May 5, 2015—Hypertension. Sixty-seven million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition, more commonly known as high blood pressure. For women, the female hormone estrogen likely serves as a kind of protection. But after the big 50, women’s rates of hypertension go up. That increases the risk of heart disease. And heart disease kills more women than anything else. That’s how it went for Susan Evans. Her blood pressure changed with age. “It was always 110/70, 120/80…perfectly fine blood pressure,” Evans said. “But it was beginning to creep up. I was like, hmm…not… [Listen Now…]
Spiritual Edge Radio Stories
Listen: Keeping a broader perspective
Mar. 9, 2015–Growing up, BJ Miller understood what it meant to live with a disability. His mother had polio. But until a college accident, Miller never imagined he would live out a similar fate. In college, he had an accident that left him a triple amputee. After, he knew he wanted to use his experience to help others. Miller went onto become a doctor and is now the executive director of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. In this next piece, he speaks with his colleague Diane Malley about the accident. … [Listen Now…]
Listen: Afro-Cuban movement with meaning
Mar. 11, 2015–Some people who take dance classes regularly have a saying: “Dance is my church.” Dancer Stella Adelman says just that about going to Afro-Cuban folkloric dance class. “There’s a release to it,” she says. To her, it’s a place where she can reflect and find some clarity through movement. To some practitioners this clarity comes from being active and getting exercise, for others, it’s literally a spiritual practice. The Bay Area is home to many instructors of Afro-Cuban rhythms. Music and dance lovers come from all over the world to participate… [Listen Now…]
Listen: The key to happiness? It’s in the science
Feb. 19, 2015–U.C. Berkeley is known for its world-class scientists, in disciplines like physics, chemistry or biology. But just a few blocks away from campus, you’ll find the school’s Greater Good Science Center, where one scientist focuses on something different - the science of Happiness. Emiliana Simon-Thomas has a PhD in Cognition, Brain and Behavior. She’s also the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at U.C. Berkeley. Ask her for a definition of the term, and Simon-Thomas says defining “happiness” isn’t so clear-cut. “Happiness has to do with having an easy… [Listen Now…]
Listen: A woman takes on the Church by becoming a priest
Feb. 10, 2015–In the dining room of her San Francisco home, Maria Eitz shows off her priestly attire — a beautiful red, embroidered stole. It’s the only accessory that distinguishes Eitz from the rest of her community. Usually, there is more separation, especially during mass when Catholic priests wear robes. Considering everything else, her wardrobe is a relatively minor deviation. The Vatican bans women from the altar. Yet Eitz is a woman who two years ago became a Catholic priest. Pope Francis is widely respected among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He’s unpretentious… [Listen Now…]
