The Beauty We Love

Honoring Our Wholeness: On Mothering, Accompaniment, and the Sacred Work of Change with Intissar Ben-Halim

In this episode of The Beauty We Love, I’m joined by the luminous Intissar Ben-Halim; a psychotherapist, teacher, mother, and wise companion on the path of healing. We talk about what it means to raise decent, whole human beings in a world shaped by patriarchy, the transformative power of community, and the beauty that can be found and felt in silence. Intissar shares how her work is less about "fixing" and more about journeying alongside people in the most tender, human parts of life. This conversation is a reflection on finding beauty in the messy middle, honoring the "I can’t" moments, and discovering what’s possible when we don’t go it alone. If you’re navigating change, caregiving, or simply seeking more connection and meaning in your life, this one’s for you. Learn more about Intissar on Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/intissar-ben-halim-king-of-prussia-pa/134253] Connect with her on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/intissarbenhalim/]

Integrating Our Stories: Identity, Belonging, and Ancestral Healing with Michelle Bias

In this episode, I welcome author,coach, and systemic constellations facilitator Michelle Bias to talk about her powerful memoir String Theory: A Life. We explore the themes of intergenerational trauma, healing, storytelling, grief, personal reinvention, and what it means to belong to oneself, to one’s lineage, and to the world. Michelle opens up about her journey from a career in film production to therapeutic work rooted in systemic constellations. She shares how her book came to be, how it shaped her healing, and how she's coming to take her place beside it. With profound insights on trauma recovery, ancestral legacies, and the tender process of reclaiming your life, my hope is that this conversation will resonate with anyone seeking to alchemize pain into purpose. You’ll hear Michelle read aloud from two especially moving passages of her book and reflect on how memory, grief, and identity can shift over time. Whether you’re navigating your own healing path or supporting others in theirs, this episode offers a grounded, poignant reminder that transformation begins with small steps, and that our past doesn’t have to define our future. Topics Covered: * What is Family Constellation work? * Intergenerational trauma and systemic healing * Postpartum after a creative milestone * Letting go of the idea that “healing” must be linear * How grief stays with us and how we grow with it * The many careers Michelle has held and how they now support her work * Shame, survival, and transforming the narrative * Integrating all parts of ourselves, even those we once rejected * Belonging, legacy, and the significance of kindness Connect with Michelle: 🌐 michellebias.com [https://www.michellebias.com] 📖 String Theory: A Life available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/String-Theory-Life-Michelle-Bias/dp/B0DPPVW95T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32T1NYPPPKBS6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tkqJiMUkSuzLLwO59P_8IgkFpsJTZrdm_jK7t29BZcIE3dyy_aswClSAG7V9dsDF4kc4lI1JBMa-JnMRmsWy3_AoLcSWnBEQyGpGAS6IeVbfNrxQ4Gt8gay69GsWMK_p52ON1BPmZdJne9JoKBSgAu1mVZWlaFSlCjRzu4yg71_6I8YUTcpJvxs9dci4lCzr5g0mLL_ORsjkrdNog2poweARu2FMag1nrKgwCEvINs0.sQV_Vqeuq5yM9IXcQJwPAsID6VyURAjw-l0b-Uz7lPU&dib_tag=se&keywords=string+theory%2C+a+life&qid=1750884506&sprefix=%2Caps%2C4349&sr=8-1] and in select bookstores in Oklahoma OK So Story Slam [https://www.oksotulsa.com/] → Tulsa-based storytelling events co-founded by Michelle Connect with Ellen: 🌐 ellebrowning.com [https://ellebrowning.com] Subscribe to the newsletter for thoughtful updates and workshop invites

You Can’t Unpickle a Cucumber: Owning Who We Are After Trauma with Christine Wamble

In this episode of The Beauty We Love, I talk with Christine Wamble; licensed marriage and family therapist, former preschool teacher and bartender, storyteller, and someone with a deep-rooted capacity for presence. Christine shares her non-linear path to becoming a therapist, shaped by significant grief,curves in the road, a bold ‘say yes’ approach to life, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. We talk about her work in family therapy and secondary trauma, what it means to be truly present with someone, and the healing that comes not from fixing, but from simply witnessing. Christine opens up about her own history of trauma and loss, the friends who accompanied her through it, and the incremental ways she rebuilt trust with herself and others. We explore the power of letting go, the slow and sacred work of becoming who we really are, and the kind of legacy Christine hopes to leave; one rooted in love, honesty, and presence. Whether you’re in a career pivot, navigating your own healing, or supporting others on their journey, I hope you’ll find something beautiful in this vulnerable and real discussion. To learn more about Christine and her work, visit her website. [https://www.christinewamblelmft.com/]

Birthing Babies and Businesses: Fertility, Entrepreneurship, and the Power of Receiving with Caroline Ashurst

In this episode of The Beauty We Love, I’m joined by the luminous Caroline Ashurst; licensed acupuncturist, fertility coach, and founder of The Fertility Formula. Caroline is a trusted, grounded voice in the world of women’s health and holistic healing. We talk about her path from personal healing to professional practice, and how honoring ritual, slowing down, and reconnecting to ourselves can change everything from fertility journeys to our sense of vitality. Caroline shares how ancestral healing, self-trust, and cultivating presence shape her work and life. We talk about transitioning from a brick-and-mortar acupuncture practice to the online coaching space, the vulnerability of visibility, and how allowing (rather than forcing) often opens the door to the transformation we seek. If you’re a holistic practitioner, coach, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is full of wisdom and honesty. We also touch on postpartum depression, reclaiming ritual, and redefining success on your own terms. It’s a conversation about nurturing ourselves so we can support the nurturance of others. To learn more about Caroline’s work, visit: https://www.restorativeharmony.com [https://www.restorativeharmony.com] To learn more about Ellen’s work, visit: https://ellebrowning.com

Beyond Fully Booked: DJ Turner on Building Scalable, Impact-Driven Wellness Businesses

In this episode of The Beauty We Love, I talk with DJ Turner, coach, strategist, and founder of Scaling Wellness, about what it really takes to build a thriving massage or wellness business beyond the solo practitioner model. We explore: * DJ’s journey from structural engineer and touring musician to location-independent entrepreneur * Why fully booked isn’t always the finish line, and what’s beyond it * The real operational, leadership, and mindset shifts needed to grow an ethical, million-dollar wellness business * How DJ helps massage therapists scale without burnout, exploitation, or loss of purpose * The power of being mission-driven, embracing freedom, and breaking generational ceilings We also talk about the privilege of healing work, the reality of late-stage capitalism, and why decolonizing both wealth and wellness matters. Whether you're a solo practitioner dreaming of expansion, or a wellness entrepreneur ready to build something bigger than yourself, DJ’s insight and clarity are not to be missed. Resources & Links: * DJ’s website: www.scalingwellness.com [https://www.scalingwellness.com] * DJ on Instagram: @scalingwellness [https://www.instagram.com/scalingwellness] * The Scaling Wellness Podcast [https://scalingwellness.com/podcast/]: available on all major platforms The Beauty We Love is hosted by Ellen Browning-Lafferty. Subscribe and leave a review to support the show.