support from state senators and the Governor to get House In The Woods off the ground.
The work that House In the Woods is doing
The impact the organization is having on veterans suffering form PTSD.
* Paul and Angie's advice on how we can help make he world a better place
For more info, or to make a donation, please visit:
HouseInTheWoods.org
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In this very first episode of Feel Good Friday, Steve tells the remarkable true story of the Elephant Whisperer, Lawrence Anthony. Anthony, a conservationist, environmentalist and best selling author, was head of conservation at the Thula Thula animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa. Anthony was known for his unique ability to communicate and calm elephants that had experienced trauma.
Lawrence ended up taking in a herd of "troubled" elephants who hated humans due to abuse and killings of members of their herd by humans. He quickly learned that earning the trust of these elephants was going to be next to impossible. But as you'll learn in this story, over time, Lawrence developed a bond with the elephants, earned their trust and earned their friendship. Years later, Lawrence suddenly passed away. To their astonishment, the family witnessed the elephants showing up at their property, after walking 12 hours in the bush, and holding a vigil for Lawrence, their old friend. The elephants never forgot.
How did the elephants know he had died? Perhaps they are reminding us that we all truly are connected.
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Hema Vyas, the “Heart Whisperer,” is one of the UK’s most prestigious psychologists. A renowned speaker on heart wisdom, human consciousness, spirituality, health, energy medicine and the science of Ayurveda, for almost thirty years she has been practicing as a psychologist and life leadership mentor. She has worked with creatives to CEOs helping them connect to their own personal truth and build towards a life of joy, love, mindfulness, and prosperity. Her philosophy is built on the wisdom that once heart, mind, body and soul are integrated and aligned, people can achieve optimal wellbeing, creativity and success.
Hema is known for seeing the 'problem behind the problem' and recognizing deeply held blocks, to allow for lasting change. She leads international retreats which are fully immersive, workshops and events that align and restore heart, mind and body. Her signature 'Heart Renaissance - Path to Prosperity' experience in Kerala celebrated its 10th anniversary in January 2020.
In this episode we chat about:
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Hema’s out of body experience as a young child
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Hema shares a story about a dream that she had where she experienced a moment of synchronicity that would change the course of her life.
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We chat about what it means to align the heart, mind, and body and how to accomplish this in your life.
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Hema stresses the importance of getting back to truth and integrity and the role the heart plays in the process.
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We discuss the importance of passion and purpose in our lives and steps we can take to discover the passion and purpose in all of us.
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Hema answers our favorite question: "What advice do you have for us and our listeners on how we can help make the world a better place?”
To learn more about Hema or to join her free community, Heart Renaissance, for complimentary guided meditations, talks and resources to help tap into the heart space, please visit: hemavyas.com.
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Every Mother Counts (EMC) founder Christy Turlington Burns’ work in maternal health began after experiencing a childbirth related complication in 2003—an experience that would later inspire her to direct and produce the documentary feature film, No Woman, No Cry, about the challenges women face throughout pregnancy and childbirth around the world. Under Christy’s leadership, Every Mother Counts has invested nearly $21 million in programs in Africa, Central America and Caribbean, South Asia and the United States focused on making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.
Before founding Every Mother Counts, Christy received international acclaim as a model representing the world’s biggest fashion and beauty brands. She was the Founder of Nuala, a yoga lifestyle brand in partnership with Puma, co-founder of Sundari, a skincare based on the principals of Ayurveda, and author of the bestselling book, Living Yoga: Creating a Life Practice.Christy has been featured on thousands of magazine covers, one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, and among Glamour Magazine’s 2013 Women of the Year. In March 2016, EMC was recognized as one of Fast Company magazine’s Top 10 Most Innovative Not-For-Profit Companies.
In this episode, we chat with Christy about her childhood growing up in Northern California, a middle child raised by an Airline Pilot father and flight attendant mother from El Salvador. She talks openly about her experience on that fateful day that changed the course of her life forever. We chat about the problems in maternal healthcare worldwide and here in the US, where a woman is twice as likely to die in childbirth now as her mother was decades ago. We discuss the disturbing disparities in mortality rates in childbirth between women of color and white women, and why that is, as well as the amazing work that Every Mother Counts is doing in order to bring about change around the world.
To make a donation to EMC, or to learn more about their work, please visit:
EveryMotherCounts.org
To send a quick email in support of the Build Better Act (discussed in this episode), which includes policies that improve maternal health and equity, please go to https://p2a.co/eydcbjc
To learn more about pregnancy, and postpartum during the time of COVID-19, please visit justbirthspace.org
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CNN Hero Woody Faircloth is the founder of EmergencyRV.org, initially established in response to the massive and deadly November 2018 Campfire, which decimated the entire town of Paradise, California and left more than 50,000 residents traumatized and displaced. It was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history and the most expensive natural disaster in the world in 2018 in terms of insured losses.
For Faircloth and his then six-year-old daughter Luna, watching events unfold on television from Denver was not enough. Determined to help, the father and daughter set out to raise funds to purchase an RV and deliver it by Thanksgiving to a family in need.
Word of their kind act spread quickly and within days, press requests, RV donations, offers of legal services, and funds poured in. Before the Faircloth’s knew it, they were delivering another RV and then another. Since then, EmergencyRV has helped hundreds of victims and expanded its mission to help many more victims of wildfire and other natural disasters.
For more information, and/or to donate or volunteer, please visit: EmergencyRV.org
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In this episode, Steve and Erin cover a variety of topics, starting with an update on the Paul Rusesabagina (The real-life hero of the movie “Hotel Rwanda") kidnapping and trial, and Steve does a deep dive on the David Attenborough documentary “The Year Earth Changed,” which covers the many fascinating ways the pandemic has actually benefitted wildlife around the world.
They then discuss challenges that they are encountering as they try to implement some of the things they’ve learned from guests on the show. They chat about the difficulties in tackling forgiveness, the importance of practicing positive self-talk, of surrounding ourselves with positive people, and making the difficult decision of cutting someone out of your life, and establishing boundaries. Steve tells a story about an encounter with a person experiencing homelessness, and how he still is learning and adapting, which leads to a discussion about the importance of empathy for our fellow humans.
After Erin mentions that unplugging from technology and being present has been a big challenge for her, they talk about how they’ve learned the important lesson that making the world a better place does not necessarily just mean doing kind deeds for others. It is just as important to focus on improving our own mental health, our own worldview, our own happiness, living a live of gratitude and kindness, living our truth, living an authentic, joyful and fulfilled life. By doing these things, we are well on our way to helping make the world a better place.
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Robin Parrish is the Co-Founder of Ecstatic Dance LA where he has facilitated hundreds of events for thousands of participants encouraging self-expression, holistic wellness, and personal transformation through embodiment practices and community building experiences. He has built a community around the Ecstatic Dance movement, which is now world wide, and is also a frequent musical artist for the dance floor utilizing his skills as a multi-instrumentalist, percussion and DJ curating music for the Ecstatic Dance and transformational dance floor. He’s an avid educator, event producer, meditation guide, and coach; and bridges healing arts, self-development and music therapy - for community, corporate and performance art settings.
Episode Links:
https://www.ecstaticdancela.com/
https://dharmacreationinstitute.com/
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In this episode, we speak with Freddie about the power of music in our lives and his passion for playing musical last wishes; singing and playing his guitar for those who are dying.
FREDDIE FULLER, also known as the “The Singing Cowboy,” is a singer, songwriter, musician and storyteller. For decades, Freddie has performed before thousands at various functions, from house concerts to larger venues such as the famous Broken Spoke. Freddie entertained the troops in Iraq at the request of the commanding General. As told by Reader's Digest, Freddie is also a frequent performer for Swan Songs, a non-profit that brings the gift of song to people at the end of life.
Freddie created and has performed his “History of Texas Cowboy 1850-1900” educational programs to hundreds of public schools and colleges. No stranger to the stage, Freddie has performed musical theater and appeared on local and national television and radio. He was one of the recently featured performers at The Bastrop Farm Street Opry.
For more information, please visit www.thesingingcowboy.net
https://www.rd.com/article/cowboy-plays-music-for-dying/
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Caroline Rose is a forty-three-year-old mom, wife, dog-lover, wine-loving, hope holding, three-time stage 4 cancer thriver. After being told there was no hope and that her cancer would eventually come back to take her life, Caroline did the only thing she knew to do; she took each day as it came and endured the brutal cancer treatments one by one. And then, one day, in the most unexpected of ways, hope came back to Caroline in the form of a young rescue dog named Riley Rose. And once she found her rediscovered hope in life, Caroline knew she was ready to grab on and never, ever let go.
Today, Caroline is enjoying her tenth year of living cancer-free. She travels the country speaking to approximately ten to fifteen thousand people each year. Her message of hope resonates universally, especially today. Since July of 2020, Caroline’s website traffic has increased by 884%. She is a highly requested podcast guest, and her blogs have gained up to 102,000 monthly viewers on Pinterest alone. The world is craving hope, and Caroline is happy to be the one to provide it.
Today, Caroline is married lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her two human children and her two four-legged fur babies. She spends her non-mom time on various cancer boards and volunteering with the local dog rescue. Caroline remains passionate about spreading hope and giving back to those who are still searching for their hopeful ever after.
For more information, please visit: https://dearrileyrose.com/ To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media:
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At the end of every episode, Steve and Erin ask each guest "What advice do you have for us and our listeners on how we can help make the world a better place?" In this inspiring WOW (Words Of Wisdom) episode, they revisit and play back past guests' answers to this question, Hear perspectives and advice from world-renowned thought-leaders, mental health experts, scientists, psychiatrists, best-selling authors and more!
Here from Azim Khamisa, Missy Bellinger, Dr. Chloe Carmichael, Dr. Rich Blundell, Terence Lester, Dr. Christian Heim, Dai Manuel, Christian De La Huerta, Zach Correa, Eric Winters, and Dr. Shad Helmstetter.
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In this 2nd Special Edition of Better Place Badasses Steve & Erin each select 5 special people from around the world and trade off stories about these inspirational badasses that are making the world a better place. Included in the episode are Alex Stephany (Founder and CEO of Beam.org), Sikander Bizenjo (founder of Balochistan Youth Against Corona), Selah Thompson (8 year-old founder of empoweredreaders.org), Leng Ouch (Cambodian Environmental Activist), Simone Biles (Olympic Gymnast), Rock star Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ Soul Foundation - https://jbjsf.org/), Denny Ying (Raising awareness for military veteran suicide prevention and mental health), Carmen Carcelén (Ecuadorian fruit vendor who has provided refuge for 10,000 Venezuelans), Erica Cole (Founder of http://no-limbits.com), and David Attenborough (Broadcaster, historian and teacher of the wonders of the world - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64R2MYUt394).
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Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D., is the author of more than twenty books in the field of self-talk and personal growth. His books include the classic self-talk best-seller, “What to Say When You Talk to Your Self,” "Negative Self-Talk & How to Change It,” and “The Power of Neuroplasticity.” His books are published in more than 74 countries worldwide. Dr. Helmstetter has appeared on over 1200 radio and television programs, including repeat appearances on Oprah Winfrey, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN News.
or a free 30-day pass to listen to positive self-talk sessions, please visit https://www.selftalkplus.com/.
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Eric is a self-leadership coach, black-belt hand-washer, speaker, and author with deep knowledge in the science of building courageous and emotionally intelligent mindsets.
His know-how is a result of over 20 years of international corporate life, two masters degrees in human behavior change, and over 12 years helping leaders and their teams become their best selves to meet workplace challenges effectively.
He spends much of his time developing authentically courageous leadership through keynotes, workshops, and individual coaching. In this episode we discuss The human predicaments that cause most people to live smaller, timid lives. The critical foundations to being fit for purpose, The mindsets essential for courageous action
Eric is the author of Swipe Right on Your Best Self: Simple Steps to a Bolder Life with Fewer Regrets. For more information, please visit https://www.ericwinters.com.au/
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Zach Correa, a finalist of NPR’s How I Built This Fellowship, is the Founder and CEO of LemonGRAFT, built for the buying and selling of homegrown produce. LemonGRAFT’s aim is to build a regenerative food system, build community and biodiversity, restore our ecosystem, improve our health, decentralize big agriculture and take food back into your own hands, by creating a sustainable food system. For more info, or to become a founding member, please visit https://lemongraft.com/
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With 30 years of experience, Christian de la Huerta is a sought-after spiritual teacher, personal transformation coach and leading voice in the breathwork community. He has traveled the world offering inspiring and transformational retreats combining psychological and spiritual teachings with lasting and life-changing effects. An award-winning, critically acclaimed author, he has spoken at numerous universities and conferences and on the TedX stage. His new book, Awakening the Soul of Power, was described by multiple Grammy Award–winner Gloria Estefan as “a balm for the soul of anyone searching for truth and answers to life’s difficult questions.” More information about his work may be found at www.SoulfulPower.com.
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Dr. Rich Blundell is an ecologist working at the interface of art, science, nature and culture. His research examines how transformation happens across the scales of person, place and planet. As a cultural communicator, Rich tells a scientific story of the universe that includes art and human creativity as natural phenomena. Dr. Blundell’s research and work has received numerous grants and awards including, The National Science Foundation grant for Science Out There, the Michael Brinkman Award, and The Deep Time Values video award for An Earth Story. Blundell’s creative video work has appeared on PBS, National Geographic and his art has hung in numerous galleries.
For more information, please visit Oika.com.
Click here to watch "An Earth Story." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vWpVSyRLoQ -
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Dr. Chloe Carmichael holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. She is the author of "Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety," and "10 Commandments of Dating: How to stop getting hurt, put yourself out there and find a relationship that lasts." Dr. Carmichael has been featured as an expert on VH1, Inside Edition, ABC Nightline and other television; and has been quoted in the New York Times, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, and other print media. Listen in on our chat with Dr. Chloe about Anxiety, Relationships, Dating in a post-pandemic world, the #MeToo Movement, and much more.
For more info, please visit Drchloe.com.
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Dai Manuel is a super dad, dating his wife, with a lead by example way of living and a contagious personality, who is on a mission to positively impact one million role models around the globe to lead a FUN-ctionally fit life through education, encouragement, and community.
He is an award-winning digital thought leader and author, Distinguished Toastmaster & keynote speaker, former partner and Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million dollar retail company, and a sought after lifestyle mentor and executive performance coach.
Dai knows the struggle of the juggle and keeping his health and happiness a priority. He models his work based on 5 F’s: Fitness, Family, Faith, and Finances with an overarching roof of FUN, built on a rock-solid foundation of Health. Nuggets of wisdom and inspiration (including his experience with Vipassana) to take action to be your best self are guaranteed when you connect with Dai! For more information, please visit: http://www.joinwlfm.com/ and DaiManuel.com.
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Dr. Christian Heim PhD is an award-winning Psychiatrist, Music Professor and Churchill fellow. During his 20 years as a doctor and 13 years as a psychiatrist, he has heard the stories of 1000s of people, so he listens a lot. He gets lots of joy out of working as a consultant psychiatrist in psychotherapy. He speaks from a place of deep compassion and authority on Mental Health issues that are affecting us all in this new normal: anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, suicide, personality issues and relationship breakdown.
His latest book "The 7 types of Love: navigating love in a fractured world" has just been released! He lives in Australia on the beautiful Sunshine Coast with his wife Caroline and loves taking long walks on deserted Australian beaches and eating celery. In this episode, we chat with Dr. Heim about preventative mental health, how Covid has played a role in our overall mental health, video games and social media's effect on our lives, the difference between men and women's brains, how to live a life of gratitude and much more!!
For more info, please visit https://www.drchristianheim.com.
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You are about to be inspired. Terence Lester is a speaker, activist, author, and thought leader in the realm of systemic poverty. He’s known for nationwide campaigns that have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, and more. In 2013, Terence founded the non-profit “Love Beyond Walls” and has helped hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty to rebuild their lives. In 2019, Terence launched the first museum in the U.S. representing homelessness, out of a shipping container, called Dignity Museum. He also holds four degrees and hosts a podcast called Narrative Shift.
Terence has written six books, and his new book, “When We Stand: The Power Of Seeking Justice Together,” is set to release on May 18th.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit https://www.lovebeyondwalls.org/ and http://terencelester.org/.
