Today I talk with Michael Officer of the Cuan Beo organization in Galway, Republic of Ireland. Michael and his organization are involved with the restoration of the oyster fishery in the Galway Bay. There have a multifaceted approach to their work. Priority is given to managing the quality and volume of the fresh water entering the bay from the wat…

A brief episode with reflections on the practice of hosting a podcast. Imperfectly edited to support the momentum of re-starting.By Angela Houghton

Julia is a landscape and cloud artist. Her art can be viewed on her website www.juliabuckwalter.com She has always felt drawn to the desert and in this episode, Julia shares two of her favorite childhood books that inspired her interest in art, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney and Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema. I love that Julia…

A minisode to provide ideas and inspiration to create momentum, to get unstuck, to focus on options and possibilities over problems.By Angela Houghton

Cadence Kasprick received a scholarship to Oregon State where she will continue a practice that she finds really fun, running FAST. Cadence has been running races since she was tiny. She was inspired to create more structure around her training in the last few years after becoming curious about how she could run even faster. Cadence believes the da…

Our minds are skilled at coming up with excuses to avoid our practices, even when it is something we "think" or "know" that we want to do. When you have your why, you know it is important, and you're still not showing up. . . can you create a way to show up in community or for each other?By Angela Houghton

Corie Spruill is motivated by fun! In this episode, Corie and I talk about her practice of photography and entrepreneurship. Corie’s story is one of letting it all go and starting again when the time was right. I have been a client of Corie’s over the years, and I am continually impressed with the intimacy that she offers in a photo shoot. Corie se…

Located in Mid Town Memphis, Overton park is a 342 acre gem. Established in 1902, this park is one of the rare local parks which predates the establishment of the State Park System and even predates the general enabling authority for Tennessee cities to have parks. Designed by George Kessler, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places…

Shivani Gupta is inspired to share the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. One of the many beautiful aspects of Ayurveda is that most of the practices are free or the investment in tools is nominal. Ayurveda teaches us to bring our bodies into harmony by attuning to the rhythm of nature. Shivani has a wealth of information on her website, a podcast, books,…

Aomi Richter wants to be a forever student of dance. In our conversation, we talk about her journey of inviting more dance into her life. Aomi has found that dance is a metaphor for life and she shares many gems from her journey of practicing dance. Links to Aomi's business in Asheville, North Carolina are below. Evolve Skincare: https://www.evolve…

It is long past time that we reexamine the traditional notion of the American Yard. The highly manicured weed free turf grass lawn with associated ornamental shrubs can be highly wasteful in terms of the use of energy and water consumption. The widespread use of herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides by homeowners can be detrimental to the environm…

Jason Wrich owns and operates Wrich Ranches with his wife in Crawford, Colorado. Jason has studied and practiced the art of holistic grazing and regenerative ranching. His practice has evolved to a place where he is now educating others by sharing what he has learned on podcasts, in local workshops and a larger annual gathering that he offers on hi…

Fort Negley is a historical park in Nashville, Tennessee. Operated under the auspices of the Metro Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation, the park contains the remnants of a Civil War era Union Army fortress. The fort was mainly constructed by black laborers, many were escaped slaves, who had settled in an encampment surrounding the fort area. Ou…

Joanna Yates lives in Sedona, Arizona with her husband and pups. She prioritizes showing up for herself first. In this episode, Joanna shares her commitment to being intentional about practice. In addition to being a skilled mountain biker and coach, Joanna is also passionate about her business. Connect with Joanna on Instagram at: https://www.inst…

Halli Faulkner is a yoga therapist living with her wife and daughter in Washington D.C. In our conversation, Halli shares her personal healing path from childhood sexual abuse that began with a meditation and yoga practice. Halli has used what she has learned on her journey to be a guide for others. Learn how you can connect and learn with Halli fr…

Chloe Hedden lives in Austin, Texas where she has an art studio in her backyard. Listen to Chloe's story of her life's journey as an artist. We discuss education, grief, and play. Allow the passion she shares for her practice to inspire your practice. Chloe's website: https://www.chloehedden.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/chloehedden/ Thank you…

Thomas Mayer is a baker and educator at Castle Valley Farms in Castle Valley, Utah. He was led to sourdough through a series of synchronicities. Listen to hear about his fun journey of practicing the art of making beautiful sourdough bread. SOURDOUGH RESOURCES Sourdough Library: https://sourdoughlibrary.puratos.com/en/ Grain Mills that were discuss…

Kimberly shares her passion of connecting to her Salvadorian and Latino culture through cacao. One of my favorite parts of the interview is when she beautifully articulates the integration that is happening as we continue to evolve and connect what we have learned with ancient practices that were temporarily set aside. Cacao opens the heart. Kimber…

One subject which continues to inspire grassroots community organization in Tennessee in water quality. Tennessee wants fishable and swimmable waterways. People in Tennessee recognize that clean water is imperative to our health, the environment and to our way of life. The CWEET organization in Cocke County has been working to protect the Pigeon Ri…

The Cumberland River Basin is an area which extends from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky down through Middle Tennessee and finally into Western Kentucky. This is an area of about 1800 square miles. The river provides life supporting water for the citizens who make this place home and supports some of the most ecologically diverse places in North …

Mel Hare shares his story of committing to horsemanship as an adult and the choices that brought him to what he is living today. Mel currently lives in Moab, Utah with many horses. He shares his skills of relationship building with horses at the Red Rock Ranch in Moab.By Angela Houghton

The City of Louisville, Kentucky, is one of only four cities in the world which can claim a system of parks designed by the Frederick Law Olmsted and his family firm of landscape architects. Now over 100 years old, these 17 parks are a treasure to the citizens of Louisville and to the nation. These historic parks continue to serve their function an…

