My guest today is Cait Conley. Cait is running for Congress in NY District 17, determined to stop Donald Trump and cowards like Mike Lawler who enable him. Cait was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, graduated at the top of her class at West Point, served 16 years as an Army officer, and broke barriers as one of the first and only women in Special Operations leadership and was awarded three Bronze Stars.

Cait's career as a public servant continued at home, protecting security and democracy while serving as Director of Counter-Terrorism on the National Security Council at the White House. She later helped safeguard our critical infrastructure and election systems at CISA, defending our democracy by standing up directly to Trump's big lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

Cait is dedicated to bringing dignity and courage back to Congress. She is fighting to lower costs, clean up corruption, reign in ICE, address climate change as a national security crisis, protect our elections and stop Trumps' unlawful and authoritarian agenda. I am impressed with her strength, courage and proven leadership and have been motivated to have as many people as possible hear from Cait directly, so they can make an informed decision when voting in the primary. Early voting started June 13th and the primary is Tuesday, June 23rd. This is a critical election, so please spread the word and get out and vote!

Check out the Show Notes for Cait's conversation with Ali Velshi on MSNOW as well as Cait's website. There you will find links to donate, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Cait Conley's Website
Ali Velshi-MSNOW

My guest today is Andrew Kravatz. Andrew recently completed his junior year at Fordham University, majoring in Political Science. Andrew is an intern for Cait Conley who is running to win the Democratic primary for Congress to flip NY District 17. With so many people complaining that young people are not politically involved, I was impressed with Andrew's passion to be the change he wants to see. He describes his confidence in Cait's background, service to our country, as well as the values and policies that she stands for.

Andrew appreciates the loving examples from his parents and extended family who he describes as kind, selfless people, whose driving principle in life is to care for others. Caring for the whole person is foundational to his Jesuit education and Andrew was experientially embodied during his powerful high school service trips. Check out the show notes for links to Jay Forbes' letter to the editor in The Hudson Independent, the man responsible for introducing me to Andrew, an article Andrew wrote for Fordham's Political Review, as well as Cait Conley's website. Do Andrew proud, vote for Cait in the primary on June 23rd so we chose the best candidate to beat Mike Lawler in the fall.
Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Jay Forbes
Andrew's article
Cait Conley

On this week's episode, I share my giddiness in the birth of Alma (a dear friend's baby) as her arrival coincides with the blossoming of our first peony. As these magnificent buds blossom and expand, I offer blessings to sweet Alma as she expands the hearts of all who are in her life.

Welcome to the world, sweet Alma! You are in good company with the blossoming of the peonies! May we all be blessed by your presence. May we honor your beauty, your vibrancy and your healing energy. May we celebrate all of the known and to-be-discovered ways you make this world a better place.

Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Jean Wine. Jean is a thoughtful, engaged, inspiring women, who at age 97, happens to be the oldest guest I have had on my podcast! Jean grew up in Worcester, MA, attended college in Maine, where she met her husband, Buddy, before settling in Westchester County, NY.

Jean combined her gifts in art, education and enriching lives with her career at American Field Service (AFS). She cultivated lasting friendships with people around the world and traveled extensively. Jean is proud of her beloved children, Linda, Buzzy and Judith, their partners, her four grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She reflects on what she's done to age gracefully and the importance of making new friends and staying active.

Although we recorded this conversation on a snowy day in January, I waited for this rainy day in May to release this episode. Today, May 25th, is Jean's third child, Judith's birthday. Happy Birthday, Jude, thanks for our 55 year friendship and heartfelt thanks for sharing your wonderful Mom with me and Paul! We treasure Jean as our "Bonus Mom"!! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, in this season of college graduations, I highlight something that struck me at my niece's graduation from Skidmore College. In addition to the love and pride I feel toward my niece, and the inspiring speeches given, I was deeply moved by hugs. Not just the typical hugs after the graduation ceremony, offered from proud parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Those hugs are magnificent!

I melted when I watched student after student embrace their college president. Without words these hugs from countless students, spoke volumes of the values, worthiness, gratitude and loving support generated on this campus! May this be a tender reminder to give and receive some genuine, nourishing, warm, bear hugs this week! Enjoy the podcast!

My guest to today is Jay Nachowitz. Jay began his career as a professional trumpet player, then integrated his business skills as an entertainment agent and later became a financial manager. Jay's passion for music and his genuine respect for musicians has allowed him to be both a music manager and financial manager, sometimes both for the same people.

Jay has always earned his own income and has been driven by integrity and being a help to others, in a variety of ways. We discussed his positive attitude even in the face of adversity, and what it took for him to get out of his own way, to achieve something on his bucket list.

Check out the show notes for links to Jay's website and his album Modern Retro. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Jay's website
Modern Retro on Bandcamp

On this week's episode, I highlight what love does. Whether we pay attention with love, interact with love or infuse love into ourselves, into our plants, pets, people or the planet, love makes a positive impact. Using the simple examples of plants, I marvel at what love does to my relationship to these sentient beings.

What love does!! Love reminds us that we have more love in us than we realize. Love stretches and expands our hearts. Love stimulates the giving and receiving partnership. Love generates more love. What love does is nourish us, heal us and helps us grow. May we all pour more love into our world and watch it blossom and transform us! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I share my experience of being present to two friends in hospice. Being present slows me down, drops me into a quieting center that allows me to align with the Divine. It is a deep honor to be invited into the dying process. I take that invitation very seriously and am grateful for the richness and blessings that unfold.

I share two of the meditations that I say silently and aloud when gently massaging the feet of each of my friends. May we all allow ourselves to be a conduit of light, compassion, comfort and love. May we all know the power of being present. Enjoy the podcast!