Content Warning: This episode mentions sex trafficking, sexual assault, and violence.
Sex trafficking, sexual assault, and violence are an all too common reality for individuals working in the adult entertainment and sex work industry. After hearing the stories of countless individuals in her chair as a hair and makeup artist, today’s guest Joy Hoover set out to do something about it and has been on a mission to empower and protect women ever since. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Joy Hoover and I are talking about her journey from building a national non-profit to creating a personal safety cosmetics line to fight drug-facilitated sexual assault and violence.
Get 50% off the Change Maker Series if you sign up now AND use the discount code NEW20 for 20% off your Day by Daybook® here .
Joy Hoover is an unstoppable force of strategic innovation and powerful brand building. Joy and her husband Phil are on a mission to make the world a safer place through their latest endeavor, 'Esōes Cosmetics,' the first-ever patented personal safety cosmetics line. These products combine beauty, science, and technology to fight the epidemic of drug-facilitated sexual assault and violence.
In this episode, Joy and I discuss:
- How Joy and her husband were called to help women in the Las Vegas adult industry get the help they needed through their non-profit.
- The significance of resilience and support networks in overcoming industry barriers, especially for women entrepreneurs.
- The importance of self-care in entrepreneurship with practical tips to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.
- 5 questions to ask yourself when building and maintaining a strong support system of trusting relationships.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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We talk about change all the time on the podcast and listen to other women’s stories of change, but hearing others' experiences is one thing, and learning to navigate change in your own life is quite another.
That’s where the Change Maker Series comes in!
This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m giving you a preview of my 6-week series designed to help you build confidence and resilience, tackle life changes effectively, and become a Change Maker in your own life.
In this episode, I’m sharing what it means to be a Change Maker and the 6 pillars that are essential to set yourself up for success and shift your perspective on change. I'm also sharing my plan to give you a taste of these topics over the next few solo episodes so you can start incorporating them into your daily practice.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here.
If you are interested in learning more about the Change Maker Series, be sure to check out these important Discounts:
Get 50% off the Change Maker Series if you sign up now AND use the discount code NEW20 for 20% off your Day by Daybook® here .
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Content Warning: This episode discusses thoughts of death as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
When we think about “having it all” it brings to mind being at the pinnacle of our career or at an ultimate high in our life where we feel we have reached the summit. But nothing in life is promised and what happens when that all comes crashing down leaving us to rebuild our life? That is exactly what happened to Mercedes Maidana after a surfing accident changed the course of her life in a huge way. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Mercedes Maidana and I are talking about how a traumatic brain injury halted her professional surfing career and led her to a life beyond her wildest dreams.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Day Book, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Day Book at livedaybyday.com
10 years ago, Mercedes Maidana was "living the dream" as a professional Big-Wave Surfer in Hawaii, traveling the globe searching for waves, sponsored by one of the best clothing companies in the world - she was married to a great guy, living on the beach and felt like she truly had it all. Until one day it all came crashing down. While surfing at a big-wave contest in an isolated outer reef on the coast of Oregon, a 30-foot wave caught her by surprise leaving her with a Traumatic Brain Injury that completely changed her life. Once a force of nature, even the simple things in life felt almost impossible to do, thus losing her sponsorship and ending her surfing career. After battling Depression, PTSD and years of medical treatments, she slowly began rebuilding her life, finding love again, and starting a family. She is now coaching women to empower them to achieve their dreams. But most importantly she’s started living the dream (even better than before) she never knew was waiting for her all along.
In this episode, Mercedes and I discuss:
- Mercede’s career as a professional big wave surfer and the accident that halted it all.
- The physical and emotional challenges that followed her accident and the breaking point that led her to surrender to her higher power.
- Mercede’s road to healing and finding abundance through the simple joys in life.
- How her past experiences allows her to help clients by relating to them on both a physical and mental level.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Understanding your drive type is important, especially as you create an action plan for change. Knowing what motivates you is the first step in choosing the behaviors or activities that keep your mindset, engagement, and stamina strong when you need them most. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about unlocking your motivation by discovering your drive type.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Day Book, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Day Book at livedaybyday.com
In this episode I am breaking down the 3 drive types, how to know which one you resonate with the most, and tips for leaning into your type to boost your motivation.
The drive types I discuss In this episode include:
- T- Think: You’re motivated by your thoughts, often spending a lot of time listening to your internal dialogue.
- M- Move: You’re motivated by activity and movement, often turning to exercise to bring you out of a funk.
- C- Connect: You’re motivated by a personal connection with others, often feeling pulled toward finding community.
What motivates you? Take the quiz to find out your drive type!
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When women prioritize their joy, they become more magnetic and create greater fulfillment in all areas of their lives. Today on the podcast, Megan Walrod joins me to share how she came to terms with what was missing in her life and took the leap to find ultimate joy by stepping into her truth. Walking us through her personal journey from living her maybe to finally living her YES!
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Day Book, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Day Book at livedaybyday.com
Megan Walrod, Founder of Live Your Yes, LLC, is an Author, Copywriter & Marketing Coach. Over the past 15+ years, she’s supported hundreds of women to create profitable & purposeful businesses. She’s also helped clients enjoy multiple 6 & 7-figure launches while contributing over $1 million to causes they care about. She’s dedicated to empowering women to break free of cultural conditioning so they can create a life & business that lights them up. She encourages her clients to Live Your Yes, knowing that when we prioritize our joy & pleasure, we’re more magnetic & create greater success for everyone, including ourselves.
In this episode, Megan and I discuss:
- Change doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process you will start to go through only when you’re ready.
- People-pleasing tendencies and other mind blocks can stop us in our tracks when making real changes in our lives.
- How Megan came to recognize the pattern of melancholy in her life and began to make the shift towards a more fulfilling life.
- Reflection prompts to get you started with journaling.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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The Forever Woman Book Coming Summer 2025
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When we talk about change, we often refer to something we self-initiate to make our lives better or to push us forward toward our goals. But what happens when change hits us unexpectedly from behind? These changes can come in the form of a diagnosis, relationship change, lifestyle shift, the list goes on. Whatever it is, the way you cope with these circumstances can either set you up for success or lead you down a rabbit hole that can be difficult to get out of. Thats why this week on Journeys Through Change, I’m sharing my advice on navigating unexpected change.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Day Book, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Day Book at livedaybyday.com
In this episode, I discuss:
- Know what is in or out of your control and don’t spend time focusing on the things you cannot change.
- Adopt a positive mindset moving forward, even if it shifts from one day to the next.
- Find a supportive community and distance yourself from the people who drain your energy.
- Regardless of your resistance, get up and move your body (I promise you’ll feel better afterward).
- Words of encouragement you can reflect on and repeat to yourself when faced with unexpected change.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Ep 7: Rebecca Boedges: How Hope Guided Her Through the Pain of Loss and Into the World of Emerging Artists
I bet if we were to see a show of hands with our listeners, there would likely be a significant amount of self-proclaimed overachievers. Whether we were born with that relentless drive or it’s something we learned along the way - the internal pressure we put on ourselves to do – do – do, can often feel relentless. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Dora Rankin and I are talking about how life’s ups and downs led her to empower women to live their purpose.
Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Day Book, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Day Book at livedaybyday.com
In the early 2000s following an ugly divorce - Dora Rankin was a single mom, raising 2 baby girls while being the primary caretaker of her mother who had multiple sclerosis. With a determination to be self-sufficient, she began to climb the corporate banking ladder and was soon on the fast track to snagging the title of Vice President. Then in 2017 - thinking she was walking into a boardroom to receive another accolade, she was let go.
She soon decided to go back to school to get certified in empowering women's leadership at Cornell University and from there, began consulting women leaders while uncovering a broken system - a lack of funding for women and minorities. She is now a globally successful business coach who shares her wisdom, expertise, and overall zest for life with women to empower them to create their highest earnings potential.
In this episode, Dora and I discuss:
- Hindsight is a virtue, and more often than not we look back and see that our past experiences were critical to getting us to where we are today.
- Leaving an unhealthy corporate environment can feel similar to leaving a volatile relationship, both requiring some mental deprogramming.
- How Dora transferred her corporate experience and skills to eventually start a business helping and empowering women.
- Her new book, ‘The HEART Sell’ will teach women the fundamentals that it takes to build a successful business so they can achieve economic power.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Monumental change is typically born from something simple– an inkling, an urge, or a feeling that something is not quite right and needs our attention. Paying attention to these feelings can lead to the courage to take that step toward something that can truly be transformational. I certainly found this to be true over 12 years ago when a faint little whisper told me that my drinking was getting in the way of my life.
So I wanted to dedicate this episode to those of you who have heard this whisper of addition yourself. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about how to recognize the subtle whispers of addiction.
In this episode, I discuss:
- Sharing a personal story that I wrote in reflection on the turning point in my life that started my courtship with alcohol.
- How I ended up with an alcohol addiction even after knowing the signs.
- What the subtle signs of addiction might look like for you (after all, recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step to overcoming it).
Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if your drinking is problematic:
- Have I tried unsuccessfully to give up drinking in the past?
- Do I find myself longing for alcohol to take the edge off?
- Has alcohol caused loss of memory or behavior I’m not proud of?
- Do I ever crave alcohol?
- Has alcohol affected my relationship with family, friends or loved ones?
- Do I hide my drinking from others?
- Do I long for mornings without hangovers?
- Is there a history of alcoholism in my family?
- Do I wonder what life would be like for me without alcohol?
- Do I feel that alcohol has a hold on me?
If you find yourself answering yes to a few of these questions it may be a sign to think more closely about your drinking habits. It all starts with awareness and honesty and if you think you have an issue, here are a few of the many communities that can help:
The most direct path to transformation is accepting our vulnerabilities and making the difficult changes necessary to push us forward and be the best that we can be.
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Sometimes life shows us that the experiences we’ve had were the building blocks to get us to a place we are meant to be. Our guest today shares her story of how an idea can come out of nowhere, leading us toward alignment with what we know we were meant to do and living on purpose with ease and flow. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Lauren Schmidt shares how a love affair led her to create A Tree That Grows- an organization committed to global impact.
Sparked by her interest in Jane Goodall, Lauren Schmidt took her first trip to Tanzania, an experience that began a love affair she just couldn’t shake. After returning home to complete her Masters of Social Work from Columbia University she returned to Tanzania for 10 more years. As time went on, she recalls cringing as volunteer organizations would roll into town with programs to ‘educate the community’ - knowing it could be so much better. So, she decided to design her own. As the pandemic forced many out of the country, Lauren stayed to carry out her mission and from there, A Tree That Grows was born. A Tree that Grows empowers youth to use their passion and strengths to design projects that support communities around the world. With volunteer fellowships, residencies, and an invitation to pitch their project at a global impact conference, it provides them with the opportunity for growth and self-discovery while addressing real-world issues and providing sustainable solutions along the way.
In this episode, Lauren and I discuss:
- Lauren’s first trip to Tanzania sparked her love affair with the country and a promise to return time and time again.
- The inspiration and mission behind her organization ‘A Tree That Grows’.
- Helping students find a sense of purpose is much more impactful than academic grades or accolades.
- The priceless lessons she learned about herself and others when given the opportunity to be of service.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Have you ever wondered how many lessons there are left to learn until you’ve gained the power you need to live your life to its fullest? The truth is, none of us know. Internal strength often results from time, experience, and sometimes adversity throwing us into challenges we never thought we’d ever have to face– let alone overcome. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Alison Evans and I are talking about how her sobriety and lupus diagnosis taught her to make self-care non-negotiable.
Alison’s passion to help women build strength – inside and out – began when she ended her relationship with alcohol in January 2017. Right away she leaned into a fitness routine to help her stay sober and improve her mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As her passion for fitness grew, she left her career as a high school counselor and returned to school to earn a Masters degree in Exercise Science. She also became a Certified Personal Trainer and Professional Life and Recovery Coach. Now she supports sober or sober-curious women to create a healthier lifestyle, reduce stress, and find balance.
In this episode, Alison and I discuss:
- The awakening moment that finally led Alison into a successful recovery after multiple attempts.
- Finding the balance of getting & staying sober while living with a partner that is not.
- Alison’s career shift from high-school counselor to starting a business focusing on health and wellness.
- Setting boundaries to prioritize your self-care and well-being over all else.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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As you may know, this podcast is about actively creating change in our lives. Some of us know we’re ready for change; others might be hesitant but are interested in exploring it further. Regardless of where you fall, this podcast is a place of exploration, not obligation. This week on Journeys Through Change, I am talking about building the foundation for change and asking yourself what you want.
Change happens all of the time and we often don’t realize the impact it has on us until we’re past it. I want you to know that change doesn’t have to be scary and it can be designed in a way that works for you.
To help you with this, I am sharing a self-reflection practice to identify the areas of your life that could be better and use your intuition to pinpoint what needs to change.
Remember, change is a journey. You’re not going to move mountains overnight.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Have you ever felt so captivated by an interest or pastime that it drew you in and wouldn’t let you go or toyed with the idea of creating something bigger out of it, only to shake your head and pass it off as an unrealistic dream? Life can take us on a wild, yet rewarding ride when we surrender to the persistent little tug inside of us, even when the outside world may be pointing us in a different direction. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Kai Chase and I are talking about the power of reinvention- from music journalist to A-list celebrity chef and founder of a thriving culinary and lifestyle brand.
In the late 80s, Kai Chase began her career as a staff writer for a weekly music industry publication called the Urban Network, interviewing the top music and radio talent of the time. She then segued into music publishing as her career continued to rise. All the time Kai was working in the music industry, her true desire was revealing itself when she would literally fall asleep reading The Joy of Cooking - and spend her leisure hours dreaming up healthy and creative dishes that mimicked the comforting standard recipes she enjoyed as a child. After following her heart, Kai went on to receive her professional culinary training from the famed Le Cordon Bleu academy in Paris, and in addition to having served as a private chef to A-lister celebrities, she has worked at several well-known restaurants, including Pamela Anderson’s Sanctuary and Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events. She is now known for her modern and contemporary approach to New American cuisine.
In this episode, Kai and I discuss:
- How Kai’s childhood acting as her mother’s sous chef inspired her to become the chef she is today.
- The 3 big leaps of faith Kai had to take to follow her dreams without looking back.
- The power of leveraging your network for opportunities.
- Taking something you’re already doing and using it to expand your business further.
- Advice for anyone seeking change in their life, no matter their age.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Have you ever felt like you “know” something, even though you can’t explain how you know it? That’s your intuition at work! This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Karen Hager and I discussed how she left seminary to become an intuitive guide. Sharing a gift she’s had since childhood, we talk about tapping into your intuition and following your inner guidance.
Today’s guest Karen Hager has an incredible life path. As she prepared for ordination into the priesthood she made a life-changing decision to step away from seminary and pursue an inner calling that would lead her into the unknown and finally back home again. Today she is a spiritual intuitive and teacher to those seeking a greater understanding of their spiritual path. She is known for her compassionate, no-nonsense approach to the spiritual journey, conducting more than 1200 private intuitive sessions each year with people from around the world. Karen is a passionate advocate for intuitive development. Her classes and events focus on empowering students to connect with their natural intuitive awareness, deepen their spiritual practice and open themselves up to abundance. She is also the creator and host of the long-running podcast “Out of the Fog.”
In this episode, Karen and I discuss:
- Karen’s life transitions from preparing for the priesthood to starting her own spiritual endeavors while battling endless health concerns.
- How finding an intuitive development teacher led Karen to embrace and strengthen the psychic abilities she’s always had.
- Actionable steps you can use to access your own intuitive gifts and be empowered to make decisions.
- The ways Karen uses her spiritual ability to guide others.