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Missy Bellinger's late husband Tom was diagnosed with Sarcoma Cancer on their second wedding anniversary, and he sadly passed away eighteen months later. After making a promise to Tom, and being inspired after welcoming an out of town cancer family into her home, Missy created the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation, which later evolved into A Shelter for Cancer Families (ASCF). In this episode, Missy shares her heartbreaking story, and how she went on to turn this horrible tragedy into a passion and life's work serving other families in their fight against cancer.
Today ASCF is the only organization in the Texas Medical Center offering FREE tangible support to FAMILIES affected by cancer regardless of age, cancer type, treatment status or income, and in ways that respect the privacy, dignity and time of the families served.
To learn more, volunteer or donate to this wonderful cause, please visit CancerFamilies.org.
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In this week's Special Edition episode, Steve & Erin each select 5 special people from around the world and trade off stories about these inspirational badasses that are making the world a better place. Included are Adam Lowy (MoveForHunger.org), Malala (Malala.org), Dasia Taylor (Invented infection-detecting sutures), Missy Bellinger (CancerFamilies.org), Jane Elliot (JaneElliot.com), John, Kim, Samantha and Casey Weiner (PCRF-Kids.org), Miley Cyrus (Happyhippies.org), Amanda Morgan (TheAmandaGorman.com), Matthew McConaughey (JKlivinfoundation.org), Abigail Disney (DaphneFoundation.org), and Paul Rusesabagina (HrrFoundation.com).
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Join us as we chat with Azim Khamisa about the healing power of forgiveness. Azim lost his only son Tariq to a senseless gang-related murder in 1995. Azim chose the path of forgiveness and compassion rather than revenge and bitterness, and went on to mentor the gang member who killed his son Tariq, and forged a friendship with the Grandfather of his son's murderer. This powerful choice led to the establishment of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation and the subsequent forgiveness movement which has reached millions. His foundation commits to end the continuing cycle of violence among youth. He also offers workshops to help others learn how they can free themselves through the power of forgiveness.
Azim is a thought leader, peace activist, international inspirational speaker, and an author of 5 books. You may have seen him on his Ted Talk titled "What comes after tragedy? Forgiveness,” which has over 1 million views.
For more information visit TKF.org and AsimKhamisa.com.
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The science is in! In this episode, we chat with Steve and Chanzie about the joy that dancing has brought to their lives, and it can do the same for you! But we now know that not only can dancing provide you physical health benefits, but according to the New England Journal of Medicine's report, dancing can actually make you smarter and help you live a longer, more fulfilling life! Plus, it's a blast!
Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig Gomez, also known as Chanzie, are dancers/instructors who specialize in LA/smooth style lindy and collegiate shag. While they have a love for all things that swing, their primary influences and inspirations come from the Los Angeles Jitterbugs of the 1940’s and 1950’s. Their partnership began in late 2010 and together Steve and Chanzie have taken First Place titles in several national swing competitions. You can find them teaching and performing all over the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. They are committed to improving and pushing the limits of their own dancing as well as those who take their classes, while keeping their regional style of swing alive.
Go to https://www.lajitterbug.com to learn more about Steve and Chanzie, and https://www.patreon.com/lajitterbug for online classes!
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Bailey Richardson has worked at IDEO, StoryCorps, Pop-Up Magazine and The California Sunday Magazine. She was one of the first employees at Instagram and has also been featured in the recent Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. Bailey, along with her friends, Kai and Kevin, started People & Company – whose mission is to help people bring their people together. Over the past four years, their team has researched, coached, and collaborated with hundreds of different communities. She published a book called, Get Together, on how to build communities today and also hosts the podcast by the same name, Get together, a show about ordinary people building extraordinary communities.
https://www.people-and.com/
http://baileyerichardson.com/
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As reported by NPR, Forbes, Reuters and many others, Eric Maddox is the Executive Director of Open Roads Media and the Founder and producer of Virtual Dinner Guest Project. He completed his undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Classic Literature and his MA in International Conflict Transformation.
After completing his graduate field research in the West Bank, Eric set up the very first Virtual Dinner Guest Project in Mexico in 2011. Since that time, Eric has traveled throughout the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Europe to expand the network and the impact of The Virtual Dinner Guest Project and to promote what he believes to be the future of news media; collaborative production between local communities, on a global scale.
He currently resides in Spain where he continues to produce projects with Open Roads Media as he hosts Latitude Adjustment podcast that highlights underrepresented communities, places, and issues around the world.
To learn more, please visit https://www.latitudeadjustmentpod.com and https://www.openroadsmedia.org/.
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Alan Graham Started Mobile Loaves and Fishes in 1998, a social outreach ministry that provides food and clothing, cultivates community, and promotes dignity to men and women in need. He and four friends boldly answered their call to “love your neighbor” by delivering meals to men and women experiencing homelessness from the back of a green minivan. Since its founding, MLF volunteers have served more than 5 million meals with a side of hope to men and women living on the streets of Austin, and the organization has spawned similar food truck ministries in other cities across the U.S.
Alan also is the lead visionary behind MLF’s Community First! Village—a 51-acre master planned development in northeast Austin that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. Alan is a published author of the book Welcome Homeless: One Man’s Journey of Discovering the Meaning of Home. He also is the host of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, which explores the woundedness of society through untold stories of individuals who have encountered homelessness.
For more information and/or to donate to this incredible organization, please visit: https://mlf.org/
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Anaise and Carine Kanimba are the adopted daughters of Paul Rusesabagina, the humanitarian famous for saving 1,200 refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, whose true story was told in the 2004 film, Hotel Rwanda. Since then, he’s published the autobiography, “An Ordinary Man” in 2006 and has received many humanitarian and civil rights awards, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George W. Bush. Now Paul Rusesabagina, who angered the Rwandan government with his pointed criticism from exile in the years after the genocide, has gone on trial in a prosecution that has drawn broad international condemnation. In August 2020, he was seen in handcuffs in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, with no explanation from authorities as to how he had come to be there. Rusesabagina faces 13 charges including terrorism, complicity in murder, and forming an armed rebel group. He is facing trial with 20 alleged rebel fighters. In this conversation with Anaise and Carine, we discuss the current trials and how we can help free Paul Rusesabagina.
To sign the petition for Joe Biden to demand the release of Paul Rusesabagina, please visit:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-president-to-demand-the-release-of-paul-rusesabagina?fbclid=IwAR3fAwlkiivvt3X--Ft3LtHcLfIPpcx-EQyVnx2KmL-yvsD_7jrjBP68uws
To learn more, or to donate to the legal defense fund, please visit:
https://hrrfoundation.com/
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Season 1 Finale: Chad Pregracke grew up near the Mississipi River in East Moline, Illinois. From his childhood experience and first job as a clam digger, he decided he wanted to do something about all of the trash collected in the river. At the age of 17, Chad started making calls to government agencies to notify them of the problem, assuming someone would take care of it.
But overtime, the problem only got worse. In 1997, Chad decided that if no one else was going to clean up the river, he would. In 1998 at the age of 23, Chad founded Living Lands & Waters. The crew averages nine states a year along the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers, as well as many of their tributaries.
Most recently, Chad expanded the mission of the organization to include Student Educational Workshops, The MillionTrees Project, Adopt-a-River Mile, Invasive Species Removal and The Great Mississippi River Cleanup. He’s received an abundance of awards and honors over the years including the Jefferson Award or Public Service and he was named CNN’s hero of the year. Chad is also the author of From the Bottom Up: One Man’s Crusade to Clean America’s Rivers.
For more information, or to make a donation, please visit:
LivingLandsandWaters.org
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As seen on 60 Minutes, the Last Slave Ship, known as the Clotilda, is a mysterious story that can’t be told in a hurry. As a matter of fact, it’s taken 159 years to be told and is still not finished.
It started with simple people living simple lives in their ‘own’ African country, before being captured by a rival tribe, sold to a wealthy slave owner from America and forced to live in squalor on a two-month voyage across an unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.
And despite a then 50-year-old federal law against importing Africans, Clotilda and its cargo of 110 ‘human beings’ still dropped anchor at Mobile Bay on July 9, 1860…capping a gut-wrenching two-month plus voyage for those terrified captives. The Clotilda was burned and sunk in an Alabama River after bringing these slaves across the Atlantic in 1860. Two years ago, its remains were found. We had the honor of speaking with two descendants of slaves that were on that ship, as well as the captain’s descendent who brought the slaves from Africa to Alabama. Darron Patterson is the descendent of the slave, Polle Allen, and Gary Lumbers is the descendent of the slave, Cudjo Lewis. Mike Foster is the descendent of Captain William Foster who built and sailed the ship. The three of them have come together in an unlikely friendship to make sure the story of the Clotilda, and the legacy of the 110 slaves on board, lives on forever.
To learn more about this story and/or to make a donation please visit:
https://theclotildastory.com/
https://www.cudjolewisfamily.org/gallery
Music Credit:
Clotilda's on Fire by Shemekia Copeland
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The Last Slave Ship, known as the Clotilda, is a mysterious story that can’t be told in a hurry. As a matter of fact, it’s taken 159 years to be told and is still not finished.
It started with simple people living simple lives in their ‘own’ African country, before being captured by a rival tribe, sold to a wealthy slave owner from America and forced to live in squalor on a two-month voyage across an unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.
And despite a then 50-year-old federal law against importing Africans, Clotilda and its cargo of 110 ‘human beings’ still dropped anchor at Mobile Bay on July 9, 1860…capping a gut-wrenching two-month plus voyage for those terrified captives. The Clotilda was burned and sunk in an Alabama River after bringing these slaves across the Atlantic in 1860. Two years ago, its remains were found. We had the honor of speaking with two descendants of slaves that were on that ship, as well as the captain’s descendent who brought the slaves from Africa to Alabama. Darron Patterson is the descendent of the slave, Polle Allen, and Gary Lumbers is the descendent of the slave, Cudjo Lewis. Mike Foster is the descendent of Captain William Foster who built and sailed the ship. The three of them have come together in an unlikely friendship to make sure the story of the Clotilda, and the legacy of the 110 slaves on board, lives on forever.
To learn more about this story and/or to make a donation please visit:
https://theclotildastory.com/
https://www.cudjolewisfamily.org/gallery
Music Credit:
Clotilda's on Fire by Shemekia Copeland
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Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN is an anti-diet registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and author of the book Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating(Little, Brown Spark 2019). She offers online courses and private intuitive eating coaching to help people all over the world make peace with food and their bodies. Since 2013 Christy has hosted Food Psych, a weekly podcast exploring people’s relationships with food and paths to body liberation. It is now one of Apple’s top 100 health podcasts, reaching tens of thousands of listeners worldwide each week.
Christy began her career in 2003 as a journalist covering food, nutrition, and health, and she’s written for publications including The New York Times, SELF, BuzzFeed, WIRED, Refinery29, Gourmet, Slate, The Food Network, and many others. Learn more about Christy and her work at christyharrison.com.
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In this Global Storytelling Series episode, we chatted with Irmela Mensah-Schramm and our friend and translator from Germany, Petra Nikol.
Irmela Mensah-Schramm is a 75-year-old activist who set out to erase symbols of hate in the world. Often referred to as “Graffiti Grandma", she’s spent the last 3 decades removing and covering up Nazi imagery and racist graffiti in Berlin, Germany. She was featured in the 2017 documentary, The Hate Destroyer, and has received several awards including The Göttingen Peace Prize and The Erich-Kästner-Prize . Irmela’s removed 88,300 Neo-Nazi stickers since 2007 and continues to fight against racism and discrimination. In this episode, Irmela describes her experiences growing up in post-World War II Germany and the events that led her to find purpose in removing racist and xenophobic graffiti. We hope that her extraordinary story will leave you feeling inspired as we begin the new year.
If you wish to make a donation, visit www.hass-vernichtet.deSong credit for this episode: "Liebe" by German band Neufundland
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Ibu Robin Lim CPM is a Filipino–American midwife, mother, grandmother, and founder of Yayasan Bumi Sehat *a non-profit organization in Indonesia. Lim also serves on the board of Bumi–Wadah Philippines, where she is known as “Lola Robin.” Her Passion is Human Rights in Childbirth. She believes that each individual is an essential “Piece of Peace” therefore by protecting the mothers in childbirth and the newborns (our smallest citizens of Earth) we may build peace, one Baby, one Mother, one Family at a time.
Listen in as she tells the story of how the tragic death of her sister during childbirth 30 years ago, led her to a life's work that is saving lives and changing how the world views childbirth.
