Shows
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Marguerite ShefferListen to this conversation with Marguerite Sheffer about her new short story collection, The Man in the Banana Trees. Spanning the Gulf South to the far reaches of space, these inventive tales introduce us to teachers and ghosts, aliens and ice cream consultants, each grappling with the uncanny edge between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Tune in as we talk with Marguerite about blending the familiar with the fantastic, bending genres, and exploring the strange wonders that shape our lives.
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About the Guest
Marguerite Sheffer’s collection, The Man in the Banana Tr...
2025-11-2530 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Christopher RomagueraSettle in for a fascinating conversation with Christopher Romaguera as we explore his translation of Charras: A True Novel of the Assassination that Roiled the Yucatán. This gripping work brings to life the political tensions and human dramas surrounding a real assassination that shook the region, and Romaguera’s translation opens the story to an entirely new audience. Join us as we discuss what drew him to this project, the delicate art of translating voice and history, and the enduring impact of a tale rooted in memory, justice, and place.
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About the Guest
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2025-11-1830 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Ciera Horton McElroyPull up a chair and join us for an illuminating episode of Book Banter! Rayna sits down with Ciera Horton McElroy, author of Atomic Family, a gripping Cold War drama that explores how one family’s secrets and sacrifices ripple through generations. With vivid historical detail and emotional depth, McElroy’s debut shines a light on the human side of nuclear anxiety. Tune in for a fascinating chat about family, fallout, and finding hope amid the tension of the atomic age.
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About the Author
Ciera McElroy is the author of Atomic Family (2023), the...
2025-10-2928 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Rob RenzettiPull up a cozy chair and get ready for a spine-tingling good time! In this episode of Book Banter, Rayna chats with Rob Renzetti author, animator, and the creative mind behind My Life as a Teenage Robot and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. His latest book, The Cursed Cloak of the Wretched Wraith, is packed with eerie fun, magical mayhem, and a dash of dark humor that fans of spooky adventures will love.
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About the Author
Rob Renzetti is a veteran of TV animation whose work on Cartoon Network’s Foster’s Home...
2025-10-1429 min
The Rayna B ShowE16: The Death of The Instagram PriestessIn this episode, Rayna strips the gloss off the “spiritual feminine” trend and drops a truth transmission for the times we’re living in.You can burn the sage, wear the silk, chant the mantra, pull the cards, and call yourself a priestess — but if you can’t meet your own shadow, it’s all just theater.This is a sermon for the women who are done performing.The ones who are ready to stop playing dress-up in spirituality and start living the real embodiment, the kind that’s raw, human, and holy.
2025-10-0718 minThe Rayna B ShowE15: The Fear of Being Seen And The Wealth That's Waiting Beneath ItIn this episode, Rayna cracks open one of the deepest fears women carry, the fear of being seen for who they truly are. Beneath the masks, the roles, and the conditioning we’ve worn to stay “safe,” lives the truth of who we are: raw, radiant, and powerful beyond measure.Rayna explores how this inherited fear of visibility has been keeping women from embodying their full purpose, wealth, and leadership — and how the nervous system, the body, and our sacred feminine wisdom hold the key to breaking free. This is your call to be seen, to...
2025-10-0520 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Robert FieselerThis episode of Book Banter with Rayna takes you right into the buzz of a live event at Blue Cypress Books! We had the joy of sitting down with award-winning author Robert Fieseler to dive into his riveting new book, American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives. It was an unforgettable night of history, storytelling, and community.
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About the Author
Robert W. Fieseler is a journalist investigating marginalized groups and a scholar excavating forgotten histories. A National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association "Journalist of the Year" and recipient of the...
2025-08-291h 03
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Darby BahamWhat if choosing love meant risking the friendship you’ve always relied on? In this episode of Book Banter, we talk with Darby Baham about A Risk Worth Taking—a charming and emotionally layered friends-to-lovers romance that throws a love triangle into the mix. Set in New York, this novel explores connection, loyalty, and the complicated choices we make when the heart and head don’t quite agree.
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About the Author
Darby Baham is an author and storyteller on a mission to make women like herself feel seen and believe that love is possible for them...
2025-07-2934 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Margie FustonWhat if finding a vampire was your last shot at saving someone you love? In this episode of Book Banter, we sink our teeth into Margie Fuston’s emotionally charged and darkly magical YA novel Vampires, Hearts, and Other Dead Things. It’s a story about grief, girlhood, and the desperate hope that maybe—just maybe—the impossible might be real.
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About the Author
Margie Fuston grew up in the woods of California where she made up fantasy worlds that always involved unicorns. In college, she earned undergraduate degrees in business and literature and a master’s in...
2025-07-0844 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Danielle DreilingerEver wonder how home ec went from baking pies to building parachutes? In this episode of Book Banter, we chat with Danielle Dreilinger about The Secret History of Home Economics—a fierce, fascinating, and wildly underrated slice of feminist history. From the classroom to the cosmos, the women behind home economics changed the world in ways you’ve probably never heard.
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About the Author
Danielle Dreilinger is a national rewrite editor for Gannett/USA Today Network and the author of the critically acclaimed The Secret History of Home Economics. A former Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow, she’s report...
2025-07-0155 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Maddie HannanIn this episode of Book Banter we talk with Madi Hannan about art, pets and her children's picture book, Scrim on the Run.
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Author/Illustrator of Scrim on the Run, Madi Hannan, known as “Madicat” in her art career, is a high school science teacher by day and an avid creative by night. When she’s not busy bringing characters to life with her signature whimsical charm, you can find her wrangling her mischievous pets: Jacques, the agility-loving Aussie; Butters, the cat with a lot of opinions; and Dante, the black cat who may or may...
2025-06-2429 min
The High Level Podcast"No Regatta Lasagna!" Welcome back for episode 62! The whole gang is in studio again this week for your usual bullsh*t and antics. Kyle and Rayna talk going to see Central Cee at the MGM Musical Hall in Boston and rant how they paid $16 for a can of liquid death water . Vinnie P. and Kyle antagonize the viewers/listeners from the greater Boston area to go get your booty holes waxed by Rayna. Kyle talks about making a lasagna for Rayna with no "regatta" .... what're we going to a boat race?! The show is wrapped up with the usual threads and banter...
2025-06-091h 01
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring M. A. NicholsonIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with poet M. A. Nicholson about her luminous debut collection, Around the Gate. Set against the vivid backdrop of New Orleans, her poems blend the personal and the communal, inviting readers to slow down and look closely at the world—and at themselves. We explore how place and history shape her work. Plus we discuss what we are reading now and our summer plans.
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M.A. Nicholson is a New Orleans poet, editor, educator, journalist, and a co-founder of LMNL Arts. An alumna of Lo...
2025-06-0330 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring David ValdesIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author David Valdes about his fun, heartfelt YA novel Spin Me Right Round. We dive into the book’s time-travel twist, its celebration of queer identity, and how David brings both humor and heart to stories about being seen and finding your place. Plus, he shares what inspired the book and why writing for teens means so much to him.
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David Valdes is the author of the nonfiction books Homo Domesticus, The Rhinestone Sisterhood, and Today Show pick A Little Fruitcake, as well as...
2025-05-2745 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Aaron ReynoldsIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with Aaron Reynolds, the creator of Effin’ Birds, the wildly funny and delightfully irreverent comic that blends vintage illustrations with modern-day snark. We dive into the origins of his foul-mouthed feathered phenomenon, how he turns frustration into hilarity, and why swearing birds have struck such a chord with readers.
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Aaron Reynolds is a Webby Award–winning humorist, aprofessional speaker, and the man behind the Effin’ Birds and Swear Trek social media accounts. When he’s not on Twitter, you can find him producing a series o...
2025-05-2254 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Bethany MangleIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Bethany Mangle about her witty and heartfelt YA novels. We explore how she balances humor with emotional depth, the relatable teen experiences that inspire her stories, and the way she writes strong, complicated characters finding their way. Plus, she shares what draws her to writing about family, friendship, and the chaos of growing up.
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Bethany Mangle is the author of the Prepped, All the Right Reasons, and Conditions of a Heart. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spoiling her dogs, playing vi...
2025-05-1355 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Rien FertelIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Rien Fertel about his rich and reflective writing on Southern history and culture. We dive into the personal threads that run through his work, how he brings forgotten stories and voices to the forefront, and what it means to write about place with both reverence and critique.
