Podcasts about Gently

Conflict provides a unique opportunity to honor God. Proverbs 15:1 reveals that a gentle answer turns away wrath, while harsh words fuel quarrels. Navigating tension with biblical wisdom transforms difficult moments into paths for reconciliation. Implementing the four G's—Glorify God, Get the log out of the eye, Gently restore, and Go and be reconciled—fosters healthy connections. Selfishness often hinders peace, but following the example of Jesus brings restoration.   Pastor: Enos Marshall Series: Better Together (7) Title: Cooperation (Proverbs 15:1) Date: 2026.05.30+31   LINKS:

When we scramble too sharplyout of steeping,we may stumble.It takes patienceto refresh ourselves.Let us committo moving at our own pace,to treating ourselves with love.Let our devotionforge a compassionate path forward,one that nourishes and restores,one that inspires and transforms.Happy Beltane and welcome to this week's Rituals of Returning newsletter! Today is the official publication date of my newest book, Thunder and Roses, which becomes available worldwide today on Amazon! Orders from the Etsy shop also include special bonuses only available directly from us. And, for the first time ever, we also have one-of-a-kind (OOAK) Bast goddesses in the shop!This week's magic:18 minute mini ritual video: Beltane ritual and May's alliesAdditional video: letting your heart be your compassTwo minute video: unboxing March's Magic MailFree mini zine: A Festival of WonderMay's practice update for #30DaysofGoddess!Live activation ritual for May is on May 4th at 3:00! Book party for Thunder and Roses is on May 11!We've started a new newsletter for Gaea Goddess Gathering! Coming up in September right here in Missouri.Earthprayer!My special offering for May is an Earthprayer series unfolding via the Goddess Magic Mystery School. This series includes weekly live practices, daily posts, inspiring rituals, and FOUR printable card decks for exploring our daily themes.Life's Bits and Pieces:May I remember I am not here to watch from the edges, but to co‑create in the ceremony of life's unfolding.May I choose with wise discernment what I will tend in my cauldron of creation.May I return, again and again, to my own sacred center.And, may I trust that some wishes are meant to wander on the wind,carrying my magic farther than I can see.reading: (to self) Living in Process—while I have a couple of complaints about this book in terms of what feels like missing information/explanation, I am really enjoying the exploration of living in process, remembering the this earth, this world, this life is not static, it is an unfolding and each of us has a process to live and explore.(to kids) Aenir, book three in the Seventh Tower series—I actually finished the second book, The Castle, in between April's newsletter and this one. I'm still enjoying this series, in which everything the main character has thought to be true about his life and world unravels as he discovered how much more lies outside the shadowy boundaries of his life. (listening to with Tanner): Brian's Hunt—the final book in the survival classic series that developed after Hatchet. Since I last wrote, we also listened to The River, Brian's Winter, and Brian's Return. We also continued our Gary Paulsen festival by listening to Northwind, which is about a Viking-era type of boy who has to survive alone on the sea.(listening to by self): Sisters in the Wind—I've barely begun this one, as I only recently finished listening to Warrior Girl, Unearthed. This is the third book following Firekeeper's Daughter, but it actually takes place temporally between the events of Firekeeper and Warrior Girl. I actually liked Warrior Girl, Unearthed more than Firekeeper's Daughter overall, but I was really left frustrated by the many holes in the ending. Each of these books is a 12+ hour listen, so be prepared!Note: I am on Fable if you want to follow along with what I read there!Resource Reminders:Intro audio about the Goddess Magic Mystery SchoolI've started to add our monthly activation replay videos for this year's #30DaysofGoddess practice to the homepage! Scroll past the “2026 Practice Updates” section to access the videos. Note: Live monthly activations are available to any member of the Goddess Magic Mystery School Patreon community free and paid both!Free Everyday Magic series!6. Awe and Ecstasy5. Freedom4. Innerstanding3. Sacred Yes and Holy No2. Storied Realities, Magical Awareness, and Goddess Creation1. Awakening BeautyPast Resources:Womanrunes Immersion seriesJourneying with InannaFREE class:forty week Intro to Goddess Studies class! Gift a Goddess Magic membership to a friend!Playfulness, Sweetness, and Heart-HealingHappy May! Marshmallow and Raspberry are our herbal allies for May—soft, spiky, sweet, and resilient.In this month's video, we embark on an exploration of Beltane, centered on the Egyptian cat goddess Bast (Bastet). We weave together goddess wisdom, plant medicine, crystal allies, and animal guidance to support a season of love, playfulness, and heart-healing.May you be playful this month. May you pause to listen to your heart. And, may you savor sweetness in the ordinary momentsReminder: I do create monthly handbooks for members of our Goddess Magic Mystery School community and May's handbook is available here.Expanded post available here. And, bonus affirmation set for paid subscribers is included at the bottom of this newsletter (scroll down).Questions to explore:Do you know how to play as you are now (at this age, in this season of life)? What does play mean to you today?Where might you be trying to “straighten” what is meant to be delightfully cattywampus? What would it feel like to bless the imperfect instead of fixing it?Where can you soften in your life—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually?What rough edges are currently rubbing at your spirit, and how might you soften them?Where do you feel “thin,” leaky, or drained in your life or energy body right now?What fears or resentments are hurting you from the inside out? What would it look like to begin releasing even a little of that today?If your heart could speak freely, what would it say it needs in order to remember how to be whole?What idea, project, or dream are you ready to make manifest in this season?Affirmations:I allow playfulness to enrich my life.I find pleasure in the small moments.I follow what pleases me.I am rich in so many ways.I understand the sacred nature of the cattywampus way.I embrace the tender beauty in imperfection.I am playful.I dance in the love light of a benevolent Mother Goddess.I am rooted in love.I pause and return to center.I breathe deep and listen.I allow myself to delight in the sweetness of life.I am open to ease in the present.I soften and rediscover sweetness.I remember I am already whole.I am fierce and wild.Inhabiting the crossroads…I watch the orioles,orange and black embersagainst a backdrop of green.They do not know what is on my lists.Standing under this sky,this day,I remember:when we let the litany of the undonerun away with us,we forget to inhabit the real.The orioles are here today.Tomorrow is still only a rumor.Sometimes I feel like I've been “camping out” at a long, extended crossroads—combination of midlife re-evaluation, changing family constellations and needs, and simply living in the in‑between on a changing earth.Midlife invites us to recognize and hold the reality that we can't live every possible life and can't say yes to every shimmering door.But you can:+Listen for your own full yes from the wise guide within. +Make peace with the paths that must pass you by.+Trust that new doors appear because you let others close.A mini blessing for today:“May I choose with wise discernment, even when it means letting good things go.”Embodying the Goddess: Guest Video about BeautySo pleased to share this guest video from Cynthia Abulafia, the author of Embodying the Goddess with you as a special subscriber bonus this month!Where the magic is…This is where the magic is, right where we are, where we touchthe mighty mystery,step into the sacred, and ease into the boundless, right where it touches us.Gently, now, we invite ourselves to remember.Bravely, now, we invite ourselves to reclaim.Firmly, now, we invite ourselves to return.We need not seek the absolute or long for the holy,we need only to open our eyes and reach out our hands, right here,right now, we have already arrived.Sending love to all of you.Keep living your magic, Molly, Mark, + Family This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goddessmagic.substack.com/subscribe

Trouble sitting still? Learn to practice meditating by simply walking in this practice guided by 10% Happier host Dan Harris.How To Do This Practice: Start walking at a comfortable pace in a place where you can move without rushing. Notice your body moving by paying attention to your feet, legs, and arms as you walk. Tune into your senses by observing sounds, sights, temperature, and other details around you. Notice when your mind wanders into planning, worrying, or distractions. Gently return your attention to the sensations of walking and your surroundings each time you drift away. Keep walking with curiosity and allow yourself to stay present without needing to do it perfectly. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today's Happiness Break Guide:DAN HARRIS the host of 10% Happier, a podcast about mindfulness and other practices and thoughts that can support our well-being. Check out Dan's podcast, 10% Happier: https://tinyurl.com/324xtuutRelated Happiness Break Episodes:Moving Through Space, With Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/5f58jp42Walk Your Way to Calm, with Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/y8md2759Making Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yc42s6mvRelated Science of Happiness Episodes: How To Focus Under Pressure: https://tinyurl.com/3hpah4ssHow to Find Calm Through Walking: https://tinyurl.com/43dr26reHow To Do Good For The Environment (And Yourself): https://tinyurl.com/26msewb8We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experiences with mindful walking. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzusHelp us share Happiness Break! Rate us and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzusTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/9n5xu96e

In this episode, Toni is joined once again by Emily Claire for the first official Raw Dynamic episode, centered around the story and philosophy behind Raw Dynamic Pet Food. Emily shares how the company originally started after one of the owner's dogs struggled with severe skin and coat issues, leading to the development of a fresh food approach that ultimately inspired the brand. A major focus of the conversation is accessibility and convenience in raw feeding. Toni and Emily break down why Raw Dynamic's cube format has been such a game changer for pet parents — especially for multi-dog households, foster situations, enrichment feeding, and those moments when you forget to thaw food ahead of time. They also discuss how making raw feeding easier and less intimidating helps more people transition away from heavily processed diets. Throughout the episode, Toni and Emily reflect on the growing raw feeding space, what separates Raw Dynamic from other brands, and why practicality matters just as much as ingredient quality when helping pet owners make long-term changes. It's a grounded conversation about fresh feeding, real-life routines, and removing barriers that keep people from feeding better food.

Immerse yourself in the gentle waves of a serene mountain lake, perfect for deep sleep, meditation, and relaxation. Let these calming ambient nature sounds soothe your mind, ease stress, and create a peaceful atmosphere for rest and focus.

Knowing you should redirect a client conversation is one thing. Doing it smoothly, without the client feeling like you're steering them somewhere for your own benefit... That's a different skill entirely. Over the past few weeks we've covered building a small bench of offers, reading the signals in a prospect conversation, and matching what you hear to what you have. Today I want to tackle the part that makes most writers nervous: the actual moment of the pivot. I walk through both versions — the clunky default move most writers make when they're worried about losing the work, and the three-step sequence that actually lands well. I also share a specific scenario so you can hear exactly how the language sounds in practice. What You'll Learn Why the instinctive "upsell" move lands wrong even when your instinct is right The three-step pivot sequence: mirror, name, offer How to reflect a prospect's situation back to them in a way that opens them up to a different approach What to say when you notice a strategic gap, without making the client feel corrected How to propose a smaller next step that feels like good service rather than a sales maneuver What to do when a client isn't open to being redirected at all Why the pivot is a diagnostic move, not a sales technique Key Ideas & Takeaways 1. The Default Move Lands Wrong. When most writers spot a problem with a project scope, they wait for a pause and then introduce a different offer. Even when the instinct is right, it feels like an upsell. The client came in asking for one thing and now you're selling them something else. The delivery undermines the advice. 2. Mirror First. Before naming any concern, reflect back what the prospect said in their own language — not a summary, actual words and phrases they used. This confirms you were listening and gives them a chance to hear their own situation out loud. Then pause and let them confirm or correct. 3. Name What You're Observing. Gently, without drama. Share what you've seen happen in similar situations, framed as experience rather than judgment. "I've seen that create problems down the road" lands very differently than "I think your approach is wrong." You're not telling them they're wrong. You're sharing what you've noticed. 4. Offer a Smaller Next Step. After mirroring and naming, propose a contained, lower-risk next step rather than a full alternative engagement. Frame it around the client's benefit: it makes the eventual production faster, cleaner, and more likely to work. No pressure. No lecture. The sequence is mirror, name, offer. 5. The Pivot Is a Diagnostic Move. Writers who struggle most with redirecting a conversation tend to think of it as a sales technique. It's not. It's matching what the client actually needs to the help you can actually provide. Done right, it feels like good service, because it is. 6. Sometimes It Doesn't Work. Some clients are locked in on what they asked for and won't be redirected, however gracefully you handle it. When that happens, you have a decision: take the project as scoped, or pass. But most clients respond well to honest guidance from someone who shows up as an advisor, not just an executor. Action Steps Write out the three-move sequence in your own words: mirror, name, offer. Having your own version ready makes it easier to use in the moment without it sounding scripted. Think back to a recent prospect conversation where you spotted a problem with the scope but didn't say anything. How would the mirror-name-offer sequence have changed that conversation? Practice the "name what you're observing" move in low-stakes settings first. Focus on framing it as experience ("I've seen this create problems") rather than judgment ("I think this is wrong"). Before your next discovery call, identify one scenario where you might need to redirect, and prep the language ahead of time.

Hello, Beautiful...I'm so grateful you're here with me. If your emotions feel heavy or unsettled tonight, this 3 hour sleep meditation will help you soften and release. Together, we'll create a safe space for your body to relax and your mind to settle, so you can drift into deep, comforting sleep. Love,

Calm your nervous system and prepare for deep, healing sleep with this guided somatic nervous system reset meditation and full body scan. Gently release tension, quiet anxiety, and soften into rest with soothing breath, visualisation, and compassionate self-talk. A gentle somatic nervous system reset sleep meditation to help you move from tension and overthinking into deep restorative rest. Lauren guides you through kind breath awareness, soothing visualisations, and a compassionate full body scan so you can soften, let go, and feel safe to rest. Ideal for sleep, anxiety relief, and calming an overwhelmed nervous system. 0:00 Arrival & Getting Comfortable 0:56 Safety, Soothing Words & Permission to Rest 1:54 Gentle Breath Awareness & Kind Observation 7:02 Calming Breath & White Feather Visualization 10:22 Sighing Release & Gratitude for Your Nervous System 17:01 Compassionate Body Scan – Listening to Your Body 23:04 Shoulder Softening, Body Gratitude & Deep Rest 32:00 Quiet Lake at Night – Healing, Resilience & Whole-Body Rest --- ✨ Continue Your Journey with Lauren If this somatic nervous system reset supported you, you might love going deeper with Lauren's offerings: Reset and Rise (Course) A gentle course to help you reset your nervous system and rise with more steadiness and clarity. Explore somatic tools, soothing practices for rest and recovery, and simple morning/evening rituals to support you over time.

When we scramble too sharplyout of steeping,we may stumble.It takes patienceto refresh ourselves.Let us committo moving at our own pace,to treating ourselves with love.Let our devotionforge a compassionate path forward,one that nourishes and restores,one that inspires and transforms.Happy Beltane and welcome to this week's Rituals of Returning newsletter! Today is the official publication date of my newest book, Thunder and Roses, which becomes available worldwide today on Amazon! Orders from the Etsy shop also include special bonuses only available directly from us. And, for the first time ever, we also have one-of-a-kind (OOAK) Bast goddesses in the shop!This week's magic:18 minute mini ritual video: Beltane ritual and May's alliesAdditional video: letting your heart be your compassTwo minute video: unboxing March's Magic MailFree mini zine: A Festival of WonderMay's practice update for #30DaysofGoddess!Live activation ritual for May is on May 4th at 3:00! Book party for Thunder and Roses is on May 11!We've started a new newsletter for Gaea Goddess Gathering! Coming up in September right here in Missouri.Earthprayer!My special offering for May is an Earthprayer series unfolding via the Goddess Magic Mystery School. This series includes weekly live practices, daily posts, inspiring rituals, and FOUR printable card decks for exploring our daily themes.Life's Bits and Pieces:May I remember I am not here to watch from the edges, but to co‑create in the ceremony of life's unfolding.May I choose with wise discernment what I will tend in my cauldron of creation.May I return, again and again, to my own sacred center.And, may I trust that some wishes are meant to wander on the wind,carrying my magic farther than I can see.reading: (to self) Living in Process—while I have a couple of complaints about this book in terms of what feels like missing information/explanation, I am really enjoying the exploration of living in process, remembering the this earth, this world, this life is not static, it is an unfolding and each of us has a process to live and explore.(to kids) Aenir, book three in the Seventh Tower series—I actually finished the second book, The Castle, in between April's newsletter and this one. I'm still enjoying this series, in which everything the main character has thought to be true about his life and world unravels as he discovered how much more lies outside the shadowy boundaries of his life. (listening to with Tanner): Brian's Hunt—the final book in the survival classic series that developed after Hatchet. Since I last wrote, we also listened to The River, Brian's Winter, and Brian's Return. We also continued our Gary Paulsen festival by listening to Northwind, which is about a Viking-era type of boy who has to survive alone on the sea.(listening to by self): Sisters in the Wind—I've barely begun this one, as I only recently finished listening to Warrior Girl, Unearthed. This is the third book following Firekeeper's Daughter, but it actually takes place temporally between the events of Firekeeper and Warrior Girl. I actually liked Warrior Girl, Unearthed more than Firekeeper's Daughter overall, but I was really left frustrated by the many holes in the ending. Each of these books is a 12+ hour listen, so be prepared!Note: I am on Fable if you want to follow along with what I read there!Resource Reminders:Intro audio about the Goddess Magic Mystery SchoolI've started to add our monthly activation replay videos for this year's #30DaysofGoddess practice to the homepage! Scroll past the “2026 Practice Updates” section to access the videos. Note: Live monthly activations are available to any member of the Goddess Magic Mystery School Patreon community free and paid both!Free Everyday Magic series!6. Awe and Ecstasy5. Freedom4. Innerstanding3. Sacred Yes and Holy No2. Storied Realities, Magical Awareness, and Goddess Creation1. Awakening BeautyPast Resources:Womanrunes Immersion seriesJourneying with InannaFREE class:forty week Intro to Goddess Studies class! Gift a Goddess Magic membership to a friend!Playfulness, Sweetness, and Heart-HealingHappy May! Marshmallow and Raspberry are our herbal allies for May—soft, spiky, sweet, and resilient.In this month's video, we embark on an exploration of Beltane, centered on the Egyptian cat goddess Bast (Bastet). We weave together goddess wisdom, plant medicine, crystal allies, and animal guidance to support a season of love, playfulness, and heart-healing.May you be playful this month. May you pause to listen to your heart. And, may you savor sweetness in the ordinary momentsReminder: I do create monthly handbooks for members of our Goddess Magic Mystery School community and May's handbook is available here.Expanded post available here. And, bonus affirmation set for paid subscribers is included at the bottom of this newsletter (scroll down).Questions to explore:Do you know how to play as you are now (at this age, in this season of life)? What does play mean to you today?Where might you be trying to “straighten” what is meant to be delightfully cattywampus? What would it feel like to bless the imperfect instead of fixing it?Where can you soften in your life—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually?What rough edges are currently rubbing at your spirit, and how might you soften them?Where do you feel “thin,” leaky, or drained in your life or energy body right now?What fears or resentments are hurting you from the inside out? What would it look like to begin releasing even a little of that today?If your heart could speak freely, what would it say it needs in order to remember how to be whole?What idea, project, or dream are you ready to make manifest in this season?Affirmations:I allow playfulness to enrich my life.I find pleasure in the small moments.I follow what pleases me.I am rich in so many ways.I understand the sacred nature of the cattywampus way.I embrace the tender beauty in imperfection.I am playful.I dance in the love light of a benevolent Mother Goddess.I am rooted in love.I pause and return to center.I breathe deep and listen.I allow myself to delight in the sweetness of life.I am open to ease in the present.I soften and rediscover sweetness.I remember I am already whole.I am fierce and wild.Inhabiting the crossroads…I watch the orioles,orange and black embersagainst a backdrop of green.They do not know what is on my lists.Standing under this sky,this day,I remember:when we let the litany of the undonerun away with us,we forget to inhabit the real.The orioles are here today.Tomorrow is still only a rumor.Sometimes I feel like I've been “camping out” at a long, extended crossroads—combination of midlife re-evaluation, changing family constellations and needs, and simply living in the in‑between on a changing earth.Midlife invites us to recognize and hold the reality that we can't live every possible life and can't say yes to every shimmering door.But you can:+Listen for your own full yes from the wise guide within. +Make peace with the paths that must pass you by.+Trust that new doors appear because you let others close.A mini blessing for today:“May I choose with wise discernment, even when it means letting good things go.”Embodying the Goddess: Guest Video about BeautySo pleased to share this guest video from Cynthia Abulafia, the author of Embodying the Goddess with you as a special subscriber bonus this month!Where the magic is…This is where the magic is, right where we are, where we touchthe mighty mystery,step into the sacred, and ease into the boundless, right where it touches us.Gently, now, we invite ourselves to remember.Bravely, now, we invite ourselves to reclaim.Firmly, now, we invite ourselves to return.We need not seek the absolute or long for the holy,we need only to open our eyes and reach out our hands, right here,right now, we have already arrived.Sending love to all of you.Keep living your magic, Molly, Mark, + Family This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goddessmagic.substack.com/subscribe