Remember: You are always in charge of the choices you make and the actions that you take. You should not fear intuitive exploration because you are in charge of it, always.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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The dictionary definition of hope is the feeling of trust or expectation- a desire for something to happen. When we think about hope, we can often feel like it’s an aspiration or yearning but in reality, hope is the first step in becoming a believer in your ability to overcome life’s challenges. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Rebecca Boedges and I are talking about how hope guided her through the pain of loss and into the world of emerging artists.
Rebecca is a coach, consultant, and psychotherapist in private practice for fifteen years. She holds Master’s degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, with additional training in somatic psychotherapy specializing in trauma and women’s work. Rebecca has also stepped into the world of coaching emerging artists after spending years co-managing the business side of her husband’s career, as he rose to master artist gaining international recognition for his work. Together they have co-founded a creative coaching practice that offers individual support and retreats for artists interested in learning how to get their work out into the world without sacrificing their creativity.
In this episode, Rebecca and I discuss:
- Rebecca’s journey of experiencing a tragic stillbirth and several miscarriages and the strength in family she found after the successful birth of her two daughters.
- The immense importance of having hope.
- Expanding her career as a psychotherapist in private practice to also co-managing the business end of her husband’s art career.
- How Rebecca and her husband use their business to support artists in building their careers.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Sometimes it takes us several detours to set us on the path we know we were meant to travel and listening to our bodies is part of the journey. It’s not always easy but it can be so critical when it comes to recognizing what truly brings us joy and fulfillment. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Sarah Tamaya and I are talking about how listening to her body led her toward greater joy and fulfillment!
Sarah Tamaya is a former career accountant who has taken several paths to find what feels true in her life. Over the past 15 years, she has helped individuals take radical responsibility for their own lives through coaching, yoga instruction, plant medicine work and QHHT Hypnosis, showing them the way back to themselves through love, awareness and recognition of the power of our bodies.
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss:
- The plant medicine practice that showed Sarah it was time to make radical change in her life and how her body reinforced that message.
- Our bodies give us messages through symptoms– so pay attention to what you’re feeling.
- What is QHHT (Quantum Hypnosis Healing Technique) and how Sarah uses it to help her clients to tune their frequencies and tap into a deeper understanding of themselves.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Most people go into marriage believing that it is going to last forever but statistics show this is not the case. 40% of families in the US are step-families and 70% of blended families include partners with children from previous relationships. Even in thinking of “traditional” family dynamics, we often laugh at how complicated these relationships can be, but when it comes to parenting a blended family, a whole new set of challenges can spring up– putting a ton of pressure on a marriage. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Brittney Phillips and I are talking about the lessons she learned from navigating the challenges of a blended family.
Brittney Phillips uses her own experience blending a family to help others do the same. She works with women to strengthen their blended family by focusing on the following areas: strengthening themselves, strengthening their marriage, strengthening the family unit and strengthening their relationship with God.
In this episode, Brittney and I discuss:
- The adjustments Brittney, her new husband, and their children had to go through in order to function in this new family unit.
- Navigating the loyalty bind that many children face when introduced to a new parental figure in their life.
- Recognizing and understanding your triggers is the first step towards healing.
- The difficult times that eventually brought everyone closer together.
- 7 phases that every blended family goes through on their journey to adjust together.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
7 Stages of Blended Family Development
Becoming a Step Family: Patterns of Development in Remarried Families by Patricia Papernow
There is always purpose in pain. Today’s guest knows this first hand as her breast cancer diagnosis halted her modeling career and shifted everything she once believed about external beauty and what she was living for. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Christine Handy and I are talking about how surviving her own battle helped her find purpose in pain to become an international breast cancer advocate and ambassador.
Christine Handy is a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, an International speaker, an accomplished model, Best selling author, and a Nationally recognized Humanitarian. She has truly seen it all and has overcome all odds. Christine’s motto is: There is always Purpose in Pain, but we have to be willing to share the story. Her life-long passion for writing has finally come full circle with an incredible story to share.
In this episode, Christine and I discuss:
- The lessons Christine was shown time and time again to put less focus on her external appearance that she wasn’t yet ready to learn.
