Aliveness: Technology, love, money, sex, soul, governance

Have you every wanted to hear how therapists talk behind the scenes? In this conversation two therapists talk about attachment styles, burn out, how much we care about our clients and so much more.

Alison is a dear colleague, friend and former client and she brings her unique medicine to this conversation - she has a way of articulating inner work that is sensitive, nuanced and at the same time crystal clear.

Alison James Bio:

I hold a BAH from Queen’s University and an MA from Dalhousie University, completing the bulk of my training in psychotherapy at The Toronto Institute of Relational Psychotherapy, the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, and the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. 

In addition, I have received advanced instruction in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Structural Dissociation Theory and Parts Work, Polyvagal-Informed Nervous System Regulation, Mindfulness and Embodiment, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Relational Somatic Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). I also regularly participate in short courses and workshops across a wide variety of topics. 

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy. I adhere to the codes of ethics mandated by both organizations. 

For more personal notes on how she thinks and works visit her website or find her on Instagram.

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HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

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APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

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CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Often we have one area - a trigger, a relationship, money, purpose - and we put a lot of energy into figuring it out and fixing it. In this episode I outline how moment to moment tracking with another person (trained practitioners are great for this) allows you to titrate your nervous system experience and change the pattern in real time. The solution to all problems lies in our connection to ourselves - our bodies, emotions, minds and spirits - what it is to be us.

Medicine work supports and amplifies these moment by moment changes.

Until September 15th the Expand community is available in a six month version to give you the opportunity to really step in, be seen, and shift in profound ways that create lasting change in your life - in how you feel on a daily basis. Email me for more information at [email protected].

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JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

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CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Lorie Dechar is an Acupuncturist, Author, Alchemical Healer, Mentor and Artisan of Transformation.

Lorie and I talk about "the myth, the math and... something else...." - it's one of the best descriptions of inner work I've heard and Lorie drops it in the first few minutes.

Join her Inner Sensing Intensive September 30/October 1

Read her book with Benjamin Fox, The Alchemy of Inner Work

Join her community - A New Possibility - and learn more about her work on her website:

Follow her on Instagram

Listen to Integral Chinese Medicine Conversations

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JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

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CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Lisa and I talk about collective change and what the release of Barbie may or may not represent. It's a fun and fiery conversation!!

Follow Lisa on Instagram at @brnnlisa

Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

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JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

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CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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LinkedIn

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John Cole, a human design guide, joins Alison to discuss their personal experiences with Human Design, highlighting its ability to unveil our own individual uniqueness, the interplay between nature and nurture, the significance of initiations and transitions, and the transformative process of deconditioning in aligning with one's true self.

“There's a transformative process going on as a society, and it's leading to a world where, I think, there will be lot more individual emphasis, meaning that there we're not going to rely on organizations, institutions, experts and other people outside of ourselves to save us, to support us in taking care of our lives. We’re going to have to use a lot more of our energy for ourselves, and there will be new forms of spirituality as part of that.”

CONNECT WITH JOHN

John Cole is a 2/4 Ego Projector on the Cross of the Unexpected. He began his experiment in 2015 when a fellow astrologer invited him to look into Human Design. After decades of working with various astrological systems, he found that the Human Design System offered a very unique framework for understanding our uniqueness through mechanics and our place in the Maia. John is an IHDS certified analyst and teacher with a busy private practice working 1-on-1 with clients offering Foundation Readings, Cycle & Transit analysis, Partnership/relationship analysis, coaching, integration, and more. He is a father to two teenagers and currently runs the Human Design Collective along with Amy Lee where they teach the Foundation Courses and offer other workshops in Human Design and host the Human Design Collective podcast.

Consulting Website: https://metamorphichumandesign.com/

Human Design Collective: https://humandesigncollective.com/

Courses and Workshops: https://courses.humandesigncollective.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcole0023/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metamorphichumandesign

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Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

“That’s not how to do it.” 

This is a recurring theme in our society. We absorb these ideas about “right” and “wrong” and how things should be from childhood through adulthood. 

