On this week's episode, I acknowledge my September 23rd birthday, which is also the Autumn Equinox. I let the themes of the Autumn Equinox: equilibrium, release, and gratitude be a spiritual reflection. Perhaps the questions I journaled about will be helpful to you as we enter this Fall season.

I received and felt so much birthday love that I want to share it with all my listeners and see if we can radiate it out into the world. May this Autumn Equinox bring us into balance, help us shed all that no longer serves us and may we collectively cultivate new joy, new peace, and better chapters ahead for each of us, for our country, the planet and the world.
Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I describe the outpouring of love that was generated at my Retirement/Birthday Party on September 28th. I've spent the week swirling in that love, breathing in that love, and humbly absorbing that love. In addition to the abundant love that was showered on me, I was struck by the love being exchanged in interactions with everyone there.

May we generate kindness, curiosity, warmth, respect and love in whatever circles we walk in, with whatever exchanges we have. Let's fill ourselves with love, absorb more deeply that love and radiate that love out into the world. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I honor my dear friend Wayne Warnecke, who died on October 6th. Wayne, affectionately called his recording studio "Wayne's World" before Dana Carvey and Mike Myers created the Wayne's World SNL skit that later became a 1992 comedy film.

Wayne was a gifted audio engineer and music producer and in "Wayne's World", every musician, amateur or acclaimed professional, was treated with respect and dignity. The magic Wayne generated reached beyond his music studio; anyone in Wayne's presence experienced his humor, positivity, and gratefulness. During his 4 plus years with ALS, Wayne transcended this debilitating disease and kept us laughing, loving and inspired.

Check out the Show Notes for links to my episode with Wayne from 2019. Reach out to me for details of Wayne's Celebration of Life on 11/9/26 in Stamford, CT. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Wayne's Enlighten podcast episode

On this week's episode, I answer the question I've often been asked in the past couple of months: "Now that you've retired, does that mean you are ending the podcast?" And my reply is "No! I am here to stay and so is the podcast!"

In confirming that the podcast is here to stay, I explain what motivated me to start the podcast, what the podcast means to me and the gifts this podcast provides. I am committed to continuing to focus on the light and all that uplifts and inspires me, even through all the challenges we face. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I reflect on the fullness of my summer and the welcome of comforting regular routines. May you take a moment to reflect on your summer and notice what fills you with gratitude. May you welcome the return to the Fall routines. Let these routines comfort and ground you this season. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I join the chorus of people paying tribute to our iconic, American treasure, Dolly Parton. You can't help but be impressed with how she lived her life, her talent and kindness. She was humble, business savvy, grounded in compassion, invested in humanitarian values, and had a fabulous sense of humor. Dolly had a positively profound impact on and off stage.

May we all find ways to honor Dolly Parton by loving more deeply, giving more freely and keeping joy alive. May we all honor Dolly's love legacy. Check out the Show Notes for links to Dolly tributes from Heather Cox Richardson, Jessica Craven, Mel Robbins, Rosie O'Donnell and a clip of Dolly singing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Enjoy the podcast.

Links:
Heather Cox Richardson

Jessica Craven

Mel Robbins

Rosie O'Donnell

Dolly with Ladysmith Black Mambazo "Peace Train"

On this weeks episode, I reflect on how intimately intertwined death and life are. One informs and impacts the other. From my childhood to late teens and early adulthood memories, to recent experiences of facing the death of people I love, I have learned to be present, feel the depth of emotions and look for opportunities for acceptance and personal reflection.

Nature teaches us about how natural, organic and integrated death is in life. Perhaps, we can envision that our death will inspire new life for others, as the dead trees in the woods give life to 100s of microorganisms. May we cultivate peace in our mind and in our way of life, so our own death has a better chance of being a peaceful one.

Check out the show notes for a link to The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and a link to my father's obituary. Enjoy the podcast.

Links:
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche

Stephen Kerry Carr obituary

My guest today is Dena DeRose. Dena Is a compelling, innovative jazz singer and pianist. In addition to her busy international touring schedule, Dena has been a professor of Jazz Voice at the Institute of Jazz at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria for the past 20 years. Dena has led clinics and workshops around the world. Her passionate ability to embody the heart and soul of music as a performer and educator is remarkable. She describes her students as inspiring her, I can only imagine how profoundly Dena inspires her students.

Check out the Show Notes for links to Dena's website, tour schedule and booking manager, Jay Nachowitz of Preferred Artists (a recent podcast guest). Mark your calendars for September 11 and 12th, to join me in hearing Dena perform with her trio, with Matt Wilson and Martin Wind, at Mezzrow in NYC. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
denaderose.com
jazzvoice.com
preferredartists.net
Mezzrow-NYC