Mother Tree Network Dr. Amanda Kemp Aminata Desert Rose Plant Walker Fire Woman

Welcome back to the Mother Tree Network! In today's episode, we have the incredible Nina Simons joining us to share her wisdom, experiences, and insights.
Nina starts off by discussing her unique practice of creating an altar around a tree to protect her New Mexico home from wildfires, which led her to deepen her relationship with the land and feel a sense of sacredness. 
“And there was a huge wildfire, the biggest in New Mexico's history.   I reached out to a friend and she said:. Make an altar around a tree that you love. And that became my practice. Putting flowers around the base of the tree and feeding it with water and sometimes with wine and with prayer.  And sending the prayer down into its roots and up into its branches. 
Nina then dives into her book "Nature, Culture, and the Sacred," focusing on women's leadership and racial equity and justice.
She passionately emphasizes the importance of strengthening the feminine within everyone, not just women, as the repression of the feminine has had a profound impact on society as a whole. 
Together, Aminata and Nina explore the significance of diverse leadership and racial equity, discussing the challenges and lessons learned from convening diverse groups. 
They delve into the importance of creating safe spaces, discomfort resilience, and the need for love and acceptance in racial justice work. 
Cultural humility is also a key concept highlighted, acknowledging the embedded white supremacy and implicit bias that exist in society.

Nina shares her personal experiences with cultural humility, the conflict in Israel and Palestine, and the importance of listening with the heart. 
But the wisdom doesn't stop there. Nina shares her profound experience with a plant mentor, Apache Plume, and the lessons she learned about revealing beauty, camouflage, fertility, and growing in community. 
The conversation takes a personal turn as Nina discusses her transformative process in her 60s, recognizing her white privilege and conditioning, and the importance of slowing down and making deliberate choices.
Nina's deep connection with nature and its capacity to heal and regenerate shines through as she shares her journey of finding solace and stability in nature. 
This episode is filled with deep wisdom, personal experiences, and a call to honor the feminine in ourselves and the world. 

You can learn with Nina by checking out her Every Woman's Leadership online class in 2024.  https://www.bioneerslearning.org/everywomans-leadership-nina-simons


Nina’s Bio
NINA SIMONS is Co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Bioneers, and leads its
Everywoman’s Leadership program. Throughout her career spanning the nonprofit, social entrepreneurship, corporate, and philanthropic sectors, Nina has worked with nearly a thousand diverse women leaders across disciplines, race, class, age and orientation to create conditions for mutual learning, trust and leadership development. 


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What is the Winter Solstice?


The winter solstice takes place on December 21st in the northern hemisphere.


The longest night of the year, the winter solstice is a time of reflection, release, and renewal, and we believe that coming together as a community to honor this powerful event can bring profound healing and growth.


As the winter solstice approaches, we are excited to invite you to join us for a transformative and rejuvenating experience. 


From December 16th to December 21st, we will be hosting a soulful retreat focused on release, rest, and rooting. 


Our goal is to provide a space where you can reconnect with yourself, nature, and the collective energy of our community.


During the six-day journey, you can expect:


- Daily guided meditations to help you center and ground yourself


- Nature activities and exercises to deepen your connection with the Earth and all living beings


- Opportunities to record and explore your dreams, connecting with your subconscious and ancestral wisdom


- Engaging in group discussions and reflections, fostering a sense of intimacy, vulnerability, and authenticity


- Encouragement and support for self-care rituals, including restful sleep and intentional release practices


- A curated "goodie bag" filled with items carefully selected to enhance your retreat experience, including tea lights, incense, and more


Our belief in the power of this retreat is rooted in the principles of self-care, community, and hope. 


We understand the heaviness of war and the emotional toll peacemaking can take. As such, this retreat is designed to provide a nurturing space to heal, and restore your spirit.


To make this experience as accessible as possible, we are offering an early bird discount for those who register by December 4th. 


Additionally, participants can choose to attend in person or virtually, with the opportunity to receive their goodie bags by mail if joining the retreat online.


We are partnering with Ms. Makeda, who has poured her heart into creating these goodie bags and is an integral part of making this retreat a truly special experience.


For detailed information and registration, please visit our website at dramandakemp.com. 


We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to nurture your soul and embrace the energy of the winter solstice in a supportive and uplifting environment.


We are looking forward to journeying together to the soul of winter and connecting with each and every one of you.


With peace and love,


Aminata





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"When I came to play the singing bowls for the first time ever for a group of people... She said right before I started, you should sing with the bowls.  And that felt like it was asking for some courage for me to share my voice.  And I went for it, and it felt  the most aligned I've ever felt, sharing something with people."--Stacey Pickering


Welcome to another episode of the Mother Tree Network podcast!


 In today's episode, our host, Aminata, sits down with the incredible Stacey Pickering, a sound healer and vibrational therapist. They delve deep into the power of sound and its impact on our emotional and physical well-being.


Aminata opens up about a childhood experience that affected her self-confidence, and Stacey empathizes, emphasizing the importance of embracing our own voices. Together, they explore the idea of using vocal sounds as a means of releasing emotions and finding resolution.


With the rise of technology, Aminata questions the difference between hearing someone else sing and singing imperfectly oneself. Stacey introduces the concept of humming and its ability to regulate the nervous system, even demonstrating a breathing and humming exercise.


The conversation then turns towards the application of sound practices in public schools to help children regulate themselves. Stacey's wisdom and experience shine through as they discuss her background in yoga, chanting, and the profound resonance she feels within her body when using specific tones.


As the episode continues, Stacey shares her journey into facilitating sound journeys and the transformative impact it has had on her life. They discuss the interconnectedness of the mind and body, emphasizing the importance of somatic experiences and movement for healing and release.


"The vibrational resonance just reached right in there, just transcended the part of my logical mind that could keep talking me out of… letting go or, … Went right past that loud mind, that resistant mind."–Stacey Pickering


Aminata and Stacey also touch on the financial challenges faced by holistic practitioners and the vulnerability associated with using one's voice. They both agree that walking into that fear is an essential part of the healing process.


So sit back, relax, and join us as we delve into the world of sound healing and vibrational therapy with Stacey Pickering on this enlightening episode of the Mother Tree Network podcast.


Sign up for the Sound Healing for Peacemakers https://www.dramandakemp.com/sound-healing-for-peacemakers




You can find Stacey at
https://linktr.ee/staceypickeringwellness
https://www.instagram.com/we_are_vibrational_energy/
Stacey’s Bio


Stacey Pickering is a multi-faceted Holistic Wellness Practitioner, Ecotherapy Facilitator, and movement artist, who works with music, sound & the natural world to transcend the barriers of the logical mind and connect us fully with ourselves as whole be
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"It's important not just for me, but also when we come into other spaces and our allies also recognize the land we're on…. I think it goes to help repair the long erasure of Native American people. And that invisibility even here in Baltimore City, when we were advocating for Indigenous Peoples Day, people were shocked, like, what? There's Indians in Baltimore? Like, yeah, we're still here. We didn't go away."


[Trauma Alert: Short mention of childhood sexual abuse and incest]


I hope you will celebrate Native American Heritage and peoples during November.  One great way is to spend time on Thanksgiving is to  listening to Native voices and extending reciprocity to Native peoples and earth mama.


We are re-publishing this joyful conversation with Jennifer Folayan who offers us much needed advice on:


1️⃣How to make land and peoples acknowledgements personal 


2️⃣ How to help synchronicities aka miracles find you


3️⃣How to accomplish a big scary goal.


Aligning your emotions with your intentions; holding your intention with lightness; and keep swimming–taking action.


Jennifer tells the Turtle Island origin story, a version of which is held by many Native groups in North America as an example of someone small fulfilling a huge task.


Finally, Jennier shares how you can have generational trauma and still be light and joyful.  We are all perfect.


You can find out more about Jennifer Folayan by going to her youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5qI7-wD8DgO6xQYXYbozQQ
 or following her on Facebook.


To find out more about the Sacred Listening Sessions go to dramandakemp.com

📚 Timestamped overview


[00:03:57] Acknowledgement of sadness and validation of emotions.
[00:10:00] Highlighting Indigenous arts, promoting cultural visibility. Excited to be an ambassador.
[00:12:21] Connecting awesome community, team of eight ambassadors, traveling to South Africa, indigenous women, Kenyan guys, stepping up, confidence from connecting and hard work, met Kim Poole, Teaching Artist Institute.
[00:15:41] Keep swimming, align emotions, activate intentions.
[00:19:44] Turtle story: muskrat sacrifices life for Earth.
[00:20:40] Telling our unique story, considering our heritage.
[00:25:03] Survivor of domestic violence shares her story.
[00:28:56] From dishwasher to independence, finding happiness.
[00:32:43] Enjoying Jewish organization work with tree celebration.
[00:36:11] Stay in touch with Jennifer, closing ceremony.
[00:39:41] Found my tribe in St. Petersburg, Florida.



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"Have a couple good cries because it helps you to clean things out so that then you're ready to do the deep investigative work of what is there in the wintertime…"



During this interview Dr. Sina and I talk about sadness and grief and why the fall is the time to let the tears flow!


Dr. Sina's tagline, "Where healing begins with being heard," perfectly encapsulates the heart of our conversation.


In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fall is associated with grief and people are encouraged to cry as a way to shed or let go of attachments.  


“So when we think about the fall and the letting go, it's also the [time of] grief and sadness … and allowing it to pass through us instead of holding on to us.”



We also address some other questions such as:


How does TCM visit differ from western allopathic medicine?
What’s so great about shitake mushrooms in the fall?
How do you make yourself cry even when you feel like you can’t?


Moreover, we delved into the significance of self-listening and the value of allowing oneself to express emotions, particularly through moments of cathartic crying. Dr. Sina encourages embracing vulnerability and introspection, especially during the fall season when turning inward becomes a natural inclination.


As we progress through this season of completion and introspection, take some time to immerse yourself in activities that surface sadness. Whether it's journaling, meditation, or watching sad movies, allow this time for self-reflection and cleansing emotions.


Remember, the Mother Tree Network is here to support and empower you on your healing journey. Check out our FREE Sacred Listening Sessions.  Just go to dramandakemp.com


For more on Dr. Sina Smith and her upcoming book go to: 
Her website: https://sinasmithmd.com/
https://sinasmithmd.com/author/books/


Also, check out our youtube channel for Dr. Sina’s easy peasy, yummy electrolyte recipe that protects you from colds and flu.  The surprising ingredient is baking soda!






📚 Timestamped overview




00:02:40 Conventional medicine changes, ancient traditions hold true.
00:04:40 The idea of conceptualizing things in different ways and the multiple perspectives in medicine are explored, drawing comparison to Chinese language and quantum physics.
00:07:34 Collaborative approach to healing, person-centered care, empowering patients, transformative medical practice.
00:10:45 Lack of communication and self-reflection due to social media influence.
00:13:51 Summary: The body's stress-related chemical messengers and heart rate should fluctuate throughout the day; practicing downtime allows for adaptability and better response to different stressors. Maintaining a high stress level limits the body's resilience, while allowing for relaxation creates room for flexibility and better response.
00:17:45 Fall is about letting go of things that do not serve us, emotionally and physically, including work-related matters. The large intestine, lungs, and skin are linked to
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“These external dwelling principles, that sometimes we refer to as deities, like the Neturu, like Orisha, like the many gods of many pantheons, have all been there for me from day one, and I had to find them from a traditional and well policed location."
-- Dr. Geryll “G. Love” Robinson


How does a Black girl born in Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York wake up to the fact that she is Intergalactic royalty and on a mission to enlighten others?  


You are going to have to listen to this most unusual conversation with Dr. Geryll “G. Love” Robinson.  


Dr. G Love, as she is known,  shares her journey from Catholicism which she refers to as a “well policed location”  to the arts and napropy medical school to finally stepping up to her calling as a bodhisattva with plenty of attitude and humor!


When I asked her how she knew she was intergalactic, Dr. G says it was when she found the gods and goddesses from African and indigenous sources that she woke up.


 “These external dwelling principles, that sometimes we refer to as deities, like the Neturu, like Orisha, like the many gods of many pantheons, have all been there for me from day one."


Fortunately, Catholicism with its emphasis on saints, laid the groundwork for her exploration of the Orisha, the Neteru, and indigenous practices of the Mayan and Aztec peoples. 


Throughout the interview Dr. G. refers to systems that might be unfamiliar so let me share some background below.


Neteru not only refers to gods and goddesses of Kemet or Ancient Egypt but also to the cosmic principles that were conceived of in that culture.


The Orisha represent the pantheon of gods and goddesses that are upheld in the cosmology of the Yoruba people based in West Africa, but also in Brazil, Cuba and the U.S. 


Dr. G Love emphasizes timing and working with cycles rather than against them.  
For example she brings up the Saturn return which in astrology refers to a roughly twenty-eight year corrective cycle.  Saturn returns tend to be difficult because they force us to restructure or repour the foundations of our lives.. 
Additionally, Dr. G Love shares insights into naprapathy, a unique treatment approach for the spine. 




FREE GIFT:  Is it time for you to slow down?  Get my free checklist to help you determine if you're overdoing it!  https://www.dramandakemp.com/5-signs-checklist-optin


Follow Dr.G.Love on Instagram 


Dr. Geryll G Love Robinson Bio


Geryll “Dr. G. Love '' Robinson is an Earthly representative of Intergalactic Royalty.  In this incarnation she is known as a Naprapath, Shamanic practitioner, teacher of cross cultural earth honoring wisdom traditions, Founder and Visionary Spaceholder of SoulShifting Retreats,  artist, poet, curator, lover, peace activist, Queer keeper of the gaytes, and Walker of The Beauty Path. 
Support the showMother tree Network Podcast--Where Spirituality and Earth Wisdom Meet Racial Justice and Women's Leadership.

Want to become your unlimited self and evolve the planet?

Go here to get the Mother Tree podcast + Show Notes sent to your inbox
https://www.dramandakemp.com/podcast