The mind can still hold onto these narratives even when we’ve unraveled them again and again. This is why we have four other aspects of our self — physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual — that we can tap into to support our mind in evolving, even when it’s wound so tightly. 

“The way that we construct our lives is a reflection of the deepest assumptions we have made about the world and about who we are. As we unpack those and experience new truths, new questions and new possibilities in our body, we can feel safe at a whole new level.

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Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

When Tamara began working with Alison, she had tight expectations for herself. 

She raveled herself in how things are, how they should be, and the roles she held, like mom and professional. 

Her experience opened her perspective and possibilities to life and how it can be different than the way she was living. That gave her permission to put down some of the judgments and expectations she held and cultivated deeper empathy for herself and others. 

“All of these experiences, all of these different things that I'm doing, they are just different ways to practice life. To notice what's holding you back from really, really expressing yourself and really living it out fully.”

—

Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Receive the Transformational Microdosing Guide

True freedom comes from letting go of grasping and opening our hearts. 

But those two things can be so challenging for us to embody in our modern world. 

Alison and guest, Stephen Cope, best-selling author and scholar, delve into the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology and how connecting the two can support you in navigating the modern world.

Stephen shares the experiences and insights that he’s gained studying these ideas that have shaped his books, including his most recent, “The Dharma in Difficult Times: Finding Your Calling in Times of Loss, Change, Struggle, and Doubt,” and offers a guide for how to connect with your own wisdom, cultivate compassion and open-heartedness, and connect with your inner gifts to contribute to positive change in the world. 

“There are two forms of grasping in the Buddhist tradition. There's reaching, “oh, I want that. I've got to get that goal. I've got to get over there on the other side of the river.” And then protecting what you have. 

The real freedom comes in letting go of that grasping, clinging, craving, holding on, and protecting and opening our hearts instead.” 

CONNECT WITH STEPHEN 

​​Stephen Cope is a best-selling author and scholar who specializes in the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology. Among his seminal works in this area are: Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, The Wisdom of Yoga, and The Great Work of Your Life. His most recent work, The Dharma In Difficult Times, the sequel to The Great Work of Your Life shows us the way through our darkest times to our truest calling. Cope helps give readers a roadmap for the journey to their true calling.

For almost thirty years, Stephen has been Scholar-in-Residence at the renowned Kripalu Center—the largest center for the study and practice of yoga in the Western world. Kripalu hosts almost 50,000 guests a year in its many yoga, meditation, and personal growth programs. It is located on a sprawling 200 acre estate in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

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Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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Surrender is a daily devotion.

It unlocks our energy and creates a ripple effect of a positive change in ourselves.

But surrender can be one of the most challenging things we can do because it requires that we face our pain. 

In this episode, Alison shares her recent work with a local medicine man in a ceremony to show how we have to build our capacity to surrender, and how often times, it’s by looking directly at our pain that we’re able to transform. 

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Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

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LinkedIn

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Society ravels us all so tightly.

We’re raveled in the “shoulds” and what’s “right.” We are raveled in the judgments of others, the definition of success, and the expectations others put on us.

This raveling puts us into patterns that keep us stuck — out of alignment with our life force energy.

To allow life to flow, we must unravel.

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Listen to Juicy Stories: 16 women have joined together to share their stories about spirituality in all its forms.

https://alison-crosthwait.lpages.co/juicy-stories-series/

—

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE NON-OBVIOUS THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL GROWTH 

Sign Up for Alison's Email List

—

HOW TO MICRODOSE FOR TRANSFORMATION GUIDE

—

APPLY FOR EXPAND TO STEP FULLY INTO THE LIFE YOU DESIRE

Expand is a three month alchemical program to transform your current experience into a new chapter in your life.  

In Expand you will engage in deep mental, emotional and somatic work in a structured process so that you can fully step into your life in every way you desire. You will also have the opportunity to experience one full microdosing cycle combined with the inner work if you choose.  

Learn More and Apply for Expand

—

CONNECT WITH ALISON 

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube