The Contemplative Corazón

I discuss the theme of Season 4 and its timing in my life. I also preview conversation topics my guests and I will be discussing this season and my hopes for what listeners may gain.

"Weathering Storms", the 4th season of The Contemplative Corazon, will explore the quest for peace in the face of life's challenges. Listen to conversations with guests as we discuss how we protect, nurture, and heal our corazones. Coming Winter 2023

I have had the privilege of knowing Nicole Elliott since I was in eighth grade. We later reconnected as work colleagues at our alma mater and have since maintained a collaborative connection. In honor of Mother's Day, I share this poignant episode.

Maya Angelou says, “At our best, we’re all teachers.” Nicole strives to learn from the many teachers in her life as well as offer her own lessons from her time as a 20-year public school teaching veteran and from her last ten years as a teacher educator for the Center for Excellence in Teaching at Stanford University and at the Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning. Nicole is a mother to two young men and an author who recently published her first memoir, Nothing's Missing: A Year of Reckoning, Release, and Remembering Who I am. Her podcast, "Copy Room Conversations," aims to serve the treasured humans who are our country's educators.

I meet with my longtime friend Rainia Noble, fellow Moon Child and dancer, and discuss how her sensitivity and curiosity led her on a career path and nurtured her own healing and spiritual journey. Rainia Noble, BA, MA, AMFT , was born and raised in Oakland CA. Currently, she works as a Behavioral Health Clinician for children 7-21 years old within Alameda County. Rainia bring 8 years of experience working as a Psychotherapist within various schools , Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (crisis milieu), Community Mental Health Programs; and 2 years’ experience working as a Social Worker for the Children and Family Services for Alameda County. Rainia's four passions are dismantling the stigma around Mental Health Awareness within communities of color, educating her clients on holistic treatment options to improve their overall wellness goals, traveling, and music. Rainia holds a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, a BA in International Relations, with an emphasis in Latin American and Caribbean Culture Studies, and is an initiated Lucumi priest. Aside from working as a Psychotherapist, Rainia is an avid international traveler who has traveled, studied, and lived in over 10 countries.  

In conversation with one of my dear mestras, Leticia Imehana, she shares how she reclaims her happiness and health and how she mentors other women to do the same healing work.  

Raio de Luz Samba Studio is led by Founder and Creative Director Leticia Imehana. Her samba home is the proud recipient of the 2022 San Francisco Carnaval Spirit Award. As a Certified Health Education Specialist, Leticia brings a unique spin and passion to dance teaching by advocating for physical and mental well-being.

She earned her Bachelor of Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience and Ethnic Studies from the University of San Francisco and her Master's thesis at Columbia University centered on community resilience. As a full-time Equity Officer she evaluates diverse Bay Area programs and policies centered in health equity and social justice. She has also devoted 30 years of her life to multi-cultural dance apprenticeship and performance.

To learn more about Raio de Luz, visit 

https://www.instagram.com/raiodeluzsamba/

I reflect back on the early days of my journey towards healing in contrast to where I am today.  I describe the present-day struggles of being an educator which inspired the focus of Season 3.  I preview upcoming conversations with guests.  

The third season of The Contemplative Corazon, Into the Heart of a Healer, will premiere in January 2023.  I will be in conversation with community leaders who are helping to heal others through the arts, education, and spirituality.  I hope you will join us.  

In the season 2 finale, I summarize this long but fruitful season.  The theme of traveling with others was fitting as the season spanned several months.  I thank my wonderful guests and preview Season 3.  

This hybrid episode features live recordings from a walk in nature I did recently. Walking in nature is one of my favorite ways to gain clarity especially during these busy and challenging times.  A  nature walks is one of my go-to spiritual practices.  

I am joined by Queen Mawuta, a teacher, dancer, choreographer, mother, and friend.  She shares the value of being true to ourselves and our ancestry.  We share stories about working with young people, raising children, and finding what heals our spirits.  

This past summer, my daughter and I experienced what many might consider a nightmarish road trip.  I share about the lessons learned and an important realization I had.  

Listen in on my conversation with my dance sister Christine. Christine is a licensed therapist, doctoral student, photographer, and artist.  We talk about her work with others and how she takes care of her mind and spirit through creativity.  She also shares her experience withi the practice of labyrinth walks.  

I welcome my second guest of the season, my dance sister Gigi, as we discuss her contemplative journey.  She shares about her love of hiking trails and how dance helped her face grief and health challenges.  She also connects her tending to her spirit to her work as an educator and her life as a wife and mother. 

Season 2 has explored the theme of community in contemplative practices. I share about my experiences at three different large events that have touched my heart.  

Last season, I explained how I find dance to be a contemplative practice. In this episode, I share my experience dancing in Carnaval and how a parade can be a place to get in touch with our corazon. 

Our first guest of Season 2 is Russell Sato, a proud dad of two, his district's 2021 Teacher of the Year, and a dear friend.  He shares about his Buddhist roots, parenting, and thoughts on legacy as we explore the impact of attending to our spirit.  

I open Season 2 with an explanation of the new season's theme and by sharing a story about a unique experience during a long time tradition.  

Season 1, The Beginning, has come to a close.  I share about a hectic day during January's omicron surge and share how contemplative practices have helped me move through challenges.  

In Season 1, I shared how contemplative practices provide stability in my busy life. Join me for Season 2, Fellow Travelers, when I will be joined by several friends as we continue to explore the gifts of contemplation and community.  

Before COVID-19 changed our lives, my life was changed by a retreat with Father Ron Rolheiser. After suffering a terrible loss, I needed to reconnect with myself and the world around me.  The retreat helped me embrace my contemplative journey.  

A more traditional contemplative practice is going on a retreat. I give a brief history of the Christian retreat tradition and describe a typical retreat. I then highlight three retreat centers in the Bay Area.  

Episode 7 describes how one of my favorite activities, dancing, has led me into contemplation.  I share my history as a dancer and include fellow dancers in my family. I discuss the mind-body connection. I explore how the joy of dance can lead me to the peace of contemplation. 

Running is great exercise but it is also an opportunity for mindfulness and contemplation. I discuss how running is a contemplative practice. I describe my recent experience completing a half-marathon. I also take a moment in honor of Thich Nhat Hanh.  

I reunite with the former members of Queen of All Saints, a chapter of the Legion of Mary to which I belonged many years ago. These women became my lifelong friends and taught me so much about my faith and were important in my contemplative journey.  We reminisce about our childhood as cradle Catholics, our adult journeys into faith and spirituality, and provide advice on where to begin a journey into contemplative practices.  

While some might think the pandemic shutdown was an ideal time for contemplation, I found it created new challenges.  I go back to the early chaos of quarantine and then discuss two positives that came out of that troubled time.  I also mention how a mentor's reflection on one of my character traits inspired me to make this podcast a reality. 

I continue to share the roots of my journey and offer resources that have helped me explore contemplation.  

Have some time on your way to work?  I discuss how I have shifted my commute from a time of stress and worry to a more contemplative, calming time.  I describe a typical Monday and what could have been a terrible commute and how I use the contemplative commute to get centered. 

I provide my definition of contemplative, tell the story of the call to deepen my practices, the inspiration for this podcast, and preview next episode and this season

Coming soon:  I explore my journey as a contemplative while balancing my roles as a mom, educator, and writer.  I will share my story while also exploring contemplative practices