Embracing Intensity

"We are moving out of the time of the guru." This quote from my interview with Alexandra Lewis really resonated and stuck with me. If we are moving away from gurus, what are we moving toward?

In this episode, I discuss:

• Platforms vs. Pedestals
• Noise vs. Signal
• Connecting with your inner voice
• Bringing more community and self exploration into your life. 

In this episode:

My Patreon Page:

https://www.patreon.com/embracingintensity

Find Your Superpower Course

http://www.auroraremember.com/find-your-superpower

What is your life’s purpose? It’s certainly a loaded question, but it is precisely the question that opens up so many positive experiences in our lives. I love talking with spiritual leaders and healers who dig beyond "love and light" because they have devoted their lives to understanding life and giving it purpose. Many of them also happen to experience times of feeling like they are “too much,” and my guest today is no exception. I am delighted to introduce you to Angela Rose Fields. Angela is a fellow Portland local, spiritual healer, yoga teacher, coach, and so much more. Her life has been built with experiences that have stretched her to fully embrace her healing gifts, even if that was difficult or not accepted by her community. She dwells in the realms of spirituality and mental health, and she fully believes that those realms overlap and align in beautiful ways we haven’t seen yet.

Angela grew up in a conservative community, but her parents always encouraged her to forge her own path spiritually. Angela jokes that, even though she wanted to find her own unique purpose, she ended up following in her parents’ footsteps as a spiritual guide. From her trip to the Amazon at 16 to meet with local shamans and years traveling the world solo in search of purpose, Angela has accumulated so many life experiences that have only confirmed her desire to guide others to spiritual understanding. Angela is using her fire to teach the sensitive, intense, and empathetic how to find their purpose and harness their gifts for both the light and the dark that they are.       

Angela treats life experiences like lessons, and she embraces her gifts with an open heart. She has much to teach us about how to find our place in this world, so let’s dive in together!

More in this episode:

• Angela shares all about her intense passion for spirituality, quantum physics, and mental health.
• Excitable, sensitive, and extroverted, Angela often felt like she was too much.
• Angela had a very atypical childhood, but she loved those unique life experiences.
• Western culture doesn’t always see certain traits as desirable.
• What we can learn from indigenous cultures.
• Angela shares the beginning of her energetic awakenings.
• Angela has learned how to connect to and harness energy.
• Yoga practice has been an enormous help for Angela.
• The best advice Angela has ever been given.
• Angela is always thinking long and hard about her extremes
• We can use every gift for good.
• Speak through intuition and alignment.
• Angela is helping others use their fire by speaking to the darkness and facing issues they are working through.
• Angela’s group program, Access Intuition, is 6 weeks for the empathetic and highly sensitive. 

Resources:

Angela Recommends

Baghavad Gita

Light is the New Black

Connect with Angela

Patreon.com Search “Embracing Intensity”

Do you spend to much time thinking and not enough time doing? This week, Aurora talks about things that have gotten in the way of taking action and ways she's planning on moving forward. 

In this episode, Aurora shares:

• A brief overview of a new approach to discourse around difficult conversations. 
• Three big reasons many gifted and creative people hold themselves back from taking action. 
• Four things she's doing to help herself take more action in the future. 

How can we use our intensity to give back? Once we have embraced our beautiful and unique intensity as the gift it is, we often find ourselves in a position of wanting to make positive changes in the world. My guest today is no exception. Olivia Baylor is a multi-disciplined therapist and counselor based out of Maryland, and she truly enjoys counseling couples before they get married. Due to her own cross-cultural background, Olivia is drawn to couples that don’t quite “fit the mold.” She discovered right away that she could use her intensity to better serve these couples by creating resources they could actually use!

Olivia’s most recent book is a pre-marital workbook designed for people of diverse backgrounds called Before “I Do”. Whether the couple comes from different ethnic, cultural, or religious backgrounds, or they are an LGBTQ+ or polyamorous couple, Olivia’s workbook will have something for them. The workbook is just a small part of Olivia’s heart to give back to her community. She wants to celebrate the diversity of love and humanity that she sees all around her. The only way to do that is by listening to her clients and creating tools that focus on what they need.

In her personal life, Olivia relies heavily on her community and her family to keep her grounded. She has so many ideas about how to change the world, but she needs to pace herself or otherwise face burnout. Olivia has a lot to teach us today about harnessing our intensity for the good of others, and how counseling and therapy can be a healthy place for nontraditional couples to grow together. We have a lot to learn from Olivia, so let’s get started!

More in this episode:

• Olivia loves to travel and bring diverse experiences to her children.
• Why Olivia loves to work with couples in the LGBTQ+ community.
• Olivia’s cross-cultural upbringing has made her aware of cultural differences around her.
• Giving back to her community is the most important driving force for Olivia’s career.
• We need a community to help us check in with ourselves and slow down.
• Olivia embraces her intensity by giving herself a day to not take on any extra tasks.
• Why Olivia is the kind of person who writes the book, rather than reading them!
• Olivia is leading the charge for more client-based literature.
• The inspiration for Before “I Do” was her own therapy practice using worksheets.
• The unique relationship available for polyamorous couples.
• We need face to face communication!
• Olivia pushes her couples to think outside the box as far as cultural norms are concerned.

Resources:

Before “I Do”

Life Revisions Counseling LLC

Liferevisions.com

410-870-5615 

Be on the lookout for Olivia’s Podcast!

Have you ever found yourself confusing drama for passion? As intense people, we can be drawn to the allure of the dramatic. In this week's episode, Aurora shares thoughts sparked by last week's interview with Alexandra Loves exploring relationships that challenge us vs. relationships that diminish us.

In this Episode, Aurora:

• Experiments with recording through Facebook Live.
• Shares a bit of her own history of drama and passion in relationships. 
• Differentiates between relationships that challenge, and relationships that diminish. 

Love is the very fabric of the universe, and I get so excited when I see someone using their intensity to spread the love around. My guest this week is Alexandra Loves, and I actually approached a year ago to be on the show. I’m so glad we decided to wait until now, because my connection with Alexandra has grown and bloomed during that time, giving us plenty to talk about! Alexandra is a Love Attraction Coach, Intuitive Spiritual Guide, and Entrepreneur. She is on a mission to catalyze creative power, and use her intuitive spirituality to guide her clients into their best existence. In everything she does, Alexandra is all about harnessing the power of that abundant universal fabric from which everything is made, Love.

Today, Alexandra and I are talking about how intensity can be a force for good, for love, and for large-scale transformation. Because of her international upbringing, Alexandra feels comfortable talking to just about anyone. Added to that, she never felt the need for all the labels and stereotypes in the world today, yet the world seems inclined to want to place them on everyone. Rather than let that be the reason for toning herself down, Alexandra has fully embraced who she is and what she stands for. Now she is using her gifts to help people find love, find meaning, and find who they really are.

Alexandra is teaching us today how to use our intuition. Once we begin listening, nothing can hold us back, and we can only increase our impact on what is going on around us. Alexandra says it best, “We are changing the world right now.”

More in this episode:

• Alexandra shares why she is so committed to understanding her gifts and using them for a higher purpose.
• Alexandra is on a search of Absolute Truth, and she is OK with that definition evolving over time.
• In love, Alexandra embraces the “Wise Beyond Her Years” label.
• Much of Alexandra’s practice deals with reconciling gender expectations within men and women.
• Alexandra is on a mission to help us understand the dangers instant gratification.
• The cultural factors that have shaped Alexandra’s ability to embrace her intensity and her racial identity.
• The segregation and racial terms that put shackles around Alexandra’s neck.
• Alexandra toned herself down in terms of dating and intensity.
• How Alexandra realized she couldn’t tone herself down anymore.
• Everyone struggles under assumptions and stereotypes, and we need to be aware of that!
• Alexandra was able to heal from a damaging relationship because of her incredible support system and her own intuition.
• What habits Alexandra uses to fuel her fire.
• Alexandra helps women do the hard work of diving deep within themselves.
• Learn to recognize when you are being diminished.

Links:

Alexandra Loves

Do you ever get so stuck when something doesn't work how it should that you make even more work than there has to be? This week, Aurora shares an experience that reminded her to stop and pause to examine when it's time to pivot and when it's time to persist. 

In this episode, Aurora:

• Examines her own tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be sometimes.
• Explores the restructuring of her tools and resources so that more people can access them.
• Shares her excitement for an upcoming interview that may well be her favorite interview yet!

Many Intense women often find that by toning themselves down, they also lose sight of their authentic self. When we are able to tap into our inner being, we open up the powerful tool of intuition, and it will never let us down. Today, I am delighted to bring to you a story of one woman who spent years trying to fit in by tuning her intuitive voice out, but then fully embraced herself to then bring about amazing change. This is the story of Heather Coale Schwarts, a former Psychologist turned healer and spiritual guide. Heather believes that when we tap into our inner power, we can create a life of freedom and passion for ourselves. We simply need to learn to listen to our voice of intuition.

Heather is passionate about bringing about a spiritual awakening because that is exactly what happened to her. Once she learned to express the fullness of her spirit, Heather then turned her focus towards other people. What she found was a depth of connection that rivaled any relationships she had before, and now she can explore all the wonders of this world. Heather is going to share stories of how she first looked to Psychology, rather than her own inner voice for answers. She will share the cultural impacts of being a gay woman, as well as those childhood experiences that first quieted her inner voice. At one point in her life, Heather had cut herself off from her own life force, and she began to disappear.

