Secret Heart Broadcasting

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, we’ll look at the history of Mother’s Day, and how we came to celebrate women one day a year. We’ll talk about the role of mother figures in our lives, their wisdom and their legacy. We all come from mothers, what did your mother teach you? It does not matter if your own mom is living or not, if you are close or not, what matters is the spirit of the feminine, that mothering principle that nurtures and unites. This energy needs to be in balance with the masculine energy in our lives. To quote Rilke in Letters to a Young Poet “In the man too there is motherhood.” I’m freestyling this time. No formal guests, just me and my own curiosity about the wisdom of mothers, the power of the feminine, and what’s unearthed when we tug the mother root. If you’ve be wondering when I was going to let my freak flag fly and explore what’s going on in my own Secret Heart, have a listen. And if you’ve ever had a mother, this episode is for you.

Lorna Crozier is an Officer of the Order of Canada, winner of the Governor General’s award for poetry and is a Canadian literary icon. She’s written 20 books, including “Small Beneath the Sky” which Amazon calls one of the 100 books you should read in your lifetime. A professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria, her work has been translated into many languages. Her last book “After That” is a beautiful meditation on living after loss. Upcoming writing explores new love, and familiar objects. If you're interested in hearing from someone who is a master of living the creative life, and is a wise and generous teacher, then this episode is for you. WHY LORNA: In my early 20s my Mom told me about a Canadian Poet, Lorna Crozier. Her book had just won the Governor General’s award for poetry. I did not read the book right away, but when I did I was hooked. Lorna Crozier’s words are like medicine. Whatever you need, her poems are a pharmacy. Feeling grateful? Humble? Sexually frustrated? Longing? Grief? Looking for a poem about everyday objects? Lorna Crozier has a poem for that. She’s not just a brilliant writer, she is a wise and generous teacher, whose mentored some of the brightest on the CanLit scene. She’s also honest, frank and very funny. I cannot believe Lorna accepted my invitation to be on the podcast. I hope you love her as much as I do.

The first baby conceived through IVF was Louise Joy Brown, 1978, in England. Louise’s birth was global front page news. Today 2.6% of new babies in the US alone are conceived through IVF. Dr. Lisa Harris MD, PhD., has just completed a manuscript about the history of IVF in the United States. Over her impressive career, she’s seen many advancements in technology, witnessed inequity in terms of who can access the treatments, and worked to neutralize the polarization surrounding IVF. She believes it is possible to hold that two differing beliefs can be true, which she refers to as “the tension of opposites,” and encourages us all to flex that muscle. If you are curious about in vitro fertilization and the History of IVF, interested in a courageous conversation about science and reproduction and know that multiple points of view can be true at the same time, then this episode is for you.

If you are curious and love to ask why, then you will love Dr. Jennifer Salahub. An art historian and self described detective, Jennifer Salahub investigates how the heart came to represent love and fidelity through the ages. What is literally a muscular pump has become the seat for romance, true love and emotional wisdom. How did this happen? Jennifer Salahub brings her love of art, and insatiable curiosity, as we dive back to uncover the secret of the heart. This is a conversation that sizzles with insight and fun facts, tracing the history of the heart from ancient times to modern emojis. There’s a reason why Dr. Salahub was such a beloved art history professor, and we’re so lucky to have her indefatigable insight as we answer questions about the heart in art. If you love art history and the meaning behind images, this episode is definitely for you.

What if money wasn’t a source of anxiety? Jodi McLaughlin is a senior wealth advisor who says the first step when it comes to money is asking, “What are the goals for my own life?” (Jodi cautions this question is not a group exercise.) Knowing what you are working toward is the most important step. Budgeting doesn’t have to be this negative thing says Jodi. On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting we’re talking about financial goals, how women have traditionally faced vulnerabilities around money that men just have not, and how to create a powerful plan based on your own life goals. It takes time, but it is possible to convert money from a source of anxiety to a source of empowerment. I met Jodi when I was looking into financial planning for the future. I am entrepreneurial by nature, so I was a risk taker (starting up a new company for example) but I had inherited some of my mother’s practicality (saving for taxes). I had not spent a great deal of time planning for the future, as I was focused on the now and had never sat down to talk about what my personal goals were. Here’s Jodi’s approach in a nutshell: goals, budget, saving, investing. Simple, right? But without starting at the very beginning, it’s impossible to map the way. The map is different for everyone. Jodi is fierce about asking people about goals as a first step. Once you know where you’re going, the path forward becomes clearer. With less anxiety. And more purpose. Jodi’s wisdom is timeless, practical, and empowering. Blue Monday, the third Monday of January, is sometimes referred to as the most depressing day of the year. Why? Well, it’s mid-January, and the bills from the holidays are arriving. You can’t change the weather, but what if you could change attitudes around money? Jodi McLaughlin, Senior Wealth Advisor with the Susan O’Brien Group Wealth Advisory at Richardson Wealth is our guest on this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting. When you have more knowledge about money, you’ll make better decisions.

At the darkest time of the year, have faith in the return of the light. Mystery and magic abound on this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting as we step into the magical world of Palma Cafolla to learn about the power of flowers, the science of scent, and the beauty and challenges of life on earth. Palma grew up near Dublin, the daughter of an Irish mother and an Italian father. Her history is rooted in the natural world, faerie folk, fragrant flowers, intoxicating botanicals, and the ritual of the catholic church. Educated by nuns (including one compassionate woman who changed the trajectory of her academic life), Palma found peace in her mother’s backyard, and in the redolent herb garden of her paternal grandmother. Palma’s spirit is rooted in the earth. From florist to designer, entrepreneur to master perfumer, Palma’s life maps what it is to trust your inner knowing and follow the heart, where ever it leads — from the glamour of London to the darkest winters in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This enchanting interview takes us from rural Italy to the harbour city of Victoria, Canada, and the creation of Zingaro Floral and Perfumery. Palma believes we are—all of us—given gifts. Bringing those gifts into the world is the essence of life. “Bloom where you’re planted” the wise women say. Palma Cafolla is living proof that blooming is possible, life is evergreen, and no matter how dark things may seem, the light will always return. Let’s celebrate this light.

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, Kerrie Penney and Heather Dyer explore how to free yourself from the expectation of perfection. “The I Don’t Care Club” is a wide-ranging conversation about letting go, curiosity and what is possible when you do. (Even if it’s not perfect). Heather is the founder and co-host of the Three Kitchens Podcast and is a generous home cook who shares her successes and failures. Like many of us, she is also navigating the world as an adult orphan, and parenting when her own parents aren’t physically able to help. In life, we learn by doing. If you are hesitant to begin something new because of a need to do everything perfectly, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, Kerrie Penney speaks with Janine Violini, a second generation Canadian of Italian heritage whose family stayed true to their cultural fervor for funerals. She recalls feeling worried when, at the age of six, she had not yet seen a dead body. This normalization of death within her community fostered in her a curiosity about the impermanence of life. Janine has a deep interest in thanatology—the study of death dying and bereavement— and is co-founder along with Jamie Whittaker, of Crows in a Row. Janine helps people think about end of life in a way that is engaging and full of love, including advice on meaningful rituals, or how to prepare complementary or alternative funerals. She brings death to life. In this compelling conversation, Kerrie and Janine explore grief and letting go, leaving a legacy and honouring the people we love. If you’ve been curious about how to talk about end of life planning, or are thinking about getting your own Crows in a Row, this episode is for you. 

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, Kerrie Penney speaks with poet, community leader, mother, grandmother, activist and mentor Susan Wismer. We’ll explore how to live life as a simple offering, and publish your first book at 74! Susan always knew she was a poet. Her first book Hag Dances is filled with wisdom and beauty and light. Susan’s words will remind you that you can live the truth of who you really are. She leads and lives by example. Susan challenges what it is to grow old and paints a vibrant and honest picture of what is truly possible. A sage and a magician, her wisdom will inspire. If you are a creative soul (and aren’t we all) who struggles to make sense of the world, A Simple Offering is for you.

In this episode Kerrie Penney talks with Nina Sudra about her eclectic fish out of water story. “Tropical Bird in a Snowstorm” is an exploration of belonging versus being who you truly are in the world, and the risks and rewards that come with courage. This episode asks questions like “what would it take to be fully me?” and “what am I longing to create?” Nina is an award-winning film maker and dear friend. We met a lifetime ago, (or many lifetimes ago?) when she was a practicum student and I was producing and directing. Over the many decades of our friendship, we’ve navigated life transitions, sharing what we’ve learned along the way. I admire Nina’s persistence, her willingness to compassionately explore the past and point herself toward a future that vibrates with who she is. Nina is an artist, mother, friend and empath whose stories create understanding and unity. Nina follows her heart, wherever it leads. You cannot help but be enamoured of her joy and passion for living.

On this episode, Kerrie Penney interviews Future by Coeur Founder, Sarah Woods. Sarah Woods was born for these times! Highest Wisdom: The Heart is a rich and illuminating conversation about living from the precise technology of the heart, including following the breadcrumbs you've probably already dropped to reconnect yourself with your path. What does it mean to love yourself first and how can this simple act change the course of a life? Sarah asks, “Who did you come here to be?” And then provides some practical, loving guidance. We are so excited to have Sarah Woods share her experience of love in action, and the adventures of leaning into the love that we “be.” You can contact Sarah through futurebycoeur.com

On this episode, Kerrie speaks to Michelena Bamford about mosaic art; making beauty out of broken pieces, whether this extends to murals or remaking a life.  Michelena  shares her story of journeying around the world at 50 to reclaim  the pieces of herself she’d left behind, and discovering a deepening of her love for her family and her art.  This is a conversation about recovering joy and the importance of honouring the wisdom of the feminine in order to being balance to the world.  If you are looking for a joyful reminder to live life on your own terms this episode is for you! 

In celebration of National Adoption month Kerrie speaks with Karen Pickles, a Somatic Relational Trauma-informed Guide and Mental Health Peer. Karen was adopted at the age of four months, by her “meant to be” parents. After having two children of her own, Karen began to wonder how her early life experiences, and biology played into her life story. This is a deeply reflective conversation about the power of love, of looking after one’s self, finding courage to ask uncomfortable questions and healing with compassion. In essence it’s about learning to be enough in the world. We are so happy to share this conversation with you.

In this episode Kerrie talks to Denix Almendares about her journey from a small village in Honduras to the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Denix spent most of her early life caring for her terminally ill mom and later, her father. For Denix, the death of her parents was the beginning of a powerful new chapter in her life. She wondered what was possible, and learned to trust in herself. She dared to dream what was possible. This is a conversation about courage and resiliency, about a mother’s love for her daughter, about obstacles and angels, and the discovery that letting go can lift you up. Denix is an extraordinary heart and a beautiful soul. We are so pleased she is our guest on this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting.

In Diligent Whimsy The Vicki Stroich Story, Kerrie and Vicki discuss life as theatre, the importance of the third act and what to do when the action heats up. Vicki shares her own story, of selling everything she owned and moving to a tiny home deep in the country, creating a career that aligned with personal passions, and fearless pursuing her passion for surfing and drumming at mid-life. Vicki reminds us it’s important to try new things, and to let go of the need to be perfect. If you’ve been putting off change, this episode is for you!

In this episode, Kerrie talks to Lee MacLean about her 30+ year career as a leader and educator. How to stay true to who you truly are? And how do you make decisions that align with what you believe? Life’s journey is full of surprises and the occasional wake up call. In this thoughtful and revealing conversation Lee shares insights about her own journey, processing inherited wisdom, and learning to say no to make room for the yes. If you’re a creative leader on the journey to self-aware, this episode is for you.

This episode is bold and unforgettable, in celebration of art, audacity and inspired by the world of Burning Man. Every year tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada dessert to create Black Rock City, where saying yes is a way of life, and the meaning of life is in the moment. Our guest Lisa Ferguson shares her journey, from Moose Jaw to Mississippi Snake Catcher, director of photography to Burning Man royalty. Trust us, this is one conversation you won't want to miss.

If you are a human living in a body and are curious about cranio sacral therapy, this episode is for you!   Nicole Ainscough is a cranio sacral practitioner based in Calgary Canada who also travels North America as an instructor. She has a depth of knowledge and years of experience, and brings this depth of information to our conversation about cranio-sacral.   Warm and engaging, Nicole shares a lifetime of knowledge about the body mind connection, the theory behind cranio sacral and why it works.   I am so thrilled to be able to share our conversation with you.   - Kerrie Penney, Creator of Secret Heart Broadcasting        

In this bonus audio only episode, Dr. Alison Macintyre takes us on a high level look at the human nervous system, how to live well in an anxiety producing world, and some easy nervous system hacks so we can be our best regulated selves. Dr. Macintyre. is a respected academic and pioneer in re-thinking the workplace of the future. She’s also a down to earth human who has walked the talk, and shares useful information that everyone can use to help regulate under stress. Referencing the work of Stephen W. Porges, Ali and Kerrie explore the whys and hows of nervous system regulation in a practical, down to earth conversation.

We are so excited to welcome Jessica Waite, author of “The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards” to the Secret Heart Broadcasting studio. Jessica’s highly anticipated memoir hits the bookstores this month. You’ll want to tune in as she shares what she’s learned about love, betrayal, hope and the truth about being a single mom, no matter the circumstances. Hint: the world does not always love an attractive single woman.

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting we are deep diving women’s hormonal health with holistic nutritional consultant and fitness coach Dawn Hart. If you are a woman at middle life, or love a woman at middle life, this episode will enlighten and entertain.

Visual artist Sandra Sawatzky talks about conceiving and creating her 70 metre long “film on cloth” The Black Gold Tapestry. The tapestry, which took her almost a decade to create, will next appear at the MassArt Museum in Boston. Her work has been featured widely including in the New York Times and the Guardian. Sandra talks to Kerrie Penney about her indefatigable creative energy, leading a purposeful life, and the importance of creating new works of art as a way to make sense of the world.

On this episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting we’re talking From the Nipples Up with skincare professional and self-confessed science geek Krista Leitl. Skincare is important part of overall health care, as our skin can show us what’s going on at a deeper level. You are what you eat, and what you think. Listen to learn about recent breakthroughs in skin science, and truths your Mom may have told you on “From Your Nipples Up” Episode Four of the SHB podcast. 

Liz Soria is the kind of friend who leads by example.   When I asked her to be a guest on the Secret Heart Broadcasting podcast, and share what she knew about early retirement, caring for aging parents and being true to who you really are.   She said yes because she is brave, and wise and makes me a better person.   Join us as we discuss what is enough, what our mothers teach us and making the most of every moment. And oh yes, birds. Liz cured my fear of birds! and reminded me of the importance of seeing ourselves as part of the natural world, not separate from it.   - Kerrie Penney, Creator of Secret Heart Broadcasting

You might say Marilyn Potts is just in it for the drama, and that would be partly true. A woman who leads by example, she lead a rethink of the value of arts education, and earned the hearts of a legion of former students. In this second episode of Secret Heart Broadcasting, Marilyn Potts shares her somewhat dramatic insights on living a purposeful life, harnessing the best in her students, and never taking no for an answer.

I was fired on the eve of what my astrologer friends call my Saturn return, the time between the ages of 27 and 28 when the tough love planet Saturn provides a gentle—or sometimes not so gentle—nudge in the “right” direction. (if we find ourselves in the wrong life lane).   Yikes! Imagine if losing your job was front page news!