After taking six weeks off from the podcast, I’ve come to realize two things: 1) sometimes when I want to cut&run, all I really need is an open-ended breather... and 2) the ‘cult’ure series isn’t over yet. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll carry on, but I’ve decided to keep the fire burning for now. Folks just keep showing up for amazing conversations - and in solidarity with this work - so we’re gonna keep at it through the...
You know that thing when you get to the end of a book, the final chapter, and you read the last few words and think to yourself… THAT’S IT? Are you freakin’ kidding me with that ending?! You may have enjoyed the rest of the story, but you walk away feeling sorta ‘meh’ or even disappointed. Yeah. I don’t want the last episode of the ‘cult’ure series to be like that. I’ve been feeling kinda antsy to wrap, to finish off the...
Apologies if this email lands like a hot-mess in your inbox... it's a formatting issue with Patreon, one that I hope they'll soon fix. Click the "View on Patreon" button if you wanna read the full text of this message.✨It's not very often that I skip a Friday bonus drop, but that's what's happening this week. I'm in Kansas looking after my mom, who just had knee replacement surgery. She's recovering like a champ (thankfully). Even so,...
I have more to say on the heels of yesterday's post, because I'm receiving more questions - mostly from folks who are new to the 'cult'ure series... asking me, but WHY is the cult label even necessary? As I said yesterday, I agree that labeling can be a distraction and stand committed to keeping the focus on accountability. AND ALSO.... When is the onus no longer on victims to protect those who cause harm from feeling defensive and upset by the...
My choice to use the word 'CULT' scares some people away from the work I do on & off the pod. So why do I continue to use it? Because it's the right word. For years, when I was involved in wellness 'cult'ures where shady shit was going down... I would on occasion, google the word 'cult' and scan the clickbait criteria, my heart pounding all the while. I was desperately on the hunt for ANY evidence to assuage my anxiety. I'd breeze past many...
In the intro to this week's episode, I share a little bit about my 2019 trip to the island of Vis, just off the coast of the Croatian mainland. I thought I'd drop in a few pics to offer a visual for those who are interested. Pictured Here (in order): Walking through Komiža on the island of Vis One of the weathered books at the registrars office Three distant family members I located while on the island The cemetery where my Yugoslavian...
Tomorrow I start teaching again. And, another reminder that the photo I posted a few days ago of me dancing is from eleven(ty-million) years ago - a point that’s very relevant to this story. About an hour ago, I dug out some dance attire that I haven’t worn in years. What you see here is what I’ve held onto after two decades of teaching - 32 pairs of dance pants, 20 sports bras in almost every color, and about two dozen tops (not pictured...
This photo was taken by Mark Downey way back in 2011. We are friends who used to dance together. He's an award-winning photographer, and this photo shoot was an exceedingly generous gift he once gave me. I still treasure every image; he effortlessly captured my love of dance in a way that I’ve never been able to express in words (and that’s saying a lot). Follow him on the socials! His travel photography will blow your...
I woke up at 5am to the sound of rain against my window, and as I write these words to you I'm surrounded by darkness... feeling right at home in it. I used to need ALL the lights to be on - at.all.times. I was afraid of the dark for good reason; it used to be unsafe for me to be there. And now here I am... doing this work, hanging out in the shadowy, milky depths... feeling lighter than ever. This isn't a humble brag. It's a testament to...
Here are 8 arguments commonly used to deflect responsibility and/or diminish the experience of folks who've have experienced abuse. Personally speaking, I encountered every one of these lines of defense in new age 'wellness' communities where I worked and studied for two decades... AND I was also, at times, very much guilty of perpetuating them. Mental health awareness isn't just about how to respond in a moment of crisis... it's also about...
