Summer Favorites Throwback: Love In Action, Podcast 29

This Summer, each Crone is choosing her favorite episode—and Sally's pick is the one in which she was introduced to you: Love in Action, Podcast 29.

Episode 29: “Love in Action – Loving Yourself” (Mirror Meditation)
Sally’s Summer Favorite

What does self-love look like when you’ve actually lived some life? This week on Two Crones and a Microphone, Sally brings us her top summer pick: a frank, wide-ranging talk about loving yourself without apology, and what happens when you stare down your own reflection—literally.

Betty, Linda, and Sally dive into the practical magic (and occasional discomfort) of Mirror Meditation, aging in a world obsessed with youth, and why wisdom over 50 isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s a superpower. If you’re tired of self-help that sounds like a greeting card, join us. We’re done with platitudes; we’re here for the messy, real stuff: self-acceptance, personal history, and the long game of learning to be kind to yourself.

Come for the insights, stay for the honesty, and bring a mirror. This one’s for anyone ready to meet themselves, eye to eye.

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Transcript

SALLY:
[Music fades in]
This is Sally, working on my next short, and I want to answer the question: what was my favorite podcast?

So, welcome to Two Crones and a Microphone. This is Crone Sally. Sometimes that's a mouthful to say. When I moved close to my two friends, Linda and Betty—the other two crones who started the podcast—they invited me to join. I was excited but also intimidated. The idea of being on a blog, I wasn’t sure what that meant. I wasn’t great about having my picture taken, but I figured a podcast was okay—you’d just hear my voice. Then we moved to YouTube, and suddenly I was showing up on video. That was intimidating, and honestly, it still is.

But that very first podcast I did—the one where we featured the mirror meditation from Osha—stands out as my favorite. Part of why is that it forced me to face my fears about being more public about who I am. I’d retired from my professional career, so that made it easier than if I were still working full-time. Still, being public about what I believe has never come naturally to me. I’ve always tried to live a quiet, private life (even if some who know me would argue with that).

That episode felt like a “calling me forward” moment. It pushed me to stand in my power and to show up as myself. I also had to get over a bunch of technical hurdles: working on the website, writing blogs, learning new tools—all of it came at once, right after I moved. It was a stressful and busy time, full of new demands. The older you get, the more important it is to keep learning and growing—but it can be more challenging, especially since the three of us grew up before computers and cell phones were everywhere.

The other reason that episode is my favorite: I got to talk about Osha, whose teachings drew me to the podcast in the first place. Sharing her voice feels urgent now that she’s gone, especially in these times. The world is muddy right now; we need tools to navigate it.

That episode, and especially the mirror meditation, was pivotal for me when I started working with Osha, and it’s something I’ve continued to share with others. I’ve seen how it can change lives—if you really do the work, you start to believe you’re a valuable, lovable human being, with a unique place in the world.

The mirror meditation comes from Osha’s work in the 1980s, before this kind of practice was mainstream. Now, positive psychology has caught up, but back then, these ideas were hard to find. I’m glad to share it and hope people try it out—and let us know how it impacts their lives. I’ve had friends who stopped doing it but returned after hearing our podcast. Sometimes we all need a reminder.

So, Libby, when you asked us to talk about our favorite episode, that’s why I picked this one. I invite everyone to revisit that podcast and the mirror meditation. The world is a tough place right now. It’s easy to come from anger, grief, shame, or frustration. This practice helps you remember to love yourself and choose to move in the world from harmony, compassion, and love.

Thank you for listening. Dig deep and come from a place of love. It’s the only thing that will change this world, in my view. And as Osha said, “The only thing we have to give is the way we live our life. So live it well.” Kadishe—all is made beautiful.

[Music fades out]

LINDA:
Hello and welcome to Two Crones and a Microphone. I’m Linda.

BETTY:
And I’m Betty. As cultural midwives, our podcast offers guidance and teachings to those seeking wisdom from experienced crones. We use many methods to connect with ourselves and our surroundings, and we embrace knowledge, wisdom, and spirituality as sources of resilience and empowerment.

LINDA:
In 2024, as part of our Restore and Replenish series, we’re rolling out updates to the show. Beginning in March, we’ll resume a twice-monthly schedule. We’re excited to announce that crone spiritual sister Sally Rothrack Payton will now be joining us regularly, and we’ll be featuring interviews with friends who bring diverse perspectives—many are authors and artists. Welcome, Sally.

SALLY:
I’m glad to be here and looking forward to this adventure with you both.

LINDA:
Likewise. We’ve all known each other for at least 40 years, meeting while studying with Osha, who remains a core teacher. If you’re curious about us, find our bios at twocronesandamicrophone.com, along with resources about the practices and topics we discuss.

BETTY:
Let’s get into today’s topic: the wisdom of love as a crone. “Loving yourself” is our Love in Action focus. We hear a lot about self-love, but our spin is different: we’re looking at love through the lens of the crone.

