Podcasts about Guest house

On this episode, my guest is Hasan Kerim Güç. Kerim graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. He returned to Turkey in 2010. Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Kerim nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the Usküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.Show Notes* Rejecting the American Dream* Anatolian and Sufi Hospitality* Sufis and the Ottomans* Tanri misafiri (“God's guest”)* Togetherness, and the roots of Religion* When we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain* Submission, servants and the prophet Mohammed* The Conference of the Birds / Stories from the Thirty Birds* Limits to hospitality in the Islamic world* Bereket / Baraka* Rumi's Guest HouseHomework* Kerim Vakfı* Stories from the Thirty Birds* Cemalnur Sargut: A Sufi Life of Love, Suffering, and Divine Union* Cemalnur Sargut Books* Kerim Guc - Instagram* Kyoto University Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies* Ken'an Rifâî Chair of Islamic Studies at Peking University* University of North Carolina (UNC) Ken'an Rifâî Chair in Islamic StudiesTranscriptChris: [00:00:00] Welcome to the End of Tourism podcast, Kerim. Hoș geldiniz.Kerim: Thank you very much for having me.Chris: Yeah, it's my pleasure. Thank you for joining me today. Perhaps you could tell our listeners, where you find yourself and what the world looks like there for you.Kerim: Well, first of all, I'm an immigrant also. I was an immigrant. I lived in the US for a while, and then I came back to to my own country. And things are very different here than there, than it is in US. From the perspective of what I did... I was actually an engineer, and I was working in the IT fields, and I was living the American dream, and then I realized that there was some kind of an emptiness, and this whole thing, and I decided to go back to Turkey and [00:01:00] study Sufism, and since my mother was actually a Sufi teacher. She decided to actually move this whole Sufism into academia. So, she basically established an institute in Istanbul - Üsküdar Istanbul - at the University of Üsküdar. The difference between this institute and the other schools, the people like myself, like engineers, coming from different disciplines, including lawyers and whatnot, they were not able to do their masters or PhDs in Sufism, because in other universities, they require for you to actually have theology backgrounds. But with this new establishment, we were able to educate people from all different disciplines and, [00:02:00] so we basically concentrated on ethics rather than the religion itself.So, a lot of people coming from different areas, especially the white-collar people, living this, like - how do I say that? - it's a world of money and materialism and all kind of that stuff. They're coming to our institute and realizing that money or career is not the only goal for life.And we started to concentrating on things like spirituality more than the materialist world.Chris: Thank you. Well, I'm very much looking forward to exploring these themes with you and a little bit of the work that you do with Kerim Vakfı.Kerim: Sure.Chris: And so for the last season of the podcast, I'm very much interested in focusing on different hospitality traditions and practices from around the [00:03:00] world, as I mentioned to you. And, one of the key themes of the podcast is radical hospitality. Now, the word “radical” comes from Latin and it means “rooted,” or we might even say “local” or “living.”And so. I'm curious if there are any radical hospitality practices that you think are unique to your place, to Istanbul, or to the Sufi community that you might be willing to share with us today?Kerim: Well, Istanbul, actually, is a very metropolitan city. So like the other metropolitan cities, we kind of lost that - what we call the hospitality of Anatolia. Anatolia is basically the Eastern part of Istanbul. And in Istanbul, we have, right now, 25 million people in a very small area. And in older days when the population was smaller, [00:04:00] we were able to show our hospitality, because the Turkish hospitality is very famous, actually. In this area the hospitality is very famous, including the, you know, Greek and Arab hospitality. Usually, it's a little bit different than the western countries.For instance, we welcome people - we used to, and probably still, in the countryside - the people coming from other cities or countries or whatnot. The locals actually helped them out as much as possible. They even invite them to their own houses and let them stay for how long they want to stay. And this was kind of like a regular thing in the old days. It's still going on very much in the eastern side of Turkey, pretty much in the countryside. [00:05:00] But Istanbul, like other cosmopolitan cities, we kinda lost that. You know, neighbourly things. We have a lot of neighbours and we we have always good... we used to have a lot of good relationship with them, but nowadays, again, because of this material world, we kind of lost this hospitality.So from the Sufi point of view, hospitality is very important. It's interesting that you mentioned the “radical.” You were talking about where “radical” come from, but you didn't talk about where “hospitality” comes from. See, there is a relationship between the hospital and the hospitality and the way the Sufis look at things is very much like the illnesses in our body are our guests. So, we don't think that they're bad for you. They're actually [00:06:00] the guests of our house for a time being. So we show them the hospitality as much as we can, and then hopefully we say goodbye to them.Chris: Wow. Wow. That's fascinating. I do know that the term “hospitality,” hospital is part of that, and hospital historically came from these notions of hospitality. I mean, in the western world in, and at least in the Christian world, there's a kind of unauthorized history in which a lot of this hospitality, as you mentioned, that was offered to the stranger, was done by the families or the individual houses or homes within a community. A stranger would come and they would ask for hospitality, ask for food and shelter, and the family would have to decide whether to do that and how to do it. [00:07:00] And then at some point, the institution of the Church kind of stepped in and said, “you know what? You don't have to do this anymore. When the stranger comes to the community, when they show up at your door, just send them to us. Just send them to the church and we'll give them what they need.”And so this did a number of things, but the two most obvious ones, I think, are that the family, the individuals in the family and the community on a grassroots level, slowly ended up losing their ability, their unique kind of familial or personal ability to host the stranger. And at the same time, of course, the church used this as a way to try to convert, the stranger.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so I'm curious if there's anything in that realm that you see in the Islamic world, maybe in the Sufi world... you mentioned that, since the [00:08:00] imposition of modernity and the industrial Revolution in the world, we see less and less possibilities for small-scale, grassroots hospitality between people, in part, because there's so much movement, and of course, because the hospital has its brothers and sisters in the sense of the “hotel” and the “hostel.”Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, I'm curious if there's anything like that that comes to mind for you in regards to the Islamic world.Kerim: Well, one thing is about like the Ottomans. The Ottomans, when they were coming from the Anatolia and then started conquering all those places in the Balkan area, Greece and Bulgaria, Hungary and all those places, after they actually conquered, they sent Sufis to those places. And, like in Hungary, there is a person, his name is [00:09:00] Gül Baba, which means “Rose Father.” That's what they call him. He actually has his own tekke (tekke is like a church for Sufis). And this place, it's like a school more, more like a school, but it's a religious school.And in this tekke, he actually finds all those people with needs, and he pretty much helped them out with all those needs. And the people coming from different religions, they actually started liking people like from the Turks' point of view, because the Turks were symbolized by these Sufi movements. And instead of, you know, pushing people to convert or demolishing the churches and rebuilding mosques and stuff. Instead of that, they actually [00:10:00] welcomed people from all over the world, or all over the place, basically, to stay in the tekke, to eat and to get education in the tekke. So this was a great strategy of Ottomans. That's how they actually stayed in Europe for almost like 600 years. So that was very much like, you know, their strategy, I think. And in a good way.Chris: Yeah, you know, in my research I found out that there's still Sufi orders in the Balkans a group called the Bektashi.Kerim: Right.Chris: And of course, with the very little historical understanding that I had, I was very surprised. I had no idea. But of course, when I eventually went to visit the regions that my father is from, I saw churches, synagogues, and mosques, all in the same little neighbourhoods.[00:11:00] So, quite an impressive kind of understanding that the major religions in those places could coexist for so long. And that in the context of someone who grew up in North America, who thought it was the opposite (previously) and such things are so difficult.Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: So, Kerim, a mutual friend of ours has told me, that in the Turkish language, there is a phrase (and excuse my pronunciation). The phrase is tanri misafiri.Kerim: Right.Chris: Which translates into English as something like “God's guest.”Kerim: Right.Chris: Or “the guest sent by God.”Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: And so I'm wondering if you could speak about this phrase, maybe what it means to you and where you think it comes from?Kerim: Well, in Anatolia, it's a very famous phrase. And like I said previously, you know anybody coming from somewhere else, who comes into somebody's [00:12:00] house, is allowed to stay in the house as “the guest of God,” because we believe that God has sent that guest to us and we try to... you know, it's more like making that guest happy means making God happy. So, that's the understanding of older generations.In today's metropolitan areas, I don't think it's possible because of the security problems and everything. But like I said, in the countryside, people are very welcoming when it comes to this, because it is very important that knowing that person is actually coming from God, from Allah, so we have to take care of that person as much as possible to please God, actually.So that's how it is. I still see that in many cities in the [00:13:00] more eastern side of Turkey or south side of Turkey, or even north side of Turkey except in the bigger cities. But in the smaller cities, people are much more welcoming, again because of this specific idiom, actually.Chris: From tanri misafiri?Kerim: Right. Tanri means “God” in our language. In the original Turkish language, it's tanri, and, misafiri means “ the guest.”Chris: Yeah. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: And so when guests arrive in a home, you know, in English, at least in, in the context of the older traditions, it is said that the guest or the potential guest, the stranger, asks for hospitality. They don't necessarily say “ they ask for food,” which we can imagine that surely they [00:14:00] do. They don't necessarily say that “they ask for shelter” or “accommodation,” which we surely we could imagine they do. But the literature often says they ask for hospitality.And so, when we think of hospitality today, we often think about people sitting around a table eating food together. And so I'm curious if there's a shared understanding among Sufis or at least the community that you live among and in, about the importance of both eating food and eating food together.Kerim: Togetherness is probably one of the most important things in the Islamic religion. Because like even our way of worshiping God - Allah - we try to do that in a union as much as possible. It is very interesting, the words that “religion” comes from.[00:15:00] Re- means “again,” and legion means “union.”So it's almost like “religion” itself means “to recreate the union,” “to reshape the union,” “ to have the union back,” because we have the tendency to be alone. And even you can imagine that in the western countries, in the western world, a lot of people want to be alone.Like, there's a lot of individuals rather than a group of people. And in the eastern world, it's a little bit different. We are more like family-oriented people. We try to do things together. I mean, there are advantages and disadvantages obviously, but there is a difference between them.So, we always had this [notion that] “the more is better,” basically. You know, more people is better. So, we help each other, [00:16:00] we understand each other, we talk about our problems. When we try to solve them, it's easier together. And if there's pain, you know, the pain actually, can be eased with more people, easier, I think, compared to have this pain alone. So, again, we're more family-oriented people.And the Sufi are very much like that. The Sufi always pray together, and they think that it creates a n energy, basically. It produces an energy that basically helps all of them at the same time, in a union.Chris: Hmm hmm. And do you find that sitting down for a meal together also creates that kind of union, or recreates as you were saying?Kerim: I think so. Doing any kind of activities, including eating... eating is basically the most common activity [00:17:00] that we do in our daily life and getting together, to talk about our things together, and discuss things together, all those things - togetherness, when it comes to the idea of togetherness - I think, is beautiful.Chris: Hmm, hmm. Amen. Yeah, I very much agree with that, Kerim.And so, when we think about hospitality, and we think about food, we often imagine big banquet tables and as you said, this sense of togetherness and celebration.But there's also, you know, from what little I've read, there's also this important aspect of the religious life in the Islamic world, and perhaps in the Sufi world as well that points to, maybe not the absence of food, but a different way of being fed, and a different way of feeding that doesn't [00:18:00] include the food we're used to, the kind of material food. And we often refer to this as fasting. And so, there's a beautiful video that you sent me, Kerim, of your mother speaking, and she recalls a phrase in that video from her own mother who said that “when we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain.”And so, this is a question I very much want to ask you because I've fasted myself quite intensely. I'm curious, what is the honey that comes from fasting? Or, what do you think is the honey that comes from fasting?Kerim: Right? First of all, yeah, fasting is in our religion. So, we basically do that one month in the whole year. It's called Ramadan. In some cases, we actually do that because our Prophet Muhammad, when he [00:19:00] lived, he was fasting every Monday and every Thursday. So it was like a common practice for some of the religious people. And at least we do that one month in the whole year.And obviously, that month is a little bit difficult, you know, because we not only stop eating, we also stopped drinking and all that stuff. In theory, we should not be lying, we should not be telling bad things to other people or gossiping and all that stuff, but usually we do during that time. I mean, in theory, we should not be doing that.So it's like a whole discipline thing - the whole fasting. And at the end of the thirty days, you become a really, really different person. And first of all, one thing that [00:20:00] I feel, is that you understand the people who do not have food. We still have people in the world, unfortunately, in Africa, and all those places, the people, having less access to food as we do, and we feel like, oh yeah we don't actually thank God for all those things that he's giving to us. And this is the time that you start thinking about the reality and start thanking God for actually giving us all that food, twenty-four hours, seven days [a week]. And when you are fasting during that time, you are understanding the feeling of these people, who are like poor and who cannot eat.There are people now, in the social media, we are seeing people, who never had [00:21:00] chocolates in their life. The people living in these countries or in the cities or metropolitan cities, we never think about these things.So, we take these things for granted, and during that time of fasting, you start thinking about these stuff and then you become more thankful, and that's basically honey itself, after the suffering. And I wouldn't say “suffering,” because we don't suffer as much as they do, honestly.And we're just telling our egos, “just stop for a day to do bad things and stop eating,” and all that stuff that ego wants to have. And again, it's at the end of the thirty days, you become a new person because now you have a different mentality. Now, in the other eleven months, you still forget about these things, but [00:22:00] again, it comes through. It's like a cycle.Chris: Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree with you that, you know, gratitude is the honey and...Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: ...I remember the fasting that I did over the course of four years, and I don't know if it was as intense as the fasting that happens during Ramadan, but doing that fasting and trying to feed something other than myself for a time imbued a degree of hospitality and gratitude that I don't think I had ever felt before. And it sticks to me. It sticks to my bones to this day. And it's something that, like you said, I also have to constantly remind myself of those moments when I sit down to eat a meal, because it's so easy to forget.Kerim: Absolutely. Absolutely. And one thing is [00:23:00] basically during that time of fasting, you basically stop feeding your ego, and start feeding your spirit, basically. That's what I think.Chris: That's beautiful. Yeah. I absolutely understand that. Thank you, Kerim.So my next question is around the word “ submission.” So, translated into English, the word “Islam” means “submission.” Now I've read that this word can also be translated to mean “servants of God.” Servants of God.Now in English, the word “servant” can be synonymous with “host.” A servant and a host. Now, there's a book by an author named Mona Siddiqui called Hospitality in Islam. And in that book she writes, it's actually a quote, but she writes,“'What is faith?' The Prophet replied, ‘the giving of [00:24:00] food and the exchange of greetings.' He ends on a most dramatic note saying, “a house which is not entered by guests is not entered by angels.”Kerim: Perfect. Yeah.Chris: And it seems that in this phrase, the Prophet is suggesting that the way we are with guests and strangers has something to do with how we are with the divine, which I think you kind of alluded to a little bit earlier.And so I'm curious, is this something that you've seen in your own days or in those of others that you know? Is hospitality a practice that connects us to the divine?Kerim: Absolutely. Because reaching God, you need to reach people first. To be able to reach God... when I say “reach God,” meaning be in communication with Him, is basically being in a communication [00:25:00] with the people he created. So, to serve the people is basically serving him from the Islamic point of view.So, and that's a hadith that you mentioned in the book. It's a hadith of Prophet Mohammed, like you said. And Prophet Mohammed always... it was a common practice that he was hosting maybe, you know, 10-15 people every night. And he was a poor person, by the way. I mean, he doesn't have much money, much food or anything, but they share. There was a time that... there's a story that somebody, actually, one of his apostles rather, asks him to visit him for a dinner. So he invites him to a dinner.But during his conversation, Prophet Mommed said, “can I bring my friends too?”[00:26:00]And the apostle says, “of course you can bring your friends.” And he brings hundreds of people. Now, the host only have some bread, and maybe a little bit meat, and a little bit rice in the cup.So, he was ashamed because he doesn't have any money, and the Prophet Mohammed is going to bring all those guests together, and he didn't know what to do. But he uses submission, basically.He said, well, if Prophet Mohammed is coming, then something is going to happen. And as he was thinking all those things, Prophet Mohammed puts his hand on top of the rice holder. And every time he was putting rice onto the dishes, the rice never ends, the meat never ends. So he served like 200 people during this invitation and the food never ended.[00:27:00]So he was happy for his submission, basically.Chris: Wow. Beautiful. Thank you, Kerim.Kerim: Of course.Chris: You know, you have this beautiful book - that is still in the mail, unfortunately I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it - called Stories From the Thirty Birds, which I understand is inspired by The Conference of the Birds, this incredible book from I think the 1300s.And I'm curious if you could tell us a little bit about that book and what, if any inspiration or maybe teachings around hospitality that come from both, The Conference of the Birds and how you've employed it in your book.Kerim: Right. The Conference of the Birds is really a beautiful story of Farid ud-Din Attar who lived in Nishapur, which is in Khorasan, in Iran, today. And he was one of the very famous [00:28:00] Sufis at that time. He was the teacher of Rumi. A lot of people know Rumi. And he wrote this book about birds, millions of birds, who are in the process of going to their king, which is the phoenix (or what we call it simurg). And during that time, during that travel, they go through seven valleys, and in each valley some of the birds get lost, because the valleys actually symbolize things.Like, the first valley is the valley of intention. So, a lot of birds actually don't have the intention to reach their king. The king is basically symbolizing Allah (God), and the birds are symbolizing us very much, and we are getting [00:29:00] lost during the time of life. Like, our intention is basically this world. If our intention is staying in this world, then we stay in this world. And that's the valley of intention.And a lot of birds, like half of them, actually, get lost in this stage.And the second valley is the valley of love. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones that actually think the beauty is in this world, rather than they don't see the beauty of God himself. So they see the shadow of that beauty in the world, but they're content with that beauty, and they don't really want to move on.And again, the third valley is the value of wisdom. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones who think that knowledge, [00:30:00] in this world, is more important than anything else, and they don't realize the source of the knowledge is actually their king.So on and so forth, they go through the seven valleys and at the end of the seventh valley, only thirty birds remain. And the thirty birds, they're ready to see their king, and they go through this mountain called Qaf, where the  simurg, the phoenix lives (behind the mountain). And it's very difficult to get there, basically. When they get there, they can't find the king over there. They only find a mirror. So, they realize the king is themselves, but more specifically, the union of thirty birds. So simurg - the [00:31:00] phoenix - in Iranian, in Persian means “thirty birds,” actually. Si is “thirty.” “Burg” is “bird,” actually.So from what we understand is, the union of ourselves, what we are seeing, is our reflection, because the king is actually a perfect mirror. But we don't see ourselves, only, we see the union of thirty birds together. So there are birds that we don't think live together. For instance, a hawk doesn't live with a smaller bird together, but in this union, they live together. There in one. And they use whatever advantage they have together. So it's almost like being one and using the characteristics of every single bird [00:32:00] itself.Chris: And I imagine that someone growing up in a culture like that, whether back then or more recently, and hearing this story or hearing it multiple times throughout their life or maybe once a year, that that notion also might arise in the way that they are with others, the way they are with strangers.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so, I have one final question for you, if that's all right?Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, before we say farewell I'd like to ask you about Istanbul, and I'd like to ask you about the limits to hospitality. So, last year, on a trip I took to the city I met a friend of a mutual friend of ours, and for a couple of hours we walked around the Karakoy neighbourhood and he spoke to me about how the city has changed quite a bit over the last decade.For many people who grew up in Istanbul, the city [00:33:00] might now appear to be very difficult to live in. He said that the cost of living has skyrocketed. The rents, the rent prices or costs have doubled. And much of this is a combination of tourism and gentrification in the city.Now it seems that many religious traditions speak of the importance of welcoming strangers and offering them hospitality, but they also speak of the limits to such hospitality. In one particular, hadith or saying of the Prophet Mohammed, it is said that “hospitality is for three days. Anything more is charity or sadaqah.”Again, excuse my pronunciation.Kerim: No. That's perfect pronunciation.Chris: And so I'm curious, you mentioned a little bit earlier, in the Sufi community and perhaps in the Islamic communities, there is this notion of togetherness, but also that “more is better.” And so I'm [00:34:00] curious in the context of what's happening in Istanbul and what's happening in many places around the world, do you think there should also be limits to the hospitality that is offered to the guest or stranger?Kerim: Well, of course. I mean, of course we have financial issues here, and it's very difficult for us to actually serve other people as much as we want to. But again, when we are together, even if it's very difficult to live in the city, it's still something, you know?What I see: the rent went up, like you said, so the people try to move into their family houses, the houses there of their families and everything. And in western countries, it's difficult. You usually don't do this kind of stuff, but in our community, it's much easier to do these things. And, you know, the families welcome the children [00:35:00] more than other countries. So that's something I think that's a positive thing.But to the strangers. What do we do for strangers? Obviously, we do as much as possible. We may not be able to serve them as much as we used to, obviously, before this inflation. And we have the highest inflation in the world, or probably the second-highest inflation. So again, it's difficult, and Istanbul became probably one of the most expensive cities in the world. But even that, again, we may not be able to take them to dinner every night, but we serve what we have in the house, like in the Prophet Mohammed's story.Whatever we have, we share. And, we call it bereket, as in Arabic baraka, they call it. Baraka is something [00:36:00] like... we use it for money. It's not “more money.” That's not important. How do I say that? I don't even know how to say it in English, but it's more like “the luck of the money, itself.” Basically, you may be able to buy more stuff with less money based on your luck. That's basically what we call it. Bereket. So the bereket is much more important than the amount of the money or the financial thing. And the bereket always goes up when you share it.Chris: Beautiful. Yeah, I love that. I mean, in English, not to reduce it at all, but in English we say, quality over quantity.”Kerim: Yeah, absolutely.Chris: And you said that, in order to offer hospitality or the hospitality that we would like to offer to our guests, sometimes maybe that means not doing it all the time, [00:37:00] because one simply cannot. Right. It's not possible.Kerim: Right.Chris: But yeah, it's a really beautiful point.Kerim: Rumi is a very important Sufi, probably known by many Americans. Even the world knows him. He wrote a poem, which is about the guests. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna read that, uh, it's called the Guest House and it goes like:This human life is a guest house. Every dawn, a new visitor arrives.A gladness, a sadness, a pettiness, a flash of insights all come knocking, unannounced.Welcome them all. Make room even if a band of sorrows storms inand clears your rooms of comfort.Still honour every guest.[00:38:00] Perhaps they empty you to prepare you for something brighter.The gloomy thought, the shame, the bitterness,greet them at the door with a smile, and lead them inside.Be thankful for whoever comes, for each is sent as a messenger from the beyond.So that's a poem by Rumi, and I think it pretty much explains the whole hospitality thing.Chris: Yeah, that's a gorgeous, gorgeous poem. I love that. I'll make sure that's up on the End of Tourism website when the episode launches.And so finally, Kerim, uh, I'd like to thank you so very much for being willing to join me today, to be willing to speak in a language that is not your first, or mother tongue, and to share with us some of the beauty that has touched your days. Before we say goodbye, [00:39:00] perhaps you could tell our listeners how they can follow and learn more about Kerim Vakfı, Stories from the 30 Birds, your book, and any other projects you might want them to know about.Kerim: We have a Sufi centre in North Carolina, at the University of North Carolina. We have a centre in China, Beijing University, and another center in Kyoto University in Japan. And my mother's book about the commentary of some Quranic verses is the one. For instance, Yasin is available through Amazon and my book Stories from the 30 Birds is available on Barnes and Noble and all that other places in US.Chris: Beautiful. Well, I'll make sure that those links are all available on the End of Tourism website and on my Substack when the episode comes out. [00:40:00] And on behalf of our listeners, tesekkur, tesekkur.Kerim: I thank you. Get full access to Chris Christou at chrischristou.substack.com/subscribe

durée : 00:59:38 - Club Jazzafip - À l'occasion de la sortie prochaine de son album "Guesthouse" avec le batteur Ofri Nehemya, le contrebassiste Jorge Roeder et le claviériste Gadi Lehavi, le pianiste israélien nous rend visite. Enjoy! Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

Send a textJon and Doug discuss how language can both help and hinder our practice.Doug's Dharma Video:A Poem That Isn't: Buddhist Mindfulness and Rumi's "Guest House" -- https://youtu.be/1E79pU6GzNsSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/

Emily  interviews Brian Robinson, a Silicon Valley teacher, lawyer, swim coach, and poet, about what matters most to him right now: showing up for his children as a father. Brian shares the story of his sudden cardiac arrest during swim practice in May 2021, how teens at the pool got him help and an AED shock saved his life, and how his kids' voices on a Zoom call helped wake him from an induced coma. They talk about his recovery, how his kids have processed the experience over time, and the unanswered questions about why it happened. In the speed round, they touch on fatherhood, global athletic competition, resilience, classic poetry (including Rumi's “The Guest House”), physical and cardiac health, functional beverages, and superstitions. Brian also mentions his children's picture book about the experience, "You Called Daddy".More Info: www.BrianRobinsonAuthor.com00:24 What Matters Most Now01:07 Collapse at Swim Practice02:35 CPR and Hospital Coma03:32 Kids Wake Him Up05:06 New Perspective on Fatherhood10:06 No Warning Signs11:15 Matters Speed Round Begins13:52 Poetry and Mindfulness15:09 Health Habits and Hype Drinks17:37 Where to Find BrianThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

