Doug Lynam and Melanie go deep in this four-part series devoted to understanding some of the psychological, spiritual and financial aspects of living in a global pandemic.
Doug is a money manager, former Benedictine monk, national media financial expert, and author of From Monk to Money Manager: A Former Monk’s Financial Guide to Becoming a Little Bit Wealthy — and Why That’s Okay.
Melanie and Doug riff on the physiology and psychology of trauma, with some surprising, and very personal sharing from both of them. And much (much) more.
note: please excuse the at-times funky audio as we figure out how to stay safe and keep the show's coming to you
In part 2 of this special interview, recorded on-site with Cynthia Jurs, hear more about the "little clay pots" that are, in fact, sacred Earth Treasure Vases, Buddhist deities such as Tibetan Tara, and Cynthia's Gaia Mandala work.
Cynthia is a Buddhist teacher, trained by the beloved international Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
She's also a practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism, and was initiated as a Lama in Nepal, in recognition of her many years of dharma practice and dedication to the work of global healing through the Earth Treasure Vases.
Cynthia is the founder of Alliance for the Earth, and is the Executive Director of the Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project. And she's the guiding teacher at the Open Way Sangha in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Please, come along with us as Cynthia shares some of her personal experiences as a lifelong spiritual seeker, teacher, and hear about her fascinating work creating the sacred Earth Treasure Vases.
This is Part 1 of 2.
This is a special show, recorded on-site with Cynthia Jurs. Cynthia is a Buddhist teacher, trained by the beloved international Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
She's also a practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism, and was initiated as a Lama in Nepal, in recognition of her many years of dharma practice and dedication to the work of global healing through the Earth Treasure Vases.
Cynthia is the founder of Alliance for the Earth, and is the Executive Director of the Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project. And she's the guiding teacher at the Open Way Sangha in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Come along with us as Cynthia shares some of her personal experiences as a lifelong spiritual seeker, teacher, and hear about her fascinating work creating the sacred Earth Treasure Vases.
This is Part 1 of 2.
Pasha Hogan continues last week's convo. Extraordinary Reiki Master Teacher and practitioner, yoga and meditation coach, author and three-time cancer survivor, Pasha has been walking the walk for a long time.
She helps listeners understand what it means when we transform our relationship with the unknown into a deeply intimate relationship with all of life. And how "laying down the ideas, beliefs, and stories that no longer serve you can transform your life in ways you never could have imagined."
more information about, and a guided meditation from Melanie Harth here
Pasha Hogan, author, yoga and meditation teacher, and renowned Reiki Master teacher and practitioner, shares her thoughts on how often we settle for the crumbs and miss out on the joy.
Pasha and Melanie talk about Pasha's Irish roots, and healing, and how to navigate the waters of these chaotic times by staying open to "the magic of the vast, wild and alive landscape of our minds, hearts and souls."
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman
Yes, it's light-hearted. Yes, there's plenty of laughter. And yes, whip-smart, artist-trained personal stylist Kitty Ault and Melanie have a rousing time together.
Social group identity, ageism, why it's important to show up in the world on our own terms, breaking the rules, going grey vs. coloring our hair -- all sorts of cool, fun, and helpful things.
Kitty Ault's website is KAStyleSantafe.com.
Kitty Ault on Instagram: @kastylesantafe
Kitty Ault on Facebook: KAStyle Santa Fe
Death and dying and happiness? Yes, please. Rev. Hollis Walker, an ordained minister who's "passionate about death," and Celia Owens, activist, artist and volunteer coordinator at Casa Cielo in Santa Fe, are in the studio with Melanie.
It sounds heavy, no? It isn't really, not when you're talking with folks who understand the sacred nature of dying a good death.
We talk about:
When Death Comes
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world. Mary Oliver
information about Casa Cielo here
more about Dr. Melanie Harth here
Yay, Arte (Artemisio) Romero y Carver is back for one more show before he heads off to the wilds of a semester in Napa Valley, Cali.
Melanie loves the fast-paced, youth-oriented, artistic, and activist points of view that Arte shares so eloquently.
Talking points include:
Cree Indian Prophecy
Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.
powerhouse book recommendation from Melanie: The Overstory, by Richard Powers
YUCCA (YouthUnited4ClimateCrisisAction) website here
Executive producer of the PBS Ageless Living Series, George Cappannelli, returns for another in-depth conversation.
Some of the questions?
We spend billions of dollars in this country every year trying to pretend we're not getting older or ever going to die .. what do we lose in the total denial of aging and eldering?
How do self-responsibility and self-empowerment fit into aging?
What's the real truth about aging?
Why is it important that ageism continues to be challenged?
Are we, as a collective, prepared for what we're facing?
As usual, it's provocative, fast-paced, informative.
This episode starts with laughter, and then dives deep into what it means to live agelessly, to be an elder, and how to prepare as a collective for what we're currently facing.
The incredible husband-and-wife team, Sedena and George Cappannelli, share their wisdom and talk about the powerful new PBS television series, Ageless Living, they've co-produced/directed.
Find more about the PBS Ageless Living series here.
Beloved Zen Buddhist teacher and author Henry Shukman shares more about his book, One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart.
Topics range from how Zen Buddhism can help us navigate these chaotic times to the importance of becoming ordinary.
As always when Henry Shukman is the guest, you'll think a bit deeper, and perhaps expand your point of view ... just a wee bit.
Celia Owens, world traveler, activist, organizer, and artist, and Sue Faerman, university professor emeritus in management and leadership for non-profits and NGO's, have a lively discussion with Melanie.
How volunteering is the new dating, maintaining optimism in a chaotic world, the service experience and so much more are highlighted in this episode.
Part II of Trauma & the Climate Crisis continues with Renee Elsen, a survivor of the devastating 2018 Paradise, CA fire and subsequent climate refugee.
Trained as a social worker and school counselor, Renee brings a sophisticated point of view to the trauma she experienced as a result of the fire.
She's transparent, articulate, and passionate about helping folks understand how a collective trauma such as the climate crisis can intersect with individual trauma.
Renee Elsen, survivor of the devastating 2018 Paradise, CA fire and subsequent climate refugee, shares her very personal account of that morning.
Trained as a social worker and school counselor, Renee brings a sophisticated point of view to the trauma she experienced as a result of the fire.
She's transparent, articulate, and passionate about helping folks understand how a collective trauma such as the climate crisis can intersect with individual trauma.
This is Part I of a two-part show.
The 17-year-old political activist, passionate climate protector, Sunrise Movement and YUCCA member, spoken word poet, artist, and fabulously articulate Artemisio Romero y Carver is back in the studio.
Art as an element of self-expression, the connection of art and activism, social reform, and all sorts of other big ideas are discussed in this fast-paced show.
Remarkable musician, educator, and all-around super cool guy, Jamey Tate, shares his thoughts on all things music. Including that, from his perspective, the arts are our connection to humanity.
Recorded somewhere in French Polynesia, sailing to Moorea.
What happens when we say "Yes!" to something, and it ends up being a terrific experience? Listen in to how Melanie met Andrea Heckman.
Andrea is a filmmaker, photographer, author and lecturer. She earned a doctorate in anthropology and art history, and has researched indigenous traditions, festivals and rituals for over 35 years.
In 1996, she was Fulbright scholar in Peru. A longtime world traveler, Andrea shares stories of her many adventures.
Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney, co-founder of the Anna, Age Eight Institute, continues the discussion regarding the national epidemic of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, and childhood trauma.
Topics include the effects of scarcity mentality, the systemic flaws across a myriad of child welfare agencies and how to begin fixing them, and the 100% Solutions Spot.
Dr. Courtney suggests the focus should be on three areas:
ACEs, the Adverse Childhood Experience study, has changed how we understand childhood trauma. New Mexico ranks as one of the most dangerous states for children in the country.
Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney, co-founder of the Anna, Age Eight Institute, helps us understand how adverse childhood experiences often lead to trauma, and how the repercussions can be felt community-wide.
She and Melanie talk about solutions, as well, in this first of two parts.
Anna, Age Eight Institute here
The fierce, fiery, passionate and articulate social justice champion, Anita Otilia Rodriguez, returns for another thought-provoking show.
Anita is a painter, storyteller, award-winning author of Coyota in the Kitchen, social activist, and co-founder of the Taos Healing and Reconciliation Institute and Project.
She riffs on being a "half-breed," a ninth-generation Taoseno, historical and collective trauma, the paradox of healing, and yes ... even more!
Melissa Spamer -- licensed psychotherapist, advanced yoga trainer and teacher, licensed massage therapist AND Ayurvedic practitioner -- shares some of her in-depth wisdom and knowledge.
The sacredness of the body, healing her own trauma, compassion and women's empowerment are some of things she and Melanie touch upon.
He describes himself as just a "regular old guy who paints." But ERic Luplow is much more than that.
He's a spokesman for art and music and learning to live with infant TBI (traumatic brain injury) and creativity.
Plus, he's just plain ole' a lot of fun.
Come along with Melanie and ERic in this thoughtful, deep episode.
ERic Luplow's Facebook page here
Diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, guest Susan Balkman shares stories and insights from her own journey.
National dementia expert and author Dr. Jytte Lokvig is also in the studio for another thoughtful, and yes, fun! episode.
Santa Fe Alzheimer's Cafe, founded by Dr. Jytte Lokvig here
Dr. Melanie Harth's website here
Inspired by, and in collaboration with young Swedish climate activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg, the Sunrise Movement is an American youth-led political movement that advocates political action on climate change.
Today's guest is Artemisio Romero y Carver, artist, spoken word poet, member of YUCCA (Youth United for Climate Crisis in Action) and the Sunrise Movement Santa Fe. He's impassioned and uber-articulate about the challenging issues facing upcoming generations.
Sunrise Movement Santa Fe Facebook page here
Dr. Melanie Harth website here
Allegra Love, immigration attorney and CEO of Santa Fe Dreamers, talks immigration law, the weaponizing of the legal system, and the politics of racism and xenophobia.
It's big, bold, deep -- a don't-miss episode.
Santa Fe Dreamers Project website here
Santa Fe Dreamers Project Facebook page here
Melanie's free meditation to help you reduce stress, anxiety and overwhelm here