In my conversation with Finn we discussed *many* tips to get centered with the divine (spirit/source/God). And that helps you get aligned with your purpose. This episode was an accidental companion to Kathy Stanley's conversation.

Having a deep connection with earth is important for individual alignment. Take a re-listen and get inspired.

Let's listen to my conversation with Jeff again. I've talked about non-linear paths with a lot of guests, and it really shows up here.

This is the replay of my episode with Laura Rowe on empaths.

We'll take a listen to mom guilt. Let's let that go! 

In the last regularly scheduled episode of season 1, I discuss celebrating, looking ahead to season 2, and reflecting on season 1.

I reviewed the top 5 episodes, which include:

Season 2 will include an assortment of guests and topics such as:

We’ll see you over the summer with some “re-runs” and some of my Facebook Lives, a new episode for Lammas, and then back again September 2nd for Season 2.

Thank you so much for being here.

Until we meet again.

(Photo note, this is my son last year on June 22. I thought this whimsy would be a great way to celebrate midsummer.)

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

Tender education is the single most important measure of success for kids, and we can’t have it because of the market failure of care. My guest, Tiffany Chapman, and I dive into what care is, why it’s important, and what we can do to change it.

My guest today is Tiffany Chapman, a regional organizer with Family Forward. Today, we speak about the work that Family Forward Action does to address the growing childcare disparities we face.

Care work is invisible, and if it didn’t happen, no one would be able to work. And, it’s seen as women’s work, the thing we are supposed to do. We discuss how ultimately, the way we handle care as a US society has resulted in a large market failure, where the supply doesn’t meet the demand, we have a shortage of child care because no one can afford to subsidize a system this big.

Tiffany and I further discuss that creating a tender environment is the most important thing, above all the other learning, in order to determine a child’s success. We discuss steps we can take to articulate those values and tell our politicians that this is a priority.

• Care work is the work that makes all other work possible.

The HEROES Act has passed the House, but it still needs your support in the Senate. Contact your representatives and tell them you want it passed.

Tiffany’s numbers for the price of preschool/ in-state college tuition were wrong.  In-state college tuition in Oregon annually is $16,823.  Infant care annually in Oregon is $13,518. 

Walter Mondale was a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Child Development Act in 1972.

• Find your representatives and tell them we need to prioritize care and pass the HEROES Act (Senate): https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/

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

Introduction to Episode

In today’s episode, Kathy Stanley and I discuss balance, alignment, nature, deep-psychology and how that works with Kathy’s art and energy work.

Podcast Episode Summary

My guest today is Kathy Stanley. Kathy is an eco-psychologist, an artist, and a teacher. In our conversation we talk about sustainability, why it’s important, and different ways in which we can engage in sustainability. Kathy also practices energy work, and she walks us through some healing practices that we can take so that the activist can renew.

During our interview, we discuss Kathy’s work the Shaman Queen. Click through to get your print.

Quotables

“We will not save what we do not love.”

Kathy’s tips for aligning and balancing.

Recommended Resources

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

Introduction to Episode

My guest today is Emma Leigh Burke, who is running for City Council in Lake Oswego for the November general election. In today’s episode we talk about the importance of representation, our love of vote by mail, and how Emma will tackle issues important to her and to you when she’s elected to office.

Podcast Episode Summary

In our conversation, we discussed diversifying councils because making sure the people governing look like the community they represent allows for more stable communities. We discussed how important it is to have people with resources serve on Council because the work is unpaid, so you are looking for volunteers who can literally afford to serve. We discussed how child care can be a barrier and that parents looking to serve need the right combination of kids with the right temperament and flexible schedules. We discussed how council meetings can be exclusive, which makes it hard for members to literally see the community they represent and for that community to see their representatives.. Emma noted that we have an opportunity now where minds are expanded with what our communities and engagement can look like simply because of the accessibility of Zoom meetings..

We also discussed how people who serve in Lake Oswego, as teachers and maintenance workers for example, sometimes cannot afford to live in the community because of the housing prices. So, how would we reshape our cities by incentivizing those who serve to live there by providing something like a housing GI bill? Emma is also deeply committed to a police oversight and working to stabilize the commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Quotables

If we just amplify the voices that already exist, then that will be more representative of our community.

When people don’t vote they are wasting an opportunity to invest in their own future.

Vote by mail is really important, and our republican secretary of state vouches for it too. Democracy can be valued by everyone when everyone can exercise it.

Non partisan roles are sort of like, ‘Hey be a good neighbor.’

Recommended Resources

Emma on the web https://electemmaburke.com/endorsements/

Emma on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Emma-Burke-for-Lake-Oswego-City-Council-1061195827371775/

Emma’s personal page: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaLeighBurke

You can find Emma and me when we are advocating for family friendly policies at Family. Forward Oregon https://www.familyforwardaction.org

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

Introduction to Episode

My guest today is Chrissy Marquadt. Chrissy is a powerhouse Enneagram 7 who is a wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur. We discuss responsibility, boundaries, GOAL setting, and so much more.

Podcast Episode Summary

Chrissy and I sat down and discussed many things from coffee chats to life coaching. This episode is packed with goal setting tips, boundary setting tips, and stories of Chrissy’s journey on her path of self-discovery navigating various roles.

Chrissy is an Enneagram 7 and loves setting goals. This year has brought a refocus on maybe not having so many. At the time of this recording, one hat Chrissy wore was serving as the Executive Director of the South Columbia County. Chamber of Commerce. With the onset of COVID-19, Chrissy transitioned out of that role and is now focusing more on her life coaching path.

The conversation is also layered with identity - as a mother, a naturalized citizen originally from Jamaica, as a wife, and of course, as a serial entrepreneur.

Quotables

“If you’re not dead yet, you still have something to learn.”

“If you don’t know what you should do, think about what you liked as a kid.” (paraphrased from Start)

“Your friends and family are not your ideal customers, but they might know someone who is.”

Chrissy’s Boundary Tips

Fixing the Morning Shit Show

Recommended Resources

Find Chrissy at

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