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Rien Fertel is the author of four works of nonfiction. He writes about literature for a variety of publications, including the New Orleans Times-Picayune/Louisiana Advocate, where he is the biweekly book critic. He has...
2025-05-0852 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Julia Ridley SmithIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Julia Ridley Smith about her sharp, funny, and insightful new book, Sex Romp Gone Wrong. We dig into the stories behind the title, the humor and heart that shape her characters, plus we talk about some of the books we're reading now.
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Julia Ridley Smith is the author of Sex Romp Gone Wrong (Blair), a short story collection, and The Sum of Trifles (University of Georgia Press), a memoir about cleaning out her antique-dealer parents’ house, grief, and what the objects we li...
2025-05-0734 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Jared M. BentleyIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Jared M. Bentley about his sharp and heartfelt sci-fi debut, Robots, Please. We explore the story’s blend of humor, humanity, and artificial intelligence, as well as the themes of loneliness, connection, and what it means to be truly alive in a world built by machines.
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Jared M. Bentley is an American writer and educator. His collection of short stories, Robots, Please, is the first in a trilogy that humorously explores how to exist in an absurd world. Future work includes his de...
2025-04-3040 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring TQ SimsIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author TQ Sims about their bold and tender sci-fi romance, Lovers in Arms. We dive into the themes of queer love, resistance, and chosen family that pulse through the story, and how TQ crafts emotionally rich worlds that feel both epic and intimate.
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TQ Sims crafts engaging stories that center Queer characters in supernormal situations. Their sci-fi series The Lovers Universe, including Godspeed, Lovers and Lovers in Arms, follows two men who fall in love while using their psychic powers to battle sentient...
2025-04-2227 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Anita FelicelliIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Anita Felicelli about her imaginative and genre-blending work. We explore the intersections of identity, science fiction, and philosophy in her writing, and how she uses speculative storytelling to ask big questions about reality, memory, and belonging.
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Anita edits Alta Journal‘s California Book Club. Her short stories have appeared in The Massachusetts Review, Air/Light, The Normal School, and elsewhere. She has contributed essays and criticism to the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times (Modern Love), among ot...
2025-04-1530 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Mike MileyIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Mike Miley about his new book, David Lynch's American Dreamscape: Music, Literature, Cinema. We explore the intersection of literature, film, and memory in his writing, as well as how storytelling shapes our understanding of the world.
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Mike Miley teaches literature at Metairie Park Country Day School and film studies at Loyola University New Orleans, USA. He is the author of Truth and Consequences: Game Shows in Fiction and Film (2019) and the co-editor of Conversations with Steve Erickson (2021). His writing has appeared in...
2025-04-0833 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Julie LeongIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Julie Leong about her lyrical storytelling, how the right person giving you encouragement can push you to write your book and cats, all the cats. We explore the themes of fate, resilience, and human connection that weave through The Teller of Small Fortunes. Plus, she gives us a glimpse into her creative process and what readers can look forward to next.
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Julie Leong is a Malaysian Chinese American fantasy author and corporate strategist who split her childhood across suburban New Jersey and...
2025-04-0139 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Darby BahamIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Darby Baham about her charming and heartfelt romance novels. We explore the themes of love, personal growth, and Black joy that shine through her stories, as well as how she crafts relatable characters and swoon-worthy moments. Plus, she shares insights into her writing process and what’s next on her literary journey.
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Darby Baham (she/her) is an author and storyteller on a mission to make women like herself feel seen and believe that love is possible for them, yes them. Darby be...
2025-03-2536 min
The High Level Podcast"Pushy Pirates!" Welcome back for episode 50! The whole gang is back once again for another hilarious episode to throw into the archives! Rayna kicks off the show with a low key hilarious fun fact about Harriet Tubman and how she used to knock out babies to stop them from crying and getting them caught in the underground railroads...LOL. Rayna also tells us about a first time experience at her new waxing job. The gang talks pushy people aka " pushy pirates". Kyle pulls up an article on the most popular toys at the 1995 toy convention. Rayna & Vinnie P. blind rank another...
2025-03-131h 03
The High Level Podcast"Unlocked Easy Mode" Welcome back to your favorite podcast for episode 47 ! This weeks show is kicked off as a "bro-isode" as we like to call it with your hosts Kyle and Vinnie P , however Rayna does show up a little late for this one. Kyle and Vinnie kick things off with some poker talk because Vin had a little tournament at his house and actually took home the bacon! The boys talk a little UFC before Rayna makes her appearance. Kyle tells a quick story of a camping trip that ends in chaos. The gang rolls into threads starting with a hilarious...
