Practice You With Elena Brower

On womanhood, excellence, Blackness, and our crucial collaborations in parenting, partnership, and creativity. Rebirthing many times throughout life [3:57] Women, Southern culture and power [5:15] Demonstrating Black Excellence [12:10] Seeking out Black culture [18:14] Not letting the dominant culture confuse you [21:52] A different kind of leadership [24:55] Detaching from things that define us. Coming back different [29:51] Finding the upside of the split [38:11] Representation matters. How we treat people is cultural [42:05] Penelope’s poem. Listening fully when people tell us who they are [52:38] Author, activist, beauty explorer and mother of 5, Jodie holds the position of Chair of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board, our nation’s largest LGBT organization. As a globally recognized activist, she speaks on topics of radical parenting, identity, and gender. When her son announced at the age of 3 “Mama I’m not a girl. I’m a boy”, Jodie set out to inform herself, shift her own bias and change the wa

On homeschooling as reclaiming learning, prioritizing in a busy household and the gifts of boredom. Making the decision to homeschool [2:03] Keeping rhythms with non-attachment [8:57] Being driven by children’s interest. Choosing. Focusing [12:31] Reclaiming our learning. Giving ownership to the children [21:48] Interoception. Subtracting and letting kids get bored [23:14] Surviving as a family. Choosing values and saying them out loud [27:15] Being generous with yourself so that you can be more generous [32:10] Recognizing developmental stages [38:42] Working while homeschooling. Knowing your priorities. Love languages [39:56] Johanna Nichols is a mama to 4, an artist and Waldorf inspired homeschooler. Professionally trained as a chef, everything she thought she knew about food changed when her first son was diagnosed with severe food allergies. Her life's work is creating ceremony and rituals that re-connect us to the earth, health and home. She is deeply focused on the empowerment of women and creates ci

On the history of black maternal health, how we can change the story, and parenting our kids as actualized beings. The Black Maternal Health crisis [1:58] Gynecology and its origins in slavery [6:09] The need for a reckoning. Reenvisioning a holistic view and a service model [10:17] Ways to be involved [14:51] Mama Glow Doula professional training program scholarship fund [30:19] Learning and unlearning [34:07] Parenting teenagers. Leaning into resilience and using our tools [36:13] Named one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, Celebrity Doula and Maternity Wellness Expert Latham Thomas supports women in embracing optimal wellness and spiritual growth as a pathway to empowerment. Latham is leading a revolution in radical self-care, guiding women everywhere to “mother themselves first.” Latham is the founder of Mama Glow a global women’s health and education brand serving women along the childbearing continuum. Mama Glow supports women and families during the fertility period, pregnancy, birth as well as duri

On compassion in the context of activism, building a culture of care, and cultivating enthusiasm to save our democracy. Being radically human [2:42] Sharing peace in a way that incites action [4:24] Our responsibility to each other. Information and discernment [6:21] Planting seeds of love and compassion [12:52] Changing our opinions over time [18:00] Immigration detainment camps. Focusing on human values [22:28] Leading with what inspires us [27:13] Operating from our humanity when we disagree [31:09] What needs healing [40:37] Favourite view [43:00] Prayer [43:40] Reggie is a leading activist, strategist, and teacher with experience in fields ranging from global marketing, digital and community organizing, government relations, international education to Presidential campaigning. He currently serves as a senior political strategist for a leading progressive organization, a hybrid of communications, public speaking, strategy, relationship building, issue advocacy, mass mobilizations and electoral campaign

On showing up for your writing with devotion. On reading as writing; writing as reading. On humility as wisdom. Albert Flynn DeSilver is a poet, memoirist, speaker, master mindfulness meditation teacher and workshop leader teaching nationally at the Omega Institute, Spirit Rock, 1440 MUltiversity, Shambhala Mountain Center, the Esalen Institute, and at writing conferences nationally. Albert has read and shared the stage with International bestselling authors Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many others. His recent book, “Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer and Living an Awakened Life,” based on his popular meditation and writing retreats by the same name—was released from Sounds True in September of 2017. He is also the author of several books of poems and the memoir “Beamish Boy,” (2012) which Kirkus Reviews called “a beautifully written memoir, poignant and inspirational.” He lives in Northern California. For Practice You listeners Albert is giv

On clearing biotoxicity and creating work that heals. Biotoxicity [2:17] The Milk Cleanse [7:07] The genesis of NeuroPraxis [11:21] The importance of knowing your own body [19:46] Ayurveda and balance [23:10] Slowing down and appreciating time [23:43] Prayer [28:04] Jody Levy is an artist, designer, director, educator, entrepreneur, executive and investor from the Detroit area who lives between Denver and New York City. Jody is the founder, creative director and Chief Executive Officer of a handful of companies dedicated to empowering people to be as healthy and happy as possible. These companies include: World Waters | WTRMLN WTR is a company and brand committed to redefining how and what we drink to nourish our bodies and sustain our ecosystem. The mission of World Waters and WTRMLN WTR is to educate people about why clean healthy eating is so important for the health and sustainability of our communities. NeuroPraxis is a digital app featuring NeuroScultping modules specific for overcoming pain, PTSD, st

On the life-changing conversations of race, the majestic presence of lineage, and the vital, daily work of loving yourself. The birth of The Jacy Method [2:15] On feeling alone in a community [7:01] The importance of expressing joy and showing up as yourself [9:39] Jacy’s morning marriage practice [16:42] On living multiple lives as a Black person [24:52] The opportunity to have conversations about racism [32:57] Eye gazing [39:01] Whiteness in the wellness space [41:50] Knowing what came before. Restoring your relationship with your ancestors [46:33] Jacy Cunningham, Creator of The Jacy Method, is a dynamic Movement Therapist, Group Fitness Instructor, and Motivational Speaker. As a former Collegiate football player and performance athlete, Jacy has trained with some of best performance coaches in the world. When his own football journey ended in 2012, Jacy moved to Eden, Utah and became the In-House fitness instructor for the famed entrepreneurial conference & start-up Summit Series. After serving the

On transcending our instincts, practicing what scares us, seeing where we coincide, and choosing our state. After spending a year as a Bartley fellow at the Wall Street Journal, Chloé Valdary developed The Theory of Enchantment, an innovative framework for social emotional learning (SEL), character development, and interpersonal growth that uses pop culture as an educational tool in the classroom and beyond. Chloé has trained around the world, including in South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, and Israel. Her clients have included high school and college students, government agencies, business teams, + many more. She has also lectured in universities across America, including Harvard and Georgetown. Her work has been covered in Psychology Today Magazine and her writings have appeared in the New York Times and the Wall St Journal. Chloé’s earliest teachers [3:05] Theory of Enchantment’s guiding principles [5:12] Timshel, Thou Mayest. East of Eden. Stoicism [13:03] Non-violent protest. Dr. Martin Luther King

Erin is a travel, culture and lifestyle documentary photographer, creative culture consultant, writer and founder of Black Burner Project. After discovering her love for photography on a solo trip the Philippines, she has placed travel photography at the center of her personal work. Erin's first experience of Burning Man [3:17] What moved Erin to create the Black Burner Project [10:01] The feeling of being one of few [14:08] Inspiring potential burners by making people feel seen [20:04] Erin's story about the Afro Pick installation [23:23] Favourite view [29:00] Prayer [31:52] Creating the Group Photo and what it meant to people [32:59] Reevaluating hierarchy [37:10] The Cultural collective of Burning Man [40:04] Erin creates visually moving imagery to help brands and individuals, usually in the lifestyle and travel space, convey a more organic brand story to aid in marketing their product or service and connect with their audience. As a creative consultant Erin specializes in inclusive storytelling and tho

On connecting to Nature, our wisest innermost council, and our deepest compassion. Managing chaos [2:44] Understanding the need to project chaos outwards [6:23] Tools that Pixie is using and sharing right now [10:13] Asking for help and managing resources [17:07] Disassociation and discernment [19:04] Shamanic arts. Returning to the core of peace within [21:30] Building your council. Releasing control [27:59] What needs healing [36:54] Favourite view [38:09] Prayer [39:29] Death and grieving [41:49] Meditative prayer from Pixie [50:19] RESOURCES Pixie’s Worksheets Prayers of Honoring, Pixie Lighthorse Alberto Villoldo The Book of Awakening, Mark Nepo Reimagining Death, Lucinda Herring Sierra Campbell