A calming meditation with gentle Inner Child healing for emotional safety and self-trust - with Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.In this guided meditation on gentle reparenting and Inner Child healing, we explore how to create emotional safety, self-trust and calm authority within yourself — without pressure, force or self-criticism.Drawing on Taoist wisdom, mindfulness and emotional healing principles, this meditation helps you reconnect with your Shen (your calm spiritual essence), regulate emotional triggers, release urgency, and build inner peace through steady self-guidance and self-awareness.The meditation is ideal for soothing emotional overwhelm, and supporting self-love, reparenting work and personal growth.⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERYThis meditation can be practised daily or whenever you need it. Learn more about our online consultations, events, books and audio teachings: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy: Reparenting Yourself Without Force: How to Heal the Inner Child Gently https://youtu.be/YC2kzpZs3pI?si=ROup6Y9f_SIvIyErGUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFubLOVE & RELATIONSHIPS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zID3yxrdCbbZFuKHCwgV6qhX&si=-zdah_z6MiSZIl0tIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity  If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing

❓Have a money question? Ask Ramsey is here to help!   The trend pendulum never stops swinging. Today, we're unpacking financial and lifestyle fads that we've seen before . . . and we'll probably see again in another ten years.     Next Steps: ·  

In this soothing episode, "I Am Walking Gently Through Tranquil Dreams," allow yourself to embark on a serene journey where stress and worries melt away. Perfect for relaxation and peaceful slumber, this meditation invites you to embrace the gentle flow of serenity as you drift off into a restful night. Picture yourself wandering through a calming landscape, where each thought is a soft whisper, guiding you toward deep, rejuvenating sleep. Let the warmth of this gentle affirmation wash over you, nurturing your spirit and mind. Close your eyes, press play, and let go. Your tranquil dreams await.

Shayla Shark just doesn’t feel sleepy! Can her friends Sean and Santiago help? Narrator: Male Story Begins: 3:47 Sleepy Sharks Excerpt: Shayla Shark felt the cool water glide past her fins as she swam in a circle around her favorite coral arch. At this hour, Shayla usually felt sleepy and ready for a good rest. After a full day of swimming, exploring, and playing on the reef, her body was usually happy to settle down. But tonight, Shayla did not feel sleepy at all. In fact, she felt wide awake. Each time she tried to close her eyes, they popped right back open again. And so here she was, swimming in circles, wondering why her body did not feel ready for rest. Today's Meditation: Enjoy the feeling of your body relaxing into the warm sand on a sunny beach. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a podcast to help settle your child in for nap time, bedtime or a break?  You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Naptime or Not?” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for visiting Ahway Island. We’ll see you soon!

Oscar Oven worries when the Parker family tries to bake cookies without a recipe. How will they turn out? Narrator: Female Story Begins: 4:01 Ahway Adventure Cookies Excerpt: “I know. I'm sorry. I forgot,” Emily repeated. “Is there anything we can make tonight?” she asked, voice full of hope. Mr. Parker walked over to the pantry, opened the door, and looked inside. “Let's see what we have. Maybe we can still figure something out.” Oscar felt his excitement leaving and worry creeping in. Baking usually required exact measurements and ingredients. It needed a plan. And that meant everything ready to go, a recipe on the counter, measuring cups out, and everything happening in the right order. This did not sound like a plan at all. Today's Meditation: Relax as you imagine sunlight warming you as you lie in a grassy meadow. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for ways to help your child learn emotional regulation and how to self soothe? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Happy Dragon,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for being part of our Ahway Island community!

Odette Octopus and Serena Sea Lion learn that the greatest treasure of all is friendship. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “The Greatest Treasure,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 3:40 The Greatest Treasure Excerpt: Odette Octopus quickly scurried across the seafloor through the reef, excited to meet up with her friend Serena Sea Lion. Yesterday, Serena had told Odette about a place close to the reef that had a big treasure hidden in it. Serena wasn't sure what the treasure was or where it was, exactly, so the two friends had decided to go on a treasure hunt together today to find the treasure. Today's Meditation: Enjoy the feeling of your body relaxing into the warm sand on a sunny beach. Looking for stories that emphasize acceptance, understanding, and empathy? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Magical Chair,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “The Greatest Treasure.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” Thanks for listening. We'll be back soon!

Discover why healing the Inner Child isn't about controlling yourself harder — but becoming a calm, steady inner presence that creates real emotional safety over time. This is part 3 of our powerful 4-part Inner Child series for 2026.In this episode, David explains what reparenting truly means — not fixing yourself or endlessly self-soothing, but learning to become a stable, grounded adult presence within your own emotional system.Discover why harsh self-talk and pressure reinforce insecurity, how our practical tips and guidance can help you create inner safety, and the small daily acts that quietly build trust, calm, and emotional resilience over time.Watch part 1 here: https://youtu.be/FY0EMmLfiDw?si=vTqAAqPGWAcsgHFxWatch part 2 here: https://youtu.be/HhxyED-VSik?si=JkAIyg2kcWdRklh1 Coming in part 4: When Inner Child Work Is Complete: How Healing Turns Into Freedom With your hosts, David James Lees (ordained Taoist monk, emotional and spiritual health teacher) and Alexandra Lees (mindset and business coach).Discover our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:Our INNER CHILD PLAYLIST  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqOur GOLDEN THREAD PROCESS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIAsS_wgdRN7QGBKIk54sbyDIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity  If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email:  https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup Music by Earth Tree HealingDisclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.

There is no objectively 'right' of 'wrong' way how we perceive and experience the breath in Ānāpānasati (Mindfulness of In & Out Breath) meditation. Perception of internal phenomena is entirely subjective. However, there are ways of perceiving and feeling the breath that are conducive to deepening our samādhi & insight, and there are other ways of perceiving that have the opposite effect. Therefore, when doing breath meditation, we deliberately cultivate those perceptions and feelings that are helpful for us to deepen the meditiaton. The Buddha in particular advised to feel and experience our whole physical body when doing Anapanasati, and to cultivate contentment, gladness, joy, rapture, bliss and happiness with every inbreath and every outbreath. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our email Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Latest Photos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Youtube Channel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724#breath #breathmeditation #anapanasati #meditation #buddhistmeditation #mindfulness #samadhi #samatha

James is nervous about going to a party with a lot of kids, but his sister Julia has some advice for him. Narrator: Female Story Begins: 4:08 Pizza Party! Excerpt: James and Henry went to school together. James did not know Henry very well, but he knew that Henry was kind and enjoyed singing. James liked Henry and was happy he'd been invited to the birthday party. The party was going to be at the Ahway Island pizzeria, and that sounded really fun. James had been there before, and not only was the food delicious, but there was also an arcade inside. James was excited, but now that it was almost time to leave, he noticed a little fluttery feeling in his tummy. James was not worried about Henry. But what about all the other kids who might be at the party? James felt a little nervous about meeting new people. He was worried he wouldn't know what to say to them. Today's Meditation: Relax as you imagine sunlight warming you as you lie in a grassy meadow. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a story that helps your children build confidence and face challenges with courage? You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Berry Brave,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for joining us for another peaceful story. See you soon!

Today's crossword marked a fine way to start our crossword-solving week, with a witty theme, straightforward clues, and — as one would expect on a Monday — very few problem areas. And yet, demonstrating his ability to be OTM (OBTUSER Than Most™️), Mike was able to get temporarily mired in the grid. You can hear all the shocking details inside, and discover the well-deserved winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of the Week Award).Show note imagery: Don't delay, learn how to BELAY today

In this Be Still and Be Loved episode, Heather Johnson gently guides you into a slower, more intentional pace—one where you can breathe deeply, quiet the noise, and reconnect with God's presence. If your mind feels full or your body is carrying the weight of hurry and pressure, this time is for you. Through simple breathwork and biblical meditation, Heather invites you to notice where you're holding tension and to release it—letting your to-do list wait as you settle into stillness before the Lord. This is an invitation to step out of striving and into trust. To receive His peace. To walk at the pace of love—unrushed, steady, and led by the Spirit. There's no need to rush here. You are safe to slow down. In this episode, you'll: Gently connect to your breath and body Reflect on where you may be feeling hurried or anxious Practice releasing pressure and receiving God's peace Be reminded that you can trust Him with your pace and your life Let this be your moment to pause, breathe, and be held. Anchor Scriptures: "Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." — Psalm 37:7 Take a deep breath. He is here.

George Turtle feels very cold on a rainy day, but Babette Bunny wants to help. Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:08 Toasty Turtle Excerpt: “Humph. How will I get warm now?” George thought. George did not feel upset about the rain, necessarily. Rain was part of life on Ahway Island. The flowers needed it. The trees needed it. But George was an old turtle, and he knew his body well. When the sun went away and the cool rain came down, his body began to feel chilly. Now, the warmth he had enjoyed all morning was slipping away. Today's Meditation: Imagine drawing gentle shapes in the soothing sand as you relax before today’s story. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for ways to help your child learn emotional regulation and how to self soothe? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Happy Dragon,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for spending time with us on Ahway Island. Come back soon!

When we scramble too sharplyout of steeping,we may stumble.It takes patienceto refresh ourselves.Let us committo moving at our own pace,to treating ourselves with love.Let our devotionforge a compassionate path forward,one that nourishes and restores,one that inspires and transforms.Happy Beltane and welcome to this week's Rituals of Returning newsletter! Today is the official publication date of my newest book, Thunder and Roses, which becomes available worldwide today on Amazon! Orders from the Etsy shop also include special bonuses only available directly from us. And, for the first time ever, we also have one-of-a-kind (OOAK) Bast goddesses in the shop!This week's magic:18 minute mini ritual video: Beltane ritual and May's alliesAdditional video: letting your heart be your compassTwo minute video: unboxing March's Magic MailFree mini zine: A Festival of WonderMay's practice update for #30DaysofGoddess!Live activation ritual for May is on May 4th at 3:00! Book party for Thunder and Roses is on May 11!We've started a new newsletter for Gaea Goddess Gathering! Coming up in September right here in Missouri.Earthprayer!My special offering for May is an Earthprayer series unfolding via the Goddess Magic Mystery School. This series includes weekly live practices, daily posts, inspiring rituals, and FOUR printable card decks for exploring our daily themes.Life's Bits and Pieces:May I remember I am not here to watch from the edges, but to co‑create in the ceremony of life's unfolding.May I choose with wise discernment what I will tend in my cauldron of creation.May I return, again and again, to my own sacred center.And, may I trust that some wishes are meant to wander on the wind,carrying my magic farther than I can see.reading: (to self) Living in Process—while I have a couple of complaints about this book in terms of what feels like missing information/explanation, I am really enjoying the exploration of living in process, remembering the this earth, this world, this life is not static, it is an unfolding and each of us has a process to live and explore.(to kids) Aenir, book three in the Seventh Tower series—I actually finished the second book, The Castle, in between April's newsletter and this one. I'm still enjoying this series, in which everything the main character has thought to be true about his life and world unravels as he discovered how much more lies outside the shadowy boundaries of his life. (listening to with Tanner): Brian's Hunt—the final book in the survival classic series that developed after Hatchet. Since I last wrote, we also listened to The River, Brian's Winter, and Brian's Return. We also continued our Gary Paulsen festival by listening to Northwind, which is about a Viking-era type of boy who has to survive alone on the sea.(listening to by self): Sisters in the Wind—I've barely begun this one, as I only recently finished listening to Warrior Girl, Unearthed. This is the third book following Firekeeper's Daughter, but it actually takes place temporally between the events of Firekeeper and Warrior Girl. I actually liked Warrior Girl, Unearthed more than Firekeeper's Daughter overall, but I was really left frustrated by the many holes in the ending. Each of these books is a 12+ hour listen, so be prepared!Note: I am on Fable if you want to follow along with what I read there!Resource Reminders:Intro audio about the Goddess Magic Mystery SchoolI've started to add our monthly activation replay videos for this year's #30DaysofGoddess practice to the homepage! Scroll past the “2026 Practice Updates” section to access the videos. Note: Live monthly activations are available to any member of the Goddess Magic Mystery School Patreon community free and paid both!Free Everyday Magic series!6. Awe and Ecstasy5. Freedom4. Innerstanding3. Sacred Yes and Holy No2. Storied Realities, Magical Awareness, and Goddess Creation1. Awakening BeautyPast Resources:Womanrunes Immersion seriesJourneying with InannaFREE class:forty week Intro to Goddess Studies class! Gift a Goddess Magic membership to a friend!Playfulness, Sweetness, and Heart-HealingHappy May! Marshmallow and Raspberry are our herbal allies for May—soft, spiky, sweet, and resilient.In this month's video, we embark on an exploration of Beltane, centered on the Egyptian cat goddess Bast (Bastet). We weave together goddess wisdom, plant medicine, crystal allies, and animal guidance to support a season of love, playfulness, and heart-healing.May you be playful this month. May you pause to listen to your heart. And, may you savor sweetness in the ordinary momentsReminder: I do create monthly handbooks for members of our Goddess Magic Mystery School community and May's handbook is available here.Expanded post available here. And, bonus affirmation set for paid subscribers is included at the bottom of this newsletter (scroll down).Questions to explore:Do you know how to play as you are now (at this age, in this season of life)? What does play mean to you today?Where might you be trying to “straighten” what is meant to be delightfully cattywampus? What would it feel like to bless the imperfect instead of fixing it?Where can you soften in your life—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually?What rough edges are currently rubbing at your spirit, and how might you soften them?Where do you feel “thin,” leaky, or drained in your life or energy body right now?What fears or resentments are hurting you from the inside out? What would it look like to begin releasing even a little of that today?If your heart could speak freely, what would it say it needs in order to remember how to be whole?What idea, project, or dream are you ready to make manifest in this season?Affirmations:I allow playfulness to enrich my life.I find pleasure in the small moments.I follow what pleases me.I am rich in so many ways.I understand the sacred nature of the cattywampus way.I embrace the tender beauty in imperfection.I am playful.I dance in the love light of a benevolent Mother Goddess.I am rooted in love.I pause and return to center.I breathe deep and listen.I allow myself to delight in the sweetness of life.I am open to ease in the present.I soften and rediscover sweetness.I remember I am already whole.I am fierce and wild.Inhabiting the crossroads…I watch the orioles,orange and black embersagainst a backdrop of green.They do not know what is on my lists.Standing under this sky,this day,I remember:when we let the litany of the undonerun away with us,we forget to inhabit the real.The orioles are here today.Tomorrow is still only a rumor.Sometimes I feel like I've been “camping out” at a long, extended crossroads—combination of midlife re-evaluation, changing family constellations and needs, and simply living in the in‑between on a changing earth.Midlife invites us to recognize and hold the reality that we can't live every possible life and can't say yes to every shimmering door.But you can:+Listen for your own full yes from the wise guide within. +Make peace with the paths that must pass you by.+Trust that new doors appear because you let others close.A mini blessing for today:“May I choose with wise discernment, even when it means letting good things go.”Embodying the Goddess: Guest Video about BeautySo pleased to share this guest video from Cynthia Abulafia, the author of Embodying the Goddess with you as a special subscriber bonus this month!Where the magic is…This is where the magic is, right where we are, where we touchthe mighty mystery,step into the sacred, and ease into the boundless, right where it touches us.Gently, now, we invite ourselves to remember.Bravely, now, we invite ourselves to reclaim.Firmly, now, we invite ourselves to return.We need not seek the absolute or long for the holy,we need only to open our eyes and reach out our hands, right here,right now, we have already arrived.Sending love to all of you.Keep living your magic, Molly, Mark, + Family This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goddessmagic.substack.com/subscribe

Beau Beluga wants to explore everything and wanders away from his pod before he’s reminded to stay close to his family. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “Wandering Whale,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:01 Wandering Whale Excerpt: As he looked this way and that, Beau suddenly noticed a sunbeam lighting up the water. The beam of light streamed down from the surface of the water, lighting a magical path that seemed to stretch on forever into the depths of the waters. Beau knew it wasn't possible for the light to actually travel all the way to the bottom of the ocean, but he wondered just how far down that light from above the surface could travel into the deep darkness of the sea. Today's Meditation: Imagine drawing gentle shapes in the soothing sand as you relax before today’s story. Looking for a story that helps your children build confidence and face challenges with courage? You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Berry Brave,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “Wandering Whale.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” We're so glad you joined us today. See you next time!

Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them.How To Do This Practice:  Arrive and Settle: Find a quiet place to sit or stand. Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a few slow, steady breaths, allowing your body to relax and the noise of the day to quiet. Call to Mind Someone Who Inspires You: Think of a person whose character deeply moves you—someone whose courage, kindness, integrity, or compassion stands out. Let one specific moment come to mind when they embodied those qualities. Replay the Moment: Picture what they did as clearly as you can. What action did they take? What values were they expressing? Stay with the details of that moment and what made it meaningful. Notice How It Lands in Your Body: As you hold this image, turn your attention inward. What do you feel physically? Warmth, openness, a softening, maybe even emotion rising—just observe without judgment. Name What Matters to You: Reflect on why this moment resonates so deeply. What value or sense of purpose does it point to—justice, care, truth, courage, love? Let yourself name what feels most true for you. Ask yourself: What's one small way I can live this value today? It might be in how you speak to someone, how you show up in your work, or how you care for yourself or others. Carry this intention with you as you move forward. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today's Happiness Break Guide:DACHER KELTNER is the host of the Greater Good Science Center's award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC's popular online course of the same name. He's also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.Related Happiness Break episodes:Embodying Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/46383mhxA Meditation on Becoming a Gift to Life: https://tinyurl.com/yc76n7urVisualizing Your Purpose: https://tinyurl.com/3ndn95zrRelated Science of Happiness episodes:What's Your “Why” in Life?: https://tinyurl.com/b38kdt68How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpmPause to Look at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/4jttkbw3Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe'd love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/33uyrykc

Gentleness isn't weakness. It never was.It takes far more strength to stand tall, refuse revenge, and turn the other cheek than it does to slap back.LINKS:Read with us in April! Download Growing in GentlenessConnect with Christie ThomasFollow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms A Prayer to Use our Power Gently with Christie Thomas Jesus is called both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God — not one or the other. He had the power to destroy his enemies at any moment. He chose the cross anyway. Not because he was weak. Because he had a mission greater than winning the moment.And that same power? It lives in you."Worthy is the lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength." — Revelation 5:12What would change today if you chose gentleness from a place of strength instead of silence? Reference: Matthew 5: 39-41 Prayer: Jesus, you are lion and lamb, powerful and gentle. Please teach us to use our power gently. In Jesus' name, Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Diana Duck teaches Dragon a new game, and Soldead Sparrow joins in! Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:10 Dragon’s Little Lie Excerpt: After relaxing for quite some time, Dragon got up, eager to do something. They just weren't sure what they wanted to do. Sometimes, walking helped ideas come to mind, so Dragon set out on the forest path, heading toward the pond. Nearing the pond, Dragon heard a duck's quacking before they saw the duck sitting close to the water's edge. It was Diana Duck, who usually lived in the sanctuary. Dragon was surprised, but also very pleased to see her. They approached, smiling and waving. Today's Meditation: Imagine you are a twinkling star, receiving and sending energy through the universe in today’s meditation. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a podcast to help settle your child in for nap time, bedtime or a break?  You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Naptime or Not?,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for joining us for our Ahway Island story today!

Ella finds her stepsister Tracy using her gel pens without her permission, and she wants to make sure that next time, Tracy will ask first. Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:10 The Ask-First Box Excerpt: Ella took out her journal and reached for her usual pen. Then she remembered the new gel pens her dad had given her for her birthday last week. Ella liked gel pens because they glided smoothly across the page when she wrote, leaving shimmering ink behind. Ella smiled to herself. Using those pens would make her journal look even prettier. She remembered that she'd set the box of gel pens on the desk beside the family computer. So, Ella carried her journal downstairs and walked over to the computer desk. Immediately, something seemed wrong. The box was open. Ella stopped and looked more closely. Three of the gel pens were missing. Today's Meditation: Love flows through you in this meditation as you imagine a baby fawn and mama deer. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories that emphasize acceptance, understanding, and empathy? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Magical Chair,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We hope you enjoyed today's episode. Visit again soon!

In 2016, I was gifted a second-generation Apple Watch. Since then, Ive worn a smartwatch almost exclusivelyuntil recently. I still wear my Apple Watch, but I now also wear a mechanical watchone that needs neither a battery nor a charging cable. It runs on a finely engineered system of gears, springs, and a self-winding rotor that winds as I move my wrist. When I wear it, Im wearing a timepiece with hundreds of tiny components working in harmonyvisible through the caseback, moving like a heartbeat. There is an older and grander clock in our worldtheStrasbourg Cathedral Astronomical Clock, located inside the Cathdrale Notre-Dame in France. The clock you see today is more than 180 years old, yet it stands in a long tradition of timekeeping at that very location stretching back centuries. It does far more than tell time; it tracks the calendar, calculates leap years and the date of Easter, and reflects the movements of the heavens. Though it may appear complexalmost chaoticevery gear turns exactly when it is supposed to. Nothing is random. Everything functions according to a precise, intentional design. If this is true of a man-made clock, how much more is it true of history itself? Scripture shows that history is not random but ordereddesigned and directed by the One who sits on the throne. This is what we saw in Revelation 4. John was given a glimpse of heavens throne room, and what he saw was not chaos but the Lord who orders all of creation according to His will. What John saw was a God sovereign over all things, faithful to His promises, and worthy of all worship. What John experienced was a creation that is oriented toward the Lord God Almighty (Rev. 4:8). But as the vision continues into Revelation 5, something shifts. The throne remains, and the One seated upon it has not changed. Yet now our attention turns to the scroll that is in His right handand to a tension that brings all of heaven to a standstill. Before we consider the scroll, we must understand why it is in His right hand. The One Who Holds the Scroll (v. 1a) If creation is ordered by a sovereign God, history cannot be random or out of control. The fact that the scroll is in the right hand of the Lord God Almighty is not incidentalit is significant. In the song of Moses (Exod. 15), we are given a glimpse into what the right hand of God represents: Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy (v. 6; NASB). The right hand is the hand of strength, authority, and power. It is the hand by which God acts. What is held in the right hand of God is not uncertain or fragileit is secure. He holds it because He is sovereign, all-powerful, and unstoppable. This is why we know that all that exists, does so as a creation ordered, directed, and sustained by the sovereign hand of the God who has been, who is, and who will be on the throne. This is the God of whom the prophet Isaiah writes: ...remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isa. 46:9-11) When the apostle Paul addressed the philosophers in Athens, he spoke of this same God:The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth gives to all mankind life and breath and everything having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place for In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:2428). All of history is moving in one direction. There are no do-overs, no rewinds, and no pause buttons for the trajectory of history or where it is headed. History is a current you cannot stop, and its force carries everything forward. In that stream, our lives are a flasha moment that is here and then gone (Jas. 4:13-17). And yet, if we are honest, most of our lives are lived with little consideration for this Godthe One who created all things and who is sovereign over it all. He is not bound by time, because He created it. He has determined the appointed times and boundaries not only of mankind, but of all creation. He has no needs, and yet He is the One who gives to all mankind life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). This is the One who sits upon the throne. A verse from the Bible appeared on one of my social media feeds, and I want to share it with you: Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word (Ps. 119:37). The Hebrew word for worthless (שָׁוְא,āwe) refers to what is empty, vain, futile, and ultimately inconsequential. If there is no God, and if the Bible is not true, then the worthless things are all that we have. If the Bible is trueand the God revealed in its pages is realthen the words of C. T. Studd are not just poetic; they are a call to action: Only one life, yes only one,Soon will its fleeting hours be done;Then, in that day my Lord to meet,And stand before His judgment seat; Only one life, twill soon be past,Only whats done for Christ will last. Only one life, the still small voice,Gently pleads for a better choice;Bidding me selfish aims to leave,And to Gods holy will to cleave; Only one life, twill soon be past,Only whats done for Christ will last. The Significance of the Scroll (v. 1b) So what is the scroll? Theologians and scholars have offered different ideas and suggestions based on what they have read in the book of Daniel and elsewhere. The key to understanding the scroll is to pay attention to what happens when each of its seals is broken. We must pay careful attention to what happens when its seals are broken. As each seal is broken, the process of judgment, redemption, and restoration begins. This is not simply information to be shared; it is a purposeful plan set into action. The most direct Old Testament parallel is found in Ezekiel 2:910, listen to what the prophet Ezekiel said about a scroll he saw: And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. What the prophet saw was a scroll written on both sides, filled with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. You will see this when we get to Revelation 6, but for now what you need to know is that as the seals on the scroll are broken, sorrow, judgment, and woe are released throughout the earth. So, let me tell you what the scroll represents. It represents Gods righteous judgments, but it is more than that. The presence of all seven seals symbolizes perfect fullness and absolute inviolability. What does that mean? It means no one will be able to crack the code to hack the scroll, because it is secure. But that is not all. Within the scroll are the seven trumpets and the seven bowls of the wrath of Godthrough which the full and just judgment of God is poured out on all who are not covered by the blood of the Lamb. Yet the scroll is not only about judgment. Within it is the vindication of suffering saints, the removal of the curse of sin, the death of death itself, the new heaven and the new earth, and the physical presence of the Kingdom of God dwelling with His people. Within this scroll is the fulfillment of what the prophetIsaiahpromised: So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee (Isa. 51:11; BSB). And within it is the day when God Himself will rejoice over His people, asZephaniahdeclares: The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17). Listen: the scroll is not merely a record of eventsit is the will and testament of God, revealing His sovereign plan to judge evil, redeem His people, and restore creation. The scroll contains the full scope of Gods redemptive plan and is held securely in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. He who holds the scroll in His right hand is the Father, who declares, My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish (Isa. 46:10; BSB). The seven seals signify that His plan is complete, perfect, and unstoppablebut there will be no wiping away of tears, no fleeing of sorrow and sighing, nor the Fathers rejoicing and singing over the redeemed if it is not opened! Only One Can Open the Scroll (vv. 2-5) After seeing the scroll in the right hand of the Father, John then sees a mighty (ischyros) angel who proclaims with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? The wordischyrosis used only three times in Revelation to describe an angel, meaning strong or mighty. Each time it appears, it marks a decisive moment in the unfolding of Gods purposeswhether announcing what is to come or signaling final judgment. But in Revelation 5, the mighty angel does not acthe proclaims. With a voice that thunders throughout heaven, he asks the question on which everything depends: Who is worthy? This is not a question of strength or ability, but of worthiness. The question is not arbitraryit is necessary. If the scroll is the deed of creation and contains the Fathers plan and purpose to judge evil, redeem sinful humanity, and restore a cursed creation, it cannot be opened by just anyone. What is required is not merely strength but worthinessOne with the right to act on behalf of Adams fallen race. There must be One who can stand in the place of those who lost everything when Adam and Eve rebelled. What is needed is a true and better Adamsomeone who fully embodies humanity and possesses everything necessary to redeem: power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. This One must be both fully human and fully God. All of redemption hinges on the opening of the scroll. The scroll cannot be opened by even the strongest and holiest of angels, it can only be opened by One who has the right to redeemthe one who can stand in the place of the guilty and restore what has been lost. And so the question resounds through all creation: Who is worthy? In that moment, from Johns perspective, we are told that no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it (v. 3). So John weeps loudly, or, as the Berean Standard Bible translates Johns response, I began to weep bitterly... John responds this way because he understands the theological implications: if the scroll remains sealed, Gods promises are not fulfilled, the serpent is not crushed, the nations are not blessed, death is not defeated, and the kingdom does not come. The only inheritance left is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is in this moment that history itself comes to a standstill. All of creation holds its breath. John is overcome with great sorrow as his tears embody the anguish of hope delayeduntil the voice of one of the twenty-four elders breaks through the silence of heaven: Weep no more; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals (v. 5) Who is this Lion? He is the One promised long ago: He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah who would come to rule as King (Gen. 49:910). He is the Root of Jesse foretold byIsaiah(Isa. 11:1, 10), the righteous Branch promised through David (Jer. 23:56), and the King whose reign will never end (2 Sam. 7:1213; Luke 1:3233). He is the First and the Last (Isa. 44:6; Rev. 1:17), the Origin of creation (John 1:3; Col. 1:16), and He is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 22:13). The prophetJeremiahcalls Him Yahweh our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6). Every covenant, every promise, and every hope finds its fulfillment in Him. He has overcome (Rev. 5:5). So consider who it is who sits on the throneand consider the One who has conquered sin and death to open the scroll. If this is who He is, then the Psalmists prayer must become your prayer: Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways (Ps. 119:37). Why fix your eyes on what is worthlessyour legacy, your wealth, your reputationwhen there is One worthy to receive all power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing? Do not settle for what cannot last. Turn to the One who alone is worthy. In the words of C.T. Studds closing verses from his poem: Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, twill soon be past, Only whats done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,Thy will be done; And when at last Ill hear the call, I know Ill say twas worth it all; Only one life,twill soon be past, Only whats done for Christ will last

Hello, Beautiful...I'm so grateful you're here with me. Gently drift into rest with Down the Descending Staircase of Sleep, a calming sleep story from the Meditation for Sleep Stories Podcast.

This week on Hangover Sessions, we're joined by Maggie Gently, the San Francisco-based indie/alt-rock artist whose melody-driven, heartfelt sound carries an unmistakable emo accent. Originally from New England, Maggie made her way west for love, and somewhere along the way fell in love with transitions, slowness, and California -- all of which bleeds beautifully into her music.A former member of The Total Bettys, Maggie has grown into a deeply personal solo voice, writing with emotional honesty about the events of her life and seeing them in new ways. And if you've been around the BFF.fm community for a while, you already know her name.Tune in for a conversation and a set that'll ease you right into your Sundaze. This is Hangover Sessions on BFF.fm -- your Sunday morning cure, after all!

Sylvia Sled is a little nervous about sledding on a big new hill, but after she works through her fears, she has a wonderful time. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “Speedy Sled,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:01 Speedy Sled Excerpt: Now Sylvia was totally awake. She felt almost giddy with excitement as she watched as beautiful snowflakes drifted past the garage window. The little sled had been waiting for this day for many months. The weather had been cold for weeks, but there had been no snow yet this season, which meant there could be no sledding. Today's Meditation: Imagine you are a twinkling star, receiving and sending energy through the universe in today’s meditation. Looking for ways to help your child learn emotional regulation and how to self soothe? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Happy Dragon,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “Speedy Sled.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” Thanks for choosing to be calm on Ahway Island today!

The healthiest bread in the world is not at the grocery store. While many low-carb bread recipes fall short, this healthy bread recipe has a delicious taste and perfect texture. This is the absolute best bread for your health, and you won't even guess it's keto-friendly. 0:00 Introduction: The best bread for health0:33 Wheat bread vs. white bread 3:10 Good bread vs. bad bread3:45 How to make healthy breadDownload Dr. Berg's Free Daily Health Routine: https://drbrg.co/45qtO07It's often thought that whole wheat bread is the best bread for health, but this isn't true. The average glycemic index for whole wheat bread is identical to that of white bread. Both spike blood sugar more than table sugar!Whole wheat bread contains phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that binds with important minerals, blocking their absorption. Whole wheat bread contains inflammatory compounds and may also contain glyphosate.This 5-ingredient healthy bread is low on the glycemic index, so it will not spike your blood sugar. It doesn't contain anti-nutrients, inflammatory compounds, or glyphosate. Here's how to make healthy bread that's simple and delicious:• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.• Combine the following ingredients:1½ cups blanched almond flour¼ cup psyllium husk powder 2 tsp baking powder¼ tsp sea salt4 organic eggs, separated • Combine dry ingredients.• Beat egg whites with a mixer until stiff peaks form.• In a separate bowl, mix egg yolks with a tablespoon of melted butter.• Combine egg yolk mixture with dry ingredients.• Gently fold in whipped egg whites.• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.• Put the dough in a loaf pan and put it in the oven to bake. • Bake for 30-35 minutes.• Allow bread to cool completely before slicing. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:Dr. Berg, age 61, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Odette Octopus explores her corner of the sea. What will she find? Narrator: Male Story Begins: 3:55 Octopus Evening Excerpt: From under her rock, Odette the octopus watched the light slowly fade. She began to glow purple with excitement. She loved evenings in the Ahway Island ocean. Days were wonderful, too, of course, but there was something special about how the moonlight cascaded over midnight blue waters. Odette grinned and stretched her arms, pulling herself out from under the rock. The little octopus was ready for some exploring. She hoped to find something new and different. Today's Meditation: Picture floating in the safe and comforting waters of a tranquil pool. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a podcast to help settle your child in for nap time, bedtime or a break?  You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Nap Time or Not?” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for tuning in to another peaceful story!

Hello, Beautiful...I'm so grateful you're here with me. Soothe difficult emotions with Meditation for Emotional Pain, a healing episode from the Meditation for Anxiety Podcast.

This week as we look at finding stability in a season of instability, this is never going to truly come when we keep trying to avoid loneliness by just filling the void with a person. Jumping into relationships when God is not involved or we are not ready just become major distractions that keep us from growing deep roots and getting our lives built on what we talked about yesterday, the Rock that survives the storms.So often we have to work on creating a good defense before we can have a solid offense. Or here's another metaphor—we have to pull some weeds before we can plant some flowers.Today, I'm going to read a longer passage. I want you to listen to the spirit of what Paul is teaching as much as the actual words he says.But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (NLT) As I have asked you before here, as I read, did any phrase or sentence jump out at you? Did God run his highlighter over any of this?Listen to part of today's passage once again … But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” If you keep yourself pure, … Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone… (NLT) Is there anything in your life today that is creating instability and you know it's time to pull it out by the roots? Maybe you need some help? Maybe you need some professional help? If today God showed you something, don't wait, don't put it off, do what He told you. Reach up, reach out, reach in, whatever you need to do to make things right for your life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I give You what You placed on my heart right now. I need Your help. Help me to also get the help I need from others to steady my life. Show me what to do. I need Your answers. As above, so below.”

It’s a busy day at the sandbox as Scotty Sand Scoop meets a child who doesn’t play the way he’s used to. Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:51 Scooping Fun Excerpt: Scotty liked when children came to play in the sandbox. He liked the sound of happy voices in the park. He liked the feeling of his bucket dipping into the soft sand. He liked helping children build hills and trenches and moats and roads. Every day brought something a little different. Sometimes children used Scotty to dig a deep hole. Sometimes they scooped sand into a bucket. Sometimes they made a mountain and patted it smooth with their hands. Scotty never knew exactly what kind of game the day would bring, and that made waiting feel exciting. Today's Meditation: Imagine drawing gentle shapes in the soothing sand as you relax before today’s story. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories with positive learning moments for your little one?  You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Mystery Jug,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for visiting our island today. We’ll see you for the next story!

