In 1988 Laura Davis coauthored The Courage to Heal, a global phenomenon. It is the go-to, permission giving, truth telling, and healing guide for victims of sexual abuse. 

Her most recent book, The Burning Light of Two stars: A Mother Daughter Story is a prequel and a sequel to The Courage to Heal. It chronicles the estrangement, reconciliation and care-giving relationship between Laura and her mother.

And it is about so much more.  

The Burning Light of Two Stars is plot twist after plot twist, as Laura and her mother evolve, change, stay the same, and rediscover each other over and over. It’s a story of forgiveness, accountability, letting go and holding on. 

We couldn’t put it down. 

Laura Davis is a deep thinking, soul touching writer and person. She chronicles the ongoingness of life beyond trauma. Her understanding and wonderment about herself and others touched and inspired us.

Please Listen.

“The price I paid to keep my mother out, at first with withdrawal, later with an armed fortress, and finally, with the polite rules of détente, was love. The pure, unfettered love I longed for. The pure, unfettered love she craved.”

For TTP Listeners from Laura Davis:

You can also read the opening 5 chapters here

Direct links to buy The Burning Light of Two Stars:

Buy The Burning Light of Two Stars on Amazon

Buy The Burning Light of Two Stars from Elliott Bay Books

Get a signed copy of The Burning Light of Two Stars from Bookshop Santa Cruz

Buy The Burning Light of Two Stars from Bookshop.org

Audiobook version of The Burning Light of Two Stars (Laura is the narrator):

Buy the audiobook of The Burning Light of Two Stars on Audible

Buy The Burning Light of Two Stars audiobook on Libro.fm

Want to Order Internationally with Free Worldwide Delivery?

Buy The Burning Light of Two Stars from book depository.com

If you’re a writer or want to use writing as a tool for healing or self-discovery, you can learn about Laura’s online writing workshops and in-person domestic and international retreats at www.lauradavis.net

And if you want to go to Tuscany with Laura in June of 2022, check out some serious eye candy here!

Social media links:

thewritersjourney on Facebook

@laurasaridavis on Instagram

Twitter (which I don’t use so much) @laurasaridavis

@laurasaridavis on Pinterest

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today. – Chinese Proverb

Una Betti has worked as a nurse and project manager for many years. At the same time, she’s nurtured a passion for gardening, and grew a deep appreciation for the value of intentional spaces. Now, at 62, Una has decided it’s time to twist the hobby into aprofession.

Her new business, Mindful Garden Designs, was created for all of us who want to embrace our spaces. Una Betti wants to show us how to design gardens that are unique, personal and enlivening. Her mission is to create peaceful spaces thatfacilitate the practice of mindfulness, foster creativity and promote health.

We have learned so much about gardens, flowers, trees, birds,and even rocks, from Una. She doesn’t believe in one–garden–fits–all. She wants each of us to dwell in a space that speaks to our unique history,imbues memory, inspires desire and deep-seated aspiration.

She is such a resource. We are both planning to consult with Una to make a space for mindful living.We know you will want her help as well.

Listen to this week’s podcast and learn how Una can help you. We all need beauty. We all deserve to bloom.

Bio  

Una Betti, the creator of Mindful Garden Designs LLC, has been gardening for over 30 years. Her gardens are her passion, and she finds great inspiration in the natural world around her. Una is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Health Informatics and is a certified Professional Project Manager (PMP). Her background in nursing and project management combines the caring components and detailed mindset to design garden spaces that come to life and thrive. Her mission statement speaks to all those who want to embrace their space; “To design gardens, to create peaceful spaces, to facilitate the practice of mindfulness, foster creativity and promote health.”  

Check out MindfulGardenDesigns.com

Check out Mindful Gardens on Facebook

Follow @mindfulgardens1 on Twitter

Follow Mindful Gardens on Instagram

Here it is, another year.

Are you ready?

We are.

We look forward to our new group of twelve women, and the collaboration for the next twelve months.

We want this to be a year when we embrace our lives even more fully, feel our feelings, and navigate with grace the twists.

Another year to celebrate our aging, honor our past, and look to the future with curiosity and wonder.

How do we start?

We start with a conversation with the indomitable Indrani Goradia.

On this week’s Twisting the Plot Podcast, Indrani invites us to welcome what’s ahead. She challenges us to think more deeply, take more action and yes, she also makes us laugh.

It seems like the perfect place to begin 2022.

We hope you join us.

Check out indranigoradia.com

What is a creatrix, you might ask?

According to Stephanie Raffelock the word creatrix is defined as “a woman who makes or creates things.” Stephanie suggests that creatrix may be a good replacement for crone when it comes to selecting an archetype for women to age into.

We love the idea of a woman continuing to “make things” beyond the biological clock of fertility.

Stephanie Raffelock herself is a creatrix. She is a storyteller and writer who published two books after she was 50. Creatrix Rising is her latest, and we were thrilled to speak with her about it on this week’s Twisting the Plot Podcast.

Listen as Stephanie shares her story, the plot twists, and the role models who inspired her along the way. There is the poet Richard Blanco, her grandmother Julia, and the magical neighbor Austin.

Relationships matter to Stephanie. And now she matters to us.

We need to remind ourselves that as with all kinds of evolution, there is no destination point, no complete, all-the-way healing, but rather more unfolding, more work to be done. We grow psychologically and spiritually until the time we die. Stephanie Raffelock, The Creatrix Rising

Learn more about Stephanie Raffelock at https://www.byline-stephanie.com/

Here’s a question to ponder. “Can you love yourself in a hostile world?”

This is the question Dr. Thema asks on this week’s podcast.

“We have to shift the individual, but we also have to shift the world in which the individual is living, so that we’re not constantly having to push back against these messages but that we can change the larger story, that we’re all worthy and deserving.”

Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis is a psychologist, a professor at Pepperdine University, a minister, a dancer, and a slam poet.

She is the director of the Culture and Trauma Research Lab, and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the fields of trauma, human trafficking, the psychology of women and anti-racism.

She is also the President Elect of The American Psychological Association.

And the host of The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema.

In this conversation Dr. Thema talks about the many plot twists in her personal and professional life. She delineates the intersection of ageism, sexism, and racism. She speaks about her calling to the ministry and her belief in the role of the arts in communal healing. Finally, she articulates her thoughts about the profession and practice of psychology.

She even gifts us with a poem.

Take a listen. We were blown away.

Follow Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Connect with Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on LinkedIn

Learn more about Dr. Thema Thema Bryant-Davis at drthema.com

Who knew getting older could be so funny?

In the 1960’s gerontologist Robert Butler told us that thinking back over our lives is therapeutic. He termed his method of reminiscence, “Life Review”. Through a life review, experiences from the past, particularly the unresolved conflicts, can be resolved and reintegrated into our life experience.

There is also substantial research pointing to the benefits of humor. Humor has been found to lower blood pressure, increase pain threshold, and improve the immune system. Humor reduces cortisol and increases endorphins in our systems. It also helps us gain perspective, sharpen our memory, and allows us to forgive ourselves and others.

Story and laughter bring people together.

Enter, Mary Clohan, a stand-up comedian and graduate student in New York University’s program for Drama Therapy. Mary decided to combine these two healing processes. For her Masters’ thesis, she examined the process and benefits of what she calls, “Laugh Review.”

On this week’s Twisting the Plot Podcast we hear from Mary and five of her actor/subjects, all residents of Penn South, “a naturally occurring retirement community” located in NYC, fondly referred to as NORC.

Take a listen and laugh along with us.

We are honored to have the following participants on this podcast: Hilda Aronson, Michael Bournas-Ney, Martin Sturm, Florence Cohen, and Harriet Kriegel.

Cast Bios:

Mary Clohan is a writer, performer, teaching artist and recent graduate of the NYU Master’s Program in Drama Therapy. She has been performing stand-up comedy and improv comedy around NYC for the past 4 years and is interested in the therapeutic potential of humor and comedy within the creative arts therapies. Reach out to Mary Clohan via email at maryclohan@gmail.com

Hilda Aronson – Hilda had her 89th birthday six months ago and, being in very poor health, or lack thereof, is very proud of her highest achievement: simply being alive. Personal and professional successes lose importance. Giving and receiving an abundance of love, that’s what she identifies with. All the rest is illusion.

Michael Bournas-Ney – Michael premiered as an actor in first grade, when he played the part of a washcloth. (His friend was a bar of soap.) He loves humor and was thrilled to be part of Mary’s stand-up class.

Martin Sturm – Martin is now a playwright, standup comedian, and actor. These are accomplishments that he didn’t think were possible, in all his wildest dreams.

Florence Cohen – Florence is a lifelong closet comedian who always tried to keep companions amused. She is also a current abstract painter and a senior trying to keep up with a constantly changing world.

Harriet Kriegel – Harriet began as a high school English teacher, moved to health care, and became Vice President of Public Affairs, Development, and Marketing at The Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged. After retiring, she joined the Board of Penn South Social Services, which sponsors the Penn South Program for Seniors, where she has become involved with theatre and acting, discovering new talents, and doing Stand-Up Comedy. It is a thrill to discover a new skill when you are 87!

Dr. Ellen Albertson calls herself the Midlife Whisperer.

But on this week’s Twisting the Plot Podcast, she speaks up loud and clear.

Dr. Albertson has “more degrees than a thermometer” and she’s confronted major plot twists in life. For years she followed all the rules and roadmaps. She had a successful career, got married, raised children, worked hard to stay thin and attractive and did a lot of people pleasing. But after life threw her a few curve balls, she devised a set of new rules to follow.

These new rules have to do with being creative, trusting herself and allowing for transformation.

Dr. Albertson has a new book titled Rock Your Midlife, 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter.

It’s a great read. We enjoyed our conversation with Ellen.

We think you will find her inspiring and motivating.

Take a listen.

Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, NBC-HWC

Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Reiki Master, and Mindful Self-compassion Teacher. Known as The Midlife Whisperer™, she helps women raise their vibration so they have the energy, confidence, and clarity to make their next chapter their best chapter.

An author, inspirational speaker and expert on women’s wellbeing, Dr. Ellen has appeared on Extra, the Food Network and NBC World News and has been quoted in Psychology Today, Eating Well and USA Today. She has written five books and articles for SELF, Better Homes & Gardens and Good Housekeeping. Her latest book is: Rock Your Midlife: 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter!

She brings over 25 years of counseling, coaching, and healing experience to her holistic practice and transformational work. She lives on the Champlain Islands of Vermont with her high-tech, raw-food loving partner, Ken and her tree climbing Border Collie, Rosie.

Get Rock Your Midlife by Dr. Ellen Albertson on Amazon

Check out Dr. Ellen Albertson’s website themidlifewhisperer.com