WE Talk

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WE Talk is a podcast that explores the role of Waldorf Education in helping children, parents, and families thrive in an ever-changing world. WE Talk is brought to you by Shining Mountain Waldorf School and hosted by Nita June Davanzo. ABOUT THE HOST Nita June Davanzo is a Waldorf School graduate…

Nita June Davanzo


    • Jul 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 72 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from WE Talk

    Jordan Cherin: On Philosophy, Running and Computer Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 19:24


    On this episode: - Competing in track and field at a Division I school - Balancing majors - philosophy and Computer Information Systems - Advice to a young athlete

    Azuraye Wycoff: Promoting Sustainability in the Soil and the Soul

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2021 27:29


    On this episode: - The art of navigating change - Cultivating sustainability in community relationships - How to apply learned skills in various capacities and jobs - Community-minded visioning for a better shared future

    Alena Schiappacasse: Capturing Truth Through the Lens

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2021 37:10


    On this episode: - Traveling the world as a documentary producer - The gifts of a Waldorf education in filmmaking, communication, and relationship - Finding purpose and beauty in the everyday - Following one's interests to find one's passion

    Maitreya Rose: Engineering for the Health of our Planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2020 18:28


    One this episode: - Explorations of life as a Zoom student at Boston University - Reflections on past inspirations leading to present-day endeavors - Inspired plans and visions for a sustainable future - From Waldorf student to creative engineer - Engineering with a deeper purpose

    Dr Adam Blanning: Anthroposophic Medicine: Healing for the Body, Mind and Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 36:56


    On this episode: - A practitioner's definition of Anthroposophic Medicine - Healing work for the "whole human" - Working with children holistically - The evolution of anthroposophic teaching and training - Ways to support one’s self and family holistically COVID

    Bry Kring: Midwifery in the 21st Century - Uniting Contemporary Medicine with Traditional Practices

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 54:20


    On this episode: - Advocating for women’s health in the 21st century - Connecting holistic traditions of birth with new practices - Compare and contrast: living and learning in Central America and the American South - Studying medicine in the South during these charged times

    Sarrah Claman - On the Quest for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 36:19


    On this episode: - Seeking a deeper understanding of the broader, diverse world - How experience can be the truest educator - Forging new perspectives on interrelatedness - Taking conscious action when the time is right to do so

    Scott Coulter - On The Spirit of Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 40:21


    On this episode: - How the search for meaning leads a career path - Being present with what is, and creating out of that - A typical Waldorf alum trait: always learning - The highs and lows of being a musician

    Richard Louv - Our Wild Calling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 48:26


    On this episode: - Finding ourselves in the natural world - reconnecting to the essential - exploring the rich and mysterious relationship between human and animal - reframing the position of our species within the order of things

    Azuraye Wycoff - Knowing One's Self

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 23:18


    On this episode: - how following one's curiosity led to success and happiness - true talents of a Waldorf education shining through: communication, empathy, and creativity - seeing opportunity and taking the reins - knowing one's strengths and how to implement them - supporting others to shine

    Marcus Zeender - Hitting His Stride as a First-Year in College

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 24:59


    On this episode: - shattering the Waldorf "math" myth - finding a new community and a new home - the strengths of test-taking as a Waldorf grad - how to settle into college life seamlessly - virtual dance parties during the time of COVID-19

    Ayla Wayman - On Health, Wellness and Beauty

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 29:00


    On this episode: - pursuing curiosity in order to find one's passion - from stylist to nutritional and holistic counseling - cultivating a rich sense of self - creating and supporting beauty and wellness from the inside out

    Kate Galt and Andy Horning: On Giving

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 25:33


    On this episode: - from joyous to uncomfortable - the act of giving - teaching giving and gratitude - cultivating a giving community - tithing, saving and planning - giving as an act of engagement towards positive change - being a part of something bigger than yourself

    Claudia Anata Hubiak - Choreographing a Creative Life of Meaning and Mindfulness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2020 19:51


    On this episode: - infusing mindfulness into the creative process of dance and choreography - connecting spirit and creativity - navigating from life as a gymnast into the life of a dancer - how a Waldorf community provided the rich ground of support and belief in one's gifts

    Marlow Baines - A Rising Leader for Global Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 16:37


    On this episode: - how one person can make a huge impact - the inspiration of a Waldorf Education and community - the wisdom of embracing our differences and similarities - bold visions for the future

    Howie Seim IV - Finding His Stride as an Engineer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 23:36


    On this episode: - gratitude and enthusiasm for his Waldorf education - advocacy of learning at one's own pace - the importance of boldness and communication (over high grades)in pursuing your dreams - engineering as an excellent career path even for those not-as-strong in math - how to thrive in creative research pursuits

    Bryan Carruthers - Winning the Long Game in Life and Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2019 35:01


    On this episode: - how a Waldorf education cultivated "big picture thinking" - the essentiality of creativity in business - creating an office culture of respect for and celebration of the individual and the whole - how a Waldorf education teaches "long game" life skills

    Taylor Jordan - Leading the Way in Socially Responsible Investing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2019 16:05


    On this episode: - Debunking the “bad at math myth” of Waldorf education - Top reasons to send a child to a Waldorf school - The learning opportunities presented by failure - Building empathy, resilience, and creative thinking inside the Waldorf classroom - Being a socially responsible investor--before it was “cool”

    Eric Mahoney - From Waldorf to Berkeley, Full Steam Ahead!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2019 23:34


    On this episode: - how Waldorf education sets love of learning aflame - the benefits of choosing a Waldorf high school education - knowing HOW to learn - applying one's creativity and flexibility of thinking to successfully navigate into the field of engineering

    Heather Truesdall - Developing Self and Relationship through Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 27:53


    On this episode: - Preparing for a life in music during her high school years - Working with diverse and disparate groups to create a cohesive whole - How she continues returning with new passion to her instrument, the cello, again and again - Knowing herself and her dreams from a very young age - Introducing her children to Waldorf education - Balancing work and motherhood

    Nicole Fields - Igniting a Lifelong Love of Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 22:56


    On this episode: - what sets Waldorf students apart - how a deep love for learning is fostered and developed - recognizing and teaching to young adults' universal truths - a rich perspective on Waldorf education as an alum, teacher, and parent

    David Sloan - On the Art and Heart of Waldorf Teaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2019 25:47


    On this episode: - insights on how to go about creating a thriving Waldorf High School - the changing nature of students today, and how Waldorf education meets them - how Waldorf education has changed and developed over time to meet the needs of today - words of wisdom to young adults

    Chloe Weber - Bringing Dance and Healing to Incarcerated Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2019 20:45


    On this episode: - how her Waldorf education sparked the drive to be of service - learning how to work with and support healing in female inmates through dance - pursuing that which brings joy and purpose - thoughts on purposeful and integrated mental health and healing

    Graham Markel - On the Artistry, Heart, and Soul of Winemaking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2019 31:59


    On this episode: - Learning the ropes of winemaking through apprenticeship and mentoring - The beauty of the winemaking process as a gateway to nature and humanity - How a Waldorf education supported the entrepreneurial spirit needed to be successful in the winemaking business - Advice to aspiring young winemakers

    Shea Campbell - Taking Life by the Reins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2019 17:37


    On this episode: - How a Waldorf education planted the seed for a life lived with empathy - Trusting yourself to make a change, and knowing how to do it - Seeing the parts and the whole, and making a change - How a Waldorf education strengthens self-knowledge and self-trust

    Paisley Sheehan - Infusing Business Studies with Creative Focus and Athletic Drive

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2019 17:54


    On this episode: - Bringing flexibility of thinking into the business and marketing world - How an athletic mindset contributes to school, studies and work - Embracing the strengths of communication and relationship built through a Waldorf curriculum - Combining one’s passions and interests to forge ahead into the future

    Joe Lessard - Embracing the Life of a Traveling Musician

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2019 33:13


    On this episode: - The highs and lows of a being on the road as a musician - The role of friendship in the creative process - How Waldorf Education served the strengthening of self, vision, and creative drive - The continued blossoming of friendships seeded 15 years ago.

