Love Sweet Love 2u2sb

My guest today is creating community and wellness on quite a massive scale! My guest is Vanessa Elias and she is a mental health activist, a certified parent coach (she has her own company called, Thrive with a Guide), and writes and speaks about child and family wellbeing. Vanessa is also the founder of Block party USA. She is a firm believer that block parties are a cure for most of what ails us today. They are simple, actionable, free, joyful ways to allow for face to face connections, free play for kids, and many other benefits to us and our children. You'll be surprised at the myriad ripple effects of a block party! Today we talk about why Vanessa id such an advocate for mental health, how Block Party US originated and why, what the many benefits of block parties are and why they are so impactful, why face to face connections are so vital fro our wellbeing, and why kids need to have free play opportunities. We talk about the benefits to teens, to our systems, the resources vanessa has for you, and the simple, essential few things to make your block party a success. Enjoy this important and uplifting conversation with Vanessa. Follow the show so you don't miss any future episodes. And... let me know if you try a Block party! I am organizing one this Sunday! How to get in touch with our guest, Vanessa Elias: Website: https://www.blockpartyusa.org/

What happens when we are consumed by our work, or the titles and roles we have? And when I say consumed, I mean that almost literally – like swallowed up, or as if we melded into one like some kind of chemical reaction that happens when two substances merge. If there is no boundary between work self and non-work self, no off switch, like when you come home from work, or when you finish with the last client as you work from home, how does the transition to relax happen? The transition into the “you” without work? IS THERE a you without work? Also, even more worrisome… what happens when you lose that title or role you have completely given yourself to? I am saying when, not “if”, because you will lose that title eventually. Nothing ever stays the same. Eventually, things change. Today, in this episode we are going to look at some of the aspects of over-identification with our roles and titles. For those of us who happen to be super-achievers, strivers, very capable people, this will likely be of help to you. This episode looks at: What happens when we over-identify with our roles and jobs, at work, and at home as mom, and lose ourselves in them? How do we love our jobs and work hard and be our successful selves, without losing ourselves completely? How do we compete or deal with the images we are shown in the media and movies of the perfect woman and the perfect mom. What happens when we finally figure out what is most important, and who we are – as our non-work selves – and what are some ways to do that? We will also look at how our strengths and friendships fit into all of this, why our definition of success is so important to our self worth and ability to be happy, and why we need to not just DO all the time, but also learn how to BE. So get comfy, or start walking, or grab a notebook and a cup of something, and settle in. Let’s grow some good together.

I am looking forward to sharing this inspiring and informative conversation with you. I speak to Greg R. Baird, who has been dedicating his life to inspire, empower, and educate folks about the fact that each of us has something to offer, and we all matter. Especially now, as we see the long fought-for DEI policies in the States under attack, these kinds of conversations matter. Greg and I talk about his childhood in a small town and affected him, how and why he went into teaching and then moved into speaking around the globe, why he feels storytelling is an effective mode of communication, how these DEI orders are affecting him and what he does, how we can try to stay sane and navigate the onslaught of negative news around us, what communities need to be productive, how we can be better allies and neighbours, where he got this caring demeanour from, and much more. Get in touch with our Guest, Greg Baird: http://www.gregrbaird.com/home.html You can also see clips of our conversation on YouTube@gaylebeavil

This is a fun episode for me, as today I am talking with a friend I have known for 47 years! I asked him to be on the podcast because I have been marveling at him and his wife and what they have done for 32 years now. They have created a fundraiser for children’s charities where they invite over 100 friends, and friends of friends, to an annual Bonspiel. They have a dinner and an auction and other various ways to make money, and I can tell you first hand, it is a lot of fun. At this event, everyone has a connection to Bob and his wife, Sue, somehow. Bob carefully creates teams and combines people from different friend groups, so connections are made and fun is had. In this episode you will learn how Bob and Sue (and many family and dedicated friends) make this work and how they have kept it going for more than 3 decades. You will hear what the event looks like, how they choose the charities each year, and some of the touching (and hilarious) stories of success they have had. You hear how Bob has a zest for life and friendship and generosity, unlike anyone else.   I am glad you are tuning in, and I think you will be inspired and entertained by this story of incredible generosity and dedication.

