A few months ago I did some "story extraction calls" with a close colleague where I laid my real, raw && oh so vulnerable life story all out on the table and had her help me decide what to do with it. Her name is Katie Quesada and she is an *incredible* story teller. So I knew when I made the decision to use my personal story to create a sense of belonging for others, I wanted her perspective of it.

I've always been intrigued by "belonging." Our innate desire to belong, the pieces of ourselves we'll sacrifice for it, and how I can use my story to cultivate deep connection and belonging for those who feel like they never have. 😞❤️‍🩹 During the extraction process, I was asked a question that struck me to my core and sparked many conversations with myself and others around belonging... Find out what that question was in this episode where I also navigate how I'm cultivating belonging outside of myself for others, but also cultivating belonging for myself without shapeshifting pieces of myself into someone who I'm not.

THE JUICY HIGHLIGHTS:
• The true definition of "belonging" and how it affects all parts of life
• Feeling incredibly disconnected to {slowly} creating my community
• Paying for friends??? 👀
• Carving out time to be intentional with relationships 
• Resetting to remember who I am & what I'm leaving for others
• Getting radical about belonging to yourself first

THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
[0:42] The BTS of my "story extraction calls"
[1:35] The real definition of belonging & what it predicts within our lives 
[3:40] Creating a sense of belonging for ourselves AND others 
[5:08] How did I go from feeling disconnected to creating community
[7:58] The vulnerable ask to four women to go deeper in our friendships
[10:06] The life-altering question Katie asked me
[11:42] Chosen versus given exclusion  
[12:13] What Katie said to me that left me feeling so seen
[13:03] Leaving after creating connections because I choose myself first 
[14:08] Where are you staying stuck just so you can belong? 
[14:40] People's thoughts and opinions on my life decisions 
[15:25] Resetting to remember that I need to belong to me first 
[16:47] The

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MORE ABOUT ASH
I am the definition of duality — I swear like a sailor and break rules like it’s my job, but I also hold incredible space for my clients and work my ass off to help them achieve the success they’re after. But I'm also here for the non-preneur woman, too. My background in counseling gives me a unique perspective on what it means to show up, serve, & create connection for those who feel like they've never belonged before.

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