Untangle

Today’s guest is Dr. Shauna Shapiro.  Shauna is a best-selling author, professor, clinical psychologist, and internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. She has spent two decades studying the benefits of mindfulness and compassion, publishing over 150 papers and three critically acclaimed books. Her TEDx Talk, What You Practice Grows Stronger, has been viewed over 3 million times, and this concept is key to her philosophy.  Her book, Good Morning, I love you…encompasses the full range of practices that help us to grow both our meditation and compassion practices. I think you’ll find it interesting to learn how she decided to name her book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manifesting what you want in life is a tantalizing prospect. Danette May shares her amazing story of how her mindset, process, determination…. and some manifestation, made profound changes in her life. She shares her process of how to shift your own mind to manifest what you want. In the following episode, we explore what might be going on scientifically in the experience of manifestation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Rand, Founder of Rendever and named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2019, discusses how virtual reality can combat loneliness and social isolation among seniors. He shares insights on transformative VR experiences that promote mental well-being and social connections. Kyle explains the importance of thoughtful technology design and community engagement, especially post-pandemic. Personal anecdotes illustrate VR's impact, including innovative reminiscence therapy that reawakens cherished memories for individuals with dementia.

Koshin Paley Ellison and Chodo Campbell, two Zen Buddhist practitioners in Manhattan, talk about what led them to their meditation practice, their work in end-of-life care, and their new book, "Awake at the Bedside". They share why intimacy with others is at the heart of contemplative care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is the amazing Parker J Palmer. At age 82, he is one of the wisest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. It’s our luck that he’s written 10 books that share so much of this wisdom with heart, vulnerability, and authenticity. When I read his work, I know that we are all connected as humans, that we all are both whole and broken at the same time. He is a writer, speaker, activist, poet, founder, and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. He has reached millions worldwide through his books, including the best-selling Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and A Hidden Wholeness. His latest bestseller is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, which is what we discuss today. I devoured this book on my last birthday, feeling the weight of age and time passing. It was like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket. He also holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley and 13 honorary doctorates. He has won numerous awards, which are listed in our show notes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all crave human connection, but it can be hard to know how to make it. Shyness, introversion, and Covid protocols can get in the way of fulfilling the desire to connect. Behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy shows us simple practical strategies everyone can use to build trust and deeper connections, whether it’s for business or to make and deepen personal connections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toni Bernhard is an author who has written 4 books on issues related to coping with physical and emotional pain and illness. The book we discussed today is called “How to Be Sick. A Buddhist Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers.” Her companion guide is an amazing resource of coping tools. Toni has been living with a viral infection for 20 years and, as such, lives with pain and fatigue every day. She was previously a Law Professor at UC Davis until her life took this unexpected turn. Her books share her personal story but are also compilations of the wisdom and tools that have helped her cope with the physical and emotional challenges she continues to face. I found her to be uplifting, graceful, honest, and wise as she shared how she has navigated and accepted her life journey…for better and for worse. You’ll hear how illness can be a metaphor for life and how we can all handle the mix of joys and sorrows that we inevitably face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Small is a design leader, strategist, educator, and former Stanford University d.school teaching fellow. We discuss her book Navigating Ambiguity. Creating Opportunity in a World of Unknowns. The timing is perfect for this book — as many of us personally, professionally and in the world at large are dealing with unknowns. She shares the differences between ambiguity and uncertainty…and how we can embrace the discomfort of the unknown to create new, innovative, and creative possibilities. She invites us to lean into ‘not knowing’, to be more open to being surprised. The inside cover of the book says it perfectly ‘ The book shows you how to surrender control by being adaptable, curious, and unbiased as well as resourceful, tenacious, and courageous. This book has a lot to teach us beyond its original intention for design and education. These ideas and concepts can be applied to various challenges as we go through our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that the way you breathe can energize or relax you? That a simple hack can help with snoring and sleep apnea? That your lung volume can relate to your longevity, and that your lung volume can be expanded with simple exercises? James Nestor takes us on a fascinating trip into the breath, explains how and why different breath techniques work and will transform each breath you take for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is one of my favorite people in the world. She’s a dear friend… in addition to being a former media executive, angel investor, mentor to hundreds of young women, and now the author of two amazing books. Her first book was a best seller and is called “The Myth of the Nice Girl.” Her recent book is called "Embrace the Work, Love Your Career: A Guided Workbook for Realizing Your Career Goals with Clarity, Intention, and Confidence". This workbook is intended to help women get the most out of their careers and is chock full of advice, strategies, creative prompts, and thoughtful exercises designed to mix action with reflection as you build your plan. I love the meditations and coloring book features that are included to help pause and settle. This holistic mix of actionable tools inspires us to focus on the big things that truly matter so that we can each reach our full potential. One of her supporters says it perfectly; “This book is more than a must-read. It’s a must experience for any woman who wants to clarify her purpose and create an action plan to manifest personally and professionally.“ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices