Gratitude Blooming Podcast
In Season 4 of the Gratitude Blooming podcast, Wayfinding Through the Unknown, a monthly conversation hosted by Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson, we slow down to explore wild, emergent living, guided by the rhythms of nature and the wisdom within. Joining us as a regular guest is the brilliant Dr. Paul Wang, whose deep knowledge of Chinese medicine, Daoism, and alchemical traditions expands our understanding of transformation beyond the elements. Together, we embrace the practice of pausing, noticing, and feeling—grounding ourselves in presence as we navigate life's unfolding. The Gratitude Blooming card deck was inspired by the artist Arlene Kim Suda and her 100 Days of Blooming Love art project. Please rate, review and subscribe. New conversations each month. We want to hear what you're grateful for. Learn more at www.gratitudeblooming.com
Episodes
As the year draws to a close, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson invite us into a rare and honest pause — one rooted in winter, vulnerability, and the courage to rest inside the practice.
Recorded from two very different journeys — Belinda traveling through Prague, drawn by its alchemical history and mystery, and Omar returning from a weeklong Loving Kindness retreat — this final episode of the year reflects on wha...
As we move deeper into November, the world around us begins its slow descent into winter. The days contract, the evenings lengthen, and nature invites us inward. In this episode, Belinda and Omar welcome back Dr. Paul Wang to explore how the water element in Daoist wisdom can help us navigate a time marked by uncertainty, loss, and profound change.
Winter — and the water element — teach us about how to flow with change...
How do we spiral with change and not spin out of control?
As 2025 continues to swirl with uncertainty, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson reunite with Dr. Paul Wang to honor the Fall Equinox and the elemental transition from metal to soil — a time of release, grounding, and gathering perspective.
Together, they explore how nature, Daoist wisdom, and community rituals can help us stay centered when life feels chaotic...
Discover mindful ways to transition into fall with Belinda, Omar, and Dr. Paul. This episode explores harvest wisdom, Daoist teachings, and gentle practices for balance, gratitude, and stress relief this autumn season.
From coffee trees ripening on the Big Island to the Daoist teachings of the metal element, this episode invites us to notice the signals of what is ready to be gathered and what needs to be released. Tog...
2025 has been a year of relentless waves — uncertainty, upheaval, and unexpected turns.
In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson are joined again by Dr. Paul Wang to explore how Daoist seasonal wisdom can guide us through noisy, volatile times.
Together, they reflect on the transition into the metal season in Chinese cosmology, represented by autumn — a time of discernment, boundaries, and filtering out n...
How might letting go open space for something new (and even different) to grow in your life?
In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson, joined by season 4 guest, Dr. Paul Wang, explore how we move from the heat of transformation into grounded stillness — from fire to soil.
Through their personal stories from Hawai‘i, Los Angeles, and the Galápagos, they reflect on navigating rapid change, embracing uncert...
In this episode, hosts Omar and Belinda, joined by Dr. Paul Wang, explore the intense transition from spring to summer—a time of rapid blooming and expansive energy. Omar shares a profound moment of wayfinding amidst a board meeting, guided by nature’s messages of patience, kindness, and the unexpected wisdom of a slithering snake.
Dr. Paul offers insights from Daoist wisdom and Chinese medicine, emphasizing the power ...
What if awe begins with remembering?
In this episode, co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson are joined by Dr. Paul Wang to explore the seasonal shift from budding to blooming—and how the heart holds the wisdom to navigate both. Rooted in Daoist philosophy, plant medicine, and the Gratitude Blooming card of Simplicity, this conversation offers a gentle invitation to slow down, feel more, and choose what truly matters.
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How might simplifying your focus create space for what truly matters to flourish in your life this spring?
A delightful spring energy infuses this conversation as co-host Omar Brownson shares his transformative experience with the Ubuntu Climate Initiative in South Carolina's Gullah Geechee lowcountry. His beautiful poem "Purple Sarongs" captures the essence of gathering on historically significant land...
The world around us can feel chaotic and overwhelming, especially in the face of social and environmental challenges. In this episode, we delve into the value of finding sanctuary within ourselves—the importance of the "cave life"—and how it can lead to restorative growth. Our conversation invites you to explore the connections between solitude and community, embracing gratitude while acknowledging grief.
What if we could harness the wisdom of nature to transform our lives?
Join us as we explore this intriguing question with our esteemed guest, Dr. Paul Wang, whose expertise in Chinese medicine and Daoism guides us through the profound themes of grief, gratitude, and self-care. Reflecting on the recent natural disasters in Los Angeles, we delve into the crucial importance of aligning with nature and fostering a sense o...
Discover the profound insights of seasonal living with the esteemed Dr. Paul Wang, whose extensive experience in martial, medical, and mystical practices illuminates the path to a life in harmony with nature's cycles. Join us as Dr. Wang reveals the art of dancing through life's changes, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the natural rhythms of birth, growth, maturation, and dormancy also known as s...
Zen Master and movement leader Norma Wong returns to share her profound insights on tenacity and transformation, illuminating the intricate dance between persistence and stubbornness. And, she shares insights from her new book, When No Thing Works.
We pull the dandelion card, representing tenacity, and explore the art of nurturing curiosity and playfulness amidst adversity, much like how dandelions spread th...
Join us for our Empathy & Democracy series, a live podcast and pop-up art series brought to you by the Democracy Center, VC Film Fest and Gratitude Blooming.
Guided by the changing seasons, this fourth and final installment centers on the transformative practice of "Fearless Gratitude" in action as we pause together to feel and share the depths of our emotions as we grapple with the complexitie...
This week, we are joined by beloved movement creatrix adrienne maree brown in a conversation about talking with trees, finding your murmuration, and holding complexity (and each other). With wisdom from Gratitude Blooming’s rose card representing choice, the celebrated author of Emergent Strategy joins co-hosts Belinda Liu and Omar Brownson for an insightful conversation on building right relationships, the power of p...
What shapes our identity and fuels our courage to challenge societal norms? Today, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Jim Herr, director of the Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum. Jim opens up about his experiences as a Hapa kid in rural Pennsylvania, where he faced exclusion and was told he couldn't be president because of his skin color. His journey from feeling marginalized to lea...
Embark on a reflective journey with us, as we begin to weave together the wisdom of over 100 episodes, creating a tapestry of insights that transcend time. Imagine uncovering forgotten treasures and gaining new perspectives through the essence of sound, a medium as eternal as the themes we explore. This special installment brings a spotlight to our collaboration with Zen master Norma Wong, who extends her profound inf...
Have you ever experienced a moment so quietly powerful that it demanded your full presence? This episode, with facilitators Angela Oh and Alex Dorsey, captures just that, as we recount an unforgettable evening at the Japanese American National Museum and the Democracy Center—a night where rose petals and silence laid the foundation for an exploration into empathy and democracy. We unravel how holding space for others,...
Embark on a transformative exploration with us as we reflect on a profound year investigating the intersection of empathy and democracy. Our heartfelt discussions have led us to recognize the unsung heroes who create nurturing environments in every corner of society.
Today, we delve into lessons from our poignant collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, underscoring democracy's vulnerab...
As the seasons begin to change, we find ourselves wrapped in the afterglow of a snowstorm — a perfect time to foster our aspirations and face the hurdles ahead. Join us in a heartwarming journey where we embrace the art of grounding ourselves through meditation, connecting deeply with the earth and our innermost dreams. We'll navigate the ancient philosophy of Wu Wei or effortless action and learn to trust the na...
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