On the past as fuel for the future, the realities of race, and the magic of making records. Jeff's earliest musical influences [3:37] His first experience of racism [6:40] Creating his own blueprint for life [11:10] Speaking to his children about what it means to be Black in America [15:16] Favorite moments with Bad Boy [22:16] The night that Biggie was murdered [26:22] Artists Jeff is most excited about now [31:39] Favorite view [38:06] Prayer [40:01] Delivering art to shift culture [42:00] Resources Kanye West Kaash Paige YG Bino Rideaux QUIN 1619 Project Color of Change When We All Vote Jeff Burroughs' leverages pop culture, bridging the gap to cultural relevance for brand initiatives and to build artist brands. He's had the pleasure of working with some of today's most innovative brands and been fortunate enough to have developed successful brand strategies for award winning-world class artists like YG, P Diddy and 2 Chains, top rated television programs like the XFactor and a host of cpg companies.

On racism recovery as psychological, individual and collective healing. How April came to her work [2:35] Racism from a psychological perspective [11:12] Narcissism and codependency [18:43] White privilege. Complicity [23:00] Treating perpetrators. Defense mechanisms [26:08] Co-dependent racist savorism and anti-racist education on Instagram [33:19] Racist rejection of whiteness and cultural appropriation [57:51] Building trust and being trustworthy [59:50] Psychoanalysing racism and evidence-based practices [1:10:55] Stages of change [1:33:25] April is a former medical social worker, where she provided counseling to her patients and their family members to help them cope with the trauma of medical emergencies in the state of Texas. She later moved to Colorado and started her private practice to serve QTPOC patients with a history of racial trauma. After having worked with QTPOC, she decided to help prevent racism in society by working with white clients as a coach using the Racist Signature Theory. Finally

On scarcity in schools, committing to our edification, wealth as activism, and standing back to back as we heal. Jesse Johnson is a master sales and success coach, specializing in helping spiritual entrepreneurs build 7-figure businesses. An artist, activist, and educator, Jesse's career began with 12 years teaching math in NYC public schools. Frustrated by the limits of both bureaucracy and poverty, she founded her own personal development company and blew her own mind taking it to 7 figures in just 2 years. Jesse now teaches coaches, spiritual leaders, and healers to experience sales as a spiritual practice and match their income with their personal mastery - no compromise, no self-sacrifice, no mediocrity. Jesse’s experience of teaching in NYC public schools [0:45] How Jesse came to start her own business [10:19] Wealth as activism [14:03] Lifting others up from a place of alignment [19:07] What needs healing [21:48] Favourite view [23:32] Prayer [26:03] Money and liberation [28:02] Integrating physical i

On the voyage of service, what still needs our attention, connecting to Mother Earth, and majestic remembrance. Nadine McNeil, is a yoga teacher, speaker, transformational coach and humanitarian whose mission is to ignite infinite possibility in people around the world and share yoga with diverse underserved communities. Over the last few decades, Nadine has travelled the world in service of the UN, UNICEF, Global Volunteer Network and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. These and other experiences rooted Nadine’s continued devotion to activism. Inspired by her firsthand encounters with both the resilience of the human spirit and also its suffering, Nadine’s talks, workshops, yoga sessions and retreats are continually described as powerful, moving and insightful. Trust, Truth and Dare. Choosing a word as a compass [0:45] Releasing trauma from the body. Connecting to the earth [8:51] Nadine’s humanitarian work with the UN [15:25] Nadine’s transition into yoga [24:14] How Nadine merged all of

On whiteness in wellness, our responsibility, our clumsiness and our commitments. Creating Wanderlust [4:41] Spirituality and Civic engagement [16:30] Acknowledging complicity. The role of the wellness teacher [20:39] Black Lives Matter protests. Witnessing glimpses of Oneness [29:21] Grace for clumsiness. Taking moral inventory [36:33] Reframing the notion of separation [43:39] Shaping the world in small moments [47:59] Jeff attended The Hotchkiss School and received his BA in 1993 from Columbia University. In 2008, Jeff created the concept for Wanderlust, a series of large-scale events combining yoga & wellness with the arts. In 2018, Jeff founded Commune Media, an online learning platform for personal and societal well-being. As CEO, Jeff focuses on talent relationships, business development and building a stellar team. He also hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of guests from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Brendon Burchard and Russell Brand. Jeff serves on the board of