To learn more about Ibu Robin, please visit https://bumisehat.org/To stay connected with Better Place Project and for updates and behind the scenes info, please follow us on social media*Instagram: @BetterPlaceProj
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Imagine being on top of the world as a young, bright successful 29 year-old entrepreneur living in Nigeria, with your whole world and your whole life ahead of you. And then one day, in almost the blink of an eye, you suddenly find yourself locked up behind bars, in an overcrowded, filthy, oppressively hot, rat infested, maximum-security prison, for a crime you did not commit. Imagine the torture of waiting 14 long years for a trial, only to then be sentenced to death by hanging or firing squad.
For most of us, this would be an unimaginable nightmare straight out of a fictional movie. For Clinton Kanu, this was just the first semester of his 27 years in prison. 27 lost years, for a crime he did not commit.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria finally acquitted and released Dr. Kanu. We say "Doctor," because while in prison, he earned his Bachelors, his Masters and not 1, but 2 PhDs. What’s equally astounding, is that in spite of losing so many years in the prime of his life, Dr. Kanu not only holds no resentment towards his captors and his government, known for its depth of corruption in its prison system, but is determined to dedicate the rest of his life towards helping others, both wrongfully accused, but also as he says, to help the “downtrodden, poor and forgotten people around the world.
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In this Christmas Bonus Episode, we chat about our own holiday traditions growing up and what we look forward to the most about the holidays. We even take a trip down memory lane and listen to clips of some Norris original Christmas songs from the 90s and early 2000s. That’s right, we have our own Christmas album. Pour yourself some eggnog or hot cocoa and enjoy this holiday special!
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The New York Times called it "The Eureka Mistake." Meet world renowned Marine Biologist Dr. David Vaughan, along with his daughter Dee Dee, as we chat about his accidental discovery that is changing the world; changing the way we are regrowing our coral reefs that have been dying due to increasing ocean temperatures. Coral reefs provide 25% to 40% of all the fisheries we enjoy, as well as play a role in the ocean's providing us the very oxygen that we breathe. They also break the storm waves, the surges and hurricane damage that allows us to live near the coasts. Simply put, we rely on healthy living coral reefs for our survival. But unfortunately, since the 1970s, they have been dying off rapidly.
With techniques that Dr. Vaughan discovered and implemented, new coral can grow back in weeks, instead of years. Using this new method, he can grow a coral in 1-2 years that would normally have taken 15-25 years. We can now regrow our reefs at a rate that can make a difference! Hear his remarkable story and the challenges he's had to overcome both before and since this incredible discovery.
To donate and/or to learn more, please visit http://plantamillioncorals.org
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Meet the ever-inspiring Ryan Griffin, who started a program in his barber shop whereby kids get a discount if they read to him while getting their hair cut. He dropped off books at other barber shops in his small town to help encourage all kids to fall in love with reading. His story, which began with that first child reading to him, has now spread around the world.
But, as we discovered in this conversation, the Read to Your Barber Literacy Program simply scratches the surface of who Ryan Griffin really is, what he stands for, and what he'd still like to achieve. Join us as we chat about Black Lives Matter, race relations, and the "Black Wall Street Massacre," which happened 100 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, yet is just now finally being talked about on a wide scale.
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Rob and Reece Scheer are the proud fathers of five children from the foster care system who arrived at their home with trash bags. Growing up in foster care himself, Rob remembered feeling disposable as a child carrying a trash bag to his foster home, and he wondered how this could still be happening 30 years later.
In 2013, the Scheer family set out on a mission to eliminate the use of trash bags in the foster care system and provide children entering the system with brand new essential and comfort items. To date, Comfort Cases has impacted over 110,000 children in the foster care system.
Rob is currently the CEO of Comfort Cases, traveling the country to share his story and advocate for youth in foster care. He published his memoir in 2018: A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time. Reece cares for their five children at home. They live on a farm in Darnestown, MD with 2 cats, 2 dogs, a bird, 3 goats, several chickens and ducks, and a pig named Penelope.
For more information about Comfort Cases and/or to make a donation, please visit:
www.ComfortCases.org
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Start here to get a quick introduction to Better Place Project with Steve Norris. Meet Steve and his Co-Host/Daughter Erin as they discuss what this crazy podcast is all about! :)
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