Archives: Events

A Mindful Approach to Stress
In today’s ever-evolving world, stress is an inevitable part of life. However, stress doesn’t have to be a nemesis; it can also be a powerful ally that propels us forward. This workshop explores how stress, when approached mindfully, can transform into a force for positive change. Delve into the four dimensions of personal energy—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—and discover how understanding these can turn stress into a motivator rather than a burden. We’ll delve into research from positive psychology and uncover natural antidotes to stress, alongside strategies for nurturing joy and meaning in your daily life. Leave with practical tools to turn stress into a source of empowerment and growth.

Natural Pathways to Well-Being
The quest for happiness is a deeply personal journey, and finding a sustained sense of well-being can be challenging. In this engaging workshop, we’ll review research and explore effective strategies for cultivating meaning and purpose in your life. Discover how practices like gratitude, kindness, and connection can elevate your emotional health and overall well-being. We’ll also focus on practical techniques for navigating life’s transitions with a growth mindset, leaving you with a renewed sense of empowerment and tools to approach life’s challenges with resilience and joy.

The Art of Resilience: Thriving Through Life’s Challenges
Resilience is more than just a buzzword; it’s a vital skill that helps us recover from adversity and navigate life’s toughest moments. As we reflect on recent global and personal challenges, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights into enhancing your own resilience. I’ll guide you through the five key characteristics that define resilient individuals and offer practical strategies to bolster your ability to adapt and thrive. Assess your current resilience levels and discover evidence-based techniques for turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and renewal. Equip yourself with the tools to bounce back stronger and embrace life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Emotional Intelligence Unveiled: Empower Your Interactions and Personal Development
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for building meaningful relationships and achieving personal success. But what exactly is EQ, and how can it impact your interactions with others? This workshop will demystify the components of emotional intelligence and guide you through an EQ assessment to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Discover how enhancing your EQ can lead to more fulfilling relationships, improved communication, and greater personal growth. With practical strategies for developing your emotional skills, you’ll leave equipped to elevate your interpersonal connections and navigate your emotions with greater confidence and clarity.

Gyll Turteltaub, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist based in San Anselmo, California. She serves as the Senior Director of People & Culture for The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente, the national leadership and consulting organization for the Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs). In this role, Gyll provides strategic leadership for initiatives in equity, inclusion, diversity, leadership development, engagement and training, and Physician Health and Wellness.  In addition to her work with Kaiser Permanente, Gyll maintains a private practice where she offers psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Her specialties include compassion fatigue, burnout, mindful living, work/life balance, and treating anxiety and depression. Gyll is also an experienced speaker, having presented workshops internationally on topics such as mindfulness, resilience, communication effectiveness, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

A Mindful Approach to Stress
In today’s ever-evolving world, stress is an inevitable part of life. However, stress doesn’t have to be a nemesis; it can also be a powerful ally that propels us forward. This workshop explores how stress, when approached mindfully, can transform into a force for positive change. Delve into the four dimensions of personal energy—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—and discover how understanding these can turn stress into a motivator rather than a burden. We’ll delve into research from positive psychology and uncover natural antidotes to stress, alongside strategies for nurturing joy and meaning in your daily life. Leave with practical tools to turn stress into a source of empowerment and growth.

Natural Pathways to Well-Being
The quest for happiness is a deeply personal journey, and finding a sustained sense of well-being can be challenging. In this engaging workshop, we’ll review research and explore effective strategies for cultivating meaning and purpose in your life. Discover how practices like gratitude, kindness, and connection can elevate your emotional health and overall well-being. We’ll also focus on practical techniques for navigating life’s transitions with a growth mindset, leaving you with a renewed sense of empowerment and tools to approach life’s challenges with resilience and joy.

The Art of Resilience: Thriving Through Life’s Challenges
Resilience is more than just a buzzword; it’s a vital skill that helps us recover from adversity and navigate life’s toughest moments. As we reflect on recent global and personal challenges, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights into enhancing your own resilience. I’ll guide you through the five key characteristics that define resilient individuals and offer practical strategies to bolster your ability to adapt and thrive. Assess your current resilience levels and discover evidence-based techniques for turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and renewal. Equip yourself with the tools to bounce back stronger and embrace life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Emotional Intelligence Unveiled: Empower Your Interactions and Personal Development
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for building meaningful relationships and achieving personal success. But what exactly is EQ, and how can it impact your interactions with others? This workshop will demystify the components of emotional intelligence and guide you through an EQ assessment to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Discover how enhancing your EQ can lead to more fulfilling relationships, improved communication, and greater personal growth. With practical strategies for developing your emotional skills, you’ll leave equipped to elevate your interpersonal connections and navigate your emotions with greater confidence and clarity.

Gyll Turteltaub, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist based in San Anselmo, California. She serves as the Senior Director of People & Culture for The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente, the national leadership and consulting organization for the Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs). In this role, Gyll provides strategic leadership for initiatives in equity, inclusion, diversity, leadership development, engagement and training, and Physician Health and Wellness.  In addition to her work with Kaiser Permanente, Gyll maintains a private practice where she offers psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Her specialties include compassion fatigue, burnout, mindful living, work/life balance, and treating anxiety and depression. Gyll is also an experienced speaker, having presented workshops internationally on topics such as mindfulness, resilience, communication effectiveness, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches.  Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.

Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.

What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.

Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.

Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.

Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches.  Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.

Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.

What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.

Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.

Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.

Workshops: Creativity and Writing
New York Times bestselling author Ellen Sussman will present ways in which you can tap into your creative energy through writing. We’ll explore new forms of expression that will engage your imagination and enrich your life. These workshops will work for those of you who are experienced writers as well as those of you who have always dreamed of writing but never dared to try it. Ellen brings energy and humor to her classes – you’ll discover the fun of writing as well as learning a few new tricks of the trade.

Creativity, Passion and a Writer’s Life
Ellen Sussman decided to become a writer at age 6 but didn’t have real success until she was 49. Now she’s published 6 books (including a New York Times bestseller) with a new novel underway. As we age, we can choose to become more creative and we can bring deeper passion to our work. Ellen will share the stories about her own career, with an examination of the fine line between truth and fiction. How do we shape our own stories into fiction and memoir? Let’s talk about the creative process! (and how she met her husband at the Ranch!).

Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, A Wedding in Provence, The Paradise Guest House, French Lessons, and On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies, Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes and she is the co-founder and co-director of Sonoma County Writers Camp. www.ellensussman.com

Hormones Through the Ages
This comfortable, warm and welcoming discussion will involve the women’s health journey through the ages and the relationship of our hormonal balance to mood, energy levels, mental health, sexual health and more. We will share our concerns and interests in this open forum on a variety of hormonal issues for all ages. The topics can range from egg freezing in our thirties, to reigniting libido in our peri-menopause/menopause years and beyond.

Our Hormones and our Overall Health and Wellness
We will share and explore how lifestyle, nutrition, stress, self-awareness, friendships and more impact our health and hormonal well-being. For example, are we aware of what we eat or drink on a daily basis and how that contributes to our personal state of health? What role do hormones play for our heart health and brain health? Why is sleep so critical?  What role does alcohol play in our overall physical and mental status and how is that a factor in breast health? Are there supplements that are important for different hormonal stages of life? More topics of interest will be addressed and discussed.

Hormonal Health and Being Your Own Self Advocate for Optimal Health
It is vitally important for all of us to be our own health advocates and have the questions we bring to our health care providers addressed and answered. Too often the long awaited visit with our health care provider becomes a rushed event and we find ourselves leaving a doctor’s appointment with more questions than answers. Why is this happening and how can we prevent it? Strategies to approach your appointment to optimize your experience and feel empowered in your own health care will be addressed. What questions should you bring up ….. even if your doctor is not? Self-exam tools will also be discussed.

Nancy Cetel, MD, is an engaging and passionate physician, author and professional speaker. Following her graduation from the New York University School of Medicine, she obtained her postgraduate training in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of California, San Diego, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California. Her pioneering research in hormonal issues led to numerous publications and awards. Dr. Cetel is often referenced in books and journals, and is a frequently invited lecturer nationally and internationally.  Live appearances and interviews have brought her acclaim as an accomplished communicator and advocate for an informed public. She is the author of Double Menopause: What to Do When Both You and Your Mate Go through Hormonal Changes Together. Her passions include her family, vegetarian cooking, dancing, and the joys of being a grandparent.

Hormones Through the Ages
This comfortable, warm and welcoming discussion will involve the women’s health journey through the ages and the relationship of our hormonal balance to mood, energy levels, mental health, sexual health and more. We will share our concerns and interests in this open forum on a variety of hormonal issues for all ages. The topics can range from egg freezing in our thirties, to reigniting libido in our peri-menopause/menopause years and beyond.

Our Hormones and our Overall Health and Wellness
We will share and explore how lifestyle, nutrition, stress, self-awareness, friendships and more impact our health and hormonal well-being. For example, are we aware of what we eat or drink on a daily basis and how that contributes to our personal state of health? What role do hormones play for our heart health and brain health? Why is sleep so critical?  What role does alcohol play in our overall physical and mental status and how is that a factor in breast health? Are there supplements that are important for different hormonal stages of life? More topics of interest will be addressed and discussed.

Hormonal Health and Being Your Own Self Advocate for Optimal Health
It is vitally important for all of us to be our own health advocates and have the questions we bring to our health care providers addressed and answered. Too often the long awaited visit with our health care provider becomes a rushed event and we find ourselves leaving a doctor’s appointment with more questions than answers. Why is this happening and how can we prevent it? Strategies to approach your appointment to optimize your experience and feel empowered in your own health care will be addressed. What questions should you bring up ….. even if your doctor is not? Self-exam tools will also be discussed.

Nancy Cetel, MD, is an engaging and passionate physician, author and professional speaker. Following her graduation from the New York University School of Medicine, she obtained her postgraduate training in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of California, San Diego, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California. Her pioneering research in hormonal issues led to numerous publications and awards. Dr. Cetel is often referenced in books and journals, and is a frequently invited lecturer nationally and internationally.  Live appearances and interviews have brought her acclaim as an accomplished communicator and advocate for an informed public. She is the author of Double Menopause: What to Do When Both You and Your Mate Go through Hormonal Changes Together. Her passions include her family, vegetarian cooking, dancing, and the joys of being a grandparent.

How to embrace the inevitable life transitions and learn a unique way to travel in your new chapter of life. 

Transitions—Embrace them!
Transitions are part of life. Whether it’s an evolution from a demanding career to retirement, a busy parent to empty nester, partnered-up to single, we are always changing. Sometimes the change is voluntarily and sometime change is foisted upon us. We will talk about identifying these transitions and organizing your new chapter into the right pillars for you.  One of the pillars for most people is travel. Especially now, people want to travel more or differently, but are at a loss as to what that really means.  The next sessions will deal with this one aspect of your transition—traveling in a different way as you design the next chapter of your life.

Transformation—How Shirleyfest can become “[your name here]fest”
In Berlin, Melbourne, Montréal, Rome, Kyoto and cities on every continent, Shirley carefully picks a host city and then embraces an intentional way of travel. She’s thrown dinner parties for new friends, perfected the art of eating out alone and unlocked the essence of the cities.  Although this sounds spontaneous, there are concrete steps she takes while planning and executing each Shirleyfest. Whether you are single, or just want to travel alone, or envision doing a fest with a partner, you will learn that optimizing your travel means mastering three basic concepts. 

Travel—The art of becoming a local
One of the secrets of Shirleyfest is being part of the community you have chosen. Learn how to “put lines in the water” in order to seek out the right people to meet. Shirley will show you how to increase the odds that those “lines” will pay off.  You will learn why it is important to establish a “first thing in the morning” and “last thing at night” place. In short—you’ll learn how to live like a local.

Travel—The nuts and bolts of travel technology
Many of us love that we are unplugged when we come to the Ranch. Yet we find ourselves plugging in the minute we cross the border for home. When we travel, and especially when we travel solo, technology can be a double-edged sword. Learn what specific apps, web sites and technology are critical aids and what you can leave at home. Handout Technology session

Shirley Buccieri is the creator of Shirleyfest: living one month every year in a different city in the world.  She goes to her new city alone, rents an apartment and fully embraces the city as a local. Everyone who learns of the concept loves the idea, but most have no idea where to begin.  Her acclaimed blog, shirleyfest.com, has been read in 91 countries and featured on various radio stations across the globe.  Shirleyfest was born out of transitions in her life.  Shirley is uniquely qualified to provide insights, tips, and enthusiasm to those interested in turning any transition into a transformation.