Big news!

The thing I've been fantasizing about for 6 months is really gonna happen + Ali Relyea and Rhiannon Giddens made their dreams come true too!

My face every time I think about us all in a room together

Uplifters hold the power to change the world. From little acts of love to all-out movements that create ripples of change, by being a force for good in the world, we make it better. Sometimes, that can be a lot to carry. It is vital for us to recharge, restore, and fill our own cups so that we can keep filling up our communities. 

I started The Uplifters because I know that we are stronger together. Our podcast features a linked chain of guests so that we are able to meet and be inspired by the women who inspire other Uplifters. So far, we’ve heard from 37 incredible women. I’ve gotten to spend some really intimate and powerful time with each of them. I am infinitely better in every way for that time in their presence. I hope you are too. But, there’s still there’s one thing missing. 

We haven’t been able to meet in person, to look each other in the eyes, to laugh, and to nurture ourselves as a community. For the last six months, I’ve been a little obsessed with the image of all of us in a room together, filling up. (Can you imagine !?!)

And now, I am delighted to share that the day has come. On Friday, May 17, 2024, on the west side of Manhattan, at the peak of spring in The City, we will light up NYC with our Uplifter power. During this full day of wellness featuring some amazing surprise guests, we will connect with one another and ourselves, we will dance, we will eat amazing food, and so so so much more! So, please save the date and join us on May 17 for this very special day.

In the meantime…

Here are some boosts that lifted me this week:

• Finishing Alison Cupp Relyea’s beautifully uplifting time capsule of a book, Soundtrack: Liner Notes from a Pandemic Mixtape, and then getting to meet her community while facilitating her author talk. (Something I really hope I get to do many more times in my life. It was such a joy!) Whatever your experience with the pandemic, this book will remind you that even in the toughest times, there is immense beauty just waiting to be found.

• Reading this article about the uber-gifted Rhiannon Giddens. Her ability to meld the ancient and the current is creating the future - and she’s fearless about experimentation. I find that really inspiring.

• Finally carving out time to read this thoughtful piece on The Portal (which maybe we are all in together?) by Culture Study

See you soon! In the meantime, Listen to the latest episode of The Uplifters Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or YouTube, or follow our TikTok for uplifting daily videos.

Thank you so much for being here! Let’s keep rising higher together, like together-together (squeal!), in person, on May 17. 💓

Aransas