Balance Shared

Introduction to Episode

She found herself processing grief through writing and she gave birth to so much more. In this interview Alexa Bigwarfe shares how she found the Women in Publishing Summit, and how she gives back to grieving mothers.

Podcast Episode Summary

Alexa Bigwarfe is a writer, a publisher, a teacher, a producer, a wife, and a mother. And, she is a grieving mother. Our conversation leapt over many things, from how she got into writing, how she taught others to publish, how she carved a niche for womxn, how she worked through her money story, and how she gives back.

Our conversation started with various topics that are covered during Alexa's Women in Publishing Summit. Topics include: true stories, challenges, extra roles women play, mindset, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, balancing all the roles, and many technical aspects like choosing the right cover art.

We then spent a good portion of our conversation talking about worth and the challenges that are mostly unique to women when it comes to valuing our work. 

Finally, we discussed how Alexa turned to writing. It was a tool that helped her process the grief of the death of her daughter, Catherine, when Catherine passed away at two years old. Along with a book and a blog, she also gave birth to the non-profit, Sunshine After a Storm, which gives care packages to grieving mothers.

Quotables

“[We t]ell important messages through our stories.”

“I can’t give if I don’t have the means to do it.”

Recommended Resources

Profit First: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30780674-profit-first?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DwaaMuDnXk&rank=1 

The Soul of Money: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185526.The_Soul_of_Money?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=VVO7uG2m3j&rank=1 

Join the Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com. 

Check out Alexa’s work: http://writepublishsell.co. 

Visit the Sunshine After a Storm non-profit: https://sunshineafterthestorm.org. 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

Erin Everleigh learned she had to change the narrative and just do it if she was going to tell the story that was burning inside her.

Podcast Episode Summary

We begin our conversation with “what happens after the happily ever after”. Erin Everleigh is a dentist by trade. 7 years ago, she got an itch. A story was growing inside of her, and she had to get it out. In this episode, we discuss Erin’s process, how she let her story out, and how she shares her determination and hard work with young people, so they can share their stories too. 

In order to write, Erin had to change the narrative of not being enough. She shares how her marks in English, which were lower than her other marks, allowed her to tell the story that she wasn’t good enough in the writing arts. Yet, upon reflection, she wrote stories as a child. So, in order to write, she had to rewrite those stories of not being enough, and then just do it. She worked to change the narrative of worry, “What if people hate it?” to, “What if people love it?”

Now, she has been able to make time for writing, inspire her daughters to write more, and inspire young adults from all over to write their stories. She is changing the narrative of, “I’m not enough,” one person at a time.

Quotables

All quotes by Erin, unless otherwise noted.

• “You can have so many different facets to your life and what you love to do."
• “You can find time for the things that are important to you.”
• “Unused creativity is not benign.” ~ Brené Brown 
• “You can’t hang on the excuse of I just don’t have time to do what’s important to me.”
• “Everyone says don’t read a book by its cover, but we all do.”
• “Through determination and hard work you will be unstoppable. There is no such thing as failing. Yet, we are all afraid of it.”

Recommended Resources

• The Artists Way, Julie Cameron
• Michelle’s Time Worksheets
• Find Erin on Goodreads
• Find Erin on the web

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

Aimee Biondolillo joins me and shares her story of finding her passion and mission. Specifically, she found health after her come to Jesus moment.

Podcast Episode Summary

Aimee has a mission to share and help others with their healing journey. She would love, even more, if people didn’t have to live a pain-filled life to begin with. Her journey saw its awakening, like all good awakenings, in the bath.

While always a spiritual person, Aimee’s path to finding God was circuitous and filled with skepticism. Until, quite literally, she was meditating in the bath and she saw Jesus face to face. From that moment on, her whole world opened up, and she became open to essential oils and other natural solutions that have helped her on her journey. 

Aimee has Fibromyalgia. Fibro is one of those hidden diseases that is difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Aimee shares with us her journey of how she was able to literally get out of bed and manage life again.

Aimee and I are both doTERRA Wellness Advocates, and for part of our conversation, we discuss the many natural supports supplied by this company that are used on a daily basis.

