Are failures OK? How about mistakes? Imagine if we never experienced either. There would be no discoveries, no growth, no developing resilience, determination and perseverance – qualities that make us human and lead to a happier life. In this episode, Arlaana and Carla share historical, scientific and personal experiences, with a few metaphors thrown in, on how we develop our lives by "Failing Forward."

A symphony of sounds is magnificent because of its blend of unique musical instruments. The same is true for people. Our happiness is derived by our willingness and openness toward others, especially different cultures, ethnicities and lifestyles. There is no "other" but rather a global citizenry of which we are all a part. When we live this way, our lives become enriched and our loneliness begins to dissipate. Of course, we also must also use wisdom in forming our relationships. Arlaana and Carla take our listeners and viewers on a personal and societal journey into diversity and living with appreciation and fulfillment.

Humor is the WD40 of human relationships. It reduces tension, is an icebreaker and is a way to tell difficult truths. Humor provides psychological relief and social commentary. In this episode, Arlaana and Carla share why it's important to live a life brimming with laughter and optimism. They share their own wacky and hysterical experiences, reminding listeners and viewers that we should all live with LOTS OF LAUGHTER! (And Lots of Love, as Arlaana originally thought it meant!)

In This episode, Arlaana interviews Carla., fellow podcaster, poet, photographer, and songwriter. Carla shares her background, growing up with a mentally ill mother who only allowed her and her siblings go to the library, rather than playing with friends. Her childhood experience spurred her creative process. Her Buddhist practice provided her the confidence and determination to pursue her dreams. Carla also shares tips on the creative process.

Do you feel listened to? Do you know how to listen to others? Listening with an open heart takes courage, lots of practice and humility. It's all about dialogue, the kind where we share each other's hearts and struggles and realize we can achieve real harmony among our differences. After all, we are all human. It's about developing empathy, not sympathy, and really caring for others. It's about creating safe spaces to tap into deep human wisdom and find commonality, and strengthen our ties. It's all about trust. Who needs to be listened to the most? Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha of course.

We humans have a tough time of it. When everything seems to be going great, it is easy to get swayed, thinking this "honeymoon" will last forever. The same goes when everything seems to suck. In this episode, Carla and Arlaana talk about the Buddhist concept of the Eight Winds: prosperity versus decline; prestige (reputation) versus humiliation; praise versus criticism; and, finally, pleasure versus pain. We examine each of these using examples from our own lives and discuss what we can do to stop getting swayed and influenced by our environment: to be firmly rooted so that we are not toppled by any "wind" that comes along.

In this episode, Carla interviews Chuck Black, former owner and four-star chef of The Gallery Café and Restaurant on Edisto Island, SC (and former owner of Arlaana Restaurant on Daniel Island, SC) and how he achieved what seemed impossible: starting up a restaurant with his wife with hardly any funds, no experience, no formal culinary training, and, most of all, NO KITCHEN. Chuck was able to accomplish the unthinkable: serving four-star meals with just four microwaves and an oven "on an island in the South", proving that sometimes the most challenging circumstances are the best to achieve your dreams.

Where and what is hell? Where and what is Enlightenment? It is all within you, along with the other "eight worlds" that exist simultaneously. The good news is that since they are all inter-connected, you can – at each moment of your life – transform your destiny. No need to "hang out" in hell, hunger, animality and anger, and on it goes. In this episode, Carla and Arlaana discuss this important Buddhist concept, giving examples of each world and how to pull yourself up from the bottom worlds into the higher, happier worlds.