Embodied with Elizabeth Patricia DiAlto Figueroa

Today's interview is probably one of the most gentle conversations I've ever had about some seriously charged topics - race, social justice, boundaries, capacity, positions of power, and more. The nature of the conversation totally speaks to how our guest, Andréa Ranae Johnson shows up in the world - with tons of compassion, curiosity, and commitment to contributing to solutions and better systems. In the interview we talked about the larger system we're all part of, and all of the identities we hold. We talked about the sense of care we need to have for ourselves as women (and humans) during these intense times. And we explored how to have our needs and wants met, to not only be OK, but to thrive. Enjoy!

About Andréa Ranae Johnson:

Andréa Ranae is a vision-led facilitator and coach who believes that together, we rise. She is deeply committed to doing her part in cultivating a world that works for everyone and does so by placing her work at the intersections of personal growth, social justice and conscious business.

As the creator of Coaching as Activism, she supports people doing transformative work to deepen their impact by taking a critical look at how their work and lives are connected to social change. As the co-founder of Whole / Self Liberation, she offers and uplifts practical tools, resources and wisdom for those who want to make change happen in their lives and communities. As a coach and consultant, she works with entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations that want to be more inclusive and impactful do so through their approach to leadership, their marketing and their company culture. She's a huge fan of #blackgirlmagic, sunsets and veggie burritos.

In this episode, Andréa shares:

1. Becoming aware of when and how we cause harm 2. Expanding your capacity while staying in your lane 3. How fast things move online

A study back in 2011 revealed that we are bombarded with the equivalent of 174 newspapers a day. That's 5x as much information since 1986. And that was 6 years ago.

Our responsibilities and stressors are off the charts. A lot of what doesn't work in our cultural, social, environmental and political systems is breaking down before our very eyes, without viable new solutions in sight, let alone in place yet. AND all of that feels extra scary because of the amount of images, articles and videos we see about it online every single day.

The bottom line is in spite of all our advances in the 21st century, it's easier than ever to be overstressed, over worked, over tired, overwhelmed, and overconsumed. The good news is, even with life's challenges and complexities - it's possible to unconsume yourself, and to tend to your mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and energetic health in a way that makes 21st century living way more manageable - even fun. That's what today's Sunday Sermon is all about.

Today's guest was my roommate at an event earlier this year and I instantly fell in love with her. She's the type of person you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed with. Jill Wesley is a professional speaker coach, an expert on messaging, and truly a brilliant and incredible woman. In this interview we talked about messaging and communication in the context of corporate environments, the TEDx stage, and everyday life, no matter what it is that you do. Jill shares how speaking is a soul bearing exercise, and how to connect big ideas and hone in on your values. We also explored refinement in a few different areas of life from the difference between constructive feedback and personal attacks, how resiliency is not a constant thing, and focusing on essential relationships. We ran the gamut on a ton of interesting topics in this conversation - enjoy and share it up!

About Jill Wesley:

Jill Wesley is the Pro Speaker Coach and she's taught the Science + Soul of Speaking ™ for 25 years. She works with business leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, authors, speakers and trainers who are the real deal. She helps speakers in the fields of leadership, health and wellness, technology, environmental protection, media, education, relationships, sports, entertainment and social justice.

Jill is the speaker coach for TEDxSanFrancisco and she's trained speakers for multiple TEDx events. Jill has trained and coached over 80,000 executives and high-performing employees in some of the world's top companies and institutions (LinkedIn, Twitter, Square, Adobe, NetApp, Cisco, Stanford Law School, NFL Players Association, Johns Hopkins University and Panasonic, to name a few). As a speaker, she's delivered more than 300 keynotes in all 50 states and in 25 countries. She's been the "secret weapon" for leaders who give major keynotes on massive stages (TEDx, Wisdom 2.0, Women@Google, NPR, and global corporate and industry conferences). Jill received her M.A. in Speech Communication from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at NYU and she taught Communication and Management for California State University, Long Beach. She helps leaders ignite a movement and change the world through TEDx talks and signature keynotes.

In this episode, Jill shares:

1. Identifying the messages you got growing up and checking in on how well you lived them or not 2. If a message is for everyone it's not for anyone 3. Turning point moments

In today's sermon, I'm sharing an experience I had recently that has two parts and a story from a book I'm reading. The two parts of my personal story have to do with facing my own shadow, and finding deeper forgiveness for a situation I thought I had forgiven thoroughly because I had be working on forgiving the situation for more than an entire year already, yet I discovered, there was still more to forgive. The story from the book is about unconditional forgiveness. This episode is about depth, possibility, and liberation through one of the most timeless and loving practices there is. Enjoy.

Ever have a visceral response to seeing someone do what they do best? That's how my first encounter with today's guest, Elana Meta went. Watching her dance at an event literally made me cry. We talked a lot about dancing in this interview - both in her career (she's toured the world with various artists), and in her life, dancing between the masculine and the feminine. We also talked about mastery, the important of practice, and commitment. She shared the creative process and evolution for her upcoming Wild Vessel event, and she even introduced me to a term I'd never heard before, 'biomimicry" - have a listen to find out what it means and to hear the rest of our juicy chat.

About Elana Meta:

Elana Meta is a dance catalyst, teacher and creative. She is the founder of the META Method, a form of movement that connects dance with the four natural elements. She is one of the largest international influencers in the festival dance community. She brings the Meta Method to events, corporations and conferences. She performed for artists such as Beyonce, Michael Franti, Nahko and Thievery Corporation. Elana is lucky to call LA her home where she launches her online courses, and leads events and retreats for women globally.

Teacher at : Wanderlust International Tour, Esalen, Summit Series, Lightning in a Bottle, Symbiosis, Hive, and Burning Man.

Model: Elana is represented by Abrams Artist Agency in LA & NYC and has been featured in commercials such as Dannon Yogurt, Gillette, Boost Mobile, Target and more. She's been featured in music videos with Hoodie Allen, New Politics, and does flash mobs globally for social change.

Performer: Elana has performed at venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater and Lincoln center alongside artists such as Beyonce, Skrillex, The Glitch Mob, Michael Franti, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Thievery Corporation and more.

Current: Elana is currently working at the intersection of dance, mindfulness and Virtual Reality as head of Global Outreach for an LA based VR company, Empact Labs. She is also leading multiple online courses alongside LA based women's groups and private clients.

In this episode, Elana shares:

1. Polarity in all of life 2. What a "protector" actually is, does, and why we crave it 3. There is no blame in responsibility

Surrender is something I've been exploring, practicing, and teaching for years. Back in 2013 when I was at a crossroads in my life where not even the next step was clear, the only thing that kept me moving forwards was surrender. And just a few weeks after I really committed to letting life live through me, rather than trying to hustle so hard to make things happen, things started falling into place in beautiful and miraculous fashion. This doesn't mean I don't work or effort anymore, but it does mean there is space for grace, prosperity, ease, and much greater outcomes than I could imagine on my own.

This is what today's Sunday Sermon is about - enjoy and know that no matter who you are, where you are, or what's going on for you right now, there are possibilities within close reach for you if you know what to look for and are willing to be receptive. Big LOVE, E

There are a few things I reference on the show a lot that I've been wanting to get guests on to take us a bit deeper with for those who are interested and Astrology is one of those topics. Today's guest, Jenn Racciopi is one of my favorite astrologers to follow for daily doses of what's going on in the cosmos, how it may be affecting us personally, and how we can work with these energies. We took the "skeptic question" head on, and I love the way Jenn addresses this for those who aren't sure whether or not they resonate with Astrology. She shared the personal health challenges that originally led her into the study and practice when she was 19 years old, and she defined the significance of three basic aspects - the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. Aside from signs and planets, she talked about following the moon cycle and how to use it as a manifestation tool through understanding the different qualities and potentials of each phase. This is a fun and informative interview - and she also loaded us up with resources if you want to take your study deeper. Enjoy!

