I turned 38 last month and spent the unusually sunny day outside with my husband. We visited Wedding Rock at Sue Meg State Park. If you ever pass through Northern California via the 101, I highly recommend making a stop here. It’s breathtaking.
We also ate at my favorite restaurant in Humboldt, Ginger, for some Chinese and Korean cuisine.
It was a bittersweet day because my birthday falls on Inauguration Day in the U.S. So for the second time in my life, I had to share my birthday with the shit stain being sworn in. I thought it was ironic that it was also Martin Luther King Jr. day.
I, like everyone else in America, am learning how to continue life like “normal”—with all the usual chores, career goals, relationship drama, etc.—while also watching my country slip into an authoritarian state.
It is…
terrifying, confusing, and surreal.
I have started to cherish everything good I have in my life like never before. Every little win or celebration is a precious blessing not to be taken for granted.
I decided to completely get off Meta. Ethically, I can’t be a part of a virtual black hole led by a carless, greedy founder.
Instead I’m focusing on my workshops and long-format articles. I recently published a story about the Wanderer archetype and delivered my second online Wanderer workshop. I’m deeply grateful to be the creator of this work.
I’m excited to be 38. After a lot of recalibration in my mind and body the past year, I feel that I’m entering a better era of me—more open, centered, and brave.
The question is—can I thrive within a crumbling democracy?
I’m gonna do my darndest, because it’s the only choice I see available. I’m not giving up. I’m not collapsing into despair. And, I wanna be here for y’all.
It’s been a long, long time since I’ve done this, but today I wanted to highlight what I’m consuming recently. I like to share what books, podcasts, courses, etc. I’m giving my time and attention to in the spirit of sharing topics that I find important.
So here we go!
Straight White American Jesus
I started listening to this podcast immediately following the 2024 election. Y’all, I can’t emphasize how shocked I was to learn how strong and radical the Christian Nationalist movement is right now. I thought the threat of Christian radicals had died long ago with the Bush era.
Well, I was wrong.
In SWAJ, Professors Brad Onishi and Dan Miller give it to you straight. I don’t hear any other major media outlets covering this topic the way SWAJ does. The movement is a real threat to democracy in the U.S. And everyone should be paying attention to what’s happening right under our noses.
I grew up in a cult-watchlist church that could have easily made me into one of these dangerous figures. Miraculously, I escaped.
I know the way these hardliners think. They are uncompromising and ironically, unforgiving.
Christian Nationalism can be a dark subject matter, so I appreciate that Brad and Dan give reasons for hope at the end of most episodes.
Weaponized
If you’re really open for a doozy, check out the podcast Weaponized.
It’s hard to know where to even begin with this one. There are to date 67 episodes total, and if you’re completely new to the topic of UFOs, I recommend the episode from June 13, 2023—”Confessions of a UFO Inside, the David Grusch Revelations.”
The evidence for non-human intelligence is overwhelming. This podcast is a great start because the hosts touch on just about every major nook and cranny of this topic.
The hosts Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp are extremely credible. George Knapp has been reporting on UFOs since the late 80’s. Together they’ve been working with Congress members, helping facilitate the conversation, and reducing the stigma of UFOs in a way that’s game-changing.
This show has opened my mind, and I am forever changed.
Jury Duty
I watched this reality show with my husband just recently.
This is not your typical reality TV show! It’s hilarious, heart-warming, and manages to restore my faith in humanity.
The premises is that late 20’s Ronald Gladden is selected for jury duty that’s being filmed for a “documentary.” However, what he doesn’t know is that the trial is completely fake and everyone else involved is an actor, except him.
Ronald proves to be someone with a real human heart—and damn is he a good sport with all the obstacles they throw at him!
Often times cringey, but overwhelmingly “awwww” with hand-over-heart, you can’t help but love Ronald’s tenacity and good intentions to be a good, American juror.
I kinda feel guilty for maybe sorta skipping out on jury duty in the past…..
I hope y’all are taking care of yourselves. If you need a mental boost, check out my 1-minute Youtube Short from last month.
We’re in this together 💛