The Gathering Room Podcast

No matter where you are in the world, when you hit February you’re likely to hit the doldrums. Martha offers some ideas for keeping our inspiration stoked and burning during tough times and explains that there are many parallels between fire-tending and motivational maintenance. Both require fuel to burn (self-care), heat (energy from other people), and oxygen (truth and integrity). Listen in to find out more about this inspirational triad! (Originally aired: Jan. 31, 2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have been socialized to believe that instant gratification is both possible and desirable. It’s neither, of course, and in this conversation Martha reminds us of that fact. She points out that we can do anything one step at a time, including achieving enlightenment! Each step we take toward relief and away from suffering moves us toward the bliss of being. She shares an exercise to help us detach from worry and empower relief in our everyday lives. (Originally aired: Jan. 24, 2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As world events continue to dish up unrest and upheaval, many people feel more easily triggered than usual. Since there’s so much potential for misunderstanding, Martha suggests we speak every word from the truest truths we possess. That way, if someone is triggered, we won’t react explosively. She also shares the “spot, stop, swap” strategy from Jay Shetty’s book Think Like a Monk as a way to ensure we’re living from our own truth and mystery at all times. (Originally aired: Jan. 17, 2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Martha says we don’t need revolution, we need a dissolution where personal suffering is washed away by enlightenment. She contrasts mindless rage and mindful anger, explaining that the former feels good in our amygdalas but is entirely unproductive while the latter gives us both insight and impetus to take meaningful action. Martha assures us that learning to dissolve mindless rage will lead us to dissolving our own suffering. (Originally aired: Jan. 10, 2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The season of resolutions, vision boards, and intention-setting lists is upon us! Martha shares a few stories about the magic of creating mindful lists, including remarkably long ones and ones that describe our ideal partners in extreme detail. She implores those of us who make such lists to consider them tools or guidance systems for attracting what we want. She also explains the differences between big dreams and outlandish fantasies. (Originally aired: Jan. 3, 2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes when you think you’re losing your mind, you’re actually regaining your sanity. Martha talks about a colleague who’s coping with the stress of 2020 by buying a huge number of houseplants and explains that this behavior—and other unusual or new behaviors like it—are a reaction to broken culture. She says when culture breaks, our true natures rise. 2020 was challenging, but it also taught our souls what they truly want to be. (Originally aired: Dec. 20, 2020)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The winter holiday season of 2020 has felt uncomfortably different for many of us, and Martha is eager to help reframe our year-end celebrations. Celtic Winter Solstice celebrations are about letting go of the year that’s coming to a close, cleansing, and releasing. She points out that many of us have experienced grief and loss in these past months and walks us through a guided meditation for creating emotional closure. (Originally aired: Dec. 13, 2020)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha, an expert on the emotional connections we have with money, shares transformative insights on how our feelings influence financial decisions. She highlights the need to reframe our relationship with money, advocating for abundance and generosity. The discussion explores the power of joyful giving and receiving, urging listeners to break free from toxic financial patterns. Martha also delves into the spiritual dimensions of wealth, suggesting practical exercises to foster security and peace, especially during stressful times.

Martha’s spiritual practices have helped her get through both physical and emotional pain and paved a path to bliss. But now that it’s getting colder, she’s not gravitating toward meditation and contemplation; she’s trading spiritual practice for staying warm in bed! In this episode, she discusses the cyclical nature of intention and relaxation in spirituality. (Originally aired: Nov. 29, 2020)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every one of us influences the world, but most of us don’t realize this. We focus instead on how much the world has influenced us. Martha points out that we can change this by shifting our attention. If we pay the most attention to people and events that have harmed us, those things will shape us. If we put our energy toward the people and events that have impacted us in positive ways, we can reshape the world as we experience it. (Originally aired: Nov. 23, 2020)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.