In this follow-up episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks continues her conversation with social and criminal justice advocate Niaz Kasravi. Niaz reflects on her path from silence to self-expression — shaped not only by personal trauma, but also by a deepening commitment to justice and community healing. She speaks candidly about the criminal legal system, her work supporting incarcerated individuals, and how trauma has shaped the way we relate to ourselves, to institutions, and to each other. Through a lens that is both compassionate and unflinching, Niaz explores how self-awareness, nervous system literacy, and emotional integrity have guided her advocacy — and her life. This is a conversation about finding your voice, standing up for what matters, and holding space for the truth.

In this inspiring episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks sits down with Shirley Torres, Co-Executive Chief Officer at Homeboy Industries — the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program. With decades of experience in community healing, Shirley shares how she helps formerly incarcerated individuals find dignity, purpose, and transformation through connection, compassion, and care. She speaks candidly about the importance of listening without judgment, creating spaces where people feel safe to be seen, and honoring the humanity behind every wound. Shirley reflects on the spiritual foundation of her work, the influence of Father Greg Boyle, and why love — not punishment — is the most powerful agent of change. This episode is a profound look into how one woman leads with her heart and helps others reclaim theirs.

In this powerful episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks welcomes back clinical psychologist Dr. Loren Weiner for a conversation that reframes how we understand therapy — not as symptom management, but as the process of uncovering and healing deep emotional imprints. Dr. Weiner discusses how therapy guided by dreams, honesty, and emotional safety can reveal unconscious beliefs formed in childhood that block love, self-worth, and connection. Drawing on her years of training under Dr. Bernard Bail, she explores the therapist’s role in helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves, process guilt and grief, and challenge inherited psychological burdens. This episode is a moving exploration of how therapy, when done with depth and intention, becomes a liberating journey of emotional truth. Whether you're in therapy, considering it, or supporting someone on that path, this conversation offers a compassionate and radical lens on what it means to truly heal.

Wildfire, burnout, and a fast-changing world couldn’t dim Rabbi Amy Bernstein’s commitment to love and justice. In this And Now Love episode, host Cynthia Marks explores how Reconstructionist Judaism evolves with modern ethics, why inter-faith friendships matter, and how post-traumatic growth can turn crisis into community strength.

Timestamps
0:00 – 00:46 Intro & guest bio
0:47 – 04:29 What is Reconstructionist Judaism?
4:30 – 07:06 Interpreting Torah like the U.S. Constitution
7:07 – 12:17 Facilitation vs. authoritarian leadership
12:18 – 16:26 Women rabbis & egalitarian progress
16:27 – 25:14 Amy’s journey: gay synagogue to rabbinical school
25:15 – 31:00 Denominations in decline—good news?
31:01 – 40:23 Eco-kashrut & mindful consumption
40:24 – 49:58 Inter-faith clergy circle & hard conversations
49:59 – 57:00 Palisades fire: losing home, leading others
57:01 – 1:03:04 Queer identity, community fractures, media overload
1:03:05 – 1:12:58 Post-Traumatic Growth vs. PTSD
1:12:59 – Attention as life & taking a month off

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Connect with Rabbi Amy: Kehillat Israel, Los Angeles

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In this deeply moving episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks sits down with married creatives Adria Marquez and Jesus Trejo as they navigate life with a newborn, personal caregiving experiences, and the emotional growth that comes with slowing down. Adria shares the complexities of postpartum identity, the pressure of balancing work and motherhood, and the quiet power of presence. Jesus reflects on caregiving for his aging parents and how laughter has become his bridge to healing and connection. Together, they explore how support, vulnerability, and humor keep love alive during the most tender life transitions. Cynthia brings the teachings of Dr. Bernard Bail into the fold, connecting the emotional experience of caregiving with the deep need to feel lovable and seen. From diapers to dreams, this episode offers a beautiful meditation on generational love, grief, identity, and the quiet revolutions that happen inside every parent and partner. It’s a conversation full of honesty, humility, and the reminder that love is not just a feeling — it’s a practice.

In this deeply introspective episode of And Now, Love, Cynthia Marks and Dr. Loren Weiner continue their exploration of the unconscious, delving into the subtle yet powerful ways the maternal imprint shapes our identity, relationships, and sense of worth. Drawing on Dr. Bernard Bail’s psychoanalytic theory, Loren explains how early imprints formed in the womb—and reinforced in childhood—manifest in patterns of self-sabotage, shame, and disconnection. Through the lens of dream analysis, Cynthia and Loren reflect on how the unconscious reveals our inherited emotional burdens and offers a path toward healing and self-reclamation. The episode underscores the critical importance of validating one’s emotional truth, confronting internalized judgments, and reconnecting with love as a healing force. With compassion and clarity, they call for a collective reevaluation of how we treat women, children, and the unseen emotional world we all carry. This conversation is both a call to consciousness and a guide for those seeking to liberate their authentic selves.

In this powerful episode of And Now, Love, host Cynthia Marks sits down with Dr. Niaz Kasravi, a national expert on criminal justice and human rights, to discuss the intersection of advocacy, policy, and personal courage. Dr. Kasravi shares her journey from immigrant roots to founding the Avalon Institute and becoming a key figure in justice reform. Together, they unpack the systemic inequities in the U.S. justice system, the post-9/11 challenges to immigrant communities, and the grassroots organizing that brings change. Dr. Kasravi offers practical advice on how everyday people can contribute to justice efforts through activism, education, and truth-telling. She emphasizes the power of individual actions, the importance of political accountability, and the need to move beyond fear in these polarized times. This episode is a deeply human call to action, reminding us that change begins with empathy and bravery.

In this enlightening episode of And Now, Love, Cynthia Marks welcomes back Dr. Loren Weiner to explore the core of Dr. Bernard Bail’s revolutionary theory: the maternal imprint and the unconscious origin of emotional pain. Together, they unpack how the unconscious mind begins forming in the womb, absorbing unprocessed emotional material from the mother that profoundly shapes a person’s identity and life patterns. Through dream analysis and psychoanalytic insight, Loren reveals how these early emotional imprints can be uncovered and transformed, offering a path back to the true self. The episode also introduces Bail’s powerful concept of restoring the balance between the masculine and feminine energies, emphasizing the need for feeling-based decision-making. Cynthia and Loren discuss the societal implications of ignoring the feminine and the urgent call to treat women and mothers with deep respect and equality. This is a thought-provoking, soulful episode that asks listeners to look inward for healing and transformation—both personal and collective.