Gratitude Blooming Podcast

Send us a textEver feel like life's pace is too fast? Ever wish you could just press the 'pause' button and breathe? Well, you're not alone. Join us with yoga instructor, Susie Lee, about the power of slowing down, leaning into uncertainty, and finding balance amidst chaos. Susie shares her personal journey with discovering the Gratitude Blooming card deck, which she now uses as a tool to infuse her yoga classes with intention and harmony. Pausing creates room for profound clarity and connection.As the conversation unfolds, we discover how disruption can be a doorway to infinite possibilities, rather than an obstacle. We explore the art of surrender, the joy in receiving, and how nature can aid us in cultivating a sense of wholeness, particularly during unsettling times. We also explore how Susie's creative role with Gratitude Blooming is helping us create beautiful new products that serve as tangible reminders for us to stay grounded and connected. This episode is a rich exploration of the intersections of gratitude, intention, and balance in our everyday lives. You won't want to miss it!--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textHow can a simple pause unlock the magic of co-creation and our collective superpowers? Join us as we explore the intentions behind Arlene's latest pop-up art exhibit, "The Forgiveness Reflection Booth", and how pausing to connect with found objects in nature can bring comfort, kindness, joy and wonder to our everyday lives. We also focus on the theme of self-care as a powerful reminder from nature of  how nurturing others and our planet can serve as an extension of caring for ourselves.  Enjoy this journey of discovery, healing, and growth.  Let's bloom together!  Meet us in Los Angeles for our live podcast event series with the Center for the Preservation of Democracy.  Or...  join us on a nature retreat this fall by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com.--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textWhat if you held the power to direct the energy of democracy through your personal feelings and actions?  We promise to illuminate this connection as we explore the intersection of art, empathy, and democracy in this live recording at The Democracy Center with director Jim Herr.The journey delves into creating space to pause and reflect on non-attachment, gratitude, and mindfulness. We reveal how kindness and compassion can enrich your daily life, and the profound impact of nature in helping us connect with our hearts. There's also a discussion with the audience around the themes of intention and curiosity in gratitude and their potential to foster empathy, the concept of impermanence, and how curiosity can help us understand our world better. We traverse the power of emotional reflection and connection, and how they can bring us closer to understanding ourselves and others. There's a profound discussion on the power of language to share our stories and build community, and how art and inquiry help us navigate our feelings. Lastly, we'll uncover the power of music, control, fear, and how connecting with our emotions can help us shape our world.--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textEver pondered the intricate dance of empathy and democracy? Well, that's precisely what we set out to explore with our esteemed guests, Sofia Alvarez and Jim Herr, from the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Through this collaborative project, we created three reflection booths, inviting people to pause in a public square. Together, we navigated the terrain of emotions, giving individuals the liberty to tap into their own emotions and harness their inner wisdom while we talked about our collective journey.We peeled back the layers of vulnerability, delving into its crucial role in a thriving democracy. The interplay of empathy, power, and vulnerability revealed how these elements can foster a healthy space for emotion sharing, resource pooling, and heartfelt expression. Sofia and Jim lent their insights, shedding light on how our Empathy and Democracy series can facilitate a more in-depth discourse on empathy's role in democracy. We also marveled at nature's role in reminding us of our shared humanity—an essential reality check.In a world that seems swamped with uncertainty, we underscored the gentle power of kindness and trust. We explored the art of gentleness and how to coax individuals into creating safe spaces for themselves and others. Join us for one of our upcoming pop-up art installations at the Japanese American National Museum—an embodiment of our collective journey. Help us weave together the narratives of empathy, vulnerability, gentleness, and democracy—a tapestry that promises to be rich in insights and revelations.--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textHave you ever considered how gratitude can be a social adhesive, bringing us together to co-create the world we envision? Join us, as we leap into a profound conversation and art installation centered on democracy and empathy with the Japanese American National Museum and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. The partners of Gratitude Blooming open up about our journey of stepping into new roles and the power of learning through the process. There's a goldmine here about the development of empathy and coherence that you don’t want to miss.Our discussion takes an interesting twist as we turn our focus onto the art of intention and the fuel it provides to realize our dreams. Get ready for an inspiring story about harnessing the power of intention, attracting the right people and opportunities to create flourishing opportunities. We dive into practical ways of integrating gratitude into your life, from daily meditation to the use of Joy candles. And as we wrap up, we reflect on the symbol of tenacity: the dandelion, card number six from our deck. The resilience it portrays is not just in its ability to grow anywhere, but also in its healing properties. Will you join us as we explore the art, collaboration, and the extraordinary synergy of intention and gratitude?