
In a world that loves to talk, do, achieve, promote, preach, sell....what does it mean to connect, be, and listen. A podcast about #humanconnection #mentalhealth #socialhealth #empathy #belonging and #loneliness. And always thinking about justice and inclusion in all things. Join us. And share far and wide. Or start your own chapter of Sidewalk Talk in your community. www.sidewalk-talk.org
Episodes

Monday Apr 05, 2021
Artist Daren Todd talks art, love, and accountability | Daren Todd
Monday Apr 05, 2021
Monday Apr 05, 2021
For many, art is a language all its own. This has never been more true for Daren Todd, a Portland-based musician turned painter who discovered painting during quarantine when he lost his bartending job. On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Daren to hear his story of gaining a following for his painting through Reddit, starting Art Larger Than Me, and his thoughts on how art can serve as both love language and accountability for the battles our country is fighting within itself.
Daren is a transgender Black man who always saw art, specifically music, as a way to express himself. But when the pandemic hit, painting became a way to express himself and connect with others in a whole new way. Together, Traci and Daren talk about how art has impacted Daren, his feelings about the Capitol Insurrection, and how art can help us create emblems of accountability that help us as a collective address our different shades of shame and racism to create a more inclusive and equal society. Daren is a dynamic advocate for the power of art and loving those around us while still holding them accountable. Don’t miss this important episode!
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[03:08] Meet Daren
[11:52] The heart behind Art Larger than Me
[14:48] How Daren hopes his art serves the marginalized communities he’s apart of
[16:40] Art as language
[19:32] Art’s impact on Daren
[22:37] Daren’s rebellious spirit as an artist
[26:03] Traci and Daren’s shared Santa Barbara history
[27:27] The impact of the Capitol Insurrection on Daren
[32:21] Emblems of accountability
[37:13] Shame in our societal consciousness
[43:41] Daren’s word for you
[45:33] Outro
Resources Mentioned
The Neighborhood Arts Collective
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“I’m almost glad I didn’t go to art school because I see so many people that have gone that are just so jaded and broken down and beaten down by that system.”
—Daren Todd
“I try to use that gift that I’ve been given to reach out to people that maybe haven’t been reached or aren’t being reached, and to speak for people who haven’t found a way to speak or have been silenced.”
—Daren Todd
“I believe that art is a language that transcends dialects and can say a lot, and it’s open to interpretation by every person because no two people see the same.”
—Daren Todd
“I believe that it’s not so much about the outcome as it is about the daily practice, and when you focus on the practice, the outcome comes secondary.”
—Daren Todd
“How much more time are we going to have to wait for a simple right to life, to freedom, to justice, to the pursuit of our happiness? And we’re not asking to be held above, we’re literally just asking to be equal.”
—Daren Todd
“You’re not going to get anywhere by avoiding things that make you uncomfortable.”
—Daren Todd
“I never want to shame someone for where they were. I just want to help them get to a better place.”
—Daren Todd
“The most grounded I feel on this earth is when I’m reaching out to help someone else. And I think if each one of us just shared a little bit of what we had, there’d be more than enough to go around.”
—Daren Todd
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Mar 29, 2021
Dr. Kelsey Crowe on empathy and listening well | Dr. Kelsey Crowe
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Listening well isn’t an easy skill for most of us. We like to talk, and in a culture that values productivity and solutions above all else, simply listening can often feel like we’re not being useful. Dr. Kelsey Crowe, author of There is No Good Card for This, thinks differently.
An empathy coach and founder of the nonprofit, Help Each Other Out, Kelsey knows a thing or two about listening—making it her mission in life to teach us how to empathize in an increasingly self-centered world. On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci and Kelsey laugh and listen together, talking about all things empathy, connection, and attention.
Throughout their conversation, Kelsey shares with us her three basic rules on empathy for idiots, how we can ask for the attention we need, and the value of gestures. Especially during a season where we’re dealing with more uncertainty than ever, empathy is so important—not just for others, but also for ourselves. If you’re looking for a practical guide to becoming a better listener, and better person and friend in the process, look no further than this dynamic and empathetic conversation between Traci and Kelsey.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[02:24] Meet Kelsey
[06:51] What Kelsey discovered about empathy
[09:45] Kelsey’s rules on empathy for idiots everywhere
[15:09] Why it’s hard for us to not be useful
[22:23] How we ask for the attention we need
[26:23] The value of gestures
[31:25] What Kelsey’s working on next
[34:39] Sidewalk Talk in Germany and during COVID-19
[37:17] Listening during conflict
[40:26] How can we show up differently for others during COVID
[44:55] Kelsey’s wish for you
[46:40] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“The value of hearing someone else, truly hearing, cannot be underestimated.”
—Kelsey Crowe
“If we’re thinking about how we’re going to respond, we’re not truly taking in what somebody’s feeling.”
—Kelsey Crowe
“When people are talking, they don’t only want to be validated. Sometimes it’s actually an opportunity for them to understand and build their experience in the course of telling it. And providing people the space to do that is tremendous.”
—Kelsey Crowe
“We find that listening is unproductive, that it’s not useful, when it’s so useful. So our definition of what’s useful has to expand to include presence and attention. Attention is useful.”
—Kelsey Crowe
“We need to figure out more and more ways to display emotional intelligence that’s beyond just how we talk to people.”
—Kelsey Crowe
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Mar 22, 2021
Thomas C Knox shows us how to connect again | Thomas C Knox
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Thomas C Knox is a connector like no other. The founder of multiple organizations all focused on fostering relationships and space for vulnerability between people, this guy is the real deal. On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Thomas, her good friend and part of the Sidewalk Talk team, to discuss how to stay connected during quarantine and relating to others even when it seems like you have nothing in common.
Thomas is the face behind Date While you Wait—a company he started in response to the stories of friends and family who told him their commute was one of the worst parts of their day. In response, Thomas stepped in with a card table and a Connect Four set, inviting commuters on the New York City subway to sit down for a chat or just a game. With a personality that made space for vulnerability and connection look easy, Date While you Wait gained national attention, and is now being turned into a TV show.
Traci and Thomas talk about how connection has changed during the COVID-19 quarantine, the willingness to step out of our comfort zones to still be there for people even if we can’t be close physically, and why finding something you can relate to with another person is the first step to realizing maybe we’re not so different after all. Don’t miss this important episode on how connecting with others matters now more than ever.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[02:37] Meet Thomas
[11:40] Thomas’ relationship with his mom and how it shaped him
[14:21] Thomas’ Mother’s Day surprise
[19:30] How Thomas takes care of himself
[22:57] Honoring Thomas’ friend, Lloyd, who passed away
[27:27] Relating with others and being vulnerable
[33:46] Thomas’ organizations and what he’s working on right now
[36:50] How to connect during quarantine
[40:29] Sidewalk Talk phone-banking
[45:13] Mental Health Awareness month at Sidewalk Talk
[47:14] Thomas’ word for you
[50:16] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“I just wanted to do something kind for moms. We’re lucky to have them, and we wouldn’t be here without our moms.”
—Thomas C Knox
“The best way to give back is to pay it forward—do it for somebody else. Put a smile on somebody else’s face. That’s something that really matters to me.”
—Thomas C Knox
“Everyone has something in them that someone else has, but we fight it. Once we identify what we have in common, it’s easier for us to relate.”
—Thomas C Knox
“For us to be able to find ways to adapt and still listen to our community is something that is not easy, it can be a challenge. And I’m really proud to be a part of an organization that realizes that there are people that still need our support and still need to be listened to.”
—Thomas C Knox
“Show love, because we need it now more than ever.”
—Thomas C Knox
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Loneliness is something that has probably plagued all of us at different points in our lives, but it’s a feeling that has been more prevalent this past year than any before with a global pandemic that sent us all into our homes. But what if that feeling of loneliness could be combatted safely, from our homes, and through the help of strangers? Enter Open Bubble’s George de la Ville Bauge.
The Frenchman developed the connection app Open Bubble before COVID-19 became a reality last spring, but its inception has been instrumental in combatting a pandemic of loneliness in the elderly and young alike in this year of social distancing. On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci talks with George all about Open Bubble, why he decided to use an app to address the loneliness he was feeling in his own life, and why connecting with strangers is such a gift. Don’t miss this timely and important conversation that can help us all step outside of our bubbles to lead less lonely lives.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[02:44] Meet George
[08:20] Open Bubble
[11:34] The gift of connecting strangers
[17:11] Why George chose to combat loneliness through an app
[26:00] Getting in touch with our humanity again
[30:08] How meeting strangers impacts loneliness
[37:48] George’s wish for you
[41:00] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“Loneliness is not only being isolated, you can be lonely with people around; you can be lonely because you think in different ways. What we’re trying to do is tackle the feeling of loneliness.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
“There are two hurdles we are trying to solve: whether the other person is available, and what are we going to talk about.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
“We all live in bubbles, and at some point, it’s very beneficial to open a window into one of those bubbles and let some air come in.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
“Any war in the world, between neighbors or between countries, starts because people don’t understand each other.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
“I just want to get people in touch with each other and let the magic happen.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
“Nothing really brings more joy than connection with another person. You can find real joy talking with another human who you didn’t know ten minutes before.”
—George de la Ville Bauge
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Drug addiction and the loneliness and mental health struggles that often precede it are highly talked about issues facing our country right now, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in 2006, when author Alicia Cook’s cousin, Jess, died of an overdose, death from drug addiction was often swept under the rug. While it’s become much more of a frontline policy talking point in the years since, people like Alicia are still determined, maybe now more than ever after the year we’ve had, to tell the stories of families plagued by the dual issues of drug addiction and mental health.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Alicia, author of the wildly beloved book of poems, Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back, to discuss the biggest lessons Alicia’s learned about drug addiction and loss throughout her journey, the intention behind her book, and the policy changes around drug addiction and mental health both women hope to see happen in the near future.
Alicia’s journey of becoming a voice to this voiceless population of people affected by drug addiction really started when her cousin Jess overdosed at the age of 19. Alicia takes a few minutes to honor Jess during this conversation, sharing the other stories that have touched her the most in the process. Traci and Alicia’s conversation concludes with Alicia’s mission to give voice to the loneliness of our generation, and her word for you: everything is temporary, sometimes we just have to wait for the sun to come up on a new day. This is a vitally important conversation, don’t miss it.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[03:02] Meet Alicia
[06:50] Honoring Alicia’s cousin, Jess Cook
[11:33] The biggest lessons Alicia has learned on her journey
[14:56] The stories that have touched Alicia the most
[20:04] Alicia’s intention for Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back
[26:55] How Alicia has fun amidst writing about a lot of heavy stuff
[29:46] Giving voice to loneliness
[34:35] Policy changes around drug addiction and mental health
[41:09] Alicia’s self-care routine
[45:26] Alicia’s word and poem for you
[48:12] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back
Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“There wasn’t a voice for these families, and I inevitably became that voice.”
—Alicia Cook
“It’s always so scary to put something so vulnerable and personal out there into the world. But what I’ve learned is, it’s necessary.”
—Alicia Cook
“Dismantling the stigma—the number one weapon we have to do this is our storytelling.”
—Alicia Cook
“Advocates are born the minute someone they love dies.”
—Alicia Cook
“Our mental health, whether we’re in a good state or a bad state, touches so many parts of our lives, and it’s impossible to compartmentalize, even though the world tells us we need to compartmentalize.”
—Alicia Cook
“When someone wants to recover, and wants to begin that journey, there needs to be a bed for them. They need help immediately—they can’t wait another day.”
—Alicia Cook
“Even if you feel like things can’t get any worse, that things won’t get better in your life, you need to just hold on, because everything is temporary. Sometimes you just have to wait for the sun to rise and a better day to begin.”
—Alicia Cook
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Mar 01, 2021
Frank Carbajal on building the Latino future | Frank Carbajal
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Monday Mar 01, 2021
The Latino community is one that has felt the devastating effects of COVID-19 firsthand. As essential workers and part of a people group that values family and work ethic above all else, the pandemic has wracked this already marginalized minority. But author and founder of EsTiempo: “It’s Time,” Frank Carbajal, is here to tell us that the Latino future is still bright for these resilient individuals.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci talks with Frank about how his story of resiliency and perseverance is just one of many in the Latino community. The goal of Frank’s work is to uplift as many Latino individuals as possible, and together he and Traci covered all sorts of topics in that vein, from how to combat the negative rhetoric often thrown at the Latino community to why loneliness affects Latinos in a particularly potent way.
The episode concludes with Frank’s heartfelt story of discovering the humanity of a man who had lost it all, and why he wants to encourage you, the Sidewalk Talk volunteer, to always remember that we all have a story to tell. Frank has some beautiful truths to share, don’t miss this episode!
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[00:58] Meet Frank
[08:00] Frank’s story of resiliency
[17:21] Building the Latino Future’s impact
[22:04] Combatting negative rhetoric against the Latino community
[26:02] Community and loneliness in the Latino population
[35:34] Frank’s word for you
[41:58] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Building the Latino Future: Success Stories for the Next Generation
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“You can’t fail when you’re passionate. There’s no failure in passion.”
—Frank Carbajal
“I think of my parents when I see the migrant, farm-working community. That’s how my parents made their success. Words and framing matters.”
—Frank Carbajal
“With support, loneliness means that you’re not alone. You’ll be helped and you’ll be listened to.”
—Frank Carbajal
“We all have a story to share and we all should be respectful of every human life.”
—Frank Carbajal
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Kern Beare on how to have difficult conversations | Kern Beare
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Difficult conversations are something that we’ve had to have a lot of over the past four years. But just when it feels like you can’t even listen to someone who believes differently than you anymore, in walks someone like Kern Beare to help you realize maybe we aren’t so divided after all.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci talks with Kern, author and creator of the Difficult Conversations Project, all about how to have those difficult conversations in light of everything we’ve been through in the past four years, and really, the past few months as well. Difficult Conversations Project was birthed out of the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election when Kern, along with one of his sons, decided to travel the country on a “listening tour,” setting up conversations with a variety of people with a diverse set of belief systems to try to understand how our country could have come to this place of division and hatred.
In this conversation, Traci and Kern discuss what he learned on that first tour that sparked the creation of Difficult Conversations, how to listen without the need to be right, the push and pull between love of neighbor and the fight for justice, and how we reconcile our capitalist system with a belief that people should always be put first. Whether you’ve had a difficult conversation lately or you’re looking to have these types of conversations better in the future, this podcast episode is for you!
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[00:58] Meet Kern
[07:41] How the 2016 presidential election birthed the Difficult Conversations Project
[15:02] Listening without needing to be right
[20:39] The dichotomy between love and justice
[27:54] Kern’s thoughts on the 2020 presidential election
[31:48] Capitalism versus a people-first approach
[36:52] Kern’s word for you
[39:29] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Difficult Conversations Project
Difficult Conversations: The art and science of working together
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“The intention of life is to be loving, totally loving. And to be totally loving we have to deal with the parts of ourselves that get in the way of being totally loving.”
—Kern Beare
“The fundamental problem is a lack of relationship and a lack of connection. I saw the ability to engage in difficult conversations as a process for healing that disconnection.”
—Kern Beare
“Difficult conversations trigger our flight, flee, freeze survival drive.”
—Kern Beare
“A window’s been opened up, that if we don’t take advantage of, we’re going to really regret it. And we need to do more to reach out to one another, to connect with each other. We can’t think that, oh now we can relax.”
—Kern Beare
“We are fully capable of meeting the moment. And I think we need to have faith in ourselves to meet this moment.”
—Kern Bearne
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Our world is more diverse than ever before, which is a good thing, but we’re also growing increasingly more divided within that diversity of thought, background, belief, and life experience. How do we become bridge-builders in a world that touts our differences as reasons to hate the other? Therapist and speaker, Lambers Fisher, has a few ideas.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Lambers to talk about empathy and how we bridge the gaps that seek to divide us. Throughout their conversation, Lambers and Traci hit on some hot-button topics, including how to own our own feelings and stances on an issue while still making space for someone to disagree with us, knowing our capacity for being a bridge-builder, and their thoughts on how to get past the divides caused and amplified by the most recent presidential election.
Through it all, Lambers emphasized the expansion of empathy as his “why,” and the answer to so many of the connection problems plaguing our country and society. Looking for a prominent voice seeking to build up relationships, even when we disagree, rather than tear them down? Don’t miss this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[00:59] Meet Lambers
[06:04] Expressing our feelings of difference
[11:15] Owning our feelings and maintaining our stance while empathizing with the other
[18:02] Lambers’ why: expanding empathy
[19:11] Getting past our divides from the presidential election
[31:57] Listening to understand the other side and share vulnerability
[35:57] Knowing when and how to be a bridge-builder
[42:39] Lambers’ word for you
[45:13] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“Our differences don’t have to be divides. We can say, ‘yes, we’re different, but we also have similarities.’”
—Lambers Fisher
“We won’t know everything all the time, but if we’re open to learning along the way then other people will see that receptivity and say, ‘okay, maybe there’s something to that.’”
—Lambers Fisher
“My big ‘why’ is to hopefully create relationship standards that are a lot harder to break. I want there to be so much empathy, that it’s contagious.”
—Lambers Fisher
“You can’t discount the legitimacy of someone’s feelings just because they expressed it in a way you don’t prefer. We have to give safe place for that.”
—Lambers Fisher
“I believe that we all have the capacity to empathize in some way. Is it as much as you want or need in the moment? I don’t know. But you won’t know until you try.”
—Lambers Fisher
“Relationship-building matters. It plants seeds that impact every relationship they’ll have.”
—Lambers Fisher
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Feb 08, 2021
Sara Huang gives us permission to encounter our inner diversity | Sara Huang
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Monday Feb 08, 2021
At times it might seem like our society is more divided than ever before, and while that might be the case, there are still people out there like Bureau Twist’s Sara Huang whose sole aim is to unite where we are divided and make peace where there is conflict.
On this episode of Sidewalk Talk, Traci chats with her good friend and colleague, Sara, on how exactly she does what she does as a facilitator for teams and an advocate for promoting diversity and deep democracy in the most unlikely places. During their conversation, Traci and Sara hit on everything from what deep democracy means to Sara and how to confront your inner Donald Trump to finding that necessary permission to encounter your own inner diversity and remaining your centered self in the midst of adverse circumstances.
The two wrapped up their time together by discussing how not to become the oppressor in a culture that rewards such behavior, and Sara’s wisdom for you, the Sidewalk Talk listener: tuning into the other person and putting yourself in their place. In a time fraught with division, Sara’s voice is one we all need in our lives today.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[01:01] Meet Sara
[08:01] Sara’s take on “deep democracy”
[22:29] Permission to encounter our inner diversity
[30:56] Identities we cling to
[38:10] Not becoming the oppressor
[41:27] How Sara remains in her centered self
[46:21] Sara’s wisdom for you
[49:07] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“We cannot change what we don’t know. It’s also okay to have compassion for yourself and others when encountered with these blind spots.”
—Sara Huang
“On our path of embracing, such a big part of that is embracing ourselves.”
—Sara Huang
“To have that curiosity, to lean into it, and to show the way without dictating the way.”
—Sara Huang
“Never underestimate the power of naming. Naming it without the urge to fix it.”
—Sara Huang
“I see you. You have a message. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but I’m going to find out.”
—Sara Huang
“Tune into the other. Imagine that you’re there. Listen to the energy in the voice.”
—Sara Huang
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT

Monday Feb 01, 2021
A conversation on spiritual practice in today’s world | Philip Goldberg
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
When many of us hear the phrase “spiritual practice” we automatically think of monks hiding away from the world, an ashram in India, or spending our whole lives in silent meditation and mindfulness. Renowned author and speaker Philip Goldberg is here to tell us that though spiritual practice can be, and is, all of those things, it’s also a habit we can bring to our crazy everyday lives as parents, students, employees, and people in the 21st century.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci chats with Philip on all things spiritual practice, drawing heavily on his newest, and increasingly relevant, book, Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. Throughout their conversation the two debunk some of the most common stereotypes many of us have about spiritual practice, go over some of Philip’s favorite and most practical ways to integrate a spiritual practice into your life, and discuss appropriation in spiritual practice and how to best honor the cultures and peoples some of our most common spiritual practices come from.
Spiritual practices are not something far off and unattainable for most of us. Instead, they’re so needed in our increasing crazy world, maybe now more than ever. We hope you find this conversation enlightening and thought-provoking—one that inspires you to start, or continue on, in your own spiritual practice of choice.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[01:01] Meet Philip
[03:26] Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times
[05:17] Debunking the stereotypes of spiritual practice
[11:42] Relationship between spiritual life and anger
[16:41] Philip’s practical spiritual practices
[25:00] Bringing intentionality to your spiritual practice
[27:43] Surrendering ego in service as a spiritual practice
[29:48] Appropriation in spiritual practice
[40:24] Philip’s word for you
[43:52] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times: Practical tools to cultivate calm, clarity, and courage
The Life of Yogananda: The story of the yogi who became the first modern guru
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“I’m unconventional in that I honor the individuality of everybody’s spiritual perspective and spiritual past and happily draw from anything that works.”
—Philip Goldberg
“Spiritual practices give us a stronger foundation of strength, and inner stability, and calmness of mind so that we can engage in the world without losing our stability, thereby being more effective.”
—Philip Goldberg
“Whether something is spiritual depends as much on what you bring to it as the thing itself.”
—Philip Goldberg
“Are the teachings being transmitted with integrity? Or are they being diluted, and distorted, and corrupted for commercial purposes?”
—Philip Goldberg
“Deep within yourselves, deep within all of us, at our core, our essence, is a sanctuary of peace and a fortress of strength. There are many methods through which we can access that sanctuary on a regular basis and as needed. By doing so we can bring more of the best parts of ourselves, our love, our compassion, our inner peace, our joy, our openness, our empathy to the world and to the other people we connect with.”
—Philip Goldberg
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT