

The Morning Ritual
Lilly Macfarlane
For centuries, rituals have offered a sense of structure, meaning, and clarity in daily life. The Morning Ritual is a podcast devoted to exploring the power of daily practices. Here, we believe that transformation doesn’t happen in a single moment, but in the quiet, consistent choices we make every day. By showing up for ourselves through ritual, we learn how to show up more fully for our relationships, our work, our communities — and the world.Each week, host Lilly Macfarlane sits down with teachers, artists, healers, and entrepreneurs to explore how their daily rituals help them stay grounded, clear, and aligned with their purpose. This podcast isn’t just for early risers or seasoned meditators. It’s for anyone curious about living with more presence, depth, and integrity. Rate, review & most importantly, enjoy! Let's connect! Don't be shy, please reach out on: www.lillybalch.com Instagram: @_themorningritual https://substack.com/@themorningritualThe Morning Ritual is produced by The Space (London).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2024 • 15min
Welcome Back: Life Updates + 3 Takeaways from Starting a Business
The Morning Ritual is BACK! In today’s episode, I share what I’ve been up to for the past 6 months, the three big lessons I've learned since taking a break from the show, and what to expect from the season ahead.I'm super excited to announce that I’ve opened a yoga and sound healing studio in London called The Space! Are you based in London or have friends in England? Check us out and spread the love at www.thespacelondon.co.uk.Enjoying TMR? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.Join our Substack community for more- https://themorningritual.substack.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 6, 2024 • 38min
Dana Slamp on What it Means to Recognize the Divine Within
In today’s episode Dana Slamp talks about divinity and what it means to have a non-transactional relationship to the divine. Dana shares her recent experience of the divine mother and how that has changed her mindset completely. Write in your questions for us to address in part 2 to lillybalch@gmail.com Meanwhile, you can find Dana at danaslamp.com and learn more about Prema Yoga Institute here. RESOURCES: Splitting - Here is an article with additional information on splitting.Bhakti Yoga - For more information on Bhakti Yoga, here is an article. PYI Discounts for The Morning Ritual ListenersEnjoy $60US off* PYI's 25-hour Sound Yoga Therapy Training this Spring with the coupon, "MORNING60"Use the coupon, "MORNING200" - and TMR listeners can also take advantage of:$200 off* PYI's Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy Training in May$200 off* PYI's Yoga in Healthcare Training in October $200 off* PYI's Yoga Therapeutics Essentials in FebruaryYoga Teachers may also earn their RYT500 with PYI. Apply the "MORNING200" coupon and receive $200 off* our already-discounted 300 hour Online Yoga Teacher Certification with Yoga Alliance.*May not be combined with other offers. For new students onlyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Feb 28, 2024 • 13min
Meditation: Caring for your WHOLE self
In today's practice we invite our WHOLE self into this moment, caring for all the layers of our being. This meditation will leave you feeling grounded, relaxed and supported. Thank you for listening to The Morning Ritual. If you haven't already be sure to hit the subscribe button for more. Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review below! Join our Substack community for more.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Feb 21, 2024 • 46min
Merging Spirituality & Business with Kara Ladd
Kara Ladd is an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur & journalist known for her catalytic storytelling, purpose-driven thought leadership and boutique consultancy. In today's conversation, Kara and I talk about breaking the binary between spirituality and business, the daily rituals that help us prevent burnout and how to live with more alignment and intention. Learn more about Kara here. Join our Substack community for more.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Feb 14, 2024 • 17min
Meditation: What is an ‘open heart’?
Today’s episode is a guided meditation exploring what it means to live with an open heart. How can we release the weight and pressure of life and feel into an expansive, free, warm and open heart? You can find the journal prompts that go with today's practice here. Join our February Gathering: The Morning Ritual's February Gathering will be held on Wednesday, February 28th at 12pm EST. Grab your ticket here. TMR's monthly gathering is FREE for our paid subscribers on Substack. Join our Substack community for free access.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Feb 7, 2024 • 42min
How your mindset affects your physical health with Dr. Chiti Parikh
Dr. Chiti Parikh, co-founder of the Integrative Health and Wellbeing at NewYork-Presbyterian in collaboration with Weill Cornell, has dedicated her life to combining the best of eastern and western medicine. In today’s episode we dive into the power that our mind has over our physical wellbeing, the seven ancient health secrets, mindful eating, and the future of holistic health in a western healthcare system.Learn more about Dr. Chiti Parikh here. *ANNOUNCEMENT: The Morning Ritual's February Gathering will be held on Wednesday, February 28th at 12pm EST. Grab your ticket here. TMR's monthly gathering is FREE for our paid subscribers on Substack. Join our Substack community for free access.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jan 31, 2024 • 14min
Meditation: Learn to Respond, Not React
Today's practice is all about responding versus reacting to life. Mindfulness allows us to see the space between stimulus and response and gives us the power to choose our response. I hope that you enjoy today's practice.Join our Substack community for more.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.***The Morning Ritual is sponsored by BetterHelp. For easy, accessible therapy visit www.betterhelp.com/themorningritual for 10% off your first month of therapy.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jan 24, 2024 • 35min
Permission to Rest with Ashley Neese
Ashley Neese is a renowned breathwork teacher, author, parent, and land steward. She has spent over a decade working at the intersections of embodiment, transformation, and renewal. In today’s conversation Ashley and I cover:{2:10} Ashley’s story and journey towards a more restful existence {6:25} What is rest? What is not rest?{10:20} Why do we find it so hard to rest? {18:25} The power of daily micro practices {22:30} Navigating breathwork when our breath is constricted or shallow {33:11} Rapid fire questions for Ashley Learn more about Ashley here: https://www.ashleyneese.com/ Join our Substack community for more.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jan 17, 2024 • 10min
Meditation: Meet Yourself Where You Are
This practice is an invitation to let go of perfectionism and allow yourself to be exactly where you are. By stopping the fight against how we wish to be, we can restore energy and shift our state more effectively than through striving and forcing. If you haven’t already, be sure to hit the subscribe button, rate + review!***The Morning Ritual is sponsored by BetterHelp. For easy, accessible therapy visit www.betterhelp.com/themorningritual for 10% off your first month of therapy.Join our Substack community for more.You can also find TMR on Instagram, TikTok, & Youtube.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jan 10, 2024 • 36min
Elena Brower on Working with The Mind + Softening Time
I’m so delighted to share the conversation that I had with Elena Brower. Mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author and host of the Practice You Podcast, Elena Brower has taught yoga and meditation since 1999. In today’s episode we discuss: 1:18 Elena’s new book Softening Time3:55 Elena’s daily practices to help steady the mind 7:22 “Don’t believe all of your thoughts” 10:33 What is NVC? (Non-Violent Communication) 20:00 A quick way to show yourself empathy and compassion 23:21 A reading of Elena’s poem “Dear 31 year old self” 25:55 Rapid fire question time! 29:30 A mini-meditation to set the tone for your day. References: Tracee Stanley’s book The Luminous SelfElena’s episode on NYC with Micah SalaberriosLearn more about Elena hereAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands


