Building Genuine Connections: Community, Joy, and Self-Expression with Stephanie Cowan

Embracing Joy and Confidence in Challenging Times with Amber Rose

Check out our podcast sponsor: Webster-Street.com [https://webster-street.com/] - Add a little joy and delight to your day with jewelry from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🎙️ Episode 31: The Importance Joy in Challenging Times with Amber Rose Guest: Amber Rose Air Date: 4/30/26 ✨ Episode Summary In this episode, host Aly speaks with Confidence Coach Amber Rose about the profound connection between joy and confidence. Amber Rose shares her journey from activism burnout to embracing radical joy, even amidst societal unrest. Discover practical tools for confidence building, the importance of tapping into your personal joys, and how to navigate external judgment while honoring your authentic self. Takeaways: * Choosing joy is a radical act in a chaotic world. * Joy and confidence feed each other and are essential for healing. * Childhood conditioning can block confidence, but it can be overcome. * Recognizing personal joys helps overcome societal conditioning. * Confidence is a skill that can be deprogrammed and rebuilt. * Setting boundaries and detangling inner critic voices are crucial. * Somatic experiencing plays a role in embodying confidence and joy. Did you get any new insights or takeaways from this episode? If so, I'd love to hear! Leave a comment and tell me all about it!!! 👤 About Our Guest: Amber Rose Amber Rose is a confidence coach who helps individuals embrace joy and build authentic self-trust. Connect with Amber Rose: Instagram: @vibrantamberrose [https://www.instagram.com/vibrantamberrose] Website: vibrantamberrose.com [https://www.vibrantamberrose.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@womenofcolorandconfidence 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealysphere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thealysphere/] * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thealysphere.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/newsletter-sign-up] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thealysphere.substack.com/] for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.notion.so/Newsletter-ca10b49a1e1343adb0a64922d7230e3b?pvs=21] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share it with someone who needs to hear this⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Available on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783]

Embracing Self-Love and Mindfulness: Insights from Joan Hope Craig

🎙️ The AlySphere Podcast — Season 3 - Episode 30 Guest: Joan Hope Craig Air Date: 4/14/2026 Check out our podcast sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Webster-Street.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://webster-street.com/] - Add a little delight to your day with accessories from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealysphere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thealysphere/] * Book a session with Aly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheAlySphere.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/workwithaly] * Shop: Webster-Street.com [Webster-Street.com] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/newsletter-sign-up] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thealysphere.substack.com/] for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/319MuuNwt3NLtzXWB3MDaa?si=f44d675e1ab646a9] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share it with someone who needs to hear this⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✨ Episode Summary Discover practical mindfulness techniques, the importance of self-love, and how to navigate the mental and emotional landscapes of busy minds with yoga therapist and author Joan Hope Craig. In this episode, we explore strategies to pause, reflect, and cultivate peace amidst life's chaos. Key Topics: * Joan shares her journey from health and wellness to mindfulness and meditation * The evolution of her book Exhale and its core message of self-love and kindness * How busy brains and internal critic voices impact our peace of mind * The significance of permission slips and micro-pauses for mindfulness * The role of human design, especially the manifesting generator type, in understanding energy dynamics * Practical tools like belly breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and anchoring routines * The concept of The Second Arrow and how to handle negative self-judgments * Exploring the power of gentle comparison inspired by gurus and teachers * Tips for noticing imbalance signals in the body and slowing down intentionally * How to manage external pressures, internal expectations, and creative pursuits without burnout * Building habits through habit stacking and micro-meditations throughout the day * The importance of authenticity, acceptance, and living in alignment with your unique blueprint. 👤 About Our Guest: Joan Hope Craig Yoga therapist, meditation teacher, author, and recovering "busy bee". My main message is for "People Who Don't Stop." People who want to meditate or practice mindfulness, but struggle with actually doing it because they are too busy or think their minds are too busy. The message can also be for people who are just hard on themselves, with a persistent, harsh inner critic. Micro-moments of mindfulness and mini-pauses to breathe can allow life to feel less stressful and more free, with more self-compassion. Connect with Joan * ⁠Buy the Book: Exhale⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Exhale-Mindfulness-Meditation-People-Dont/dp/B0GPWB8YDB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FOJLZI9JINNU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JZK20MfT-RDGUOtxSfxZT-XYgnJDEUVvn0lQnTIqzLvgmv-4I7ztG-yIu5VnBni7AVTGqMJULsXgEnXmeBMSh8zuySMCtRjU5CToDWw1PI2OJMbOojA7j58z3YpY9A4C.lLxa8oShkGey1TpZ99A6c0N-keabG5Lc0wHzeEVFAHc&dib_tag=se&keywords=xhale%3A+Mindfulness+and+Meditation+for+People+Who+Don%27t+Stop&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1776146294&sprefix=xhale+mindfulness+and+meditation+for+people+who+don%27t+stop+%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1]A Book on Self-Love and Mindfulness⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Exhale+Joan+Hope+Craig] * ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/joanhopecraig/] * Website: choosejoyfulhealth.com [https://choosejoyfulhealth.com/] * Substack [https://joanhopecraig.substack.com/] Upcoming retreat in Georgia, October 1-4 Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Joan Hope Craig 02:45 - Joan’s background in health, wellness, and meditation 05:05 - The purpose behind Exhale—self-love and kindness 12:02 - The power of permission slips and gentle pauses 20:02 - Addressing hustle culture and internal pressures 33:21 - Understanding Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) 44:11 - Practical meditation routines and anchoring habits 50:39 - The Second Arrow concept and handling self-criticism 62:29 - Human design insights for energy management 66:11 - Navigating external pressures from others and environments 73:12 - How human design aligns with living your Dharma 76:43 - Joan’s offerings and ways to connectResources &

Building Genuine Connections: Community, Joy, and Self-Expression with Stephanie Cowan

🎙️ The AlySphere Podcast — Season 3 - Episode 29 Guest: Stephanie Cowan Air Date: 4/2/2026 Check out our podcast sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Webster-Street.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://webster-street.com/] - Add a little delight to your day with jewelry from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealysphere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thealysphere/] * Book a session with Aly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheAlySphere.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/workwithaly] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/newsletter-sign-up] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thealysphere.substack.com/] for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/319MuuNwt3NLtzXWB3MDaa?si=f44d675e1ab646a9] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share it with someone who needs to hear this⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✨ Episode Summary In this episode, Stephanie Cowan shares her journey from Broadway dreams to becoming a passionate community builder focused on fostering authentic human connections. She discusses the importance of belonging, the power of vulnerability, and innovative approaches to creating meaningful social spaces, especially during times of collective loneliness. Key Topics: * Stephanie’s transition from musical theater to community facilitation * The impact of the loneliness epidemic and the role of community events * How to create inclusive, demographically diverse gatherings * The concept of friendship facilitation versus community organizing * Strategies for starting small and building neighborhood connections * The role of consistency and authenticity in fostering belonging * Vulnerability, safety, and co-creating trusted spaces * Personal burnout story and lessons in boundaries and resource support * The significance of play, inner child work, and embodiment practices * Cross-generational mentorship and deepening community ties * Practical tips for initiating community connection locally * Insights from Human Design: Responding to life and embracing intuition * Stephanie emphasizes the importance of resource support for community work. * The episode explores mental health and integration through embodiment and creative expression. * Practical suggestions empower listeners to cultivate neighborhood belonging with ease and authenticity. 👤 About Our Guest: Stephanie Cowan Stephanie Cowan is a connections specialist, facilitator, and speaker devoted to changing the way we gather. She’s the creator of The Drop In, a guided connection format that helps people build trust and real conversation at conferences, organizations, and community events. Based in San Francisco, Stephanie designs joyful, human-centered experiences that bring people out of isolation and into authentic community. Connect with Stephanie * Stephanie Cowan - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecowan] * Mission Serendipity - Website [https://missionserendipity.com/] * The Drop-In Community Events [https://missionserendipity.com/drop-in] Books Mentioned: * Book: The Two Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray [https://party.pro/book/?ngnet]

Enneagram 101: understanding your personality type with Julianne Ishler, The Enneagram Empress

Check out our podcast sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Webster-Street.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://webster-street.com/] - Add a little delight to your day with jewelry from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🎙️ The AlySphere Podcast — Season 3 - Episode 27 Guest: Julianne Ishler - The Enneagram Empress Air Date: 3/10/2026 ✨ Episode Summary In this episode of the Alley Sphere podcast, host Aly speaks with Julianne Ischler, the Enneagram Empress, about the Enneagram, a personality framework that categorizes individuals into nine distinct types. They explore the origins of the Enneagram as both a spiritual and psychological tool, its applications in personal and corporate settings, and the nuances of each type. Julianne shares insights on how to navigate confusion around typing, the importance of understanding motivations, and the value of the Enneagram in fostering compassion and empathy in relationships. The conversation emphasizes the Enneagram's potential for personal growth and self-discovery, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand themselves and others better. Takeaways * The Enneagram is a map of how we see the world. * It originated as a spiritual tool but has psychological applications. * Each of the nine types has a unique motivation and strategy. * You can type someone as young as seven years old. * The Enneagram shows clear paths to growth and distress. * Tests can't definitively tell you your type; self-discovery is key. * Understanding the why behind our actions is crucial for growth. * The Enneagram helps you relate to others with compassion. * You have one core Enneagram type that doesn't change. * The Enneagram is a deep system for lifelong exploration. Did you get any new insights or takeaways from this episode? If so, I'd love to hear! Leave a comment and tell me all about it!!! 👤 About Our Guest: Julianne Ishler Julianne is a writer, Enneagram coach, and facilitator who helps people uncover insights about themselves to build more meaningful careers, relationships, and creative practices. Connect with Julianne here: * Instagram: ⁠⁠@enneagramempress [https://www.instagram.com/enneagramempress/?hl=en] ⁠ * Website: julianneishler.com [https://www.julianneishler.com/] * Substack [https://julianneishler.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealysphere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thealysphere/] * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheAlySphere.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/newsletter-sign-up] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thealysphere.substack.com/] for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.notion.so/Newsletter-ca10b49a1e1343adb0a64922d7230e3b?pvs=21] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share it with someone who needs to hear this⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Available on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783]

The role of observation and perception in healing and life, with Güliz Ünlü

Check out our podcast sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Webster-Street.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://webster-street.com/] - Add a little delight to your day with jewelry from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🎙️ The AlySphere Podcast — Season 3 - Episode 27 Guest: Güliz Ünlü Air Date: 3/17/2026 ✨ Episode Summary In this episode of the Alley Sphere podcast, host Aly speaks with Güliz Ünlü of Equuarius about what happens and what information we can garner (about anything!) when we observe from a place of neutrality - what is possible when we can step out of the way with our projections. Takeaways * Animals, including our pets, come here with their own agendas and purpose * People who are deemed shy, may just actually be observing * Perception and perspective is everything! Did you get any new insights or takeaways from this episode? If so, I'd love to hear! Leave a comment and tell me all about it!!! 👤 About Our Guest: Güliz Ünlü I has started foals, re-trained and rehabilitated ex-race horses, competed with hunters and jumpers, stunt-doubled in films and learned to drive a team of Fjords and Belgians. Along the journey, I have been broken and healed. I have won, lost, and fallen hard. I have experienced overwhelming joy, excruciating loss and heartbreak, unimaginable frustration, incredible peace and great satisfaction – all from this magnificent creature we know as Equus – the horse. The depth to which horses have awakened the wisdom within me is profound. And so, I continue with the Awe and curiosity of a child to explore the dimensions of wisdom and consciousness of ALL animals.  Connect with Güliz here: * Instagram: @equuarius [https://www.instagram.com/equuarius/] * Website: equuarius.com [https://www.equuarius.com/] 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealysphere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thealysphere/] * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheAlySphere.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thealysphere.com/newsletter-sign-up] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thealysphere.substack.com/] for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.notion.so/Newsletter-ca10b49a1e1343adb0a64922d7230e3b?pvs=21] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] ✅ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share it with someone who needs to hear this⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Available on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alysphere-podcast/id1793679783]