On studentship, using your art to heal, and becoming heavy enough to hold it all. Kiese Laymon is the author of three books, most recently the NY Times bestselling memoir, Heavy: An American Memoir. He is a Professor of English born and raised in Jackson Mississippi. The places we stay [3:26] What inspired Kiese to write Heavy to his mother [5:05] The consequences of masking pain [7:18] How learning requires failure [11:31] Parenting and secrets [14:25] The importance of tender touch [18:25] What does it mean to repair damage done? [21:43] The overlapping problems with police [25:19] Gambling addiction and recovery [29:50] Kiese's Grandmother. Embodying love. Heavy enough [36:03] Resources Heavy by Kiese Laymon Kiese Laymon on Dani Shapiro's podcast Family Secrets

On choosing conscious shocks, conscious suffering and crystallizing your commitment. The Fourth Way [1:30] The law of divided attention [8:28] The law of aim [12:20] The law of identification [15:12] The law of shocks [20:54] The law of three [27:05] The law of self-remembering [30:55] Unnecessary vs necessary suffering [33:06] Buffers. How much joy can you stand? [36:45] The law of death [41:39] The law of crystallization [46:50] Biet is the world-renowned meditation leader dubbed the "Lady Gaga of Meditation." As a musician, Biet weaves the world of pop culture and spirituality, teaching practical applications of ancient spiritual wisdom. The teachings are featured in Biet’s best selling book, ‘Don’t Just Sit There!’ published by Simon & Schuster. RESOURCES Biet Simkin website Guided by Biet on Instagram Don't just sit there, Biet Simkin Biet Simkin music https://open.spotify.com/track/5WUQMoFM0zGfTmFfs3AoIL?si=4GaEP7muT_64_D7wUbAnLQ Views from the Real World - Gurdjieff Self Remembering - Red Hawk h

On belonging, dreamwork, and welcoming aging as a privilege. Toko-pa Turner is an award-winning Canadian writer, teacher, and dreamworker who blends the mystical tradition of Sufism with a Jungian approach to dreams. In 2001 she founded the Dream School, from which hundreds of students have graduated, and she speaks internationally on the subject of dreams and belonging. Sometimes called a "midwife of the psyche," Toko-pa’s work focuses on restoring the feminine, reciprocity with nature, honouring grief, ritual, and beauty-making. Her book, "Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home" is the winner of multiple awards including the 2017 Gold Nautilus Award, the 2018 Readers' Favorite Gold Award, named Finalist in the 2018 Whistler Independent Book Awards, and Finalist for the 2019 Montaigne Medal in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. She lives on a small island in the Salish Sea of British Columbia. Our longing to belong [2:09] Toko-pa's early years [6:06] Honoring grief [10:12] Witnessing others in difficult times [12:

On the perpetual revolution of the soul, with the one and only Seane Corn. Becoming an elder [3:06] What Seane’s friend Billy taught her [8:12] The role of therapy in processing trauma, speaking out against injustice [15:33] Grief [29:50] Dismantling the systems within, creating social change [40:29] Seane's main mentors and guides [50:48] What Seane would say to a young yoga teacher [53:52] Resources https://www.seanecorn.com/ Revolution of the Soul: Awaken to Love Through Raw Truth, Radical Healing, and Conscious Action

On music as medicine, listening carefully, and the relevance of surrendering. Paavo's early connection to music [2:37] Things that help Paavo in uncertain times [6:39] What inspired the making of the Flow State album [9:33] Questions about work life balance as an artist [14:34] Improvising [19:00] Not knowing and surrendering [21:07] What needs healing [30:08] Favourite view [31:03] Prayer [31:42] Preview of new Flow State meditations album [34:22] Paavo Siljamäki, one third of Above & Beyond, has been at the forefront of electronic dance music for two decades. Co-founder of the iconic Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep record labels, hosts of Group Therapy, a weekly radio show reaching millions of dance lovers every Friday, the trio have earned two GRAMMY™️nominations for anthems 'Northern Soul' feat. Richard Bedford and 'We're All We Need' feat. Zoë Johnston. In 2018, the band’s fourth electronic album, Common Ground, debuted at number three on the Official Billboard Album Chart. Described by UK music bible Q