Celebrate Happiness Roadshow with Sandra M SandraM

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Beth Allgood, founder and Executive Director of One Nature Institute, a non-profit that develops innovative approaches to measure and support community wellbeing in biodiversity and climate projects. Beth was recently named one of the Explorers Club "Fifty People Changing The World" in recognition of her innovative work and vision for transforming conservation.
Beth's work to create more sustainable outcomes for people and wildlife draws upon 25+ years of experience in conservation and community development at organizations such as the Peace Corps, United States Agency for International Development, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. She is as a consultant/advisor to several organizations and serves on three IUCN commissions. Beth is an experienced and inspiring speaker who has presented on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations, as well as to diverse publics at special events and conferences around the globe. She has been quoted in The Washington Post, USA Today, the Boston Globe, and NPR.
Join us for this fascinating conversation exploring the many ways in which the wellbeing of people and nature are deeply interconnected.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Khenpo Sonam. Khenpo is from Bhutan and studied for his Khenpo degree in Nepal. He arrived in the United States in 1999, spending nine years in Pema Osel Ling Dharma center in Northern California before arriving in Los Angeles.
Holder of a number of lineages, Khenpo focuses his teachings on the Longchen Nyingthig and Dudjom Tersar lineages. Khenpo currently resides at Lhundrup Choling Center in West LA.
In our discussion, Khempo shares meaningful wisdom relating to compassion, awareness, intention, cause and effect and more. I hope you'll listen in to this rich and inspiring conversation.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Madison McQuitty, a Santa Fe New Mexico dentist who grew up in Farmington NM. Madison is passionate about her work and also an avid outdoorswoman: always looking for new adventures with her husband and their pups. Running Marathons together Max and Madison have recently finished the Catalina Island Marathon, the 6th hardest marathon in the U.S.; hiked over 130 miles of the Arizona Trail and completed Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon. Max and Madison get outside whenever they can, and they truly believe this is one of the keys to happiness.
Madison shares how challenging herself and striving towards a goal teaches her about herself and brings her a sense of accomplishment and pride. We also discuss how spending time in nature, being grateful, and being in service to others can bring peace and contentment.
Check out this uplifting conversation!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Santa Fean Argos MacCallum. Argos has lived in Santa Fe since 1967, and has worked as a carpenter, plasterer, ranch manager, orchardist, furniture-maker, scene shop manager, as well as a film and stage actor and stage director. His chapbook, She Loved Gravity and Would Fall Down Exquisitely Anywhere, was published in 1987. He has worked with many theatre companies in Santa Fe, and is an artistic director and co-founder of Teatro Paraguas, a bilingual theatre promoting contemporary Latinx theatre, children's theatre, New Mexico playwrights, and poetry readings since 2004. His poems have been published in Malpais Review, Lummox Anthology, PoetryXHunger.com, THE Magazine, wildword.net, and Poetry London/Apple Magazine.
We discuss many concepts, including the energetic exchange in theatre, the power in being fully engaged in what we find meaningful, and how each of our unique contributions to the world uplifts ourselves and our communities.
I hope you'll check out this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Natalia D'Elia, a young aspiring creative who was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 2005. Her family moved to Chicago for 2 years and then ready for a change, decided to settle in Albuquerque New Mexico. Her current creative passion is dance which she has been studying and performing in for 8 years.
Natalia trains in multiple dance styles including; Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and musical theatre and feels that Hip-hop and Contemporary resonate most with her, giving her a creative outlet and freedom in expression. Natalia is in her senior year at Volcano Vista High school, at Volcano Vista and has played an active part of student government for the last 7 years. In addition Natalia is the president of the Black Student Union. Currently Natalia is dancing and assisting at the VIIIZON Academy in Albuquerque. Natalia has won a scholarship to the American Music & Dance Academy in Manhattan, New York and is passionate about turning her dreams into reality.  
Natalia shares many powerful insights into the importance of community, the value of finding your "why" or what drives you, and so much more!
Join us for this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chef  "Johnny Vee" Vollertsen who is celebrating his 25th year as the creator and director of the Las Cosas Cooking School in Santa Fe, NM. John's career traveled from New York, through Sydney, Australia, and finally Santa Fe, New Mexico.
 
In addition to teaching cooking for over 30 years, John writes a food column for New Mexico Magazine and the Santa Fe New Mexican and his popular cookbook is  "Cooking with John Vee." John also can be heard hosting the food Radio Talk show "Bits and Bites with Johnny Vee" on 1260 AM, and he is a founding member of the
"Chefs for Cooking with Kids" program in New Mexico public schools.
Most recently John joined the guest curator staff of The New Mexico History Museum, creating and building exciting exhibits that celebrate New Mexico's vast and unique food history, launching in July of this year.
 
In our discussion, Johnny shares the heartwarming story of how cooking with his grandmother inspired his love of the culinary arts, as well as his insights into how food brings joy and creates community. I hope you'll tune in for this uplifting conversation!