Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

On this week's episode, I propose that mea culpa is a good place to start as we honor Black History Month. The Latin phrase mea culpa is an exclamation of apology or remorse, admitting that one has caused harm. For true racial healing to happen in this country, I long for us to own up to the threats, controls and discrimination embedded in our country's systems. I am relieved to notice more white people expressing their own forms of mea culpa, as they are dedicated to learning, open to admitting harm, and willing to take responsibility. That feels like a meaningful way to celebrate Black History Month. Check out the Show Notes for links to Marianne Williamson's proposal for reparations as well as an insightful IG account from Kellie Snider, an older white woman, who reminds white people to remain curious and disciplined in our current political climate.  Enjoy the podcast!  Links: Marianne Williamson talks about reparations IG: @kelliesnider.art

My guest today is Beth Ellen Adubato. I met Beth last month and was so impressed with her background and dedication to making a positive impact in the world. From her own personal experience of being sexually assaulted in college, Beth has championed women's issues for decades and created an organization that supports women of domestic violence. She has been a journalist, researcher and professor of criminal justice, at both Saint Peter's University and Rutgers University, training her students to be critical thinkers, who care for others with empathy.  Beth now feels compelled to serve her state on a larger scale and is running for Congress in New Jersey District 7. Her run for Congress reflects her values, determination and strength, embodying what it means to be a courageous leader who speaks the truth and stands up to injustice. I am so grateful that someone with Beth's experience wants to throw her hat in the political ring. If you live in NJ-7 or know people who do, please share Beth's info and let's support someone with this rich experience and integrity to be voted into Congress.   Check out the Show Notes for links to Beth's website, her L.I.N.D.A. Organization and her email. Perhaps you want to host a meet and greet and/or encourage others to do so. Enjoy the podcast!  Links: www.beth4nj.com www.wearelinda.org badubato@saintpeters.edu badubato@scj.rutgers.edu

On this week's episode I honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate this inspiring civil rights leader and his work for racial equality and social justice. I feel it's imperative to be reminded who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he fought for, particularly amidst our current toxic atmosphere of erasure. I highlight 10 significant facts about Dr. King, and play an audio clip of what Dr. King had the audacity to believe. It moved me deeply, as a child, to hear Dr. King speak and now 60 years later, I marvel at how poignantly his words resonate for us at this moment in time.  May we reflect today on King's legacy. May Dr. King's sacred activism, motivate us to stand up for justice. May we carry on his inspiring work to invest in treating Black Americans, Native Americans and all our immigrant brothers and sisters with equity and dignity. Happy MLK Day!!!  Enjoy the podcast!  Links:The King Center 10 Facts About Martin Luther King

On this week's episode, I describe the word Justice that I've chosen for 2026. I want this word to be integrated into my thoughts, words and actions this year. I want justice to guide me, inspire me, and empower me to advocate for fairness, accountability, and restorative relationships. Yes, I will start with myself, but, oh how I want to live in a world where justice is upheld and can radiate throughout this country.   May 2026 be a year where injustices are no longer tolerated and people are held accountable for their dehumanizing behavior. May we work in solidarity to cultivate social justice, racial justice, economic justice, criminal justice and climate justice! What word have you chosen to for guidance and growth? May your 2026 word enlighten, uplift and inspire you. Enjoy the podcast! 

On this week's episode, I mark the beginning of our podcast's 9th year and reflect on the 5 people I honored and the 45 stories I shared from 2025. It was a very challenging year personally and politically, yet I trust that there are spiritual lessons and opportunities for learning and healing. May we all practice restoring humanity, dignity, compassion and justice. Blessings for a healing, engaged, empowering year. May you be safe and healthy, and join me in searching for the mysterious, wondrous ways the Universe is conspiring to help us evolve, help us to live more authentically, more joyfully. Blessings for the courage, grace and wisdom needed for 2026.

In addition to the wide range of emotions, this past week, I've also felt humbled. Humbled by my friend, Wayne who is living with the brutal disease ALS. Paul and I spent 4 days and 4 overnights with Wayne, while his wife was out of town. I am humbled by the human spirit that can still nurture a positive attitude, despite being so physically limited. Humbled by resilience, the choice to remain grateful and generous. Humbled by the aides who make personal sacrifices to show up with kindness, patience, and professionalism.  Humbled by what this brings out in my husband, in me, as we expand the best of us. Humbled by the wisdom in this quote by Arnaud Desjardins: "By feeling gratitude towards life, I move towards light, wholeness, universal energy, love. I move beyond the bounds of my own life and discover that I am an expression or form of universal life, of divine energy."  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us.  May we be present to the fullness of life, the hurt, pain, tenderness and generosity. May we allow ourselves to feel deeply. May we nurture ourselves in our vulnerability. May we embody love, truth, and justice and allow those words to dwell among us in this very full month.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended.  It began with the clearing out of kitchen shelving, then the kitchen pantry, then a new hinge for a cabinet door, which reminded us that the kitchen window needed replacing. Listen to see what unfolds from there! I'm guessing you might be able to relate! Let's keep a sense of humor when the ball gets rolling! Here's to dealing with home improvement projects and knowing that when you give a mouse a cookie, the story is not over! Enjoy the podcast! 

On this week's episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this past year. Their absence has an impact on me along with a web of other people, all experiencing changes without these individuals in our lives.  I am comforted by the Buddhist teaching on impermanence, that everything that comes also goes, everything that lives must die, and everything that is created will crumble. Change and self-discovery are intertwined. May change not be feared but a force that propels us forward. There are plenty of changes that I embrace wholeheartedly and plenty that I resist, so may we honor the life long journey we have to practice embracing change. Enjoy the podcast!

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd highlight the gratitude theory and the 4 A's of gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Action. This week is an ideal time to be reminded of the power of an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset can lighten us, enrich what is in front of us and help us navigate our challenges. A grateful heart shifts our own mood and positively impacts those around us.  May we give thanks every day by cultivating a gratitude theory with the 4 A's.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy the podcast! 

On this week's episode I honor Jude Vasquez, a beloved soul who shockingly died at the age of 34 from a heart condition. My son, Wil considered Jude not only one of his closest friends, but his bonus sister. Wil took this stunning photo of Jude, his Silver Queen. I describe the unexpected blessings I received when I attended a Celebration of Life gathering for Jude at the Bushwick Flea Market. As Rumi says: "Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through, and be silent." Listen to the podcast to hear of all the small wonders I observed. Thank you, Jude, for reminding Wil that it is in feeding the hungry, comforting the sick and working for justice that we see the face of God. May we each observe the wonders that occur around us, even in unexpected places. May we feel the artistry moving through and be silent.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, there were two things that ignited hope for me this past week. One was the championing of ordinary people by the new mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani. Witnessing a leader with compassion, courage and integrity stirred in me some much needed hope.The other was how powerfully the black voters came through, once again, to ensure most of the blue wins across the country. As Kieth Boykin points out "Black voters show up for policies that help every body: affordable housing, lower utility bills, jobs, justice and democracy itself!"  Hope is ignited in me when we speak up against hatred, violence and corruption! When we take a stand for decency, respect and honoring the constitution. May we unite in justice, in truth, and in joy. May we come together to empower the marginalized. May we continue to ignite hope. And may we find creative ways to keep that hope alive!  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, as we are in the heart of the Autumn season, I describe what it means that the veil is thinner. The boundary between the physical world and the spiritual world is more permeable, therefore the veil is thinner. This thinner veil allows for greater, more direct communication with our spirit guides, our deceased loved ones and ancestors.  So in this period of the veil being thinner between the physical and spiritual realms, may we acknowledge and honor the dead. May we remember them, tell stories of them, carry on their interests, values and light. May we let go and embrace change. May we welcome the clarity, guidance and support of the spirits. May we expand our consciousness, to trust that we are spiritual beings housed in physical bodies. May we have a better sense of our own eternity. Happy Thinner Veil Season! Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I highlight Leigh McGowan, also known as Politics Girl, who tells it like it is. Her honest, courageous posts inspire me to speak my truth, particularly these days when speaking truth is ignored or punished by this administration. @iampoliticsgirl helped me process the profound, invigorating and joyful experience of the NO Kings protest we attended in NYC on October 18th. And despite 8.2 million people showing up in every state in this country, along with incredible global support from over a dozen countries around the world, Trump and JD Vance attempted to vilify and negate the marches.   May we be critical thinkers, during these volatile days, and be informed by those we respect, trust and rely on to tell it like it is. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG: @iampoliticsgirl YouTube: Politics Girl 

On this week's episode, I highlight the No Kings 2.0 protest that happened this past weekend and the importance of this event. In addition to it being one of the largest protests in American history, and the solidarity and invigorating energy it filled me with, the protest is one of many necessary actions we need to take to stand up to Trump's unconstitutional violations.  I share a clip from Keith Boykin, who describes the coup that is in progress from this administration. Our democracy is at stake and we must join together to stop the political corruption, military force and horrific injustices. May we express our concerns, our values and our vision for a world of justice, equity, integrity and compassion. May human dignity, respect and justice be restored. Enjoy the podcast!  Links: IG @keithboykin NoKingsNYC.com

On this week's episode, I highlight the second word in the title of my podcast: UPLIFT. Even in the midst of hatred, violence and negativity, we can focus our attention on what lifts us up and how we might lift up others. I reference Hafiz' poem about Joy, particularly the line that says "we were created to smile, to love, to be lifted up and lift others up". May we honor what we were created for - let yourself be lifted up and enjoy lifting up those around you. Let the kindness, thoughtfulness, and gratitude naturally flow with ease. Happy lifting!  Enjoy the podcast! 

On this week's episode, I honor Dr. Jane Goodall, for her groundbreaking work as a naturalist, scientist, conservationist and dedicated activist. Even up to her death last week, at the age of 91, Jane Goodall embodied her mission to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature. I share some of her quotes that perhaps will encourage you to carry on her legacy. Check out the show notes for links to her obituary, website, TED Talks and National Geographic documentaries. She lives on in our hearts and hopefully in our actions. May we allow her beacon of light to keep shining. Enjoy the podcast!  Links: NYT Obituary Jane Goodall Quotes TED Talk Jane Goodall Institute Website JANE - A Film by Brett Morgen Jane Goodall: The Hope National Geographic Special 

On this week's episode, I share how full and grateful I am to be celebrating another year around the sun. I felt blessed on my birthday, plus the days before and after, soaking in nature, people, wonder, connection and so much love!  James Taylor's song "Shower the People" was my internal soundtrack all week.  May you feel surrounded by blessings and remind yourself that even in the midst of outrageous and despairing political news, we can focus on the love, connection, wonder and joy that is also accessible to us.  Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I acknowledge the Fall Equinox, when the length of the day and night are equal. Can you feel the promise of new beginnings in the fresh, crisp air of Autumn? I am partial to the symbolism of the Fall Equinox, since my birthday is September 23rd. The Fall Equinox and the Libra qualities of balance, justice and equanimity course through my veins.  May we all take time this Fall to reflect on what we stand for, what brings us meaning, what makes us a valuable person and how we can make this world a better place for all. My birthday wish is that we stop those who are trying to dominate others, we bring an end to those taking power away from the marginalized. May we empower ourselves and each other, as we strengthen the principles of democracy. Let us celebrate the Fall Equinox with clarity, gratitude, courage and decisive action for our greatest good. Enjoy the podcast!

On this week's episode, I explain the triple nine portal of last Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The number nine invites us to close old cycles and prepare for a fresh start. Triple nine energy equals Release, Align, Rise.  It's not too late for you to focus on what you what to release, how you can forgive yourself and others with compassion and rise into a higher vibration.  Reflect on what no longer serves you. Envision how you can show up more consciously and confidently for yourself, your relationships, your work and the proactive work needed in our country now. Let these three words be your guide: RELEASE, ALIGN, RISE!   Enjoy the podcast!