Welcome to today’s episode. I am so pleased to have Lyda Salatian on the show with me. It was honestly one of my favourite interviews I have ever done. Her ion and dedication just burst through in every moment of our conversation. Lyda founded the nonprofit, Green Teams of Canada, in 2011. She has won some very prestigious awards for her ions and commitment, such as: British Columbia Achievement Foundation Community Award and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award - Environmental Sustainability. Lyda believes inviting people into nature and engaging them in meaningful, fun hands-on action, will instill an ethic that will lead people to care more about the environment and responsible environmental behaviour. Lyda has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector for 20 years. Lyda and I talk about: -how she began, and what motivated her to take on this huge task. -what the events look like and what projects they do -who can come to the events (hint – EVERYONE – all ages and abilities are welcome!) -why taking care of the environment is pulling weeds and planting seeds, but even more            importantly – about connecting to each other -the difference acting in community can make -what the future vision of Green Teams of Canada is -how people can find out about the events and get involved -why environmental action should be our top priority and why it is urgent we act now My conversation with Lyda will move you, inspire you, make you think and likely have you want to get your whole family involved. See you there! Links https://greenteamscanada.ca/locations/lower-mainland-green-team/ https://www.instagram.com/greenteamscanada/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-teams-of-canada/posts/?feedView=all

Welcome to another episode of Love Sweet Love. I am so glad you are here. Today you are going to find out about a revolutionary program that will turn your thinking around aging upside down. This program is called From Aging to Sage-ing and it was created by Rabbi Zalmon Schachter-Shalomi. It s participants to consciously move through the challenges and transitions of life by engaging in the older years more joyfully, comionately and deliberately. One of my guests today is Janey Talbot. Janey is a Sage-ing program facilitator, a hospice volunteer, a mom of 5 and a grandparent of 6. Janey has had a 35 year career in community education and development and has always been ionate about gathering groups of women for deep and rich conversations. Janey lives on the Sunshine Coast of BC. My 2nd guest is Wendy Scott. Wendy has taken two of the sage-ing programs and was made aware of them after she retired. Wendy has had a 35 year career in the municipal recreation field and has worked with countless community groups and citizens. Wendy is a widow, a mother of two and a grandmother of one. Wendy lives in Nanoose Bay, BC. Today, Janey and Wendy and I talk about the 6 pillars of the program. We also talk about what these groups look like, how both Janey and Wendy feel have changed and grown through the program, and what they feel the major benefits are to this refreshing, respectful and honouring lens through which we can look at the aging process and also engage in the aging process. You don’t want to miss this. It will help you if you are moving into this phase of life, and also if you have a loved one who is an “emerging elder”. Enjoy this conversation. Please follow the show so you won’t miss an episode, and please feel free to share this episode with a friend! I’d love it if you gave the podcast a 5 start review, too! It helps get it spread to more people – it’s an algorithm thing! Sage-ing International website: https://www.sage-ing.org/ Janey re program information or registration: [email protected] Book: from Aging to Sage-ing: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/from-age-ing-to-sage-ing-a-revolutionary-approach-to-growing-older/9781455530601.html The Maharishi effect study: https://research.miu.edu/maharishi-effect/reduced-violent-crime-in-washington-dc

Anyone who has been a busy mom (I had three kids in 6 years) and worked part time as a teacher. It was so busy and stressful at times. I was exhausted. I had no time for myself. Sound familiar? Studies show that what is most correlated with our happiness, is the sense that we have more TIME to enjoy our lives. Time actually matters more to your happiness than money, or anything else, according to Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos, who studies and teaches about the Science of Happiness. She calls this “time affluence”. I know one of the factors of busy-mom-ness is the factor that we have no time. We are rushed. We are frantic. We are multitasking. It makes sense that I did not feel very happy sometimes at home. I must say here that there were MANY, many times of delight and fun and happiness and gratitude, amongst the stress, but I believe if I had known the important impact of time and our happiness in that phase of my life, I might have treated myself differently. Prioritized myself differently. In this episode, I will share with you what exactly “time affluence” is, and why research says it is so key to our levels of happiness. You will hear where money fits into the equation, the effect of being frazzled, busy and pulled in all directions, has on our lives, how time affluence works and its effects on our mood and our overall health, and, maybe most importantly, I will share 9 strategies that will help you get more time to enjoy your life. I think you will find this episode surprising and inspiring and I hope it motivates you to get some more of this important, sometimes elusive, entity in your life.Thank you for being here. I appreciate your time so much and I know you will benefit from this episode. Enjoy! Resources:  https://www.drlauriesantos.com/ Gayle on Substack. Subscribe to her “Growing Good in the Juicy Middle” where you will get weekly posts about what makes us thrive through midlife and beyond, as Gayle shares knowledge, research and practical ideas through personal stories. https://gaylebeavil.substack.com/ LInks to 2 posts on Substack of Gayle’s about time and time affluence: https://gaylebeavil.substack.com/p/do-we-have-time-for-happiness?r=3m9x4e https://gaylebeavil.substack.com/p/getting-time-on-our-side?r=3m9x4e When I mention “time blocking” and my mentor, my mentor is from a wonderful women’s business and mentorship group I’m in, called “Living in Balance”. I highly recommend this group for female entrepreneurs and business owners. How to Get in touch with Me: Email me at [email protected] if you want more info. https://gaylebeavil.substack.com/

My guest today calls herself a story-telling enthusiast. She is a professional journalist and after 8 years of television news reporting, she decided to move into the nonprofit world and charity work. My guest is the inspiring Kate Glaser. Kate heads the Hope Rises Network which tells and shares good news stories of love and hope from around the world, and Hope Rises also, importantly, takes action in Kate’s local community of Buffalo, New York. They raise money, often partnering with other brands and companies and give back to local families and causes. Besides all of this, she has a weekly spot on the Television show, Daytime Buffalo where she shares these good news stories and ing local causes, she runs a marketing company, she is a mom of three, and much more. I am so thrilled to have her on the podcast, and to highlight her and her amazing work and life. We talk about: -why she moved from tv news to the nonprofit sector -the origin of Hope Rises and their mission -how they raise money and the causes they -why storytelling should be t the core of all brands -recent examples of folks they have highlighted and helped -advice for folks with a dream or ion and what it takes to grow -different ways we can Hope Rises Enjoy, and I know you will be inspired. Resources: Hope Rises Network on Instagram  Hope Rises News on facebook https://hoperisesnews.com 

Hi there. Thank you for being here with me on the Love Sweet Love Podcast. This episode is about something life changing and life-saving and that we can add into our lives. Life-changing and life-saving. It is free. It is accessible. My hope with this episode is that it will have you pause and think about how you can get more of this in your life, and into the lives of your kids, your grandkids and all of your loved ones. It is not just a good idea. It is imperative. I share with you some of the most impactful research findings on this subject, and put it all into one place, right here, on this episode. I have some examples and stories which I weave research through, and then near the end, I put all the benefits to your life together on one very compelling list. It will Blow. Your. Mind. What is this powerful piece that we can easily add into our lives? It is what i am calling the “other”, Vitamin “C”. It is: community. To end the podcast, I include some of the parting words of Dr. Vivek Murthy, the departing US Surgeon General as he ends his time in office. He has written extensively on the epidemic of loneliness and the powerful positive, preventive impacts of community. I am really excited for you to have this information that will positively impact your health and wellbeing in so many ways. Enjoy. See you soon! Link to Dr. Dacher Keltner’s book: “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life” https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/awe-the-new-science-of-everyday-wonder-and-how-it-can-transform-your-life/9781984879684.html Link to Dr. Vivek Murthy’s book: “ Together: the Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World” https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/together-the-healing-power-of-human-connection-in-a-sometimes-lonely-world/9780062913296.html  Link to Dr. Vivek Murthy’s “My Parting Prescription to America”  https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/my-parting-prescription-for-america.pdf

A local community kitchen. A shelter. A mobile meals program. These sound like very helpful services for our community, but maybe you are thinking that helpful doesn’t exactly make for an exciting and entertaining podcast, necessarily…. Well, don’t be fooled. This episode will inspire you, make you laugh, astound you with its vision and leadership and dedication of volunteers. Hundreds of volunteers. Honestly, this is one of my all-time favourite episodes I have ever recorded. I went down to the ward-winning Cloverdale Community Kitchen (or The Storehouse, as it is often called) , and met with the executive Director, Marty Jones. We talked, we laughed, he toured me around. He shared the workings of the place and all of their services – and I got to capture it in person for you. This is what community is all about. They actually operate by a code of words like: dignity, inclusion and comion and you will hear why, and you will also hear that this is not just an empty kind of mission statement. These folks practice what they preach. They engage a huge community in service, care and comion and you know what? They seem to have an amazing time doing it. Listen, enjoy, share and let me know what you think. Thank you for being here. I love that you are growing good with me. Website https://www.mycck.ca/

My guest today is Rachel Marie Martin! Yes, I mean the author, Rachel Marie Martin, who has ed and inspired so many of us, especially those of us who are moms and parents, to we are enough, we are not alone, we can get through hard times, and that we all have strengths and gifts that we are meant to embrace and even bring to the world. Rachel has been blogging for decades, has over 1.1 million followers on Facebook, and her website, findingjoy.net has millions of visitors each month. Her first two books are: “The Brave Art of Motherhood”, and “Mom Enough”, and her new book is called: “Get Your Spark Back”. In this conversation, she and I talk about all of it! We talk about how and why she started writing, how her personal struggles (such as a painful divorce, and even estrangement), affected her life and work, the importance of beginning or just taking a first step, why we need to think about our future selves, her new book and why she wrote it, the tools she included in the book that can help us get our spark back – and, importantly – keep it ignited, the importance of the lost art of wondering, and a lot more. So… grab a pen, a notebook, your notes app, or however you things, and get ready for an instructive, inspiring and reaffirming episode. Rachel is absolutely spreading love and in the world and I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation. Rachel's Website:  https://findingjoy.net/

On this episode I am highlighting a local group called "100 Guys That Care, South Surrey". They are basically a bunch of friends who got together to local causes, groups and even families, who need a hand up. They are a bunch of regular guys who get together 4 times a year and donate $10,000 each time they meet, to a deserving group or cause. Who does this??? I wanted to know all about it, so they agreed to meet with me. I meet with them in their extensive man cave, which is a converted barn, owned by one of my guests. They talk to me about how 100 Guys began, why they do it, who they donate to, how they decide on who gets the money, how Rugby comes into "play" (pun intended!), what they hope for and more. It is such a rich, funny, real, inspiring conversation and I can't wait for you to hear it. THIS is spreading love, my friends! You'll love these guys and the two guests representing this group are: Mike Pajic and Frank Ellestad. Their email, if you know of some local groups or causes who need a hand: [email protected]

I’m glad you are here to take a breath, pause and focus on some of the good that is happening all around us. It’s there, we just don’t get to see it sometimes. I am talking to my favourite demographic on this episode – young people. It is so inspiring and the wisdom and insight shared here today will give you hope for the future. I became interested in my guests today when I saw a post on Linkedin, from BC’s Simon Fraser University’s Community-engaged Research Initiative. It described a research project done by youth, and sponsored by SFU, about the ethnically-diverse, yet most under-resourced area, of South Vancouver. It said that the area is home to a quarter of Vancouver’s youth, yet the infrastructure (specifically the social infrastructure – the programs and places that wellbeing and social connection) is not up to par. I read how 40 youth became involved as community scientists, to analyze features of their South Vancouver neighbourhood, to figure out what hindered and what helped, social connection. I was so impressed that these youth wanted to be involved in this, and I was excited to see what they found out. You will be so inspired and impressed by my two guests today and by what happened with the results. My guests today are Emily Eng and Megan Moy. SFU Community-engaged Research Initiative: https://www.sfu.ca/ceri.html SVNH  https://www.southvan.org/