Just as there are darkened seasons in human history—times when the structures sustaining civilization collapse in on themselves and humanity finds itself stiff-fisted, grasping at brittle branches, slipping between worlds—so too is every individual subject to phases of undoing in the metamorphosis of a lifetime.Entering the chrysalis is rarely a matter of choice. We would resist if we could. One morning, we awaken with a pit in the stomach, a visceral unease that signals change even before we can name its source. Quite all of a sudden, we find we have entered a dream with no solid ground and no turning back. Loss feels imminent, along with the uncertainty of what comes next or how we will get there. We try to keep moving, mistaking busyness for control of circumstance. We hoist the blueprints of our former lives above our heads to keep them dry, trying to shore up what is already dissolving.We try very hard, as all creatures do, not to die. Yet for the caterpillar, entering the chrysalis is a form of programmed death—a gruesome act of self-digestion. What can the larva comprehend of its own metamorphosis as it surrenders to darkness and enzymatic dissolution? Before it can be reconstituted, the caterpillar's whole body must pupate—which is to say liquify. Epithelial cells breaking down, muscles and mandibles lysed by their own enzymes, the entire body reduced to a nutrient slurry.Every winter, nature takes this serious turn. Fallen leaves coil in on themselves, roots retreat, seeds release, and stillness wraps the living world. Here's orientation from a recent column in our cherished local magazine, the Santa Fe New Mexican —“In winter, our arid steppe climate shows us the value of leaving things alone. Grasses left standing become shelter. Seed heads become sustenance. Evergreen shrubs offer cover from wind and predators when the world feels most exposed. What looks untidy to us is, in fact, a carefully balanced system of protection and patience. The garden does not ask us to fix it in January—only to witness it.”The winter gardener knows not to try to fix such depression, but instead to witness and accompany the world beyond control. For the winter gardener recognizes the fallows as sanctuary, the outer casings of seed heads and pale grasses as fortresses of transformation, and death as a passage between birthing seasons. This is the winter gardener's regenerative faith.Similarly, with respect to human development, Jungian analyst and author Marion Woodman called the chrysalis “a twilight between past, present, and future,” a place where the psyche must “tolerate annihilation—just long enough for the new form to begin assembling itself.” She described the sojourn of life as a series of “border crossings between what we were and what we cannot yet imagine.”For the caterpillar, the dream of the butterfly is carried by imaginal cells—tiny, sac-like clusters that, through the primordial twilight of metamorphosis, give rise at last to compound eyes, scaled wings—a new and elegant anatomy. This is how a creature built for crawling holds within its body the imagination of flight.In his 1910 Oxford lecture, The Birth of Humility, anthropologist Robert Ranulph Marett described metamorphic thresholds as “psycho-physical,” when body and mind falter so that “latent energies [may] gather strength for activity on a fresh plane.”The most courageous way we can enter the chrysalis is with attunement. “Pause,” Marett wrote, “is the necessary condition of the development of all those higher purposes which make up the rational being.” James Baldwin attested that the darkest hour can “force a reconciliation between oneself and all one's pain and error.” We cannot will ourselves to grow, for transformation is an act of presence, not power. But within the privacy of our consciousness, with patience and attention, we can rediscover the forces shaping our evolution and develop faith in what is becoming.In Jungian terms, the collective mirrors the individual psyche: what deconstructs in the outer world—painfully, though necessarily—reflects what must be reimagined from within. Today, democratic principles and ecological balance are slipping from their axes. But, as Marett observed, “Not until the days of this period of chrysalis life have been painfully accomplished can [a person] emerge a new and glorified creature.”Some silent, imaginal knowledge within us already knows the way. Here in the high desert, the earliest bloomers will soon appear: proof that the intelligence of life has been preparing the ground, all along, for the resurrection of some new and common beauty.Together, we're making sense of what it means to be human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House.+ Join next month's yoga & meditation class on Thursday, Mar 12, at 9 am MT / 11 am ET. A replay will be shared via email shortly thereafter.+ Find me at YogaSource in Santa Fe every Wednesday morning, 9-10:15 am MT / 11 am-12:15 pm ET for Dynamic Practice. This class is fully analog—live and in person. Register through the studio here.+ I'll be returning to two beloved places to offer retreats with friends in the coming year: Beyul Retreat, in the pristine wilderness surrounding Aspen, Colorado, May 21-25, 2026, with Wendelin Scott; AND world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland, Sept 20-26, 2026, with Erin Doerwald. Each retreat will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated outings—plus rest, nurturance, and imagination. Just a few spots left. Check out all the details here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Dr. Sarah Breazeale, Executive Director of the American Red Cross – Mid-South Chapter, who highlights how the organization delivers vital services, providing relief and support to those in crisis and helping individuals be prepared to respond in emergencies. Sarah explains how the chapter responds to home fires, provides blood drives, offers training certifications, and supports military families. She highlights the critical need for volunteers and financial support, noting that 90% of their workforce is volunteer-driven. She concludes by promoting the Red Boa Bash fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at The Guest House at Graceland, which aims to raise money for home fire relief efforts in the Mid-South region. Sarah notes that the organization responds to approximately 500 residential fires each year, and walks alongside the families for months as they navigate the process of rebuilding their lives. Sarah invites the community to attend the event and join in the celebration with music, fun, and flair, and then look at an upcoming course, blood drive, or volunteer opportunity where you can help make a difference.Visit https://www.redcross.org to learn more about the American Red Cross and visit https://www.redcross.org/local/tennes... to learn more about the Red Boa Bash.

This one was a bit of a bear, it is a pretty well known speak called "The Chalk Talk" it was presented many times by Father Joe and there are many versions of it around. The hard part was finding one that didnt have truly awful sound. I spent well over an hour working on this audio and I think it is quite listenable now. Father Joe got sober in 1958 at The Guest House, it was founded and operated by Austin R, who came across a copy of the Saturday Evening Post article on Alcoholics Anonymous. As a result of the article Austin R began his journey of recovery through AA, eventually opening The Guest House. Father Joe met Austin on his first day at The Guest House, he also was introduced to Dr. Walter G, himself a recovering alcoholic. Dr. G was the first to talk about the intellect and the emotion and how drugs and alcohol cause the emotions to over-rule the intellect. Father Joe deeply admired Austin and was so impressed with Dr. G's lectures, that he saved his notes and 14 years later would use them as the source of his "Chalk Talks". The occasional clicking you hear in this speak are the source of the name, as Father Joe is writing on the chalk board. No clue where or when this particular one was recorded. Im not sure why it took me so long to post anything by Father Joe, but I have well over 50 speaks by him, email me if you are interested in hearing more from him. Support Sober Cast: https://sobercast.com/donate Email: sobercast@gmail.com Sober Cast has 3200+ episodes available, visit SoberCast.com to access all the episodes where you can easily find topics or specific speakers using tags or search. https://sobercast.com

Nearing the end of January, I'm only beginning to feel the sinew of this new year. Here in the United States, we're reckoning with what seems like a sudden surge of authoritarianism—though, as Hemingway reminds us in The Sun Also Rises, collapse happens “two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” The hubris we've unleashed from within now sends shockwaves through the world, unmooring the institutions we've depended on and unsettling the nervous system of our species.Staying human amidst the swirl has become a practice unto itself. We must maintain the pleasantries of our daily lives, yoke ourselves to the people and practices that organize and buoy the mind, and make actionable the indignance of our deeper values—all while sifting through the muck and shimmer of the collective unconscious.Of those in privileged circumstances, many are divesting themselves of accountability or arming up for an uncertain future. Even a question like “How's it going?” can land strangely if it feels insulated from the existential tremors of the moment.Winter, of course, is the barest season. It's a time when thin, long-shadowed light clarifies sight and stillness disciplines attention, when branches shiver as the wind exposes the decorative notions of warmer seasons.A few weeks ago, I sat down with two friends, David Keplinger and Lindsay Whalen, whose companionship is like wool wrapped around the cold turnings of life. Our purpose was to interview Lindsay about the poet Mary Oliver—the subject of her forthcoming biography from Penguin Press—and to trace the threads of synchronicity and coherence among us.I imagine that rendering anyone's soul requires discipline and sustained concentration. But Mary's life, as her poetry reflects, was singular, cloistered, and prolific, demanding of her biographer an uncommon devotion. In our conversation, Lindsay explained that she misses Mary less than she might another deceased friend, given that she remains in constant contact with her. Yet there's one quality of Mary's presence she said she misses: “When she looked at you, she really looked at you. It was a sustained gaze.” David, whose friendship with Mary spanned decades, smiled in agreement: “In her life, as in her work, she looked longer instead of looking away.”The word concentration derives from the Latin concentrātiō, meaning “the action or act of coming together at a single place.” It breaks down to con- (“together, with”) + centrum (“center”)—literally “bringing to a common center.” Originally, it described physical gathering, such as converging on a single point, and later evolved to refer to mental focus.In the prose collection Winter Hours, Mary distinguishes faith—“tensile, and cool, and [having] no need of words”—from hope, which she portrays more vigorously as “a fighter and a screamer.” And in her poem “The Clam,” we see how even a lowly, languageless creature is granted “a muscle that loves being alive.”Winter, too, does this work, sucking vital force inward to the quick. Every living thing must concentrate to survive. Trees shunt sap to heartwood and root; slow-breathing bears dream of thaw; squirrels make their caloric calculations. Even seeds, dark-bound beneath frozen ground, aspire toward germination.Hope, in this sense, is muscular. It is the fight to make the world a place we can live in. Not mere optimism, but the tender refusal to shut down in the face of suffering. It is the muscle that strengthens our will, linking imagination to endurance and promise to conviction.I have attempted several commentaries on this deranged geopolitical moment, wishing to say to friends around the world that we have a long history of abusive power dynamics to reckon with in the U.S.—which is no excuse. But we also have citizens like Renée Good, whose last words were “I'm not mad at you.”So, don't give up on us.Even winter seems uncertain now, bringing tepid temperatures and pallid light where once it cut clean. So we train our gaze on what's alive and here. We look closer, we grope for strength, for the sinews of our common sense—those cords that connect fibrous muscle to bare bone. A blackbird's caw splits a sodden field. Hope does not flinch; it fastens.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Rob and Michele Reiner spent nearly two decades trying to save their son Nick from addiction. They sent him to rehab seventeen times. They let him live in their guesthouse. They made a movie together about his struggles. When counselors warned them that Nick was lying and manipulating them, they eventually rejected that advice and publicly apologized for ever believing the professionals over their own son. Now Rob and Michele are dead, allegedly stabbed by Nick in their Brentwood home the night after a Christmas party where they had asked the host if they could bring him just to keep an eye on him. Former FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins us to break down the darkest truth in cases like this: families are often fully aware someone is dangerous, but the law ties their hands. Parents cannot force an adult child into long-term treatment. They cannot limit their movements. They cannot compel medication. Without a documented immediate threat, the system defaults to the rights of the individual rather than the safety of the family. This is not a story about demonizing people in addiction or blaming parents who refused to give up. It is about understanding how addiction rewires family systems and how the people who love an addict the most can become the most vulnerable to manipulation, enabling, and ultimately danger. It is about how boundaries are not abandonment and how love without limits can become a weapon. The Reiners had every resource imaginable. Money, connections, access to the best treatment programs in the country. None of it was enough. Because there is no amount of money that can force an adult to get sober. There is no love powerful enough to override autonomy when someone is using that autonomy to destroy themselves and everyone around them. #RobReiner #NickReiner #MicheleReiner #TrueCrime #Addiction #FamilyTragedy #Brentwood #BeingCharlie #MentalHealth #Manipulation #ReinerMurders #RobinDreeke #TonyBrueski #HiddenKillers #MentalHealthCrisis #FamilyViolence #SystemicFailure #TrueCrimePodcast #ParentalGuilt #LegalLimitations Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Rob and Michele Reiner spent nearly two decades trying to save their son Nick from addiction. They sent him to rehab seventeen times. They let him live in their guesthouse. They made a movie together about his struggles. When counselors warned them that Nick was lying and manipulating them, they eventually rejected that advice and publicly apologized for ever believing the professionals over their own son. Now Rob and Michele are dead, allegedly stabbed by Nick in their Brentwood home the night after a Christmas party where they had asked the host if they could bring him just to keep an eye on him. Former FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins us to break down the darkest truth in cases like this: families are often fully aware someone is dangerous, but the law ties their hands. Parents cannot force an adult child into long-term treatment. They cannot limit their movements. They cannot compel medication. Without a documented immediate threat, the system defaults to the rights of the individual rather than the safety of the family. This is not a story about demonizing people in addiction or blaming parents who refused to give up. It is about understanding how addiction rewires family systems and how the people who love an addict the most can become the most vulnerable to manipulation, enabling, and ultimately danger. It is about how boundaries are not abandonment and how love without limits can become a weapon. The Reiners had every resource imaginable. Money, connections, access to the best treatment programs in the country. None of it was enough. Because there is no amount of money that can force an adult to get sober. There is no love powerful enough to override autonomy when someone is using that autonomy to destroy themselves and everyone around them. #RobReiner #NickReiner #MicheleReiner #TrueCrime #Addiction #FamilyTragedy #Brentwood #BeingCharlie #MentalHealth #Manipulation #ReinerMurders #RobinDreeke #TonyBrueski #HiddenKillers #MentalHealthCrisis #FamilyViolence #SystemicFailure #TrueCrimePodcast #ParentalGuilt #LegalLimitations Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

In this episode of the Grow Clinton Podcast, Andy and Jenny are joined by Grow Clinton member Dan Fisher of Fisher House Bed & Breakfast, located in Downtown Clinton, Iowa. The Fisher House B&B is a veteran-owned and operated business. The Fishers purchased the house in 2007 while Dan was still on active duty in the United States Air Force. The primary motivation for purchasing the house was its location close to relatives that the family had not spent much time with during our 25 years in military service. The other motivation was a desire to renovate and save a historic house. Once the house was identified, the idea of a Clinton-based B&B was born!Please visit https://www.fisherhousebb.com/ to learn more. The Fisher House Bed & Breakfast is a remodeled 1880s Queen Anne Victorian home located four blocks off the Mighty Mississippi River. The bed & breakfast has four tastefully decorated second-floor rooms, each with a private bath for your convenience. All bedrooms feature TEMPUR-PEDIC mattresses for maximum guest comfort. When you arise to take on the day, a full, home-cooked breakfast is available from 6:30 to 9:00am. You can stay connected at home with Wi-Fi. When visiting, please take some time to explore the site and engage the team if you need something extra to accommodate your lodging requirements. If traveling with children under 12 or wanting to stay during the week, please look at the short-term rental options: The Guest House and The Guest Apartment.Grow Clinton is a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization committed to fostering community, driving economic development, and promoting tourism in Clinton, Iowa.Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:- Apple Music- Spotify- Amazon Music- Buzzsprout- Overcast- YouTubeFollow the Grow Clinton Podcast on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast. Our mission? To ignite business growth, strengthen community ties, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region.Want to promote your business or upcoming event? Connect with Grow Clinton at (563) 242-5702 or visit our website at www.GrowClinton.com.Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.__I awake to the murmur of a boy speaking to his slumbering father. All night long, the darkening stillness of December had settled over the house, and, as usual, our son had scampered down the hall just before dawn, burrowed under a breathing mound of blankets, and reached toward whichever one of us was nearest. “I love you so much,” I hear my child sigh as he tucks himself beneath the warm weight of his father's arm.I have no language to measure such a moment, ordinary though it may seem. I have only an attention born of it, a residue of tenderness reminding me that somehow –however improbable, fleeting, and marvelous – we are here together, and here at all.Later, diagonal rays of winter sunlight beam across the sky, a fact bright enough to leave an afterimage seared on the inside of my eyelids. Of this event, too, I keep only what impression remains: a momentary flash that lingers and softens.Which brings me to the medicine of tenderness—our capacity not just to intellectualize or conceptualize, but to feel the invisible textures of this living world. The word “tender” shares its etymological parent, the Latin word tendere–meaning “to extend outward or upward, to stretch toward or hold out, to offer; to direct toward, to aim toward”–with the verb “to tend,” in the sense of caring for, but also with “intention,” “attention,” and “tenders,” the small boats that carry people or goods from larger vessels to shore.A thruline here links the practices of intention and attention, guiding our consciousness toward what we care about, with a whole-bodied suppleness of presence. The metaphor of tender boats bridges the mutual nature of tenderness. How can one person's practice of tenderness bring another to shore in a gradual and reciprocal softening of nervous systems? How is it that when one person rests with awareness in the tender weight of their body, heart, and mind, it can signal to another that their bruises are safe from further harm?Ezra Klein recently shared an interview with Patti Smith, the iconic musician, writer, and visual artist—sometimes called the “godmother of punk”—who rejects those labels wholesale. With a shrug that suggests the humbler, deeper values of her practice, she says, “call me a worker.” I love her for that.Many moments resonate in their conversation, but none so much as when she likens a good poem to a teardrop: “If you're thirsty and you get that drop of water, it suddenly becomes the most welcome thing in the world.” My mind catches on what kind of thirst—what invisible needfulness—a good poem can satisfy. This is not the thirst of the yarrow or migrating whitethroat, not even the thirst of the bear in autumn. It seems a uniquely human thirst that calls out for the sincerity of real art.On the subject of death and spiritual thirst, Mary Oliver wrote: “Who knows what will finally happen or where I will be sent, yet already I have given a great many things away, expecting to be told to pack nothing, except the prayers which, with this thirst, I am slowly learning.”I believe this kind of thirst, of the nature of wanting to understand and be nourished by the mystery of our existence—by the grace of what it means that we are alive and able to wonder at the circumstances of our aliveness—dwells somewhere beneath the surface of every human being. This thirst lives in the unseen currents of heartache, uncertainty, and longing that flow like water beneath a frozen river.According to fellow poet Jane Hirshfield, Galway Kinnell once called “Tenderness” “the secret title of every good poem.” That line, for me, speaks to the particular mechanism within poetry that can meet such thirst. Tenderness is the dynamic tension between bearing witness to our shared fragility and strengthening our capacity for wholehearted presence and connection with ourselves and each other. It is the alchemy of kindness that can distill cold facts into feelings, thaw a hardened heart, and show us how we're not alone. Like a teardrop, a gesture of tenderness can be small and exact, yet it can quench us with vital sustenance and healing.Strangely, the image of a teardrop has seeped into my morning practice like a quiet teaching. As I reach for some nearby poem, my mind skidding over the uneven terrain of the hours ahead, I pause to take a breath, and it occurs to me: I can carry a teardrop inside this day. Most authentic mindfulness practices seem strange to the outer gaze, but their effectiveness lies in the specificity and earnestness with which we orient toward them. So, here it is: a useful practice, an invisible resource to mind my life. One way I am learning to soften.__+ Join me every month for movement + meditation exclusively for paid supporters of The Guest House. Our next practice will be live on Thursday, December 18, at 9 am MT / 11 am ET, and will be shared via replay soon thereafter.+ Back to a regular studio class! Join me at YogaSource in Santa Fe every Wednesday morning, 9-10:15 am MT / 11 am-12:15 pm ET for Dynamic Practice. This class is live and not recorded. Join in-person or virtually from home. Register directly through the studio here.+ Two deeply envisioned retreats in the year to come: first at Beyul Retreat in the pristine wilderness surrounding Aspen, Colorado, for an extended Memorial Day weekend, May 21-25, 2026; then at world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland, September 20-26, 2026. All the details here.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

December is here and when Jamie the Great and I sit down with Maia in Talking Smack's 415 Energetic forecast Maia's take, we learn it's giving  “horse sprinting at full speed” energy… but the actual message?Slow. Down.The year flew by, the holidays are chaos, and it's tempting to keep galloping so you don't have to feel your feelings — but nope. December wants you to pause and actually process the good, the hard, and the “WTF was that?” moments.Maia says this quote is MLK but it may actually be Pittak Elk says:“It's the bumps that help you climb.”Every bumpy moment this year was you leveling up. New level, new devil — but also new power. Tarot Card: The Sun… AGAINThe Sun card popped up again this month, which means the universe is like: “Did you get the message or do I need to say it again?”Themes:creativityjoyclaritywishes coming truestepping into your actual magicIf you shrugged it off last month… December is doubling down.Rumi MomentRumi's The Guest House is the vibe: Let all the emotions in. Even the uninvited ones. They're messengers, not punishments.Flower of the Month: White LilyPurity. Grace. Rebirth. A soft reset for your whole system.TL;DR December EnergySlow down enough to actually feel thingsReflect without judging yourselfHonor the bumps — they built your strengthCreativity + joy = front and centerRebirth energy is loadingYou're ending 2025 wiser, louder, and way more youShare this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh. Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!

#HauntedHouse #ParanomalyPodcast #DanielleOberosler#ParanomalyPodcast #DanielleOberosler #HauntedHouse #SpiritArtist #ParanormalStory #BeyondDisclosureIn this harrowing episode, Spirit Artist Danielle Oberosler shares her True Paranormal Story of Surviving The Haunted Guesthouse in California. She details intense ghost encounters, the moment art met the paranormal, and the haunting that changed her life. We explore the meaning of the cryptic acronym "GUGU" received during spirit communication, as Danielle provides an honest account of high-stakes haunted house experiences.

#HauntedHouse #ParanomalyPodcast #DanielleOberosler#ParanomalyPodcast #DanielleOberosler #HauntedHouse #SpiritArtist #ParanormalStory #BeyondDisclosureIn this harrowing episode, Spirit Artist Danielle Oberosler shares her True Paranormal Story of Surviving The Haunted Guesthouse in California. She details intense ghost encounters, the moment art met the paranormal, and the haunting that changed her life. We explore the meaning of the cryptic acronym "GUGU" received during spirit communication, as Danielle provides an honest account of high-stakes haunted house experiences.

Year C, Proper 27, Twenty-second Sunday After PentecostI'm sorry, I have the wrong background music on the last segment. I caught it too late. Here is a link to "The Guest House."

You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination....Hordur is a descendent of Vikings. To arrive at his farm—4,000 windswept acres in Iceland's storied BrennuNjáls Saga—is to step into an atmosphere rich with the scent of sulfur and soil, into a dramatic expanse of earth blanketed under heavy, silver-wrapped clouds.The light here is diffuse yet piercing, the landscape at once strange and wondrous—alive with an elemental force that reshapes the breath in our bodies as we ride through quick-watered rivers and cold, lush fields. I find my mind traversing the natural observations and human meanings of Annie Dillard's Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters:“We are here to witness the creation and to abet it. We are here to notice each thing so each thing gets noticed. Together we notice not only each mountain shadow and each stone on the beach but, especially, we notice the beautiful faces and complex natures of each other. We are here to bring to consciousness the beauty and power that are around us and to praise the people who are here with us. We witness our generation and our times. We watch the weather. Otherwise, creation would be playing to an empty house.”Around a rustic dinner table of slow-cooked lamb and homegrown potatoes, Hordur shares some of his story with us. He recounts having lived abroad for decades, mastering the language of markets and margins in glass atriums of international finance—until, at fifty, an inexplicable, tectonic force called him home to the basalt and moss-softened fields that have cradled his lineage for a millennium.He explains simply: “I wanted to raise Icelandic children.”“But what does that mean to you?” we press.Hordur pauses briefly, then recalls the day his youngest, seven years old, began hitchhiking the thirty-minute ride from school. Through valleys quilted with lupine and sheep, she returned home each afternoon this way for a decade, delivered safely again and again by a series of outstretched hands.To absolutely trust one's human surroundings is unfathomable to most parents. It points to an agreement not imposed by law, but woven into the fabric of society over generations, more gradually grown than moss over volcanic rock.It's good to know communities on earth still exist where children are this safe. It's good to know that somewhere, the fabled qualities of the village are alive and well.In a climate forged by fire and ice, tenderness is a currency of survival. Iceland has no standing military and virtually no violent crime. Babies nap outside in woolen blankets. Winter's deep darkness—which consumes all but three hours of each day—is not dulled by drinking at bars but thawed and warmed in local geothermal pools. And, in the northern town of Akureyri, stoplights shaped like glowing red hearts—signaling people to stop in the name of love—began appearing during the 2008 economic collapse as emblems of support and resilience.One might be tempted to dismiss these signs of communal health as the baked-in benefits of a homogeneous culture, but the science and art of the commonweal warrant a deeper look.With what conditions can safety pattern itself into a nervous system? How can our collective nervous system down-regulate from its ratcheting mistrust? These are the questions of our times if we are ever to find our way back to ourselves and each other. They have no right to go away when our mutual keeping hangs in the balance.In the poem Small Kindnesses, Danusha Laméris writes:“What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we make together when we say, ‘Here, have my seat,' ‘Go ahead—you first,' ‘I like your hat.'”Years of teaching retreats in far-flung destination have sensitized me to Laméris's notion of the “fleeting temples” we create. Strangers arrive without their creature comforts or daily certainties, often hesitant, eyeing each other warily, clutching their schedules and habits. Yet, by stepping into the strangeness of a new landscape and the invisible contours of each other's lives, an organic, humanizing process begins to take shape. Stories and tinctures are exchanged; borrowed layers keep folks warm; adapters connect devices and new friends. Laughter begins to roll across the table. And then, on a long bus ride at day's end, a head finds another's shoulder to rest on: nascent, ephemeral, yes—but a temple nonetheless.“We have so little of each other, now. So far from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange,” Laméris' poem admits. Trust is woven where human beings sew threads of kindness, respect, generosity, and mutual accountability. Intrinsic to our nature is this capacity to lean in, but our dignified work is to thread and re-thread our humanity, even in a darkening season.Stripped of the luxury of self-isolation, we confront what Annie Dillard refers to as “our complex and inexplicable caring for each other, and for our life together here.” This is our human weave, complex and inexplicable: the mycelium of our mutual existence.The famous children's book asks, “Do you like my hat?” “I like your hat.” A benign, basic affirmation—just enough to signal safety to a nervous system. But out of these small kindnesses—a compliment, a door held open, a gentle word—the labor of civilization can begin anew.The day we return from Iceland, a vignette in juxtaposition: a grandmotherly figure spits an insult out the window of her car in our direction. My children freeze in the backseat, stunned by the woman's venomous words and their unsparing ordinariness.Laméris' poem laments this modern ache:“Mostly, we don't want to harm each other… We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot, and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile at them and for them to smile back.”When kindness is withheld, when someone's pain is weaponized, some small but vital part in the mycelium tears. We feel the acute loneliness of being “far from tribe and fire,” and understand how the agitation that surrounds us gives tenderness more weight.Years have passed since Hordur returned to Iceland. He spends his days farming garlic, carrots, and potatoes in coarse soil, raising lamb on mountain herbs. His horses belong to one of the world's oldest breeds—descendants of ninth-century stock. They graze in grassy fields through every season, their manes wind-whipped and their temperaments famously resilient.When asked how their nervous systems have evolved to be so even-keeled through the centuries, Hordur points out that Icelandic horses have no natural predators. They are exposed to the elements, he explains, and they prefer to weather Iceland's brutal winters not alone in barn stalls, not in “an empty house” of creation, but with their fellow horses in an open field.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Power & Purpose PodcastVanessa Soul → ⁠https://vanessasoul.com/Sacredsoulenergetics⁠

In this talk, Banshō weaves together spiritual poems from across traditions—Christian, Sufi, Taoist, and Zen—to show how poetry can be a living expression of dharma. Beginning with reflections on the rarity of “radical presence,” he invites us to experience poetry as more than words: as truth, practice, heart, and shared human experience. Through poems like Joyce Rupp's The Perfect Cup, David Whyte's Everything is Waiting for You, Rumi's The Guest House, and Dōgen's timeless verses, he illustrates how beauty, impermanence, and the fullness of human emotions all belong to practice. The talk closes with selections from the Tao Te Ching, pointing to the great mystery—emptiness, interconnection, and the way of reality—revealed in the ordinary and the fleeting.This talk was given on September 21st 2025 during the GVZM Sunday Program. ★ Support this podcast ★

Adulthood has long been overlooked as a phase in human development. This is, in part, due to its implicit assumption of steadiness. Its shifting hues tend to be less dramatic than those of adolescence and elderhood, its moods less pronounced. Much of the time, we do the work of our lives, showing up for our common refrain while quietly learning to cultivate fulfillment on our own terms; our creative pursuits and revelatory practices often relegated to the margins of our daily lives.We are exceptionally connected, balancing our digital and analog lives. We are so busy. There is so much to do. Who has time? Adults say these things in exasperation, grasping for affirmation or companionship in the midst of their grievances. But it's true—to be in the human world today is to drink from a firehose of information. Plus, what depths are safe to plumb outside the sanctuary of a therapist's office or a park bench with a trusted friend? The stakes of vulnerability are high. So high, in fact, that Brené Brown describes judgment as “the currency of the midlife realm.” By midlife, we are expected to have brought to fruition the aspirations of our earlier selves—to have reached a plateau of practicality and resolve. Cruising altitude, as they say.Of course, we who inhabit or have inhabited the realm of adulthood know better. Inside the cornucopia of being human, spiraling inward from its bright surface, exist multitudes. Much like the tonal expressions of early autumn, the richer pigments of our psyche—previously concealed behind summer's green façade—gradually reveal their layers to those who pay attention: ripening, sweetening, scenting the air with integration and maturation.~Today, I am writing from the belly of a meditation retreat at Vallecitos, among the ancient, indiscreet ponderosas of Northern New Mexico. Belly is a phrase I favor mid-retreat because it refers to the tender middle, the bellows, the digestive center. For five days, however brief an expanse of unclaimed hours, I have sat with myself in a wooden casita outfitted with a kerosene heater, a writing desk, and a chipmunk who makes neighborly visits to the stoop.There is a shimmer to this mountain valley nestled deep in the Carson National Forest—a million-acre, many-voiced wilderness. Everything breathes here. Cold morning dew washes the meadows; afternoon shadows sweep the valley. Here, the pines thicken into themselves, aspens become jittery and luminous as they dry in the breeze, and just beneath my feet, lichen and mycelium weave their storied logic.Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish neuroscientist who pioneered studies of the central nervous system at the turn of the 20th century, referred to neurons as “butterflies of the soul”—tender, erratic, natural, and necessary.Most days, I am like most adults. I move through a slurry of data and directives, my nervous system siphoning thoughts, words, plans, and presences. Most days, my neurons do not feel like butterflies. But the land's knack is to shed and replenish, to dwell and allow and transform. A stone stays in place while the river glides over its surface, gradually polishing its form. I recall a beloved teacher once describing enlightenment simply as no more raw edges.There is a choreography to these days of sitting, walking, sweeping, sleeping; the routine is a slow, scaffolded unraveling. Contingent parts within me make themselves more visible to the naked eye: the part seeking a reprieve from boredom—hello, gorgeous organic berries at breakfast!—and the part that feels alive with fright on an unlit walk at night. The part that is slavish to comfort and sensitive to nonverbal exchanges in the lunch queue. The chronic clock-watcher who would count the hours until I see my family again…But also, there is a solitude I am befriending in my adult years—a creative and patient companion self. My nervous system grows almost amphibious here: reflective, tremulous, equilibrating like the surface of the alpine ponds of this valley. I imagine myself like the ancient city of Venice, which, during its pandemic-mandated reprieve from the normal throngs of tourists, welcomed dolphins back to its capillaried canals.I move through the forest, only to discover the strange phenomenon of the forest moving through me. The trees pass sideways; sunlight pitches down in mosaics, glancing off the backs of leaves. I rest on the round body of a pine, and the sound of critters, once a polite backdrop, sidles forward: bluebird, fox, nondescript scuttle from the bushes. The entire canopy hums—at me, through me—a polyphony the writer Amy Leach might call everybodyism, an ensemble of selfhoods.It is, if anything, a kind of organization I find myself settling into: organism, order—these words sharing root and logic. The fractal arrangements of life in the forest transmit glimpses of my body's own sophisticated animal intelligence. Each muscle adjusts moment by moment to the terrain, dynamic and improvisational. The mind may imagine it stands apart—thank you, Descartes, for teaching us to narrate ourselves from above—but the world refuses such neat separations. Artificial intelligence, with its disembodied schemes, cannot meet moss or kneel to converse with mushrooms as we can.In her evening talk, Erin Treat, guiding teacher at Vallecitos, serendipitously shares the opening line from The Famished Road, a 1991 novel by Nigerian author Ben Okri that won the Booker Prize: “In the beginning, there was a river. The river became a road, and the road branched out to the whole world. And because the road was once a river, it was always hungry.” I think of this teaching as I move between stone and stream, insights replenishing from nowhere I can name. Dusk gathers, cliff shadows lengthen, and a presence stirs the forest, calling wandering creatures home.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateWhen Madge and Arthur arrive at Mrs. Meadowsweet's country guesthouse, they're unsettled by the unnatural bliss and vague detachment of the other guests. As Mrs. Meadowsweet works to draw them into the same serene state, they realize that accepting the guesthouse's strange comforts might mean losing something far more precious than their worries… they might lose their individuality. BBC's Spine Chillers presents, “Mrs. M!” | #RetroRadio EP0512CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Meeting By Chance” (November 22, 1976)00:45:20.343 = Ripley's Believe It Or Not, “King of Punishment” (1930) ***WD00:46:19.703 = Sam Spade, “The Soap Opera Caper” (February 16, 1951)01:14:57.750 = The Sealed Book, “Design For Death” (June 03, 1945)01:44:21.306 = The Shadow, “The Oracle of Death” (October 20, 1940) ***WD (LQ)02:13:34.270 = Sleep No More, “Jilting of Granny Weatherall” (January 30, 1957) ***WD02:41:57.238 = BBC Spine Chillers, “Mrs. M” (February 21, 1984)03:26:25.385 = Strange Wills, “East of Hudson Bay” (October 12, 1946)03:56:03.410 = Strange, “Hillbilly Feud” (1955) ***WD04:10:21.412 = Suspense, “Lazarus Walks” (October 19, 1943)04:37:54.489 = Tales of the Frightened, “Just Inside Cemetery” (December 06, 1957)04:42:49.150 = The Saint, “Noon Deadline” (February 18, 1951)05:11:56.063 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramasCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0512

In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "guesthouse" in Chinese.

One of the country's talented singer-songwriters is leaving our shores as she looks to crack the big leagues. Georgia Lines has been on the scene since 2019, and a couple of EPs and a debut album later, she's making the move to Nashville. But not before a few final shows and one more EP - she's celebrating the release of The Guest House with a performance in Tauranga on August 29th, following it up the next day with a show in Auckland. She's heading stateside next month, finally moving over after having loved the idea for quite some time. “I've spent a lot of time there,” Lines told Mike Hosking. “I really love it. I love the bigness, I love, I feel like there's this mentality, where everybody's like ‘you can do it.'” New Zealand is well-known for its Tall Poppy Syndrome, but in the States there's no such thing, Lines explains. “Every time I go there I'm reminded of like, oh, this is possible, the possibilities are endless,” she said. “I can always grow and get better, and get bigger, and that's an exciting thing for me.” For more information on her live shows, click here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timestamp 00:00 – Welcome to The Holistic Kids Show 00:47 – Introducing Dr. Yusef Aliman 01:30 – From Conventional to Functional Medicine 03:22 – What Does “Root Cause” Really Mean? 04:07 – Allergies, Gut Health & Vitamin D 05:46 – Kids' Health: Listening to Children, Not Just Parents 08:21 – How to Spot Root Causes in Daily Life 12:54 – Stress, Sleep & Lifestyle Factors 14:35 – Taking Ownership of Your Health 16:01 – Teens, Career Choices & Fear of Failure 16:45 – Advice for Today's Teens (Commitment, Purpose & Resilience) 18:32 – The Role of AI & Using Your Own Brain 20:51 – Healthy Habits: Food, Movement & Mindset 23:08 – Closing Recap & Teen Health Revolution   Dr. Yousef Elyaman is a board-certified internist with cross-training in pediatrics and holds certifications in functional medicine from The Institute for Functional Medicine and in integrative medicine from the American Board of Physician Specialties. As the founder and medical director of Absolute Health in Ocala, Florida, Dr. Elyaman has integrated functional medicine into primary care. Under his leadership, the practice has grown significantly to include physicians, advanced practice providers, and health coaches. He also consults for Quest Diagnostics in their wellness division and serves as medical director at HumanN, a nutraceutical company.  Dr. Elyaman is the founder of FMP Essentials, an organization dedicated to helping functional medicine practitioners attain success through comprehensive training and mentorship. He serves as the integrative and functional medicine director of The Guest House, a trauma and substance abuse center in Ocala, Florida. His training in psychological trauma through Spirit2Spirit complements his holistic approach to patient care.  A respected faculty member at The Institute for Functional Medicine, Dr. Elyaman is a sought-after speaker and serves as the 100th president of the Marion County Medical Society. He also moderates two influential Facebook groups, the Functional Medicine Practitioners Forum and Functional Medicine Practitioner Essentials with Dr. Yousef Elyaman.  Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Elyaman enjoys family life on a ranch in Ocala, Florida, with his wife and seven children. He finds relaxation in playing chess and developing innovative integrative and functional medicine protocols.   ---- Learn more about Dr. Madiha Saeed at https://holisticmommd.com, or follow her on social media @HolisticMomMD

Welcome to The Guest House, a commonweal meditation on the complexities and creative potential of being human in an era of radical change. In Season Two, cohosts Shawn Parell and David Keplinger are exploring what Emily Dickinson called "Gem Tactics," the practices by which we polish our creative engagement with life.These conversations and contemplative writings are offered freely, but subscriptions make our work possible. Bless us algorithmically by rating, reviewing, and sharing these episodes with friends—and please become a paid subscriber if you're able. Thank you!Poet David Keplinger joins The Guest House, and together we hold the doorway open to Gem Tactics—this season's title—a term borrowed from a lesser-known Dickinson poem that refers to those small, faceted moves of inner cultivation that reveal the shape of a life.In the first episode of our second season, we trace the filament between practice and mystery. Our talk initiates an exploration of how we live, why we listen, and what it means to accompany and be accompanied in a time when so much is unraveling. This is the scaffolding of what's to come: a season shaped less by expertise than by earnest inquiry, less by answers than by wholehearted questions.Episode Highlights:Introducing poet David Keplinger as this season's co-hostWe reflect on the shared sensibility that animates our every collaboration.Why Gem Tactics?We unpack the title phrase—borrowed from Dickinson—and explore how poetry, practice, and daily life offer luminous forms of inner cultivation.Translation as prayer; poetry as a mirrorDavid speaks to the devotional act of translating Rilke and how poetry can reveal, rather than conceal, our deeper motives and questions.Living the question: from mastery to mysteryWe examine what it means to surrender control in the pursuit of meaning and how the unknown can become a kind of wisdom.The medicine of showing upI share insights from my therapeutic work and personal practice on how to stay present without being undone by the intensity of the world.If you're longing for language that speaks to your inner life, the beauty and bewilderment of being in the world, this season is for you. We're delighted to welcome you back to The Guest House.Resource Links:• Check out David's meditation and essay on our season title - Gem Tactics: Why We Practice.• Davidkeplingerpoetry.com - Visit David's website for book releases, workshops, mindfulness talks, and upcoming events.• Stay connected with Shawn and David on Instagram - @ShawnParell and @DavidKeplingerPoetry.• Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for free audio meditations, learn more about upcoming events & retreats, and join her email list for monthly essays, yoga classes, and music alchemy.• Subscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.• Subscribe to Another Shore with David Keplinger on Substack for meditations, essays, writing prompts, and more.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Bless our work algorithmically with your hearts and comments, and by sharing this post with a loved one. Paid subscriptions make this work possible. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

This week brings a potent blend of healing, disruption, and new beginnings. The Sun in its Leo fullness meets Chiron's medicine for old wounds, a New Moon in Virgo invites change through the unexpected, Venus draws us into tender but courageous relationship healing, and the Sun steps into Virgo with an electric square to Uranus. Expect moments of insight, activation, and the call to respond with both grounded presence and open-hearted adaptability.Aug 19 – Sun in Leo trine Chiron in AriesYour Conscious Self (Sun) harmonizes with the Wounded Healer (Chiron), offering you a courageous moment to meet vulnerabilities with self-compassion and sovereignty.Reflection Question: Where could I let my confidence and my vulnerability work together instead of at odds?Aug 22 – New Moon at 0° Virgo square Uranus in GeminiThe Instinctive Nurturer (Moon) archetype begins a fresh Virgo cycle, immediately challenged by the Maverick's demand for innovation. Disruption may be the seedbed for a more authentic rhythm of daily life.Reflection Question: What unexpected shift could liberate me into a truer, cleaner alignment with my values?Aug 22 – Venus in Cancer square Chiron in AriesThe Relational One (Venus) faces the Wounded Healer (Chiron) —inviting tenderness in places where self-protection has kept love at bay.Reflection Question: How might I soften toward myself or another without abandoning my own boundaries?Aug 24 – Sun in Virgo square Uranus in GeminiThe Conscious Self (Sun) now turns toward discernment and skillfulness, yet meets Uranus' (Maverick's) jolt to think and act differently.Reflection Question: Where is life asking me to break a habitual pattern in order to live more freely?Podcast poem: "The Guest House" by RumiSupport the showGo to Sheila's website for information for transformational resources: https://www.ontheedgesofchange.com/home-page This episode was co-created with generative AI, engaged as a soul-aligned ally in service of transformation. At the edge where technology meets myth, I choose insight over noise, and alchemy over automation. Thank you for dreaming the future with me.