2025-02-201h 16
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Steven RowleyIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna, we talk with author Steven Rowley about his heartfelt and humorous storytelling. We dive into his bestselling novels, the themes of love and found family that resonate with readers, and how he crafts such deeply emotional yet uplifting stories. Plus, he shares insights into his writing process and what’s next on his literary horizon.
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Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR as one of the Best Books of...
2025-02-1131 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Justine Pucella WinansIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna we talk with author Justine Pucella Winans about her newest book, Wishbone. How representation and family dynamics play an important role in her work and of course All The Cats!
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Justine Pucella Winans (they/she) is a queer and nonbinary writer who lives in Los Angeles with their husband and incredible Halloween-colored cats. Their books include YA novels like the critically acclaimed Indies Introduce title, BIANCA TORRE IS AFRAID OF EVERYTHING, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, ONE KILLER PROBLEM, and HOW TO SURVIVE A SLASHER. T...
2025-02-0735 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Rebecca ThorneIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna we talk with author Rebecca Thorne about her Tomes & Tea cozy fantasy series. How she harnesses the power of her ADHD to write all the books. We also discuss (with diagrams) her 5-Sentence Method to keep you writing too.
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Rebecca Thorne is a USA Today, Indie, and Sunday Times Bestselling author, specializing in fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic. She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, hails from sunny Arizona, and uses her ADHD as a superpower to write multiple books a year. When she’s no...
2025-01-2836 min
Book Banter with RaynaBook Banter with Rayna Featuring Alexandra VastiIn this episode of Book Banter with Rayna we talk with Alexandra Vasti about her bestselling regency romance series. We learn when Alex read her first romance novel and what projects she has coming up.
Alexandra Vasti is a British literature professor by day and USA Today bestselling romance writer by night. After finishing her PhD at Columbia University, she moved to New Orleans with her family. Her books have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, and elsewhere.
Join us as we discuss her bestselling books Ne'er Duke Well and Earl...
2025-01-1731 min
The High Level Podcast"DurtyPics & Blind Ranks" Welcome back for episode 24! We finally have your 3 favorite podcast hosts Kyle, Rayna, and Vinnie P back together in the studio. On what we feel is one of our best episode's to date , " Team Rocket" takes you a ride across music, culture, and bullsh*t! To open up the show this week the gang talks the latest on Tory Lanez , the Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl half time show announcement , and the new Lincoln Park album. The guys then briefly talk the New England Patriots opening day and try to explain to Rayna how fantasy football works. Rayna mixes up...
2024-09-121h 09
lotus mindedEden Garcia Thaler: Moving from Fragmentation to Integration & Manifesting Your RealityIn this episode, I interview Eden Garcia Thaler, a mentor and teacher of the process of integration. She focuses on helping others to illuminate and release the undigested emotions and patterns held within their nervous systems, manifesting as repeated blocks in their lives, so that they can experience more freedom, wholeness, and fulfillment.
In this episode, we talk about:
Eden’s childhood wounding
Eden’s time as a professional ballerina
Eden’s need to “control” in order to feel safe
Eden’s experiences of shame, shadow, limiting beliefs, and victim consciousness
Eden’s relationship to her inner critic
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2024-06-201h 37
lotus mindedErin Rachel Doppelt: Alchemizing Anxiety into Radical Authenticity & Soul AlignmentErin Rachel Doppelt is a spiritual psychology & meditation teacher with her Master’s in Psychology from Columbia University. She spent her 20’s living in Israel, India and across Asia & Europe studying with diverse gurus and yogic educators. She is the CEO and Founder of the international brand Spiritual Intelligence LLC, which hosts certification trainings and brings business & spiritual courses to support those who desire to live their most unedited, nourished and soul-authentic life. Erin founded The Align Coaching Certification™ where you become a certified meditation teacher & spiritual psychology coach. She also created UpLevel Meditation™ which is a specific active meditati...
2023-08-251h 02
Dj Tony RaynaChilled House MixA mix of some chilled house tracks found on Soundcloud This eve! full credit to the producers this is more of a blended playlist than a proper mix.
Track 1 https://soundcloud.com/guygerber/what-to-do-me-remix?in=tony-rayna/sets/chilled-house-mix/s-6LKkxHxPCf6&si=6f19411668974555b87d524712ada4a3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Track 2 https://soundcloud.com/when-we-dip/premiere-dabeat-cauac-proton-music?in=tony-rayna/sets/chilled-house-mix/s-6LKkxHxPCf6&si=6f19411668974555b87d524712ada4a3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
track 3 https://soundcloud.com/dancefloorromancer/premiere-replicanth-ismaehl-with-mint-greg-ochman-remix-belong-to-label?in=tony-rayna/sets/chilled-house-mix/s-6LKkxHxPCf6&si=6f19411668974555b87d524712...
2023-04-1950 min
The Rose GrowsPalm Beach County Perspective Features The Rose GrowsThis interview was originally featured on the Palm Beach County Perspective podcast on December 5th, 2022. Rayna Rose discusses her two books The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone and The Girl Who Wore Two Different Shoes. Additionally she talks about her Shine a Light speaking tour where Rayna Rose spent two weeks addressing audiences from Kindergarten - college about antisemitism, leadership, and the importance of being kind.
"Palm Beach County Has Multi Talented Residents: Episode 55 offers a glimpse at one of our residents, Rayna Rose Exelbierd, an Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Youth Mentor, and Children's Author. Rayna dedicates her...
2022-12-1534 min
Mots et Merveilles3. LECTURE: "Anges & Démons", de Dan BrownPour ce premier épisode de la catégorie "LECTURE", je vous fais découvrir l'un de mes auteurs préférés, Dan Brown, ainsi que mon livre préféré (tout auteur confondu): "Anges & Démons".
Dans cet épisode, apprenez-en plus sur l'auteur, découvrez le résumé du livre (sans spoiler promis 😄🤫🤐) et écoutez la lecture du prologue ainsi que des 3 premiers chapitres du livre. En vous souhaitant une très bonne écoute 🥰
Pour acheter le livre "Anges et Démons": https://www.amazon.fr/Anges-démons-Dan-Brown/dp/2253...
2022-11-0922 minMots et Merveilles2. ETRE AUTRICE: Mes projets littéraires en coursDans ce nouvel épisode, découvrez les deux projets littéraires sur lesquels je travaille actuellement 😀
- une grande saga de medieval fantasy qui m'accompagnera toute ma vie tant est la GI-GAN-TESQUE et qui s'intitulera: "Les Royaumes Eternels". Le Tome 1 de la première trilogie est prévu pour fin 2023 et portera le titre: "Les Larmes des Ombres".
- une épopée sportive à vive allure puisqu'elle prendra place non seulement dans les années 80, mais au volant d'une Formule 1
2022-11-0214 minMots et Merveilles1. ETRE AUTRICE: S'organiser quand on a deux métiersVivre de sa passion, c'est génial, mais souvent, ça n'arrive pas tout de suite. Dans la majorité des cas, avant de pouvoir en vivre, il nous faut exercer un autre métier en parallèle, histoire de pouvoir remplir le frigo et les placards, et pouvoir payer ses factures. Ce n'est pas facile tous les jours et cela demande beaucoup d'organisation, de rigueur et, aussi, un soupçon de relâchement car à vouloir trop en faire, on peut vite finir par exploser. Je parle d'expérience; je l'ai vécu début 2022 après avoir fait un burnout.
2022-11-0212 min
A Season of Caring PodcastKnowing When and How to Step InSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Carolyn Birrell (Episode 139). Carolyn is the author of Walking with Fay: A Mother’s Unchartered Path into Dementia. While describing her caregiving journey, she talked about how difficult it was to navigate knowing when and how to step in to offer support for her mother. Since most everyone will deal with this issue, Rayna continues with the topic offering the following suggestions:[1:10] There are eight areas to consider when determining whether or not parents need more support:[2:00] Family Relationships[4:13] Home Safety[6:03] Medical...
2022-10-2020 minMots et MerveillesBANDE-ANNONCE: Bienvenue sur Mots et Merveilles !Bienvenue sur le podcast "Mots & Merveilles", le podcast d'écriture et de littérature, mais aussi du monde merveilleux et fantastique de l'imaginaire !
Je m'appelle Rayna et je serai votre guide personnel dans ce voyage. En guise d'ouverture du podcast, voici une (longue !) bande-annonce présentant votre guide ici présente mais aussi le podcast et ses 4 catégories d'épisodes différents que sont:
⭐ Etre autrice;
⭐ Lecture;
⭐ Interview;
⭐ Merveilles.
Si vous avez apprécié cet épisode et que vous souhaitez...
2022-10-1310 minA Season of Caring PodcastLeaning Into Love and Respite for Compassion FatigueSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Dr. Ed Smink (Episode 137). Dr. Ed shared his personal experience with burnout and how important it is to be aware of compassion fatigue. Rayna continues the conversation with tips on how leaning into love and respite can help overcome this condition for family caregivers:[1:06] Compassion fatigue is described as a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.[6:27] What would happen if you wrapped him in a hug and told him...
2022-10-0616 minA Season of Caring PodcastMore Caregiver Tools: Routines and FaithSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Deb Kelsey-Davis (Episode 125). Deb shared how technology impacted her caregiving season and helped her with self-care. Rayna continues the conversation with tips on how creating routines can be a helpful tool for caregivers. In addition, she explores how faith can impact caregiving: [1:00] The key to self-care is that it is not a one-time event but instead an ongoing routine or habit.[2:25] When we make time for things we love and schedule in fun, we have a happier life overall. [4:13] Think about th...
2022-09-2219 minA Season of Caring PodcastBenefits of Pity Parties and Understanding the Dying ProcessSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Betsy Wurzel Sloan who was a caregiver for her husband who had Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Betsy shared her experiences with her caregiving journey and explained that she gave herself permission to have Pity Parties. She also talked about the dying process. Rayna shares more on both important subjects: [1:30] Pity Parties are helpful and provide the opportunity to vent your feelings.[2:18] Self-Pity can lead to Self-Compassion.[3:40] There are many euphemisms for death and dying.[6:34] When you hear some of the key phrases...
2022-09-0818 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiver Tips: Self-Care is not an Option and ‘Pity Parties’ are Okay!Send us a textThis week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Betsy Wurzel Sloan. Betsy is a retired nurse and teacher’s aide who now has her own talk show. She is the caregiver for her special needs adult son, and she has helped her mother-in-law, father, and husband as they experienced Alzheimer’s. Through the journey with her husband, Betsy feels that she found her gifts, power, and voice. She now works to raise awareness of Early Onset Alzheimer’s with her mission to help no one walk the journey alone during caregiving or after. Betsy p...
2022-09-0127 minA Season of Caring PodcastLearning with the Caregiver WarriorSend us a textThis week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Susanne White. Susanne was able to care for her parents and venture out on a caregiving journey that would change her life. She is now a blogger and author of the book, ‘Self Care for Caregivers’ which will be released in early September. Susanne shares her experience, strength, and hope with others so that they can survive caregiving with grace and empowerment. She provides the following insights: (5:07) When caregiving, if you are trying to control or manipulate, your loved one will know that.(7:11) Being more self-a...
2022-08-1823 minA Season of Caring PodcastAdditional Help with End-of-Life PreparationsSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview from last week with Pastor Rick Craig (Episode 129) and the discussion related to end-of-life preparations. In his book, When It’s Time: End-of-Life Planning at Any Age: Make it Part of Your Legacy. Rayna shares more information on dealing with these tough issues related to end-of-life preparations:[2:09] Know the difference between palliative care vs. hospice and that things have changed over the past 20 years.[3:30] Understanding that palliative care might be an option for your loved one can be helpful. [4:00] Make sure wills are finalized, and that...
2022-08-1116 minA Season of Caring PodcastWhat They Really NeedSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interviews from the past few weeks with women who are Cancer Thrivers. Following these conversations, she began to think about and investigate what those in a season of needing care might want caregivers to know. Rayna shares the following ideas of support for those being cared for:[1:14] Educate yourself[4:27] Help preserve dignity and privacy[6:21] Treat them as a valuable person[7:12] Honor their choices[9:31] Offer help in specific ways. Avoid saying, “Let me know if you need anything.”[12:29] Just be with them and spend time with t...
2022-07-2818 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiving Tool: GratitudeSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview from last week with Heather Carter (Episode 125). Heather is a cancer survivor and she shared tips from her season of being cared for. She reminded us that our mindset and attitude have a significant impact on those we are caring for. Rayna shares additional information on this aspect of caregiving and how gratitude can help:[6:23] True gratitude is to focus on what you have in the moment.[8:00] Make gratitude a part of your daily or weekly routine.[10:19] Just saying Thank You can be helpful.[10:53...
2022-07-1422 minA Season of Caring PodcastStaying Active and Engaged No Matter Your AgeSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her conversation from last week with Marie Vaudry (Episode 123). Marie is the founder of Gleam in Your Eye, an activity subscription box created for those with dementia. Rayna shares additional information on ways to stay active and engaged no matter your age:[2:24] Brain games can help your brain stay healthier and younger longer. [4:33] Brain function includes memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking.[5:20] Stimulate your brain in different ways by using your imagination.[6:14] Stimulate different areas of your brain by using your senses or your non-dominant hand.[7:05] Reading is...
2022-06-3016 minlotus mindedVictoria de Vall (PART 2): Wounds to Worth & Embodying Divine WomanhoodIn this episode (PART 2), I interview Victoria de Vall. Victoria is a women’s coach, specializing in bringing women from wounded to embodied womanhood in all aspects - particularly when it comes to radical healing from toxic + abusive relationships with men. She teaches woman how to shed the toxicity & pain of their old lives and how to step into healthy, secure, & vibrant living in their sexuality, dating, and with self.
Victoria healed 10 years of her own codependency, abusive/toxic relationships, and wounded womanhood through her radical method of embodiment, healing, & empowerment. She is an NYU graduate with a...
2022-06-171h 03lotus mindedVictoria de Vall (PART 1): Wounds to Worth & Embodying Divine WomanhoodIn this episode (PART 1), I interview Victoria de Vall. Victoria is a women’s coach, specializing in bringing women from wounded to embodied womanhood in all aspects - particularly when it comes to radical healing from toxic + abusive relationships with men. She teaches woman how to shed the toxicity & pain of their old lives and how to step into healthy, secure, & vibrant living in their sexuality, dating, and with self.
Victoria healed 10 years of her own codependency, abusive/toxic relationships, and wounded womanhood through her radical method of embodiment, healing, & empowerment. She is an NYU graduate with a...
2022-06-171h 14A Season of Caring PodcastExperienced Caregiver Tips for Navigating Moods and Behavior ChangesSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, is joined today by co-host, Carlos Olivas III. Carlos is the primary caregiver for his father who is journeying with Alzheimer’s. Together Rayna and Carlos discuss challenges with changes in behavior and mood as the disease progresses. They share additional information to assist caregivers to handle situations: [3:22] It does not matter if your loved one knows your name. They know that you are someone significant in their life. [7:31] Time away helps tremendously to then come back, be present, and have an attitude of compassion.[8:42] We want to do it wi...
2022-06-1629 minA Season of Caring PodcastTips and Techniques for Successful MealsSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topic of meals and feeding your aging loved one from last week’s interview (119) with Toni Fisk. Rayna shares some tips and tricks from her caregiving season with her father around mealtime planning and execution: [4:00] A Meal Card System can help you shop for what is needed. It can also include everything for the meal and how to prepare it. (i.e., what condiments to add to the hot dog) [6:00] Please take advantage of the free download available. [7:00] Recording what and how much was eaten allows fo...
2022-06-0217 minA Season of Caring PodcastHelp Shifting Out of Autopilot While CaregivingSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topic of being a conscious caregiver from Tears in My Gumbo and last week’s interview (117) with Nadine Roberts Cornish. Rayna explores more with the five steps that can help caregivers to move away from being on autopilot:[0:39] Five Steps to Conscious Caregiving:Step 1: HelplessnessStep 2: RecognitionStep 3: ProcessStep 4: AcceptanceStep 5: Surrender[2:00] When processing through these steps, they can be cyclical.[11:00] Caregiving is a complex process and it is important to find advocates who are working with you on behalf of your loved one.[11:14] Helplessness is typical and wi...