--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textEver sailed the tumultuous river of life transition, armed with nothing but hope and gratitude? Welcome to the journey of our guest, Charlie Koch, who transforms his life's transitions into opportunities of growth and awakening. Through his weekly family meetings, Charlie discovered the power of Gratitude Blooming, a practice that not only helped him navigate through life's ups and downs but also laid the foundation for an active, empowering life. Harnessing the power of gratitude, Charlie shares how he found a way to explain infinite possibility to a 6-year-old and illustrates the flow of time and possibilities using a riveting river metaphor.From a passive life, Charlie takes us through his transformation to an active life, using his life transitions as a springboard. He divulges his strategies for introspection and way-making, reminding us of the importance of accepting and acknowledging our emotions, even during times of transition. By building his proverbial raft and identifying core values, he illustrates how we could ride the waves of change with grace and resilience. As we paddle down the river with Charlie, we embrace the unknown, the possibilities it offers, and the vulnerability it exposes. Remember, it's not just about navigating the river, it's about enjoying the raft ride of life's transitions with a dash of humility, courage, and of course, gratitude.--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textWhat if you could harness the power of sound and nature to experience true coherence in your life? Join us as we celebrate the release of our new album, The Garden of Joy, and discuss our unique collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. We share our journey from spring to summer, exploring adaptive leadership, building team culture, trust, vulnerability, and even touching on a tea ceremony in the Bay Area.In this season of renewal, discover the importance of creating space for coherence and community. Learn how connecting with nature and others can help you develop a practice of non-attachment and find your groove. Get inspired by an upcoming art exhibit that fosters deeper connections with nature, and hear about the power of creating objects that embody the human touch. --- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textWhat happens when we shift our focus? Join us on this experimental journey as we kick off season three of the Gratitude Blooming podcast with artist Arlene Kim Suda, and embark on a new adventure that might even lead to a retreat with fellow Gratitude Blooming guests!In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, we draw both the Azalea card, representing hope, and  the Agapanthus card, representing perspective.  We reflect on the significance of these cards and dive into the importance of intention, the art of receiving, and being grounded. Together, we share insights on hope, community, and transformation. Plus, discover our exciting new T-shirt - "We are rooting for you" - perfect for gift giving!--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textIn this conversation, we delve into the wild card represented by the sweet pea with Iris Podschun (they/them), a somatic coach. Iris, whose name itself holds significance, shares their early memories and their journey of self-discovery as a queer individual, challenging societal binaries and embracing a path of authenticity.Drawing from their experiences in community organizing in Washington, D.C., Iris learned about somatics, a practice that focuses on the mind-body connection. They studied under the guidance of Richard Strozzi and explored Aikido, a Japanese martial art, which deepened their understanding of centering practices and the dimensions of height, width, depth, and center.Iris is a Professional Certified Coach and a Somatic Coach through Strozzi Institute. As the Senior Director of Coaching & Collaboration at RCF Connects, Iris coaches artists, change makers, and nonprofit leaders.Iris actively supports healing journeys and the creation of spiritual spaces for more freedom, hope, and joy. They find solace in dancing, reading visionary sci-fi, and spending time with trees, truly embracing the wonders of nature.Follow Iris Podschun's incredible journey on Instagram @thevenerations and prepare to be enlightened by their deep insights and unique perspective.--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!

Send us a textJoin us in this captivating episode of Gratitude Blooming as we delve into the theme of Wholeness with the remarkable Lorrie Adams. In this conversation grounded by the vibrant Forsythia, Lorrie takes us on a journey of self-discovery and healing, sharing her profound insights and experiences. Her Shamans Cave Maker community also crafted the Gratitude Blooming wooden card deck holders! From a young age, Lorrie felt a profound connection to nature and the world around her. A transformative moment playing outside in the wintry landscapes of New England sparked a sense of wonder and set her on a path of exploration. Drawing inspiration from shamanism and plant medicine, Lorrie discovered the power of intent and the practice of recapitulation, which allowed her to release the burdens of the past and embark on a journey towards wholeness.Lorrie's lineage of Makers, a pragmatic and ancient tradition rooted in Western Europe, holds a rich history of self-healing and connection to the natural world. Through her teachings, she shares the importance of reconnecting with our hearts and listening to the silence within our own beings. In this episode, she shares the first of 6 practices on intent, called The Path of the Heart, from a class that the Makers at Shamans Cave are offering for free for our community.  Join here:   https://www.shamanscave.com/courses/72-free-spirals-class-promotionAlso available on their website is a description of a basic recapitulation practice Omar and Arlene reflected on at the closing of this episode.  You can try out on your own: https://www.shamanscave.com/beginning-practices/the-recapitulation Read more about their Woodworking Philosophy:We strive to make all our products with wood either sourced from our property in Kentucky or from local lumber yards. We are able to make almost all of our turned (round) products from limbs and logs cut on our almost 30 acre property.Our design process uses intent:  We look for the piece of wood that has the right qualities and feel to produce our intended outcome. We consider what species of wood to use for each piece. We ask:What wood is best for its purpose? How will the finished product look and feel?” We also consider the person using the object (if possible)Will the form, feel, species and finish fit the use and aesthetics of the customer?”--- Join us live on substack to participate in our monthly community practice: https://gratitudeblooming.substack.com Create an intentional practice or give meaningful gifts with the Gratitude Blooming card deck, notecards, candles and much much more at our shop at www.gratitudeblooming.com. Learn more about our co-hosts and special guest for Season 4: Co-host Belinda Liu | Hestia Retreat Centers Co-host Omar Brownson | Trickster's Guide to Immortality on Substack Special Guest Dr. Paul Wang | The Dao CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review. Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us grow. Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at hello@gratitudeblooming.com. We love hearing from our listeners!