17. Special Guest Heather Hester

19. The Great Work of Your Life

In this episode Christina and Chesten explore the concept of Dharma, a Sanskrit term meaning one's purpose or path in life. Christina shares insights from Stephen Cope's book, "The Great Work of Your Life," which emphasizes the importance of aligning with one's true calling rather than societal expectations. They discuss how Dharma can manifest in multiple ways, using examples like Jane Goodall's work with animals. The conversation touches on the challenges of living authentically, the influence of social media, and the importance of self-worth. They also highlight practical ways to discover or reconnect with one's Dharma, such as reflecting on childhood passions and spending time in silence. Keywords: Dharma, purpose, self-discovery, fulfillment, spiritual growth, personal development, authenticity, life purpose, Stephen Cope Sacred Axis: A Space for the Whimsically Divine. Have a comment, question, or suggestion? Email us at sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com [sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com]

18. Metaphor: Embracing the Experience of Cake

In this episode of Sacred Axis, Chesten and Christina invite listeners to honor that, like cake, they are more than their definable "ingredients" and each person expresses their "ingredients" differently. Listeners may try to break down their components, but those breakdowns may not resemble the end result of the person. Like cake, we are meant to be experienced and celebrated. Keywords: self-acceptance, individuality, validation, authenticity, uniqueness, resilience, self-creation, self-discovery, integrity Sacred Axis: A Space for the Whimsically Divine. Have a comment, question, or suggestion? Email us at sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com [sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com]

17. Special Guest Heather Hester

In this episode of Sacred Axis, Christina and Chesten have their first special guest, Heather Hester. Heather is the author of Parenting with Pride [https://bookshop.org/shop/hester] and host of More Human, More Kind [https://www.heatherhester.net/podcast]. As a speaker, author, coach, and LGBTQ+ advocate, Heather helps parents, allies, and organizations move from fear to fierce through informed love with clarity, compassion, and courage. Link for gift [https://rebrand.ly/heatherhesterpod] to listeners from Heather - 5 Ways to Have Real Conversations with Your Queer Teens During this episode, Heather shares practical mindset shifts including deconstructing binary thinking, questioning moral judgments, and learning to sit comfortably with discomfort. These are tools that help dissolve internal and external barriers around identity and belief, which in turn gives people the opportunity to embrace their true selves as well as embrace their loved ones truths. Heather and the hosts also break down the importance of unlearning societal and religious programs that create shame and fear within the individual. They discuss how these unconscious beliefs can negatively influence parenting, relationships, and community advocacy. By turning to curiosity and love, these individuals are able to be better parents, have better relationships, and build better communities. Keywords: Queer Teens, Parenting with Pride, Compassionate Conversations, Embracing Curiosity, Deconstructing Binary Thinking, Questioning Beliefs, Advocacy and Inclusion, Transformative Parenting, Heather Hester, Fear to Fierce Love Sacred Axis: A Space for the Whimsically Divine. Have a comment, question, or suggestion? Email us at sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com [sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com]

16. Metaphors: Soup & Musical Instruments

In this episode of Sacred Axis, Chesten and Christina delve into the use of metaphors to understand our sense of self and boundaries as well as personal and communal accountability and responsibility. They explore two metaphors: the soup metaphor and the instrument metaphor. The soup metaphor illustrates how life experiences, both good and bad, contribute to one's personal soup, emphasizing the importance of adding positive elements to balance out the negative. The instrument metaphor compares life to a symphony where each person must learn to play their unique instrument. The instrument metaphor includes discussing the significance of distinguishing personal responsibility from responsibilities of others, especially during collaborations. Keywords: boundaries, self-awareness, community, metaphors, soup analogy, instrument metaphor, personal growth, life lessons Sacred Axis: A Space for the Whimsically Divine. Have a comment, question, or suggestion? Email us at sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com [sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com]

15. The Wisdom of Trees - And the Hidden Networks Beneath Our Feet

In this episode of Sacred Axis, hosts Christina and Chesten delve into the fascinating world of trees and their interconnectedness through mycorrhizal networks. They discuss the scientific research revealing how trees communicate and support each other through underground fungal networks, often referred to as the "forest's internet." The conversation highlights the role of "mother trees" in nurturing their seedlings and the importance of preserving these natural networks for forest health. The episode also touches on the broader lessons trees offer about resilience, cooperation, and the interconnectedness of life, encouraging listeners to spend time in nature to experience these benefits firsthand. Keywords: trees, mycorrhizal networks, forest ecology, mother trees, forest resilience, underground networks, ecological internet, tree communication, forest conservation, soil health Resources: Books * The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben * Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard Documentaries * The Hidden Life of Trees * Intelligent Trees Sacred Axis: A Space for the Whimsically Divine. Have a comment, question, or suggestion? Email us at sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com [sacredaxispodcast@gmail.com]