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8 Good Things is a curated newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes sent twice a month by Maria Baltazzi, PhD, MFA.

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1The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World. The subtitle of this article captures the essence of these places well: “A compilation of Mother Nature’s greatest hits.” Many are right here in the United States.

2Moon Landing’s 50th Anniversary to Be Celebrated with Giant Moon Pie. What better way to celebrate the moon landing than with a moon pie? Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida is planning to construct a sixty-pound version of the chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker treat. Wish I could be there to eat some!

Inquire About Happiness Mentoring

3Clara Molloy Thinks Happiness Smells Like Vanilla. Did you know that smell is often the best trigger of memory? This article talks with entrepreneur Clara Molloy, who brews up travel-inspired scents that take you to destinations around the world. The Great Wall of China fragrance smells of red tea, bergamot, and amber wood. In the interview, Clara also offers her take on what some of our emotions and experiences smell like. Happiness, being one of them, smells like the aroma of vanilla after baking a cake. Love that!

4How I Learned to Find Focus Without Caffeine or an Adderall Prescription. As Americans struggle with work-life balance, it is easy to fall into the rabbit hole of dependence on caffeine and pills. One healthy alternative (my favorite as well) is meditation. This article offers other useful insights as well. I also got a kick out of reading that Meghan Markle got hubby, Prince William, to give up caffeine. I gave up caffeine earlier this year, and feel so much better.

5Doing These 3 Little Things on Weekends Can Help You Live a Happier and Longer Life, Science Says. Meditation makes this hit list as well. The overall comment here is that happy people have healthy habits that boost their physical and mental well-being.

Inquire About Media Partnerships

6Behind the Scenes of Quentin Tarantino’s New Homage to Hollywood. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, production designer Barbara Ling put so much detail into the 1969 sets that the actors felt transported through time. I am looking forward to this film! Tarantino’s love letter to the tinsel town where he grew up. Also, this is late Luke Perry’s last role.

7National Geographic’s “Sea of Shadows” Documentary. From Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, and acclaimed Producer Wolfgang Knopfler and Director Richard Ladkami of The Ivory Game, this award-winning Sundance film is about the team of people who are passionate enough, and brave enough, to go up against drug cartels and illegal traffickers. Why? To save one of the most endangered species on the planet, the vaquita. These are a species of porpoise found in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). There are only fifteen of them known to be left in the wild. I went to a recent screening of this documentary. It plays like a feature film, which makes it all the more provocative to watch. Everything you are seeing is real. It happened and is happening.

8Building Hyper Realistic Photography Sets Underwater. How one underwater photographer turned his passion into stunning dreamscapes. If you do not read this article, at least watch the video.

” Thoughtful

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
~ Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios

Sojourn Experiences | Inquire About Dates

For years, I have been producing large and small-scale television shows around the world. Today, I also use my producing skills to curate tailor-made adventures.

Walking the Camino de Santiago | Spain
In partnership with Explorer X, small group adventure specialist
9 Days | Sept 10th - 19th, 2019 | From $3,950 per person

Unforgettable Africa | Kenya
In partnership with Nomadic Africa, private luxury safaris
12 Days | From $18,735 per person for 8 guests

Machu Picchu, Peru | Salkantay Horseback Ride
In partnership with Peru EcoCamps, luxury geodesic domes
9 Days | From $5,975 per person for 2 guests

*Pricing varies based on the number of guests and time of year.

Sojourn Programs

Insight Timer App | Silent Wisdom Meditations
As many of you know, I teach meditation. I have been a long-time fan of the practice. Why? It is scientifically proven to reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health, enhance self-awareness, lengthen attention span, reduce age-related memory loss, generate kindness, help to fight addictions, improve sleep, help control pain, decrease blood pressure; and you can meditate anywhere! Meditation is about as close as one can get to a wellness silver bullet. Recently, I started recording meditations for Insight Timer. I hope you enjoy these free guided sessions. Please follow me on the Insight Timer app.

Happiness: The Art of Life Balance
As a longtime television producer, stress was my middle name. I have spent more than a decade studying what to do about it. Now, I help professionals, especially those in the media, to get out of the crazy and into the happy (and yes, I still produce television shows). I have put together a program that can fit into anyone’s schedule and can be joined anytime.

Happy Weekend!
Maria and Team Sojourn
Learn More | +800-869-0538

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