From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

In today’s episode, Rachel shares a very difficult, dark and vulnerable story of what happened to her in a plant medicine ceremony she did once. Before getting into it, she opens up about an ayahuasca ceremony from her early twenties and how that changed her life. Then she dives into this ceremony and everything that happened.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How is it that we live in a world full of sunflowers, bumblebees, sunshine, toddlers, and delicious cups of coffee - that also has genocide, war, starvation and suffering? How can our minds handle switching between two extremes, holding many emotions at once, and feeling helpless through it all? Is there anything we can really do about it? On today’s episode, Rachel does her best to share how she is navigating the bizarre reality of the world right now. She opens up about how she has been able to find new avenues to be of greater service to those in Gaza, and how it brings all the emotions at once: from heartbreak, loss and grief, to hope, compassion and gratitude. There are things we can do. This episode will help you hold everything at once. After all, it’s all we can do.   To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How is it possible to manage our anxiety when everything feels like it’s on fire? In today’s episode, Rachel talks about two separate worlds: Gaza, and where she is in Sweden, making red currant jam. How can these two worlds exist simultaneously? She shares more about a family she has been helping in Gaza, and how sometimes experiencing that anxiety and letting ourselves marinate in the suffering of the world can actually propel us into taking more action. On the other hand though, Rachel goes deeper on how we have to keep our feet planted on the ground at the same time. We have to continue to immerse ourselves in the little things that make life feel good and remind ourselves that beautiful things do still exist. We have to make the red currant jam. Tune in for an insightful episode that will remind you of your duty to this world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Life is full of so many contrasts, and one scroll down your Instagram feed will show you that easily. This summer, you have probably seen your friends and families enjoying their lives, celebrities living lavishly and taking exciting trips… and then you have probably also seen a genocide happening - the worst suffering that children have experienced in recent times. How can we live our lives when faced with such contrasts?  In today’s episode, Rachel shares her feelings and thoughts about the current state of the world. She opens up about whether or not she feels hopeful or hopeless when it comes to the future, and how it is so important for us to never take our situation for granted. If you have  the privilege and luxury of a safe life, then you have the duty to not just make the most of your life, but to also stand up for those not as fortunate. There is still hope for the world if we can come together and work for something better. Tune in for an episode that will leave you with a little bit more hope in this hopeless world.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

In today’s episode, Rachel is talking to you from Greece as she visits on a family vacation. Greece holds a special place in Rachel’s heart, as this was a country she visited with her mom when she was little, but also on her first solo trips without parents, and even on her honeymoon. Reminiscing on all the trips in the past leads Rachel to today - now on a trip with her little family. She talks about the magic of summer, of playing in the water with her children, of visiting ancient temples and legendary trees, and of really good food and really good wine.  But even surrounded by all this beauty, it can be hard to slow down if life back home is still busy. Do you have trouble slowing down in the summer? Are you savoring these moments as much as you could be? And how can you support yourself and your nervous system so you can take it all in and enjoy exactly where you are? Today’s episode is full of storytelling, pondering, and a beautiful reminder to appreciate this moment - it’s all you’ve got. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]