The Goddess & The Medicine Woman

Episode 98: A Conversation with Author & Podcast Host Thomas Brown

Thomas lost his brother to suicide in 2001. After a decade of grief, uncertainty, and confusion, he decided he needed to change. In 2012, along with a friend who had also lost a brother to suicide, he set out on a cross-country bicycle tour for suicide awareness and the healing power of art. They started on the northern edge of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and ended in Wappinger's Falls, New York, at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, the art retreat center of artist, Alex and Allyson Grey. After his return, he spent three years as a group facilitator for a local mental health facility, helping others who have lost loved ones to suicide. In 2015, he launched a podcast called Inner Monologue, a conversational interview show where others shared their journies of trials and tribulations. Recently, he published his book 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey, which tells the tale of my cross-country adventure. Connect: www.risephoenix.org [http://www.risephoenix.org/]

Episode 97: Creating Our Own Emotional Capacity In Hopes of Connecting in a New Way

Episode 97: Creating Our Own Emotional Capacity in Hopes of Connecting in a New Way Hosts: Melissa McHugh & Sydney Decker Warning: This episode contains explicit language. In this episode, Melissa and Sydney dive into a range of topics centered around emotional capacity, personal growth, and the challenges we face in today’s fast-paced society. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted yet relatable story of Sydney's stolen coffee, setting the tone for an exploration of how we move through everyday frustrations. The hosts then transition into a discussion about Paul Quinton, creator of The Alignment Modality, [https://www.alignmentmodality.com/] and his work in ancestral healing and shadow work. They highlight how his methods encourage a deeper dive into self-awareness and personal transformation. A major theme in this episode is the importance of levels of awareness. Melissa and Sydney talk about how we are being asked to look deeper within ourselves, recognizing the shifts and darker aspects of both our inner and outer worlds. They emphasize the importance of living from within, particularly from the sacral chakra, and finding balance as we move into the heart space with healthy empowerment. Sydney shares insights from a recent women’s weekend, where she observed how many of us are individually struggling. She underscores the importance of community—especially for women—in overcoming overwhelm and fear imposed by societal pressures. Together, they discuss how women can support each other in tribal, group settings to feel seen, heard, and uplifted. The episode also touches on the dynamic between masculine and feminine energies, pointing out how societal structures set both men and women up for failure in relationships. The hosts reflect on what women truly need in order to show up fully in intimate and sexual relationships: to be seen, heard, and safe. Wrapping up, Melissa and Sydney offer profound reflections on the necessity of creating emotional capacity within ourselves. They encourage slowing down, tuning into our bodies, and making space for emotions as a pathway to healing and deeper connection. Listen now to explore how you can begin creating your own emotional capacity to show up in relationships in a healthier, more connected way. This episode is filled with wisdom on self-awareness, emotional health, and how we can grow both individually and in community. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com [www.innerelementwellness.com] Check Out Her Book: Cleanse Your Energy Book [https://a.co/d/50qWwXG] Check Out Her Journal: Cleanse Your Energy Journal [https://a.co/d/0vGENH1]

Episode 96: A Conversation with Spiritual Eclectics & Podcasters Natalie & Stephanie from Immersive Spirit

Episode 96: A Conversation with Spiritual Eclectics & Podcasters Natalie & Stephanie from Immersive Spirit In this episode, Melissa and Sydney are joined by Natalie and Stephanie, the dynamic sisters behind the High Heels to Happy Feels podcast. From a young age, Natalie and Stephanie displayed extraordinary psychic abilities, often experiencing prophetic dreams that shaped their spiritual journey. They embraced a wide array of spiritual traditions—including Wicca, indigenous wisdom, Buddhism, and contemporary spiritual thought—carving out a unique path as spiritual eclectics. Their journey emphasizes unity, interconnectedness, and personal growth, reaching far beyond the boundaries of organized religion. Together, the sisters have developed their psychic and mediumship abilities and embarked on a multifaceted adventure as facilitators of healing and spiritual educators. They offer a wide variety of services, including investigating hauntings, helping spirits cross over, and providing tarot card and psychic readings. Their work extends to intuitive coaching and sharing the healing energy of Reiki, all done in collaboration with their spirit teams. Natalie and Stephanie continue to deepen their spiritual expertise while empowering others to do the same. Key highlights of this episode include: * The story behind the name "Immersive Spirit" and its significance to Natalie and Stephanie. * Insights into what it's like working alongside a family member in the spiritual field. * Their transition from corporate America into spiritual work. * What it's like to see and interact with those who have crossed over. * Sydney dives into the astrological aspects influencing the current energy and gives a mini astrological reading. Tune in to hear an enlightening conversation that explores the mysteries of the unseen, spiritual growth, and the unique journey of two remarkable sisters. Connect with Immersive Spirit at: immersivespirit.com [www.immersivespirit.com] The High Heels To Happy Feels Podcast: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-heels-to-happy-feels/id1766430551]

Episode 95: The Fear We Have About Taking Up Space & Opening Our Hearts

In Episode 95 we talk about the opening of Sydney's new Yoga Space, Sacred Space Yoga. Her vision of the space and how she had to shift things internally in order to manifest it. About how we can support one another moving forward as we open our hearts and show up authentically. Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com [www.innerelementwellness.com]

Episode 94: Bringing The Light Into The Story of Dying with Tynan Grierson

Episode 94: Bringing The Light Into The Story of Dying with Tynan Grierson Overview: In this episode, we welcome Tynan Grierson, the founder of The Story Ark. Tynan shares his journey from launching a service to record the stories of loved ones and finding himself becoming a grief counselor, guide, coach, and confidant. He discusses the powerful role storytelling plays in how we process and understand death, and how Western culture’s discomfort with death affects us all. Tynan’s personal experience of nursing his father through his final days deeply informs this conversation. Key Discussion Points: * The Story Ark: Tynan launched The Story Ark just before the pandemic to capture the voices and stories of loved ones. His work evolved into guiding others through grief, helping them embrace their stories as part of their legacy. * Western Culture and Death: The group explores how Western society tends to distance itself from death and aging, often placing elders in homes to avoid the reality of mortality. * Emotional Capacity: Sydney highlights the struggle some people have with holding space for others during grief, leading to a sealing off of emotions and, ultimately, despair. * Personal Stories of Loss: Tynan shares his experience of caring for his father through his illness and death, and the expectations placed on him to manage others’ emotions during this time. * Cultural Perspectives on Death: They discuss how cultures like India’s have communal rituals that prepare people for death, contrasting with Western society’s lack of preparation. * Melissa’s Experience: Melissa recounts the shock of discovering her mother and brother after they had died, and the impact of being unprepared for such events. * Kundalini Yoga and Death: Sydney shares her experiences with Kundalini Yoga’s practices of “dying consciously” and rebirthing, which helped her develop a nurturing relationship with death. * Grief and Storytelling: Tynan offers insights on moving through grief, emphasizing that it’s okay to let the process unfold naturally. He encourages everyone to share their stories, as every life holds wisdom and value. Call to Action: To learn more about The Story Ark and how you can preserve the stories of your loved ones, visit www.thestoryark.ca [http://www.thestoryark.ca].