Shows
My Spouse Has DementiaMy Two Elaines - A Governor's Dementia Caregiving Memoir“None of the books I read conveyed the ugly truth about caregiving: that it can destroy you – even kill you – if you go about it wrong.” That's just a taste of the hard-hitting reality conveyed by author Martin (Marty) Schreiber in his memoir, "My Two Elaines." Elaine was Marty's highschool sweetheart and wife of 62 years when she died from Alzheimer's. As a former governor, Marty was prepared for the political responsibilities focused on leading the State of Wisconson. As a loving husband to a wife with Alzheimer's, he floundered. Marty talks bluntly about several...2025-05-1028 min
My Spouse Has DementiaA Husband Videos His Dementia Caregiving JourneyAt part of their daughter's wedding ceremony, Heather was supposed to give their daughter a necklace that had once belonged to Heather's mother. Heather's husband, John, talks about what it was like when he and his daughter realized Heather had not brought the jewelry. "Our daughter actually took me aside before the ceremony and said, 'Dad, I've been wondering about something and I have to ask. Does mom just not care anymore or does she have dementia or something?'" In four short years, John Van Gurp watched his loving wife, Heather, fade from a beautiful, vibrant, c...2025-04-191h 04
My Spouse Has DementiaVisited Mom Today - An Interview with Author John D. ScullyFor 13 years, John Scully visited his mom in a nursing home. For the last 8 years of her life, she couldn’t talk. So he had other conversations. And they became a book. It’s called Visited Mom Today: Conversations Through the Lens of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Mentioned in the podcast: VisitedMomToday.com - The website of author John D. Scully Alz Authors, a podcast that interviews authors of dementia caregiving memoirs.2025-02-0830 min
My Spouse Has DementiaHow Did I Survive? Truth, Strength, and Walter CronkiteI grew up listening to Walter Cronkite. He signed off each nightly newscast with “And that’s the way it is.” As a kid, I was often alarmed by the news. But I reasoned that if Walter Cronkite respected me enough to tell me the truth, then I could handle it. Yes, my reasoning was flawed. Mr. Cronkite didn’t know me. In this episode, I share deeply personal stories from my childhood. That's when my first caregiving experience really began. Both of my parents had enough confidence in me to tell me the truth, even at five year...2025-01-1826 min
School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your PodcastHead Trash to Headspace: Overcoming Mental Barriers in Podcasting with Doc G.In this episode, I’m joined by Doc G (Dr. Jordan Grumet), the author of The Purpose Code: How to unlock meaning, maximize happiness, and leave a lasting legacy, to tackle one of the biggest challenges podcasters face—not the technology, not the gear, - but the mental game. Whether it's "head trash," imposter syndrome, or the overwhelming pressure to succeed, Doc G shares practical strategies to help you push past mental barriers and create a podcast you truly love.Doc G shares his journey from a successful medical career to finding purpose and...2025-01-0649 min
My Spouse Has DementiaThe Caregiver You Love Needs Help!This episode is a message for the caregiver to send to someone else, someone who doesn't know, or doesn't understand, the stress the caregiver is going through. I liken that stress to driving alone, in an old car, up a steep mountain on a narrow, twisting road with no place to pull off. There are no guardrails. The caregiver's spouse is at the top of that mountain, dying. I created this episode especially for the caregiver whose spouse has Alzheimer's or other form of dementia. While statistics vary, approximately 40% of family dementia caregivers die first...2025-01-0114 min
School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your PodcastMy Favorite Podcast - and WHY - 2024Every year, I ask my audience, "What is your favorite podcast - and WHY." When we hear what resonates with people, we can ensure we include those ingredients in our show.ParticipantsSteve Stewart from The Podcast Editor Academy and the Podcast Editors Mastermind loves Stacking Benjamins.Ralph Estep Jr from the Ask Ralph Podcast (Christian Finance) loves the Ask the Podcast Coach show.Randy Black from Bible Bytes loves the No Agenda Show.Kim Newlove from The Pharmacist’s Voice and Perrysburg Podcast loves The Erectile Dysfunction Radio sh...2024-12-3055 min
School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your PodcastAriana Grande's Voice and Your Podcast: What They Have in CommonDon't let past regrets or harsh words hold you back from podcasting. This episode highlights inspiring stories from podcasters like Zita Christian, who turned her struggles with Alzheimer's into a powerful platform, and Ray Arnott, whose model train podcast has garnered a passionate community. Dave Jackson emphasizes that everyone has a unique voice and experience to share, and it's essential to push through the self-doubt that might stem from past failures.He also discusses the phenomenon of pod fading, where many new podcasters stop before truly finding their audience. Tune in to discover how you can overcome...2024-11-2542 min
My Spouse Has DementiaTall Ships and Facing Death - Victoria Burdick, Hospice Chaplain, Ret."Between now and dead, you've got a purpose. Don't be timid." Before she retired as a hospice chaplain, Reverend Victoria Burdick faced her own death several times. In her 30s while in divinity school, she wrote a series of essays she called "Lunch with Heron." In one of those essays, "The Tall Ships," she recounts the breast cancer diagnosis that led her to the Festival of the Tall Ships in Europe, and her harrowing ordeal crewing on a ship with a captain and crew who were rarely sober. One night, exhausted after an 18-hour shift a...2024-10-3128 min
Ritual RecipesSummer Solstice - A Ritual Inspired by My Dying HusbandWhatever spiritual path we follow, whether we follow any path, we're far more alike than different. We all understand the importance of hard work and the value of sacrifice. We know how good it can feel to finally lay a burden down. We know how it feels to give or receive comfort. We know what it is to grieve. In this Summer Solstice ritual, I showcase the partnership between the Sun as the exhausted provider and the Moon as the nurturing caregiver. Knowing the Moon was about to enter Capricorn, the sign of the elders, I opened th...2024-09-1020 min
My Spouse Has DementiaAnticipatory Healing - What Family Dementia Caregivers Need to Know to SurviveYou've probably heard of anticipatory grief. Unbidden, hidden, and immediate, it comes with the diagnosis that your loved one has Alzheimer's. Depending on when the diagnosis was delivered, it can be several years or more before your loved one dies. Something in addition to anticipatory grief can also happen along the way, especially in those devastating late years of the disease. I call it Anticipatory Healing. It's connected to grief. My husband had Alzheimer's. I'm publishing this episode on the second anniversary of his death. In these last two years, I've come to see my gri...2024-07-2030 min
Teljes terjedelemNő a szemünkben | Szedmák ZitaMitől más egy női sportújságíró, mint egy férfi és mi lehet a hitelesség kulcsa? Erről a nehéz témáról kérdeztük a podcast történetének harmadik női vendégét, Szedmák Zitát. Az FA-kupa drámája és a csonka Premier League-forduló mellett ellátogatunk Olasz- és Spanyolországba is, valamint beszéltünk a Freiburgot több mint három évtized után elhagyó Christian Streichről.A teljes témalista:(0:00) Női egyenjogúság a sportmédiában(16:45...2024-03-181h 07
My Spouse Has DementiaWandering and the Bring Me Back Home ProgramFor a person with Alzheimer's or other form of dementia, wandering can be dangerous. If that person isn't found within 24 hours, the chances that he or she will suffer serious injury, even death, increase dramatically. The family dementia caregiver will likely experience serious stress until the loved one is found. According to the Alzheimer's Association 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander. A person with dementia might lose the ability to recognize familiar places and faces. Losing that ability can happen at any stage of the disease. Connecticut has partnered with the Alzheimer's Association to offer a...2024-01-0322 min
My Spouse Has DementiaThe Dilemma of Dementia and Driving: Taking away the keys?Your spouse has Alzheimer's. You know he - or she - shouldn't be driving. When you bring up the subject, you hear some version of, "That's ridiculous! I know how to drive a car." He might be right. He might still know how to drive a car. The problem is that he shouldn't be driving a car. No, this isn't a simple matter of semantics. Your spouse may still have the muscle memory to operate a motor vehicle. That doesn't mean he remembers the rules of the road. At some point, the muscle memory fades, to...2023-11-1918 min
My Spouse Has Dementia"I Didn't See It Coming" - Interview with LBD caregiver Mary Lou FalconeMary Lou Falcone became a caregiver when her father had a massive stroke. She was 10 years old. The experience prepared her for the day, many years later, when her husband, illustrator and 1950s rocker Nicky Zann, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). In her memoir, I Didn't See It Coming: Scenes of Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia, Falcone talks about what it was like to have an international career, to be thought of in their social circles as "the golden couple," and then to face the cruel reality that the love of her life had a...2023-11-0530 min
My Spouse Has DementiaIllusive Dreams and Frustrating Dementia Care AdsSometimes, the dreams we carry inspire us. Then life changes, especially if your spouse has dementia. Now, those same dreams weigh us down… and we have to let go. Advertisements for some memory care facilities and some dementia service agencies don’t help. I find those ads insulting. You’ve read the message in blogs and brochures. Depending on where you and your spouse are in the dementia journey, you’ve probably had at least one person from a memory care center or caregiving agency look you in the eye and say – as though they understand ex...2023-10-0327 min
My Spouse Has DementiaMy Caregiver Friend Died FirstThis is a cautionary tale about a dear friend, a family caregiver who died first. She was in her mid-70s, a few weeks younger than I am. In mid-April, she had a stroke. She died mid-July, just as I faced the one-year milestone of my husband's death from Alzheimer's. Her death emphasized the reality of caregiver stress and the importance of caregiver support. You may not have time to listen to this episode now. You may start and find it triggers something personal and painful. So here's the one piece of advice I share i...2023-08-1421 min
My Spouse Has DementiaWhy Join a Support Group? To Survive!2023-06-1630 min
My Spouse Has DementiaMy First Holiday Season AloneMy husband died last summer. He had Alzheimer's. I’ve experienced a lot of “firsts” without him: his birthday, my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and most recently, Valentine’s Day. Some of those days passed without incident. Others…not so much. It's March. I survived the first holiday season alone. I know there is no end-point to grief. We caregivers learn to carry it. We balance it between sad songs and sweet memories. We treasure the grief. It's proof that we had our own moment of Camelot. To help me through this year, I’ve chosen...2023-03-0626 min
My Spouse Has DementiaNot Feeling Festive? Light a Solstice CandleNot feeling festive? No surprise. For those of us caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's or other form of dementia, December can be a cruel month. While much of the world is joyful. We're sad. It's part of the journey we're on. Today is the Winter Solstice. Light is returning to the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient Rome, this marked a time to celebrate and give gifts. The "wow" gift was a piece of the life-giving sun. The wow gift was a candle. Read about the poem "No Matter How Dark" in the book "How Far Light Must T...2022-12-2110 min
My Spouse Has DementiaAlzheimer's and Hope - A Gift or A Curse?Are you caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's? You need to know that hope, like optimism, can strengthen your resilience or distort your reality. Hope can also be the key to your surivival. My husband died four months ago. In caring for him, I journeyed from confusion to determination, from anger to cynicism, from defiance to acceptance. I shunned hope. I grasped for hope. Only when forced to live in the moment did I find peace. Only then did I learn that NOW is where hope lives. This episode includes a list of ways someone can...2022-12-0421 min
My Spouse Has DementiaThe Power of Grief, Community, and a TreeWhen tragedy reshapes your life, having a supportive community is key to your survival. Since my husband died of Alzheimer's three months ago, I've been in a cave of sorts, rarely leaving the house. My neighbors drew me back into the world of the living - with a tree. For family dementia caregivers, grief and guilt can become interwined. This episode includes a simple, self-care ritual for the caregiver. 2022-10-2317 min
My Spouse Has DementiaDeath and the FuneralFrom the time my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, my goal was to care for him at home. He died last month, at home, in my arms. This episode shares deeply personal details about the changes in our relationship, the loss of physical intimacy, the physical realities of death, the practical considerations of a funeral, and more. Mentioned: https://www.myspousehasdementia.com https://www.celebrantinstitute.org (Find a Life-Cycle Celebrant) https://www.marycoburn.com (Life-Cycle Celebrant) https://dinastander.com (Death Doula and Life-Cycle Celebrant) https://www.carmonfuneralhome.com (CT...2022-08-2739 min
My Spouse Has DementiaHospice - Help When the End is NearMy husband died at home on July 19. From steady decline to dramatic drop to sudden nosedive, to death -- that was the pattern. I was prepared for some steps. Others blindsided me. Hospice helped both my husband and me in ways I didn't expect. 2022-08-0137 min
Elmsdale COTN Sermon AudioWhat is a Christian?Elmsdale Church of the Nazarene - PE - Canada
Speaker: Pastor Betty Zita
Scripture: Acts 11:19-262022-07-1036 min
My Spouse Has DementiaSudden Falls and Rapid ChangesAlzheimer's degrades a person slowly over a period of years. When a downturn comes, symptoms can escalate suddenly. As a dementia family caregiver, you need to know what that downturn could look like. Knowing can help you survive. 2022-06-2943 min
My Spouse Has DementiaMistakes and Dementia Self-Care RitualsStudies show that how the dementia family caregiver interprets her stress is key to her survival. I'm sharing 3 rituals I created that have helped me. I also share 3 mistakes I made in the early years of caring for my husband. He has Alzheimer's, late stage. 2022-06-1929 min
My Spouse Has DementiaOur Loved Ones - The Power of the Dementia Stories We TellZita Christian shares three personal stories about her husband who has late-stage Alzheimer's. She talks about the importance of telling the stories of our loved ones before they are seized with dementia. She talks about why it's important for us to tell our own stories, too. 2022-05-0918 min
My Spouse Has DementiaAlzheimer's and Vision ChangesEven if a patient with Alzheimer's has healthy eyes, the brain can distort what the patient sees. Depth perception changes, too, as does the ability to recognize common items. For an 81-year-old man whose mind tells him he's now in his teens or younger, seeing his reflection in a mirror can be alarming. 2022-04-1013 min
My Spouse Has DementiaWhy You Need a Medical ID BraceletIf your loved one wouldn't understand or know what to do if the police called your home because you'd been in an accident, you need to wear a medical ID bracelet. With the right info, it alerts first responders that your spouse has dementia. Check out LaurensHope.com for a variety of medical jewelry. 2022-03-1816 min
My Spouse Has DementiaLost in the Front YardMore than 20 years ago, my husband successfully thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. More recently, he took a walk in our small condo complex. When he was finished, he got frustrated because his key wouldn't unlock the front door. It wasn't our front door. 2022-03-0315 min
My Spouse Has DementiaUsing the Word "Alzheimer's"The power of a name is not restricted to fairy tales. For the longest time, I couldn't bring myself to talk about my husband's diagnosis: Alzheimer's. When I finally faced the power loaded in that word, everything changed. 2022-02-1914 min
Ritual RecipesThe Charming of the Plow - A Norse Winter Festival to Honor the Dwarves and Prep Your ToolsAre you an artisan, a craftsperson, a maker? It's February. It's time to affirm your faith in your talent, prepare your tools, and get to work on your big dream. If you lived in the Old World in the land of the Norse, you'd be preparing your iron plow. You'd be honoring the Dwarves whose skill and knowledge are forged into your plow. You'd cleanse your plow. You'd charm it with herbs. Listen for a ritual to charm your tools. 2022-02-1121 min
VielfaltTALKS - mit ChrisZita Hrubi von Budapest Pride: LGBTQ* Politik und Kultur in UngarnMein heutiger Gast ist die Pressesprecherin der Budapest Pride Zita Hrubi. Ungarn hat in Sachen LGBTQ letzten Sommer für viele Schlagzeilen in den Medien und Diskussionen innerhalb der EU gesorgt. Grund dafür ist das umstrittene Anti-LGBTQ Gesetz, dass Bildungsangebote und Werbung mit LGBTQ Inhalten verbieten soll. Zita lebt in Budapest und berichtet mir von ihren persönlichen Erfahrungen als queere Person in Ungarn. Zudem berichtet der bekannte ungarische Schauspieler und Aktivist Mark Lakatos von seinen Erfahrungen als schwuler Mann in Ungarn. Mehr Infos zu Podcast Projekt Queer Eastern Europe Du möch...2022-02-1016 min
My Spouse Has DementiaGetting the DiagnosisThere was a difference between the news I expected and the news we received. Hearing "Alzheimer's," our future suddenly crumbled. The disease affects everyone differently. Maybe my husband wouldn't forget who I was. Maybe he wouldn't forget where we lived. Maybe he wouldn't get any worse than he was now. Maybe pigs fly. I had so much to learn. 2022-02-0317 min
Ritual RecipesHope and the Parliament of the World's ReligionsAfter 2 challenging years, I found hope attending the virtual conference of the Parliament of the World's Religions. Its 1893 conference is considered the beginning of the interfaith movement. The Oct 2021 conference offered 583 programs, panel discussions, religious ceremonies and spiritual observations. Presenters included Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Bahhais, Sikhs, Hindus, Pagans, Native Americans, Indiginous people and more. The Dalai Lama spoke to the gathering, as did the Pope. Also sharing their wisdom were an Inuit shaman, a Curandera Esperitu, an African elder, and a Lakota grandmother -- and more. Links: Episode 9 of Ritual Recipes about Spirit Spoons and a Ritual f...2021-12-3116 min
