Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, where we dive deep into the transformative power of mental health, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. In this episode, host Stephanie Romero, Executive Director of Awaken Pittsburgh, engages in a captivating conversation with Shannon Jenkins. Shannon is an Awaken Pittsburgh facilitator and dedicated tutor for neurodivergent learners. Together, they explore the profound topic of "Awareness" and its pivotal role in Shannon's personal and professional practices. Shannon shares her journey of becoming intimately aware of her emotions, describing it as the key to navigating life's challenges with grace and resilience. She reflects, "Emotional awareness provides me with a road map to navigate difficult or unpleasant emotions in my life. Not only did I not know what to do with them before, I didn't even notice them or even denied them, at times. I'm not a passenger in an unmanned car without shock absorbers any longer."

Shannon has had two life events that have placed her squarely in the experience of life-before and life-after: cancer and the loss of mobility as-she-knew-it at age twelve, and the death of her brother when she was 27. Both carved the paths she would take to working with neurodivergent learners and the gravitation to mindfulness practice. Shannon began teaching neurodivergent learners in 1999, and has worked as a caseworker for non-profits and government agencies as well. She has been in relationship with meditation and mindfulness practice for 11 years. Shannon finds putting hands in soil, petting animals, laughter, silliness, movement, and deep hugs to be an important part of this practice. She believes learning to love where you are is a radical act.

This episode promises to be an enlightening exploration of how awareness can serve as a fundamental tool for personal growth and emotional health.

Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org

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

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

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! awakenpittsburgh.org/support