Awakening Aphrodite

So, how does hormonal birth control actually work? And, for that matter, what does “informed consent” really mean?

In today’s episode, you’ll be plunged into a deeply educational discussion on the feminine hormonal cycle with my amazing (repeat!) guest, Dr. Nathan Riley. You’ll hear about many of the key hormone players in the dance of your natural rhythms, the societal forces that have historically laid shame on women’s sexuality and the true intelligent nature of your menstrual cycle. We also launch into a discussion on the incredibly important grassroots film, The Business of Birth Control, which you can stream at thebusinessof.life.

Dr. Nathan Riley is an allopathic MD who is popularly known as The Holistic OBGYN. Dr. Nathan’s patient-centered approach in medicine is informed by his reverence for the human body, mind and spirit– a perspective that is unfortunately lost on the impersonal, business-centered hospital institutions of our world today. As an OBGYN and provider of Hospice and Palliative Care medicine, Dr. Nathan’s holistic practice is uniquely grounded in profound experiences of birth and death. As you’ll come to know in this episode, Dr. Nathan is wholeheartedly committed to understanding human physiology and helping his clients heal at the source rather than “medicating away” presented symptoms.

If you missed it, I highly recommend tuning into Nathan’s first appearance on the show, Episode 89. If you love Nathan and his approach to wellness, go check out his podcast, The Holistic OBGYN Podcast, of which I am a subscriber and total fan. You can also learn more about Dr. Nathan at his website, belovedholistics.com or visit him on Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn.

The information in this podcast is absolutely critical for all women (and men!) to know. Please share this episode with anyone who you think would benefit from true knowledge of the menstrual cycle, fertility and birth control. And if you’re looking to stream The Business of Birth Control with a discount, use Nathan’s code, “beloved50” at checkout.

TIME STAMPS

00:08:18 Connecting With Authenticity

00:13:46 The Dehumanization Of Medicine

00:16:11 Defining “Informed Consent”

00:25:35 Episode 89 With Dr. Nathan Riley

00:26:23 The Business Of Being Born and the Business Of Birth Control

00:28:43 Episode 120 With Sara Charmoli

00:30:44 Synthetic Endocrine Disruptors

00:38:39 Amy’s Experience On The Pill

00:42:10 Menstruation As A Vital Sign

00:53:13 The Cyclical Nature Of The Feminine

00:58:03 Remnants Of Historical Shame

01:01:53 The Period As Your Personal Biotracker

01:03:02 Menstrual Cycle 101

01:07:22 How Birth Control Works

01:12:30 Cosmological Worship Of The Feminine

01:18:04 Nathan’s Thoughts on thebusinessof.life 

01:27:09 Nathan’s Podcast

Finding skincare products that align with my mission, values, feelings and philosophy is an exquisitely challenging task.

There are countless obstacles in the way of connecting with products that are nontoxic, ethically sourced and that satisfy my body and soul. In the rare chance that I DO come across someone like Hanna Mehrabani and her small business, Seeb and Solace it is a true god-given blessing.

Hanna is a geo-physicist who began her career, ironically enough, fracking the earth for oil. In this episode you’ll hear about the massive shift in consciousness that brought her from the hyper-masculinized fracking-mindset back to the sacred oil formulating traditions and holistic practices of her home country, Iran.

At Seeb and Solace, Hanna meticulously oversees each step of production, ensuring that the soil and water that nurture her crops are whole, carefully maintained and free of the toxins that otherwise permeate the majority of our natural environment. Her products made with love, care, and complete transparency, and are sourced from an international chain of healthy, conscientious and ethical farms.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Hanna’s incredible life story: from her birth into the Iran-Iraq war to her discovery of skincare as a medicine for the overloaded and traumatized nervous system. We discuss the root cause of autoimmune issues like psoriasis and eczema and refer to the skin as a female organ, symbolizing our sacred boundaries and self expression. We talk about the true nature of biodynamic farming, the critical importance of soil health and the magical properties of saffron for your skin, body and emotional wellness. 