Ritual RecipesA Thanksgiving Ritual for Your HomeThink of your home as a living entity. A simple gratitude ritual can change your perspective on what your home really means. Your walls provide structure, shelter, and a sense of security. The floor supports you and keeps you grounded. Running water helps you get in touch with deep emotions. This episode contains a simple ritual to help you see and appreciate what you have. 2021-11-2615 min
Ritual RecipesSelf-Care Rituals When Your Spouse Has DementiaMy husband and I have been married for 40 years. He has Alzheimer's Disease. Late stage. I'm his full-time caregiver. I'm fortunate to have a social worker on our medical team, and to be a member of an online dementia support group. Still, there are potholes in the emotional road we're traveling. This episode shares respected data, personal stories, real mistakes I made, and three rituals I created to help me cope. If you are caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's or other form of dementia, this episode might help you navigate this painful path.2021-09-2323 min
Ritual RecipesEverything Happens for a Reason - A FolktaleImagine the story of your life. What happens to you after, "Once upon a time"? The ancient folktale of Fatima the Spinner is reimagined to support a woman's right to choose. Let it inspire your own story. The Power of Your Warp & Weft, a workshop designed by author and professional weaver Paula Chaffee Scardamalia, is included with her permission. For more, visit her website and read her book: Weaving a Woman's Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Loom.2021-09-1028 min
Ritual RecipesThe Wedding Ceremony Arch - A Modern Symbol with Ancient MeaningWhat does a wedding arch have to do with a king’s scepter, a flag planted on the moon, and a Thomas Kincaid painting? Weddings are filled with symbolism. One that has been lost over the years is the original meaning of the ceremony arch. Hint: The meaning can be found in the night sky and the ancient belief, "As above, so below. " 2021-08-2614 min
Ritual RecipesYemaya & Victims of the Middle Passage - Seashells & Ocean GoddessesYemaya, the Yoruba orisha, the Mother of All, is associated with cowrie shells, symbols of fertility, prosperity, and a woman's voice. This episode offers rituals using various shells, and a ceremonial ritual to discover your authentic self. Learn about the millions of Africans who died crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the horrors of The Middle Passage and why August 25 has been declared the Day of Healing. 2021-08-1624 min
Ritual RecipesSedna, a Ritual for the Inuit Goddess of the Arctic OceanIn the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean, we find the Inuit goddess Sedna. There are several versions of her origin story, each one horrific. At the heart of each is the theme of betrayal. The rituals I created for Sedna are designed to help us reframe childhood beliefs, especially those beliefs that can keep us from thriving as adults. That's the message in the language of the Pink Mouth Murex shell. (See "Ocean Oracle: What Seashells Reveal about Our True Nature" by Michelle Hanson.)2021-08-1024 min
Ritual RecipesThe Language of Shells - Beach Wedding RitualsGetting married at the beach? Mother Nature always leaves messages for us. Unfortunately, we don't always know how to read them. What messages can you find in seashells? The answers are important if you're having a beach wedding. Resources mentioned: Ocean Oracle: What Seashells Reveal about Our True Nature by Michelle Hanson Sea Magic: Connecting with the Ocean's Energy by Sandra Kynes2021-07-2121 min
Ritual RecipesRituals to Renew Your Wedding VowsRenewing your wedding vows can be a powerful ceremony You'll remember the happiest times in your marriage. You'll also remember the most painful. This episode offers two vow renewal rituals. One of them, The Growing Flame, can easily be adapted for any personal vow you make to yourself. 2021-07-1221 min
Ritual RecipesThe 7 Hills of Rome Wedding RitualDid you fall in love in Paris? Or Podunk? Use that info to personalize your wedding ceremony. Use that same info to create a ritual for a birthday or retirement party. Use it for a student who is leaving home to study abroad. As often happens, this ritual was inspired by one of "my" couples, Thomas and Raffaele. They shared their first kiss in Rome's ancient Garden of Oranges on the Aventino, one of the city's seven hills. The men made their wedding vows on an oathing stone hand-painted with orange blossoms. Not getting married? Th...2021-05-1917 min
Ritual RecipesSending Your Child Off to College?Imagine that you're a parent and your child is leaving home for college, or for a job, or some other grand adventure. You've equipped your son or daughter with all the necessities and you're excited to see your child take those first big steps away from home. But something doesn't feel right. This is a milestone in your young adult's life and in your own. Yet it feels empty. What's missing? A ritual! 2021-04-1222 min
Ritual RecipesSpiritual Medicine of the Hawk and FalconThe falcon is the consummate hunter. It teaches us how to make progress by blending speed and focus. The falcon wants you to see beyond your limits. The hawk's medicine is inward and deep. It wants you to see your life from a broad perspective and let go of unnecessary baggage. The hawk awakens us to the vision we have inside us. This is the 3rd in a series of how the magic and mythology of birds of prey can be used to create safe and simple rituals. See episode 43 for the Eagle, and episode 44 f...2021-02-0121 min
Ritual RecipesOwl Medicine for the SpiritImagine an owl. Did you feel a sense of apprehension or foreboding? No surprise. Owls have long been associated with death. Or, did you picture Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig? Beliefs about owls are contradictory because the owl is the symbol of death, and wisdom, and magic. At the heart of owl medicine is the ability to discern the truth. In this episode, you'll learn how to use a paper template of a feather in celebrating baby blessings and birthdays, funerals and memorials, and how to find answers in your dreams. This episode is the...2021-01-2124 min
Ritual RecipesEagle Medicine for the Spirit - Rituals Inspired by Birds of PreyCentral to all birds of prey is their association with death and the cycle of life. This episode is the first in a series of how birds of prey can inspire rituals for a variety of situations: funerals and memorials, projects that require focus or the ability to see the big picture, and life events that require courage. As Lesley Morrison writes in her book, The Healing Wisdom of Birds, at the heart of eagle medicine is reaching the place where we realize our freedom to soar. This episode shares the gifts, challenges, history and mythology of t...2021-01-0218 min
Ritual RecipesRituals for Podcasters, Speakers, Storytellers, and SingersDiscover your secret sound. Take a lesson from crows about adapting, from parrots about diplomacy, and from dolphins about communicating with other species. Build an altar to the element of air. Visit RitualRecipes.net for more details. 2020-11-3022 min
Ritual RecipesRituals for WritersTo a writer, the blank screen can be exciting or daunting. Find helpful rituals with magic pens, stones, and draw on the special qualities of lions, ants, cardinals, and whales. This episode also looks back in history at cultural changes brought about centuries ago by the Black Death, the invention of the printing press, and why having books became a status symbol. (New podcast music by Hal Aaron Cohen! See HalAaron.com)2020-11-0729 min
Ritual RecipesHome FuneralsDid your grandmother's house have a parlor that was used to care for the dead? Mine did. When the time comes, which do you want: a funeral home or a home funeral? Burial or cremation? Fancy casket or cardboard box? Ashes in an urn or scattered someplace special? Who have you talked to about what you want? No one? I'm not surprised. Death hasn't been a popular topic of conversation -- until now. This episode explores the national death-positive movement through Death Cafes, Death Doulas, Speaking Grief, the National Home Funeral Alliance, and more. 2020-10-2525 min
Ritual RecipesDivorce: Funerals for the Death of a MarriageMost couples don't get married expecting to get divorced. But when a marriage is dissolved, can ritual help the couple move on? Rocky Road is a marriage maintenance ritual. Untying the Knot is a funeral ritual for the death of a marriage. As heretical as it might sound, I don't believe that all marriages are meant to last. I believe we're meant to learn from those relationships and share what we've learned with others. The two rituals in this episode are more complicated than my usual. They're worth the effort. If you're going through a divo...2020-10-1132 min
Ritual RecipesFunerals for PetsOver 11 million dogs and cats die in the United States every year. Because of the close bond people have with their pets, the people are often referred to as "pet parents." So, what do we do when a beloved pet dies? How do we celebrate the life that gave unconditional love? The first pet cemetery in the U.S. was created in 1970. The burials were held at night because "clients were too ashamed to be seen treating an animal that well." Today, there are approximately 700 pet cemeteries in the U.S. If you've been asked to lead a...2020-09-2621 min
Ritual RecipesCroning - A Ritual to Celebrate AgingShe's a woman of "a certain age." Our culture thinks those words are better than saying "she's old." Well, I'm a woman of a certain age. I'm certain of who I am, certain of what I want, and certain of what I have to offer the world. I'm 72 and I'm a Crone. I claimed that title in a ritual called "Croning." A croning can never be like a surprise birthday party or a married-at-first-sight reality show. When a woman decides to claim the title of Crone, she needs to prepare herself. Doing so could take a full y...2020-08-0137 min
Ritual RecipesColored - A BLM RitualAt 9 years old, I didn't care that my mother wasn't funny like Lucille Ball, or that she didn't wear circle skirts and twirl around the house like Loretta Young, or that she was no longer pretty like Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke. I wanted my mother to be brave, like Annie Oakley. Not long after Rosa Parks sat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in the whites-only section, I found out how brave my mother really was...and that Black Lives Matter. This episode contains a simple ritual I call "Colored." Done with a group, the ritual can o...2020-06-1620 min
Ritual RecipesFairies - How I See Them and How You Can See Them TooDo you believe in fairies? I do, but not in the way you might expect. My childhood ideas have changed. Now I think of fairies as thought forms of good energy -- helpful spirits, invisible, accessible. Hear about Ho Hsien Ku, "the immortal woman," one of the 8 fairies in the Chinese legend. Learn how to invite the fairies into your world, how to connect, what to offer. And, most of all, how to see them in the mirror. Mentioned: "Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories and Ceremonies" by...2020-05-2126 min
Ritual RecipesLove Knots - A Wedding RitualLong ago, when sailors navigated by the stars, when seabirds carried the spirits of sailors lost at sea, and when everyone knew that the bust of a naked woman on the bow of a ship would calm rough waters, a sailor would carry a cord with three knots. Bound in each was the wind itself. Inspired by the ancient lore of knots, I created the ritual "Love Knots" using the arbor knot, the lovers' knot, and the Celtic marriage knot, with possible additions of the double fisherman's knot, and the sailor's breastplate knot. The ritual can easily b...2020-05-0214 min
Ritual RecipesA Gathering of Ancestors Ritual for Troubled TimesThe power of this ritual comes from exploring the past, getting to know your ancestors and what they might have survived -- plagues, natural disasters, persecutions, wars, genocide. Whether or not you know who is on your family tree, they existed. You're the living proof. What do they have to tell you about facing fear, seeing the truth, finding courage, and helping others? Build an ancestor altar and honor your heritage. Don't know anything about your ancestors? Do what the ancient Greeks and Romans did and build a wind tomb. 2020-04-1519 min
Ritual RecipesSpanish Flu and Corvid 19 - A RitualWhy was the death toll in the Spanish Flu of 1918 so high? Why were the details not shared with the public? Why were Black doctors and nurses so key to the survival rates of Americans not serving in WWI? Zita Christian interviews retired Connecticut state senator and history professor Mary Ann Handley about the Spanish Flu of 1918. The interview originally aired in May 2018 on episode 123 of Page 1. Find it on YouTube.com/zitatvnetwork. The interview was to help writers determine character, setting, plot, and conflict from an actual historical event. 2020-03-2030 min
Ritual RecipesKey to My Heart Wedding RitualAll over the world, the presence of a key indicates there's something to protect. When you love someone, you trust them with a metaphorical key to your heart. Based on this understanding, I created a ritual called "The Key to My Heart." As part of a wedding ceremony, this ritual acknowledges how the couple was influenced by their parents and grandparents. The ritual offers an opportunity for the parents to be involved in the ceremony. The ritual can also be used in the couple's "first look," as well as in anniversary celebrations to come. T...2020-03-0619 min
Ritual RecipesMaiden, Mother, Crone RitualsEvery Maiden isn't young. Every Mother doesn't have a child. Every Crone isn't old. What distinguishes the three is not age, but energy. Let me show you how the three faces of the Goddess can be used in a group ritual for your Moon Circle, or as a ritual you can do by yourself. If you don't have white quartz crystals for the Maiden, red garnets for the Mother, and black obsidian for the Crone, no worries. Use white-yogurt-covered raisins, dried cherries, and regular raisins. Imagine yourself in the click-your-heels scene near the end of Th...2020-02-2115 min
Ritual RecipesInterfaith Weddings, Chuppahs, Royal Stars of PersiaLong before organized religion, people found meaning in the stars. People saw the night sky as a canopy with four corners watched over by four bright stars: Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares, and Fomalhaut. In time, those watchers became royal stars, and those stars became archangels: Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel. Ancient beliefs can show how we're all connected under the same sky -- a good foundation for an interfaith wedding ceremony. 2020-01-2815 min
Ritual RecipesWinter Solstice Messages from the TreesTrees shape the mythology of cultures all over the world. Trees show us where the fairies live. Just as the forest is the place where untried heroes are transformed, we, too, can be both lost and found among the trees. That's because trees have messages for us, if we'll just listen. I offered 14 of those messages to those who attended this year's Winter Solstice ritual. Which one of these trees calls to you: Alder, Apple, Ash, Birch, White Birch, Cherry, Elder, Hawthorn, Hazel, Hickory, Locust, Red Oak, White Oak? Each message comes with an instruction. Are you re...2020-01-0522 min
Ritual RecipesGame of Thrones and the Wedding Ritual of CirclingThe Game of Thrones Season 1 relationship between Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen reveals the Venus-Mars energy in the wedding ritual of Circling. The ritual can also be used in a vow renewal celebration. Once you understand the power of the Moon, the Circling ritual isn't as patriarchal as it might seem.2019-12-1409 min
Ritual RecipesAn Abundance Ritual for Thanksgiving and BeyondWhen life feels anything but abundant, sometimes the smallest gesture can transform that feeling. That's a lesson I learned from my daughter when she was a teenager working at a candy counter. She wasn't the only employee selling gourmet jelly beans that day. I watched as customers politely declined to purchase from the other woman and, instead, waited for my daughter. Why? Because the way my daughter scooped the candy affirmed the worth of both the beans and the buyer. 2019-11-2306 min
Ritual RecipesWhy Carry A BouquetA pregnant bride in her early thirties didn't want to carry a bouquet and asked me if she had to. I assured her there were no requirements that she carry flowers. I also explained why she might want to reconsider her decision. 2019-11-2214 min
Ritual RecipesFuneral and Memorial RitualsIn August of 2008, I was one of six women gathered on Cape Cod, laptops in tow, to work on a manuscript begun by our friend Liz Aleshire. At the time, Liz was in the cardiac ICU unit of Hartford Hospital. Liz was a multipublished author. This latest book was to be a tribute to her son who had died 12 years earlier of bone cancer. He was 16 at the time. The book's title? 101 Ways You Can Help: How to Offer Comfort and Support to Those Who Are Grieving. Earlier that year, Liz had signed a contract a...2019-11-1108 min
Ritual RecipesThe Making of a Medicine WomanFor years, "Grandmother Mechi" Garza had been channeling a spirit entity named Lothar. In her dreams, he dictated 12 volumes of information and a type of healing called "Kolamni." He said the knowledge would save our world from the destruction of his world, Atlantis. He told her to tell her story to Zita. At the time, Mechi and I didn't know each other. I met Mechi in the registration line at the annual conference of the International Women's Writing Guild in the summer of 1996. I was teaching a class on genre fiction. She was teaching a class on fi...2019-11-1009 min
Ritual RecipesMy Origin StoryIt was 2005. I was in New Hampshire, in the woods, with a small group of men and women who had come to study astrology and Goddess spirituality. One of the men, Dan Graham, commented on the red sweater I was wearing. He was totally blind. That simple comment opened a discussion about how he could see color vibrations and how he could hear the subtle nuance of a smile or clenched jaw. Then he told me about this new thing called a podcast and how it had opened a new world for him. At the time, I c...2019-11-0912 min
Ritual RecipesSamhain RitualThe dark half of the year is fertile ground for fears. In this year's Samhain ritual, I incorporated a map of fears, a community fire, animal spirit guides, and the energies of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Mentioned in the episode is the oracle deck "The Illustrated Bestiary" by Maia Toll, a beautiful, powerful, and poetic tool. 2019-11-0120 min
Ritual Recipes3 Wedding Rituals - Pandas, Moths, FloursCan't have everyone you want in your wedding party? Don't give those special people boring tasks! Give them a meaningful role in your ceremony. How? With a creative wedding ritual. Here are 3 of my "gift-giving" rituals. One involves bamboo and is based on the couple's love of Giant Pandas. One uses lifelike, laser-cut moths. One was inspired by the groom's profession as a pastry chef. That ritual is based on the mythological properties of flours. See episodes 5, 6, and 10 for other gift-giving wedding rituals. Not planning a wedding? These rituals can easily be adapted for...2019-09-1621 min
Ritual RecipesSummer Solstice, Sun, Moon and Butterflies The ritual described in this episode honors the harmony between the Sun and Moon. Too much heat, crops burn. Too much rain, crops drown. Like crops, our personal wellbeing depends on our ability to balance work and rest. Seeing the cycle of light and dark play out between the Winter and Summer Solstices can help us harness our own energy and live a relevant life. 2019-07-3113 min
Ritual RecipesBeltane, Fairies, the Hawthorn, and the Goddess BloddeuweddThe Celtic festival of Beltane, celebrated on or about May 1, is associated with fertility, flowers, fairies, the Hawthorn tree. From the Hawthorn, we get the story of Bloddeuwedd, a woman created from nine plants and trees by two magicians who wanted to make the perfect bride for a young man. All went well for a while, until Bloddeuwedd met another man and fell in love. What follows is a story about death, transformation, and the power of a woman’s authentic self. Books mentioned in the podcast: The White Goddess by Robert Graves; A Compendium of...2019-07-0519 min
See You On The Other SideEpisode 246 – Blessings For Beltane: Magic and Rituals With Zita Christianhttp://www.othersidepodcast.com/2462019-05-101h 06
Ritual RecipesRituals for Ostara and the Spring EquinoxSpring is here! It's time to break the bonds of winter. How? This episode offers safe and simple rituals for groups and individuals, adults and children, to celebrate spring: Break chains. Plant symbolic seeds. Plant metaphysical seeds. Wake up the trees! As one season begins, another season ends. In the excitement of welcoming the new, don't forget what has been left behind. Mentioned: Episode 27 of "5 Minute Feng Shui," a podcast by Kathryn Weber, in which she talks about wood and paints a vivid picture of the power of spring. A 2017 article w...2019-03-1917 min
Ritual RecipesValentine's Day Rituals for OneCombine acts of kindness and generosity with safe and simple rituals designed to open the heart to give and receive love. Each of us has something to give. That may be time, or money, or things, or energy. How much we have will vary. What's important is to recognize that these gifts have an endless return on investment. Whether you volunteer at a nursing home, help comfort and socialize animals at a shelter, or put extra effort into donating items to your local thrift shop, you can add create rituals that could change your life. M...2019-03-0114 min
Ritual RecipesUnity Rituals for Your Wedding CeremonyUnity candles and sand ceremonies are lovely but couples do have other options. On this episode, you'll find ways to personalize the meaning of the traditional rituals and discover new rituals inspired by the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Any ritual can fall flat without context. For example, the fire of a Unity Candle can symbolize the porch light a parent leaves burning until her "child" -- of whatever age -- arrives home safely. That same flame will mean something else to an Eagle Scout who had to learn how to make fire to...2019-02-0822 min
Ritual RecipesImbolc and Brigid, Celtic Goddess of Blacksmiths, Brewers, and BardsThe Celtic fire festival of Imbolc is celebrated in early February. It honors Brigid, patron Goddess of blacksmiths, brewers, and bards, also referred to as smithcrafters, healers and poets. For an individual, follow a simple ritual using a red or white candle and something to symbolize Brigid -- a cast iron skillet, a mortar and pestle, or journal. For a group, create a ritual using white ribbons to represent the swans that migrate from Iceland to Ireland for the winter. See Episode 2 for an Imbolc ritual inspired by the magical properties of root v...2019-02-0112 min
School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your PodcastHow Do You Know Your Podcast is Connecting With Your Audience?Before you start promoting your show, how do you know if it's good? How do you know if it will connect with your audience? Ready to Start Podcasting? Imagine you want to start a lawn mowing business and the only way you know how to cut the grass is one blade at a time. That's how I felt about my podcast until the coaching session I had last night with Dave Jackson. I'm Zita Christian host of Ritual Recipes. A podcast filled with practical magic to nourish your inner life. I had a c...2019-01-2853 min
podcastcoachHow Do You Know Your Podcast is Connecting With Your Audience?Before you start promoting your show, how do you know if it's good? How do you know if it will connect with your audience? Ready to Start Podcasting? Imagine you want to start a lawn mowing business and the only way you know how to cut the grass is one blade at a time. That's how I felt about my podcast until the coaching session I had last night with Dave Jackson. I'm Zita Christian host of Ritual Recipes. A podcast filled with practical magic to nourish your inner life. I had a coaching session with Dave Jackson last night. H...2019-01-2852 min
Ritual RecipesSteps in a Rite of Passage for a Wedding or Competing on The VoiceA Rite of Passage ritual has three steps: Separation, Transformation, and Incorporation. Seeing those steps in a wedding deepens the meaning to the elements of the ceremony. Those same rite of passage steps can also be seen in the process a contestant goes through to win the television reality show, The Voice. Zita shares personal stories about the power of reflection, about a groom whose grandfather died at the reception, about how her own husband's struggle with Alzheimer's, and about how a bride's request for gravitas led Zita to write about the emotional weight of...2019-01-1236 min
Ritual RecipesWinter Solstice Ritual and the Infinity SymbolWhat does the Winter Solstice have to do with gifts and candles, pigs and wine, freedom and fear, New Year’s resolutions, handfastings and the infinity symbol? A lot! Helpful links: For the associated blog post with photos - http://moonriverrituals.com/blog For "Light is Returning" on the CD "The Winter's Night" by MotherTongue - http://www.earthspirit.com/category/mothertongue For Crystal Journey Candles - https://www.crystaljourneycandles.com/ For astrologer Donna Woodwell - https://donnaphilosophica.com/ For Astrology Hub - http://astrologyhug.com For...2018-12-2317 min
