Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Rev. Cindy Grimes

The saying, “We teach what we most want to learn,” explains Cindy Grimes’ passion for Centers for Spiritual Living. From the moment she walked in the door at CSL Ocala, as a spiritual seeker over 20 years ago, Cindy knew she had found her spiritual home. “The philosophy and genuine love of this community empowered me to reframe my life’s traumas and dramas into agents of growth and transformation. I found the courage to be myself and learned to love who I found beneath the roles, responsibilities and expectations of my life. I couldn’t help but share the teaching with others,” she says. Cindy not only found her spiritual community—she found her call to ministry. By 2015, she completed CSL’s practitioner training and ministerial program, graduating with a master’s degree in Consciousness Studies. In addition to serving as Spiritual Director of CSL Ocala, Cindy has been an entrepreneur, social worker, teacher, editor, magazine publisher, workshop facilitator and restorative practices trainer. She uses these experiences and life as a wife, mother and grandmother to inform her messages, making them down-to-earth, relevant and engaging. Her intention is that everyone who finds CSL Ocala feels that same sense of coming home to the essence of who they are.

https://www.cslocala.org/

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge.

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen

Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen is an ordained CSL and Interfaith Minister. She is the Community Spiritual Leader and Senior Minister at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science.

Raised in Religious Science, Dr. Sydney’s commitment to spirit and to cultivating the unfoldment of the Divine within ALL people is absolute. Her dedication to inclusivity, sacred activism, and social justice informs her life, her teaching, and her speaking.

Dr Sydney is also well-known in the music world as a fierce jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor. She has worked with artists ranging from Shirley MacLaine, Dizzy Gillespie, and the Stan Kenton Orchestra, to the Pointer Sisters, Sarah Brightman, Robert Goulet, and even the Oregon Symphony. Additionally, she spent literally thousands of hours playing keyboard in the orchestra pits of Broadway shows such as: Les Miserable, CATS, Aida, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Spamalot, Beauty and The Beast, and Legally Blonde.

https://www.nhcrs.org/

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Rev. Amani Malaika

https://www.abqcsl.org/

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Diana Soroka of WILDD Hearts!

I’m Diana, founder of WILDD Hearts. My life has been a beautifully messy mix of love, loss, triumphs, screw-ups, and positive intentions. Through it all, I've learned that growth doesn’t happen in neat and pretty moments—it’s in the raw, unfiltered experiences. I’m here to help others like me who are on their own journey of self-discovery and growth, knowing it’s not always smooth, but it’s always worth it.

I believe the world needs more love and that real love starts with you…facing yourself—flaws, fears, and all.

Tools like the Enneagram have been instrumental in my own growth, leading me (and many others) through the challenges and breakthroughs of self-discovery. My mission is to help others embrace their truth, find joy, and spread peace and kindness in their lives and the world around them.

I’ve spent years teaching and leading, but my real passion is sharing what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about living authentically. Sometimes, I’m the hero of my story, sometimes the villain, but I’m always reflecting and evolving.

WILDD Hearts is my heart and soul work, and I’m excited to share this journey with you—because when we tell our stories, we grow together.

https://www.wilddhearts.com/

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

This week Ali is joined by Center for Spiritual Living's spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Soni Cantrell-Smith

Rev. Dr. Soni Cantrell-Smith is the founding Minister of Ahava Center for Spiritual Living in Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from Holmes Institute under the Direction of Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith in 2006, and was ordained in 2011. Dr. Soni is steeped in the principles of Science of Mind and is a lifelong student of the philosophy.

Dr. Soni began her studies in 1992 at Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science in Huntington Beach, California. For 10 years, she was the music director at Namaste CSL in Long Beach, California. She has co-written a successful musical titled “Last Call,” which has been performed in numerous venues throughout the country.

Dr. Soni has been active in 12 Step work for more than 30 years. She teaches spirituality classes at the Hope Center Rehabilitation for Women and is a co-founder of Bluegrass Rainbow Faith Communities, dedicated to supporting faith communities in becoming open and affirming to all.

Dr. Soni has served the CSL Minister Council for six years, two of those as co-chair. She has served on the CSL Nominating Council as well as the CSL Sacred Activism Task Force. Dr. Soni has been serving the CSL interim ministers’ team for two years. She was the recipient of of the Ministers Meritorious Award in 2023.

Dr. Soni believes we are all spiritual leaders. We, as leaders, must be able to articulate our vision and keep it alive through our faith in it, and we must create a sense of belonging and hope that this vision can transform our world.

Growing Edge Live with Ali Benjamin is sponsored by Satya, dedicated to inspiring minds, healing hearts, and transforming lives. We are a loving place of support and resources. We share transformational tools that awaken individuals to embody their authentic power and purpose, create a life they love, and experience wholeness, abundance, and ease as never before.

growingedgelive.com
alisonjbenjamin.com

#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Transcript

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

This week Ali is joined by Linda Frazee and Michelle Medrano

Linda is an international workshop leader, professional life coach, and co-author of the book Full Heart Satisfied Belly. She is a Certified Enneagram teacher and has been using the Enneagram as a primary tool in her work with others for the last 30 years. She was a founding mother of the Arizona Enneagram Association. Linda works with individuals, businesses and the government to enhance life and increase productivity. Her professional training is in Transpersonal Psychology and Imagery. She has been in private practice in Colorado, Maryland and currently in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, she is a metaphysician and active member of Centers for Spiritual Living.

Linda conducts Mind Body Spirit Workshops around the United States and facilitates woman’s groups. She has appeared on television, podcasts and been a frequent national radio guest speaker.

https://www.lindafrazee.com/

Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano is a career minister in the New Thought movement.

She received her ministerial degree at the School of Ministry at Mile Hi Church in 1991.
The Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science hired her as an assistant minister, and she served in that capacity for four years.

Then she was blessed to serve as senior minister of New Vision Center for seventeen years. In 2013, she was invited back to Mile Hi to serve as an associate minister. In the spring of 2019, she joined Rev. Joshua Reeves as the co-lead minister of Mile Hi Church.

Writing runs in her family and authoring articles and books has been a part of her career dreams for a long time.

http://9pathstothesoul.com

Growing Edge Live with Ali Benjamin is sponsored by Satya, dedicated to inspiring minds, healing hearts, and transforming lives. We are a loving place of support and resources. We share transformational tools that awaken individuals to embody their authentic power and purpose, create a life they love, and experience wholeness, abundance, and ease as never before.

growingedgelive.com
alisonjbenjamin.com

#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Rev. Joy Fletcher

Rev. Joy Fletcher is a 5th-generation Truth student and ordained Divine Science Minister whose calling weaves together legacy, love, and a profound commitment to sacred service. Her ordination was June 22, 1995 at First Divine Science Church, Denver, CO. Affectionately known as “Rev. Joyfull,” she serves as the President of the Divine Science Ministers Association. She also holds leadership and faculty roles with the International New Thought Alliance, Affiliated New Thought Network, Divine Science Federation International, First Spiritual Church of Bay City, and Samaritan Institute.

Rev. Joy has served as a Unity Spiritual Leader in both Muskogee, Oklahoma—following the legacy of her 2x Great Grandmother—and at Unity Church of Flint, Michigan. A sought-after guest speaker, Rev. Joy is known for her heartfelt teachings and deeply grounded embodiment of New Thought principles.

With nearly two decades of hospice work—including roles as bereavement coordinator, chaplain, and volunteer coordinator—Rev. Joy is also a dedicated End-of-Life Educator and Practitioner as well as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist. She has presided over nearly 600 sacred rituals including weddings, funerals, celebrations of life, anointings, and baby blessings. Her ministry is one of presence over process—a ministry of deep listening, compassionate companionship, and sacred witnessing at every threshold of life.

Whether offering bedside comfort in a final breath, guiding families through grief, or co-creating rituals that honor love and legacy, Rev. Joy brings empathy, wisdom, and a unique ability to hold space for transformation. She honors life, death, and the milestones in between.

A contributing author to PhenomeNEWS and Works of Heart.Rev. Joy is also the author of Beside Myself with Joy and How to Create a Ceremony Ministry—resources that uplift both the personal and professional paths of sacred service.

Rev. Joy believes that the awareness of Divine Science Everywhere—in All, through All, as All—is the radiant thread that inspires every step of her ministry.

Rev. Joy was a featured guest on the New Thought Media Network program “New Thought Today,”, participated in Season of Nonviolence meditation series and serves as co-host of “Divine Science Everywhere,” a spiritually expansive broadcast also featured on New Thought Media Network and YouTube.

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge

Join Ali Benjamin as she creates conversations with soul-centered people who channel their attention, energy, and resources into supporting others and helping the world come together in love.

Guest: Diana Soroka of WILDD Hearts!

Diana interviews Dr. Ali!

I’m Diana, founder of WILDD Hearts. My life has been a beautifully messy mix of love, loss, triumphs, screw-ups, and positive intentions. Through it all, I've learned that growth doesn’t happen in neat and pretty moments—it’s in the raw, unfiltered experiences. I’m here to help others like me who are on their own journey of self-discovery and growth, knowing it’s not always smooth, but it’s always worth it.

I believe the world needs more love and that real love starts with you…facing yourself—flaws, fears, and all.

Tools like the Enneagram have been instrumental in my own growth, leading me (and many others) through the challenges and breakthroughs of self-discovery. My mission is to help others embrace their truth, find joy, and spread peace and kindness in their lives and the world around them.

I’ve spent years teaching and leading, but my real passion is sharing what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about living authentically. Sometimes, I’m the hero of my story, sometimes the villain, but I’m always reflecting and evolving.

WILDD Hearts is my heart and soul work, and I’m excited to share this journey with you—because when we tell our stories, we grow together.

https://www.wilddhearts.com/

http://alisonjbenjamin.com
thesatyacenter@gmail.com
www.satyalive.org
#newthoughtmedianetwork
#alibenjamin #growingedge