One exercise we’ll focus on is the mirror meditation, taught to us by Osha in the late 1980s. All three of us have used and taught it over the years, and it’s profoundly effective.

But let’s talk first: What does “loving ourselves” and “love in action” mean to each of us?

LINDA:
For me, it starts with opening my heart every day, usually with my golden light meditation. I make sure my heart is part of that, hoping that energy radiates and makes a difference. Sometimes, love in action means taking concrete steps when someone needs help—sometimes just being, sometimes doing.

BETTY:
When I get up and walk little Luna, that’s when I pray—connecting with Mother Earth and Father Sky. My daily petition is: let people see the love of the mother in me. If they need it, let them draw from it. There’s not enough of that in the world.

SALLY:
It’s changed for me over time. I used to find it easier to be compassionate with others than with myself. This meditation helped me stop and ask: what about loving and appreciating myself? Holding myself with the same compassion I’d offer others. I also start each day with a mindful intention to approach myself and others with love and truth.

LINDA:
I learned to start loving myself through this meditation. Osha made sure I had it memorized. At first it felt silly, but it got easier—now I see it as essential.

BETTY:
I struggled in the beginning. When I looked in the mirror, I was nowhere near loving myself. But this practice really brought it home for me. Simple and profound.

SALLY:
It is simple. All you need is yourself and a mirror. Osha used to say the essence of our being is luminous light. In each of us, there’s a shadow self and a luminous self—they aren’t separate. By accepting all parts of ourselves, we become freer and more open.

This daily meditation can be done any time, as often as needed. Write it on a card, put it on your mirror, carry it with you. When the day gets hard, come back to it.

All you need is a mirror—any size. The point is to look yourself in the eye and say: “I love you. You are beautiful.” Acknowledge your mind, body, spirit, and soul. If you have a specific struggle, you can add: “My mind is free of ___,” “My body is free of ___,” “My spirit is free of ___.” Say this nine times.

Reflect and journal about how it feels—at first, you may think it’s silly, but if you stick with it, you’ll notice a shift. It will change your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.

LIBBY:
[Promo insert]
Hi, I’m Libby, producer of Two Crones and a Microphone. We’ve made something lovely for the summer: a Sacred Gardening Guide for our supporters. If you’ve enjoyed the show, now’s a great time to pitch in—starting at $3/month, you’ll help keep us going and get something beautiful in return. Head to twocronesandamicrophone.com or check the show notes to get your copy. And remember: all is made beautiful. Be well.

LINDA:
Thank you, Sally, for leading us through that. If you missed writing it down, don’t worry—it’s up on our website. Or reach out via Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and we’ll send you a copy.

BETTY:
I remember when the meditation finally “clicked”—I just cried, it was such a cathartic release. It changed my approach to myself and to others. Simple, but powerful. We’d love to hear from listeners about your experiences—try it for at least a week, nine times a day, and see what shifts.

LINDA:
I committed to a week and kept going for ten years. It triggered seismic changes in me. I realized I was part of the world, too, and deserved that same love. It’s good spiritual nourishment.

SALLY:
I like the idea of doing it for a full moon cycle. The commitment makes a difference, and it’s been deeply healing in my own life and for people I’ve shared it with.

LINDA:
We have so much knowledge, but it’s easy to forget the basics. This meditation is foundational—a gift from Osha to do every day.

BETTY:
If we can change ourselves, bring out the love we’re born with, and spread it around, even small circles can make a difference. The 1960s had it right: walk in the world with love.

SALLY:
People often say they wish they had what we have—they can’t articulate what it is. I believe it’s the love of the mother they’re seeing.

LINDA:
There’s something called ageism. All of us have faced it in different areas of life. But our generation isn’t going quietly—buckle up, the crones are being heard.

SALLY:
Letting yourself shine is part of self-care and confidence. The older we get, the easier it is to let go of old restrictions. There’s a grace in aging—at 50, 65, 70, you realize, “I’m going to do it anyway.” I started teaching the Goddess program in my 60s. Now it’s virtual and I’m thrilled.

BETTY:
If you’re not a crone, start this meditation now—you don’t have to wait until you’re older to appreciate yourself.

LINDA:
Our wisdom practice for this episode: Use the mirror meditation daily for at least a week—nine times a day. Enjoy the changes, because you are going to shine.

LINDA:
This is our first episode with all three of us together. It’s been a lot of fun. Please spread the word, reach out with questions, and remember: our theme this year is Restore and Replenish. We’re here to help you navigate the muddy waters of our time, with techniques to be kind to yourself and others. Kindness matters.

SALLY:
Until next time, be well. May your days be filled with grace and love.

BETTY:
I’ll add: This podcast is sponsored by the Minerva Educational and Wellness Treatment Center. Visit minervaed.com for more on Osha’s teachings. Sally and I will be teaching classes this year—join our newsletter and we’ll see you there.

Be well, everyone.

LINDA:
[Outro]
If you’re enjoying Two Crones and a Microphone, like this video and hit subscribe. Timeless wisdom for modern times, from women in the know.