It's Labor Day. I have some thoughts. Here's the article on the history of Labor Day. Here's the Caitlin Flanagan article that I comment on. Here's the September Astrology Forecast . Last but not least, here are the songs and then some that we listened to. Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org. Our show music is from Shana Falana! Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org ** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it he...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 290
Today I am honored to speak with Hope Nemiroff, Executive Director and Founder of Breast Cancer Options and Sarah Carlson, a recent addition to the Breast Cancer Options organization. We get to hear about Hope's cancer journey which led her to be involved with extensive research and advocacy for breast cancer care and health policy. Then we spend some time understanding the importance of patient advocacy, discuss the science related to cancer care and prevention, all of the programming they offe...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 289
Today I get to spend two hours with Shirley Nelson, a special human who I was introduced to via Kia Abilay a dearly departed friend, mentor, healer and person who married me! For more than 30 years Rev Shirley has led sessions in spiritual development and personal growth. She is an interfaith interspiritual minister and a compassionate care counselor who serves various communities in the greater Cleveland area as a preacher, retreat leader, and a workshop facilitator. Shirley is the author of Th...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 288
It's another installment of politics and spirituality where Marielena and I go off on some subjects loosely affiliated with the art of living and the art of living together. Inspired by this NPR article where they consult the Tarot, we talk about economic theories, or theories in general, and how perhaps we've forgotten that they are in fact just theories. We might actually be creating our reality, and inflation, so if that's the case, how can we do it better? We're in The Tower folks!!!...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 287
Today Marielena Ferrer covers for Theresa and welcomes guest Elinor Levy or Arts Mid-Hudso n. Elinor Levy joined Arts-Mid Hudson in September 2016 as the Folk Arts Program manager. A native of Oakland, California, she has bounced around the country from California to Indiana, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and now New York. Previously, she worked in Las Vegas as the folklorist for Clark County Parks and Recreation and as executive director of the Northwest Jersey Folklife Project. Ha...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 285
In today's show Rakel, host of Satelite of Love, is sitting in for Theresa, and has invited artist and print maker Aurora Brush into the studio to discuss being a woman in print making, her creative practice and the new community zine Rakel and Aurora, and two other collaborators, have recently launched. Aurora Brush is an alchemist who uses the processes of print and book making to manifest dreams into reality. They are a queer divinatory artist, tarot deck creator, print and book maker living ...
Aug 01, 2023•2 hr•Ep. 286
Marielena is covering for Theresa again today and welcomes Lara Giordano from the D.R.A.W. Lara Giordano (Founder, Director of The D.R.A.W.) is an arts advocate, artist, retired Kingston High School art teacher and lifelong art educator. Giordano was instrumental in the design and implementation of KCSD’s arts driven interdisciplinary curriculum and founder of the PUGG program which started as an extension of her advanced art curriculum at the high school. She is the Founder of the Department of...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 284
Today, guest host Erica Brown welcomes the Waterfall Unity Alliance to the show. They are an organization focused on protecting Skóhale (the Schoharie Valley) and our Mother Earth. The alliance aims to build alliances across movements and cultures while finding solutions to the challenges of our time. We feature key members of the Waterfall Unity Alliance, including Liv Watyana'li:yo Bigtree, a Turtle Clan member of the Onyota'a:ka (Oneida) tribe. Liv's background in visual art and her upbringin...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 283
Marielena Ferrer is driving this month's Spirituality and Politics conversation while I am away from the station. We talk about the Supreme Court's most recent ruling affecting affirmative action and refer to these articles as we meander through our own opinions on it and what we hope will come as a result of it. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/06/failure-affirmative-action/674439/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/06/affirmative-action-scotus-ruling-elite-institution...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 282
Happy Interdependence Day, almost. Celebrating the 4th holiday in my usual way, of reflecting on ways we can remember what freedom and independence is always about, and adding a new twist to thinking about how we are all connected and interdependent upon one another! Today I share Full Moon thoughts and some history about Women leaders of the Civil Rights movement. Here's the Full Moon Astrology that I shared from Tanaaz . Here's the site where I shared some of the Capricorn mythology . Here's t...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 281
Lindsey Danis is a queer, gender expansive writer based in the Hudson Valley, New York. Lindsey received a BA in English from Vassar College and an MFA in Fiction from Emerson College. Lindsey is Creative Nonfiction editor at Atlas + Alice and runs the queer outdoor travel blog Queer Adventurers. Lindsey’s nonfiction has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Longreads, Eater, and Catapult, received a notable mention in Best American Travel Writing 2019, and is anthologized in “The Best New True...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 280
Today I celebrate Juneteenth by paying homage to the contributions of African Americans which have significantly impacted me, that being their music. There's no greater medicine for me than music. I consume A LOT OF IT, so I am grateful to all of those who've enhanced my life, helped me through crisis, uplifted my spirit, and moved me to dance through their creative work. Here's the playlist from today's show. In between songs, I share and speak about the recent New Moon and the upcoming Summer ...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 279
This month's Spirituality and Politics show with Marielena Ferrer has us talking about belonging. Inspired by the content of this article , Marielena and I talk about what it means to belong, both in our own lives and as it relates to immigrants who struggle to belong at the most fundamental level. In the second half of the show we are joined by Phyllis Hjorth an artist with an exhibit, "The Neighborhood" now showing at the gallery at the Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston on Tuesdays, ...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 278
Today my guest is Donna Klassen, Co-founder and CEO of Let's Talk Menopause . In addition to her work at Let's Talk Menopause, she is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience. Her areas of practice include trauma, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In addition to her private practice, Donna served as admissions and clinical director at the Motherhood Center of New York from 2017-2020, and has held supervisory roles at SUNY Stony Brook, the Jewis...
Jun 06, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 277
Kristina Sarhadi is a holistic therapist, Reiki Master, writer, and “recovering social worker.” A Hudson Valley native, she is the founder of Kingston Reiki + Holistic Therapy in Downtown Kingston, where she also runs The New Leaf Holistic Health Clinic with Dr. Ileana Tecchio and Dr. Glenn Finley. Kristina studied at Vassar College, UC Berkeley, the University of Southern California, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the Soma Healing Center, and received the International Health Leade...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 276
Today is about The Goddess Party, a new project spearheaded from long time Hudson Valley musician Shana Falana in collaboration with Erica Quitzow and Sarah Perrotta. Featuring a choir of 30+ local singers, a rock band, and a willingness to interpret the likes of Kate Bush, Panda Bear, and PJ Harvey. "A cult worth joining." I am joined by Beth Carestia a member of the Choir like myself, and we hear from several of our co-creators by way of voice memo describing in some way what The Goddess Party...
May 23, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 275
Today on the show I am joined by Kristin Kessler, a registered dietitian, yoga teacher, and advocate for equitable access to nutritious food and opportunities to live a healthful lifestyle. She has worked across multiple sectors of the field of nutrition for the past 12 years, including at PR agencies and in community nutrition, like at Food Bank For New York City. She also has a long-held passion for women's rights and equitable opportunities in all aspects of life, particularly the workforce, ...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 274
This month on Spirituality and Politics, Marielena and I are joined by Isis Benitez, Lead Director of Communications, Advocacy and Outreach at the YWCA Ulster County . Isis shares the details behind the "Until Justice Just Is" campaign that is underway this week in Kingston and Poughkeepsie featuring film screenings and rallies with speakers all intended to help folks understand the impacts of racism and what we can do to put an end to it. Not only is this campaign creating a safe space for peop...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 273
Today's guest is Kristin Moshonas. A yogi for most of her adult life, Kristin embraced a lifestyle of wellness, mindfulness and spirit with the birth of her children, becoming a yoga teacher, then therapist (IAYT 1,000 - HR), and finally adding a more strategic role as Director of Programming, NY for non-profit, Kula for Karma (2017). It is here that she began to delve more deeply into the space of trauma-based healing practices and work with underserved populations. She has co-created, directed...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 272
Today I enjoyed speaking with Heather Duke - who is one of the sparkly beings and co-creators over at the Center for Symbolic Studies . A non-profit with a mission to inspire nature-based spirituality, leading to personal growth and communal awareness. Founded by Drs. Robin and Stephen Larsen, inspired by the works of friend and mentor Joseph Campbell- The Center for Symbolic Studies has been offering a window into the Mythic Imagination for over 30 years through seasonal festivals, Dream Worksh...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 271
In the first half of today's show, I am joined by Elissa Garay , Freelance Editor & Writer in Travel & Lifestyle. A modern-day explorer, perpetual seeker, and diligent travel scribe, she's also a champion for sustainable tourism and believes that we can all travel with conscience, for the greater good. With over 20 years’ experience in the field, she's worked as an editor at leading travel publications like AFAR, Fodor’s,Travelzoo , and ShermansTravel , and has had hundreds of travel and...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 270
On this month’s installment of Spirituality and Politics, Marielena Ferrer and I discuss the state of Media today and it's impact on the younger generation. This conversation was inspired by a comment Marielena heard about how media fails to inspire hope for the future or action to build a better future. Plus we randomly discuss families and the lack of support for them in today's world. Hmmmm, personal experience, ha! Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda of Radio Kingston . Our show music is...
Apr 11, 2023•2 hr•Ep. 269
Today's guest, Dilek Isildak , is an artist, muse, and human design guide. Making art and the art of living is her way. Born in Turkey, raised in DC and seasoned in NYC, her photography captures the magic and mystery of life. She's been guided by her own personal journey and her passion for connecting dots and seeing patterns to her Human Design work and now guides others in how to live their design. Today we went where I've never gone before with Human Design, to the neutrinos, stardust and Cry...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 268
Today I take a trip down memory lane to honor and recognize some of the women I've been close to in my life who have shaped me and my life in some way. During Women's History Month we tend to focus on the famous or unrecognized female "pioneers," but a big theme in this show is that "women's work" is so often undervalued and not rewarded in the same way as most "achievements" are celebrated. This show is me thanking all of the women in my life regardless of "achievement." Your existence is enoug...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 267
Today's guest, Martha Frankel, needs little introduction. Martha Frankel , executive director of Woodstock Bookfest, believes reading and writing are central to our inner lives. Long ago Martha’s real life surpassed even her wildest stories. Her writing career started at the original Details magazine with her column on plastic surgery, called Knifestyles of the Rich and Famous. She went on to write book reviews, essays and celebrity profiles for Details other magazines, such as Movieline, Cosmop...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 266
On this month's installment of Spirituality and Politics, Marelena Ferrer and I are joined by Isabel Cotarelo , an artist who's life experiences express through her work. "The need to modify the contiguous space and the objects in it has always emanated as an irresistible force. The experiences that I have had throughout my life have changed the output of that force. As a Latina growing up in a matriarchal family, the useful craft making process and cooking that bonded members and generated stor...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 265
Today I am joined by Viktorsha and Marielena, two participating artists in ASK's "HERstory" exhibit showing all month in Kingston, NY. Closing ceremony is on March 25th from 3-5pm. We talk about their work, migration, trauma and celebrating women! Viktorsha Uliyanova is a New York artist whose photographic, fiber and installation works investigate loss, cultural identity and trauma narrated through the prism of memory. Uliyanova’s practice is informed by her upbringing in the Soviet Union, polit...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 264
Today's guest is Silvia Forni, a photographer with a passion for Tarot cards. Raised in Florence, Italy with both a great aunt and mother who were psychics, it was normal for the family to get tarot readings on weekends to better prepare for the following week. Silvia began first reading the Tarot at the age of 19 and has continued to be enthralled with the mystery and art of the Tarot. Silvia's can be reached at silviaforni@gmail.com, and if you're local and would like to schedule a reading wit...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 263
Today's guest is BETH FISHER-YOSHIDA, PH.D., CCS, a global expert and educator in intercultural negotiation and communication. She’s the program director of Columbia University’s Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, a negotiation consultant for the United Nations, and the CEO of the consulting agency Fisher Yoshida International. She works in the U.S. and worldwide, conducting workshops on leadership, culture, workplace conflict, and negotiation, and boasts a client list tha...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 262
On this month's installment of Spirituality and Politics, Marielena and I discuss the latest big media campaign for Jesus, " He Gets Us ." We share our thoughts on the goals of this campaign and what it might mean for Christianity. Is this a good thing? Will it really begin to behave like Jesus, and love thy neighbor? Naturally this leads us to talk about cults, but in a productive way, I hope. We talk about the points from this New Yorker article about how people find themselves in high demand ...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 261