This guest today is innovative and fierce and visionary and caring and comionate and she is exactly the kind of person I want to highlight on this podcast. When I came across this person and saw how she is choosing to live her life and the mission she has, it was so inspiring to me. When I dreamt up this podcast, this is just the stuff I was hoping I could bring to as many people as I could. Folks who are choosing to spread love, spread kindness, fight for justice and equity and inclusion… and, she uses her platform for speaking up for what she believes, and for building caring, just communities. My guest today is Kaitlin Johnstone. She and her partner started a business where every time they sell some merchandise, a book is donated to a child. Wait until you hear how many books have been donated! The company is called Kind Cotton. Kaitlin and I talk about how this began, what fueled her to begin her company, how she views kindness (and why she sees it as very different from niceness) and why action and justice are essential elements of true kindness . We talk about how she uses her platform for good, where this deep-rooted kindness gene that she seems to possess, comes from, and where she is going from here. You will be inspired by Kaitlin and her company. Thanks for listening as we bring a little more love to the world. Here is my conversation with Kaitlin. Kaitlin's website:  https://kindcotton.com/en-ca?srsltid=AfmBOoq0KKCxSE5s4WaoN6oKMt0CuAD5_lJHM601V-NFyQUwGIdeVXGF

You will love this episode! The company I am featuring today is remarkable and I think, quite revolutionary. It is a local bakery, here in the lower mainland of BC, called Gabi and Jules. . It is known for having the most delicious, handmade baking and they use full-butter in all their goods, and NO machines. Everything is handmade. That is spreading love enough, of course, but… there is so much more to this place than just what they sell. I had heard about their inclusive hiring practices and I wanted to find out more about that, too. If you are someone who cares about inclusion, or believes in community, or is a small business owner of any kind, or even is just someone who loves a great piece of pie, you will love this episode. My guests today are Lisa Beecroft (co-owner) and Bree Grainger, a longtime employee. We talked about the culture they have created there: how it began, and how they nurture it and sustain it. I find out how Gabi and Jules came to be, where the famous pie-making came from, why they decided to be dedicated to the inclusive hiring practices they uphold, and how this way of operating has benefited the business, and their employees. I also hear about when their unapologetically sassy attitude comes up, and how they really do what they say, and say what they mean. I can’t wait for you to hear this episode and to take in what these well-spoken and visionary, and comionate guests have to say.

It is a huge honour to have my guest with me today. When I dreamt up this podcast, the Roots of Empathy program was one of the first examples of a program or organization that is fostering and spreading love, and highlighting this program was on the top of my dream guest list. Here is a tiny excerpt from founder Mary Gordon’s best-selling book called “Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child”: "Imagine a generation of children across the world entering into adulthood and parenthood armed with self-esteem, a reciprocity of understanding of emotions, a sense of community, a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict, a valuing of social inclusion. Imagine the world this would call into being:...” Imagine. So inspiring. Is this not what we all want for our kids and our world? Impressively, at last count, this program has reached 1.2 million children around the world. The founder – Mary Gordon, has won a Governor General’s Award, among many other honours On their website it says that their mission is: To build caring, peaceful and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. And, their vision is: To change the world, child by child. This program has been praised and hailed by authors, world leaders, educators, researchers, such as Dr. Brene Brown, Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Michele Borba, Maria Shriver, The BBC, The Dalai Lama Centre, the Huffington Post and countless others. On this epsiode, you will hear about how this program came to be, what the program actually looks like, why empathy is at the centre of it, what the children learn from this program, and hear about some of the program’s amazing impact. My guest is the program’s Canadian Director, and Director of Curriculum: Julie Lundberg

“Creating Sacred Spaces for Transformation” with guest Christine Vaughan Davies I first found my guest today on Substack. I was drawn to her post called “Sacred tears” for many reasons – one being that anyone who knows me knows that I cry easily – well not easily, but “readily”, maybe. In her post, she wrote about what it could be like if vulnerability could be seen as a superpower. Here’s a little piece from that article: “To sit with our own or others’ tears can be healing and holy. Crying can be cathartic. I cannot count the number of intense hospital shifts that resulted in me crying in the car, the shower or on the shoulder of another person. My tears are a way of honoring the suffering I see. They also serve as a prayer and a release.” Rev. Christine Vaughan Davies is a busy, skillful, woman! She is a speaker, writer, educator and spiritual practitioner. Some of her titles are: a pastoral educator, a hospital chaplain, an ordained Presbyterian Minister, a Certified Educator with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, a Seminary Professor and a trained Spiritual Director. She has a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers. She has also been a health care and a cognitive behavioural therapist. Wow. Christine is a mom of two busy kids and she and her family live on a small farm in New Jersey, with chickens and she is a beekeeper too! I think you will love this episode. Christine is doing some beautiful work in the world, and is helping so many as she “journeys alongside” through different parts of many folks’ lives. Here are links to Christine’s Substack and website:  https://substack.com/@christinedavies https://www.christinevdavies.com/

I am so excited to share this episode with you. It is the first time I have taken microphones and recorded my interviews on site! I did this because I was stunned by this place! I wanted to go back there and try to capture the magic that we witnessed when we went there this summer. My husband, Paul, and I, were looking for places to take his 89-year-old mum while here on her month-long, annual visit from England. She has been to BC’s lower mainland many times in the past, and we have done most of the typical tourist attractions several times over. We had just moved into the Cloverdale area of Surrey, so I was googling all of the touristy places that even Paul and I had not seen yet. We found this place: historic, not too much walking, related to trains (which were a ion of my sweet father-in-law who recently ed away), and you can even take a ride on one – in short, perfect! Well, what happened there, astounded me. At one point, I leaned over to my husband and whispered in his ear, with tears in my eyes: “What IS this place?” It was oozing love. You’ll see what I mean. This little hidden gem (which you will hear is not a liked phrase of the folks who run this place), is the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway (FVHR), in Cloverdale, BC. A railway exuding love? YES! It is completely run by volunteers, and I mean committed volunteers who are so happy to be there, that it is remarkable! They are committed to the vision of restoring the railway, telling its history and hopefully expanding its run and reach. Did YOU know there was an electric railway in BC? There was, and it was thriving! My guests are: Stephen Platt, Grace Ducharme, Bard Ducharme and Allen Aubert. You will fall in love with them as I did. Link to Fraser Valley Heritage Railway website:  https://fvhrs.org/

Today I am going to focus on teens and young adults who are choosing to give of themselves in order to others in the community. I hear, and I bet you do, too, the disparaging phrase “these young people today” and how they are adrift, or idle or selfish, or unmotivated. This is not what I see. This is not what you will hear about today. I am regularly so inspired by the young people I get the privilege of working with. I am astounded at how articulate they are, at how intelligent and insightful they are, how deeply they believe in causes, how concerned they are for others and the Earth. I have worked with, and know some, teens and young adults who feel overwhelmed and feel hopeless, of course! We all do! I can’t blame them. We can look around and sometimes think -- what a mess they are inheriting, what a mess WE have made, as the older generations. Even in the face of this, in the midst of the mess and the negativity and divisiveness, and the conflicts… so many of them remain strong and hopeful and choose to help and serve, rather than curl up into a little ball of despair! That takes fortitude and determination and resilience! 

Who are the people who choose to comfort those as they die? Who are those who choose to be around that sadness, the tears, the grief? Who are those who could watch the loved ones of the dying, in their grief? These questions have crossed my mind many times – I could barely utter the words “death” and “dying”, let alone imagine myself trying to comfort someone during this time. I think those who do this kind of work are so irable. This work is so needed and thank goodness there are people who can do this work. This is the work of love. This kind of work and care is such a loving act. Loving for those who are approaching death, and I am sure, loving for those who are the ones left behind. Hospice work is the topic of today’s episode. Don’t be scared of this topic – I urge you! I think you and I will find that this topic is more uplifting than we think. Today I have invited two guests who work in a local hospice, to talk to me about this work, our perceptions around death and dying, and why they choose to spend their time this way, and the benefits of hospice care to our loved ones, to those left behind, and perhaps even to those doing the work.