    Lola Skye Conaway - A Student's View of the World Beyond Her Years

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2019 21:55


    On this episode: - One Waldorf student’s perspective on the myriad of riches found in the Waldorf curriculum - The meaning and purpose of our life--a high school junior’s spot on perspective - Insights into leadership, teamwork and community - Visions for the future

    Fiona Katz -- Reflections from a high school junior on her Waldorf education

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2019 10:54


    On this episode: - how positive relationships with peers and teachers affects learning - knowing one's self in a world of change - recognizing the traits and characteristics of a Waldorf student

    Abigail Leuchten - A High School Senior Reflects On Her Twelve Years Of Waldorf Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2019 13:34


    On this episode: - - rich learning, tight community, and depth of experience: the stuff that makes a Waldorf education - knowing one's place in the world of things - how the Waldorf high school curriculum offers a myriad of choices--all which develop the self into a wholistic being - loving one's community--teachers and peers.

    Lisa Romero - Working Holistically with Gender, Sexuality, and Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2019 30:25


    On this episode: - connecting spirit and self through the window of gender and sexuality - teaching sexual education in the 21st century - how to inspire resilience and will in children and young adults - inner life development as the restorative path for societal challenges and maladies.

    Janet Langley - The Essentiality of Teaching Language Arts in the Early Grades

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2019 36:58


    On this episode: - Steps and practices for teaching strong language arts skills in the early grades - The importance of one’s word - How building a strong language arts foundation sets students up for success and ease in the later years - From Waldorf parent to Waldorf teacher--the inspiration

    Eliza Bennett - On Belonging

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 32:46


    On this episode: - Seeing one's place in the movement of time - How Waldorf education nurtures a longing for and finding of a sense of belonging - How to see the future as welcoming - Insight for those seeking to find their path in life

    Katelyn Kutt--On Learning the Art of Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2019 28:22


    On this episode: - How a Waldorf high school curriculum taught communication, empathy and connection - What it is like to enter a Waldorf school in high school - The openness and warmth of Waldorf students - Making lifelong connections at a crucial point in one’s life

    Kim Rector - On Giving, Gratitude, and Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2019 27:11


    On this episode: - The relationship between love and money - Finding the spiritual side of giving - Cultivating conscious gratitude - 'Electronic currency' as a gift in these busy, modern times - Continuing the lineage of giving at Shining Mountain Waldorf School

    Calla Rose Ostrander - Climate Change Activist on Grief, Relationship, and Regeneration

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2019 27:18


    On this episode: - How to hold the light and the dark in the movement to protect our earth - How honoring and respect for the world was cultivated in a Waldorf School - The balance between holding space for grief while still moving forward in responsible action - When led by truth and goodness, nothing can stand in one’s way - Relationship as the key factor for future sustainability.

    Betty Staley - The Evolution of Waldorf Education for the 21st Century

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2019 26:45


    On this episode: - Learning what it means to be human - The developments of Waldorf education over the last 100 years - How Waldorf education is more relevant now than ever - A unique perspective on teaching children through adults - Modeling how to be courageous, curious and confident

    Ray Feigal & Courtney Kiboloski - Number Crunching to Wine Pairing: Creating Positive Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2019 18:35


    On this Episode: - How to find comfort in uncomfortable situations - Being at home within one’s self - How to find genuine personal connections in any situation - Following your passion, trusting yourself - Learning as a lifelong adventure

    Elizabeth Candelario - On Soil, Sustainability and Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2019 30:09


    On this episode: - A fascinating brief history of Demeter and Biodynamic farming - Creating a sustainable future through Biodynamics - How living in alignment with the earth affects one's entire being - Climate change solutions? The answer in the soil - Pragmatic actions to take for climate health--NOW

    Maia Durfee - Having What It Takes To Make It As An Artist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2019 29:20


    On this episode: - The recipe for success: commitment, drive, talent and pragmatism - Balancing creativity with discipline - Trusting your intuition - The gifts of collaboration

    Meg Gardner - Middle School: A Crucial Time for Connection and Integration

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2018 21:22


    On this episode: - How to meaningfully engage with and inspire middle schoolers - The joys and lessons in working with this generation of young men and young women - Being a strong role model in and outside the classroom - Seeking a deeper purpose in teaching… and finding Waldorf education

    Michael-Shaun Conaway - From Social Change to Social Media, Waldorf Students Rise Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2018 26:40


    On this episode: - How Waldorf education promotes self-knowledge - The similarities and unique differences of individual Waldorf schools - The challenges presented in the world ahead, and how Waldorf students are equipped to meet them. - Being a part of the lineage of Shining Mountain Waldorf School - Waldorf students as the next generation’s thought leaders

    Douglas Gerwin - Why the World Needs Waldorf Education NOW More Than Ever

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2018 39:14


    On this episode: - How students have changed over the past 60 years - The challenges that teachers today are faced with--and the solutions! - The gifts that today’s children bring with them - How the movement of Waldorf Education has evolved over the past 100 years - Why Waldorf Education is necessary for a sustainable future - The secret to healthy educational development: MOVEMENT--physical movement, mental flexibility and spiritual exercise.

    Grace Edstrom - In a World of Over-information, How to Know Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2018 25:24


    On this episode: - How Waldorf Education fosters clarity in one’s life purpose - How knowing one’s self encourages empathy for others - Having the ability, thanks to Waldorf, to find one’s direction and navigate change - Being a therapist in these challenging times

    Alex Beal - Next Gen Philosopher Speaks on Preparing for the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2018 22:59


    On this episode: - The gift of taking the route less traveled post-high school: perspective. - The smart choice: choosing a major in philosophy over business - Common facets of a Waldorf student: the ever-present drive to give back, holistic thinking, the quest for beauty and adventure, and rich sense of humility.

    Heather Colby - Being a Positive Force of Change in an Ever-changing World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2018 23:07


    On this Episode: - From Math major to East Asian Religions major - Trusting one’s intuition and sense of self - Taking the time to find the right path in life--then leaping! - How comparative religion applies to international relations - Shining Mountain Waldorf HS grad, to Smith College Alum to a future at The Hague or the U.N.

    Robin Temple - What it Takes to Build a Waldorf School

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2018 28:37


    On this episode: - Six parents following a calling: how Shining Mountain Waldorf School came to be - Insight and wisdom for new Waldorf school founders - How Waldorf education supports mental and emotional health and self-development - The need for like-minded children to be held and nurtured within like-minded communities.

    Willow Schram - Becoming a Global Citizen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2018 29:12


    On this episode: - how Waldorf education inspires a sense of global community - connecting across languages to the heart of being human - how each alum's appreciation for Waldorf education grows year after year - advice to one's younger self: trust and patience.

    Aaron Perry - The Hidden Answers to Health in BioDynamic Living

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2018 28:34


    On this episode: - BioDynamics: the what and the how - Why BioDynamics is the solution for our future - Small and doable daily steps to making ourselves, society and world healthier and more vibrant - Looking to and finding the answers in our earth, our soils, and ourselves

    Mary Beth Fifer - The Importance of Play, Nature and DIRT in Early Childhood

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2018 26:40


    On this episode: - how healthy play promotes emotional and social well-being - physics in the Waldorf kindergarten classroom - the unhealthy effects of screens and screentime on today's child - the best-kept secret toy: dirt - mindful, heart-centered tips on parenting and teaching

    Jonathan Raabe -- Never Let "No" Stop You

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2018 49:40


    On this episode: - Saying yes to the opportunities life presents - Building friendships and businesses around the world - Never letting "no" stop you - Seeing an opportunity and taking the leap - Trusting the process, and staying curious - How to lead with your strengths and find your community by doing so - How a Waldorf education, based on the love of learning, has brought meaning, joy and success into an alum’s life

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