Ep. 23: Funke

Welcome to the show the colorful and incomparable Ms. Funke. She opens the conversation by telling how she starts her day with her Ifà practices, and how she consulted the Yoruba Orisha Ògún before bringing her beloved dog, Cognac, home. Her fear of death was transformed through Buddhism, Reiki and caring for her parents at the end of their lives. Her parents met when her father was a Tuskegee airmen grounds crew and her mother a USO dancer. The blessing her mother bestowed upon her has carried her throughout her colorful life: "live life on your own terms." And that was her guiding light when she was diagnosed with (and given a clean bill of health from) colon cancer, along with the quality of her life centered. Ms. Funke speaks about "letting go" as a way to not hold onto grief and connecting with ancestors of good character for guidance (a cherished aunt makes an appearance!). She also explains why she uses the term "transitioned" instead of "died". She's been initiated as a living ancestor into Ifà, and gives instructions for how we can connect to our ancestors, which is an integral to her wisdom and practice. What's nurtures her? Mother Earth! Ms. Funke says "my bio is very simple: I am someone that loves life and believes in staying true to one's self" and has graciously shared a prayer for all of us: A Prayer Connecting to Mother Earth: I am grounded My spirit is grounded deep into the earth I am calm, strong, centered and peaceful I am able to let go of fear and trust that I am eternally safe I am worthy of all things beautiful Àṣẹ Ifà LA Times Article with Ms. Funke's father and his childhood friend Tuskegee Airmen Ground Crew History of Tuskegee Airmen Skippers Darling 3 The Tuskegee Airmen Red Tails Nichiren Buddhism Reiki Hospice