Why do I take you with me on these walks in Tuscany? Is it just because I like to walk? Yes. Is it because walking in Tuscany ain't half bad? Well, yes. But there are other, deeper and more important reasons for this that definitely involve you, your wellbeing and even the wellbeing of the whole planet. Curious? I'll explain everything in this epis…

One day you're partying with your friends, and the next day you're in the emergency room--and that's just the start of the wacky journey you are still on now. No, unfortunately this isn't a hypothetical situation... This is what happened to me about three weeks ago, and I'm going to explain everything to you in this episode. You'll also hear what e…

Join Pastor Mark and Ruthie Salter as they continue to discuss and revisit the events at Lighthouse Baptist Church during Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the response to the community that followed. Months after the event, Pastor Mark and Ruthie shared how God used Lighthouse in a mighty way to love the community of Western North Carolina. During this…

Join Pastor Mark and Ruthie Salter as they discuss and revisit the events at Lighthouse Baptist Church during Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the response to the community that followed. Months after the event, Pastor Mark and Ruthie shared how God used Lighthouse in a mighty way to love the community of Western North Carolina. This is part one of thr…

The first episode of this year is all about renewal and magic: from Italy's beloved Christmas Witch (La Befana) to the enchantment of the great outdoors--even in winter! Join me as we take a bewitching journey through the historic and modern celebrations and traditions surrounding La Befana and learn why it is that my 2025 work year started on Janu…

So maybe you have some of the basics down and are now looking at what is next in your Christian walk or what more you can do? Pastor Mark and special guest Taylor Rogers take on the idea of doing more in the coming year. They cover the concepts of financial giving, Bible study, and serving. Thanks for listening! Join us at lighthousesylva.com or on…

How many times have you entered a new year with the goal of getting healthier, losing weight, or even beginning a spiritual activity like reading the Bible? Pastor Mark and special guest Taylor Rogers take on the ideas of reading scripture, prayer, and church attendance with an eye on making lasting changes so that these disciplines can be permanen…

The year 2024 is about to blow out of here, like the last of the fall leaves in a gust of icy wind. Join me for one last walk in the Tuscan hills before we say goodbye to this year--but this time, we're not in the hills above where I live. We're somewhere completely new and different! This time, I'm exploring right along with you as I take in the s…

As a child, I believed 100 percent that mermaids roamed the oceans, unicorns thundered through the forests and fairies hid behind trees just a second before we saw them. Thankfully, adulthood never convinced me to leave behind the belief that if I looked at things just so, something magical might happen. Throughout years of transforming and adaptin…

No man is an island. No witch, either. And that's what my guest today--fellow witch, yoga teacher and MUCH more--Caterina Esteves, are here to talk about. Well, not only--we'll touch on what it means to be truly authentic, the self-sabotaging behaviors that keep us from that end, what blocked Catarina for so long, and how she both overcame cripplin…

November is kind of a sad month, isn't it? Yet--even as the days shorten and the temperatures drop--it doesn't have to be so melancholy. For ancient Celtic people and the Ireland of yore, the month of November is the start of the Celtic new year, which began on October 31st. The Celts called it Samhain (pronounced Sah-win). The Celtic day also bega…

The day of the election was a week ago now, but the repercussions will be felt for some time. As Trump's supporters continue to celebrate, those of us that were hoping for a fresh new take on America that would have included a colored woman president grieve and wonder how to move forward. Speaking with others who voted for Kamala, I sense the despa…

Black cats, witches dancing around a bonfire under a full moon, the dark, misty forest, mysterious caves guarded by Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts--this extra special episode has all the spooky stuff this season demands! But not only... Start in ordinary reality and embark on a wondrous journey--or, as the Celts and my ancestors say, an Imramma. You can l…

When I take my clients back to their roots, I mean two things: I mean, some of my ancestors came from Ireland, England, Wales, Germany and France–where did yours come from? Let’s learn about them, and from them. And then let’s go even deeper and see if we can pick up where some of those ancestors left off. It’s the start of a journey both of rememb…

Join me for a new, immersive kind of walk in the Tuscan hills above where I live. This time, it's YOU having a wander in the foggy Tuscan hills. Feel the mist on your skin. Hear the rain as it falls on your umbrella. Gaze upon the olive trees laden with fruit. Feel that you are really and truly in Tuscany, having a stroll in the autumn weather. In …

Perhaps you feel at home where you were born--or perhaps you never have. Maybe you've finally found a place to put down roots, after ages of wandering... Or it could be that you're still on the move, seeking that place whose heart calls to yours. It could also be that home is exactly where you are, and you're happy to follow the call of the road wh…

As the darkness of Halloween/Samhain and winter approaches, as the light wanes and the shadows lengthen, many of us feel a tug on our hearts. Perhaps it's more than the bittersweetness of summer's exit, but a deep and primordial call to go within. The dark journey to the Underworlds undertaken by Inanna or Persephone, the descending into the depths…

All around you, the seasons are changing--can you feel them? Can you see them? Hear them? Out in the olive groves, fields and oak forests above my house, all you need to do is go for a stroll in order to immerse yourself in the transition. Are you ready to come for a walk with me? Also in this episode: strange and wondrous guest appearances by Hors…

“In the summer, the days were long, stretching into each other. Out of school, everything was on pause and yet happening at the same time, this collection of weeks when anything was possible.” (Sarah Dessen, "Along for the Ride") Come outside with me and let's savor this collection of weeks when anything is possible. Let yourself be engulfed in the…

Do something every day that scares you," said Eleanor Roosevelt (hopefully listening to me talk isn't one of them). In this episode, I'll update you on the things that are making my heart race--both in Magic, Medicine and Mayhem and in my personal life. After all, they've both been entwined since my broken hip was what spurred me to create a podcas…

🌳Reconnect with nature. Re-wild. We hear these phrases a lot these days, but what do they actually mean? How can someone in this busy modern world plug themselves back into nature? 🌳Find out when you come on a walk with me in Tuscany. It's July, so we're going outside together to see what July looks like, smells like and feels like. As I wander thr…

Last week on the podcast, I mentioned that the frog has become something of a mascot for the LGBTQIA+ community–even though, scientifically speaking, only 2 species of frogs have ever been recorded as displaying homosexual behavior. So, why frogs then? Well, thanks to the internet–and the weird places that it sometimes takes us. Tune in to this wee…

Welcome to the new and improved podcast (formerly known as Live From Suckville). In this episode I’ll share the vision and reasons behind the evolution of this podcast and tell you more about me, your host Sylva Florence. You’ll also hear what is blooming after this period of silence (aka silent transformation) and find out what exciting things are…

Did you know that you can start (or continue) the path to healing your trauma just by listening to this episode? My guest this week, Justin Sunseri, will tell you that whatever is blocking you comes down to biology and inherent mechanisms which exist in each of us to help us survive. But what neither of us wants is for you to just survive. We want …

Are you ready to say yes to life? Are you ready to surrender to it? Did you know that these two concepts are also one and the same? If surrendering sounds like giving up, if it's difficult for you or if you're not even sure where to begin, this episode is for you! Join in to listen to stories of and lessons from moments of utter surrender from my o…

❤️‍🩹If you feel like your healing is a constant work in progress, you're certainly not alone. Join me and my guest, Katie MacDonald as we finish what we started in episode 4: wisdom and advice collected along an ongoing journey of healing through codependency. It's not about perfection and hindsight, but more about vulnerability and honoring the pa…

A conversation I had at a pizzeria last week got me really fired up... And thus a new episode was born! Yes, I am here to rant against the patriarchy this week--but not only. Other than my own recent and not-so-recent experiences, you'll hear from other women about the trials and tribulations they have come up against, and the powerful lessons that…

How do we cope when all of a sudden life throughs us a curveball that no one saw coming, and it stirs up all of our trauma? What happens when there is, therefore, no way to avoid our triggers? Join me for part one of a conversation that is as encouraging and affirming as it is vulnerable and real. It's the kind that gets you thinking about how you …

The forest: A place we desire to return to, but at the same time, we're afraid to do so. A place where green shoots climb up through the duff: a simultaneous host of both life and death. A place to be navigated with reverence and trembling. Our inner forest, the home and root of our inner nature, must be traversed with this same reverence and fear.…

In episode 22, Beckie Langston joins us to discuss and promote the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center. In this episode, we discussed some of the history and challenges facing young ladies in and around our community. We also talk about the importance of churches and how pastors can make a difference through some of their verbiage and provide oppo…

Imagine one evening your life takes a rather scary u-turn, and your safety becomes the most important thing that exists. My guest this week, using the pseudonym Charlotte Grey to protect her identity, knows exactly how this feels. Join me as she recounts her story of survival--but not only. It's also a tale of rebuilding and reinventing. Of steppin…

In episode 21, LaTasha Queen joins us for the first episode of Light1031 in 2024. This episode will cover Heritage Christian Academy. We discussed some exciting aspects of the school, including its history and current status. LaTasha also addresses some misconceptions about the school. Eventually, we end our talk with how you, the listener, can be …

What if I told you that the key to your healing is in your suffering? Yes, all those crappy experiences (and visits to Suckville) aren't just misfortunes, random difficulties or horrible traumas. They are the very way that you become whole, healed and the most authentic version of yourself. Join me for an introductory episode to get you started on …

In episode 20, Ruthie Salter joins us at the one-year recording of Light1031. This episode will cover the 2023 year in review. We look back and think about all the wonderful things God has done in and through the podcast and Lighthouse church. We also discuss some of our favorites and what we look forward to in the coming year. Thanks for listening…

In episode 19, Taylor Rogers (Pastor Mark's daughter) joins us and takes over the hosting duties because Pastor Mark is the interview chair. This is a version of our "Ask Pastor Mark Series." This episode generally talks about Pastor Appreciation Month (typically October). Still, we try to give specific examples of what we can do for our pastor. Th…

In episode 18, we talk to Brandy and Aniston Underwood. Emerie is also in the recording and shares a quick "hi" towards the beginning. This family is about one year after the tragedy of Aniston and Emerie losing their father to suicide. However, they share what it is like to deal with grief, leaning on one another, and finding hope in Jesus. We hop…

In episode 17, we talk to Amanda Martinsen. Amanda discusses some perspectives on Womans Missionary Union (we often will refer to it as WMU) from more of a state level. In the podcast, we discuss some of the worries, concerns, and exciting things happening for WMU. We are thankful to have Amanda as a guest on the Light1031 podcast. She graciously r…

In episode 16, we talk to Bill and Sherry Cabe. They discuss the life of their son, Lyle, and the tragedy of his overdose. However, Sherry and Bill's story does not end. Instead of choosing to do nothing, they (after much prayer) decide to be part of a solution of hope. They decided to get behind International Overdose Awareness Day and other local…

In episode 15, we talk to Pam Markford. Pam shares a unique side of any medical issue: being a caregiver. It takes a lot of people to help someone get through any medical problem. Often there is a primary caregiver, and in this instance, Pam shares some of her story. Pam and Bob have been very open in sharing their story, and we thank them for bein…

We all know that breaking up is hard to do... But what if our endings don't always have to leave huge scars? Is there a way to ensure that no matter how things end, we can walk away with love? My guest this week, Becky Prokova, is here to tell us that the answer is yes. Join us to discover new ways to honor your endings in this empowering and hopef…

Be yourself. Love yourself. It's not always easy, is it? Especially if you're someone who is "different" than the others around you. Because of the way you are, the way you aren't, or because of who you love. Join us for an inspirational, Pride-themed coming out story that will have you laughing, tearing up, and (hopefully) feeling inspired to be m…

In episode 14, we talk to Shondra Collini. Shondra shares a personal story of her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and life after reconstruction. Because of the subject matter, it was appropriate to have Ruthie Salter as a co-host for this episode to cover some topics. We hope that you hear the personal side of Shondra's cancer story and its eff…

Need healing? Why not take your vintage sailboat across the Atlantic? That's what came to mind for veteran Thorfin Skullcrusher. Back from Afghanistan and diagnosed with PTSD, up until then his life had been all about being a warrior. The boat adventure changed all that, and set him on a completely new course (pun intended). Join us for this extrao…

In episode 13, we talk to Katie Quiring and Cristy Rogers. Both are public school teachers and members of Lighthouse. What is it to be a Christian and a public school teacher? Most of us don't think much about this profession unless our children are in school or someone in our family is a teacher. What does it mean to be a teacher? What are some of…

You're never prepared for the moment that muddy water starts filling up your apartment, are you? Nobody imagined the water would have come into the historic center of Faenza, Italy. Nobody imagined that in other places in our town, the water would rise to 5 meters (15 feet). Still, it happened--and this is our tale. Listen in as I tell my own tale …

In episode 12, we talk to Bob Markford. Bob shares his life over the past year, including a cancer diagnosis. We spoke to Bob specifically about what got him through the treatment and (at this recording) the recovery process. As a quick note, Bob does an excellent job trying to say "thank you" to the many people involved in his journey over the pas…

Every crisis is an opportunity, according to Chiara Dal Borgo. She's a professional dancer, but not only: she is also an incredible, strong women. A converter of so-called failures into growth, injuries into self-awareness, and life into a curious and creative dance. Chiara told me during our interview that dance has taught her so much about life. …

In episode 11, Taylor Rogers (Pastor Mark's daughter) joins us and takes over the hosting duties because Pastor Mark is the interview chair. Pastor Mark will try to answer questions in a new "Ask Pastor Mark Series." In this episode, we talk specifically about the upcoming generation, which is around Taylor's age. What frustrations, challenges, and…

Like Alanis Morissette sang in her famous song, Ironic, "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you..." She was right, in that it sometimes takes us everywhere but where we thought we'd go. Alanis also sang, however, "Life has a funny way of helping you out." And she's correct about this as well. It might be bittersweet, it might not always be easy…

In episode 10, we talk to Jodi Tollie. Jodi shares with us about stepping out in faith to lead/teach something brand new to her. Causing her to answer the question, "Why not you?" Often in our Christian walk, we get caught in the world of waiting for someone else to lead or teach when the Holy Spirit is leading in our hearts, and we need to answer.…