Quotables

Aimee has 5 steps to help you grow in knowing your bodies:

1. Research your diagnosis or issue
2. Educate your yourself 
3. Reach out for support
4. Talk it out with your support
5. Know, you’re not alone 

Recommended Resources

On sensitivities and allergies: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/essential-oil-safety-and-application-sensitivity-reactions-assess-sensitivity. 

To learn more about Aimee and follow her work, visit her at https://rawfireliving.com. 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

Further celebrations of the return of light. We began our light return celebrations with Yule, and we will continue with IMbolc. 

Podcast Episode Summary

In this episode, I, Michelle Lasley, your host, pontificate about the merging of seasons. I review where we are on the wheel of the year and where we are going.

• Note, I align the “start” of the year with Aries Season or Ostera, the Astrological start of the year 
• I argue Imbolc is both the end and a beginning 
• Note other holidays with the same date: Ground Hog’s Day, Candlemas, and Brigid’s Day

A note on Candlemas

• Celebrates Jesus’ initial presentation
• When Jesus first enters the template, around age 12
• The purification of the Virgin Mary 

Other traditions show the Green God goes through a similar trial, where he grows from boy to teen. The dawning corresponds with the maiden stage, or the young woman. Imbolc is one of three fertility festivals. And, since one aspect is purification, now is a great time for cleansing your home, your spring cleaning. Also, be sure to finish your reflections. 

I offer some herb and oil supports. 

Herbs

• Sage: “The desire of sage is to render man immortal.” The root, salvere, is defined by being in good health.
• Rosemary: strengthens memory, purifies the air
• Mint: a symbol of hospitality
• Rue: clear sight and visioning, traditional anti-plague herb

Oils

• Lime: zest for life
• Peppermint: a buoyant heart
• Clary Sage: clarity and vision
• Thyme: releasing and forgiving

Quotables

Season blend

Seasons merge

One day you look

the sun is brighter 

the birds are louder

There is a lightness to the air 

The wind has shifted

The buds are waking up and

they are showing their

first colors 

The earth is shrugging off the 

cold - Shrugging off its 

chill winter coat

It is spring.

Recommended Resources

Imbolc last year: https://michellelasley.com/2020/02/how-do-you-celebrate-imbolc/ 

Bremness, Lesley. The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs. London, UK: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1988.

Casey, Caroline W. Visionary Activist Astrology: Become a Secret Agent for Transformation. Sounds True, 2015. (skip to the chapter on the sun)

Emotions & Essential Oils: Your Guide to Process, Release, and Live Free. 8th ed. Enlighten Healing, LLC, 2019.

Lawless, Julie. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism. Element Books, 1995.

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

Samantha Gillis takes light workers and morphs them into light warriors, raising the consciousness of humanity. 

Podcast Episode Summary

Samantha, mother of two, works with individuals who feel trapped in mediocrity and want to tap into their purpose. She brings people to a “5th Dimension Future” where they learn how to live a life of ease that is in alignment with their true selves. 

Tips

• Restart at 10 seconds
• Use 5 affirmations to start your day 
• I am power. 
• I am control. 
• I am awareness.
• I am creating. 
• I am money. 
• Use Samantha’s scrapbooking technique
• Envision your life when you are 80 years old
• Build a path infusing empathy and imagery that works backwards to build the life you want

Recommended Resources

• See Samantha’s academy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelestialLightWarrior/. 
• Check out Jeni Houston’s episode at https://michellelasley.com/2020/02/using-essential-oils-to-walk-into-joy-an-interview-with-jeni-houston/.
• And, read Life After Google, 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

There are three pillars to happiness, personal development and health and wellness. Gillian Duncan talks about how she figured this out how she works with women to help them get their happiness. 

Podcast Episode Summary

Gillian does her work on the other side of the pond. I was so delighted to meet someone so many miles way from me who also teaches womxn on clarity. In this episode, Gillian explains how she broke through from the years of conditioning that told her, as a young girl and later a woman, that she couldn’t do things. Ultimately, she found a path towards happiness, and that is what she teaches people now. 

Her three pillars towards happiness include:

1. Setting goals for your personal happiness
2. Engaging in personal development
3. Focusing on your health and wellness 

She has found that if any one of these pillars is off kilter, the whole thing crashes, and your own personal happiness becomes unattainable. 

Recommended Resources

Check out Gillians' work on her website, Clarity Junction: https://clarityjunction.com. She has links to all her social media there. 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

roduction to Episode

My guest today is Andrea Procida, a fellow essential oil educator and enthusiast. Andrea has found her calling in health coaching after tirelessly advocating for her own health. In today’s episode, we dig into what that looks like.

Podcast Episode Summary

Andrea’s life changed in sixth grade. She doesn’t know exactly what or when it was. But one day, she woke up with pain and anxiety. The fearless girl left for safer ground, and not until a few years ago did Andrea actually find relief from living with Lyme disease and it’s added complications.

It took Andrea many years, and many doctors, before she was able to find relief. 

In this episode, Andrea shares her story of how she found hope on the other side. Her advice? Keep Digging to Better Health. 

We also dig into a little bit of what sparks joy for Andrea. Hint: the beings name is not Charlotte.

Quotables

• “I have a lot of skills, and I never myself credit for [them].”
• On withholding information from doctors: “I didn’t tell them all the other things ‘cause they just weren’t helpful.”
• “Find someone who will listen, and keep digging.”
• “[Pets] provide me with so much comfort and love.”
• “I’ve always wanted a pig.” 

Recommended Resources

Find all things Andrea ~ 

• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/andreawysockiwellness 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreawysockiwellness 
• Bentley and Chloe's IG: https://www.instagram.com/bentley.and.chloe 
• Facebook group for those suffering with Fibro and Lyme: Fibro & Lyme Wellness Solutions
• http://bit.ly/3aWeGw2 
• My Top 5 Must Do's If You're Living with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Lyme Disease
• https://bit.ly/2VEOhuc 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

Ashlee Angelus comes back to continue our conversation. We discussed, in depth the harrowing aspects motherhood can have for some mothers. In this episode, we discuss how she turned those breakdowns into breakthroughs. Ashlee is an expert at finding beauty through the breakdown, and she shares that wisdom with you.

Podcast Episode Summary

Ashlee Angelus is a life and business coach for moms. She loves to help them align their business with them. She specializes in helping moms who have forgotten themselves get reconnected and rekindle the flame that has found its way to burning out. 

Ashlee has found that moms who come to her need to give themselves permission, learn to regain their confidence, and reignite that flame.

Quotables

• Put time aside for yourself
• Ask for help
• Practice compassion

Recommended Resources

• The Soul of Money by Lynn Twist
• The Divine Law of Compensation by Marianne Williamson
• Ashlee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteeLaCreativeCo/
• Ashlee’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelacreativeco/
• Get your “I am resilient shirt” here: https://www.etsy.com/earthfiredesign/listing/933394655/white-or-gray-iamresilient-t-shirt-make?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1609293518058 

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Today’s guest, Ashlee Angelus, tells us about growing up with labels, breaking through, and the harrowing journey to becoming a mother of a Rainbow Baby. Ashlee shares the entwined tales of motherhood and entrepreneurship. 

Trigger Warning: part of Ashlee’s story involves the traumatic birth of her rainbow baby. While our language is clean, the topic could be triggering to some listeners. 

My guest, Ashlee Angelus, walks us through many experiences from being labeled and told she could do one thing to defying those labels to pursue who she wants to be. 

In our conversation, we got caught up in walking through Ashlee’s path to forging her own path, atypical of the norm. 

For the mother and Entrepeneur, Ashlee offers one single piece of advice, which is, “Ask for help.” 

• Ashlee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteeLaCreativeCo/
• Ashlee’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelacreativeco/

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. 

Introduction to Episode

In this episode, I discuss the patterns of Yule and what we could be doing to align our patterns with those we see in nature.

Podcast Episode Summary

I love taking a look at Shadow Time to get us thinking about what we should be doing during our year. So, I spend a little time reflecting on nature and offer an invitation of doing nothing as we celebrate the turn of light.

For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com.