42. Feeling the divine

After a short hiatus, I welcome my first guest of the season, my dear friend Renee Bacchini. Renee in her own words: I’m a grown woman with the heart of a playful teenager—a mother, grandmother, and friend, deeply blessed by vibrant communities of dance, recovery, and fellow adventurers in this journey of life. My life has been a masterclass in “doing,” with decades of experience balancing personal growth, career, family, and self-discovery. My journey began with a lifetime devoted to dance and travel. I am in my 3rd career. The first: I was a hairstylist and single mom, all while spending 13 years completing my bachelor’s degree. This included a transformative year in the study abroad program through UC Davis in Costa Rica with my two teenagers, where we navigated new cultures and adventures. I've traveled extensively, including a bold trip to Cuba with my “subversive adolescents” pre-9/11. After 15 years in communications and social marketing for the state, I embarked on yet another chapter—earning my master’s degree at age 59 in design. Today, I’m in my third year of teaching, including my first year at Oakland Tech High School, inspiring young minds in industrial design. Throughout this journey of doing, retreats have been my saving grace, offering me essential rest, spiritual renewal, and rejuvenation. From formal organized retreats to personal retreats filled with meditation, yoga, hiking, and art, I’ve learned the power of finding quiet in the buzz of life. A 10-day Vipassana silent retreat at North Fork was one of my most profound experiences. While retreats are rare, daily practices of prayer and meditation provide a steady anchor, helping me stay centered, sane, and cared for. I bring a lifetime of rich experiences, a passion for connection, and an openness to share the beauty of life’s many seasons.