Gratitude Blooming Podcast

Rest in the Practice: Wintering at the Threshold of a New Cycle

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs the year draws to a close, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson invite us into a rare and honest pause — one rooted in winter, vu...

Let Go to Let Flow: Fortifying Your Inner Riverbanks this Winter

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs we move deeper into November, the world around us begins its slow descent into winter. The days contract, the evenings lengthen, and ...

The Pause Between Seasons: Cultivating Perspective in Times of Change

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow do we spiral with change and not spin out of control?As 2025 continues to swirl with uncertainty, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brow...

Gentle Harvest & Fall Balance

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover mindful ways to transition into fall with Belinda, Omar, and Dr. Paul. This episode explores harvest wisdom, Daoist teachings, ...

Filtering the Noise, Finding the Signal: Wayfinding Through Change

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text2025 has been a year of relentless waves — uncertainty, upheaval, and unexpected turns.In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar ...

From Fire to Soil: Navigating Turbulence with Forgiveness

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow might letting go open space for something new (and even different) to grow in your life?In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Om...

Wayfinding in Summer: The Power of Aliveness, Destiny, and the Dance of Yin & Yang

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, hosts Omar and Belinda, joined by Dr. Paul Wang, explore the intense transition from spring to summer—a time of rapid...

To Bloom Is to Remember: On Simplicity, Awe, and the Heart

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if awe begins with remembering? In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson are joined by Dr. Paul Wang to explore the...

Look for buds: Transitions, Friendship, and Ancestral Wisdom

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow might simplifying your focus create space for what truly matters to flourish in your life this spring? A delightful spring energy i...

Embracing the Cave Life: Finding Peace Amid Chaos

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe world around us can feel chaotic and overwhelming, especially in the face of social and environmental challenges. In this episode, w...

Harnessing Nature's Wisdom: Exploring Grief, Gratitude, and Self-Care with Dr. Paul Wang

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if we could harness the wisdom of nature to transform our lives? Join us as we explore this intriguing question with our esteemed ...

Embracing Seasonal Living and Fearless Gratitude with Dr. Paul Wang

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover the profound insights of seasonal living with the esteemed Dr. Paul Wang, whose extensive experience in martial, medical, and m...

When No Thing Works, Turn to Dandelions and Zen Master Norma Wong

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textZen Master and movement leader Norma Wong returns to share her profound insights on tenacity and transformation, illuminating the intric...

Fearless Gratitude in Action: Nurturing Our Democracy with Shared Space

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJoin us for our Empathy & Democracy series, a live podcast and pop-up art series brought to you by the Democracy Center, VC Film Fes...

From Chaos to Cosmic Choices to Loving Corrections with adrienne maree brown

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week, we are joined by beloved movement creatrix adrienne maree brown in a conversation about talking with trees, finding your murm...

Embracing Identity, Overcoming Fear: The Power of Curiosity (Mash Up Edition)

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat shapes our identity and fuels our courage to challenge societal norms? Today, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Jim Herr, d...

Unearthing Timeless Insights Through a Zen Perspective

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEmbark on a reflective journey with us, as we begin to weave together the wisdom of over 100 episodes, creating a tapestry of insights t...

Holding Space for the Space Holders

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever experienced a moment so quietly powerful that it demanded your full presence? This episode, with facilitators Angela Oh an...

The Tender Art of Vulnerability and Holding Space

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEmbark on a transformative exploration with us as we reflect on a profound year investigating the intersection of empathy and democracy....

Wu Wei: Join our story circle and practice of "effortless action"

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs the seasons begin to change, we find ourselves wrapped in the afterglow of a snowstorm — a perfect time to foster our aspirations a...

What is nature showing you this season?

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs the frost of winter blankets parts of earth, we find ourselves wrapped in the cozy musings of transition and the gentle guidance of n...

An artist, a poet and a land steward: Our practice of remembrance

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs we meander through the intricate pathways of artistry, poetry, and land stewardship, Arlene Kim Suda, Belinda Liu, and Omar Brownson ...

Unraveling Modernity: Dancing across cultures and change

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs we journey through life, we often find ourselves confronting the paradox of ambition and rest. Come with us, be part of our personal ...

Kindling Hope and Gratitude with a Candlemaker

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textYou ever find yourself searching for an antidote to the chaos of the world? Let's journey together into the warm, comforting embrac...

Reimagining Democracy as an Everyday Practice of Listening, Speaking & Asking

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow do you find hope and personal empowerment in the face of war and political unrest?  According to Lea Endres, the CEO of NationBuild...

Be in the World with Tenderness

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textImagine a world where tenderness takes the political stage and grace is nurtured enough to birth something beautiful. In today's he...

The power of a good (or even an uninvited) pause

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever wondered how the power of pause can lead to achieving more? Today, we're joined by Emily Lynn Wendell, who takes us o...

How do you find your authentic courage?

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to a journey of courageous self-expression, a voyage across the realms of identity, gratitude, and remembrance. How do you find ...

Reframing Fear and Embracing the Unknown: A Creative Journey

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textReady to reframe fear and the unknown as fertile ground for creativity and change? Our illuminating conversation aims to inspire you to ...

Reciprocity: Beyond a 'debt of gratitude'

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThere is more to reciprocity than giving back. Our guest, Christine Liboon, a PhD student in Education, is here to take us on a deep exp...

The Art of Surrender: Making Peace with Your Choices

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver feel like life's pace is too fast? Ever wish you could just press the 'pause' button and breathe? Well, you're ...

The Power of the Collective Pause

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow can a simple pause unlock the magic of co-creation and our collective superpowers? Join us as we explore the intentions behind Arlen...

Art and Inquiry: Pathways to Empathy and Democracy

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if you held the power to direct the energy of democracy through your personal feelings and actions?  We promise to illuminate this...

The Emotional Terrain of Democracy: A Deep Dive into Empathy and Vulnerability

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver pondered the intricate dance of empathy and democracy? Well, that's precisely what we set out to explore with our esteemed gue...

The Alchemy of Gratitude and Intent

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever considered how gratitude can be a social adhesive, bringing us together to co-create the world we envision? Join us, as we...

Riding the Waves of Life's Transitions

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver sailed the tumultuous river of life transition, armed with nothing but hope and gratitude? Welcome to the journey of our guest, Cha...

The Garden of Joy: Exploring Coherence

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if you could harness the power of sound and nature to experience true coherence in your life? Join us as we celebrate the release o...

The Art of Receiving

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat happens when we shift our focus? Join us on this experimental journey as we kick off season three of the Gratitude Blooming podcast...

Beyond the binaries: Who are you finding yourself to be?

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this conversation, we delve into the wild card represented by the sweet pea with Iris Podschun (they/them), a somatic coach. Iris, wh...

Silence, Intent, and Wholeness

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJoin us in this captivating episode of Gratitude Blooming as we delve into the theme of Wholeness with the remarkable Lorrie Adams. In t...

Rooting for you

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, urban artist and poet SJ Hazim shares his insights on the theme of Simplicity card #18, represented by the humble daisi...

Unleashing Your Heart-led Courage

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Stacey Street, the COO of Richmond Community Foundation, to talk about the power of love, compassion, ...

The Power of Co-Creation

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of our podcast, we are joined by Liz Childs Kelly, the author of the book "Home to Her: Walking the Transformative ...

Live in the Future Now with Humility

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk to Ain Bailey, the founder of New Seneca Village, as she shares her insights on the Gratitude Blooming card #17...

Finding love that fits: Insights from a love researcher

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with love researcher, relationship coach and matchmaker Soniyah Singh to explore the Gratitude Blooming car...

The Garden of Healing Album - Special Live Edition

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Ariel Loh, the composer and producer behind Window Seat, to discuss his newest album, The Garden of He...

Beyond Learning: Embodying values and building connection through art

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week, we sit down with Adam Rosendahl, the founder and CEO of Late Nite Art, to explore the theme of Celebration through the metaph...

Curiosity, democracy and moving from fear to purpose

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we have a captivating conversation with Jim Herr on the theme of curiosity. Jim discusses the importance of self-reflec...

From Darkness to Light: The Dignity of Time and Boundaries

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we are joined by Emily Golding, Executive Director of Amplifier, a nonprofit design lab that builds art and media exper...

Balance - From Mountains to Mindset

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow do you handle "life mountains?" In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Georgina Miranda, a mountaineer, athlete, soci...

Kneel and kiss the ground

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive into our relationship with the natural world through the Gratitude Blooming theme of community, represented by ...

Sacred Ground - Top soil and composting dead people

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week, we interview Katrina Spade, the founder of Recompose, a company that provides funeral service by composting the dead. Inspire...

Impermanence - Embracing Loss

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the podcast, "Impermanence - embracing loss," we dedicate it to our beloved podcast producer, Brian Vasquez...

Destiny, like the ocean, you contain multitudes

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this podcast episode, Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson sit down with the multi-talented Kameron Green to talk about her relationship to ...

Forgiveness and walking without a map with optimist Simon Sinek

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJoin us for a special episode of the Gratitude Blooming Podcast as we explore the theme of forgiveness with author and optimist Simon Si...

Revisiting Tenacity from Season 1: Reframing Negative Thoughts

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAs we transition to a new year, we revisit the concept of tenacity and how it is represented by the dandelion.The dandelion is a symbol ...

Why Nature? Set your intention into the wild

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this intimate conversation, we look back and look forward on the year and the lessons our team has learned from being in close connec...

Exploring Presence and Permission to Grow with author and therapist Jor-El Caraballo

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this podcast episode, author and therapist Jor-El Caraballo talks about the importance of presence, permission to grow, sensitivity, ...

The Art of Gratitude

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAt the heart of Gratitude Blooming is art. All the art is an attempt to bring some kind of healing into the world. According to the art...

What can bloom from your vulnerability? Conversation with Angela Oh, Civil Rights Lawyer and Mediator

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat can bloom from your vulnerability?This week, we explore the theme of vulnerability represented by the winter rose with zazen practi...

Why Gratitude? Explore & Practice with the Gratitude Blooming Team

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe're taking a step back this week to explore the question of "Why gratitude?".  One answer is self-care. The brain has ...

Our Full Length Conversation with VC Tang on Self Care inspired by the Allium Triquetrum/3-Cornered Leek (Card #10)

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textOur Full Length Conversation with VC Tang on Self Care inspired by the Allium Triquetrum/3-Cornered Leek (Card #10) We're cooking ...

Our full-length conversation with Pastor Keith PK Jenkins on Growth and the Grapevine (Card #33)

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textOur full-length conversation with Pastor Keith PK Jenkins on Growth and the Grapevine (Card #33)This week, we’re excited to preview an...

Collective Acceleration with Zen Master Norma Wong

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textTeacher and thought partner Norma Wong (Norma Ryuko Kawelokū Wong Roshi) joins us to reflect on everything from ancestry to neuroscienc...

Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme of Wholeness embraces both the light and shadow. Artist Arlene Kim Suda shares this inspiration from Jun'ichirō...

Everything is alive and everything is listening to you

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLife is not a script. It is a conversation. Life is going to life. How are you connected to it? Cultural anthropologist and culture kee...

Gentleness: Pouring with heart

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBeing there for each other. That’s the core inspiration for bar owner and author Cedd Moses. He says, “It’s not worth growing unle...

From genes to memes, give yourself a (re)treat

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week we invite you to alchemize your belly breath. To transform pixels to atoms. To go from digital to analog. With guest Dr. Paul ...

Want more abundance? Be kind and pay attention

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThere is a myth about scarcity. When we connect to each other the separation and supremacy that rely on the idea of scarcity fall away. ...

Dance with the sublime

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textPlay with this moment. It may give you an opportunity to dance with the sublime. This week we talk with community leader and environment...

Survival of the kindest

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textExplore the Gratitude Blooming theme of Perspective through the agapanthus flower and a conversation with author and co-founder of the C...

When the universe slaps you, pay attention

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week we explore the theme of tenacity, represented by the dandelion, with artist and musician Radhika Vekaria. Even after a big lif...

The opposite of violence isn’t peace. It’s community.

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s podcast theme of discovery is expansive from the deeply personal to the full human experience. The digital artwork takes u...

Blood Memory: Without healing, we repeat the brokenness of the past

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textFlower: RedwoodBlood memory can be described by your ancestral and genetic connection to language, songs, spirituality, and teachings. Y...

Our full-length conversation with @Zeneca_33

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAfter receiving several requests to feature more from our conversation with Zeneca - Enjoy this episode featuring our full length conver...

Sometimes life happens to you, but it doesn’t have to crush you.

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s Gratitude Blooming theme is trust represented by the Wildflower.  When times are tough, how do we trust enough to remain ...

Unleashing your voice

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s Gratitude Blooming theme is Sing represented by the Foxglove NFT. We hear a powerful story of what finding your voice trul...

Finding your way back to authentic self

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s Gratitude Blooming podcast theme is Joy & Presence, represented by the Indian Paintbrush NFT. We hear from the artists...

Addiction: Everyday is a crossroads to hope

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is HOPE represented by the Azalea flower NFT. With recovery advocate Aaron Marks, we explore the biological and emot...

Want emotional freedom? The stoic secret is in your reactions according to @Zeneca_33

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEmotional freedom is learning you can’t control the world, but you can control how you react to it. We explore in this wide-ranging co...

Beyond mindfulness with UK psychotherapist and Misfit Robots co-founder Marianne Le Coyte Grinney

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe are part of something bigger than ourselves. This week, we are joined from the UK by psychotherapist and co-founder of Misfit Robots ...

Atomic Interactions with blogger Livia Chan, M.Ed

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEvery moment matters. Teacher and blogger Livia Chan learned early in life that you don’t know when it will be the last time you get t...

We are emotional beings with somatic coach Steve Seto

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEmbodiment practices are reminders that we are emotional beings before we are physical beings, according to somatic coach Steve Seto. He...

Spiritual Protocols with Michael Preston

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textProtocols are the basic set of rules that define how information can be exchanged whether it is a biological cell or the transfer of dat...

Introducing Season 2 : Collective Acceleration

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis theme for the second season of our podcast is Collective Acceleration.We believe stories are maps.  These words are a technology t...

The Art of Heartfulness with Dr. Sofia Costa

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDr. Sofia Costa is an author and artist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She connects to the art of alchemical medicine through sac...

The Sacred Feminine with Liz Childs Kelly

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textSometimes life makes you pause in profound ways. This is what happened to Liz Childs Kelly, a writer, host of the Home to Her podcast, S...

The path of humanization, not dehumanization

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week we explore different paths to social emotional learning, somatic healing and emergence. How do we stay open to change and adap...

The future of learning comes from our past

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe go to schools to train our brains. We go to gyms to train our bodies.  Where do we go to train our emotions? The reality is that we ...

Simplicity - The Art of Living and Dying Well with Hospice Nurse Linda Ong

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat does it mean to live and die well? Death is a topic we don't often talk about, but it's something we all must face.  We ...

Celebrating all mothers and mother-like figures with healer Raj Escondo

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow do we appreciate the important maternal figures in our lives? We are joined by Raj Escondo (she/her or they/them) a healing justice...

Honoring Earth Day w/ Artist Arlene Kim Suda

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat would it look like to honor Earth Day everyday? It starts with pausing to see and relate to nature in new ways. Join us for our fir...

Grace: There’s nothing like the original

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme of Grace is represented by the blooming summer rose. The rose is one of the most popular flowers in the world, known...

Sorrow - Breathe with your heart

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme of Sorrow is represented by the touch-me-not flower. The flower is also known as impatiens, which in Latin means to ...

Wholeness - Be carried by love

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat does wholeness feel like to you? This week’s theme of Wholeness is represented by the forsythia flower. The flowers are produced ...

Humility - A strong foundation

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is Humility represented by Card 17 violets. The root word in Latin for humility is humus, which means soil or ground...

Prayer - Plant your values

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is Prayer represented by Card 19 rhododendron. Prayer can mean a lot of different things and can often elicit strong...

Choice - Choose to pause

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is Choice represented by Card 3 rose. This week’s illustration of the rose shows many branches. Life can feel like...

Tenacity - Reframing negative thoughts

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is Tenacity represented by Card 6 dandelion. Negative thoughts come, but we can choose which thoughts we want to foc...

Simplicity - The original plant medicine, seriously

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis week’s theme is Simplicity represented by Card 18 daisy. The word ‘simple’ is from Latin simplus  which originally referred ...