Ritual RecipesAnimal Totems as Spirit Guides to the UnderworldI learned a valuable lesson the day a skunk crossed my path. It was about animal totems and the magical medicine they offer. Seeing animals as spirit guides is at the heart of a public ritual I created for Samhain, the Celtic festival that marks the death of summer. The mysteries of Samhain are at the heart of the holiday we call Halloween. The ritual offers ways you can connect with an animal totem that chooses you. Yes, it chooses you, not the other way around. You'll get a taste of the magical medicine of the bear, t...2018-11-1819 min
Ritual RecipesWedding Ritual with Butterfly BlessingsHow to use the physical and metaphysical properties of butterflies to create rituals for wedding ceremonies, funeral services, and memorial celebrations of life. Did you know that in some Native American traditions, a butterfly is thought to be a living piece of a rainbow? That's just one of several nuggets from folklore and cultures around the world used to create the "Butterfly Blessings" ritual. Originally created for a wedding, the ritual is easily adapted for birthdays and as a self-affirming activity for children. The Butterfly Blessings ritual uses butterflies made of feathers, cloth, or paper. No live but...2018-11-0117 min
Ritual RecipesMagic Soup Ritual to Heal the WorldIf you want do DO something to help heal the world, consider making a pot of healing soup. You won't find the ingredients in your pantry. You'll find them in your heart. In this episode, I share a harvest ritual I created to empower each of us to be part of the solution, not the problem. The ritual involves receiving ingredients we need to heal ourselves and sharing ingredients we believe will help heal others. What kind of ingredients? Ask / Bridge / Courage / Dialogue / Friend / Honesty / Link / Protect / Seek / Team / Twinkle (yes, twinkle!) / Wisdom / Wish. These are just a...2018-09-2712 min
Ritual RecipesSettle Debts at Celtic Harvest Ritual with the Corn KingThe Celtic harvest season honors the sacrifice of the Corn King, a/k/a John Barleycorn. Time to celebrate community and settle debts, and compete in the Highland Games. Ask yourself: What debt will you pay? What debt will you forgive? Mentioned in the podcast: 2018 Highland Games in Scotland, CT Meg's Inspirations, an inspirational and spiritual boutique in Manchester, CT Viriditas Beautiful Skin Therapies, my daughter's skincare clinic in Providence, RI Amazon's Alexa device2018-08-1019 min
Ritual RecipesPrayer Flags for Wedding Ritual and Children's ProjectInclude prayer flags for a visual wedding ritual or meaningful activity with children. Create fantastical blessings inspired by visionary activist Caroline Casey. Get Zita's take on what really happened when Dorothy Gale clicked her ruby slippers 3 times. See: Caroline Casey at http://coyotenetworknews.com2018-07-1317 min
Ritual RecipesGifts from the Trees Ritual for Weddings and MoreDid you know that unicorns like ash trees? That the locust tree represents strength and the will to live? That planting a juniper by the front door is said to protect the home from thieves? What magical gifts do the trees in your neighborhood offer? Gifts from the Trees is a ritual that can be used for woodland weddings, unity rituals, birthdays, retirement parties, croning ceremonies, memorial services, and more. Looking for a simple ritual to bring love into your life? Step 1: Cut an apple to reveal a star, symbol of Venus, Goddess of Love. 2018-06-1525 min
Ritual RecipesSpirit Spoons and Garden Gifts RitualsDo you need protection? Eat basil. Do you need abundance? Have some mint. Do you want to help your family find peace? Serve coriander. Do you want to stir up some magic in your kitchen? Use a spirit spoon! Connecticut wedding officiant Zita Christian shows how "Garden Gifts," a ritual she created, uses the magical properties of herbs and spices for weddings, birthdays, croning ceremonies and more. 2018-05-0621 min
Ritual RecipesOathing Stones and Ritual Rocks for Personal Goals and Wedding VowsThroughout history, stones have played a role in affirming all that endures, all that is steadfast. In many cultures, stones are believed to bridge the connection between the living and the dead. Centuries ago, a person could be banned from the village for breaking a vow made on a stone connected to the ancestors, for the ancestors offered protection from the Other World. If a person broke such a sacred vow, how could he or she ever be trusted? With such a legacy, it's easy to see why a couple would want to take their w...2018-04-1620 min
Ritual RecipesBaby Blessings - an intergenerational ceremony for the unchurchedConnecticut Life-Cycle Celebrant Zita Christian shares details from a baby blessing to help others create a ceremony of their own. She talks about "The Nest," a baby blessing ritual she created to involve the baby, the parents, grandparents and guests. 2018-03-2425 min
Ritual RecipesImbolc Rituals with the Celtic Goddess Brigid and Root VegetablesConnect with the energy of mid-winter with two rituals. First, a simple ritual that celebrates the magic of root vegetables. Then, a substantial ritual that celebrates the Celtic Goddess Brigid and the solar festival of Imbolc. 2018-02-2819 min
Ritual RecipesDrink Your Words Ritual to Begin the Year or Launch a ProjectUse this simple ritual at the beginning of a year a day a project a relationship Use focus and intent to begin any new venture.2018-02-1718 min
Sound and MachineZita Molnar Opening Set for Peter Bailey at The End Up (San Francisco)That one time when I opened for Peter Bailey in San Francisco and due to airplane delays he was so late that I got to spin an extended 2.5 hours set. Wish all my dj gigs would be this long! Longer sets let the audience get into the grove better while the DJ can properly tell a story via music. Here is my latest story ;)
Thanks for all your support!xoxozita
Track listing:1. Techno Hell (Original Mix) by Anthony F2. Modulated (Original Mix) by Sedoy3. Freaky Deaky (Original Mix) by Rub...2015-10-072h 35
St. ZitaRebroadcast of the long running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour", a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org
St. Zita was born into a poor but holy Christian family. Her older sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle Graziano was a hermit whom the local people regarded as a saint. Zita herself always tried to do God's will obediently whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother. At the age of twelve Zita became a housekeeper in the house of a rich weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her home at...2015-09-0427 min