Jeanie takes us on a journey of an asana yoga practice that led to a deeply passionate meditation practice. Jeanie shares insights from her decades long immersion in a practice she loves. You will feel her devotion to her own practices and her devotion to sharing these practices with others. Access more information, resources, upcoming retreats and…

Lisa Hathaway shares the journey of her many hours of practicing guitar on the Ritual of Practice. Listen to hear what keeps Lisa motivated to practice music and how solving problems as a semi-professional rock climber helped her approach learning new music. In this episode, Lisa references the book, How Music Works by David Byrne. You can find Lis…

Now retired after decades of distinguished service to the Tennessee State Parks, Murray Crow sits down with Mark and shares memories of his remarkable parks experience. Beginning with his schooling at UT Martin, continuing through postings at parks throughout the state, both smaller parks and resort parks and ending with many years at central offic…

I am really inspired by how Leigh gets creative with her yoga practice, like downloading audio classes so she could practice in remote regions of Canyonlands National Park. In this episode, Leigh shares her journey of practicing and teaching yoga and how the essence of her mindfulness practice is spending time with her chickens. You can practice wi…

Nina lives in Washington DC and makes a living tutoring math. Nina and I became friends during the pandemic, when she and her husband started attending my yoga classes via Zoom. She also owns property in the town where I live, Moab, and visits annually for the Moab Music Festival . I have enjoyed going on hikes with Nina during her annual visits th…

In this minisode, I invite you to create a mini ritual around something you would like to practice. I use writing as an example in my offering today. Keep practicing! Book reference: The Artist's Way by Julia CameronBy Angela Houghton

Chrissy (Christina) Sloan is a multi-passionate mama. Join Chrissy and I as she shares how her yoga practice helps her navigate having a thriving law firm, serving in public office, creating and volunteering for non-profit organizations and more. Chrissy and I have traded roles over the years as student and teacher. Sometimes she is the teacher and…

Our guest today is Aaron Browning, recently installed President of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association. A native of eastern Kentucky and former college tennis player, Aaron serves as Deputy Director of the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department. TRPA is the leading professional organization for persons working in the field of …

Bret Biggart is an ultra-athlete living in Austin, Texas. In our conversation, Bret shares his commitment to parenting, running his business and crushing huge athletic goals each year. Bret is also 12 years sober and just finished reading The Son by Philipp Meyer. Listening to Bret inspired me in many ways. I would love to hear what inspires you mo…

A minisode reflecting on the energy of maintaining momentum. Keep going as a mantra to move through challenge. Side note: my son's friend won 8th overall, his prize included a turkey. I never caught my son, Gracen.By Angela Houghton

It was such an honor to interview Mila Spiel for this episode on her journey as a young horsewoman. Mila speaks in a language of love and deep connection. As I listened to our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel like she was coaching me on how to show up imperfectly and to forgive myself. Join Mila and I as she shares her personal journey from f…

There is a growing movement of concerned citizens which is encouraging people and communities to be more thoughtful about how they manage their home landscapes. Encouraging the reduction of turf grass and exotic ornamentals and encouraging the use of native plants. The Middle Tennessee Chapter of Wild Ones is a group which has this as their mission…

Deanna is a multi-faceted woman that loves rituals and recently wrote a book about ceremony, Bringing Ceremony Home. In this episode, Deanna shares the many ways we can use ceremony and how we can make it our own. We talk about the ritual of ceremony and what inspires her to practice creating ceremony. A quote from Deanna’s book, Bringing Ceremony …

Andrea Grace of Grace Ritual Tattoo in Moab, Utah shares her beautiful wandering journey to becoming a tattoo artist. Andrea provides a sacred ritual with the tattoos she hand pokes on clients that choose to come to her and receive her art. Andrea believes the heart is a sacred container and that receiving a tattoo through the container of sacred r…

I know that I can't control others, I've tried. Now, I'm practicing something different. When I notice an old habit of wanting to fix something outside of me, I turn the focus back to myself. I start with me. I am learning that it is empowering to look at ways to bring more light and love into the world, instead of focusing on problem. "If you want…

Matt Cherry, my very first interview on the Ritual of Practice podcast! I am so grateful to Matt for his willingness to be my first interviewee. This interview took place in 2022 on the Winter Solstice. Matt is based in Vermont. He works as a Mental Health Counselor and is 24 years sober. You might wonder, why was Matt Cherry my first interviewee, …

Amanda Charlton Hurley has been practicing as a horsewoman since she was a little girl. In this episode you will learn the variety of experiences that Amanda has had with horses and where she is at today in her practice of horsemanship. Amanda is an artist living in the mountains in rural Colorado with her husband, pups and mustang rescues. I think…

Practicing gratitude and appreciation seems like low hanging fruit until you realize you're not doing it. Here are a few ideas on how you can incorporate a gratitude practice into your daily life in less than five minutes a day. Podcast reference, The Conversation, by Amanda de Cadenet. Book reference, Hardwiring Happiness, by Rick Hanson.…

Podcast Introduction Expect interviews with a variety of humans practicing in a variety of ways. May their stories inspire your practice. This trailer was recorded after the sixth interview. This podcast will be an evolution of the essence of practice, how things change and what you learn along the way. I look forward to practicing with you! With L…

Sarah Heffron was my first meditation teacher. She began meditating in high school, over 36 years ago. Sarah has founded two successful non-profits that benefit the youth in the small desert town where we live, Moab, Utah. The Youth Garden Project has been a model for similar experiential education programming in other places: https://www.youthgard…