The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life

In this episode of The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life, Dr. Stephanie Romero speaks with Gary Crouth about his path to Zen meditation and his volunteer work with The Still Workers at the Allegheny County Jail.

Gary discusses why the stark simplicity and discipline of Zen resonated with him, how engaged Buddhism sparked volunteer efforts in the local criminal justice system, and the real-world impact mindfulness tools have on incarcerated individuals and jail staff alike. Together, Stephanie and Gary reflect on the interconnectedness of all beings, the power of community (Sangha), and how small shifts in individual well-being ripple out to families and communities.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Books & Authors

• Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

• Alan Watts (Writings on Taoism and Zen)

Curricula & Frameworks

• Path of Freedom – A mindfulness-based emotional intelligence curriculum (developed by Fleet Maull / Prison Mindfulness Institute) taught in prison/jail settings.

Organizations & Volunteer Programs

• The Still Workers – Engaged Buddhist volunteer group delivering practice in correctional facilities.

• Foundation of Hope – Organization managing chaplaincy, the Hope Pod, mentorship, and aftercare programming at the Allegheny County Jail.

• Awaken – Organization offering re-entry programming at the jail.

• Buddhist Peace Fellowship – Engaged Buddhism network (inspired the local group's inception).

• Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh – Local organization linking regional Sanghas and hosting annual Vesak ceremonies.

Practice Centers & Sanghas Mentioned

• Zen Center of Pittsburgh (Bell Acres / Sewickley Heights)

• Friends Meeting House (Oakland, PA)

• Theravada Centers / Temples (Allison Park with Bhante Pema; Thai Buddhist community in Monroeville)

• Temple Llama (Greenfield)

• Tibetan Center / Olmo Ling (White Oak)

Teachers & Key Figures Cited

• Kyoki Roberts & Nonan (Zen Center of Pittsburgh)

• Fleet Maull (Founder of Prison Mindfulness Institute / Path of Freedom)

• Catherine Gammon & Katherine Pepper (Co-founding/early figures in The Still Workers)

• Robert "Whiffer" Wilson (Still Workers volunteer working with Awaken)

Buddhist Concepts Discussed

• Zazen (Seated Zen meditation)

• Metta / Loving-Kindness Meditation

• Dedication of Merit

• The Three Gems (The Buddha/Teacher, Dharma/Teachings, and Sangha/Community)

• Vesak (VSAC) (Annual Buddhist celebration)

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

In this episode of The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life, Dr. Stephanie Romero leads co-host Josiah Gilliam through a practical, accessible mindfulness exercise: 7-11 Breathing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or dealing with a racing mind, this breath-focused awareness practice offers an immediate reset. By simply extending your exhalation so that it is longer than your inhalation—conceptually inhaling for a count of 7 and exhaling for 11—you can kickstart your body’s natural soothing systems and soothe your emotional state.

In this episode, you’ll experience:

• An Agency-First Approach: Reminders that mindfulness guidelines are always invitations, empowering you to adjust your posture, pace, or focus to fit your needs.

• The 7-11 Breathing Mechanics: A step-by-step breakdown of how to ratio your breath (and why the exact numbers matter less than making the exhale longer than the inhale).

• A 4-Minute Guided Practice: A quiet, structured session to practice along in real-time.

• Beginner-Friendly Tips: Advice on how to start small, handle distractions gently, and build a lasting micro-practice.

Whether you have two minutes or ten, tune in to learn a tool you can take anywhere to bring calm back into your workday and life.

 

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

In this episode of The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life, Dr. Stephanie Romero sits down with composer, performer, and certified music practitioner Stephanie Miller to explore the powerful relationship between music, meditation, healing, and human connection. Stephanie shares how music has served as a meditative practice throughout her life and discusses her work with vibroacoustic harp therapy, using sound and vibration to support people experiencing chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and other challenges. The conversation explores how music can create a sense of safety and calm, help us reconnect with our bodies, and offer meaningful experiences of healing through hearing, touch, vibration, and presence.

The conversation also moves beyond the harp to explore the communal power of drum circles, rhythm, toning, laughter, and play. Together, Dr. Romero and Stephanie consider how wellbeing isn't always something we have to think our way toward. Sometimes, we can simply listen, feel, resonate, and allow ourselves to reconnect with ourselves and others.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP) – Stephanie's training in using live music to support healing and wellbeing in healthcare and other settings.
• Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy – A therapeutic practice Stephanie discusses that combines music and physical vibration to create an embodied experience.
• Jim Donovan – Musician and educator whose work in rhythm and drum circle facilitation was mentioned in the conversation.
• Arthur Hall – Referenced in connection with drum circle facilitation and community music.
• The Fourfold Way – A book exploring the archetypal paths of the Warrior, Healer, Visionary, and Teacher, which Stephanie discusses as an influential resource in her own journey.
• Music for Life Pittsburgh – A resource connected to Stephanie's music, programming, and work.

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

What does it actually take to turn a personal mindfulness practice into a community-wide movement?

In Part 2 of this special conversation, the tables remain turned as Program Coordinator Dawn Lehman continues her interview with our usual host, Dr. Stephanie Romero. Stephanie opens up about the terrifying leap of faith she took when she left a stable public school teaching career to establish Awake in Pittsburgh, a secular mindfulness nonprofit.

 

She pulls back the curtain on the raw realities of running a nonprofit, from navigating tight budgets and capitalist pressures to overcoming systemic pushback from school districts. Finally, Stephanie explains why traditional "on-the-cushion" meditation isn't always enough, sharing how the organization has evolved to integrate the Trauma Resiliency Protocol and Integrative Community Therapy for deeper, systemic healing.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Birth of Awake in Pittsburgh: Leaving public education to build a secular nonprofit from scratch.
• Overcoming Nonprofit Challenges: Facing school district roadblocks, funding shortages, and systemic hurdles.
• The Evolution of Healing: Moving past basic meditation to embrace trauma resiliency and relational community therapy.

Resources Mentioned:

• When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
• Organizations: Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Shambhala Center of Pittsburgh, and New Sun Rising
• Curricula & Workbooks: dot B (UK), CARE for Teachers (Penn State), Path of Freedom, and the Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

What happens when a personal crisis blossoms into a lifelong mission to transform education and community mental health? In this episode, Program Coordinator Dawn Lehman interviews Dr. Stephanie Romero about her path to mindfulness, her experiences integrating secular practice into K-12 classrooms, and the realities of launching a nonprofit. Stephanie reflects openly on the limitations of basic meditation, the dangers of spiritual bypassing, and why the future of wellbeing must incorporate trauma resiliency and relational connection.

Key Topics Covered

• The Spark of Practice: How a painful divorce and Pema Chödrön’s book When Things Fall Apart introduced Stephanie to meditation 25 years ago.
• The Power of Community: Finding a spiritual home in the Unitarian Universalist Church and embarking on local mindfulness "field trips" with friends.
• Mindfulness in the Classroom: How shifting her own teaching presence and introducing simple chime practices helped Stephanie's middle school students outperform peers.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
• Organizations: Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Shambhala Center of Pittsburgh, and New Sun Rising
• Curricula & Workbooks: dot B (UK), Care for Teachers (Penn State), Path of Freedom, and the Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook

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Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

In this episode, host Stephanie Romero speaks with guest Julie Jansen, a somatic movement teacher, meditation practitioner, and forest therapy guide, about the deep connections between embodiment, nature, and mindfulness. Julie shares formative childhood memories of nature—fireflies, wildlife, and moments of awe—that shaped her lifelong relationship with the natural world, even without a nature-centered upbringing. Her path eventually led through yoga teacher training, meditation practice, and motherhood, which deepened her commitment to embodied awareness and presence.

Julie also discusses founding Earth Body Presence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to foster community through mindfulness, movement, and relational presence. The conversation explores somatic practices as tools for emotional processing, emphasizing that emotions are experienced in the body and supported through movement and walking. Julie introduces forest bathing and forest therapy, rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku and informed by her training with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, highlighting their role in regulating the nervous system, reducing stress, and restoring connection to the natural world.

A central theme of the episode is “remembering”—reconnecting to the understanding that humans are not separate from the Earth but part of it. Julie frames forest therapy as a practice of remembering our “earth bodies” and living in reciprocal relationship with the natural world. The conversation also touches on relational mindfulness, the practice of listening without agenda, and how slowing down can serve as both healing and quiet resistance in a productivity-driven culture. Julie closes by recommending Love Letter to the Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Key themes:

• Somatic awareness and emotional processing through the body
• Nature-based mindfulness and forest therapy
• Nervous system regulation through time in nature
• “Remembering” our connection to the Earth
• Relational mindfulness and presence in communication
• Slowing down as resistance to extractive culture

Resource mentioned:

• Love Letter to the Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

In this thought-provoking episode, Stephanie Romero sits down with longtime meditation teacher, scholar, environmental activist, and community leader Adam Lobel to explore what it means to live, lead, and practice amidst profound personal and societal change.

Adam shares his journey from a young spiritual seeker discovering Tibetan Buddhism and the Shambhala tradition to becoming a respected teacher and leader within the movement. He reflects candidly on the painful collapse of that community, the lessons learned through uncertainty and loss, and how those experiences ultimately led him to develop a new framework for navigating our complex world: The Four Fields.

Together, Stephanie and Adam explore how mindfulness, emotional inquiry, ecological awareness, imagination, and contemplative practice can help us respond to today's overlapping crises—from climate change and social injustice to technological disruption and collective uncertainty. Adam introduces listeners to practical concepts such as the "Three S's" of earth-based practice—slow down, sense, and soften—and discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world, embracing emotional complexity, cultivating open awareness, and learning to live with groundlessness.

This conversation is an invitation to move beyond simple answers and into deeper relationship with ourselves, one another, and the living world. Whether you're a contemplative practitioner, a leader navigating uncertainty, or simply someone seeking wisdom in challenging times, you'll find inspiration, insight, and practical guidance for living with greater presence and purpose.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How meditation and contemplative practice can support resilience in uncertain times
• What Adam's Four Fields framework teaches about personal and collective transformation
• Why ecological awareness is an essential part of wellbeing
• How emotional inquiry can help us navigate grief, anxiety, and moral injury
• The role of imagination, vision, and open awareness in shaping a more compassionate future

Join us for a powerful conversation about healing, courage, community, and the possibility of creating a wiser and more connected world.

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In this calming and reflective episode of The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life, Dawn Lehman guides listeners through A Practice of Meditation with The Unexpected, a gentle mindfulness experience designed to help us meet uncertainty with presence, compassion, and curiosity.

Through grounding awareness, thoughtful pauses, and mindful reflection, Dawn invites listeners to notice how they relate to unexpected moments in life rather than resisting them. Whether you are navigating change, stress, transition, or simply seeking a moment to reconnect with yourself, this guided meditation offers space to slow down, breathe deeply, and build resilience for life’s unfolding moments.

This practice reminds us that while we cannot always control what happens around us, we can cultivate awareness and steadiness within ourselves. Find a quiet space, settle in, and allow yourself these moments of reflection and renewal.

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

The Awaken Collaborative supports Awaken Pittsburgh!

Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events. Give Today! www.awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.