2022-05-1914 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiverhood: Things to Think About and CelebrateSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topic of celebrating the season of caring for a senior adult from last week’s interview (115) with Jenn Chan. Rayna continues with that theme and looks at how this can help caregivers.[1:47] There is so much involved in making the milestone decision to become a family caregiver.[3:00] Four areas to think about:[3:20] Do this season the way that works best for you and your family . . . Give yourself permission to find what works for you.[5:41] Self-care . . . Be kind to your future self.[7:43] Grief . . . The feeling...
2022-05-0516 minA Season of Caring PodcastReading Can Benefit Your CaregivingSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topic of learning from others from last week’s interview (113) with Jean Lee. Jean is an author and co-founder of AlzAuthors.com whose mission is to provide resources to light the way for those on the Alzheimer’s/dementia journey. They spotlight authors who share their personal journeys so that others can benefit. This week, Rayna continues with that theme and looks at reading and how it can help caregivers. [0:43] Books allow those who have been before us to communicate their experiences, and we can glean...
2022-04-2116 minlotus mindedCourtney Herrera: Grief to Growth & Surviving Suicide LossCourtney Herrera is an Interior Designer living in Austin, TX with her husband Tato and dog Frida. Courtney lost her mother to suicide in 2014 after a long battle with mental illness and depression. Courtney has spent the last 7 years healing from this loss and has made it her mission to share her unique and personal journey with the hopes that it will help others who have lost a loved one to suicide or who may be battling mental illness. She has done everything in her power to take her trauma and turn it into an opportunity to grow and...
2022-04-071h 21A Season of Caring PodcastThings to Know About Support GroupsSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, discusses support groups, what might be keeping you from being a part, what to expect and various kinds of groups. [1:48] What could be holding you back from joining a support group:[2:10] Feeling that you will be put on the spot and must share your story[3:00] Feeling uncertain regarding what you would share about your loved one and concerned that others will be critical[4:00] Thought that you would feel depressed or sad hearing other’s stories[5:19] Not knowing what to expect[6:00] When choosing a support group, it is important to...
2022-04-0718 min
That's So Candida messy conversation on body image, plastic surgery and self loveIn this episode, Rayna and Holly discuss all things body image. They share their own journey's with body image and self love, discuss how to cultivate a positive body image and more! They also answer questions from listeners and have a few giggles along the way!find rayna and holly on instagram!https://www.instagram.com/raynakarise/https://www.instagram.com/hollyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy/follow the That's So Candid instagram page so you don't miss out on the chance to submit stories and questions, and stay up to date with...
2022-03-241h 14A Season of Caring PodcastCommunication Assistance and Building a Care TeamSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topics covered during last week’s interview (109) with Erin Galyean. Rayna shares some additional thoughts based on Erin’s role as the VP of Communications during her caring season with her sister, Megan. In addition, Rayna provides support ideas for communication tools and building a caregiving team. It is important to have someone who can be the communication connection between your loved one and all those who care about them and the family.Resources to help families and care teams with communication and coordinating care:Carel...
2022-03-2416 min
The Rose GrowsSh*T I Wish KnewSh*t I Wish I Knew. Starting a business is hard, keeping it running for 3 years is even harder! Hear first hand lessons from Rayna Rose with complete transparency and humor. Walk away with tangible tools and mantras when embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. This college talk was exclusively for the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi at The University of Florida. Bring Rayna Rose to your school by reaching out to Rayna@therosegrows.com
2022-03-2333 minlotus mindedAshley Novak: Slowing Down & Moving Through the Non-Linear Path of GriefI interview Ashley Novak. Ashley is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner through the Nutritional Therapy Association, as well as a Holistic Lifestyle Coach through the Chek institute. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago, and is super passionate about finding the "root cause" in all aspects of life. She has an innate drive to get to the bottom of why things are the way they are, especially in the body. And, Ashley also appreciates the beautiful fact that some things in this world will never be able to be explained. Ultimately, Ashley strives...
2022-03-161h 41A Season of Caring PodcastFamily Caregivers, You are Not Alone!Send us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the topics covered during last week’s interview (107) with Nancy Poland. Rayna shares some additional learnings from Nancy’s second book, Remarkable Caregiving, where she interviewed six family caregivers and told their stories. In addition, Rayna provides supporting data that family caregivers are not alone. Caregivers can get their strength from and learn from the person for whom they are caring.When you are only focused on the things to do, you miss the relationship.If you do not have or do not know your “Why”, it is tim...
2022-03-1018 min