Send us a textThyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DOShow Notes Episode 41; Recorded: 6-20-2025Interview with Jennifer Sierra, LMHC Owner: Holistic Mental Health Counseling; Orlando, FLHost: Dr. Angela Mazza, DOCo-host: Dawn Sheffield I'm Dr. Angela Mazza, D.O., a thyroid, endocrine, and metabolism specialist with a private practice in Central Florida.   Here's some of what we covered today, not necessarily in this order: ·        How do I start getting counseling?·        What happens in a counseling session?·        Utilizing horses in therapy for humans;·        Mental health looks different on everyone;·        Mental illness can manifest in subtle ways;·        The holistic approach to mental and thyroid health;·        The benefit of therapy with other medical treatments;·        We may need help dealing with changes--even positive ones;·        Breaking down dangerous stigma around seeking mental health;·        And best of all we learned that we CAN impact our thyroid healthMy book, Thyroid Talk: An Integrative Guide to Optimal Thyroid Health, is available on Amazon.  For information on the related Webinar and online master course, see thrivethyroid.com.  Or forward your name and email to thyroidtalk.mazza@gmail.com or to our website: metaboliccenterforwellness.com  The webinar coordinates with the online master class.  The master class has modules that cover topics like diagnosis of thyroid issues, personalized treatment, gut healing, and much more--plus some bonuses. Visit the Wellness Store at metaboliccenterforwellness.com regarding supplements mentioned in various episodes of this podcast.  Please stay in touch!  Send your comments, show ideas, and questions to thyroidtalk.mazza@gmail.com  We may disclose your general location on air (the city or town, for example), but we will NOT read your name NOR your address on the show.  We reserve the right to edit your input as necessary.  See the website at metaboliccenterforwellness.com; our YouTube channel (Dr. Angela Mazza), Facebook, and Instagram.   The topic of our next episode is being determined. Citations, references, additional information: Association for Pet Loss And Bereavement (APLB).  aplb.org  Mazza, A. Thyroid Talk: An Integrative Guide to Optimal Thyroid Health.  Available now on Amazon.Rumi, J.  The Guest House.  Translated. “Rumi: Selected Poems.”  Penguin Books.  2004.Sierra, J: Holistic Mental Health Counseling; Orlando, FL.  hmhcounseling.comAsk your healthcare provider about specific questions regarding your wellness.  This podcast is meant for educational purposes only.Copyright 2025 Dr. Angela Mazza DO.  Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DO.  All rights reserved.      Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.

 Use your breath to breathe compassion for yourself and others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Guest House", by Rumi.  The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, Who violently Weep your house Empty of its furniture, Still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out For some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, Meet them at the door laughing, And invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, Because each has been set As a guide from beyond. -RumiFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Use your breath to breathe in compassion for yourself and others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Guest House", by Rumi.This meditation ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep. The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, Who violently Weep your house Empty of its furniture, Still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out For some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, Meet them at the door laughing, And invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, Because each has been set As a guide from beyond. -RumiFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

In today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiIn today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiPlease visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching linkACPGroupCoaching.comTo learn more, go to:Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership ProgramLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/Here's what's included for $5/month:❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind❤ And more fun surprises along the way!All this in your favorite podcast app!Quote:Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.-Jalaluddin RumiChapters 0:26 Introduction to Acceptance 2:15 The Guest House by Rumi 5:14 Embracing Our Guests 8:49 The Power of Neutrality 11:29 Trusting the Process 12:56 The Guidance of Anxiety 13:47 The Healing Power of Poetry Summary In this episode, we delve into the themes of acceptance and mindfulness through the lens of poetry, specifically focusing on Rumi's profound work, "The Guest House." As I share my insights, I emphasize the importance of embracing our feelings and experiences, particularly those related to anxiety, as natural visitors in our lives. The elegance of Rumi's words encourages us to welcome every emotion—joyous or sorrowful—as an essential part of our human experience.I begin by reciting Rumi's poem, which describes the human mind as a guest house with a variety of emotions that arrive each day. I reflect on how, often, our negative feelings linger longer and grip us tighter than the positive ones, a phenomenon I liken to Velcro versus Teflon. By being mindful of our mental states, we can consciously shift our perspective to recognize the joys that exist alongside our anxieties. This practice calls for an intentional effort to acknowledge both sides of our emotional spectrum.Throughout the discussion, I unpack Rumi's metaphor, exploring the idea that each emotion serves as a guide, urging us to engage with our experiences rather than resist them. I draw parallels between this concept and the therapeutic practices I share with clients. Our thoughts and feelings are not intrinsic to our identity; they are merely guests that we can treat with honor and curiosity. I highlight the pivotal moment when we choose to meet our anxieties without judgment, treating them neutrally to diminish their power over us. #anxiety #acceptance #rumi #theguesthouse #poetry #mindfulness #emotionalhealing #mentalhealth #ginaryan #anxietycoachespodcast #welcomingemotions #neutrality #trust #personalgrowth #anxietyrelief #anxietytips #acceptinganxiety #rumipoetry #mindfulnessforanxiety #poetrytherapy #emotionalacceptance #mentalwellnessjourney #anxietypodcast #ginaryancoaching #welcomingemotions #findingneutrality #trusttheprocess #personaldevelopmentjourney #theguesthousepoem #innerpeace

In today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiIn today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiPlease visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching linkACPGroupCoaching.comTo learn more, go to:Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership ProgramLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/Here's what's included for $5/month:❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind❤ And more fun surprises along the way!All this in your favorite podcast app!Quote:Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.-Jalaluddin RumiChapters 0:26 Introduction to Acceptance 2:15 The Guest House by Rumi 5:14 Embracing Our Guests 8:49 The Power of Neutrality 11:29 Trusting the Process 12:56 The Guidance of Anxiety 13:47 The Healing Power of Poetry Summary In this episode, we delve into the themes of acceptance and mindfulness through the lens of poetry, specifically focusing on Rumi's profound work, "The Guest House." As I share my insights, I emphasize the importance of embracing our feelings and experiences, particularly those related to anxiety, as natural visitors in our lives. The elegance of Rumi's words encourages us to welcome every emotion—joyous or sorrowful—as an essential part of our human experience.I begin by reciting Rumi's poem, which describes the human mind as a guest house with a variety of emotions that arrive each day. I reflect on how, often, our negative feelings linger longer and grip us tighter than the positive ones, a phenomenon I liken to Velcro versus Teflon. By being mindful of our mental states, we can consciously shift our perspective to recognize the joys that exist alongside our anxieties. This practice calls for an intentional effort to acknowledge both sides of our emotional spectrum.Throughout the discussion, I unpack Rumi's metaphor, exploring the idea that each emotion serves as a guide, urging us to engage with our experiences rather than resist them. I draw parallels between this concept and the therapeutic practices I share with clients. Our thoughts and feelings are not intrinsic to our identity; they are merely guests that we can treat with honor and curiosity. I highlight the pivotal moment when we choose to meet our anxieties without judgment, treating them neutrally to diminish their power over us. #anxiety #acceptance #rumi #theguesthouse #poetry #mindfulness #emotionalhealing #mentalhealth #ginaryan #anxietycoachespodcast #welcomingemotions #neutrality #trust #personalgrowth #anxietyrelief #anxietytips #acceptinganxiety #rumipoetry #mindfulnessforanxiety #poetrytherapy #emotionalacceptance #mentalwellnessjourney #anxietypodcast #ginaryancoaching #welcomingemotions #findingneutrality #trusttheprocess #personaldevelopmentjourney #theguesthousepoem #innerpeace

You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.The sound of flowing water soothes most nervous systems, but particularly those acclimatized to the desert, and particularly upon waking. I have struggled with sleep disturbances for most of my adult life, so it's rare for me to experience the weight and metabolic satisfaction of a good night's rest. But twice last month, I found myself receiving what we can call river medicine: first while visiting friends at their cabin in the Pecos Wilderness, and again east of Aspen, Colorado, while teaching at Beyul Retreat, a guest ranch along the Frying Pan River, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.River medicine is like this: surrounded by tall, sappy pines, I found myself one early morning in the atmospheric valley between sleeping and waking, an integrative field of frequencies and forms. You know the place. Even now, I do not know for certain: did the river, by some charm of consciousness, stream into my dreamscape and stir me awake? Or was it the dream that pulsated forward into the matrix of a new day? What I can say is that I felt a bright, hydrous intelligence moving in ripples and waves through my body—clarifying and tonifying, calming neurons and glial cells in their watery beds, clearing layers of baked-in tension like grit loosened from a soaking pan. And for a time, I floated above the push of the day, appearing and disappearing and reappearing to myself.In the wake of hours that followed, to my delight, I noticed a quiet reverberation—an elemental answer quelling a wordless, needful thirst.Science offers a partial explanation for this. Water has a high dielectric constant, meaning it reduces the electrostatic attraction between charged particles, which helps substances like salt crystals separate and dissolve more easily. I would also propose that water's properties of solubility, absorption, and transmission apply to its natural ability to clean and balance the bioenergetic forces of being human.When a river twists and turns, it releases negative ions into the air. Microscopically, this process is dynamic—even violent. Molecules spill over rocks and tumble forward, rushing and colliding, breaking apart, and thereby transferring electrons and charging the surrounding air. But I find comfort in this science of fluid revitalization. New, more supportive structures can form when old ones give way, pointing to how, beyond turmoil and devastation, we too can hope for vital transformation.Years ago, I read a New York Times article called “Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer,” in which journalist Eric Weiner wrote about “thin places,” locations where the gap between the ordinary and extraordinary—or, better yet, transordinary—thins out.“Thin” seemed to me a strange choice to describe where the air thickens with meaning. But Celts and early Christians held that a small but distinct distance, like three feet, separates heaven and earth—and that distance dissolves in “places that beguile and inspire, sedate and stir, places where, for a few blissful moments [we] loosen [our] death grip on life, and can breathe again.”Many a thin place has been built by human hands. Early in my career, I worked for the United Nations Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, and developed the sensible habit of visiting the most treasured cathedrals, temples, and sanctuary sites wherever I found myself in the world. Jama Masjid in Delhi, Sacré-Cœur in Paris, Tirta Empul in Bali, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: each has a distinct energetic signature that lives in my memory, a resonance born of its purpose and the accumulation of countless prayers that infuse the surrounding air.But thin places are more often found than made. Mountains, canyons, coral palaces—they are organic monuments to mysticism and ready reminders of our humble size before nature. As Weiner writes, “Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us—or, more accurately, unmask us. In thin places, we become our more essential selves.”In this sense, thin places evoke qualities of alchemy and revelation. In traveling to Beyul Retreat, I recalled how the Vajrayana Buddhist term “beyul” refers to hidden valleys believed to be sanctuaries blessed by enlightened teachers, places where the land itself is animate. A beyul holds the wisdom that rivers, trees, and even rocks are not objects but mandalas — living altars, ineffable and intricate in their aliveness.Aptly named, Beyul Retreat is a place where the boundary between perception and imagination feels more permeable. The land electrifies with new growth as summer approaches: dandelion confetti bursts open in the meadows, aspen trees shimmy, and fresh sage scents the air. Each morning, as the river's murmur moves through the valley, calypso orchids bloom in the shade while the pointed ears of silver fox pups perk up from behind cool, wet stones.In the imaginal realm of childhood, there are many such beyuls, many thin places. There are fern groves and swallow lairs, stars nestled in apple cores and galaxies in lightning bugs, and lobe-handed sycamore leaves at the wild end of the yard.We tend to think of nature as speaking in symbols, but its directness transmits rather than approximates. “The world is not made of objects; it is a communion of subjects,” writes Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm. “To enter the imaginal realm is to give permission to the ineffable within us, to allow the world to speak through our senses, our dreams, our longings.”To commune is to listen with our whole body, to notice the most basic and vital exchange of breath and circumstance that underpins our existence. To allow for a metamorphosis of our attention. And when we realize the subjectivity of the world, we can discover strange and wonderful ways of joining the conversation. Like us, the aspens drink water and eat light. They have instincts and work to protect their lives. And did you know that the dark spots resembling eyes on the smooth, pale bark are scars left behind when the tree sheds lower branches that receive less sunlight? Look how this porous watchfulness is directed in our direction, how the forest offers us its attention.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

In Case You Missed It... We're revisiting this VERY SPECIAL EPISODE featuring Cat and Nat LIVE from Jessi's GUESTHOUSE where they are staying as her Airbnb guests! (And when people stay in your house… you're allowed to ask them ANYTHING right?) Over champagne, the girls talk about friendship, crushes, marriage, weight loss and experiencing “Vulnerable JOY” in their most candid conversation yet. Plus! Rememeber when Prince William danced like a dad and Travis Kelce became Jessi's DADDY after his appearance on stage at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour!? Then, Jessi tries to defend Justin Timberlake after bombshell details emerge about hs DWI … All that and a deep dive into the trendiest haircut of the year, called “The Broccoli” because it looks like Broccoli… on your head. THAT'S HOT!As always, ask Jessi Anything, HERE: 323-448-0068E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if progress isn't the point? What if your soul doesn't move in a straight line, but in spirals and stillness? In this poetic reflection, Alexander Blue Feather reads from The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller and Rumi's The Guest House, exploring the sacred art of self-compassion. You'll hear about grief, letting go of the “muscular agenda” of self-improvement, and why setting a place at the inner table—for sorrow, disappointment, and loss—is an act of courage. Includes a laughter offering from Harvey Rose and a preview of upcoming fall offerings: grief-wise circles, a weekend silent retreat, and a 21-day guided meditation. Stay tuned for a guided loving-kindness meditation in the next episode.

Jojo and Polly are coming to you from inside a Plankbridge Shepherds Hut at Chelsea Flower Show!We discus all the fashion, footwear and flowers from Chelsea.Plus we answer your questions on outdoor cushions and indoor pots.This episode is sponsored by Plankbridge, makers of fine shepherd's huts and cabins. At their workshop in the Dorset countryside, Plankbridge creates beautifully handcrafted spaces, from garden studios and saunas to bespoke guest accommodation, whether for holiday lets or visiting friends and family. Creators of the famous Pig Hotel garden wagons, their huts blend traditional craftsmanship with timeless design, and are the only huts endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. This episode was recorded in a bespoke, dog-friendly Guest House at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Check out their full range at www.plankbridge.comInstagramPodcast - @the_insandouts_Jojo - @houseninedesignPolly - @pollyanna_wilkinsonProducer Andy - @andy_rowe_WebsitesJojo - https://www.housenine.co.uk/Polly - https://www.pollyannawilkinson.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Machelle Pugh, CEO and Founder of Christopher A. Pugh II Center, along with Odie Tolbert, Fashion Stylist/Image Consultant and Owner of I Am Pr-O Styling, who both highlight the Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering men of all backgrounds through technology-focused workforce development and career preparation with tailored support services to promote purpose, growth, and positive change. The discussion highlights the center's upcoming "Bow Ties and Blazers" fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at the Guest House at Graceland.During the interview, Machelle shares the background of the Center, which was established after her son was killed in a shooting in 2019. The Christopher A. Pugh II Center aims to provide support and resources to young men and adults through life-changing programs focused on mentorship, education, life skills, and vocational training. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Center also delivers a 150-hour Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program (CBIP) across nine facilities, reaching over 885 participants in four years - empowering individuals to break cycles of incarceration and build brighter futures. Machelle talks about their different programs ranging from HVAC and culinary arts to film production, financial literacy and software development. She shares a recent success story with a former participant who used his culinary arts training to secure a part-time job while in college and received a fully furnished dormitory room, highlighting their commitment to empowering individuals through comprehensive support.Odie shares his personal connection to gun violence through a classmate's tragic death, which motivated him to support the Center's mission of helping men find purpose. He describes his background in fitness and fashion and shares how he uses his experience to help others build confidence through appearance with the goal of empowering young men to feel good and look good.Machelle and Odie then highlight the upcoming fundraising event, “BowTies and Blazers” featuring “The Distinguished Divine 9,” taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m, at the Guest House at Graceland, located at 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116. Guests will be immersed in a world of glamour and fashion excellence, indulging their senses in a fusion of textures, colors, and silhouettes designed to inspire and impress. Models will take the runway in exquisite couture creations, blending artistry, innovation, and style. Odie and Machelle highlight the event's focus on fashion, entertainment, and raising awareness about the Center's mission to change the lives of young men. Tickets are $125, and sponsorships are available at platinum, gold, and silver levels. Tickets can be purchased online, through the Center's social media or in person at their location. Machelle wraps up discussing how the Center seeks volunteers and mentors for their young men's program, as well as assistance with clothing donations and daily operations.Visit https://www.christopherpughcenter.org to learn more about the Center and their upcoming event. Tickets for the event can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing.... You can also purchase tickets through the Center's social media pages or at their office located at 757 Walnut Knoll LN, Cordova, TN 38018.

A Special Bonus EpisodeI'm so grateful to share this bonus episode featuring a special conversation I had last year with my dear friend Mark Jensen. It's a rare and beautiful exchange that touches on healing, grief, and a mystical connection to the Earth—an invitation to listen and remember what truly matters.In today's episode, I'm joined by Mark Jensen, a seasoned practitioner in the healing arts with 40+ years of experience in vitalistic principled chiropractic, cranial work, myofascial release, plant medicines, Qi Gong and Dao Yin classes, somatic/movement teachings, and Earth-based practices that support a more embodied, connected and healthy life. He operates a private practice, teaches for nonprofits, and leads community classes and ceremonies.Mark's profound understanding and ability to blend mystical visions with scientific study make this conversation a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. Mark shares insights from decades of practice in the healing arts, including his conceptualization of the "circle of visions" and how attentional intimacy and communion with life's intelligence can lead to profound healing. We delve into his deep connection with nature, the power of grief, and transformative experiences in his own healing journey. He also touches on the significance of holding space for joy amidst ecological and societal challenges.Episode HighlightsThe Power of Grief: Mark emphasizes embracing grief as a path to deeper love and soul connection.Ecological Despair and Healing: Insights on navigating ecological despair and finding healing through a greater understanding of the earth's intelligence.Visions and Spiritual Experiences: Mark shares transformative visions and spiritual encounters that have shaped his practice.Holding Dichotomy and Paradox: The importance of balancing the celebration of beauty with the acknowledgment of despair.Connection with Nature: Mark discusses his deep bond with nature and how it has guided and healed him throughout his life.The Role of Fascia in Healing: Insights into how fascia, the body's connective tissue, plays a crucial role in sensing and responding to the world.Community and Shared Grief: Community and shared experiences in processing grief and preventing despair.Mark Jensen“My journey began in Northern Minnesota and has carried me across landscapes, traditions, and thresholds of healing. Though trained in college and graduate school, my true education came from life itself—from births and deaths I was honored to attend, from those who entrusted me with their bodies, and from teachers across disciplines like Osteopathy, Daoism, Chinese Medicine, Herbalism, Deep Ecology, and land-based ceremony. The land has been my greatest teacher—from the plains of Oklahoma to the mountains of New Mexico, and now, back home to the shores of Gichigami (Lake Superior).I live in Duluth, Minnesota with my wife, artist Riha Rothberg, and our cat Gus. I continue to teach healthcare practitioners and maintain a private healing practice rooted in presence, ecology, and transformation.”Resource LinksLearn more about Mark and how to engage in his offerings, courses, and events at marksjensendc.comSubscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

A conversation with new clients, on the lookout for that elusive dream - a cheap, older Japanese house in Osaka city that they can rent out for short term stays, as well as leverage for a Japanese Business Manager Visa. What should they buy, how can they manage it remotely, how will they get their license, and when can they move to Japan?

Springtime in North Carolina is gorgeous. It can't help itself. Perhaps it's oblivious to—or in radical disagreement with—the brokenness of our times. Either way, the azaleas burst into riotous bloom, the crepe myrtles frill themselves in defiant pinks. In the mornings, birds trade secrets across the creek, their calls carried on air perfumed with fresh dew on pine needles to the back porch, where I sit in my mother's rocking chair.This is the place where one branch of my family has put down roots. An invisible wheel exists here among us, with smaller wheels—wheels within wheels—turning persistently through the seasons. It's also the place where a beloved uncle passed last autumn, just as the maple outside his bedroom window flared into auburn light. In his final days, we watched that tree together and recounted long-forgotten stories. I remembered a visit to First Street in Rumson, when he swung me onto his shoulders and walked down the street. I remembered how the curves of his shoulders hummed beneath me as he laughed. How tall I felt then, how near to the canopy of trees; how the world suddenly seemed bigger and closer, and I, more a part of it—alive to everything, and everything alive around us.Memory can work like this—the way light filters through leaves or a scent pulls you backward. In a recent conversation with Krista Tippett, musician Justin Vernon (better known as Bon Iver) said, “I thought I was done being surprised… but there are things behind things behind things.” The layers accumulate, folded under the weight of time, only to surface in time, unbidden yet strangely familiar.Now the maple is green again, its leaves doing what they were made to do when touched by springtime light. Its roots drink in a soft rain. Some layers remain hidden, or slip away, only to circle back, as though time itself were not linear, but folding in on itself like fabric. And I think about how you have entered the mystery now, and maybe you are humming in some new, unknowable way.Practice—call it “mindfulness” or whatever name feels right—is an agreement to be touched by the world, by the nature of our aliveness. David Abram called it “a kindredship of matter with itself.” We learn to live in reciprocal communion, even unknowingly, and discover within ourselves gradually more tonality, more steadiness, more truth. When we plant ourselves in this moment, and notice the ways we are thirsty, and then return again and again, we begin to sense that our lives are not just motion or mechanism, but part of some deeper listening—not just hub and spoke, but spiraling motion.Hope, too, is a force of nature. It arrives unannounced. Here's another chance, another season. The word numinous comes from numen—a Latin term that means both “a nod of the head” and “divine will.” Now spring has found its fulcrum, and with a quiet nod toward resurrection, it invites us to reach for something like joy, whether or not we feel ready or agree with time's assessment.Springtime is not a promise. It's a presence. A tilt in the wheel. A shimmer in the unseen. A reminder that aliveness is not always sweet or simple—but it is, still, ours.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

In August 2004, American student David Sneddon disappeared while hiking in China's Tiger Leaping Gorge. Despite official claims that he fell into the Jinsha River, his family's investigation uncovered multiple witness accounts suggesting he survived and reached Shangri-La. A guide, Keith Chu Chung, reported hiking with David, who spoke fluent Mandarin, Korean, and English, to Tina's Guesthouse, and 12 other witnesses, including the owner of the Yak Bar in Shangri-La, confirmed seeing him as late as August 14, 2004. However, Chinese authorities confiscated guesthouse logs, and all witnesses later recanted, fueling suspicions of a cover-up. In 2011, Chuck Downs, a former Pentagon official, proposed that North Korea abducted David, possibly mistaking him for a smuggler or targeting him as an English teacher due to his language skills, as the gorge was a route for North Korean defectors. Reports in 2012 and 2016 supported this, suggesting David, under the name Yoon Bong Soo, was teaching English in North Korea, married with two children. Despite these leads, the U.S. and Chinese governments maintain he died, and North Korea denies involvement. The Sneddons, frustrated by official inaction, possibly due to U.S. nuclear negotiations with North Korea, urge public awareness through social media and contacting officials to seek justice for David and highlight North Korea's human rights issues. Additional case details, including maps, are available on Instagram at @TheDarkOakPodcast.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Dark Oak 02:40 100th Episode Celebration and Giveaway 06:55 David Sneddon 01:08:40 The Branch of Hope   Sources: Persio, S. L. (2018, June 11). Did North Korea kidnap a U.S. citizen in China? Family hopes Singapore summit will help bring their son home. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/family-us-student-who-disappeared-china-looks-north-korea-summit-answers-967469 China Discovery. (n.d.). China Discovery - Leading China Travel Agency with Reviews. https://www.chinadiscovery.com/ Vogel, C., & Vogel, C. (2022, May 12). Did North Korea kidnap an American hiker? Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker/ “Thinking Sideways Podcast” David Sneddon (Podcast episode 2015) - Plot - IMDB. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14457712/plotsummary/ O'Donoghue, A. J. (2023, December 31). Utah parents long for answers in missing son's case. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2012/8/5/20505138/utah-parents-long-for-answers-in-missing-son-s-case/ Korea's other Otto Warmbier. (2017, June 23). News. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/north-koreas-other-otto-the-unbelievable-story-of-missing-hiker-david-sneddon/news-story/90ab2549acafc281d965f7700c52bb4e Corbin, C. (2017, June 28). Family of David Sneddon, missing US student, says North Korea kidnapped him. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/world/family-of-david-sneddon-missing-us-student-says-north-korea-kidnapped-him David Sneddon: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China. (2024, February 8). Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/david-sneddon-tiger-leaping-gorge-china/id1715813037?i=1000644599761   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

These orphanages once held children… now they hold something far more chilling.Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateDISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.IN THIS EPISODE: We'll explore chilling stories of haunted orphanages, where the echoes of heartbroken and lonely children linger long after the buildings have been abandoned. (Haunted Orphanage Stories) *** “If only these walls could talk,” we've heard people say. But what if the walls could talk? In the world of paranormal investigations, the “Stone Tape Theory” is gaining recognition – or at least raising eyebrows and intrigue. Could the walls of your home have recorded your horrific death – and then replay that scene as a haunting? (The Stone Tape Theory) *** One thing is for sure in this life – and that is, your life will eventually cease. How you go out could make or break your legacy. Freak accidents are something you'd probably want to avoid, but they happen – and I have a few examples to share. (Weird Deaths) *** In the misty expanse of Bodmin Moor, a tragic tale of love, jealousy, and murder unfolded in 1844. When Charlotte Dymond's lifeless body was found, all eyes turned to her lover, Matthew Weeks, whose subsequent execution left many questioning his guilt. (The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond) *** The Urantia Book – a fascinating and controversial text that blends science, religion, and philosophy into a cosmic narrative of divine beings and celestial order. But no one knows who wrote it. (The Urantia Book Of Cosmic Thought) *** I'm trying something new by telling a true story of old murder in an old detective style… I call it “Murder Noir” and tonight's case will be the death of Jeanette Earnest in Fort Worth in 1954. (Murder Noir, Jeanette Earnest) *** On Monday 17th October 1814, a terrible disaster claimed the lives of at least 8 people. A bizarre industrial accident resulted in the release of a tsunami onto the streets of London… comprised entirely of beer. (A Sudden Wave of Suds)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate and Only Accurate For the Commercial Version)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:11.492 = Show Open00:04:10.942 = Haunted Orphanage Stories00:17:50.495 = The Urantia Book of Cosmic Thought00:24:16.312 = The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond00:29:43.049 = The Stone Tape Theory00:39:43.488 = Weird Deaths00:48:41.582 = A Sudden Wave of Suds00:53:53.546 = Murder Noir: “The Case of the Obsessed Uncle”01:00:44.516 = Show Close, Verse, and Final ThoughtSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Haunted Orphanage Stories” source: Elle Tharp, Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yjhkvhs7“The Urantia Book Of Cosmic Thought” source: Zoe Mitchel, Anomalien.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2yax9yes(Read the Urantia Book online: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4e5a45ca)“The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond” source: Les Hewitt, Historic Mysteries: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4aczfd8r“Murder Noir: The Case of the Obsessed Uncle” source: Robert A. Waters, Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/39mw7shb“Weird Deaths” written by Kelsie Christine McConnell for The-Line-Up.com (used with permission):https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckzkny2“A Sudden Wave of Suds” source: Ben Johnson, Historic-UK.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8br9ap“The Stone Tape Theory” by Rachel Elizabeth for The-Line-Up.com (used with permission):https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8rfdy8=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 04, 2024EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/HauntedOrphangesTAGS: haunted orphanages, ghost stories, paranormal podcast, creepy orphanage tales, real haunted places, ghosts of children, abandoned orphanages, scary orphanage stories, true ghost stories, haunted places you can visit, paranormal activity, haunted locations, Weird Darkness podcast, scary podcast episodes, haunted institutions, ghost hunting stories, real life haunted orphanages, crybaby lane haunting, Guthrie Boys Home ghost, St John's Orphanage Goulburn, Savannah haunted orphanage, Gore Orphanage ghosts, Odd Fellows Home Liberty MO, Twin Bridges Orphanage, St Marys Orphanage Galveston, Holy Family Orphanage Michigan, Vallejo haunted orphanage, Fairmount Children's Home, Elizabeth Orphan Asylum, Gettysburg haunted orphanage, St Vincent's Guest House ghosts, child spirits haunting, dark history orphanages, abandoned haunted buildings, urban exploration ghost stories, ghost sightings at orphanages, eerie ghost encounters, haunted travel destinations, supernatural stories, real ghost encounters

Part 1 of 2 - David Sneddon, a 24-year-old Brigham Young University student from Logan, Utah, disappeared on August 14, 2004, while hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China, after completing Mandarin language classes in Beijing. A devout Mormon, Eagle Scout, and experienced hiker fluent in Korean and Mandarin, David was described as smart, outgoing, and adventurous, with plans to attend law school. He had spent two years in South Korea on a Mormon mission and was studying in Beijing with friend George Bailey during the summer of 2004.   After classes, David and George traveled to southern China. On August 9, they parted ways, with David heading to hike the 16-mile High Trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic but well-maintained trail. His last communication was an email to his parents on August 11 from Lijiang, expressing excitement about the hike and returning home. He planned to stay at Tina's Guesthouse, visit Shangri-La, and fly to Seoul to meet his brother Michael on August 15. When David missed the flight, his family reported him missing.   Chinese authorities conducted a brief investigation, finding no trace of David in hostels, hospitals, or jails. His passport and $700 in his bank account remained untouched, and his backpack, left at Jane's Guesthouse in Lijiang, contained undeveloped film showing his travels. Despite no evidence of foul play and a heavily trafficked trail, officials concluded David fell into the Jinsha River and drowned, a theory his parents, Roy and Kathleen, rejected due to his hiking experience and the trail's safety.   On September 9, 2004, Roy and sons Michael and James traveled to Yunnan to retrace David's steps, hiring a translator and guide. They found the trail safe, wide, and busy, with no perilous drops, contradicting the official narrative. The family's methodical search—using non-leading questions and photos—yielded a confirmed sighting: a guide, Keith Chu Chung, recalled David hiking with a Hong Kong couple on August 11, reaching Tina's Guesthouse by 7 p.m., proving he exited the gorge safely.   The Sneddons grew suspicious of the Chinese authorities' efforts, noting performative searches with bloodhounds and missing person posters that seemed staged. Seven years later, a phone call (details undisclosed) reignited hope that David might be alive. Part 2 will cover the family's continued search, official reactions, and theories, including a controversial claim of North Korean abduction.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Dark Oak 03:30 100th Episode Celebration and Giveaway 05:30 David Sneddon 39:00 The Branch of Hope     Sources: Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/family-us-student-who-disappeared-china-looks-north-korea-summit-answers-967469 Vogel, C., & Vogel, C. (2022, May 12). Did North Korea kidnap an American hiker? Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker/ “Thinking Sideways Podcast” David Sneddon (Podcast episode 2015) - Plot - IMDB. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14457712/plotsummary/ 13: David Sneddon: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China - The Last Trip | iHeart. (n.d.). iHeart. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-the-last-trip-127775104/episode/13-david-sneddon-tiger-leaping-gorge-148633018/ China Discovery. (n.d.). China Discovery - Leading China Travel Agency with Reviews. https://www.chinadiscovery.com/   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Stand-Up On The Spot! Featuring completely improvised sets from Pauly Shore, Jodie Sweetin, Ryan Sickler, Blair Socci, Avery Pearson & Jeremiah Watkins. No material. Comedians create Stand-Up On The Spot off audience suggestions. Everything is covered from Mall Santas to Special Ed Dentists & more! Jeremiah Watkins you know from Trailer Tales, Dr. Phil Live, his special DADDY, and as the host and creator of Stand-Up On The Spot. Pauly Shore you know from movies like Guest House on Netflix, Son in Law, Bio-Dome, Encino Man, and from Jam in the Van. Jodie Sweetin you know from Full House, Fuller House, and numerous movies. Ryan Sickler is the host of the Honeydew podcast, The Wayback, and has a new special called Lefty's Son. Blair Socci has a special Live from the Big Dog, and has appeared on James Corden, and is a voice in Aquateen Forever: Plantasm. Avery Pearson is host of Comedian Rhapsody, Keys to the Store, and is the co-founder of Thousand Percent Productions with Jeremiah Watkins. Follow the Comedians! Jeremiah Watkins  @jeremiahwatkins   @TrailerTalesPod   @standupots  https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahstandup Pauly Shore  @paulyshore  https://www.instagram.com/paulyshore Jodie Sweetin https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin Ryan Sickler  @rsickler  https://www.instagram.com/ryansickler Blair Socci  @blairsocciofficial  https://www.instagram.com/blairsocci Avery Pearson  @averypearsonkeys  https://www.instagram.com/averypearsonkeys Stand-Up On The Spot https://www.instagram.com/standupots  @standupots  Sponsored by: Blue Chew Support the show and try BlueChew for free, just pay $5 shipping with code SPOT at https://www.bluechew.com Interested in sponsoring the show? Email standupots@gmail.com for inquiries SOTS: #1HourSpecial #StandupComedy #PaulyShore #RyanSickler #JodieSweetin #BlairSocci #AveryPearson SOTS: Pauly Shore, Jodie Sweetin, Ryan Sickler, Blair Socci, Avery Pearson, Jeremiah Watkins | Ep 71 #StandUpOnTheSpot #SOTS #Jeremiah Watkins #CrowdWork

http://copperplatemailorder.com/podcast303                     Copperplate Time 502             presented by Alan O'Leary           www.copperplatemailorder.com  1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   Afterhours 2. Providence: The Glentain Reel/The Sandymount/The Beauty Spot/Ravelled Hank of Yarn/The Midnight Reel. Geantrai 3. Dave Sheridan:   Christy Barry's/King of the Pipers/Michael Dwyer's.   Sheridan's Guest House 4. Simon & Garfunkel: April Come She Will.   Old Friends 5. Buttons & Bows:   The Return of Spring/The Mountain Pathway.     The Return of Spring 6. PJ Crotty & James Cullinan:  Tomeen O'Dea's/Midsummer's Night/Shamrock Hill.   Happy to Meet 7. Noel Hill:   An Phis Fluich/Fisherman's Jig.                   Live in New York 8. Rita Gallagher:   Erin's Green Shore.                The Heathery Hills  9. Kevin Burke & Jackie Daly:  An Paistin Fionn/The Atlantic Sound.    Eavesdropper 10. Dylan Carlos, Cian Sweeney, John McCairtin: The Swaggering Jig/Dever the Dancer/Farewel to Whalley Range.  The One After It 11. John Regan & Patsy Moloney:        Old Limerick Reel/Donald Blue:  Over the Bog Road 12. Ronan Browne & Peadar O'Loughlin:        Táim in Arrears/Hardyman the Fiddler.   Geantrai 13. Ralph McTell:   Sabrene.  Private Recording 14. Christy Moore:  Sunflowers.  A Terrible Beauty 15. Declan O'Rourke: Olympian.   Arrivals16. Fleadh: Killarney Boys/Hunt the Squirrel/Drag Her Around the Road.                  The Peacock's Feather 17. We Banjo 3:  Bunch of Green Rushes/Salt Creek.                   Gather the Good 18. Martin Carthy:   Lovely Joan.                  Transform Me Into a Fish 19. Andy Irvine:   King Bore & The Sandman.                       Rainy Sundays 20. Gerry Diver:  Hora.  Diversions 21. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   Afterhours

Author of the new book The Words that Shape Us (Scholastic), Lily uses innovative language to help parents and children navigate the challenges and triumphs of life.   Her new book is centered on the Power of Words and how the words and phrases we use with children can help grow their emotional literacy, teach them how to self-regulate, practice self-compassion, and build imagination and self-esteem. They will discuss: The science behind how words shape a child and offer language suggestions that will foster positive self-talk and self-esteem, including:  “What a brilliant mistake! What learning can you find in it?” This language dissolves shame associated with failure and encourages children to investigate mistakes with curiosity and regulation, not avoidance or a cold-sweat. “Hello, feeling visitor!” This phrase, inspired by Rumi's poem “The Guesthouse,” empowers kids to understand that they are separate from their emotional experiences, and underscores the truth that all feelings are impermanent. “Let's think ishfully as we jump into this challenge.” Guiding a child to approach assignments with an “ishful” spirit can deter perfectionistic tendencies.  “Turn on your birder mindset. What will you notice?” This language inspires kids to approach new experiences and activities with sustained attention and through the lens of “What funny, interesting, joyful thing will happen here?” Kids elicit what they project, and switching on their ‘birder mindset' invites them to notice small moments of delight they'd otherwise miss. Purchase The Words That Shape Us everywhere books are sold. Go deeper with Sean at www.SaveMyFamily.us

Send us a textWe catch up with multitasker extraordinaire, Erin Hines, Beverage Director at both Guesthouse and Mijo in Marin, and the proprietor of Bitter Girl Bitters 

Today is the Vernal Equinox. We're promised incremental victories of light. But early spring is no darling — not here in the high desert. Here, she can be chafing and mercurial; she can show up in sputtering, immature fits and freezes; in mean winds that would cut down the most tender and flower-faced among us without reason.Earlier this week, the sky howled and turned the color of mud at mid-day. Cell phones blared out public safety warnings. Dust agitated at every seam.What's a nervous system to do? Have mercy on the tender-hearted, Lord — on the dream of apricots and cherries, and the boy at school pickup who is rubbing and rubbing his nose against the back of his chapped hand.Like you, I am learning to find refuge. I am learning to take shelter in the soft aliveness of my body; remembering in adulthood what came so easily and imaginatively to my younger self — how to build a fort, how to tuck into a small world of my own making.So, I gather a reading light, a ball of yarn, knitting needles, and a poetry collection, and I tent a wool blanket over my head to hole up for the duration.One thing I know for sure is how a poem can serve like the keel of a boat, offering stability and resistance against sideways forces. A poem — a few words that, when linked together at an angle just so, can carry us into and beyond their meaning. And so it is with this needfulness, under a blanket in my living room, that I come to Wordsworth's “Lines Written in Early Spring,” a meditation he wrote in 1798 on the joyful, interwoven consciousness of nature — a “thousand blended notes” of birdsong — and humanity's grievous failure to remember its place under the canopy of all things.In the grove where the speaker sits, twigs “spread out their fan,” flowers “enjoy the air,” and Nature, personified, is a force with a “holy plan.” But human beings, the speaker laments, have lost the splendrous sensibilities of spring: “If such be Nature's holy plan / Have I not reason to lament / What man has made of man?”It occurs to me that man has done many good things with his hands. I am thinking now of a live performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, or the sweater that Wendy-from-the-yarn-shop just masterfully knitted, or the perfectly packaged mini-waffles my friend Ted brought back from a recent trip to Japan.But much of the time, we get things at least half-wrong. Like seed-creatures, we struggle to find our way upward through hard ground. We move too quickly, unaware of our conditions, and make mistakes. We forget to pause and remember the purpose of our unearthing. And we forget the interweave, the garden of our original belonging.So, I'm teaching myself how to knit. Novice that I am, it's awkward work. It's near-in. I tink (a new word for me, a semordnilap that refers to the act of un-stitching) almost as often as I knit. I struggle to position my hands, to maintain the right angle, I poke around and lose count and then I have to begin again.And in all this seeming progress and unraveling, as I return to mistakes embedded long ago, a new pattern — peaceful and even elegant — is steadily emerging. Oh, nervous system, dear friend. I am un-stitching and stitching myself back together again. I am braiding threads of myself into an artwork of my own making, which is weaving me back into something greater than my own making. And when the thing is ready, I will hold it up in wonder. I will hold it to my cheek.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

History is often told through the epic struggles of famous personalities or grand movements. Yet sometimes the voices of ordinary people break through. In this episode, Maurice J Casey speaks to Danny Bird about his new book, Hotel Lux, which follows three connected families through the upheavals of the 20th century. Bound by idealism, friendship and love, their journey begins in 1920s Moscow, inside a hotel that was once a sanctuary for international revolutionaries drawn to the Soviet Union's bold vision for a better world. (Ad) Maurice J Casey is the author of Hotel Lux: An Intimate History of Communism's Forgotten Radicals (Footnote Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotel-Lux-Intimate-Communisms-Forgotten/dp/180444099X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Israeli military strike on a media residence in Lebanon killed three journalists as they slept, and wounded several others. The Lebanese Information Minister called the strike “an assassination." Also, Major League Baseball draws star athletes from across the globe, with a whopping 28% of the players in the league this season born outside the country. As the Dodgers and the Yankees head to the World Series, there are a few international players — including a current superstar — who will be stepping up to bat. And, as Halloween approaches, we hear about the discovery of a previously unknown short story by the author of "Dracula." An amateur historian stumbled on the spooky tale, which had disappeared from public record for more than a century, in the archives of a Dublin library.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air.And, we're looking for feedback on our website. Take our quick survey!

I'm away from home because of Hurricane Helene (mandatory evac, mandatory vacay), but I'm here, and *in my Prince voice* my mic is on! I love you!  _______________________________ Jesus, this Love, finished it before the beginning,  but we're celebrating it now.  Watching now.  Trusting now.  Surrendering it all now.  Let go,  and, 'let your weight be carried by the earth beneath you, now.'* It's happening. I Love you,  nik  ________________________________________ My new book, 'Wake Up to Love' is a lifetime in the making (and now a Top New Release, thanks to you!). Divinely inspired. Love led. And WILL bring forth the ‘more' in you. ❤️‍