About Jenn Racioppi:

Jennifer Racioppi is an Astrologer, a Holistic Health Counselor (AADP), a Behavior Change Specialist, a Duke Certified Integrative Health Coach and a Registered Yoga Teacher who blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology and women's health to coach high achieving women in reaching their next level of success. Her Lunar Logic philosophy integrates the deep wisdom of both science and astrology, helping women build a foundation of resilience, step into their authentic selves, and stay faithful to their dreams. Her motto: Success isn't a race, it's a rhythm. You can find Jenn on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

In this episode, Jenn shares:

1. What is the Sun Sign? 2. What is the Moon Sign? 3. What is the Rising Sign? 4. How to use astrology in a practical way to inform your everyday life without being obsessive or giving your power away to it

In light of some recent events in the online coaching, spirituality, and self-help worlds, as well as some deep and important conversations I've been observing and participating in both online and offline, I am dedicating today's Sermon to being crystal clear about the values I hold, and therefore that are also held by my team and my company across the board.

This is not about proving anything, it is about setting clear and proper expectations. Because even though we may not know each other personally, if you listen to my podcast, follow me on social media, or participate in any of my programs, events, or workshops, we are in a relationship, and I value you as an individual human being.

In this episode I'm letting you know how specifically I "do sacred activism," and also what I do on an ongoing basis to continue improving how I show up in this realm, so if or when I mess up, and I might, you can hold me accountable in a way that is kind and loving, and therefore useful and productive. This way we can grow closer as a community and create healing, transformation and change, rather than drama, turmoil, further injustice, or separation and disconnection. And I want you to know you are always welcome to come directly to me and the team by emailing [email protected]. We will listen, you will not be dismissed, and if appropriate, I will respond personally, if not, please treat my team as extensions of me.

It's rare that I feel intimidated by anyone, but I remember coming across today's guest for the first time a few years back and feeling that unfamiliar feeling. I now know the reason why is because she was embodying something I had only just begun to take a look at - shadow work, and willingness to embrace our darkness and love others, and ourselves, anyway. This is a deep and powerful interview where we talk about diving through the shadows to the center of your soul. We discuss what L'Erin calls "shatter points," and the strength available there. We also got into trusting your intuition over your intellect, real-deal healing, the five bodies, and taking responsibility for your projections. This is another "listen more than once" type of episode. I hope you enjoy it thoroughly.

About L'Erin Alta:

L'Erin Alta is a soul guide, shadow diver and spiritual teacher known for burning down the stale, fluffy, boring "self-help" formulas and helping women ignite true personal liberation. Her workshops, retreats and 1-on-1 intensives have been called, "transformation temples for unruly, soulful women".

She believes loss, grief and pain are healing initiations and if honored, they will fortify you, bringing you through the shadows into the light of your soul. Using movement, meditation, ritual, art and ancient practices, L’Erin guides women on a spiritual journey, helping them surrender their facades, shed their fears and finally come home to themselves.
If you were to read her resume, it would include Microsoft, non-profits large and small, as well as a 5-year stint as a MAC makeup artist. But what should really be there are the 23 countries where she's studied healing in backwater ashrams, jungle temples and mountain monasteries, working with spiritual teachers, medicine women and shamans from many faiths and spiritual paths to learn about trauma, healing and transformation.
The essence of her work is distilled to freedom - supporting you in finding it, cultivating it, living it.

Because your power is in this moment. In this breath. In this one courageous, against-all-odds, bravely true...Yes.

In this episode, L'Erin shares:

1. Returning to wholeness
2. Self-Trust
3. Work as a devotional practice

For many years I denied anger I'd been holding on to practically my whole life, which allowed it to silently and not so silently impede my progress in a few different life areas. It caused me and others a lot of pain and suffering. Once I learned how to connect with my anger I realized it's a holy emotion - so today I'm reflecting on how that can be. I'm sharing a personal story, a related blog post from Danielle LaPorte and a poem. My prayer is that this one can help us all connect with, and use our anger for healing, connection and discernment, rather than destruction, disconnection and to perpetuate pain. Enjoy and share with those you know could use it. Big Love, E