On this episode of CONVERSATIONS FROM HERE, we have the second installment of my chat with DAVID SCHARFF, teacher of Tibetan Buddhist meditation. The plan was to talk more about his teacher Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, but the conversation took at deep dive into what became a primer on Vajrayana Buddhist practice and an exploration of its commonalities and differences with Judaism and Christianity. Sounds not unlike the beginning of a joke where a Buddhist, a Christian and a Jew walk into a bar... Great talk, fascinating stuff!   Link for David:Compassion Unlimited— Solutions for Design and Mindhttps://compassionunlimited.net/  

On this episode I speak with the brilliant and delightful DAVID SCHARFF. He talks about the New York music scene in the later 1970s-- CBGB, Mudd Club, Max's Kansas City, et al-- as well as his Borscht Belt beginnings and, later, how he came to find his Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. This is the first of two parts-- Part 2 arriving as a separate episode-- given there was so much to cover. A wonderful talk-- both fun and fascinating! I hope you enjoy it.   

In this installment of CONVERSATIONS FROM HERE, I speak once again with my friend and collaborator, DR. JESS LAKIN. Jess is the founder of Mother Tree Healing Arts. She is a holistic life coach, meditation guide, healer, sound bath facilitator and creator of transformational retreats for women. Here we explore the concept of "Staying Steady Through Uncertainty"-- discussing the importance of having a practice, creating structure and nurturing connection to mitigate fear or anxiety. This episode is part of our wellness series "Where to Start." May you find inspiration-- and may it assist you on your path.   Links for Jess Web Site: https://www.jesslakin.com Instagram: @jess.lakin @mothertreehealingarts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothertreehealingarts YouTube: @mothertreehealingarts   Links for Dana Web Site: www.zenbodyliving.com Instagram: @zenbodyliving  

On this episode of CONVERSATIONS FROM HERE, I speak once again with my friend and collaborator, DR. JESS LAKIN. Jess is the founder of Mother Tree Healing Arts-- holistic life coach, meditation guide, healer, sound bath facilitator and creator of transformational retreats for women. In this chat, we explore the concept of Creating Alignment-- what it is and how to do it. This episode is part of our wellness series "Where to Start." May you find inspiration-- and may it assist you on your path.   Links for Jess: Web Site-- https://www.jesslakin.com/ Instagram-- @mothertreehealingarts @jess.lakin Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/mothertreehealingarts YouTube-- @mothertreehealingarts   Links for Me: Web Site-- www.zenbodyliving.com Instagram-- @zenbodyliving

On this episode of Conversations from Here, it's Piano Day-- a Love Story! I speak with Alexandra and Matthew Walworth of AMO Pianos in Lebanon, TN-- about their shop, the nuts and bolts of piano structure, the care and feeding of pianos, the different qualities of various brands and how two shy people working at Cracker Barrel years ago came together to later become premiere piano technicians serving the greater Nashville area. Fascinating talk! You'll never look at a piano in quite the same way again... Enjoy!

In this episode of Conversations from Here I am honored and privileged to speak with John L. Tarpley, MD. He is Professor of Surgery, Emeritus at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the former Program Director for General Surgery Residents there. He has also been the Associate Chief of General Surgery at the VA Hospital and is currently the Academic Dean of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. He is a passionate advocate for patients and doctors alike. He has spent a huge portion of his professional life in Africa-- specifically Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Botswana, training young surgeons and ministering to those most in need. "Tarp"-- as anyone in the hallowed halls of Vanderbilt will attest-- is a legendary character who is as humble as he is funny and as knowledgeable as he is wise. We talk about his life and work, discuss some of the challenges with getting medical care in places far from urban centers, his personal love story and an early obsession with college sports. It's a fascinating talk, indeed. Enjoy!   More on Dr. Tarpley: https://www.vumc.org/surgical-sciences/person/john-l-tarpley-md https://news.vumc.org/2016/07/26/tarpley-may-be-retiring-but-he-isnt-slowing-down/ https://paacs.net/   Books Mentioned: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World-- by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu & Douglas Abrams https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533718/the-book-of-joy-by-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-and-archbishop-desmond-tutu-with-douglas-abrams/   Long Walk to Freedom-- by Nelson Mandela https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/nelson-mandela/long-walk-to-freedom/9780759521049/  

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak once again with my friend and collaborator, Dr. Jess Lakin. Jess is the founder of Mother Tree Healing Arts-- holistic life coach, meditation guide, healer, sound bath facilitator and creator of transformational retreats for women. In this chat, we discuss ways in which to nourish your spirit. This episode is the third in our wellness series "Where to Start." Great stuff-- I hope you enjoy!   Links for Jess: Web Site-- https://www.jesslakin.com/ Instagram-- @mothertreehealingarts @jess.lakin Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/mothertreehealingarts YouTube-- @mothertreehealingarts

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak once again with my friend and collaborator, Dr. Jess Lakin. Jess is the founder of Mother Tree Healing Arts-- holistic life coach, meditation guide, healer, sound bath facilitator and creator of transformational retreats for women. In this chat, we discuss meditation-- what it is, what it isn't-- and simple ways to begin. After our chat, I offer a basic, yet powerful example of a sitting meditation practice to get you started. This episode is the second in our wellness series. Stay tuned for more!   Links for Jess: Web Site-- https://www.jesslakin.com/ Instagram-- @mothertreehealingarts @jess.lakin Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/mothertreehealingarts YouTube-- @mothertreehealingarts

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak with my friend and collaborator, Dr. Jess Lakin. Jess is the founder of Mother Tree Healing Arts-- holistic life coach, meditation guide, healer, sound bath facilitator and creator of transformational retreats for women. In this chat, we discuss creating space for change-- both in the outer and inner landscapes. So, for anyone who wants to create space-- whether external (as in physical space) or internal (as in psychological/awareness space)-- we give you some things to consider as places to start. This episode is the first in a wellness series called "Where to Start" where Jess and I will roll out several episodes over the next few months. Our hope is that these discussions will inspire joyful exploration and discovery of your own wellness practices. The great Taoist sage Lao Tse once said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Here is our offering to help you on your way!   Links for Jess: Web Site-- https://www.jesslakin.com/ Instagram-- @mothertreehealingarts @jess.lakin Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/mothertreehealingarts YouTube-- @mothertreehealinga  

On this episode, we conclude our series of Zen Body Living specials with the MIND... A very big topic, indeed! We explore a very simple meditation technique that will help to hone your awareness, delve into the meaning of mindfulness-- and talk about the magnitude of living with full presence. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! 

On this episode of Conversations from Here, we explore how to integrate exercise and movement into each and every day. I put on my Wellness Coach hat and guide you through ways of creating a more active and expansive way of being. In our previous episode, we discussed ways of creating space for change and NEXT time we'll be exploring the mind and how we craft and build our lives with every thought, word and deed. Exciting stuff! I hope you are enjoying this series of Zen Body Living specials because it is giving me a chance to share my experience in shaping a healthier, more expansive and inspired way of living in the world. Enjoy the journey!  

In this episode I speak to you as my wellness advisor self-- as the founder of Zen Body Living. I discuss how one can begin to clear space for change, to overcome overwhelm and set yourself on a path to a healthier, happier, more beautiful life! Normally this podcast is all about the interview, but, of late, I have felt moved to tap into my nearly 30 years of real-life practices for healthy living, plus a few of my teachings-- and share them with you!

In this special episode, I grapple with an issue that is front and center in our nation today. There has been such divisiveness and polarization over this that I wanted to speak to it. This is a very serious and difficult conversation-- a most adult topic-- so please, keep the kids out of the room. Thank you for listening!

It's been a minute! After taking 6 months off to nest and acclimate to our new home, I wanted to bring you a dispatch from the American South. Here's how it's going so far with local gems, sweet people, great coffee, Land Rovers, car museums and the native insect population!

On today's episode of Conversations from Here, I speak with MORTY COYLE-- singer, songwriter, DJ, proud papa and captain of what is normally The FOCKRs (Friends of Canter's Kibitz Room) on Tuesday nights at the Kibitz. We take a deep dive into growing up in Los Angeles in the 1970s and '80s with extended family and friends, hitting the music scene early, overcoming stage fright, straddling worlds in music-making and in DJ-ing, his life-long collaboration with fellow class-clown Jordan Summers, being a dad to daughter Bea and what's next for All Day Sucker. Great talk!   More on Morty: Twitter: @DJMortyCoyle Instagram: @beaanddaddycartunes @alldaysucker @focrforce5 All Day Sucker: http://www.alldaysucker.net/

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak with German-born musician, vocalist and producer THOMAS BARQUEE! We talk about his beginnings as a classically-trained pianist and composer, his foray into the pop scene, his observations on the music business and returning to his roots as a creative artist. We delve into many issues of the day, including the role of the media in public perception, the perils and pluses of charisma, the polarization of opinion and the solace of a connection to Nature in troubling times. A wide-ranging and thought-provoking chat! I hope you enjoy it.   Thomas Barquee on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GrCgZi7OhUFKAoEWF28GH  

Today on Conversations from Here, I speak with author and yoga teacher PATTY WILDASINN! We talk about her years as an addiction recovery counselor, bringing up a special needs child, teaching yoga to kids and adults with specified needs or requirements, the genesis of her book "Yogable" and the challenges and origins of addiction in our society today. We take a deep dive into the healing power of movement and awareness practices-- and the importance of learning from those who are different from ourselves. Enjoy!   Links for Patty: Instagram: @patty_yogable Patty's Web Site: https://www.pattyyogable.com/

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak with Victoria Rose-- musician, teacher and force for good. We talk about her upbringing in Green Bay, WI, an early life with horses, formative years in New York City playing music and working at CBGB's, her brief stint as a Scientologist, getting sober, finding yoga, hanging out with Buddhist monks in Ladakh, India, coming to terms with divisions in the Kundalini Yoga community, navigating societal polarization, cultivating Divine Feminine power and paving the way for her next path. Was so wonderful to reconnect with my wise, funny and insightful friend and mentor. Fantastic and fascinating talk!   Links for Vicky: Spotify-- https://open.spotify.com/artist/3nAcDJJYqkib824newOi4z SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-917377559 YouTube: Jap Dharam Rose-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJn4c9eofcCMnDVt171wlgA Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B07DL3HJVP/jap-dharam-rose Apple-- https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jap-dharam-rose/1395776414 Web Site & Blog-- http://www.japdharamrose.com  

On this episode of Conversations from Here, I speak with inspiring, powerful, dynamic Life Coach and author ANDREEA SERBAN! We talk about growing up in Romania, what it's like to be an identical twin, transitioning from high-powered lawyer to being the person who guides and advises others into greatness. Andreea is also the Chair of Work-Life Balance at the Beverly Hills Bar Association and is the founder of Elawvation, her executive coaching practice. She and her sister Alina have authored two books: "Different & Unique" and "More Than a Lawyer: Elawvate Yourself & Your Practice." Fantastic talk! Will have her back for more discussion-- especially about the role of movement and dance in healing and in personal growth and expansion. So much to explore-- infinite possibilities!   Links for Andreea: Be Different Web Site: https://be-different.com/ Be Different on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bedifferentforadifferentworld Be Different on Instagram: @bedifferent40 More Than a Lawyer Link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/More-than-Lawyer-Elawvate-Yourself/dp/B08FXX3FTY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Andreea+Oana+Serban&qid=1633645876&s=audible&sr=1-1 Andreea's Email: andreea@be-different.com

Today on Conversations from Here I speak with the dashing, infinitely entertaining and self-described frag-head DAN NAUGHTON! He is the Creative Director of UK fragrance house Naughton & Wilson and the face of a much-subscribed-to YouTube channel in Britain-- the go-to for informative, evocative fragrance-reviews, MrSmelly1977. Naughton & Wilson are the creators of Gravitas Pour Homme and Bon Viveur-- two enticing scents, reminiscent of the classic fragrances for men from the mid-20th century that can be worn by anyone. Dan is also a musician and a teacher of guitar technique. We talk about all kinds of stuff-- his obsession with fragrance, falling in love with the music of Jimi Hendrix, the power of memory, the perils of social media and the weirdness of the world we live in today. Fantastic talk! Hope you enjoy.   Links for Dan: Istagram: @mrsmelly1977 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCllTDvggivpIdZ7s2LJe-Eg Naughton & Wilson: https://naughtonandwilson.com/