In today's episode, Gina discusses how negative thoughts affect our physical and mental health. Negativity bias and how it can trigger anxiety cycles is explored . A number of practices to help you reduce your negative thinking are covered, including visualization, journaling and physical relaxation. Listen in and get a hold of excessive negative thinking and reduce your anxiety today!Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that's different from what I share on the podcast. If you'd like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here: http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter. Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership: Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety? Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:You don't have to believe everything you think.- Byron KatieChapters0:26 Introduction to Negativity2:33 Understanding Negativity's Nature7:10 Shifting Your Thoughts9:03 Five Gentle Ways to Shift Negativity14:15 Relaxing the Body15:50 Using Gentle Affirmations16:41 Returning to the Present Moment18:18 Becoming Your Own AdvocateSummaryIn this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, I delve into the pervasive nature of negativity and how it impacts our mental and physical well-being. As we explore why anxiety can feel stuck, I highlight that negativity is a part of the human experience, not something to be judged or completely eliminated. I emphasize that understanding negativity is crucial since it often serves as a protective mechanism wired into our brains. Our minds automatically scan for threats, a trait evolved for survival that can now manifest as anxiety-inducing thoughts.I explain how the negativity bias leads our thoughts to dwell on potential failures and worst-case scenarios, ultimately triggering the anxiety cycle. As negative thoughts creep in, they can create a physical response in the body, resulting in tension, increased heart rate, and a sense of unease. The combination of negative thoughts and bodily reactions reinforces a narrative that something is wrong, perpetuating a cycle of anxiety that feels insurmountable.However, I provide insights into how we can shift this narrative. Rather than striving for a perfectly positive mindset, I advocate for a more gentle approach that allows for balance and healing. I outline practical strategies to gently redirect our thoughts away from negativity. The goal is to create space and calm in our nervous systems, recognizing that our thoughts do not need to define our reality.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Colin Car tries to take a road trip but ends up needing a little help from his friend Toby Tow Truck. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “Road Rescue,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:01 Road Rescue Excerpt: It was a sunny morning on Ahway Island. Colin Car sat patiently waiting in his garage even though he was feeling excited. This afternoon, his driver, Courtney, would be taking them on a road trip up the island to visit some of Courtney's relatives. Colin wasn't exactly sure which road they would be taking, but no matter which road they took, he knew there would be interesting things to see. Colin didn't have to wait for too long. Just as he was imagining which one of Ahway Island's roads he might drive on this morning, or which of his friends he might see on the road, he heard the door to the house open and close. It was Courtney, which meant they would be on the road soon! Today's Meditation: Imagine you are a twinkling star, receiving and sending energy through the universe in today’s meditation. Looking for ways to help your child learn emotional regulation and how to self soothe? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Happy Dragon,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “Road Rescue.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” We hope you found a little quiet in your day. See you next time!

Before Micah can go to the library, he has to put his coat and shoes on…but that job seems very large. Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:10 One Step at a Time Excerpt: As Micah ran a finger over the picture on the cover, he heard his mom's voice from the kitchen: “Micah, time to put on your shoes and coat!” Micah looked toward the front door. His little shoes were waiting on the mat, and his coat was hanging on a hook nearby. They were both right where he could see them, ready for him to put them on. Micah knew how to do these things. Now that he was getting older, he was learning to do more things by himself without his mom's help. Sometimes that felt exciting. Today, it did not. Today's Meditation: Relax your whole body from head to toe in this meditation. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a story that helps your children build confidence and face challenges with courage? You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Berry Brave,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're happy you joined us for this story. Come back soon!

The Fire That Remains Life in the Spirit After the Collapse of the Religious Self Week I — The Fire That Reveals the False Life Pentecost and the Beginning of the Dismantling in the Spirit ⸻ Opening Invocation O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, Come and dwell in us, Cleanse us from every impurity, And save our souls, O Good One. ⸻ I. The Fire Has Come — And Nothing Remains Hidden Pentecost is not comfort. It is fire. And the tragedy is that most Christians have learned to speak of the Spirit as though He were gentle in a way that leaves us intact. As though He were a consolation that confirms what we already are. But the Spirit who descends at Pentecost is the same Spirit who drove Christ into the wilderness. The same Spirit who descends as tongues of fire rests upon men and begins to undo them. Not improve them. Not refine them. 1 Undo them. Because what we call “the spiritual life” is often nothing more than a refined version of the same self we have always been. Religious. Structured. Disciplined. Even devout. But still centered in itself. Still subtly seeking itself. Still preserving itself. And the Spirit does not come to decorate that life. He comes to expose it. ⸻ II. The First Work of the Spirit — Illumination That Wounds When the Spirit comes, He brings light. But this light is not what we expect. It is not merely the light of understanding. It is not simply insight or clarity. It is the light that shows you what you are. And this is why so many turn away from it. Because the first gift of the Spirit is not consolation. It is truth. “For everyone who does evil hates the light... lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:20) 2 And the truth is unbearable to a heart that has built itself on illusion. You begin to see: That much of your prayer was self-seeking. That your devotion was mixed with vanity. That your desire for God was entangled with a desire to feel something, to be something, to be seen as something. You begin to see how deeply rooted the self is even in your most sacred actions. And this is the moment where everything is decided. Because at this point, a man either: Steps back into illusion and begins again to construct a spiritual identity Or He remains. He allows himself to be seen. And wounded. ⸻ III. The Religious Self Cannot Survive the Spirit The Lenten work began the dismantling. But Pentecost intensifies it. Because now the dismantling is no longer external. It is interior. The Spirit enters the heart and begins to uncover the hidden foundations of the self. 3 Not the obvious sins. Those are easy. But the deeper things: The need to be right. The need to be secure. The need to be recognized. The need to feel that one's life has coherence and meaning. Even the need to feel that one is progressing spiritually. All of this is brought into the light. And slowly, painfully, it begins to collapse. This is why the fathers speak so rarely of “experiences.” Because the true work of the Spirit is not the giving of experiences. It is the removal of illusions. “The Holy Spirit... shows man his sins.” — St. Silouan the Athonite And this feels like death. Because it is death. ⸻ IV. The Terror of Seeing Without Defenses There comes a moment when the usual defenses no longer work. You cannot console yourself with prayer in the same way. You cannot rely on your thoughts. Even spiritual thoughts begin to feel empty. The structures that once held your life together 4 begin to loosen. And you are left with something you did not expect: Yourself. Not the self you imagined. But the self stripped of its justifications. The self without its narrative. The self that cannot explain itself or defend itself or present itself. And this is terrifying. Because the ego does not fear sin as much as it fears exposure. It would rather remain sick than be seen as it is. But the Spirit does not allow this. He brings a man to the place where he can no longer hide from himself. And this is the beginning of true repentance. ⸻ V. Repentance as Ontological Collapse Repentance is often misunderstood. It is not simply sorrow for sin. It is not even a change of behavior. It is a change in being. A collapse. 5 A realization that what I have called “myself” is not stable, not whole, not real in the way I thought. That it has been constructed through fear, through desire, through imagination. And that it cannot stand in the presence of God. This is why repentance feels like dying. Because something is dying. “A heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.” (Psalm 50/51) The illusion of self-sufficiency. The illusion of spiritual competence. The illusion that I can come to God as something. The Spirit dismantles all of this. And leaves a man empty. ⸻ VI. The Poverty the Spirit Creates And here is the paradox: This emptiness is not abandonment. It is the first true gift. Because only a poor heart can receive God. As long as a man is full of himself even in subtle ways he cannot receive the Spirit. He can speak about Him. He can think about Him. He can even feel things that he attributes to Him. 6 But he cannot receive Him. Because the Spirit does not dwell in a heart that is occupied. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) So the Spirit empties. Gently at times. Violently at others. But always with precision. Until a man stands before God without pretense. Without claims. Without identity. Simply present. ⸻ VII. The Refusal to Escape At this stage, the greatest temptation is escape. Not into obvious sin. But into something far more subtle: Reconstruction. You begin to rebuild. A slightly humbler version of yourself. A more “spiritual” identity. A narrative that explains your suffering and gives it meaning. 7 And this is where the process is lost. Because the ego can rebuild itself even out of its own dismantling. “He who trusts in himself is a fool.” (Proverbs 28:26) It can take the language of humility and turn it into a new identity. It can take the experience of emptiness and make it into something to possess. And so the call here is severe: Do not rebuild. Remain in the poverty. Remain in the not-knowing. Remain in the exposure. This is where the Spirit works. ⸻ VIII. The Spirit Does Not Hurry We want resolution. We want clarity. We want to arrive. But the Spirit does not work according to our timelines. He is patient. Because He is not forming an experience. He is forming a person. 8 And this cannot be rushed. So there are long periods where nothing seems to happen. Where prayer feels dry. Where understanding does not increase. Where the heart feels empty. But something is happening. Deep beneath the surface. The roots of the self are being loosened. Attachments are being severed. The ground is being prepared. “Without temptations no one can be saved.” — St. Isaac the Syrian And this hidden work is more real than anything we can perceive. ⸻ IX. The Beginning of Life in the Spirit This is where life in the Spirit begins. Not in power. Not in clarity. But in poverty. A heart that no longer trusts itself. A mind that no longer clings to its own thoughts. A will that begins to soften. This is the beginning. And it is fragile. 9 Because everything in us wants to return to something more solid. Something more definable. But the Spirit leads us into a different kind of life. A life that is not built on possession but on dependence. Not on certainty but on trust. Not on identity but on relationship. ⸻ X. Closing Exhortation Do not be afraid of what the Spirit reveals. Do not turn away when you begin to see yourself. Do not rush to rebuild what He is dismantling. Remain. Even if it feels like death. Especially then. Because this is not destruction. It is purification. It is the beginning of truth. And the heart that endures this fire 10 will come to know something that cannot be taken away: Not a constructed self. But a life hidden in Christ. ⸻ Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, send down Thy Holy Spirit upon us. Burn away every illusion. Expose every falsehood. Strip us of everything that is not of Thee. Grant us the courage to remain in the poverty Thou givest. That, emptied of ourselves, we may be filled with Thy life. Amen. ⸻ 11

Dharma Dragonfly notices a little loon following her on her afternoon dance. What is going on? Narrator: Female Story Begins: 4:02 Lost Little Loon Excerpt: The dragonfly decided to keep an eye on the little loon as she continued her flight. Every time Dharma zipped in one direction, the loon paddled that way too. When Dharma slowed down and hovered in the air, the loon stopped and watched. “Hmm…that little loon seems to be following me,” thought Dharma. She decided to test this idea. She flew in a quick zigzag across the pond. Sure enough, the loon paddled in the same direction, following the path Dharma had taken. Today's Meditation: Picture floating in the safe and comforting waters of a tranquil pool. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories with positive learning moments for your little one?  You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Mystery Jug,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're glad you spent this time with us today!

Baby sea turtle hatchling Tomás is excited to hatch from his egg and explore his new world. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “Happy Hatchlings,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:16 Happy Hatchlings Excerpt: Tomás Sea Turtle stretched his flippers as far as he could from within his little shell. He had been growing a lot recently, and by now he felt a bit squished in his egg. He could hear grown-up turtles talking outside his shell from time to time, and he heard a strange rushing noise that he couldn't identify. Oh, he wanted to get out and see the world! Tomás chirped to the other eggs to see if they were ready too. He listened for a response. One chirp sounded, then another. All the other little turtles agreed, saying, “Not yet. It's too warm. Wait.” Today's Meditation: Feel your body fill with love as you imagine a puffin family and think about your own unique family. Looking for a podcast to help settle your child in for nap time, bedtime or a break?  You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Naptime or Not?” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “Happy Hatchlings.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” Thanks for joining us for this peaceful island visit!

Last time on the Bestow Curse podcast, our new heroes began crossing the bridge into Castle Scarwall but had to fight through an undead guardian of the gates and his legion of skeleton troops! Now with the vanguard defeated, the party finally enters the castle's haunted halls. What undead nightmares await them? The cursed campaign continues now!   Website: hideouslaughterpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/hideouslaughter Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HideousLaughterPod Discord: https://discord.gg/ruG6hxB Email: bestowcursepodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Instagram: @hideouslaughterpod Reddit: reddit.com/r/HideousLaughter Die Hard Dice Discount Code: Hideous Ambience by Michael Ghelfi https://michaelghelfi.bandcamp.com/  Theme Song: Firemane by Adrian Von Zeigler

Dragon decides to visit the beach at nighttime! What will they find? Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:12 Dragon's Dockside Discovery Excerpt: As Dragon approached the shoreline, the sound of rolling waves drifted upward. The ocean stretched out ahead, a blanket of purple and pink as it reflected the sunset sky. Dragon touched down on the shore. The sand was still a little warm from the day. Dragon wiggled their toes, appreciating how soft it was. Dragon walked toward the dock, where some of the hanging lanterns were already lit. Getting closer, Dragon saw two grown-ups on a small boat that was tied. Dragon recognized them as Jon and Christine. Today's Meditation: Enjoy the feeling of your body relaxing into the warm sand on a sunny beach. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories that emphasize acceptance, understanding, and empathy? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Magical Chair,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thank you for being a part of our Ahway Island community!

When plans change and Callie can't go to the park, she learns that helping her parents can still led to a fun day. This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to https://www.quince.com/ahwayisland for free shipping and 365 day returns. Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:59 A Special Job Excerpt: “Good morning,” Callie said as she slid into her chair. “Are we going to the park today?” she asked. Just saying the word “park” made her chest bubble with happiness. Jun and Haley looked at each other for a moment. Then Jun turned back to Callie. “We're going to do something different today,” he said. “We have some important chores we need to do.” Today's Meditation: Relax your whole body from head to toe in this meditation. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories with positive learning moments for your little one?  You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Mystery Jug,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We hope you had a great time on Ahway Island. Until next time!

Gabby Flower Delivery Truck bravely drives to a new part of Ahway Island to collect flowers for a very special bouquet! Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “Delivering Joy,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:23 Delivering Joy Excerpt: Gabby Delivery Truck had just started her morning with her driver, Jordan the Florist. Gabby loved delivering flowers! Everyone always had a big smile on their faces when Gabby and Jordan pulled up to their homes. Gabby loved making others happy – it was one of the reasons why she delivered flowers! Jordan would collect everyone's orders at the beginning of the week. Then, Jordan and Gabby would head to the Community Garden and other special areas on Ahway Island where flower picking was allowed. She loved to collect the perfect flowers for a bouquet. Today's Meditation: Love flows through you in this meditation as you imagine a baby fawn and mama deer. Looking for ways to help your child learn emotional regulation and how to self soothe? You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Happy Dragon,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “Delivering Joy.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” We hope your day is a beautiful as a blooming bouquet!

The tunnel is fixed, and now it’s time for the construction crew to finish the job! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 3:49 Gravel Groundwork Excerpt: In the early morning on Ahway Island, Ellie the excavator rested quietly in her cozy garage. Her engine was off, but she was already thinking about the train tunnel. Not long ago, she and her friends had helped fix a crack in the tunnel wall. Now, today, they would go back and finish the job. Ellie was excited to continue that work. It always felt good to be part of an important project. Soon, Ellie heard footsteps outside. The garage door rolled open, and cool morning air flowed in. Her driver climbed in and turned the key. Ellie's engine started with a rumble, and Ellie's driver eased her out into the construction yard. Today's Meditation: Feel calm and relaxed as you imagine a baby elephant and its mama. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories with positive learning moments for your little one?  You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Mystery Jug” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're so glad to have you with us. See you for the next story!

Luda the wild horse wants to stay up late with her sister Lana and watch the full moon…but will the weather hold up? Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:43 Misty Moon Excerpt: Luda Horse opened her eyes and stretched her long neck. Then she shook out her mane. It had gotten a little dewy, but it was beginning to dry. The young horse smiled as she felt the warmth of the morning sun on her back. Luda looked over at her sister, Lana, who was standing beside her. Lana was gazing up at the pale blue sky. “Look at the moon,” Lana said with wonder in her voice. Today's Meditation: Imagine floating on a cloud, and relax into the feeling of lightness. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for a podcast to help settle your child in for nap time, bedtime or a break?  You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Naptime or Not?” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for joining us. Come back soon for more cozy stories!

Rogelio is feeling bored until he starts helping his dad. Hello everyone!  We hope you enjoyed our new stories this week. Now, welcome to Favorite Friday! Sometimes we like to listen to our favorites again. Please enjoy “A Not-Boring Evening,” and we'll be back with a new story on Monday! Narrator: Male Story Begins: 4:10 A Not-Boring Evening Excerpt: It was a rainy evening on Ahway Island. Rogelio sat on the couch in the family room and sighed. He felt bored. He had felt bored all afternoon. Rogelio had asked his friends, Owen and Andy, if they wanted to come over and play, but they were both busy. It was too rainy outside to go out and play in the yard or in the park, so he had watched some TV instead. Now that dinner was over, Rogelio didn't know what to do. He was tired of watching TV; he preferred doing more active things. Today's Meditation: Imagine drawing gentle shapes in the soothing sand as you relax before today’s story. Looking for a story that helps your children build confidence and face challenges with courage? You’ll find it on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Berry Brave,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments. You can search for stories by Learning Message, Character Type, or Narrator Type on our Episodes page. To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our About page, or check out our FAQs. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and an extra episode each week! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? We hope your child loved “A Not-Boring Evening.” We ask for your positive reviews to help others find us, too! Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts). And, please follow, like, and/or share our social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ) to help us bring our original stories with positive messages to even more listeners! In the press: Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! We're honored that the website of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems includes us on their list of Technology to Boost Mental Health. Jooki recommends us as an outstanding podcast for preschoolers. We're reaching listeners internationally! Sassy Mama Hong Kong included us in their article on transitioning into the new year, Sassy Mama Singapore recommends us for limiting screen-time while sheltering at home, and Haven Magazine Australia included us in their tips for getting through the school holidays. Thank you to Anne Bensfield and Pamela Rogers of School Library Journal for listing us as one of “8 Podcasts To Encourage Mindfulness!” Thanks for listening to another calm Ahway Island moment!

Eddie and Luis are out for a sail when they spot some friends in another boat. It’s time for a friendly race! Narrator: Female Story Begins: 3:31 A Friendly Race Excerpt: They sailed smoothly across the shimmering water, farther and farther out to sea. Luis felt the cool sea air ruffle his hair and the salty ocean spray on his cheeks. Mr. deSouza pointed ahead. “Look there – another sailboat,” he said. “Dad! Can we race them?” Eddie asked. Mr. deSouza smiled and winked in response, then began angling the sail so it could catch a bit more of the breeze. The boat began gliding toward the other sailboat, faster and faster. They zipped across the waves, rolling over the crests and splashing down in the valleys. Today's Meditation: Imagine drawing gentle shapes in the soothing sand as you relax before today’s story. Creating the original bedtime stories and art for Be Calm on Ahway Island takes a lot of time and care. As a listener-supported podcast, we truly appreciate our members on Patreon. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining! Writing, recording, editing, and publishing episodes and managing digital platforms is an enormous endeavor. Our Patreon program will help continue to grow Ahway Island and we hope you will support us! You can choose from 2 different Membership Levels, all of which include access to our Archives and extra episodes every other month! Are you and your children enjoying our stories and self-soothing meditations? Looking for stories with positive learning moments for your little one?  You’ll find them on Ahway Island®. Be Calm on Ahway Island® Podcast offers original bedtime stories, like “Mystery Jug,” paired with meditations for kids. We help them drift off to sleep with a guided relaxation and a calming story. Gently nestled within each podcast episode are mindfulness techniques and positive learning moments.  To learn more about our mission at Ahway Island and our team, please visit our website. In the press: Read about how and why we created Ahway Island in this feature from Global Comment! Zzz! The Boston Globe recommends “Be Calm on Ahway Island” as as one of “Eight Podcasts That Could Help You Get Some Sleep.” SheKnows recommends us as as a podcast you and your kids will love! Digital Trends warns listeners that “you may not make it through an entire episode fully conscious.” Yay! Thanks for listening. We'll see you again soon on Ahway Island!