Hanna has generously provided Awakening Aphrodite listeners with a discount to Seeb and Solace products! Enter the code “fitamytv” at check out at seebandsolace.com and enjoy the natural richness of biodynamic oils that will nourish you on both cellular and spiritual levels. You can also follow Hanna on Instagram at @seebandsolace. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting me with your review and share with your friends and family!

TIME STAMPS

00:10:25 Masculine-Feminine Harmony

00:15:08 Hanna’s Background

00:18:54 Healing Through Nature

00:23:49 The Magnetism Of Gratitude

00:26:40 Born Into The Iran-Iraq War

00:32:16 Discovering Skincare

00:36:51 What Seeb & Solace Is All About

00:42:25 The Lost Integrity Of The Organic Label

00:43:40 Soil Health And Biodynamic Farming

00:48:24 GMOs Won’t Feed You

00:53:27 Micronization And Ozonation

00:56:53 Healing Heart Harmony Saffron Mist

00:59:14 The Politicization Of Saffron In The US

01:02:57 Behind The Name

01:05:12 Think While It’s Still Legal

01:06:16 Your Special Discount to Seeb and Solace

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on YouTube at Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV. For special discounts on her favorite products, visit her eStore!

You’ve probably heard that psychedelics, regressive hypnotherapy and even "shadow work" can help access and heal deep layers of the unconscious, but did you also know that we can do the same thing just by breathing?! Sounds crazy, right?

Don't get me wrong, this isn't just any type of breathing, but done with the right methodology, focus, set and setting, breath work can have amazing and long lasting effects to mind, body and spirit (as I attest to in this episode!).

Breath work is currently a hot topic in the holistic wellness community thanks to the renewed psychedelic movement and figures like Wim Hoff… but to be honest, it’s not a modality that I’ve personally had the greatest luck with. Having tried a few different breath work sessions without “results,” I was finally referred to Effiji, the unique breath work practice of Sarah Charmoli, my wonderful guest today, and her business partner, Elijah.

As business leader, head of communications and master facilitator for Effiji worldwide, Sarah Charmoli is passionate about the transformational power of Effiji Breathwork and the practices that make up the holistic program designed to support people in their personal consciousness work. Sarah has successfully organized, executed and co-led multiple weekend intensives and programs across the globe. She is committed to the growth of each individual called to work within the framework that Effiji provides for their exponential evolution and to the growing community of individuals supporting one another on this path.

In this transformational episode, you’ll hear about the pivotal life moments that guided Sarah to her dream work and she shares potent advice for getting out of your own way, developing magnetism and being “realized” through both failures and successes. We talk about why breath work is so powerful, the value of a passionate breath work facilitator and what sets Effiji apart from other breath work approaches. As usual, I get very personal and talk about my Effiji breath work journey with the hope that it inspires you to dive in and feel into your own unconscious layers.

I have GREAT NEWS! Sarah has generously gifted a 50% discount to Awakening Aphrodite listeners so you can experience Effiji for yourself! You can sign up for their remote breath work sessions at effijibreath.com and enter code "fitamytv50" at checkout. You can find out more about Sarah and her work on Instagram at @effijibreathwork, Facebook and Youtube channel.

TIME STAMPS

00:09:46 Interview begins

00:11:19 Sarah’s origins

00:15:55 Pivotal moments

00:21:00 Realizing through failure

00:23:13 Magnetism

00:28:53 Breath work popularity

00:36:55 What is Effiji?

00:39:21 Your breath is your teacher

00:42:59 The facilitator’s role

00:49:18 Selling water by the river

00:56:29 How do we use breath work?

00:58:41 Amy’s Effiji experience

01:02:47 Permission to let it rip

01:12:08 How to connect with Effiji breath

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Ladies…what is the first thing you do when you get home after a long day?

First, you probably take off your shoes, and secondly… you remove your bra, right? Whew! What a relief! 

That is your body communicating with you! We put up with minor discomforts all day long to be "socially acceptable," and yet the source of this particular minor discomfort (the bra!) may be causing us undue harm in the long term. 

Sydney Ross Singer, my guest today, has been researching the link between bras and breast cancer for decades, and according to him, bras should come with a warning label like cigarettes do. Wow! Get ready for some mind blowing statistics, an insider’s scoop into the business side of our medical system and the physiological rationale behind the international free-the-nipple movement.

After receiving graduate training in biochemistry and being awarded his master’s degree in anthropology from Duke University, Sydney Ross Singer decided to pursue a career in the new and emerging field of medical anthropology. To better understand how culture and environment affects human health, he went on to complete three years of medical school at the University of Texas to become one of the first medically trained anthropologists in the United States.

In this episode we discuss the physiological, cultural and psychological impacts of the bra along with its complex history and modern multi-million dollar industry. Sydney believes that the root cause of breast pain, cysts, edema and cancer is directly linked to the bra's restriction of critical lymphatic circulation. Sydney explains his unconventional breast cancer research and tell us about his life experiences as an explorer of human culture and "cancelled" member of modern medicine. You'll hear my personal synopsis of my past two months of living bra-free (spoiler alert: I LOVE it!) as well as my perspective as a woman on this charged issue.

You can learn more about Sydney's work at BrasAndBreastCancer.org and his absolute must-read book, Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras, which he co-authored with his wife, Soma Grismaijer. If you feel passionate about this topic, can join their international Bra Free self-reported study at brafreestudy.com to further this important research!

Please subscribe, share and leave a review to let me know what you thought about this episode! I love your feedback and I hope this conversation sparks your inspiration :)

TIME STAMPS

00:11:05 Animal Testing In Medicine

00:14:05 Culturogenic Disease

00:22:54 The Bra-Breast Cancer Correlation

00:26:25 The Mysterious Lymphatic System

00:32:38 The Dangers Of Your Bra

00:40:40 Signs That Your Bra Is Causing A Problem

00:47:09 Reconnecting With Our Bodies

00:51:57 The Bra In Psychology And Culture

00:53:41 Amy’s Testimony To The Braless Lifestyle

00:59:35 Nipple Phobia And Double Standards

01:02:58 The General Rule

01:09:42 Cancel Culture And Industry Interference

01:15:18 Our Medical Corporatocracy 

01:22:42 Where To Find Syd

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Where does unwavering self-confidence end and narcissism begin?

Have you ever worried that acting confidently from a place of unconditional self-love may be mistaken for narcissism?

Is there an alternative explanation for the conventional and toxic “narcissism” of the West?

I find the gift of having a unique perspective to be especially rich when we consider different cultures’ interpretations of myths, fairy tales and religions. In this episode, I read a card from Ari Honarvar’s Rumi’s Gift Oracle Cards: an exquisite deck of cards that allows me to explore poetry, images and insights selected by my soul.

Today, my soul chose to share a reading from Ari’s oracle card on confidence. It features a powerful Rumi poem and the Persian tale of Narcissus: the beautiful– and mortal– son of the gods. You may be surprised to hear that Ari’s telling recounts a man driven by his own dazzling self-love rather than the famously flawed idea of vanity. This Persian approach to the myth of Narcissus reminds us that the root of confidence is in realizing that the beloved is “...manifest and unmanifest,” and that we are always welcome to dive into a self-love that is deeper than our image.

Ari is an award-winning writer, visual artist and speaker. She is the Iranian Musical Ambassador of Peace, Vice President of Gente Unida (a human rights border coalition), and founder of Drop Poems Not Bombs. I was honored with Ari’s presence as a guest on my show in Episode 36: Feminine Strength Among Terror; Surviving Heartbreak, Fear and Uncertainty and Finding the Beauty, Joy, Treasure and True Freedom in Suffering with Rumi and Ari Honarvar. I highly recommend tuning in to hear Ari’s amazing story!

If you enjoyed today's Fast Friday episode, I would LOVE to hear about it! Please leave a review (on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!), share & tag me on Instagram! Let’s do this together!

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Hey, we all feel better when we go out in the warm, bright sunshine, don’t we? Have you ever been stuck inside or been in stormy weather for days when all of a sudden, BOOM, that big beautiful sun came out? And you stepped into that fresh air and felt the sunlight warm your mind, body and spirit?

Well, GUESS WHAT? It’s not just your imagination! There is a real physiological and biochemical reaction that happens in your body when the sun contacts your skin. Our bodies, our food and all of life on the planet evolved to thrive in the sunlight. But what about skin cancer, melanoma, premature aging and sunburn, you ask?

You'll hear all your answers in this second episode with Dr. Elizabeth Plourde. When Dr. Plourde's studies revealed that sunscreens actually promote melanoma and harm all life in the oceans, she devoted her life to presenting the truth behind today’s environmental damage in books, scientific articles, medical conferences and consumer groups. When “Kid Safe” sunscreens were marketed, Dr. Plourde redoubled her efforts to dispel the myth that zinc and titanium oxides are “kid safe.” Not only are they “not kid safe,” they are not “ocean life safe,” as they kill the phytoplankton, the foundation of our oceans' food chain. Sunscreens are not only toxic and dangerous for people and ALL of life but they are also... totally UNNECESSARY! As you'll learn in this episode, we can create our own internal "SPF" through dietary choices and lifestyle!

Dr. Elizabeth Plourde recently appeared on my show in Episode 116, The Biology of Femininity, which I highly suggest you check out to learn more about her personal story and extensive research background. Her published books include:

EMF Freedom: Solutions for the 21st Century Pollution 3rd Edition 2018

Sunscreens Biohazard 2: Proof of Toxicity Keeps Piling Up 2018

Sunscreens Biohazard: Treat As Hazardous Waste 2012

Hysterectomy: The Best or Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Me? 2003

Your Guide to Hysterectomy, Ovary Removal & Hormone Replacement 2002

TIME STAMPS

00:08:34 Sunscreen Is Bad!

00:10:10 The Importance Of Vitamin D

00:15:17 The Fragility Of Our Coral Reefs

00:17:16 What's Toxic About Sunscreen?

00:24:30 How To Boost Antioxidants In Your Diet

00:30:35 You're Drinking Whatever You Apply To Your Skin

00:34:30 What About Aerosol Sunscreens?

00:37:36 The Interaction Between Chlorine And Sunscreen

00:42:18 Are Zinc Nanoparticles Okay?

00:49:10 Dr. Plourde’s Websites

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

What does it mean to feel like “yourself”?

Are you energetic? Joyful? Do you love to wear certain colors or repeat specific phrases?

Did you know that there is an orchestra of miniscule compounds flowing from your organs and glands and through your bloodstream that together create this beautiful dynamic art piece you call “yourself”?

Well, these little reality-weavers are called HORMONES! The topic of hormones has come up in many episodes of Awakening Aphrodite because...WOW, they determine so much about us: how we look, how we act, how we feel, our quality of life and so much more! 

This information-rich episode features Dr. Elizabeth Plourde C.L.S., NCMP, PhD, a prolific researcher, author and clinical laboratory scientist. Her extensive background includes working with cutting edge DNA and cancer research laboratories, dissecting and debunking the Western idea of "sunscreen," educating the world about EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) and guiding women through menopause as a North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner. 

Surprised to find that her ovaries had been removed along with her planned hysterectomy at age 43, Dr. Plourde dove deep into the research on biology and female physiology as her health rapidly deteriorated. Our organs are NOT dispensable and our hormones are here to support us through ALL phases of life. We’ll talk about the role of estrogen in bone health, cardiovascular health, sleep and neurological fitness as we journey through Dr. Plourde’s fascinating life story and wise advice for women's health. We also dive into EMF’s and their mysterious impact on the health of people, animals, insects and nature worldwide.

Let’s educate ourselves, lead healthy, happy, vibrant lives and take care of our beautiful planet! Thank you for joining me, and please consider leaving me a review and sharing this episode with someone you love.

Dr. Plourde's amazing book titles include:

EMF Freedom: Solutions for the 21st Century Pollution 3rd Edition 2018

Sunscreens Biohazard 2: Proof of Toxicity Keeps Piling Up 2018

Sunscreens Biohazard: Treat As Hazardous Waste 2012

Hysterectomy: The Best or Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Me? 2003

Your Guide to Hysterectomy, Ovary Removal & Hormone Replacement 2002

TIME STAMPS

00:11:02 Dr. Plourde’s Voracious Search For Truth

00:14:18 Research vs The Researcher

00:16:57 North American Menopause Society Cetified Menopause Practitioner

00:19:17 Dr. Plourde's Hysterectomy

00:25:43 Don’t Skip To The Conclusion!

00:30:51 More Than A Baby-Making Home

00:38:00 Death By Osteoporosis

00:45:04 The Inaccuracy Of Hormonal Blood Tests

00:48:53 The Origin And Role Of Progesterone

00:57:24 The Reality Of EMFs

01:10:51 Episode 63: All Things EMF

01:22:42 Look Into Our Upcoming Episode On Sunscreen!

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Whew, another few weeks gone by! I hope you are loving, learning and growing through each and every precious moment!

Speaking of which… Have you ever tried enjoying your life to the fullest when you’re so busy you can barely take a moment for yourself? Though many of us love our work (I hope you do!), our to-do lists often become so long that basic self-care goes *plop* right out the window.

But hey, I’m right there with ya! Having spent 30+ years in the fitness and holistic health industry, I can tell you that NO ONE is perfect and we all have health-related struggles in common. Most of us are stressed out, stretched thin and working too hard to fully enjoy those precious small moments of peace between tasks.

One of the most common questions I get asked is this: “Amy, how can I be fit and healthy when I’m constantly busy? I don’t have time for self care!”

Oh BOY do I have some time-tested pro tips for you! I have maintained my health and fitness through years in the industry as a manager, model, coach, teacher, student, business owner and holistic health practitioner with these THREE simple, minimal weekly actions:

Listen in for the details on why and how I implement each item into my weekly routine! These three steps are foundational in my career and are absolute game changers for boosting energy, mood, productivity and overall wellness. For MORE game changers, check out my absolute favorite recommended products with discounts just for you!

Your review and feedback on the Awakening Aphrodite podcast means the world to me. Thank you for joining my tribe!

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Did you believe in magic, fairytales and mystical creatures as a child?

Maybe a part of you still does! Or perhaps you fully embrace the idea of other-worlds hiding just beyond our physical understanding.

Whatever the case may be, you’re in for a real treat because Patti Negri, my amazing guest today, is the Good Witch of Hollywood and world-renowned psychic-medium! Patti is widely known for her recurring role on the Travel Channel & Discovery Plus's #1 show, Ghost Adventures, and the #1 paranormal show on YouTube, Tfil With Elton Castee. She is also the international bestselling author of Old World Magick For The Modern World: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques To Balance, Empower, & Create A Life You Love, a book that has graced my library for years.

Patti's body of work includes appearances on dozens of shows, from Master Chef, WipeOut and America’s Got Talent to Influencers, YouTubers and crossover talents like Lilly Singh, LaurDIY, Good Mythical Morning and AwesomenessTV. She has graced numerous magazine covers, contributed to over 20 books and conducted seances on radio, film, and TV working with such legends as Emma Stone, Jon Voight, Josh Duhamel, Chevy Chase and Gregory Hines. Patti has a popular weekly podcast called The Witching Hour and has just launched her second weekly podcast, Patti Negri’s Haunted Journal. Patti is partner and Vice President of Paraflixx.com Streaming Service, and partner and educator at UniversityMagickus.com, an online Spirituality School.

In this wildly inspiring episode, you’ll hear Patti’s professional definition of some common terms that are easily confused in the media, such as “witch,” “psychic,” “medium,” “wicca” and “spellcasting.” Patti tells us how magik, manifestation and her unconditional belief that she can do anything got her through insurmountable health issues and caused her to be chosen from 10,000+ others to perform on the global stage. She shares how simple practices such as tuning into your heart, refusing to identify as a victim and setting small “staircase” goals can make your dream life your reality.

You can find Patti's features, offerings, podcasts, YouTube and more at pattinegri.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review to let me know! Thank you for tuning into Awakening Aphrodite!

TIME STAMPS

00:05:34 Old World Magic For The Modern World

00:12:04 What Is A Psychic?

00:14:37 What Is A Medium?

00:19:33 What Is A Witch?

00:24:28 The Wiccan Religion

00:35:20 Survival, Love And Fear

00:38:04 Tips For Overcoming Fear-Based Obstacles

00:43:10 Passion And Doubt

00:47:20 Can I Spellcast On Others?

00:49:10 Is Being Possessed Voluntary?

00:52:14 How Patti Negri Manifested Her Life On Stage

00:55:47 Patti’s Experience On America’s Got Talent

00:55:35 Following The Moon Cycles

01:00:05 Check Out My Monthly Online Women's Circle!

01:01:39 How To Find Patti

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!

Welcome back to Awakening Aphrodite! This episode is all about sisterhood, feminine power, self-worth and learning to develop a deep intuitive connection with your body.

I met my amazing guest today, Rachel Varitimos, through her partner Ryan Sprague, a popular (and multi- repeat!) guest on Awakening Aphrodite. Rachel and I walk very similar paths in the field of holistic wellness. She is a Certified Life Coach, Story Work Coach, Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher who specializes in women's empowerment. In this episode, you’ll be blessed with a deep dive into Rachel’s journey of personal development and her wisdom in helping women manifest their dreams, intuitively tap into their physical bodies and cultivate joy and sovereignty in their lives and businesses.

As you’ll hear in this soul-touching conversation, Rachel began her life journey with severe social anxiety, obesity and an eating disorder that drove her to study conventional nutrition to the detriment of her intuitive, self-healing abilities. We share how we each personally dealt with (and are currently dealing with!) society’s impossible beauty standards and discuss tips for tapping into our true source of feminine power. We also discuss the value of finding your sisterhood tribe, confronting toxic internalized massages about your body and tips for embarking on your path to sovereignty and mental freedom.

You’ll want to be sure to listen through the end for some really fun, juicy conversation on feminine sexuality, feeling your feelings and exploring the yoni and the rich, inner magic she has to offer! You can find Rachel's offerings, services and exciting upcoming retreats at the LinkTree in her Instagram bio @Rachel_Varitimos.

If you feel empowered by today’s enlightening discussion please let me know! Consider leaving a review, sharing with other women in your life or tagging me on your Instagram story @fitamytv!

TIME STAMPS

00:07:14 Rachel’s Work In Feminine Empowerment

00:09:34 What Does Community Mean To You?

00:16:20 Overcoming Fear

00:20:19 Aligning With Sisters

00:25:51 Opening To More Friendships With Women

00:31:58 The True Source Of Feminine Power

00:36:57 Developing Self-Worth As Women

00:41:46 Rachel’s Quest For Mental Freedom

00:45:35 Including Nutrients Versus Counting Calories

00:50:54 Overeating And Self-Judgment

00:54:55 Addressing Your Food Cravings

01:01:58 Orgasmic Release

01:06:42 Exploring The Sexual Body

01:12:12 Episode 101 with Emily Abbott

01:15:30 Where You Can Find Rachel

You can find Amy at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on her FAVORITE products, visit her affiliate page!