Shows
Pivoting to Technology AdoptionWhy 70% of Students Never Enroll & What AI Is Doing About It | Jason ShermanWhy is university enrollment down?
How to improve university website conversion?
AI integration for enterprise bottlenecks?
Did you know 70% of students who visit a university website never enroll?
In this episode, Jason Sherman, Founder of Vengo AI and Campus Pixel, reveals how AI is transforming enterprise operations—from university admissions to Fortune 500 bottlenecks. We discuss why LLMs are running out of training data (and why OpenAI wants to buy Pinterest), how to build proprietary AI infrastructure that protects client data from Big Tech, and why de...
2026-01-2033 min
SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanSmart Tips for Safe Hiking with Vicki FerreiraGet ready to hit the trails! Join us as licensed wilderness guide Vicki Ferreira shares her expertise and warmth, dishing out smart tips for safe and epic hikes. From local strolls to remote wilderness adventures, Vicki's trail wisdom will elevate your next outing. Tune in and happy trails!"
2025-06-1733 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanAre your words adding to polarization? Meet Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW Words matter. A lot. Kelsey, a highly credentialed licensed psychotherapist and Executive Director of The And Way Center in Austin Texas, is one a mission to promote peace in a divided world by sharing tools that reveal how we speak to ourselves and one another. In this episode Kelsey offers powerful tools that increase our psychological flexibility and promote constructive, heartfelt conversations. We all need more of this.Kelsey's book: The And Way will be released in the fall of 2025.
2025-05-2232 min
T-Time with Tori Totlis167. Golf Truth Reminders You Need to Hear with Donna TaylorWe’re joined by returning guest Donna Taylor, a veteran of the golf world and a yoga instructor who specializes in helping women enhance their skills on the golf course.With her unique approach, Donna has managed to make golf lessons more accessible and fun. She shares how her dad, a pioneer in the sport, inspired her and her childhood friend Julianne—who’s also joining us on the podcast today—to start their golf journey in third grade.Listen in as Donna shares her thoughts on officially transitioning from competitive golfer to teaching professional and why...
2025-02-1755 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThirst: A reflection on caring for a one year old and a 93 year old.A five minute reflection.
2025-01-1405 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThis song is for you. Yes, you!Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your faith or whether you don't practice a faith, YOU NEED a dose of healing wishes to be sent your way. Take 3 minutes and listen to this song. The voices you hear are choir members of the Jewish Community of New Paltz in New Paltz, NY. We recorded our version of this song, Heal Us Now, with the help of the master sound engineer, Jason Sarubbi. I'm pretty sure we recorded this about 5 years back; it is always relvant.
2025-01-0404 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanTwo Brave Angels Want You to Listen to this Podcast! Randy Freeman, NY State Coordinator for Braver Angels, and Mike Asbury, the Co -Chair of the NY Capital Region Alliance of Braver Angels, have powerful tools and insights that will help you pivot from making assumptions about those who vote differently from you and prompt you to truly listen. We often think we hold the moral high ground over people who support different policies but what happens when we truly listen to opposing points of view? This is their second appearance on Sparks In Action so after listening to this episode scroll to January, 28 2024 to hear more about Braver...
2024-12-1328 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Joy of Community Hikes with Vicki FerreiraVicki transformed herself, and her life, from being a woman in poor health to a NY State Weightlifting Champion and the founder of Hiker Goddess Adventures. Listen to Vick's inspiring story and the groups she has created to bring people of all hiking abilities together while also giving back to the community.
Hiker Goddess Adventures
NY Tristate Lady Hiker Goddesses
2024-11-0828 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanToolkit Series: Productive Sleeplessness? Yes there is such a thingA short episode with a specific, and very effective, suggestion for those nights when sleep eludes you.
Try this one asap!
2024-09-1803 min
"Love's A Secret Weapon" PodcastShindig's 60th Anniversary! "Tales of Shindig!"Celebrate Shindig’s 60th Birthday (Sept 16, 1964-2024) on “Love’s a Secret Weapon” Podcast❤️ with a replay of Chapter 7 part 3 of Donna's Memoir: "Tales of Shindig!" But wait! There’s more❣️ If this perks your curiosity, Chapter 7, Parts 1-4 reveal my entire Shindig! Experience
❤️Go Donna and Dr Adam🎊🎉
Onstage and backstage, Donna relishes her role on Shindig being surrounded by the likes of The Righteous Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner and Bobby Sherman.
2024-09-151h 12SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanWhy should you listen to an episode about eels? Because they hold a mystery yet to be solved. Listen to this fascinating conversation with renown science journalist Ellen Ruppel Shell; author of Slippery Beast: A True Crime Natural History with Eels. Learn about these mysterious creatures who have confounded ( and astounded) philosophers, biologists and scientists. You will also hear how they are implicated in international crime!
2024-09-0852 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Quell Anxiety & Distractibility #2This guided practice is similar to, yet different from, the first "Quell Anxiety & Distractibility" episode and has a better sound quality. Add this to your daily life or to try to listen a few times per week. Reach out if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!
https://donnalsherman.com
2024-08-1422 min2024-08-0505 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanHit Play NowHit play and listen to a few very short reviews of Sparks In Action Then follow and subscribe! (Shamless promotion!)
2024-08-0201 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanDNA is mind-blowing.A few facts about this doubled helixed powerhouse.
2024-07-2905 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanSunflower Secrets What does the Fukushima nuclear site, the Fibonacci sequence and solar tracking all have in common? Sunflowers.
2024-07-1803 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanHow Can We Connect With People Who Are Differently Abled? Holly Pope shares her work and response to this question?Holly enters the inner worlds of children, teens and adults, who are differently abled with fearless, creative empathy and a powerful, integrative toolkit.
2024-07-0831 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanAre Our Borders Too Loose?Part 2 of this two part series on Immigration and US Borders. Mo Goldman, Immigration Attorney, walks us through some facts about USA border policies.
2024-07-0127 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanRaw, Real & Personal with MeThere are things I need to say, and have needed to say, out loud and share with you. If you get something from this episode, or any SIA episodes, please share with friends, family and community.
2024-06-2412 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan the USA Remain a Safe Haven for Immigrants?We are told by news sources, across the political spectrum, that immigration is a hot button issue that needs fixing. What does that really mean? Mo Goldman, Immigration Attorney in Tucson AZ, sheds some light on this issue in language that is clear and clear-headed. In the next 30 minutes you will get a good walk through some of the realities of the USA Immigration system(s) while also learning about Mo's familys' poignant immigrant story.
2024-06-0432 min
Piano Tech Radio HourTribute and Insights w/ Donna Weng FriedmanIn today's episode, we started with touching tributes to Tanya Ragir and Joe Patrych, honoring their legacies in our community. Additionally, Donna shared about the legacy of Joe Patrych, a cherished member of the New York piano community whose unexpected departure in December deeply affected so many. Donna Weng, moved by Joe's passing, shared heartfelt reflections on his life and contributions. Joe's presence in the Greater New York piano community was profound. He left behind a legacy of excellence in music production and sound engineering. Donna's tribute to Joe set the stage for a session filled with gratitude, remembrance...
2024-04-041h 00SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan You Run and Save Land At The Same Time? Ken and Charlie Can.Meet Ken Posner and Charlie Gadol of Run Wild, Inc. Run Wild, Inc. have a mission to "raise funds for land conservation and stewardship in the Hudson Valley and beyond by organizing races and other outdoor activities". Ken and Charlie, both passionate distance trail runners, have some interesting tales to tell which include hypothermia and hallucinations from sleep deprivation during extreme long races.
2024-03-1529 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Deep Restorative Guided Yoga NidraI made this one with no introduction so you can simply get yourself ready (laying down on a bed or mat, covered up and comfortable) push play and go directly into a guided deeply restful state.
For more info: https://donnalsherman.com
2024-02-2625 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanBraver Angels Part 2Randy Freeman and Mike Asbury, from Braver Angels, are back on the podcast. Topics include the humility, the risks and rewards of engaging with people who think differently and the wisdom of choosing to not engage.
2024-02-0832 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan We Disagree Productively? If you are losing faith in our political landscape due to all the polarization out there, listen to this conversation. Randy Freeman and Mike Asbury came onto the podcast to share the inspiring and impactful work of Braver Angels. Braver Angels is the largest bridging organization in the USA. This is part 1 or a 2 part series.
For info: https://braverangels.org
About Donna: https://donnalsherman.com
2024-01-2827 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Mini Toolkit for Calming Your Body and Focusing Your Mind This is good for anyone at work, at home, in school, in athletics; even families can do this together. To reach Donna: https://donnalsherman.com
2023-11-2810 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Mini Calming & Centering Toolkit for college students and anyone who needs a reset.The title says it all. Listen, follow along, take a few notes and be sure to "like" and follow the Sparks In Action Podcast. For more information:
https://donnalsherman.com
2023-11-2807 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanAre Micro-plastics Really Invading Our Bodies and Our Planet?Meghan Wolff, PhD., MPH is the Health Policy Director at Beyond Plastics. Beyond Plastics is a nationwide project that educates the public on the plastic pollution crisis. in our short conversation Meghan shares a wealth of information, and some concrete suggestions, for how we can all do our part in reducing damage from plastics.
2023-11-0833 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanShould You Try Intermittent Fasting?A lively and informative conversation with Michelle Montone, the host of the Fast & Fabulous Podcast about what Intermittent Fasting is, its health and mental health benefits, various ways of implementing the practice, contraindications and more.
Michelle is the host of the Fast and Fabulous Podcast.
2023-10-3132 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanHave You Spoken Directly With an Israeli since the 10/7 massacre? Here's a young man worth listening to.Nachshon Ben's clear, informed, journalistic perspective is a voice that needs to be heard right now.
We discuss current life in Tel Aviv, how to discern "noise" from fact and how to go from getting lost in the ideological rhetoric and move into productive conversations and action.
2023-10-2727 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanDoes the history of Israel overwhelm You? You are not alone. Here is someone with some facts. Ethan Nadelmann, PhD, studied and taught Middle East Politics before moving into the world of international & domestic drug policy; he gives his take on the challenges of the region.
2023-10-2535 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: 14 minute guided rest If you can lie down, or recline, please do. You can do this, with positive effect while sitting in a chair if you have to. Do NOT listen to his recording while driving or operating any machinery; your eyes will need to be closed.
2023-10-1514 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan A Growth Mindset Be Fun? Yes! Alaina proves it.Alaina Levine is a professional speaker, career coach and science writer. This is our second SIA conversation and we discuss how to grow through pitfalls such as the perfectionism , comparison, shame and embarrassment all with the goal of embracing our messy selves as we seek to work, serve and earn a living.
2023-09-2832 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanSelf Improvement Overwhelm?I wrote this blog post about our culture's obsession with being the "best version" of ourselves. I fall prey to this phenomenon and I have questions about it.
2023-09-2406 min
T-Time with Tori Totlis73. Golf Truth Reminders You Need to Hear with Donna TaylorWe’re joined by returning guest Donna Taylor, a veteran of the golf world and a yoga instructor who specializes in helping women enhance their skills on the golf course. With her unique approach, Donna has managed to make golf lessons accessible and fun. She shares how her dad, a pioneer in the sport, inspired her and her childhood friend Julianne—who’s also joining us on the podcast today—to start their golf journey in third grade. Listen in as Donna shares her thoughts on officially transitioning from competitive golfer to teaching professional, and why she...
2023-09-1154 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThink you "can't meditate"? Take 9 minutes and listen to this.Welcome to this new season of Sparks In Action (SIA). I've got some inspiring guests this season so stay tuned, share with friends and make SIA part of your podcast listening life.
Here's a short taste of meditation for those of you who think that mediation requires something that you don't have.
2023-09-0609 min"Love's A Secret Weapon" PodcastChapter 21: Casting My Spell On You with guests Jo David and Marlow HarrisWelcome to a new chapter of Donna’s memoir! We open with a duet sung by Donna and Bobby Sherman on Shindig, “Casting My Spell on You”.
In this episode…Donna takes us back to the early 2000s as her fashion business, ADASA Hawaii, enters a new phase with celebrity clientele and the hottest lines including Juicy Couture, James Perse, Isabella Fiore and Lacoste. At a time of personal change and professional success, Donna begins to wonder if her new voice is as a Designer.
Plus, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by fan guests Jo David and Marl...
2023-08-311h 45SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanWhy Are Turtles So Cool? Award winning author and naturalist Sy Montgomery's turtle talk.Talking with Sy and, reading any of her 35 (!!) books, is always an adventure, an education and a source of genuine inspiration. We talk about many things with an emphasis on all things Turtle. Sy's book: Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, shell by Shattered Shell will be released on September 19.
https://symontgomery.com
https://donnalsherman.com
2023-08-0332 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Ketamine Help Depression? How Does it Work?This episode covers: How the primary neurotransmitters involved (GABA & Glutamate) in Ketamine Infusion Therapy act on the human brain and body, what a Ketamine infusion treatment might look like in a professional clinic, when Ketamine treatments are contraindicated and more. Jill is a compassionate medical professional with extensive experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthesist.
https://ketaminewellnessinfusionspa.com
https://donnalsherman.com
2023-07-0631 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanKetamine Demystified: Meet Jill Gabay, CRNA, Founder of Ketamine Wellness Infusions Pa.A short and informative discussion addressing:
Ketamine's effect on neurotransmitters Glutamate and GABA. When Ketamine is an appropriate intervention and when it is contraindicated.
How Ketamine can be administered in a a clinical setting- the details of a clinic visit.
New research and treatments in psychology, mental health and psychiatry.
About Jill: https://ketamineinfusionspa.com
About Donna : https://donnalsherman.com
2023-07-0631 min
Bending the Trail with Lisa GlickDonna Sherman Sparks in Action Part 2Donna Sherman MSW, LCSW, is a skill based coach with a background in mental health. Her personal journey led her to a yoga practice of her own which led to her becoming a yoga teacher. She leads workshops on mindfulness and yoga nidra. She guides her participant with a combination of evidence based behavioral sciences, psychology and wisdom practices. She offers a custom toolkit that involves implementation to cultivate enduring skills.
Donna also has a wonderful podcast called "Sparks in Action". https://open.spotify.com/show/4FE8yhe5bbpj2x6Mkhpze1
Donna is a musician...
2023-06-0654 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanYou Can Fall In Love With (almost) Anything.Do you find yourself thinking that your life is filled with too much of the mundane? Listen to this and learn to flip the script.
Listen to the very end; keep listening after I sign off. Can you identify the sound at the very end?
2023-05-1505 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Birdsong and Brains. Try this.How we start our day matters. I've got a behavioral tool for you that will lift your spirts and settle your mind.
Let me know what you thinkl.
https://donnalsherman.com
Link for study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nim.gov/36229489
2023-04-3005 min
Tomayto TomahtoMathematical Linguistics w/ Donna Jo NapoliWe did it, Joe: Tomayto Tomahto has been in existence for over a year. That's one year, 12 episodes, and way too many instances of editing audio into the wee hours of the morning. But it's all been worth it.
In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Donna Jo Napoli from Swarthmore College—an absolute legend in the field of linguistics. She's an author, a mathematician, a linguist, a teacher, a dancer, and she's so, so passionate about the power of language. We talk about the intersection between math and linguistics, how biomechanics effect the lexicon of sign la...
2023-04-2139 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanLove Your Pet? Meet a veterinarian who heals pets and her fellow veterinarians.Veterinarians face enormous stress; however we rarely think about the fact that they encounter death, loss and complex medical decisions on a daily, perhaps even hourly, basis. Dr. Sonja Olson worked in emergency veterinary care for many years and has an insiders understanding of the complexity of practicing veterinary medicine. Sonja is part of a dynamic movement to bring therapeutic services to veterinary professionals and is the author of: Creating Wellbeing and Building Resilience in the Veterinary Profession.
For information about Sonja Olson, DVM https://sonjaolsondvm.com
For information about me: https://donnalsherman.com
2023-03-1040 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanShould Humans Colonize Mars? Two astronomers talk about our cosmos.Raj Pandya is the Director of the John R. Kirk Planetarium and a lecturer in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the State University of New York in New Paltz, NY. Allyson Sheneman is a student of Astronomy, Biology and Physics and an outstanding presenter of planetarium shows. In our fact-filled, fun and lively conversation they explore a variety of topics such as the possibility of intelligent life in the cosmos, an icy moon of Jupiter that spouts geysers, thoughts about human habitation on Mars, the power of the new Webb telescope and more.
PLEASE subscribe and supp...
2023-03-0147 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMy Big AskI want to grow Sparks In Action and to do that I need a minute of your time. Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. SIA is an uplifting community service, please help me keep it thriving. Thank you! xoxo
2023-02-0300 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanIs Your Innovation Ignited? Alaina Levine helps people do this.Alaina worked as a science writer and over the years has created a dynamic data-driven, and process- oriented, approach to helping others work and live outside of narrow boxes. She is especially interested in working with people in the sciences( and STEM) who wish to pivot and transfer their knowledge and skills in new directions. Alaina does all of this with humor, color, sincerity and fierce strength. Our lively discussion covers a lot of ground and offers some actionable steps so grab a notebook. Simply listening to Alaina will ignite your inspiration and belief in your capacity to innovate.
2023-01-2343 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Medical Professionals Attune With Their Patients In Our Healthcare System? Liz Levine, MD says yes and describes how.Liz is a medical doctor, a hospitalist, who is committed to her patients while also being actively engaged in programs aimed at caring for caregivers. Our first conversation on the podcast happened in May of 2021. In this part 2 we continue to peel back the curtain that divides patient and health professional. We discuss how medical professionals can attune to their patients vulnerabilities, the post Covid shortage of health care professionals, how patients can attune to their medical professionals strengths and vulnerabilities, some of the technological and architectural changes that are having positive impact on patient care and some of the...
2023-01-2135 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanHow To Use Your Body's own Restorative Systems from an Expert: Sara Mednick, PhD wrote THE book on this subject!Sara is a Professor at of Psychology at University of California where she directs the Sleep and Cognition Lab. In this episode Sara lays out a little more about the premise of her book: The Power of the Downstate: Recharge Your Life Using Your Body's Own Restorative Systems and we discuss steps that will help you activate more consistent, health-promoting behaviors. Take some notes while you listen and if you really want to dive deep into how to enhance you innate restorative systems read her book.
Sara's website: https://saramednick.com
For infor...
2023-01-1151 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanShort, effective guided (nasal) breath practice for quieting your mind and body.You can follow my voice and do this while seated or laying down. Please do your best to breathe in and out through your nose; that said, don't stress if nasal breathing feels awkward, it will feel more natural with time.
2023-01-0604 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanIs Meditation Too Hyped Up? Lisa Dale Miller, LMFT,LPCC,SEP has many important insight about this. Lisa is a licensed psychotherapist, a long-time teacher of meditation, a fiercely intelligent and compassionate woman who has never shied away from speaking her straightforward truth. Lisa also happens to be a dear friend of mine. This rich conversation between colleagues and friends was prompted by our shared concern that the often popular approach of "optimization" can be misleading and detract from the enduring insights and wisdom that a non-performance based meditation practice offers us.
To learn more about Lisa's work and her book visit: https:// lisadalemiller.com
To learn more about me and my wor...
2023-01-0451 min
Groundless Ground PodcastMeditation Beyond OptimizationThis is a very special and quite different kind of episode to finish out the Groundless Ground’s 5th season. I have a frank discussion about the pitfalls of packaging and delivering meditation as a performative act in health contexts with Donna Sherman—clinical social worker and teacher of practical wisdom from yoga sciences, mindfulness meditation and behavioral sciences. Since Donna has studied extensively in the Tantric yoga tradition and I have expertise in Buddhist psychology, we interview each other about the ancient science behind Yogic and Buddhist meditative practices. Donna’s Therapeutic Yoga Nidra is the NSDR (non-sleep deep r...
2022-12-0452 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanEve Returns: A Mini Series with Fiercely Wise WomenListen to this introduction to the next SIA series and then we sure to listen to the first rich and provocative conversation in this series with Lisa Dale Miller, LMFT, LPCC,SEP. Lisa is psychotherapist, long time practitioner and teacher of Buddhist psychology and the author of Effortless Mindfulness: Genuine Mental Health Through Awakened Presence.
2022-11-3003 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanTo Legalize or Not to Legalize: That is THE Question:Ethan Nadelmann, PhD, JD has been working in this sphere for decades.Ethan has been involved in progressive international and domestic drug policy along with innovative harm reduction policies for decades. Our lively conversation includes many aspects of all things drug policy such as how justice intersects with drug policy and the human desire to alter our consciousness. We reveal some personal information about our marriage, the dissolution of our marriage and our transition from being married to being supportive co-parents, and good life-long friends.
https://donnalsherman.com
2022-08-201h 14SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Making Napping a Habit really Change My Life? Sleep researcher Sara Mednick, PhD says: Yes! Part 1 of 2Sara, in her down to earth style, shares her vast scientific knowledge about how we can listen to, and utilize, our body's innate rhythmic cycles to increase our overall health. Sara has a vast and deep knowledge of our body's fascinating rhythmic nature and, more than that, she is devoted to bring her knowledge out into the wider world so we can all understand and work with our body's cyclic nature. This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation.For more information about her work: https://saramednick.com
2022-08-0134 min
2022-06-2900 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanGot an extra minute or two in the morning? Try this.How we start our day matters. Chirps are like sonic hits of gratitude and joy. Listen to this 3 minute episode, try my suggestion and let me know how it works for you. More info and tools: https://donnalsherman.com
2022-06-2903 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Quell Anxiety & Distractibility: A Guided Yoga Nidra with Donna ShermanThis episode falls into the "tools for better living" category of the podcast. This new 25 minute episode moves right into a guided practice that is designed to mitigate mental agitation and physical exhaustion so you can resume your day with a clear mind and settled body. For more info and tools: https://donnalsherman.com
2022-06-2126 min
Natasha NOW!Domestic Violence - Signs to Watch for and Sources of HelpDonna Zytko, Counselor & Advocate at Womanspace in NJ, shares important information and insights. Domestic violence is not just physical. It can be verbal, psychological, even financial.
2022-06-0728 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanAre Ocotpuses Really That Smart? Sy Montgomery is an award winning author who has spent her entire life with all kinds of fascinating creatures.Sy Montgomerys' love for our natural world, and all the creatures in it, has taken her on soul enlarging adventures to distant areas of the earth where she takes readers on deep dives into the mystery and wonder of the minds and behaviors of fascinating- and wildly intelligent- creatures such as pacific octopuses, hawks, pigs, dogs, amazonian pink river dolphins, tigers, tarantulas and more. Sy's prose is gorgeous with detail and fierce with truth. She explores the sacred in the natural world and from it, learns to"love like a God.' Listen and be inspired. Read her books an...
2022-05-1130 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman"We are stardust, we are golden..." And, of course we forget.In this episode I read words from the late, great astrophysicist/astronomer Carl Sagan and then invite you into a short inquiry about living our very human lives while also being part of the ever-changing immensity and interdependence of this wild universe. Sound heavy? It's not. Listen and check it out.
2022-05-0317 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman"We are stardust..." So why do we forget?The late, great astronomer Carl Sagan wrote some words that (gorgeously!)point towards the fact that we are immense, made of essential elements and inextricably woven into everything and each other. In this episode I read some of his words from Pale Blue Dot then invite you into an inquiry which then ends with me reading from one of my very early verse/lyrics. This episode is a portion of a presentation/guided inquiry I created for some faculty and staff at our local university with the hope of us all remembering that we can widen o...
2022-04-2618 min
Sherman Alexie’s Substack AudioBob’s Winter CoatIn 1992, the second time I ever visited NYC, I showed up in March without a coat. I’d somehow forgotten to bring a winter coat to NYC during winter. I grew up in Eastern Washington so I’d experienced real winters. My reservation is farther north than Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota, so I know winter on a primordial level. And, yet, I didn’t take a coat to NYC in March.How did that happen?I think it’s because I was just as flabbergasted to be traveling to NYC for...
2022-03-2414 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanDear World: A short poem from me to youI wrote this one way back in 2000.
"Wild life, life lived wild..." Let's celebrate it!
2022-03-2101 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMeet Hunter Noack: Bringing Classical Music into The WildHunter is a classically trained pianist who is devoted to democratizing music by replacing the concert hall with stunning landscapes and making these music experiences affordable and multi-sensory. Hunter and his crew place a 9 foot Steinway piano on a flatbed truck and give people the experience of being in a landscape with a live soundtrack where they can move, explore and take in the beauty of our natural wonders.This episode has the added bonus of Hunter playing us in at the start and playing us out at the end. Listen to the very end so you don't miss h...
2022-02-1935 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Clear out brain fog. This is designed for mid -day or anytime you begin to feel brain fog, eye strain, mind overdrive or simply want a guided reset.
Do not listen while operating a car or any sort of machinery.
You can follow this while seated at your desk or lying on the floor. As always, if you have questions or want to reach out visit my site at https://donnalsherman.com
2022-02-0419 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanDear World: A message from six year old LisaAfter a few of us created a story that involved time travel, George Washington, a blue flying horse and a run in with a T Rex I asked Lisa this question this question:
" What's the best thing about being a child?" Here is her response.
2022-01-3100 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMeet Donna. Yes, this time somebody interviews me.Lori Wynters interviewed me and here's the conversation. When you hear some pauses don't think anything is off with your audio, we allow for a few seconds of silence when silence was the honest space between questions or responses.
I interviewed Lori on an earlier episode of SIA so check it out.
The early Sparks In Action videos (before it became a podcast) I mention in the interview can be found by searching for Sparks In Action on You Tube. You will find three videos titled:
Women Who Walk Their Talk
Stel...
2021-12-2436 min
SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Israeli & Palestinian Students Collaborate? Kim and Allen created a program where this happens.Allen Taylor, PHD and Kim Kronenberg, MPH have created an inspiring and uplifting program called STEP-GTP: Science Training Encouraging Peace- Graduate Training Program. This visionary program pairs Palestinian and Israeli Graduate Students so they can do scientific work and research together with the aim of "reintroducing Israelis and Palestinians to each other" and cultivating enduring professional relationships built on respect and trust.
For information visit https://STEP-GTP.org. You can contact Kim or Allen at stepgtp@gmail.com
https://donnalsherman.com
2021-11-1433 min
Crime ScholarThe Sherman Courthouse Riot: The Lynching of George HughesParis' lifelong search for her family's genealogical records leads her to investigate the reason they are missing: the lynching of a 41-year-old African American man named George Hughes in 1930. Accused of assaulting a white woman in Sherman, located within Grayson County, Texas, George never gets his day in court. Instead, locals burn down the courthouse with Hughes trapped inside and later carry out a postmortem lynching. Special guest Melissa Thiel, a public historian and a native of Grayson County, joins Paris later in the episode to discuss her efforts in getting an historical marker placed at the county courthouse...
2021-11-041h 31SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanTurn A Desire into Action and Reality: A Three Minute InvitationYou know how the still small voice within ( or the loud nudging voice from within) is telling you that there is a specific goal or behavior change you deeply want/need to weave into your daily life? Take three minutes and listen to how the "Want It & Do It" series I am offering can help you move steadily from desire to action. No hype, just a lot of effective tools and steady support. Please contact me with any questions about content or registration at donnalynnshermman@gmail.com or via my site https://donnalsherman.com
2021-11-0403 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Radio Stay Alive and Well In Out Digital World? Jimmy Buff has a lot to share on this subjectJimmy shares his rich history in the world of radio and how his path led him to where he is now at the the vibrant, non- commercial Radio Kingston in Kingston, NY. Radio Kingston (WKNY 1490 AM /107.9 FM) breaks the boundaries of commercial radio and creates a vital and diverse platform for the exchange of information, ideas, inspiration, story telling and community actions with the goal of creating a more "just and equitable Kingston". To learn more: https://radiokingston.org
2021-10-2831 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman"Wait": Another gem from JasonThe wisdom of non-reactivity and patience in 12 seconds.
2021-10-2600 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman9 year old Jason has something to sayOut of the mouths of kiddos...
All I asked was: "What do you think we grown ups need to know?" This is what he said.
2021-10-2600 min
Folk Roots Radio... with Jan HallEpisode 602 - feat. Donna Dunlop In Conversation - BacklightToronto based singer-songwriter and poet Donna Dunlop joins us on Episode 602 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her career in music, and latest album "Backlight" which features songs that were originally recorded in 2000-2001, but revisited this past year with support and instrumentation from producer/engineer and guitarist Steve Sherman. Although Donna is no longer active as a live performer, she has a great music catalogue and lots of interesting stories to share. So, settle down and enjoy Donna Dunlop... in Conversation on Folk Roots Radio.
If you like the artists you hear on this show and want to...
2021-10-2558 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMeet Jimmy Buff: Radio Broadcasting meets Community ActivismJimmy shares his rich history in the world of radio and how his path led him to where he is now at the the vibrant, non- commercial Radio Kingston in Kingston, NY. Radio Kingston (WKNY AM) breaks the boundaries of commercial radio and creates a diverse and vital platform for the exchange of information, ideas, inspiration, story telling and community actions with the goal of creating a more "just and equitable Kingston".
2021-10-2031 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Power of YOUR "WHY"My 3 minute take on the power of knowing, deep in your heart and bones, WHY you want to cultivate a new positive behavior into your daily life and the series I am offering to help you know and own your "WHY" and then embed behavior changes that will support you in your endeavor. Detailed information about the "Want It & Do It" series is on my website. https://donnalsherman.com
2021-09-2902 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: 2 minute upliftIf your tank feels empty and you need some juice, here is a stream of good sparks from me to you.
2021-08-2802 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series:23 minutes of the deep rest of Yoga Nidra. Fast forward to 3:40 into the recording to bypass the intro and move right into the practice.Whoever you are, wherever you are in this world, this is for you. I've received requests that I create a guided relaxation episode on this podcast so here it is. There is a lot I can say about the profoundly restorative guided relaxation that is Yoga Nidra but it's better for you to directly experience the therapeutic value. If you have listened to the introduction before you can forward/skip to roughly 3 minutes 40. seconds into the episode to bypass my intro and go straight into the practice.
If you want more information about Yoga Nidra in general, or...
2021-08-1727 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna Sherman4 steps to help you rotate your attention- away from your worrying or ruminative mind- into a more open state of beingHere are a few things you can do either first thing in the morning or anytime of day when you find you are falling into the rabbit hole of familiar worry, anxiety, rumination, irritation or any problematic/ habitual mind/body loops. We all know these all too familiar states all too well; if we choose to work with them we can begin to move beyond them. Like the old adage: "You have to name it to tame it". These deceptively simple steps are designed to help you name it, deliberately drop into your body via somatic awareness and in doi...
2021-08-1708 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Wake Up,Drink Water,Walk & Work Better!Three (deceptively) simple- and easy to integrate- practices I gleaned from listening to Dr. Andrew Huberman, Neurobiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information I mention is discussed in great scientific detail in episode #28 of the "Huberman Lab" podcast. I do not know, nor have I ever met, Dr. Huberman. I listen to many science-based podcasts and simply want to share good information, that could add to your health and overall well-being, with you.
2021-08-1203 min
SPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanSky Shaman by Donna ShermanHere is short poem I wrote some years back. It was inspired by the ever-widening perspective that living life creates.
2021-08-0903 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMy Dad, Irving Sherman, shares a few words before his 90th birthday.A wise elder, bereaved yet grateful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, father-in-law, uncle and friend spontaneously speaks into my phone on Fathers Day.
We love you Dad.
2021-06-2103 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanWhat Makes a Broadway Legend? Meet Marc Shaiman and find out.Marc, a world renown, composer/lyricist/arranger and performer who works in films, musical theater and television ( along with his co-lyricist Scott Wittman) has received a Tony, a Grammy, an Emmy and seven Oscar nominations. We cover a range of subjects from how the language of music and lyric can evoke deep emotions in both adults and children and how humor, and joy, create bridges between us. Marc, in his honest and unassuming way, reflects on his many years in the world of theater and the process of giving air to the essential creative flow of composing/writing while a...
2021-06-0831 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan Someone with Bipolar 1 Function Well Without Medications? Lisa Glick is doing just that and thriving.Listen and meet someone who speaks candidly about living a rich and full life with a brain that works differently. Lisa had a long career in the public school system as a musical educator, singer and choral director while being a mother, an ultra runner and outdoor enthusiast. During our conversation Lisa shares her truth with remarkable honesty while also sharing how she made a deliberate choice to drop her fear of being judged and misunderstood so she could live with unapologetic bold passion.
2021-06-0522 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan We Humanize the Medical World? Dr. Liz says we can and she is making it happen. Part 1Liz Levine, MD, is an internist and hospitalist at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY. We talk about how she brings her medical expertise, her humanity and her wisdom to both her patients and her fellow health care providers. Liz is devoted to supporting fellow medical professionals in their process of drawing on their humanity while helping them resource tools that will help them negotiate the tricky territory of being a health care provider. We talk how both patients and medical professionals can be in their respective roles while also sharing their essential humanity (I share a bit about...
2021-05-2525 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanThe Toolkit Series: Drop Into Sleep: 10 Minutes of Soothing Guided Relaxation to Prepare You for SleepThe recorded night noise that accompanies the first two minutes of this recording drops off by the 3rd minute.
I wish you restorative sleep. ~~ Donna
2021-05-2309 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMeet Joe Concra: Artist, Visionary and Co-Founder of Kingston's O Positive FestivalIn 2010 artists and health care professionals joined forces to create an innovate, joyful and effective way of offering health care to uninsured or underinsured artists. Through the exchange of art, music and health care the wildly successful O Positive (O+) Festival was born in Kingston, NY. The model of the 0+ Festival has been recreated across the country. Listen to Joe speak passionately about the vision and generosity that went into creating this festival and how the festival not only provides an exchange of arts and health care but also nourishes communities by empowering them to take control of their c...
2021-05-1822 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanMeet Lori Wynters PhD: On Grieving, Joy and ConnectionLori is a psychologist, university professor and rabbinically trained chaplain. In this lively episode we talk about grieving as a natural and necessary part of a full life, how we can allow ourselves to experience loss and vulnerability without shame and ways in which we can purposefully create connection with others. We also talk about how joy, love and wonder are part of the same life- affirming experience as loss and sadness and we address how we can be with ourselves and others in their joys, sorrows and the overall bigness of experience that is life is.
2021-05-1121 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan a 52 Year Old Woman Become a Firefighter? Karen Pignataro tells her inspiring story.Meet Karen who literally fights dangerous sparks while serving her community with fierce and loving devotion. Karen, the manger of a busy Inn in Woodstock NY, joined the Woodstock fire department at the age of 52 and since then, has become an interior firefighter, an EMT and a lieutenant. We talk about the interesting path that led Karen to join the fire department, what the training entails, why she does what she does and what the world of volunteer fire fighting looks like. Approximately 70 % of all fire fighters serve their community on a volunteer basis!
https://donnalsherman.com
2021-04-1623 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanCan We Bridge The Great Divide?My short take and how to lessen the divide between us and have respectful conversations.
2021-04-0907 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanWhat Do Medical Pathologists Actually Do? Charlie Gadol, MD lifts the veil of this misunderstood area of medicine.What do you get when you mix the field of medical pathology with the love of, and care for, our natural world? You get Charlie Gadol! Charlie is an engaged and generous citizen who walks his talk with sincere humility and positive actions. Full disclosure: Charlie is my husband.Click play and join our conversation.
https://donnalsherman.com
2021-04-0923 minSPARKS IN ACTION with Donna ShermanWHY you need to invite the Sparks In Action podcast into your life.I'm not selling anything. My goal is to restore your faith in humanity and ignite your inspiration. Quite the deal!
2021-04-0401 minBending the Trail with Lisa GlickInterview with Donna Sherman, social worker, mindfulness educator, lifelong learner, special human!Donna is a person that is constantly evolving and sharing her gifts with others. Throughout her life she has often "bent the trail" to find joy, happiness and peace. Please listen to her wonderful story and insights. You will be inspired and uplifted.
More info on Donna Sherman and her work can be found at:
http://donnalsherman.com
The full description of the new series: Want It and Do It is on both the "services" page of her site as well as in Donna's Blog. Blog posts are found in the d...
2021-02-1846 min
Women, Wine & Leadership#84 Peace in the Pandemic Special Feature: Stacy Sherman on customer experience in a pandemicBoy, what a time in the world to talk about customer experience. I've spent hours this week cancelling flights and rental cars because of forced closures and I'm so surprised to hear the lack of human connection in the voices on the phone. I asked Stacy Sherman, a Cx (customer experience) leader to comment on why companies allow this human disconnect in the call center and what we can do about it.
Stacy is a Cx leader, strategist and blogger. When she's not running Cx for Schindler Elevator Corp, she's running a blog, Doing Cx Right, all...
2020-03-2727 min
LYONS RADIO NETWORKDonna Lyons Interviews Actress Pamelyn FerdinIf you had a favorite television show growing up, there’s a pretty good chance Pamelyn Ferdin appeared on it. In addition to several series of her own, Pamelyn made memorable guest appearances on such programs as Star Trek, The Brady Bunch, The Monkees, Bewitched, Gunsmoke, Family Affair, and The Flying Nun. She played Felix Unger’s daughter, Edna, on multiple episodes of The Odd Couple, and is perhaps best known as the voice of Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts TV specials and the feature film, A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Pamelyn was the busiest child actor in Hollywood for the...
2019-01-1123 min
Indie Business Podcast VaultVault Episode #140: Andrew Sherman [Podcast]The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 140, featuring my interview with Andrew Sherman, a globally recognized business expert. He's a professor, author of over 20 books, attorney, and small business growth guru. Fortune Magazine has even named him…
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2009-02-2352 minIndie Business Podcast VaultVault Episode #74: Aliza Sherman [Podcast]The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 74 featuring my interview with Aliza Sherman, the author of “Everything Blogging Book”. This episode is dedicated entirely to blogging, and Aliza is a true Web pioneer, online marketing expert, and a published…
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2007-08-0649 minIndie Business Podcast VaultVault Episode #17: Andrew Sherman [Podcast]The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 17 featuring my interview with Andrew Sherman, a high-power attorney. He is the founder of Grow Fast, Grow Right, an educational training company for executives of middle market companies. He has authored…
The post Vault Episode #17: Andrew Sherman [Podcast] appeared first on Indie Business Network®.
2006-03-2750 min