The Eden Jamnuary 2026

EDEN JANUARY 2026

N° 181

T H E

YOGASANAS

MORE THAN POSTURES

By Sadhguru Isha Foundation

GRAND CANYON RIVER EXPERIENCE

By Polly Wirum

ZAY HARDING Journeys that shape the soul

Maryam Morrison

Dina Morrone

Dr. Rob Moir

Edward Hakopian

Dulce Garcia-Morman

Emilie Macas

Nikki Pattillo

Joe Santos, Jr.

Polly Wirum

Philip Smith

JSquared Photography @j2pix

Brad wallace

Sheri Determan

Ben Rollins

Lisa Joy Walton

Greg Doherty

Artin Mardirosian

Benjamin D.Buren

MEET OUR TEAM

EDEN T H E

Since 2010 The Eden Magazine is a free online publication is your guide to healthy living, spiritual awareness, compassion and love for all living beings, holistic lifestyle, mindfulness, organic living, positive thinking, sustainability, and personal development Founder & Editor-in-Chief Maryam Morrison Executive Editor/Contributing Writer Dina Morrone Contributing Writers Sadhguru, Isha Foundation Dulce Garcia-Morman Dr. Rob Moir Emilie Macas Nikki Pattillo Polly Wirum Joe Santos, Jr. Guest Writer Philip Smith Contributing Stylists + Makeup Artist Edward Hakopian Lisa Joy Walton Graphics & Photography JSquared Photography @j2pix (Los Angeles) Artin Mardirosian (Nexision) (Los Angeles) Benjamin D. Buren – AliveStudios.Com (Denver, SanFrancisco, Boston) Sheri Determan (Los Angeles) Greg Doherty (Los Vegas) Ben Rollins (Atlanta) Web developer Brad wallace https://bradwallacedesign.com/ 325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209

To purchase a copy, visit us at www.theedenmagazine.com Eden Magazine is a non-profit monthly online magazine that aims to promote a better environment in which humans live in peace and harmony with other living beings. The Eden Magazine supports artists whose work matches our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article, or/ and your photography for our future issues, please contact Maryam Morrison at maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com The Eden Magazine reviews article content for accuracy before publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials, and all other content are published in good faith.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH Dr. Shirley C. Strum

CONTENTS

24

Table of

AN INTERVIEW WITH Heather Marianna & Lisa Huscher

32

FLORAL ABSOLUTES

by Candice Covington

36

ZAY HARDING Awakening Wonder, One Journey at a time

46

ART PALM BEACH 2026 Returns with Global Galleries and Immersive New Installations

48

CENTRAL PARK, PORTAL TO THE WORLD

by Aaron Poochigian

54

YOGASANAS, MORE THAN POSTURES

by Sadhguru Isha Foundation

54

32 48 36

66

Cover photo by Raquel Krelle

60

GRAND CANYON RIVER EXPERIENCE

by Polly Wirum

66

DOES THE GOVERNMENT NEED A CONSCIENCE?

by Nikki Pattillo

70

LET'S DANCE THE NEW YEARIN!

by Dulce Garcia-Morman

74

FIVE LESSONS I BRING INTO 2026

by Emilie Macas

80

COEXISTING WITHOUT COMBUSTON

by Joe Santos, Jr.

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70 74 60 80 88 94

THE CALL OF THE WILD An interview with Lindsay Nikole

94

THE THEORY OF SPICE Inaugural Film Series from The Yogi Foundation

GET YOUR OWN COPY TODAY Order the latest edition by visiting our website www.theedenmagazine.com

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An interview with

Dr. Shirley C. Strum

For over half a century, renowned anthropologist Dr. Shirley C. Strum has lived and worked among wild baboons in Kenya, documenting their lives with extraordinary depth and empathy. Her groundbreaking research has reshaped our understanding of primate behavior, evolution, and the very foundations of human society. In her remarkable new book, Echoes of Our Origins: Baboons, Humans, and Nature, Dr. Strum takes readers on a journey that is part memoir, part natural history, part adventure,

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and part urgent call to action. She challenges long-held assumptions—such as “survival of the fittest”—revealing instead the complex strategies of trust, negotiation, and collaboration that allow baboons to thrive. Through their world, we gain new insight into our own.

It is our great honor to share Dr. Shirley C. Strum with you in this issue, inspiring exploration of life, science, and the deep connections that shape us all.

After living alongside baboons for over fifty years, what has been the most surprising or transformative discovery about their social lives?

How smart they are and how socially sophisticated. Baboons don’t have symbols, language, material culture, or cooperation, but they still create a social contract, which is much like our Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

This is because baboons need each other to survive, perhaps even more than modern humans do. Aggression is risky, so it makes sense that baboons avoid aggression except when they can’t. Instead, they have “social strategies of competition and defense,” which are far less risky and, if not more effective, at least equally.

In Echoes of Our Origins, you argue that science must evolve beyond rigid frameworks. Can you share a moment from your research when traditional assumptions failed to explain what you were witnessing?

I was trained as an ethologist in the late 1960's. That meant the behavior of wild creatures could explain everything without reference to emotions, mind, and personality. But I kept feeling like the essence of what I saw was falling through the cracks until I realized that my extra notes weren’t just anecdotes, but they were data. They were Darwinian

natural history, systematic and detailed. Natural history observations let me put together what science had taken apart in the search for underlying explanations. For example, I moved 3 troops of baboons from their home to a new place that was much wilder and more arid, where they knew only about 50% of the foods they needed to survive, and a few that provided drought foods.

Importantly, there were elephants in the new place but not in the old home, and baboons were frightened of them. Wouldn’t you be when you encounter wild elephants without the safety of your home or vehicle?

The next morning, I couldn’t find the baboons where I had left them, but noticed elephant footprints around their sleeping rocks. When I questioned the few other humans living in the area, they said they had seen baboons moving in the dark, away from their usual sleeping site, to another set of sleeping rocks about 2 km away. Sure enough, they were there. My quantitative data documented the shift in the baboons' location, but I couldn’t have explained why this group shifted without my natural history and my interpretation that the baboons avoided the elephants. I might have come up with many interpretations of why they shifted their home range, but none would be correct.

“

The conflict between baboons and humans won’t change unless human behavior changes as well. But the anti-raiding strategy must be tailor-made, remembering that there is a range of cultural responses.

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“

The baboons demonstrated many times that evolution is much more relaxed than we assume.

There is greater variation between individuals, greater tolerance for mistakes, and greater space for adaptability.

It is “survival of the fit enough,” where fit enough includes more space to maneuver than we thought.

Many still view evolution as "survival of the fittest." How have baboons—and your decades of work with them—reshaped your understanding of what truly drives evolution?

The baboons demonstrated many times that evolution is much more relaxed than we assume. There is greater variation between individuals, greater tolerance for mistakes, and greater space for adaptability. It is “survival of the fit enough,” where fit enough includes more room to maneuver than we thought.

I saw this when the troop first split in 1981 into raiders and non-raiders. The raider males included adolescents, but not all adolescent males became raiders. The raider females included those who had friendships with the raider males, but not all of them. Even among females who became raiders, not all their families joined the raiding troop. I had worried before about how the “fittest” could be defined.

Was it survival of your infant (to when?), its infant, or several more generations? Much later, a group kept getting mobbed but returned, which they weren’t “supposed” to do. Mobbing says, “get away from here,” so returning was strange. Also, mobbing took its toll in terms of female and infant deaths. Eventually, they moved back to their favorite sleeping site, but that was 6 years later. I don’t think baboons can plan 6 years in advance. Watching and tracking baboons really changed my ideas about how evolution operates.

Baboons have developed remarkable systems of negotiation, collaboration, and

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trust. What lessons from their society might humans apply to our own challenges with relationships, conflict, and community?

Although it is in vogue to attack human exceptionalism, I see it differently. Of course, there is continuity, so I expect the origins of culture or symbols in other species, particularly other primates. Yet humans have changed the process so much that what we have today is very, very different from what we find in other animals.

Humans can lie, cheat, and exploit others with their language, symbols, culture, and social cooperation. That is why I jokingly say that I would rather have a baboon as president than a human. I think humans have lost the essence of what made us so successful: our socialness, the social and brain structures that made cooperation possible. Today, humans have changed how we interact, and not for the better. Yet underneath it all, the same things matter: trust, cooperation, and community. We need each other to succeed, or rather, we succeed better when we cooperate (baboons only collaborate, I think). Watching baboons showed me how far a society can go without these essential human properties. Baboons don’t have an aggressive society. They don’t have a male-dominated society. Females inherit dominance status, but males pop out of the female hierarchy by the time they become adolescents. Yet both males and females have alternatives to aggressive ways of doing things, which they use to buffer what might become raw aggression. We tend to look to animals for the worst human behavior, but we should not because we, humans, have created our own worst behavior.

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Echoes of Our Origins: Baboons, Humans, and Nature sells at Johns Hopkins University Press

You've witnessed firsthand the consequences of human-wildlife conflict. What steps can individuals, communities, or even policymakers take to foster genuine coexistence with the natural world?

First, if people are part of the problem, people have to be part of the solution, as the Community-Based Conservation philosophy states. We can’t expect people living on the margins of survival to sacrifice in order to save a tree, a species, or a habitat. That means wealthy individuals and wealthier nations need to create new options so that marginalized people don’t suffer if they act for conservation's aims. Second, coexistence is based on compromise, and until now, humans have taken space without asking or compromising. Wild creatures and their habitats have suffered. But coexistence turns a win/lose situation into a win/win outcome by having both sides compromise. Humans

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must now compromise in their expectations and their actions because so far, they haven’t.

Finally, the future of wild creatures and wild places depends on us, humans. More than ever, it is about what we think about nature and wildlife and what we are prepared to do to co-exist.

We have to renegotiate and reimagine our relationship with nature. I have hope because of the changes I have seen with new options for the local communities that are the baboons’ neighbors. I also see changes in my students. Earlier (I have taught for 50 years), students cared about wildlife but not about the communities that live with wildlife.

Now they care about both and are willing to make sacrifices if they think it will help humans to co-exist with the natural world.

These changes might not be fast enough, but they are in the right direction.

Today, humans have changed how we interact, and not for the better.

Yet underneath it all, the same things matter: trust, cooperation, and community. We need each other to succeed, or rather, we succeed better when we cooperate Your book blends memoir, science, and advocacy. What do you most hope readers will take away—not only about baboons, but about themselves and their role in this shared world?

Everything has changed in the 50 years of my career watching wild baboons. Baboons aren’t the way we thought they were (and certainly don’t deserve the current bad rep they have). Studying baboons convinces me that there are many more sophisticated and smart animals out there that haven’t been studied or for so long. This means when we lose a group or population or species, we lose much more. I’ve seen that human-baboon conflict (and perhaps all human wildlife conflict) is usually the fault of people.

However, it is very difficult to change human behavior, so the wild creatures pay the price. Baboons are smart and sophisticated, and not dominated by males. Instead, they rely on friendships to create trust and to employ social strategies of competition and defense. The world would be a nicer place if we imitated baboons a bit more.

Human/baboon conflict is inevitable due to the growth of the human population (in Kenya, more than 5 times its size over the last 50 years) and the conversion of wildlands to agriculture, as well as urban, suburban, and rural development. This puts pressure on all wildlife, including baboons.

But baboons are a special case. They are adaptable, smart, sophisticated, and wily.

Human foods, whether field crops or manufactured, provide a dense, easy-to-digest, and nutritious alternative to natural foraging for baboons. That means that the best strategy for baboon raiding is to stop it before it starts. Once it starts, it is hard to extinguish, just like human behavior is hard to change.

Furthermore, anti-raiding strategies depend on their history and current context. In all cases, the costs have to exceed the benefits.

Baboons don’t eat human foods out of spite but because it is a good foraging decision.

There are several techniques for reducing or ending baboon raiding, but these involve human effort and money. The last option is killing them. However, that isn’t easy, and another group in the population is likely to fill the vacancy.

The conflict between baboons and humans won’t change unless human behavior changes as well. But the anti-raiding strategy must be tailor-made, remembering that there are a range of cultural responses. The current lack of clarity is not about animal rights and welfare, but about how to assign “responsibility” for the actions and “who will do it?” This means we need to rethink the relationship between baboons and people, and humans and nature.

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Photo by Andreas Vonlanthen

An excerpt from Echoes of Our Origins: Baboons, Humans, and Nature, by Dr. Shirley C. Strum

I

I have given much thought to the moral, ethical, and practical issues that inevitably arise when you study creatures in the wild whose lives would be longer and healthier if you’d chosen to make them so. Especially when they’re close biological cousins, whose ways so often seem eerily similar to ours. Moreover, how do you follow three and sometimes more baboon troops who travel many foraging miles each day and may go places where a fused back is a distinct liability? Who will watch the baboons when you can’t be there? You have a team, and their safety is a consideration, aside from concerns about consistent data collection. It’s the management side of science in the wild, and it too comes with rewards as well as challenges.

There are no simple answers to any of these issues, but my scientific goals help with clarity. The point of my studies has been to discover patterns of behavior that tell us both about what baboons do and why. If, for example, I decided to break up fights, play with youngsters, or medicate the injured, I would have to question the authenticity of the behaviors I saw. I have

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wondered if the team and I hovering around the troops for so many years might have caused a subtle loss of naturalness. Was it always “normal” behavior we were seeing, or possibly something else, perhaps the result of cumulative micro-interventions over decades, or a loss of healthy wariness toward humans. In any case, after moving the baboons, I doubled down on my noninterference policy because the study was now a test of baboon survival and adaptability. We needed to know whether translocation would work as a conservation and management strategy, not just for baboons but also for other primates. I fully subscribe to the critical importance of following standard rules about field research. Scientific rigor is essential, and credibility is at stake. But rules don’t erase feelings, and at times I’ve felt torn in two. I have learned that as losses accumulate, grief becomes a sort of shadow companion. Thoughts of Peggy’s death or Wiggle’s still bring tears to my eyes. I have found that grief is assuaged more effectively by distance than time. When I’ve returned to California and had classes to deal with, I don’t dwell.

But back with the baboons, I’m faced with reminders.

The death that affected me most deeply, after Peggy’s, was that of Zilla. She was the last of the old females who’d come over from Kekopey, and the top female in Malaika. Like Peggy, Zilla was special, possessed of baboon charisma, at least for me. She was smart, social, and held her own when challenged. She felt almost like a friend, if friendship can be unrequited. She was 22 when she died, quite a bit younger than Peggy, who was at least 32 when she fell from the cliffs at Kekopey.

But life on Chololo was harder, and females aged quickly.

In 1997, during a drought that followed several years of drought, Zilla was was clearly suffering. Her eyes were sunken, her hair unkempt, her manner listless. One evening in early March, she was missing as the rest of the troop began their climb up the sleeping rocks. For three days, we didn’t see her. The troop made do without Zilla’s almost preternatural ability to find the best available food that others had missed—acacia seeds or the first green flush of grass on an old boma site.

When food was plentiful, her knowledge mattered less, but in times of scarcity, it was crucial, as locating a lone Acacia etbaica tree in flower could be lifesaving.

We assumed Zilla had died, and I felt a terrible heaviness. On day four, the team and I walked with the baboons to a gully where a temporary human encampment now sat.

There, shockingly, was Zilla, but not the Zilla of four days ago. She was even more gaunt, and her face was crisscrossed with dried blood. Matted hair at both temples partially covered nasty-looking injuries. Her lower face, around the jaw and chin, was swollen and disfigured. I saw traces of maize on her lips and figured her cheek pouches were full. Most likely, she’d been attacked by dogs after finding stored maize at the boma.

As we approached, Zilla turned to leave the boma. She made no effort to rejoin her troop. But as she rose, she lost her footing and fell. She pulled herself up and took a few halting steps, looking like the proverbial drunken sailor. There were no visible injuries on her legs and hips, but her weakness told me she was probably close to death. I asked the team to stay with the troop as it moved around the boma and away from the barking dogs. I followed Zilla, glad to be on my own. I’d had trouble concealing my dis-

tress at the sight of this wonderful female in such dire shape. Even writing these words is difficult. I quietly trailed Zilla as she staggered a hundred feet or so to a tree where she sat and rested in the shade. She roused herself up once more, lurched forward for a few dozen feet, then stopped and rested again.

At this point, I cracked, no longer able to hold back tears, my heart broken by her sad, valiant determination to keep moving. And yet . . . the scientist in me wondered why she kept going. She seemed intent on getting somewhere, as if aiming for a particular destination.

During her brief rest breaks, Zilla worked to chew the maize still in her mouth. Normally, crunching the hard, dry kernels into meal would be easy. Now, with her jaw so swollen, the kernels fell from her lips despite her efforts to push them back in. Then, once again, she’d hoist herself up and make her way forward, always with seeming intention. For nearly an hour, I watched the painful process, wanting desperately to rush to her aid, yet knowing I should not. Something was happening here,and I had a hunch about what it was.

I followed Zilla as she struggled up a small rise. If she was aware of my presence, she gave no sign. As we crested the hill, I saw her target, a rare drought season sight on Chololo: a large, flowering acacia tree. In this food desert, it loomed like a mirage. I did not know this tree was there, nor was it visible at any point during Zilla’s journey. But Zilla had been aiming for it, and she got there by dead reckoning. Her body was failing, but her food-finding genius was intact.

But now she faced her greatest challenge.

The acacia flowers bloomed at the tip of thin branches that, standing on tiptoe, I could not reach. Getting to those flowers would be no problem for a healthy baboon, but Zilla was far from that. Frail as she was, she managed to get into the tree and pluck a few blossoms, but she nearly fell more times than I care to count. I stayed with her until late in the day, when I had to get back to camp.

The next day, I returned to the tree, but she wasn’t there. I never saw her again. Her last gift to me was a scientifically valuable depiction of baboon intelligence and grit.

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Give a Shelter Cat a Home

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova

Adopt Today

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Heather Marianna

Beauty Entrepreneur and Founder of Beauty Kitchen

Heather Marianna is the powerhouse visionary force behind Hollywood’s most coveted and exclusive celebrity gifting lounges — immersive, media-rich experiences that connect top beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands directly with A-list talent and major press during awards season.

As the founder of Beauty Kitchen and Beauty Brand Coaching, Heather has spent more than a decade helping emerging entrepreneurs build recognizable brands, secure national exposure, and expand into retail. Today, through her luxury events — including the Harvest Lounge during Emmys Week and the Toast to Hollywood Lounge during Oscars Week — she’s redefining what it means to create meaningful brand visibility in the entertainment capital of the world.

With her unmatched network of celebrities, media professionals, and industry insiders, Heather has set the modern gold standard for gifting experiences that deliver both glamour and measurable results. Her work continues to elevate brands while adding a touch of magic to Hollywood’s most celebrated moments.

www.beautybrandcoaching.com Follow on Instgram: HeatherMarianna BeautyKitchenJunkie BeautyBrandCoaching

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What prompted you to enter the world of luxury gifting lounges?

It really began on the other side of the table. As the founder of my own brand, I experienced first-hand what happens when you become a sponsor of these high-end lounges. I remember thinking: I’m creating products and now I’m sitting down with people I’ve only ever seen on TV. That shift made me realize there was something bigger than just product placement — it was about connection, story, media, and impact.

When a long-standing gifting lounge lost its producer, I was asked to step in. At first, I hesitated — but then I knew the community of brands I had grown to respect would be left without a key platform if I didn’t take it on.

What is your defining vision for your gifting events?

I wanted to build more than a dazzling event.

Many lounges are about champagne, celebrity walk-throughs, and photo ops — and those are fun — but I wanted a space where business happens after the event, not just during. For example, the night before the main gathering, we host a networking event for brands to meet, explore collaborations, and make introductions.

Every brand that participates also gets individual coaching: we’ll do a strategy call, go over how to maximize their ROI, prepare press materials, and leverage their celebrity and media connections. I believe this extra layer of support is what turns a one-off moment into lasting value.

How do you maintain the luxury feel while still making sure the event delivers results?

It comes down to two things: attention to detail + putting the right people in the room. On the details side, we’re talking about everything from the venue (an upscale hotel with room blocks reserved for sponsors) to curated food stations and non-alcoholic bars to gift bags delivered directly to hotel rooms. It creates that VIP ambiance. On the people side, we’re very selective about who participates. I don’t let just anyone buy in — we vet every brand to ensure alignment with the audience and the experience. That exclusivity helps the participating brands feel special and ensures better outcomes, because when the mix is right, the media and celebrity interest grow organically.

What role does media play in your strategy?

A major one. I’ve made a conscious decision: we treat media as VIPs — on par with celebrities.

Many gifting lounges overlook press and focus solely on star power, but I believe media coverage can deliver far more lasting value than a celebrity photo. So we require sponsors to gift media, we provide access, and we make sure the press walk away with stories, connections, and context.

That approach has helped turn the lounge into a must-attend moment, not just for brands but for journalists and outlets.

In an industry that’s becoming more crowded, how do you stay ahead?

Two things set us apart: first, community over transaction. I’ve watched too many lounges feel like “set up your table and hope for the best.” We build relationships, we coach sponsors, we facilitate connections — beyond the event. Second, we lean away from influencer marketing. While most brands today chase influencers, I’ve seen how that can burn out. Instead, we double down on traditional media, celebrities, and brands that have substance and fit the narrative. We want measurable ROI, not just a social posts blitz.

What’s next for you?

We’re staying true to our flagship events around significant moments (like Emmys Week and Oscars Week) — I’m not interested in diluting what we’ve built with constant smaller events. But yes — the scope is global. Plans are already underway for a lounge tied to the Cannes Film Festival, and we’re eyeing a dream venue for the Oscars by 2027. We’re also fielding requests from charities, galas, and tournaments to produce gifting experiences with purpose. For me, it’s always been about prestige with impact — and that won’t change.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs who want to dominate in their niche?

Lead with authenticity. Give more than expected. Pay attention to the minor details that others overlook. And above all: relationships matter. I always say, “You can’t burn bridges.” Whether it’s a sponsor, a journalist, a celebrity — how you treat people, how you follow up, how you show up matters just as much as the “big” stuff. Market savvy plus organizational discipline plus genuine service: that’s the formula.

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Lisa Huscher Creative Entrepreneur, Intuitive, and Podcast Host

In this intimate conversation with The Eden Magazine, heart-led intuitive coach, podcast host, and bestselling author Lisa Huscher invites us behind the scenes of transformation. Blending psychology, spirituality, and soulful strategy, Lisa shares how reconnecting with inner wisdom leads to aligned action, deeper joy, and lasting personal growth.

Follow on Instgram: lisahuscher10 sunshinesecretoc

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Your coaching blends spirituality, creativity, and strategy. How do you help clients move from feeling stuck to taking clear, aligned action?

I help clients reconnect with the inner clarity they already have. When someone feels stuck, it’s rarely because they don’t know what to do — it’s because they’re disconnected from themselves. I use a blend of energetic alignment, intuitive guidance, and practical strategy to quiet the noise so their truth can come forward. From there, we identify the smallest aligned step that moves them toward

their vision without overwhelm. When intuition leads, and strategy supports it, people naturally shift from overthinking to soul-led movement.

Sunshine Secret of OC feels like a “backstage pass” inward. What moment made you realize this needed to be a podcast?

Over the years, through coaching, intuitive readings, retreats, and my media work, I noticed the most powerful breakthroughs happened behind the scenes — the unfiltered conversations no one else heard. People would often say, “I wish others could hear this part.” That’s when I realized we didn’t need another polished, highlight-reel version of spirituality. We needed a space where the real, raw, human sides of growth could exist openly. Sunshine Secret of OC became the place where listeners could finally experience the honest, transformative moments that usually happen off-camera.

You make intuition and energy feel accessible. How do you turn big spiritual ideas into practical tools listeners can use right away?

My goal is to make spirituality something people can actually apply. I take key concepts such as alignment and manifestation and translate them into everyday questions—"What feels lighter right now?” or “What’s one honest choice you can make today?” I treat intuition as a built-in guidance system, not something mystical or complicated. Listeners walk away with tools they can use in real time, not someday.

As an entrepreneur, media personality, and author, what rituals keep you energetically aligned while balancing so many creative roles?

My rituals are my grounding anchors. I start my mornings with a hand-to-heart check-in to choose the energy I want to carry into the day.

I lean into manifestation journaling, which is a core practice from Camp Manifest, to stay intentionally connected to my vision. Movement and sunlight help me reset my nervous system and return to joy whenever things get busy. I also protect creative white space — moments in my schedule where intuition gets to lead instead of my calendar. At night, I close my day with gratitude and energy clearing so I can begin the next day refreshed and aligned.

For new listeners, what do you hope becomes their key “secret takeaway”?

I want them to realize that alignment is always available, even in their most chaotic seasons. Joy isn’t something external they have to chase — it’s something inside them waiting to be remembered. Intuition is not reserved for the “spiritual” few; it’s a skill anyone can strengthen. Transformation starts with tiny, honest choices. If listeners walk away knowing they already carry everything they’re looking for within themselves, then the show is doing what it’s meant to do.

Your work highlights the power of inner joy. How do you help people reconnect with that joy when life feels overwhelming?

I help them release the pressure to feel “okay” and guide them back into presence with themselves. Often, joy is buried under exhaustion, fear, and responsibility. We look at what’s draining their energy, so joy has room to rise again.

Through grounding, breathwork, and simple creative practices, I help them shift gently into a more centered state. Joy rarely returns as a loud celebration — it usually begins as a quiet whisper. Once they reconnect with even the smallest spark, everything in their life starts to recalibrate.

You collaborate with many spiritual and creative voices. What qualities do you look for before bringing someone into your projects?

I’m drawn to people with genuine heart energy and integrity — those who are willing to show up real, not perform perfect spirituality. I look for voices rooted in truth, curiosity, and a desire to uplift others. The people I collaborate with bring grounded wisdom, creative passion, and an openness to honest conversation. Most importantly, I trust my intuitive sense of alignment. When someone’s energy feels honest, expansive, and aligned with my mission, that’s when I know it’s the right fit.

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Inside Camp Manifest:

A Transformative Malibu Experience

and

with

Heather Marianna Lisa Huscher

Camp Manifest is an empowering women’s retreat founded by Heather Marianna and Lisa Huscher — a soulful escape designed to help women reconnect, recharge, and rise. Nestled amid the rolling hills of Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, this intimate gathering blends personal transformation with luxury and sisterhood.

Through sound healing, yoga, intuitive readings, and dynamic workshops on manifesting love, purpose, and prosperity, women are guided to release what no longer serves them and invite abundance into every area of life.

Crafted with intention by Heather and Lisa, Camp Manifest fosters genuine community — a space where women support, inspire, and celebrate one another in an atmosphere of trust and empowerment.

Beyond the programming, it’s about forging lasting friendships, awakening purpose, and remembering that when women unite with intention, true magic unfolds.

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Heather, why did you start Camp Manifest?

We started Camp Manifest because we saw a significant need for genuine connection—especially among women in their late 30s and 40s. At this stage in life, so many of us are craving real mentorship, community, and meaningful conversations that go deeper than surface-level networking. There aren’t many spaces that bring together like-minded women focused on growth, healing, abundance, and purpose — and we wanted to change that.

Lisa and I both felt called to create something that blends transformation with joy — sound healing, yoga, intuitive readings, and manifesting workshops, alongside fun, bonding activities and surprises that make you feel like a kid again (but in Troop Beverly Hills style!).

For me personally, it was a natural evolution. After producing numerous high-end celebrity events during Oscars and Emmys week, I’ve learned to curate unforgettable experiences down to the smallest detail. Creating a retreat for women where every moment feels intentional, luxurious, and soul-nourishing made sense. I wanted to take that same level of curation and glamour and infuse it with purpose — and that’s how Camp Manifest was born.

Heather, what can women expect when they attend Camp Manifest?

Transformation, connection, and fun. You’ll experience sound healing, breathwork, intuitive sessions, journaling, yoga, and a Money Manifesting class with me — all surrounded by amazing women who are ready to elevate together. We’re also doing a few special surprises, including a diamond workshop with a Beverly Hills gem expert, where you’ll even earn your own “diamond patch” — because why not add a little sparkle to your spiritual growth?

Above all, I want women to leave feeling recharged, inspired, and supported by a new sisterhood that lasts far beyond the weekend.

Lisa, why do you believe connection and community are so important right now for women?

Many women carry significant responsibility, emotional labor, and pressure to be everything for everyone. And at the same time, loneliness is at an all-time high. We are not meant to do life alone. Community reminds us that we’re not isolated in our struggles or our dreams. When women come together, we support, strengthen, and awaken one another. Connection is how we heal, grow, and rise. Right now, more than ever, women need spaces where they can feel seen, supported, and understood. Camp Manifest is one of those spaces.

Lisa, as an intuitive, how do you see your role at Camp Manifest?

As an intuitive, my role is to hold space. I’m here to gently guide women back to themselves. So many of us move through life disconnected from our inner knowing, our emotions, or our sense of purpose. At Camp Manifest, I’m the person who helps women tune back into their inner voice—the one that already knows what they want, what they need, and who they are. I’m not here to tell anyone what to do or who to be. I’m here to mirror, to validate, and to help them reconnect to the wisdom they already carry.

Finally, Heather, what do you hope Camp Manifest will grow into?

For us, this is just the beginning. We want to create a movement — a community of women who keep showing up for themselves and for each other. Camp Manifest is where the breakthroughs happen, but it’s also where friendships, collaborations, and new ideas are born. This is about building something that continues to grow long after the retreat ends.

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Photo by Gettyimage

Floral Absolutes:

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Aromatic Healing for the Physical, Emotional, and Energy Body

This is not a straightforward, “just the facts” aromatherapy article; instead, it is an invitation to explore how these plant distillations can awaken, cultivate, or restrain aspects within you—supporting body, mind, and spirit. Aromatic compounds influence the limbic system and energetic bodies in profound ways, guiding us into greater alignment with our essence. Through these oils, we can begin to gently shift patterns, illuminate shadow, and meet our goals.

Being human is complex, even in the best of times.

We often face worries and uncertainty as we navigate life. Many of my clients know what they want to achieve, but encounter blocks that stymie them.

Past experiences often surface in the emotional body, illuminating loss and untraveled paths. All of this is held in the self as one learns, grows, and hopefully finds contentment—with aromatic support playing a quiet but constant role.

Wisdom traditions from all cultures remind us: the intelligence that organizes human activity also orchestrates the universe. The microcosm of the human body reflects the macrocosm of the cosmos.

Understanding this allows for a deeper relationship with nature and shows us how to use her aromatic

By Candice Covington

medicine to navigate our own inner terrain.

What Are Floral Absolutes?

Absolutes are highly concentrated plant extractions used in perfumery and energetic healing. When steam distillation isn’t feasible due to the fragility of flowers, solvent extraction is used.

This process captures a fuller spectrum of the plant’s aromatic and energetic signature than steam distillation.

Because heat and water aren’t used, no water-soluble aromatic compounds are lost. Petals are submerged in solvents such as ethanol or hexane to dissolve their aromatic compounds. Once the solvent is removed, what remains is a rich, concentrated absolute. These extracts often contain not just essential oil but also plant waxes and other elements, making them thick and potent. Newer methods use fixed oils or alcohol to create gentle, bioavailable extracts that preserve the complexity of the original flower.

Absolutes are not meant to be applied directly to the skin. They must be diluted in a fixed oil before body application to ensure safety and maximize their therapeutic benefit.

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Photo by Olga Nayda

Meet Broom (Spartium junceum) Presiding influence: the Wise Woman archetype Key energies: uncanny energy, sorcery, homemaking, thresholds, beginnings and endings, heroine’s journey, spiritual authority

Candice Covington is a certified aromatherapist, massage therapist, healing arts master, and energy worker. A former aromatherapist for the Chopra Center, she is the founder of Divine Archetypes, an essential oil and flower essence company, and the author of Essential Oils in Spiritual Practice.

She lives in Oregon City, Oregon. https://divinearchetypes.org.

For more, please visit: https://www.innertraditions. com/floral-absolutes

The word broom comes from the plant Spartium junceum, a small shrub once used to make sweeping tools. Brooms have long symbolized feminine domesticity and sovereignty. “Jumping the broom” in wedding ceremonies symbolizes union. In some traditions, the broom handle represents divine or masculine energy, while the bristles represent feminine power.

Brooms symbolize thresholds—the start and end of a cycle—and the journey in between. Many begin and end the day by sweeping the floor, marking transition and intention. In Fantasia, Mickey Mouse enchants a broom to do his work, only to be overwhelmed by chaos when he skips necessary steps. Contrast this with Vasilisa the Brave, who, guided by Baba Yaga, completes each task and gains wisdom.

The broom here is a marker of trial, growth, and reward.

The broom plant is deeply linked to folklore and magical tradition. An early image from 1451 shows witches riding brooms, connecting them to spiritual autonomy and mystery.

The women in the illustration are labeled Waldensians—a Christian sect from 12th-century France that encouraged simplicity and allowed women to preach, which led to charges of heresy. The broom, both plant and symbol, supports personal empowerment, the courage to face the unknown, and the reclaiming of spiritual authority.

Pairing Broom with a Fixed Oil: Black Currant Seed

What Are Fixed Oils? Fixed oils, also known as base or carrier oils, are pressed from the fatty portions of a plant—such as seeds, nuts, or kernels. Unlike absolutes and essential oils, they do not evaporate. They can be used on their own for nourishment or blended with essential oils and absolutes to safely deliver their therapeutic qualities. Whereas fixed oils may be used alone, absolutes must be diluted in a fixed oil before body application.

To ground broom’s ethereal qualities, blend it with black currant seed oil (Ribes nigrum). This fixed oil enhances the broom’s mystical insight with nourishment and clarity.

Subtle effects: Black currant seed oil quiets external noise and turns awareness inward. It supports introspection, helping you find answers within. Energetically, it clears stagnant energy and invites illumination.

Physical effects: This oil is rich in vitamin C and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a building block of healthy cells and immune function. It penetrates skin, joints, and muscles easily, helping to restore vitality and calm inflammation.

Simple Anointing Ritual To invoke the Wise Woman within, blend: • 1 drop broom absolute • 1 tablespoon black currant seed oil Anoint your third eye and heart center. Visualize a doorway before you. Step through with full permission to claim your truth, power, and self-governance.

This blend is a gentle ally for those seeking sovereignty, inner wisdom, and connection to the deeper mysteries.

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Z

AY HARDING

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Awakening Wonder, One Journey at a Time

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For more than twenty-five years, Zay Harding has invited audiences to experience the world with curiosity, courage, and an open heart. Born and raised on the remote islands of Kauai and Oahu, Harding grew up surrounded by Hawaii's breathtaking natural landscapes. This upbringing shaped his adventurous spirit and his lifelong passion for exploration. His early achievements as an Eagle Scout laid the foundation for the storyteller, traveler, and environmental advocate he would become, preparing him for a career that has taken him across all seven continents.

Today, Zay Harding is the host of the hit CBS Saturday morning series The Visioneers with Zay Harding. This groundbreaking show travels the globe to highlight the innovators and innovations working to protect and preserve the planet for generations to come. The series, produced by Hearst Media Production Group in an exclusive partnership with the VoLo Foundation, has quickly become a viewer favorite. Its renewal for a second season, which premiered in October 2025, stands as a testament to its cultural impact and Harding's extraordinary ability to inspire audiences worldwide.

Throughout his career, Harding has built an impressive body of work across some of the world's most respected networks, including Discovery, History, PBS, Travel Channel, Outdoor Channel, Men's Journal, Norwegian Cruise Line, and

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now CBS. Whether diving into history, uncovering hidden corners of the globe, or championing sustainability, he brings a signature blend of warmth, authenticity, and playful adventurousness that resonates with viewers of all ages.

The Visioneers with Zay Harding offers a particularly timely lens into the future, celebrating the visionary engineers, scientists, and everyday people who are already creating the world we hope to see.

Through captivating global storytelling, the series brings to life the mission of the VoLo Foundation, a private nonprofit accelerating change by supporting science-based climate solutions, advancing education, and improving global health.

Together, Harding and VoLo illuminate how innovation and dedication can turn hope into action.

His journey reminds us that inspiration is everywhere—and that each of us has a role to play in caring for our planet. In this special January issue of The Eden Magazine, featuring Zay Harding, we are sharing Zay's exploration of his life as a modern explorer, his commitment to environmental storytelling, and the remarkable people and technologies shaping a more sustainable future.

Follow Zay Harding on Instagram at @zayharding1 and the series at @visioneerstv.

What inspired you to dedicate your life and career to exploring innovations that protect and preserve our planet?

Essentially, I grew up in paradise, on a surfboard in Hawaii, where the Pacific was my first love, my greatest teacher.

The power, complexity, and beauty of the ocean, mountains, and wildlife have all entered my DNA. Hawaiian culture teaches how malama 'āina, (care for the land and sea) is our kuleana - our responsibility.

You have been across the globe and met some extraordinary innovators.

Can you share one encounter that left a lasting impression on you personally?

Truthfully, every single one of the Visioneers we feature on our show is quite extraordinary. One young Visioneer, Nihal Tammana, founder of Recycle My Battery, left a lasting impression on me not only with what he was doing but also with something he said. When Nihal was just ten, he saw a news story about a lithium-ion battery explosion at a California waste plant. In researching the matter, he learned that over 15 billion batteries end up in landfills each year.

Determined to act, Nihal launched Recycle My Battery in 2019 to promote proper battery disposal and recycling, as well as environmental education about why we don't need to keep mining for materials that can be reused from old batteries. What began as an idea from a kid who cares quickly grew into a nationwide movement. He now leads more than 1,000 young volunteers across the U.S. who organize their own battery drives, workshops, and outreach campaigns, raising environmental awareness and inspiring others to live sustainably to protect our planet.

ing problems but caring deeply enough to create lasting change.

How do you strike a balance between entertaining viewers and raising awareness about serious environmental issues, especially to a younger audience? And what do you hope children will take away from watching the show?

When I hear those words, I can't help but think of Whitney Houston's hit single Greatest Love Of All, with her profound lyrics, "I believe the children are our future / Teach them well and let them lead the way / Show them all the beauty they possess inside / Give them a sense of pride to make it easier." Children truly are the future. So, catering to and interacting with them in our Saturday morning program makes perfect sense. Finding that balance between education and entertainment, which is at the heart of our series, sparks curiosity and joy, making learning fun so it doesn't feel like a lesson. The Visioneers consciously tell stories through adventure, humor, and relatable characters, achieving sustainable solutions, many done by youthful peers protecting our planet in a fun way.

Nihal spoke with wisdom and conviction when he pointed out, Mother Nature provides us with everything we could ever imagine, helping us survive and thrive, so why isn't everyone doing everything they can to keep her happy and strong? His simple question captures the heart of what true innovation should be: not just solv-

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We hope children come away feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed. By featuring everyday people doing extraordinary things and showing how our actions play into the bigger picture, we can collectively make a significant difference across the globe. By recognizing how our voices and choices matter, we end up wanting to contribute to the care of this world.

IG: @zayharding1 IG: @visioneerstv

Please share with our readers one of your most exciting and rewarding recent initiatives that has excited young people.

Anirudh Rao, our youngest Visioneer at just 13, has made waves with his groundbreaking initiative to enhance tornado prediction. Inspired by a childhood tragedy when his best friend's family lost their home to a tornado, Anirudh set out to extend the warning time, which typically averages only 8 to 10 minutes with current Doppler radar systems.

At age 5, years old, he began designing a sensor that detects subhuman infrasound waves generated by tornadoes. His innovative system is encapsulated in a homemade 3D-printed case launched via drone. The sensor connects to an app he developed with his father, allowing it to issue tornado warnings an astounding 30 minutes earlier than traditional methods, totaling 43 minutes of crucial lead time for families in danger.

Anirudh is also collaborating with the U.S.

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National Weather Service, aiming to bolster preparedness, particularly for those in Tornado Alley. His work is not only a testament to ingenuity but also a beacon of hope, inspiring young people everywhere.

Congratulations on being an EMA (Environmental Media Association) Award-winner. How do you plan to build on this success? Do you see this award opening new doors for collaboration with educators, scientists, or media platforms to further amplify your environmental message?

Thank you so much! Our whole team is beyond grateful. Being recognized by the Environmental Media Association is such an honor. This journey continues to grow, and with CBS announcing our second season, we're thrilled to keep pushing into new territory.

One of our biggest wins this year was locking in Visioneer Ed Begley Jr., the OG of Hollywood sustainability. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, Ed has been leading by example walking to award shows, riding the bus to the Oscars, building a fully sustainable home, and even using compost and shower runoff to grow his own food.

Whenever Ed commented on Los Angeles's pollution, his father would ask him, "What are you gonna do about it?" and Ed has been answering that question ever since.

He's genuinely the blueprint for sustainable living.

We've also teamed up with Adam Gardner from the indie band Guster, who co-founded REVERB, an incredible organization making concert tours sustainable for artists like Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and Jack Johnson.

Having trailblazers like Ed and Adam join our mission feels like a powerful stamp of approval. Momentum is building, and yes, more doors are opening now with educators, scientists, and creators who want to amplify the environmental movement in fresh, inspiring, and visionary ways.

Sustainability often feels overwhelming to many.

What simple, realistic actions do you believe every individual can take to make a difference right now?

Sustainability doesn't have to be daunting; small, simple actions can lead to significant change, because every small change adds up and directly impacts our environment. Here's a quick list of realistic steps everyone can take to make a difference right now.

Firstly, consider reducing single-use plastics. Switching to reusable bags, water bottles, and containers is an easy way to reduce waste. Secondly, embracing plant-based meals, even a few times a week, can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Simple swaps like opting for a meatless Monday can make a substantial difference.

Thirdly, conserving energy at home is crucial. Fourthly, turning off lights when not in use, unplugging devices, and using energy-efficient appliances can lower your consumption without a significant lifestyle change.

Fifthly, try walking or carpooling instead of driving individually, whenever possible. Sixthly, support local and sustainable businesses like farmers' markets or local artisans, to reduce transportation emissions and bolster your community.

These manageable actions empower individuals and prove that collective effort can lead to a brighter, more sustainable future. Every small step counts!

Traveling so extensively, you've witnessed both the beauty and the fragility of our planet. What is the number one most pressing issue that concerns you?

Wherever I go, I try to see the world through others' eyes, and I'm most concerned for the vulnerable communities tied to the land and sea. As I am sure everyone is starting to notice, our greenhouse gas emissions have oversaturated our atmosphere, causing more extreme weather patterns everywhere.

Having traveled to all seven continents, I have seen with my own eyes that no corner of the planet is untouched, from melting glaciers and rising seas to devastating wildfires and shifting weather patterns.

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Cecilia Energy, a company based in New Jersey, is doing something incredible with factory plastic waste.

They feed discarded plastics into special reactors that break them down into their original elements hydrogen and carbon. The hydrogen fuels the reactor itself, and the carbon becomes reusable carbon fiber, a stronger and cleaner alternative to plastic. NASA has even asked them to design these reactors for spacecraft, so astronauts can turn their own plastic waste into building materials while in orbit.

We're also featuring Vertical Harvest, which is transforming how we grow food locally. They build vertical, hydroponic farms in underused urban spaces, using 85–90% less water to grow fresh, flavorful produce year-round. Their mission is to strengthen local food systems and create opportunities in underserved communities.

Another exciting development: Electric boats and tugboats are cutting fuel use and noise pollution in our harbors. Having grown up in Hawaii, the promise of cleaner, safer waters for our fishing communities especially inspires me.

Building on our groundbreaking first season, which explored solar cars and hybrid planes, Season 2 of The Visioneers showcases the next wave of sustainable innovation, from energy-efficient homes to smarter electric appliances, even robotic "geckos" and "bees" shaping a cleaner, smarter future for us all.

What have you learned about resilience and optimism from the communities you've met around the world?

I have learned that while life can be challenging, when I meet people who push through hardship with hope and determination, it's incredibly inspiring. Resilience is about more than strength; it's flexibility, perseverance, and the belief that we can rise again, no matter what knocks us down.

Yet there is hope. Our collective future will be determined by the choices we make and actions we take now. By working to reduce emissions, expand renewable energy, and embed sustainability across all sectors, we can change our trajectory. And if we work together as a global community, not just as individuals or nations, our efforts to protect our precious planet will be preserved, and benefit future generations.

Season 2 of The Visioneers highlights even more groundbreaking solutions. What innovations or technologies are you most excited to showcase this season?

I don't want to give too much away because I really want everyone to keep tuning in every Saturday morning on CBS but here are a few teasers.

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Children are the perfect example of that spirit. They fall, they get hurt, they face new environments—and they bounce back every time. Their ability to adapt and keep moving forward reminds us that resilience is learned through experience and fueled by optimism.

That same mindset drives innovation. When people believe they can overcome obstacles, they open doors to new possibilities, and that energy spreads because it's so uplifting. That kind of courage and connection around the world gives me genuine faith in our shared future as a global community caring for our planet.

That same mindset drives innovation.

When people believe they can overcome obstacles, they open doors to new possibilities, and that energy spreads because it's so uplifting. That kind of courage and connection around the world gives me genuine faith in our shared future as a global community caring for our planet.

thing we can do for future generations.

What are some of the obstacles you've faced in producing The Visioneers, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge with a show this big is timing. We must plan out an entire season before we even start filming-and that alone takes more than five months. We were even making a Season 2 Wishlist during Season 1, in hopes that CBS, Hearst Media Productions Group, VoLo Foundation, and our audience would want to keep going, which thankfully they all did, and we got to explore. Coordinating people across different towns, states, and countries is tricky. Are they available when we get there? If not, can we adjust without losing their story?

Ultimately, compassion is foundational for a healthier planet. By embracing our ties to one another and to the earth, we can take meaningful steps toward a brighter, more united future.

We don't have many off-days, so even one hiccup, like bad weather, travel delays, or scheduling conflicts, can throw off the entire rest of the season. There's really no room for error.

Luckily, we've had great weather and incredibly reliable people who've honored their commitments to the show, and honestly, it feels like the universe is on our side. The stars somehow seem to align every time, and that makes us feel like the universe is telling us we're meant to be making The Visioneers right now.

Special thank you to: Zay Harding Photography by Raquel Krelle Editing by Dina Morrone Recycled Jewelry by @TwistedSilver

At The Eden Magazine, we believe in "love and compassion for all living beings." How do you see compassion playing a role in building a more sustainable and united planet?

Compassion is vital for creating a more sustainable and united planet. My father always said he felt most fulfilled while helping others, a lesson he lived out over his 50 years of service with The Salvation Army. He has demonstrated how humanity is about connecting people who need each other. So, caring for our planet is perhaps the most humane and thoughtful

Teaching children about compassion and environmental stewardship plants seeds for positive change. Simple actions like recycling, buying local, or planting a garden reflect our recognition that all living beings have inherent value.

When you are not on set or traveling the world for The Visioneers, how do you like to unwind? What brings you joy and balance?

I love being outside in nature. And I love exercising my body outside in nature whenever possible: surfing, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, running, doing yoga, and chilling out. I love the sun and being in it. I love traveling with my family. I like socializing over food and drinks.

I really enjoy connecting with people and making them laugh. I like meeting others and hearing about what they are doing to make a difference in the world. It makes me feel happy and recharged. And I love being able to share that I am working with such a talented team of filmmakers, all of whom are equally passionate about creating meaningful content for CBS. As a Producer on the show and the Host, I have worked hard to get The Visioneers off the ground, and now that Season 2 is in full stride, life feels really rewarding. I am feeling incredibly blessed.

Would you like to share a personal message with The Eden Magazine readers that reflects your vision on how everyone can make a difference in our world?

Sure. I wish to thank everyone for taking the time to read this article. Thank you for caring about the planet. Thank you for trying not to use single-use plastics.

Thank you for watching The Visioneers with Zay Harding every Saturday morning on CBS. And if you are a Visioneer, which anyone can be if they so choose, Thank You for making this world a better, brighter, and more sustainable place.

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Art Palm Beach 2026 Returns with Global Galleries and Immersive New Installations Art Palm Beach returns for its fourth annual edition from January 28– February 1, 2026, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, reaffirming South Florida’s rising status as a global art destination.

Presented during Palm Beach’s peak winter season, the fair brings together an inspired mix of leading international galleries, emerging artists, and collectors from around the world. New exhibitors this year arrive from London, Basel, San Francisco, Dublin, and Palm Beach, alongside returning favorites, creating a dynamic dialogue between established voices and fresh perspectives.

Highlights include galleries such as Blond Contemporary (London), LICHT FELD Gallery (Basel), Oliver Sears Gallery (Dublin), and Onessimo Fine Art (Palm Beach), showcasing works that span contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, and conceptual installations.

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A major milestone for the fair is the debut of a large-scale, museum-style installation as part of its DIVERSEartPB program, curated by Marisa Caichiolo. The immersive exhibition examines the influence of biennials and institutions on today’s art ecosystem and features “AGUAS,” a powerful, participatory work by Chilean artist Eugenia Vargas-Pereira that explores water, climate, and collective care.

Produced by Fine Art Shows, the team behind the LA Art Show, Art Palm Beach 2026 positions itself as a key East Coast moment on the international art calendar.

For more information, visit ArtPalmBeach.com.

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Photo by Gettyimage

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Central Park PORTAL TO THE WORLD

By Aaron Poochigian

Central Park isn't Nature. It's a highly artificial human creation. Still, it contains, in great concentration, the same species of, say, trees and birds one finds in Nature. The rapidity with which it switches from one kind of environment to another, however, sets it apart. It is a patchwork quilt of fields, forests, canyons, and shorelines.

The park is also a place of imagination. A bronze Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Make-Believe, holds court atop the cap of a mushroom just a short distance from Hans Christian Anderson, the writer of children’s books. Statues of Shakespeare and the novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott stand guard at the south end of the Mall. In addition to its celebration of literary artists, the park itself has a lengthy pedigree in poems, novels and essays.

As a place where imagination and various evocative environments coalesce, the park has, as we will see, the uncanny ability to teleport writers and characters to destinations as diverse as Vietnam and Iowa. In literature, Central Park is a portal to the world.

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Faraway Forests In “The Prince of Central Park” (1975), Evan H. Rhodes gives us a gritty fairy tale. The hero, a twelve-year-old named Jay-jay, runs away from his abusive foster parents to live in the park.

Rhodes gives us the park through Jayjay’s imaginative eyes. As he forages for food there, “the remains of a cupcake and half an orange” whisk him away to England for high tea.

Rich in trees, the park contains three densely forested environments: the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the Ramble and the North Woods. In literature, they often evoke forests and parks in Europe. Jay-jay sees the park’s North Woods as “Sherwood Forest,” with the policemen in it as “the Sheriff of Nottingham’s men.” He thus becomes Robin Hood, a lovable rogue who steals food to survive. The park also doles out justice in that the character Elmo, a heroin addict who serves as the villain, falls to his death from a bridge there. In this novel, Central Park coopts the character of Sherwood Forest, which, like the Forest of Arden in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” is a place where virtuous characters go to escape the wickedness of the “civilised” world and where bad guys get their just desserts.

In his novel, “Central Park” (2021), Guillaume Musso, a popular French writer of suspense, makes use of the park’s uncanny ability to evoke other places in the minds of visitors. We have already been to a forest in England; now we will travel to France and Ireland.

After going out with girlfriends for a night on the town in Paris, Alice, a French detective, wakes up spattered with blood and handcuffed to a stranger with no recollection of what has transpired. On waking, she finds herself in a “forest, the leaves on the trees autumn gold, the undergrowth fresh and dense.” That forest is Central Park (specifically the Ramble), but she sees the French forest of Rambouillet in it.

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The stranger attached to her, a man named Gabriel who claims to have been playing a gig in Dublin the night before, insists it is Wicklow, a national park in southern Ireland. Before they recognize the Bow Bridge and realize they are in Central Park, the Ramble is “a wooded labyrinth,” a node of trails suggestive of the neural network. This metaphor is especially resonant because it shows how, through the interplay of the characters’ minds and the park, they imagine they are in Europe while in New York City.

Menacing Jungles Many writers have portrayed the park’s wilderness as a jungle. One of them is Robert Lowell, who wrote his poem “Central Park” (1965) during the Vietnam War. He captures the park as it was in the 60s—gritty and smelly.

Smog, which plagued New York City throughout that decade, tinges the poem. Inspired by the Egyptian obelisk known as “Cleopatra’s Needle,” he imagines mummies: Then night, the night—Oh jungle hour, …Oh, Pharaohs starving in your foxholes, The metaphor of the park as a jungle has special significance during the 60s. The pharaohs Lowell describes are not buried in tombs or pyramids but “starving” in “foxholes”—a word as closely associated with the Vietnam War as trenches are with World War I. In Stephen Peters’ novel “The Park is Mine” (1981), Harris, the antihero, is a PTSD-haunted veteran of the Vietnam War. He not only sees Vietnam in the park but also, by conquering it and fortifying it with mines and booby-traps, turns the park into Vietnam in wartime. We have seen the park’s ability to teleport visitors to faraway places, but thus far, those places have not been overtly hostile. In this novel, all of Central Park is teleported to the jungles of Vietnam in wartime:

Once, while standing sixty stories up on the roof of the Burlington House, with the Park stretched out below him like a big green map, Harris had been struck by the notion that Central Park was a small, incongruous country. . .Harris liked the image because it reminded him of another small country, where everything, including himself, had been incongruous.

Aaron Poochigian is a poet, classics scholar, and translator who lives and writes in New York City. His translations include Stung with Love (Penguin UK) and Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” (forthcoming from W.W. Norton). His work has appeared in such publications as The Financial Times, The New York Review of Books, and Poetry Magazine. His new book is Four Walks in Central Park: A Poetic Guide to the Park.

Learn more at aaronpoochigian.com.

Hallucinating in the park, Harris sees “a paddy wall, a dike, a black and impenetrable jungle.” One general even proposes deploying defoliation and strafing the park with napalm in order to flush Harris out. To make the re-creation complete, three Vietnamese experts in guerrilla warfare are eventually hired as contractors by the city to hunt Harris. Central Park thus becomes a gateway to “a parallel world.”

Michael Jahn has written a series of mysteries that take legendary places in New York as their settings. Their protagonist is Detective Donovan, a native New Yorker. During the course of the investigation in “Murder in Central Park” (2001), we learn about the Ishimani, a fictional Amazonian tribe, and the rituals they perform involving human sacrifice. The murder weapon, a distinctive ritual knife, was designed for just that purpose. One character makes the comparison between the park and the jungle explicit: “I used to work in the Amazon Jungle. . .I think I can handle Central Park.” Donovan’s retort (“think again”) implies that the urban jungle is even more dangerous than a real one.

The American Outback The park also teleports Donovan to North American settings. He sees Iowa in it, and the Continental Divide, and “a wild and rocky zone. . . resembling scenery found off the beaten path in Vermont.” Haunted by the murder, the park becomes a “forest primaeval” where you can hear crows cackling “primal cries of alarm” and encounter people who “huddle like the Mohave” while sitting Indian-style.

Despite being a cynical New Yorker

and case-hardened detective, Donovan cannot resist the evocative power of the park’s various environments.

Lee Harwood, a prominent figure in the British Poetry Revival movement, takes the reader on a trip far away from New York City in his poem “Central Park Zoo” (1969). At one point, the poem’s speaker focuses on buffalo: “there it was – the herd of buffalo/grazing on the lush plains.” The Central Park Zoo had featured buffalo since the late 1800s. The most famous of them was Black Diamond (1893-1915), who was donated by the Barnum & Bailey Circus and served as the model for the Buffalo Nickel. The herd evokes the “outback” of America in the speaker’s mind.

He goes on to describe his experience of teleportation: Geography, in our sense, is exciting Plotting the whole course now Sunlight and the shadows of fast moving clouds sliding across the grassland I imagine North Texas or even Dakota Montana Vague to the speaker, who is an Englishman, “flyover” states like the Dakotas and Montana here fuse—and he is humorously honest about it—into a single imprecise locale: “Dakota Montana.” In this semi-mythic space, the speaker finds the ghosts of Native Americans: “the spirits of the tribe/ waiting with a deep love for us.” Since one can teleport through it to faraway settings, geography in the park, as Harwood himself asserts, is exciting. His journey drives home the point that, in literary portrayals of the park, it is a sampler, not of chocolates, but of faraway landscapes and settings.

Guidebooks can give us maps of the park and identify its trees for us, but only through imagination does it become “a savage place. . holy and enchanted” or a pastoral paradise or the Midwest or the Far East. If Central Park were a mental process, it would be imagination itself.

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Photo by Mika Baumeister

Welcome to Our Contributor Writers’ Neighborhood

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by Sadhguru, Isha Foundation

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Yogasanas

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Sadhguru, can you tell us about the science behind yogasanas?

Sadhguru: The word asana literally means "posture." Every posture the body can assume is an asana. Out of these innumerable postures, we identified 84 asanas as yogasanas. These 84 postures are possibilities for your body to be a channel, not a hurdle, for your ultimate potential.

In these postures, the body will not be a barrier but a stepping stone for your growth and development.

Right now, when you try to practice Hatha Yoga, the biggest barrier is your body's limitations. In fact, whatever human beings want to do, the biggest barriers are their body and their mind. What should have been a stepping stone has turned into an obstacle, simply because they have not explored it sufficiently.

After a profound and thorough exploration of the human system, we arrived at these 84 postures through which you can transform your body and mind into a great possibility for your ultimate well-being. Most other spiritual processes talk about putting down the body because the body is an obstacle. If you want to sit and meditate, your legs tell you, "I need to stretch. I need to walk." If I ask you in the morning to stretch your body, you say, "No, I want to rest." If you do an asana and we ask you to stretch, you say, "No, I don't want to stretch." But if we ask you to sit unmoving, your body wants to stretch. Likewise, it has to eat, sleep, relieve itself – the body needs so many things.

The body is a constant manifestation of various levels of compulsiveness, depending upon the type of information that has gone into the system. The information that is imprinted upon your physiological system is what we refer to as the karmic body. This information determines how much compulsiveness you suffer from and

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how much freedom you naturally enjoy within yourself. In Hatha Yoga, we are not concerned about who our fathers and forefathers were, what kind of genetics and karmic substance we received from them, and what we have imbibed in the process of living. It does not matter what has happened until this moment – we have decided to take charge of our lives.

In the Indian tradition, if you are a serious practitioner of Yoga, no astrologer will want to make a prediction for you, because even they understand that you have taken charge of your life.

This is what a yogasana means – you are taking charge of your life. You are transforming your body and mind into a possibility in your life. It is becoming a passage, not a block.

Every posture that you assume for a period of time induces distinct physiological, psychological, emotional, energy, and chemical changes in your body. Conversely, for every emotional and psychological experience, and for different states of consciousness that you experience, your body naturally tends to take a certain posture. If you are angry, you sit one way. If you are peaceful, you sit another way. If you are in turmoil, you sit one way. If you are tranquil, you sit another way. Similarly, for different states of consciousness that you experience, your body tends to take certain postures.

The science of asanas is based on this. By consciously getting your body into a certain posture, you can elevate your consciousness. The very way you think, feel, perceive, and understand life can be altered by the way you sit. Yogasanas are a way to transform the body from a compulsive mode to a conscious mode. When your body is in a compulsive mode, you will not like to be in a certain position. Only when it is in a conscious mode can you remain in the position and benefit from it.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev

The process of transforming the body, changing the texture of the body, changing the fundamental information in the body, which makes it go in certain compulsive patterns, needs a certain determination, forcefulness, and adamancy. You are not willing to give in to the cycles of compulsiveness. You go the way you want to go.

being compulsive. If your home is a very compulsive place, you will feel suffocated. Every situation, every atmosphere is set up for a certain purpose. Your home may be set up for one kind of purpose. An industry or a business may be set up for a different kind of purpose. Every atmosphere should serve the purpose that we have set it up for.

Ha and tha describe the sun and the moon. Hatha is about bringing a balance between the two. If these two dimensions are balanced within you, naturally, the body becomes a conducive place to live in for your being. If you mess up the place around you, you can move elsewhere. But if you mess up the body from within, you cannot go elsewhere until you die. As long as you live in this life, the body is the abode of your existence.

You must decide what purpose your body should serve. We can do the appropriate Yoga for that. If your idea of a good life is being one step ahead of others, there is one type of Yoga. If you do not compare yourself to others, but you want to find your ultimate potential in terms of activity, there is another kind of Yoga. If all you want to do is dissolve into the ultimate nature of existence, there is yet another kind of Yoga. We can practice Yoga in different ways.

It is important that an atmosphere is conducive rather than

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These 84 fundamental yogasanas are 84 ways to make the body into a passage.

It is actually not necessary for everyone to do 84 asanas – one can be enough.

Those who take Hatha Yoga as their path to liberation usually practice only one asana. It is difficult for a thinking mind to understand why someone would spend their whole life trying to sit in a particular way. But if you learn to sit right, if you learn to hold your body right, you can internally know everything that you need to know in this universe. This is known as asana siddhi. If you can stay in one posture stably and comfortably for 2.5 hours, we say you have attained asana siddhi.

Infrastructures to Raise Human Consciousness

Experience Yoga in its classical form at Isha Yoga Center Los Angeles and Isha Institute of Inner-sciences.

Established by Sadhguru, the centers serve as powerful spaces for inner transformation and raising human consciousness. Located in northern Los Angeles County and Tennessee, the centers offer an array of yoga and meditation programs in a vibrant and conducive ambience.

You are invited to Free Yoga Day, a monthly open-door event a t the center. On this day, we offer a variety of free sessions dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being through simple but powerful practices sourced from the Yogic tradition.

Learn more at ishausa.org/la

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How is it possible to know everything that you can know by staying in one posture? It is like having a television at home. The television is just a box with some electronics in it, but it can become a world by itself, simply because there is a receiver. If you adjust the receiver properly, the whole world streams into this box that we call television. If the receiver is not set right, the same instrument cannot do anything.

This applies to human beings as well.

An individual human being becomes who they are only because of what they perceive. You are who you are right now only because of what you have perceived in your life until now, and you will be who you will be only because of what you will perceive in the future. The whole system of Yoga is about enhancing perception.

If you hold the posture right, if your alignment is right, it matches the cosmic alignment in some way. Yogasanas are a powerful means to connect. Do not forget Yoga means union. Union means two have become one. There are only two in existence – you and the rest of existence. In the rest of existence, you may identify individual entities, but essentially, there are only two – you and the rest of existence – because there are only two dimensions of experience within you. You do not know what is up and down in this cos-

mos. You do not know what is forward and backward in this cosmos. These are all things that we have made up for convenience. Essentially, there are only two dimensions of experience – inner experiences and outer experiences.

Yoga is about creating a union between these two dimensions – inner and outer, you and the rest, you and the other. When there is no "you" and "the other," when there is just "you" and "you," that is Yoga. Asanas are a physical form of approaching this ultimate union, because the physical body is the easiest thing to work with. If you try to come to this union with your mind, it will play too many tricks. With the body, at least you know whether it is doing it right or not, whether it is cooperating or not. If you push the mind too hard, it will make you believe all kinds of things and dump you the next day. The body is a more reliable factor.

If you work with it sensibly, the yogasanas can definitely lead to ultimate union.

In the meantime, before this alignment with the ultimate happens, by getting into the postures, inner alignment happens, which will naturally create a chemistry of healthfulness, joyfulness, and blissfulness , and above all, balance. Balance is something that modern societies have ignored, and they are paying a huge price for it. Whatever your intelligence, competence, education, and qualifications, if you do not have the necessary balance, you will not succeed. You will not go very far in your life.

The most important thing for people who are seeking to be successful – whether in the corporate sector, politics, military, or any other field – is balance. Only if you have a balance that is not disturbed by external situations are you capable of making use of the competence and intelligence within you.

Otherwise, even the most wonderful qualities that one may have will go to waste, simply because of a lack of balance. Hatha Yoga brings this balance.

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A Guide to High-Vibrational Living

by Polly Wirum Polly Wirum is a psychic, life coach, and writer.

Years ago, she experienced a health crisis that led to a complete spiritual and life transformation.

When she thought her life was crumbling, the universe was easing her grip on everything, distracting her from the truth. The healing helped her discover the beauty of a joyful and uncomplicated life.It is here that she connects with wisdom and magic.

She shares this with her clients through life’s coaching psychic readings and spiritual retreats. visit Pollywirum.com 60 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e JANUARY 2026

GRAND CANYON River Experience

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When you reflect on your life, do you pull out your favorite events, or do you let the pieces come together and support each other in a way that builds something even more powerful than a single individual experience? Just before I floated down the Grand Canyon, my friend asked me what I was most looking forward to.

He wanted to know if it was the wildlife, crazy intense rapids, or the ancient artifacts; maybe it was the geology?

My answer will always be the same: whether it is one adventure or my entire life story, the pieces create an experience that, when woven together, designs something magical that can’t be broken apart.

I could have written about this river trip in a million ways, but I decided to share random little sections. Like a kaleidoscope, a Grand Canyon River Trip is perfect for the reflection that occurs between all the brightly colored pieces.

My Story I was dripping wet from rinsing off in the clear water. A little chilled, I headed back towards the Colorado River, winding through a side canyon that held Deer Creek and patches of sunlight. I could still hear the group of women’s excitement for the silt-free water. We had removed our clothing to rinse off in the cold dark pool, some had even climbed up behind a rock to jump into a waterfall.

One image vividly sticks in my mind: Marta leaning her back against the almost warm Zoroaster Granite. She was 79 years old, standing in the sunlight, wearing only a big smile. I don’t know if I will ever forget how radiant and beautiful she was in that moment.

I remember thinking what a gift

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she is to our world. Her ability to live so openly and honestly as she moves through the world. She is a great example for those of us who get lost in the fears of aging and the imagined imperfections of our bodies and even lives. She seemed fearless, but surely, she is human like the rest of us and has had some trepidations in life.

On this October trip with roughly 30 people ranging in age from 28 to 79, I was reminded of the strength and resilience in our human bodies, and the seduction of being around people who say, “ yes” to life's adventures.

Marta has lived a great life of river trips and other adventures.

She was one of the organizers of this Grand Canyon River Trip. I can’t do justice to the experience because everyone feels, sees, and hears a different story as they float down the river. Whether it’s your first trip or your hundredth trip, there will always be unique and memorable moments that flow together and fit perfectly into your life.

My role as a helper allowed me to pass freely down the river. There were two other assistants on this particular trip. We supported the guides with preparing food, purifying water, and loading and unloading the boats. Basically, we helped keep every campsite clean with no traces of food, trash, or human waste.

Our trip covered roughly 226 miles in 16 days, from Lee’s Ferry to Diamond Creek take-out. The time between sunrise and sunset was free of traffic noise, chirping phones, barking dogs, and other common life sounds. Instead, we had churning water, occasional wind, and sometimes blowing sand.

Other times, we had complete silence.

Almost every day, ravens would watch us from a perch, hoping we would leave behind a piece of food or something shiny. The daily Geology always told a story of creation and evolution. This was explained by the buildup of rock formations, visible collapses, and the promise of continual change.

Blue herons shared the energy of patience and grace. Big horn sheep grazed, napped, or frolicked, seemingly unfazed by the boats floating by. The mule deer were more cautious of our human behavior.

The canyon's colors ranged from white to pink, black, grey, red, yellow, and brown. The river banks offered all the colors of the walls, from crumbling rocks to a mix of green plants, creating a contrast between water and rock.

The river shared her earthy smells, a mixture of plants, water, and decay. If you sat in the front of the boat, silty cold water was strong on your face, tangling your hair and running up your nose, somehow finding its way into the openings between your skin, rain gear, and splash jacket. If you were in the back of the boat, you held on, hoping not to be ejected into the cold water.

Every day, the guides shared educational information sprinkled with wild and funny river trip practices from the past. We learned of lives lost in a rapid, or plane crashing down from the sky. You can still find pieces of the plane mixed in with the desert landscape. We heard stories of miners and their families who made the Grand Canyon their home.

My favorite stories include the history of the native people. Sometimes we were lucky enough to

see granaries and other artifacts up close. I love imagining canyon life years ago, before planes, boats, and dams. Where stories were maybe shared orally through generations, and at other times etched into cliff walls to be remembered.

There were six river guides. Our trip leader, Brooks, was totally on top of every detail and organized, but still fun and spontaneous. They had the perfect temperament for rowing the aluminum dory.

We also had a paddle boat captained by Petra, who has an amazing singing voice (seriously). She plays multiple instruments and can guide a group of new boatwomen through a day of big rapids.

There was a bar boat ( mostly non alcoholic beverages) that offered a loungy feeling, rowed

by Gavin. On his boat, he had created a couch situation with Poco Pads, and there was always space for the guests to reminisce about past adventures.

Marley rowed a boat where people shared unexpected stories that were often raw and intimate. She's highly capable both in and out of the water, laughs at herself, and never sweats the small stuff.

Tessa shared lovely and gracious energy as she moved through the water, and over land. She organized the meals and always made people feel welcome regardless of the situation.

Jack loves sharing about the geology and history of the canyon.

He would be a serious contender on Survivor because of his love of detail, yet he still maintains a little wild, gregarious, and adventurous nature.

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One of the

most

well-known raids is Lava Falls. Leading up to these rapids you begin to see black volcanic rock dated roughly

75,000 to 700,000 years old.

Memorable Experiences When floating the Grand Canyon, around river mile 157, the turquoise water of the Havasu Creek joins the brownish Colorado River, creating a mesmerizing flow as the two colors mix. Eventually, the blue is swallowed up by the rushing brown water, and the point of contact is easy to get lost in. At this junction, you can hike up the creek and enjoy the fresh water. Eventually, the creek will lead you to Havasupai Falls, where you need a permit to be on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The Havasupai Falls is considered sacred, rejuvenating, and a way to connect with nature and ancestral spirits. On the afternoon that we hiked up the creek, it was beautiful for sure, 64 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e JANUARY 2026

but I couldn’t help imagining what it would feel like to be there alone.

I did find a boulder, away from everyone, where I could feel and just breathe, without the distractions of conversation. I had a notebook, where I wrote everything floating through my mind. It happened to be the New Moon, one of my favorite times to reflect on the trajectory of my life.

Running the rapids in the Grand Canyon is a big part of the trip. As the guides like to remind us, some rapids have more serious consequences than others. There are Hermit, Crystal, Hance, House Rock, and Deubendorff Rapid, just to name a few.

One of the most well-known raids is Lava Falls. Leading up to these rapids, you begin to see black volcanic rock dated roughly 75,000 to 700,000 years old. The Basalt rock has crazy patterns and shapes that seem frozen in time, still sharing the energy of a long-ago volcanic blast.

It is customary to scout some of these rapids before running them. On our trip, the guides put on flashy, sparkly clothes just before Lava Falls Rapids.

All the women on the paddle boat took their shirts off, but were basically covered up by the life jackets. Makeup and big false eyelashes were also put on to celebrate the adventure. All of this created huge anticipation of running Lava Rapids; maybe it was an offering to the spirits of the water, asking for a safe run.

Our guides did an amazing job navigating the rapids. We had a few swimmers who were easily pulled to safety, but the energy was off the charts high.

There is a campsite on the river right, shortly after the rapids. Tequila was pulled out and passed around when everyone was on shore.

We camped there that night, and the chaotic energy that started earlier in the day still ran through our group.

Around 4:00 the next morning, we had an electrical storm with rain, strong gusts of wind, lightning, and thunder. It seemed to envelop our camp for several hours.

The camp kitchen had been blown down, and the general flow of camp was moving at a different pace that morning. I remember feeling so much better, like the storm had blown away all the intense, choppy energy from the day before.

One woman had somehow slept through the entire storm. Her shelter was a Poco Pad and a blue plastic tarp, tucked tightly around her sleeping bag; her head was sheltered deep in her sleeping kit. She was just sitting up as I walked by. One false eyelash was

courageously hanging onto a corner of an eye. The other side of her face had bright makeup from the day before, running down her cheek.

To Person Person Person Cc Person Bcc Person Subject I remember this because the energy was so intense the day before. The storm cleared out, leaving the remnants of a celebration where everything was let go. That morning, we picked up the pieces, washed our faces, and met a new day.

Another memory is appreciated for the simplicity and beauty of a moment. All the boats pulled into the Red Wall Cavern. At mile 33, there is a huge overhang of red limestone. There is a high ceiling and a sandy floor, large enough for a big group of people to move about freely.. Petra surprised us when she perched herself up high on a ledge and played her saxophone. The musical notes resonated through the rock and sand and touched my heart.

The day after our return, I went for a long hike by myself and reflected on my journey down the Grand Canyon.

Even with the challenge of being an introvert, surrounded by people, I wouldn't change a thing. I didn’t connect with every person there, but I was inspired by the collective sense of adventure and full-on love of life that was shared, sometimes chaotic and other times, in creative and thoughtful ways.

In closing, if you are seeking an adventure that is almost impossible to wrangle into manageable thoughts, float the Grand Canyon. Your experience will certainly be different from mine, but it will be powerful, exciting, and thought-provoking for sure.

Whether it's a river trip or something else, may your journey take you down a path that holds all the parts of a great story.

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The Angel Connection

by Nikki Pattillo Nikki Pattillo graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and began her career as a clinical and molecular biologist. As a child, Nikki was psychic, conversing regularly with her angels and guides, but it wasn’t until she was in her 30s that she accepted her gift.

She is now an international author with Ozark Mountain Publishing. She authored Children of Stars: Advice for Parents and Star Children, A Spiritual Evolution, A Day in Spirit: A Spiritual Calendar for Teens, and A Golden Compass.

She has been featured on BRAVO and The History Channel and writes numerous magazine and newspaper articles to help raise awareness and consciousness of environmental and spiritual issues.

DOES THE GOVERNMENT NEED A CONSCIENCE ?

In every era, societies have questioned not only what their governments do, but what their governments ought to do.

Behind every law, policy, and political promise lies a moral question: Does the government operate from a conscience?

Governments, as collections of institutions and officials, often claim to act in the public interest. Yet when confronted with issues like human rights violations, healthcare access, and the treatment of the elderly, it becomes clear that good governance requires more than efficiency or order. It requires compassion, justice, and moral awareness. The question, then, is not whether governments are capable of conscience, but whether they choose to act as though they have one.

A government’s conscience can be understood as its moral 66 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e JANUARY 2026

compass. That is, the ethical principles that guide how it treats the people it governs. In democracies, that conscience should ideally reflect the collective values of its citizens: dignity, fairness, equality, and care for the vulnerable. Yet history reveals that when governments lose touch with these principles, they drift toward oppression and neglect.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that “the care of human life and happiness…is the first and only object of good government.”

This assertion places moral responsibility at the core of leadership. Governments are not merely administrative machines; they are custodians of human welfare. Without a moral foundation or without empathy, power becomes a mechanism of control rather than a vehicle for protection and progress.

Photo by Getty image

The clearest sign of a government without a conscience is its disregard for human rights. Across the world, from authoritarian regimes to democracies in decline, human rights violations expose the absence of moral restraint in governance.

When governments detain people unlawfully, suppress speech, or discriminate based on race, gender, or belief, they reveal that power has eclipsed humanity.

Even nations that claim to champion freedom are not immune. For example, surveillance programs that invade privacy, immigration systems that separate families, and policing practices that disproportionately target minorities all reflect moral failures, not just policy ones. A government that violates the dignity of its people cannot be said to have a functioning conscience.

At its core, a conscience reminds us that people are not means to an end; they are, in fact, the end itself. A morally aware

government protects citizens not only because it must, but because it ought to. It listens to dissent rather than silencing it, it seeks justice rather than vengeance, and it treats the lives of citizens as sacred, not expendable. When those principles fade, the social contract fractures.

Furthermore, human rights violations often stem from indifference rather than overt cruelty. Bureaucratic systems that dehumanize individuals—such as overcrowded prisons, neglected asylum seekers, or impoverished communities without a political voice—show how the lack of moral reflection within government leads to quiet suffering. It is not enough for a government to avoid doing harm; it must also actively pursue what is right.

If conscience is compassion in action, nowhere is it more visible than in how government handles healthcare. Access to medical care is not merely a policy issue; it is a moral test.

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“

A conscience-free government views its people as data points, voters, or labor units, rather than as human beings with intrinsic worth. It crafts laws for convenience rather than justice, and measures success by economic output rather than human well-being.

A government that allows its citizens to suffer because they cannot afford treatment is one that has failed the test of empathy.

they demonstrate a failure of collective gratitude. The elderly should not be left to navigate poverty, loneliness, or neglect after decades of service and labor.

Healthcare reveals the values a nation truly holds. When profit outweighs people, when medication becomes privilege, and when preventative care is neglected in favor of corporate gain, the government’s conscience has gone silent.

A government with a conscience remembers its moral debts too. It recognizes that retirement is not a withdrawal from society but a continuation of human dignity. Economic systems that prioritize youth productivity while marginalizing the elderly reflect not efficiency but moral blindness.

Every decision about healthcare funding, hospital access, and insurance policy carries a moral weight. The choice to prioritize military spending over medical support, or to let bureaucracy delay life-saving treatment, is not neutral—it is an ethical failure.

A government with a conscience understands that health is foundational to liberty. Citizens cannot pursue happiness or contribute meaningfully to society if they are physically or mentally unwell. Ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare is, therefore, not charity but justice.

Consider the moral courage to prioritize long-term well-being over political expedience. Public health initiatives, mental health support, and equitable medical access require empathy-driven leadership. In times of crisis such as pandemics, natural disasters, or economic hardship, the government’s conscience is tested most severely. Does it safeguard the vulnerable, or does it protect profits and power? The answer reveals whether the system is guided by morality or by machinery.

A society’s moral maturity can be measured by how it treats its elderly as well.

Retirement systems, pensions, and elder care are often seen as logistical or financial matters. Yet they are moral obligations and commitments to those who spent their lives contributing to the nation’s success.

Photo by Lina

When governments allow retirement benefits to erode, healthcare for seniors to decline, or long-term care facilities to become understaffed and underfunded, 68 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM eJANUARY 2026

Moreover, many retirees face challenges beyond finances, such as social isolation, rising living costs, and limited access to medical care. Ethical governance means ensuring that citizens are cared for from birth to death, not merely managed while they are economically useful. This long view of human worth requires empathy embedded into policy.

When a government operates without conscience, the consequences ripple far beyond politics. Citizens lose faith in institutions. Inequality deepens. Trust erodes. Cynicism replaces hope. People begin to believe that justice is unattainable and compassion irrelevant. In such an environment, corruption thrives because moral accountability has vanished.

A conscience-free government views its people as data points, voters, or labor units, rather than as human beings with intrinsic worth. It crafts laws for convenience rather than justice, and measures success by economic output rather than human well-being. This moral void creates a paradox: even as technology advances and economies grow, societies become spiritually impoverished.

In contrast, a government that acts with conscience sets moral examples that shape the culture it governs. Ethical leadership inspires ethical citizenship.

When people see their leaders choose compassion over cruelty, fairness over favoritism, and integrity over corruption, they, too, begin to live by those values.

The moral health of a nation depends on the moral health of its government.

For a government to act with conscience, it must be willing to listen. Listen to its people, to its critics, and to its own moral failures. Transparency, accountability, and empathy are not just democratic ideals but expressions of moral intelligence.

So how can the government cultivate a conscience? It can embed ethics into policy-making laws. Every law and regulation should be evaluated not only for its economic or political impact but for its ethical implications. Policymakers must ask: Does this uphold human dignity? Does it protect the vulnerable? Does it create fairness? Ethics should not be an afterthought; it should be the starting point.

The government can also humanize bureaucracy. Systems that serve people must remember their purpose: people. Whether in social security offices, hospitals, or welfare agencies, compassion should guide interaction. Public servants should be trained not only in procedures but in empathy. Humanizing governance requires seeing citizens not as numbers, but as neighbors.

Finally, the government should cultivate accountability. A conscience must be accountable. Governments that admit mistakes and correct them demonstrate moral strength, not weakness. Independent oversight, free press, and public participation all ensure that a conscience remains alive in the corridors of power.

In the end, a government’s conscience is ultimately a reflection of its citizens. People cannot expect moral governance if they themselves become indifferent. The collective silence of the public enables moral decay within institutions. Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen to demand compassion, justice, and

accountability from their leaders.

Protests, advocacy, and voting are not only political acts but also moral ones. They remind those in power that conscience is not optional. When citizens insist that healthcare is a right, that the elderly deserve dignity, and that human rights violations are intolerable, they breathe life into the government’s moral core.

Democracy is the strongest when morality flows upward from people to power and downward from power to policy. That cyclical exchange of conscience is what sustains freedom and fairness.

So, does the government need a conscience? The answer is both simple and urgent: yes, more than ever. A government without a conscience may function, but it cannot flourish. It can control, but it cannot care. It can legislate, but it cannot love.

Human rights, healthcare, and retirement are not just issues of policy; they are mirrors of a nation’s soul. How a government responds to suffering, illness, and aging reveals its moral character. True leadership requires not only intelligence but empathy; not only authority but humility.

A conscience in government ensures that power serves people rather than people serving power. It transforms governance from a system of control into a covenant of care. The world does not need more efficient governments; it needs more compassionate ones. Because in the end, the strength of a nation is not measured by its wealth or weapons, but by the tenderness with which it treats its own.

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An Ecology of Ideas

By Dulce Garcia Morman, Ph.D. Dulce Garcia-Morman, Ph.D, is the founder of Life-Is-Art Equine Assisted Learning and Coaching.

She has facilitated learning and therapeutic experiences through the horse-human connection for the past 17 years. Dulce's practice draws from different wisdom traditions and is strongly oriented toward a Jungian approach to the restoration of the authentic Self.

For more information, visit https://life-is-art.us/

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Photo by Getty image

LET'S DANCE THE NEW YEAR IN! 71 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM eJANUARY 2026

O

On my recent trip to Miami to visit family, I realized that dance is such a fundamental part of the Cuban culture in which I grew up, and I also realized how much I miss it! I left Miami twenty-five years ago, and I’ve slowly lost the strong urge to dance that was present for the greater part of my life. In addition to the ethnic dances, I danced classical ballet for many years. Movement to music was an integral part of who I was most days of the week. There is always a pretext for Cubans to dance, as is the case in most of the Caribbean. I also reminisced about my trip back to visit Cuba in 1995, where music and dance felt like a normal part of everyday life in the streets of Havana by day and night, in outdoor cafes, at parks, and on random street corners.

This sense in Miami that I had reconnected with something I’d put on the back burner urged me to reflect on the power of dance and movement as tools for physical and emotional health, and even for transformation. I know from personal experience that dance makes a difference in how I move in the world, and that there may be something profoundly wise in the idea that you can dance your troubles away. You may not dissolve the troubles, but your relationship to them may indeed shift into a healthier space.

According to the American Dance Therapy Association, “Dance/movement therapy

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(DMT) is defined as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, for the purpose of improving health and well-being.

It emerged as a field in the 1940s as early innovators, many of whom were accomplished dancers, began to realize the benefit of using dance and movement as a form of psychotherapy. It is a holistic approach to healing, based on the empirically supported assertion that mind, body, and spirit are inseparable and interconnected” (https://adta.memberclicks. net/what-is-dancemovement-therapy). DMT offers a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological benefits by using movement as a form of expression and healing. It helps individuals connect their minds and bodies, promoting self-awareness and emotional release.

Physically, it improves flexibility, coordination, and body strength while reducing stress and tension. Emotionally, DMT provides a safe, creative outlet for expressing feelings that might be difficult to put into words, which can enhance mood and self-esteem. It is also used therapeutically to support people coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, or chronic illness. Overall, dance/movement therapy fosters holistic well-being by integrating movement, emotion, and self-expression into the healing process.

Photo by Fellipe Ditadi

One of the main principles of DMT is that movement expresses feelings, much like the alchemical principle of as inside as outside. Therefore, by changing or initiating movement, you can potentially change emotional states. I mention initiating movement because I have used DMT in my personal development workshops and have noticed that for some people, it can be very difficult to move at all. A freezing response can occur, especially if trauma is involved, and in such cases, initiating movement is indeed a breakthrough. From there, one can engage in a deeper exploration of movement as the person feels safer engaging their body. Thus, the importance of working with someone trained in processing negative emotions, especially shame, if these come up during a movement session. In my own practice of horse-assisted coaching, I have seen that asking a person to dance with a horse can create a uniquely safe space. The horse is non-judgmental and couldn't care less how well you perform.

In theory, it is the same with a therapist: DMT is not about performance but expression, but it may be easier for a person to trust a horse before they trust a human therapist. This dynamic can cut through inhibitions rather quickly and motivate the person to explore more openly, until an empowered self-expression begins to evolve.

I personally do this with my own horses on occasion, particularly when I feel emotionally stuck.

I turn on the boom box in the round pen and improvise under their caring presence, many times integrating touch as I move along in whatever pattern possesses me. The horses are equally present with subtle classical music as with the powerful, raw beat of African drums -they

are infinitely open to what is.

Dance and movement therapy is a creative and fun way to connect with the body and come into a relationship with the feelings it harbors. It’s like having a nonverbal conversation with the temple that houses our materiality, emotions, and spiritual vibrations. There is so much that can be revealed through movement, which can then be dealt with and healed. But we can also approach dance and movement without therapeutic ends in mind, simply as an occasional reset mechanism when we feel stuck or are dealing with an emotional state we can’t regulate with our go-to tools. For this, I avoid choreographed movement, such as dancing to my favorite salsa music. Instead, I improvise, with or without music. For me, this means starting to move without any pattern in mind, just letting whatever emerges take hold of me: wavy and slow, shaky and fast, undulating or jagged, or moving through all of these. My own being will discern whether it wants to move to music or to silence, for there is nothing to honor but my own expression.

And if I am feeling sad or melancholy, I don’t avoid poignant music that will accentuate what I’m feeling. I find it helpful to lean into nostalgia and immerse myself in it, and the right music can accelerate the purging of emotions that are having a hard time being liberated from the body. I’m not one to make New Year's resolutions, but as 2025 ends, I feel an awakened sense to dance 2026 in and to make dance a more constant presence in my life. I’m not planning to dance at a New Year's party, but just to move under the stars to whatever tune arises as the frigid midnight air hits my cheeks with the promise of a wonderful new journey around the sun.

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Heartfelt conversations with Émilie Macas Émilie Macas is a transformational holistic educator, Reiki Teacher and trauma counsellor, mindfulness and Chopra meditation educator, certified life coach, author, and motivational speaker. Émilie has owned a private practice for over a decade. She continues to empower others to adopt a spirit of raw truthfulness, guiding them to their inner wisdom and empowering them to connect with their inner pharmacy.

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Photo by Edward Howell

FIVE LESSONS I BRING INTO 2026

D Dear beautiful souls,

As we welcome the New Year, I wish you all a happy, healthy, and fulfilling year. Thank you for sharing this space with me by reading my articles.

2025, what a year! Collectively, we experienced significant planetary movement; it was a very intense year on so many levels. 2025, the year of the Snake, guided us through subtle yet powerful change, urging action, deep self-reflection, and shedding old patterns to reveal our true selves.

Personally, the first eight months were wild. It was a year that kicked me emotionally, physically, and spiritually, like I was on a roller coaster nonstop. One of the biggest emotional waves for me came when my son left to study in another province. I felt a familiar worry creeping in, questioning if I had prepared him enough.

The truth that our children don’t belong to us, that they have their wings to fly, was profound.

Trusting what we’ve taught him and allowing him space to grow has been an essential part of my journey.

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In my 13-year career, I made a bold decision to hire a business mentor to help expand my reach. His expertise in auditing my business was invaluable. However, when the marketing plan was presented, it conflicted with my values. Following the program would mean compromising my integrity for sales and bending the truth to chase followers and go viral. I chose to walk away.

In that decision, I honoured my values with pride and gratitude. It was not a failure; it was alignment with what truly resonates for me. This year served as a reminder that I cannot bend my vision, message, and offering into a sales strategy or conform to someone else's blueprint.

The mentor I hired helped translate the value of my work, but showing up fully, staying true to my values, and moving forward was all on me. When I walked away, my work underwent amazing, unexpected changes. For me, it confirmed the importance of leading with my truth, honouring my vision, and showing up as myself.

The universe nudged me again: being authentic, staying true to our values, is more than enough!

“

This year, ask us to fully embrace our power and trust the fire within us. It’s about listening to our deepest aspirations and letting them guide us. Don’t hold back in 2026!

Alongside this, I was, and still am, navigating new internal storms. These hormonal swings and fluctuations make me feel more emotional, tired, and irritable and at the same time conscious of myself, which helps me live my truth in a brand new way. My body and mind are learning to navigate new waters. I know I am not alone in this experience. Many women are facing similar things in silence, feeling that they have to keep it all together while their inner worlds undergo significant shifts.

But I’ve learned that these changes are not a setback; they are an initiation. They ask us to accept ourselves in a new, more honest, and more intuitive way.

This hormonal transition has been one of the greatest teachers of my life. It serves as a reminder that my body is not working against me; rather, it is guiding and resetting me, preparing me for a new season and calling me to listen to its whispers.

As we entered 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, we set the stage for brave new beginnings and more profound self-discovery.

This year is all about taking bold actions, profound transformation, and feeling strong, life-changing energy. It’s a call to embrace courage, creativity, and bold beginnings.

Here are five profound lessons I am carrying into 2026: 1. Choosing Me Choosing myself has been a soft but radical act of self-love. It means honouring my values, protecting my energy, and listening to

my needs without guilt or apology. It means listening to my intuition, moving at my own pace, and trusting that the way I show up, the work I offer, and the voice I carry are enough.

In 2025, I learned that being true to my values and my purpose is far more important than trying to fit into a system that was never designed for me. It also made me think of a habit I’ve had for years: over-explaining and justifying my decisions. Not anymore.

Choosing myself means honouring the quiet power of my voice, the calm of my time, and the space of my energy. When it's important, I speak up. When it's right, I act. I release the need to defend or explain my choices to anyone else. This is freedom. Choosing me is an act of love and alignment with the life and purpose I am here to live.

2. My Energy Is My Greatest Currency.

As a giver, I have always been there, listening, holding space, and supporting people through every storm they faced. I’ve always been the one who reaches out, sends the holiday messages, checks in, and shows up. But this past year, I realized I needed to step back.

I started to stop overextending myself and began limiting my time, protecting my energy, and honouring my own needs first. And in doing so, I noticed something profound: not everyone will cheer for you. Some will drift, some will silently judge, and some will know every move you make on Instagram, but won’t send you a message to see if you are doing well. And that’s okay. This lesson reminded me that my energy is precious, that I get to choose where it flows, and that choosing myself is an act of love, not selfishness.

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Photo by Priscilla du Preaz

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3. Slowing Down Is Strength Pausing, reflecting, and protecting my energy is not defeat; it is wisdom. Slowing down allows clarity, intentional action, and space for creativity. It will enable you to connect with your body, mind, and soul. Listen to the whispers of your body. It has been ‘shedding” my old skin, letting go of the adaptations rooted in trauma that I need to be productive all the time; if not, it means that I am becoming lazy. I am worthy of love, appreciation, and validation even when I am not constantly busy. Slowing down, respecting my pace, and avoiding self-pressure have been tremendous lessons for me this year.

4. The Power of Silent Moves The most profound growth often happens quietly. Internal work, private reflection, and unseen courage hold the deepest, lasting impact. The Fire Horse energy reminds me that sometimes the most daring moves are the ones no one witnesses. In a world that demands “proof ” of our worth and our ‘moves in life’ through our accomplishments, through sharing the places we go on social media. Daring to move in silence is powerful!

5. The Liberation of Letting Go This past year, consciously letting go of ‘control’, especially with my son, understanding that I can’t control what's upside down in his life, what he will face, and the decisions he will make, was a deep form of liberation. Not surrendering out of weakness, but surrendering fully to the unknown, especially in the face of hardship, is an act of incredible courage. Sur-

rendering also meant letting go of what no longer serves me: people who do not uplift or carry the energy I need, situations that drain rather than nourish, and the weight of what others say or think about me. Choosing carefully where I place my energy, who I spend it with, and what I allow into my life has been one of the most powerful acts of self-respect and liberation.

Letting go is not a loss; it is making space for alignment, joy, and connection that genuinely resonates with my heart and purpose.

For those who are familiar with my articles, you know that this column is titled "Heartfelt Conversations with Émilie ." Being vulnerable and sharing our struggles is not easy, but I believe it’s a way to connect deeply with others.

I hope that by sharing my lessons, I can help, inspire, or touch you in some way.

This year, ask us to fully embrace our power and trust the fire within us. It’s about listening to our deepest aspirations and letting them guide us. Don’t hold back in 2026!

Being born in the year of the Horse. I feel called to run freely, honour my fire, and step fully into my power. I chose myself. I honour my values. I protect my space. I slow down.

I trust. And I step into 2026 with clarity, strength, and the quiet, unshakable power of owning my own truth.

So tell me… Who are you choosing to be in 2026?

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The Way I See It

By Joey Santos

Joey Santos is a Celebrity Chef, Life Stylist and Co-Host of The Two Guys From Hollywood Podcast on Spotify.

A Columnist for The Eden Magazine since 2016.

Joey was raised in NYC, Malibu, and West Hollywood.

He is the son of Film and Television Actor Joe Santos, and his Grandfather is World-Renowned Latin Singer Daniel Santos.

To follow Joey on IG: @jojoboy13 To contact Joey visit whynotjoe@gmail.com

COEXISTING WITHOUT

COMBUSTION

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The Delicate Art of Living Together Love is grand — until someone leaves wet towels on the bed.

Living together is where romance meets reality — and where scented candles meet the smell of burnt toast. ( Hopefully, it really is toast burning and not one of you “Stroking Out” ) It’s the great social experiment of our time: two people, one bathroom, and an unspoken competition over who takes out the trash (spoiler: it’s never the same person twice).

At first, it’s bliss. You’re brushing teeth side by side like a toothpaste commercial, making brunch plans, and binge-watching the same shows. You discover adorable quirks — the way they hum while making coffee or fold laundry with Olympic precision. Then one day, you realize that hum is flat and off-key and that precision has been applied to your favorite shirt, now Ken Doll -sized.

The Good Love softens the edges. You learn that “space” isn’t just about square footage — it’s about letting each other breathe. You discover that compromise is sexier than control, and that “I’m sorry” can save more weekends than any couples retreat ever could. You build a rhythm — a shared language of glances, inside jokes, and silent teamwork during the many dinner parties.

The Bad You will have recurring debates about “too hot/too cold” settings, whether all these decorative pillows are necessary, and whose turn it is to move the car before 9 am on Street Cleaning days!

The Ugly The ugly truth is that one of you eats in bed while the other is finding a Cheerio in their ear! You’ll disagree on what to order in, the brand of toilet tissue to buy, and the proper number of condiments a refrigerator should hold. Yet somehow, between eye rolls and apologies, you’ll realize that none of it really matters.

The Magic Because the magic of cohabitation isn’t perfection — it’s partnership. It’s laughing in the middle of a silly argument. It’s the quiet cup of coffee together before the day begins. It’s surviving a Sunday run to IKEA for another two dozen candles, or another stop at Home Depot for more blue masking tape without filing for emotional damages.

It’s realizing that after all the chaos, there’s no one else you’d rather argue about throw pillows with.

Love isn’t about finding the right person — it’s about finding someone whose weird matches yours, and whose presence makes even the messy moments feel like home.

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@TheEdenMagazine

TheEdenMagazine

@TheEdenMagazine

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A TESTAMENT TO COURAGE AND COMPASSION

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An exclusive screening of Sisters of Ukraine brought together filmmakers, dignitaries, and humanitarians at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theater for an evening that was both moving and urgent. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Mike Dorsey and executive produced by Steven Campos, the film offers a powerful, intimate look at the lives unfolding behind the front lines of the war in Ukraine.

The documentary follows volunteers from Barcelona, Eduardo Llop, Rafael “Rafa” Moreno and a remarkable group of nuns led by Mother Maria Cristiana Demianczuk, and Sister Maria Provydinnia who risk everything to aid refugees fleeing relentless missile attacks. Through moments of fear, faith, and unwavering resolve, Sisters of Ukraine captures a three-day, 2,500-mile journey across Europe that becomes a profound testament to human solidarity.

Following a stirring musical performance by Marina V, a post-screening Q&A moderated by Golden Globes member Lena Basse deepened the evening’s emotional resonance.

Congressman Jim Costa, among the distinguished guests, spoke passionately about the film’s message of moral clarity, compassion, and the urgent need to stand with Ukraine.

The Eden Magazine recognizes Sisters of Ukraine as a deeply human documentary— one that transcends headlines to honor courage, service, and the enduring power of hope in the darkest of times.

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GO VEGAN

“Animals Have Souls Don’t Put Them in Your Bowl” 87 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2025

The Call of the Wild

Lindsay

Nikole

on Animal Conservation, STEM and her New Book Epic Earth

Lindsey Nikole is a zoologist, science communicator, and one of today’s fastest-growing STEM creators, reaching an audience of over 5 million across her platforms. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, Lindsey has dedicated her work to making science accessible, engaging, and inspiring for all ages. Her deep passion for wildlife includes her involvement with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, where she champions education and conservation. Lindsey began sharing her love for sciencein 2020 and quickly became a standout voice on YouTube, captivating viewers with her clear, dynamic, and relatable approach to complex topics. Now, with the release of her new book Epic Earth, she invited readers to rediscover the wonder of the natural world through a fresh adventure lens.

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Let's start with your mission. You've made animal science so much fun and easy to understand for everyone. What inspired you to bring this kind of energy and creativity into the world of science education?

My love for animals really started later in life, when I became obsessed with lions in high school. During my senior year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a big cat sanctuary in South Africa, and that experience made me realize how deeply I wanted to understand animals. So after studying Zoology in college, I started sharing my love of animals online and realized there were many people interested in learning about the natural world around them who might not otherwise have access to this information.

You've built a vibrant online community through your creative, fact-filled videos. How do you balance accuracy and entertainment while keeping audiences genuinely educated and engaged?

When sharing scientific information online, it’s crucial to ensure you’re well-researched and accurate. Of course, you want your content to be fun and engaging, but I always want to make sure I’m sharing the best and most upto-date information available. It’s definitely possible to make content that is both fun and accurate; it just takes a lot of time and effort.

Why do you believe it's important for people—especially younger generations—to understand animal science, and how can this awareness influence their relationship with nature?

It’s so important to understand animal science because human beings are also animals, and so we’re a result of the same processes that allow animals to exist here, too. We’re all part of the same system. This planet is our home, and the animals that live on it are not only our neighbors; we are deeply connected to them through billions of years of evolution.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund was one of the best experiences of my life. It’s one thing to learn about conservation in a classroom, but it’s a totally different experience to be on the ground, watching it unfold every day.

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From your perspective, what are the most pressing challenges facing wildlife today, and what role do you believe each of us can play in reversing the damage caused by human activity?

One of the biggest issues facing wildlife today is a lack of respect from human populations. When we don’t respect wildlife, we destroy it, whether that’s through habitat loss, overconsumption, or pollution.

One way people can help alleviate these issues is by starting small: volunteer locally, plant trees, support sanctuaries, or just share what you learn about conservation with friends. Knowledge can spread quickly, and when we all work together, we can make a much bigger impact than any one individual.

You recently worked with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which sounds like a fantastic experience!

Can you tell us what that experience was like and what you learned about protecting these beautiful animals?

Interning at The Cheetah Conservation Fund was one of the best experiences of my life. It’s one thing to learn about conservation in a classroom, but it’s a totally different experience to be on the ground, watching it unfold every day. Helping rehabilitate these cheetahs gave me a much more holistic understanding of how entire ecosystems function.

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What really stood out to me was how much of conservation is actually about people, working with farmers, educating communities, and finding practical solutions so wildlife and humans can coexist. Protecting cheetahs isn’t just about rescuing an injured animal; it’s about building relationships, reducing conflict, and creating environments where these animals can survive long term.

What's one moment in your work that made you realize just how deeply interconnected humans and animals truly are?”

One moment that really stuck out to me was when I was working at The Cheetah Conservation Fund. I not only helped rehabilitate cheetahs but also other carnivores in the area. One of my core memories was working with a brown hyena named Brownie, who had been captured in a trap on a nearby farm and had a broken leg. He was brought to CCF for rehabilitation, and I helped release him back into the wild. Watching him take off into the landscape he belonged to felt like a powerful reminder that human choices directly impact the lives of animals, and that we also have the ability to help repair the harm we cause. Moments like that make you realize just how intertwined we really are.

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Your new all-ages science book shares some "bizarre but true" insights about Earth's history. Can you give us a sneak peek of one surprising fact readers will discover?

In Epic Earth, you’ll learn about so many incredible prehistoric animals. One of my favorites is called the Tully Monster, which lived on Earth over 300 million years ago. They’re so interesting because, to this day, scientists still haven't fully figured out if they were a vertebrate (an animal with a backbone) or an invertebrate (animal without a backbone) species.

It's usually a very simple distinction to make, but because of its unique characteristics, it’s remained a mystery to this day.

Animals like that remind me how much we still don’t know about our planet’s history and keep me curious about the universe.

What do you hope your audience—especially young readers—will take away from your work about protecting and celebrating the incredible diversity of life on our planet?

I hope my audience stays curious about the natural world and maintains a deep respect for wildlife. Life on our planet is so special, and it took so many improbable steps to get here, so it’s worth learning about, protecting, and celebrating!

Photo by Mary Y.

GIVE A SHELTER DOG A HOME

Adopt Today

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THE THEORY OF SPICE

Inaugural Film Series from The Yogi Foundation The Theory of Spice, a new, visually-stunning short film series narrated by Academy Award, Emmy, and multiple Grammy-Award winning artist Jon Batiste (We Are, “Freedom”) alongside Grammy-winner Rizo (Songs of Joy and Peace), and featuring original music from Grammy-winner Gaby Moreno (X Mi Vol. I), unearths the stories and vibrant personalities of Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Ginger. The Theory of Spice is directed by Gilly Barnes and produced by Straight from the Source Studios, The Yogi Foundation’s in-house storytelling arm. The film is on Documentary+ across 70 countries via Samsung TV Plus, DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and more, and onThe Yogi Foundation’s website.

“I’m honored to lend my voice to this series because it’s more than a story about ingredients—it’s a story about people, culture, and connection,” said Jon Batiste. “Traveling through India, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, we’re uncovering traditions and histories that deserve to be celebrated. As a musician, I’m always searching for connection and soul in unexpected places, and this series captures that spirit beautifully.”

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“We’re thrilled to partner with The Yogi Foundation to feature The Theory of Spice.

At Documentary+, we seek out films that showcase distinctive voices and cinematic approaches, and this one truly stands out,” said Documentary+ CEO, Geoff Clark. “Director Gilly Barnes masterfully captures the spirit and culture of these extraordinary communities, enhanced by riveting narration and an evocative original score that makes the film unforgettable.”

The series transports viewers on a journey through India, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, bringing to life the hidden cultures, communities, and histories of these ingredients.

Cardamom - Cardamom became a lifeline for a small community in the mountains of Guatemala following the ravages of a 40-year civil war, bringing much-needed economic renewal to the region. Told through the words of an original song

by Grammy-winning Guatemalan artist Gaby Moreno, the film shares the story of a town, its people, and their quest to thrive—culminating in the crowning of a Cardamom Queen.

Cinnamon - Cinnamon has long been mythologized, carrying with it a sense of mystery about its origins and journey to our kitchen tables. The film traces both the layered history of this intricate agricultural practice and the literal layers of bark that farmers skillfully cut through to harvest the spice.

In addition to exploring the places where Ginger grows and the people who grow it, the film introduces audiences to different rituals of strength practiced in these regions, and the power this plant can provide.

“We are honored to have worked with grower communities around the world to capture the stories, sounds, and images in The Theory of Spice,” said Lauren Wood, Executive Producer . “We hope to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about where our food comes from and the communities whose lives and futures are intertwined with it.”

The films are the first original commission by The Yogi Foundation, the nonprofit organization established by Yogi Tea. The Foundation supports projects in grower communities and in the creative, science, and technology sectors. Its vision is to make philanthropy a catalyst for new systems rooted in relationship, reciprocity, and care—demonstrating what’s possible when communities and ideas come together.

Ginger - Ginger is depicted as a mighty force, a strength-giving root that traces its origins back to the time of Confucius.

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