Season Five Reflections

Hard times threaten resolve; when every ounce of energy is depleted, flatlining – of mind, body, and spirit - occurs.  In this depleted state one often reverts to old, restrictive patterns of behavior – well worn habits that no longer serve, but reemerge in times of difficulty.  During these times a spring cleaning is necessary, lightening our load for the long road ahead—decerning what to let go and what to hold close. Finding myself deep in the mire of this phenomena, the well-spring of knowledge imparted by this season’s guests could not have been better timed.  What stood out for me was a range of messages - from the value of settling into uncertainty to the fuel provided from dedication to a creative endeavor.
Rails-To-Trails president Ryan Chao teaches us the power of distilling our skills and refining our purpose to discern the essential.

Sports Psychology and Performance trailblazer, Dr. Jim Loehr illustrates the impact of character, cautioning of the limitations of results orientation, reminding us it’s really who we become in the pursuit that matters. 

Accepting her calling as advocate for victims of abuse, human trafficking, and exploitation Haejin Shim Fujimura leverages her Shim and Associates law practice and Embers International foundation, turning her own brokenness into light shining through the fissures. 

Barbara and Lili Anel, twins who’ve taken divergent paths to follow their musical dreams, remind us of the alchemy of gratitude, and the gift of staying in the moment. 

Lynn R. Miller, painter, farmer, horseman, and founder of Small Farmer’s Journal, illustrates the importance in the protection of early “thrills and enchantments.” Forty-eight years later Lynn continues to follow his passions - painting, animal powered agriculture, writing, and living a “human scale manual transmission” life on his remote Oregon ranch.

With over 160 platinum albums, two Grammys, and over 40 years of mentoring some of the greatest recording artists of our time, Robert Cutarella finds joy along the long road to mastery. Robert warns of the trappings of the world, reminding us to redefine success, teaching us to exchange shortcuts, quick fixes, and materialism for honesty. 

Actress and Horticulturist Kathleen O’ Grady, finds satisfaction in her cultivation of “sister passions”; acting and landscape design, teaching us valuable lessons from the gift of good work and the value of effort; things that no one can take away.  

Over the span of 43 years Dr. Maitland Jones, published 225 research papers, and fostered landmark discoveries while at “Jones Alley”, the Princeton lab affectionately bearing his name. One of his five books, Organic Chemistry (WW.Norton 2014),is the gold standard for chemistry studies around the globe. Professor Jones supplies the chalk for a blackboard instruction on his unwavering commitment to problem solving. 

I hope the stories, messages, and insights of this season’s guests sharpen your tools, providing necessary provisions for your own journey.I look forward to sharing more stories with you on the next season of Intrinsic Drive®