- Letting go of our hyper focus on the outcome of things and focusing on the purpose.
- The pause that came from chemotherapy gave Christine the space she needed to reevaluate her priorities in life.
- Christine’s unconventional approach to retraining her brain after chemo by getting her masters at Harvard.
Every day is a gift. And if you actually believe that, you’ll live your life differently.
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The Laws of the Universe have truly allowed me to view the things that show up in my life in a different light. I’ve come to realize that when it comes to creating change in our lives, the way you show up has a huge effect on how successful you will be at achieving the outcomes you desire. The laws I cover today offer a perspective that can be extremely helpful when it comes to calling in abundance and greater fulfillment in your life. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about how you can use the laws of the universe to create more abundance in your life.
In this episode, I decided to give you just the highlights of these 12 laws. So if one or more jump out at you, write them down so you can start recognizing how they show up for you and how you can apply them moving forward.
The Laws of the Universe I cover in this episode are:
- The Law of Divine Oneness: This highlights the interconnectedness of all things.
- The Law of Vibration: Since all matter and personal energy are in constant motion, they vibrate at a specific frequency. This means our personal energy affects our experience.
- The Law of Correspondence: Patterns repeat throughout the universe and on a personal level; our reality mirrors what is happening inside us.
- The Law of Attraction: Commonly used for manifestation, in its simplest form “like attracts like” and thus, you get what you focus on, whether positive or negative.
- The Law of Inspired Action: This means we are to take real actionable steps to attract what we want, not just manifest them.
- The Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy: On an energetic level, everything is constantly evolving or fluctuating. Every action is proceeded by a thought that has the power to manifest into our physical reality.
- The Law of Cause and Effect: There is a direct correlation between actions and events.
- The Law of Compensation: This reinforces the concept of cause and effect by emphasizing the idea that you reap what you sow.
- The Law of Relativity: Relativity exists in all things but in the end, the meaning comes down to our own perspective and perceptions of things.
- The Law of Polarity: Everything in life has an opposite, thus, there are always two sides to the same coin.
- The Law of Rythm: Cycles are a natural part of the universe. It’s important to work with the flow of these cycles instead of resisting them.
- The Law of Gender: Either masculine or feminine energy exists in all things. Finding the balance between energies allows you to draw from each and life your life with greater clarity and authenticity.
Understanding these laws helps us have a better understanding of how the world works and how we fit into the greater whole while being mindful of the energy we’re putting into the universe.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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It’s often difficult to connect the dots when it comes to the family dynamics that shaped us into the adults we are today. Whether we had parents who were hands-on, hands-off, physically present or absent, the relationships we have with our mother and father as well as the role models we had within our family set the foundation for who we become later in life. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Marie Selleck and I are talking about how understanding her family dynamics led her to help women break unhealthy cycles in motherhood!
Marie Selleck grew up surrounded by generations of strong women and credits her ability to understand the layers of complexity within families to her ongoing curiosity and interest in understanding her own. She is a licensed therapist and an empowerment coach who specializes in helping mothers break unhealthy cycles that began in their childhood. Drawing on her professional training combined with personal experience, she guides mothers through a healing journey to become the grounded, present parent they aspire to be — empowering them to end intergenerational trauma and create new family legacies rooted in emotional health and connection.
In this episode, Marie and I discuss:
- How having both a present and absent parent gave her the perspective to better help her clients.
- The ways having an absent parent in childhood culminates into your adult experiences, especially after becoming a parent yourself.
- Breaking the cycle of trauma by understanding the difference between natural and manufactured emotions, and rewriting your manufactured beliefs.
- Having self-compassion for your experiences, feelings, and journey to healing.
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Do you ever take the time to think about how our upbringing molds and shapes us into the people we are today? Some of us end up following in our parent’s footsteps when it comes to our careers, others carve out a life that looks completely different, and others let the seed that was planted long ago lead them down a path that honors both of their passions in different ways. Today’s guest did just that. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Tsao-Lin Moy and I are talking about how her parents’ cultural backgrounds influenced her passion and career as an integrative healer.
Tsao-Lin Moy has over 21 years of experience as an expert in alternative and Chinese medicine. She is the founder of Integrative Healing Arts which utilizes Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and energy healing to treat patients. Tsao’s holistic approach integrates ancient Eastern philosophy and healing methods with Western scientific paradigms of health. This powerful combination helps each patient learn how to heal so they can take charge of their health destiny.
In this episode, Tsao and I discuss:
- Tsao’s early start in medicine- from shadowing her father’s practice to working in a hospital herself at a young age.
- Transitioning from a corporate career in fashion to practicing alternative and Chinese medicine.
- Tsao’s holistic, whole-body approach to fertility.
- Using psychedelic assisted therapy to help patients work past trauma and mental illness.
- Finding the balance between Eastern and Western medicines for the best treatment.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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We’ve talked before about recognizing the beliefs that can hold us back but we also need to take a closer look at the relationships we have in our lives and how they can either help us make important leaps to continue to make improvements or subtly drag us down and get in the way of progress. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m sharing how independence strengthens our ability to ask for more.
In this episode, I discuss:
- 3 ways we operate in the world when it comes to our personal and professional relationships- independently, interdependently, and co-dependently.
- The damaging dynamics of control and dependence in unhealthy relationships that are often disguised as love or protection.
- Areas where codependence can show up the most in our lives.
- Practices we can use and things to consider when working to become more independent.
- The internal and external challenges you may face when becoming more independent.
Questions to ask yourself to know if you’re in a relationship that is not supportive of your independence:
- Does this person hold your finances, career opportunities or feelings of self esteem in their hands?
- Do you feel heard after you discuss difficult topics?
- Do you rely on this person for the answers? if so, how often?
- Does their behavior or words affect how you feel about your capabilities?
- Do you feel a sense of dread or lack of validation when they are not around?
- Do you take direction regularly from them?
- Do you feel smart and capable around them? Rely on them to ‘take care of it”
- How free do you feel you can state your needs?
- Do you feel you have permission to make decisions without their input?
- How open do you think they would be to support you if you made more decisions on your own?
Just remember, independence can look different for each of us and is the first step in shedding the old behavior and mindset and growing into the person we were meant to become.
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Although common, infertility isn’t the only reason someone might find themselves childless- not by choice. There are endless reasons someone might be grieving the family they had longed for and are struggling to find community, understanding and support.Today’s guest shares how she pulled from her own experience grieving the children she hoped to have to help others find fulfillment in their own lives. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Sarah Jane Smith and I are talking about how her grief from infertility moved her to guide women to live meaningful lives even without the children they wanted.
Sarah Jane Smith always wanted to become a mother. After multiple pregnancy losses, unexplained infertility and a chronic illness that led to a hysterectomy, she was forced to face the heartbreak of a shattered dream with no guidance to pick up the pieces. On her path to healing, she used her experience as a seasoned yoga and meditation instructor to start creating a relationship with her grief, making friends with her body, practicing self-compassion and finding others who could relate to her experience as the catalyst for change that enabled her to move forward in her life. She is an embodiment teacher, coach and grief tender who helps fellow childless not by choice women integrate grief, amplify agency and embody possibility so they can live a meaningful life even without the children they wanted.
In this episode, Sarah Jane and I discuss:
- The unexpected mix of grief and relief Sarah felt when the choice and ability to have children was taken from her.
- Giving yourself permission to take the time and space necessary to process your emotions.
- Incorporating both body and mind in your healing journey and using yoga as a way to take back the choice over your body.
- How Sarah has taken her personal experiences and used them to create a safe and comfortable environment for other childless women.
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Limiting beliefs are a culmination of all the messages we’ve picked up over the years about humility, work ethic, worthiness, and everything else that makes us question what is possible for us. The only way to level up is to interrupt these thought patterns and let go of the ideas that are no longer serving us so that we can step into the next level of connection, fulfillment, and joy in our lives. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m sharing how you can free yourself from perceived limitations to invite MORE into your life.
In this episode, I discuss:
- How the limiting beliefs we have picked up along the course of our lives act as roadblocks, keeping us from going past the set point we have established for ourselves.
- Examples of common thoughts you might have that could use some reprogramming.
- Ways you can challenge your limiting beliefs and break free of the cycle.
- Questions to ask yourself (& maybe journal about) to look at your life from a different perspective.
With awareness, comes freedom. What limiting beliefs are holding you back from leveling up to the next stage of your life?
If you’re interested in starting your journaling practice for the new year, go to daybydaybook.com and get 25% off all Daybooks with the discount code - Podcast25.
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Content Warning: This episode mentions abuse, child sexual abuse, child neglect, suicidal ideations, and suicidal attempts.
Having a nurturing and stable upbringing is something too many of us take for granted. And growing up with a single parent in the throes of addiction can shape and mold a young, impressionable girl in many ways. This week on Journeys Through Change, I am joined by guest Tynitria Portis as she shares how she transformed her experience growing up around addiction, neglect and abuse into a beacon of hope for others.
Tynitria Portis grew up with an alcoholic mother who abandoned her at the age of 5 – leaving her to care for her younger siblings while struggling to find stability within the chaos of emotional, mental, physical, and sexual abuse. Over the years, she experienced challenges in relationships and after coming to terms with her own infidelity, she credits years of therapy along with a strong will to break the patterns of generational dysfunction for helping her grow into the woman she is today.
Now, as a spiritual leader and confidence coach, she now helps others gain the confidence to channel the pain caused by past trauma into creating greater purpose in their lives. Tynitria is a Spiritual Leader and Confidence Coach for black men and women who have the ambition to create their own opportunities and the passion to experience greater fulfillment in life. She is also a woman of God, a devoted wife, a mother of 2 boys, and an author. She specializes in helping her clients get out of the survival mentality and into a mindset of prosperity.
In this episode, Tynitria and I discuss:
- How the circumstances of her upbringing influenced every decision she made into her adulthood.
- Breaking the cycle of addiction and abuse by using therapy as a tool to heal and teach her children a different path.
- Finding forgiveness and healing with her mother later in life.
- Letting her past guide her as she helps others heal from their childhood trauma.
- Lessons learned on her path of transformation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse and Incest national network by visiting online.rainn.org to chat one-on-one with a trained RAINN support specialist, any time 24/7.
Chat one-on-one with a RAINN support specialist to access a range of free services including:
· Confidential support from a trained support specialist
· Someone to help you talk through what happened
· Resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery
· Referrals for long term support in your area
· Information about the laws and resources in your community
If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
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Journaling might seem like a thing of the past, or simply too time consuming, but there are lasting benefits to the practice that are often overlooked. With anxiety and depression on the rise, it’s critical now more than ever to do what we can to support our emotional balance every day and that’s where journaling comes in. Even devoting 5 minutes a day to this powerful practice can yield results. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about the surprising benefits of journaling and a unique tool to keep it simple.
In this episode, I discuss:
- How I started my practice of journaling and the role it played in my sobriety.
- Scientifically proven benefits of journaling for your mental health.
- Revisiting your journal entries to become an observer of your life and see things from a different perspective.
- Writing as a way to activate and exercise thought pathways in your brain.
- 3 things to keep in mind as you start your journey with journaling.
Not sure where to begin? Here are some prompts to get you started:
- I’d like to live by these words…
- Unconditional love in my life looks like…
- I do not want to think about living without…
- I’d like to tell my teenage self…
- I’ll never forget these two moments in my life…
- These are the top 30 things that make me smile…
- I’d like people to know this about me…
- I would like to say yes to…
- My first love was…
- I am happy in my own skin when…
- My body is telling me…
- All the things I love about life…
- The last time my work was really satisfying to me…
- These 10 words describe me…
- These things inspire me…
- The lesson I take away from my biggest mistake is…
- I would like to say no to…
- I’m most energized when…
If you’re interested in learning more about the Day by Daybook, head to daybydaybook.com and use the code ‘Podcast25’ for 25% off!
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