Summer Favorites Throwback: Glimmering, Podcast 27

This summer, each Crone is sharing her favorite episode—and Linda’s pick is a luminous one: “Glimmering” (Ep 27).

Join Betty, Linda, and Sally as they explore the quiet magic of noticing, the power of presence, and the sacred glimmers that guide us through change. If you’re seeking grounded wisdom and gentle encouragement for the season you’re in, this one’s for you.

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Transcript

Podcast No. 27 – Glimmering: Catching Small Miracles
Aired as part of the Summer Favorites series
Featured Hosts: Linda Shrieve, Betty, and Libby Clarke

[Intro – Linda]

Hello and welcome. My name is Linda Shrieve, one of the podcasters here at Two Crones and a Microphone. This episode is part of our summer series where each of us shares a favorite podcast from the past year.

When our lovely producer Libby asked me which one I’d pick, I didn’t even have to think. My favorite is Glimmering—that’s G-L-I-M-M-E-R-I-N-G.

What is glimmering? To find out more, you’ll want to listen to episode 27, which dives deep. But in essence, glimmering is the practice of noticing micro-moments in life that help you ground, breathe, and connect to joy and resilience.

It’s fun. It’s accessible. And it begins with your five senses.

Say you’re looking out the window and you notice sunlight filtering through the leaves. You take a breath and think, “Oh, how beautiful.” That’s a glimmer. Or you hear birdsong, or feel the softness of a blanket, or smell fresh coffee in the morning—that’s a glimmer too.

These moments help us return to ourselves. They cultivate awe, presence, and gratitude.

So take a breath, settle in, and listen with us as we revisit Glimmering.

And don’t forget—we now have a YouTube channel! You can revisit past episodes and watch our productions. Take care, and go find your glimmer.

[Producer Note – Libby Clarke]

Hi, I’m Libby, producer of Two Crones and a Microphone. We’ve made something lovely for the summer season: a Sacred Gardening Guide, available exclusively for supporters starting at just $3 a month. If you’ve been enjoying the show, this is a great time to pitch in and receive something beautiful in return.

Head to twocronesandamicrophone.com or check the show notes on your preferred platform. All is made beautiful. Be well.

[Main Episode – Linda & Betty]

Linda:
Welcome to Two Crones and a Microphone. I’m Linda.

Betty:
And I’m Betty.

Linda:
We’re cultural midwives and a force for change, using applied practical spirituality. We’ve been friends and colleagues for over 35 years.

This episode is Glimmering. It’s part of our second year of podcasting, and our annual theme is “Restore and Replenish.” We need this practice as much as our listeners do.

Betty:
We absolutely do. So what is glimmering?

Linda:
It’s those micro-moments in your day that bring joy, peace, or gratitude. And here’s the thing—once you train your brain to notice glimmers, they begin to appear everywhere.

So let’s start with the five senses.

Sight

Linda:
Start by looking at something simple, like tree leaves shimmering in the light. Take a breath, ground yourself, and just notice. "Huh. Look at that. Gorgeous." And just like that, your brain shifts.

Betty:
Absolutely. For me, it could be looking at a painting. I used to visit MoMA and just sit with the masters. Now I use a book of Van Gogh’s paintings. If I’m rattled, I flip it open and see what shows up. It lifts my spirit.

And Native American art—oh my goodness, the colors, the textures. One piece I have is a parrot made entirely of shimmering leaves. It’s exquisite. And he made it just to pay his phone bill. That’s a glimmer.

Linda:
There’s something powerful about noticing beauty—whether in nature or something made by human hands.

Sound

Linda:
Another access point is sound. I walk outside and just listen to the birds. Sometimes it’s the squawky crows. Other times, it’s songbirds. We have conversations, me and the birds.

Betty:
Yes! And don’t forget the deer—when they snort and warn each other, or Luna, my dog, gets them all riled up. Even the foxes yipping. It makes me smile because I’m glad they’re thriving out here.

Linda:
There’s a great app that helps identify birds by their calls, by the way. I’ll share it with you.

Touch

Linda:
Touch is so intimate. Even just rubbing your hands together, feeling your own skin, can ground you.

Betty:
And Luna—she’s my softest little dog. Everyone comments on her fur. And my kitty, too. Plus, fuzzy blankets, cozy sweatshirts. It’s comfort. And that’s what glimmering is: pausing long enough to feel it.

Taste

Linda:
Let’s talk about taste.

Betty:
Chocolate. Always chocolate. There’s a brand called MoKa—you can find them at Whole Foods. They support African farmers and make coffee and chocolate. A small bite is a party in your mouth.

Linda:
Red raspberries for me. And muffins—my friend Jo-Ann made these magical muffins and shipped them to me during a hard time. Just unwrapping one in the morning was a ritual. It helped me keep going.

Betty:
It’s not just the flavor. It’s the love in the making.

Smell

Linda:
Coffee in the morning—that’s my anchor.

Betty:
Roses for me. I have a devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and I believe when I smell roses out of nowhere, it’s her. She promised to send roses as signs from heaven. Sometimes it happens while I’m working, and I just know she’s with me.

Linda:
That’s beautiful. One of my favorite blends is rose and sandalwood. Just smelling it brings me home to myself.

Awe and Storytelling

Linda:
I’d love to read something from The Radiant Sutras by Dr. Lorin Roche—sutra 57:

“Find something so enchanting to behold that you are transfixed…
 Be at one with the Creator who is looking through your eyes. Loving creation.”

Betty:
That’s stunning. It’s a reminder that beauty is a spiritual experience.

Linda:
And sometimes glimmering is laughter too—like when Luna jumps on the dining room table to peek at the mail truck, then stops cold when she sees me watching.

Betty:
Clever little beastie! That moment of surprise and joy—that’s a glimmer, too.

Connection and Grief

Linda:
For me, glimmers often come through connection. I say hello to my trees every morning, and sometimes I see a shimmer of golden or white light around them. It’s a relationship.

Betty:
For me, it’s the wildlife. Larry used to love watching squirrels outsmart the bird feeder. Even in tough times, those small joys were such a blessing.

Linda:
Viktor Frankl wrote about that—finding awe in the sunrise while in a concentration camp. That capacity to feel wonder even in despair is part of what makes us human.

Betty:
Yes. And he said the cure for heartbreak isn’t what you’d think—it’s awe.

Practice and Community

Linda:
So what’s the wisdom practice we leave you with today?

Betty:
Go outside in the morning—bathrobe and coat if you must. Take a few deep breaths. Look around. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the city or the woods. Just be present.

Linda:
And write it down. Journal it. Or record a voice note. These small moments are easy to forget, but they’re powerful.

Betty:
We’d love to hear from you—what glimmers have you experienced? Share them on our Facebook or Instagram. When you share your stories, you help others open up to their own.

[Outro – Linda & Betty]

Linda:
Thank you for joining us today. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends or leave a review.

Betty:
And welcome to all our new listeners! We’re so glad to have you. This year’s theme is Restore and Replenish, and we’ll be sharing practical wisdom to support well-being in a post-pandemic world.

Linda:
Special thanks to our sponsors, Manurva.com and Franny’s Photography. Until next time, be well—and go find your glimmer.