Not wanting anyone else to fade, Heather is sharing her wisdom and light with you today. She is one fiery woman who embraces passion and encourages intensity. I knew from the early days of this podcast that her story would fit right into our community of intense, passionate guests. It’s time to stop tuning out your own voice, and trust your intuition!

More in this episode:

• Heather shares her story of finding the freedom to fully express herself.
• Learning to “make it” is less about what the world has to offer, and more the inward passion to fuel you there.
• Learn to listen to the intuitive voice rather than the fear voice.
• Heather is intensely passionate and enthusiastic. She drives herself.
• How meditation practices can help you tap into your own energy and intuition.
• There is a metaphysical spiritual approach to the work Heather does that allows others to experience beyond their feelings.
• Growing up, Heather had several intense experiences that led her to express her voice.
• Heather shares how her experiences as a gay woman led to toning herself down and keeping her life a secret.
• When Heather was a therapist, she had to tone down her intensity all the time.
• What Heather does when her intensity gets out of control.
• Heather identifies as a Fire-type person. Hear how it fuels her own brand of intensity.
• Being true and nourishing to herself has allowed Heather to harness her inner fire.
• Heather connects to other people through a different avenue now that she knows herself.
• Discover how intuitive visualization, Reiki healing, and play have led Heather to a healthy lifestyle.
• The role of laughter in a full life.
• Heather helps women connect to their greatness by acknowledging sensitivity, and then grounding them with intuitive and energetic strategies.

Resources:

Heather Online

Authentic Sensitive

Coming Home: The Return to True Self by Martia Nelson

Find the first module for the Reconnect Retreat on Patreon!

Do you ever get so busy you lose connection with yourself? In this digital day and age it is so easy to get caught up in information overload and business. This week, Aurora talks about the importance of stopping to pause when we get so caught up in our heads, so we can reconnect with our bodies and our intuition. 

In this episode:

• Aurora shares her story about how she did not officially get diagnosed with ADHD - again.
• The importance of pausing when we start to get caught up in all we have to do. 
• How you can access her first collaborative Winter Retreat Module for free.

So often, we see creativity, spirituality, and social justice as three separate spaces with only a little overlap. Today, I am challenging you to think of the three as inherently connected. That is the amazing perspective my guest, Sharon Burton, uses to harness her inner fire using her creativity, spirituality, and desire for social justice. I first connected with Sharon through a podcasting group, and I was immediately taken with her story. Sharon’s head, heart, and spirit are all connected in a special way that I know you need to hear about today.                              

Sharon is most comfortable with the title of “Artist.” While collage and mixed media are her tools of choice, Sharon delights in helping others find their own unique path to self-expression. Sharon has been curating a number of exhibitions since ’06, as well as doing some consulting work with novice art collectors. She is most definitely intensely passionate about helping artists through creative recovery. Her podcast, Mindfully Creative, is one of the many ways she is looking to jumpstart creativity. Whether someone is just starting out or looking for a fresh take on their art, Sharon is right there, guiding and cheering you on.

Sharon’s creative mission doesn’t stop with coaching and podcasting. She is also a huge advocate for art education, and she loves working with young people on developing a creative spirit. Her artistic activism also fueled her desire to help others find spiritual healing as well as justice. She is also a Reiki healer, which allowed Sharon to fully express every facet of her loving and warm inner being. Today, Sharon is going to share the cultural influences of her creativity and activism, as well as all the unique situations where spirituality and the arts combine. If you are looking for a warmth and inspiration, look no further than Sharon Burton.

More in this episode:

• Growing up with a vivid imagination nurtured Sharon’s intense passion for creativity.
• Intensity is about creating art, giving a voice to kids, and growing the arts across DC.
• Sharon shares all the ways she is using her intensity to make a positive change in the world.
• Practice the things that bring you joy.
• Sharon shares her thoughts on growing up in one of the only black families in a mostly white neighborhood.
• Why it’s important to get out of your own bubble and experience the world from someone else’s perspective.
• Sharon’s motivation for coaching in the fine arts.
• Why Sharon became a Reiki practitioner.
• Despite being intense, Sharon gives off a calm presence. She shares how her demeanor ebbs and flows.
• A story of stepping down, stepping away, and exercising control in life’s out-of-control moments.
• Art and creativity can be used as a change for good, and Sharon uses her intensity to encourage that in so many people!
• Using meditation and yoga are two habits Sharon uses to fuel her creativity.
• Never apologize for your intensity.

Sharon Recommends:

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte

Resources:

Connect with Sharon Online

Instagram and Twitter @SJBCreativeArt

Mindfully Creative Podcast

Instagram @SparkYourCreative

Twitter @Spark_Create