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Imagine waking up each morning never knowing how much energy you'll have for the day. Will you have enough "spoons" to shower, prepare a meal, and pay your bills—or will you need to choose just one? This is daily reality for millions living with chronic illness who fall between support system cracks.

My guests this week, Andie Malone and Cady Menk, social workers who transformed personal struggle into community solution through their non-profit, Ladle of Ferns. After losing a friend to suicide, they looked at each other and asked the haunting question: "Who's next?" Their answer became a lifeline for those with invisible illnesses who don't qualify for traditional assistance yet can't afford private support.

Through four groundbreaking programs, they're reshaping what support looks like. Their online community creates 24/7 connection where members share "peaks and valleys" weekly. Monthly meetups combine peer support with practical education. Their resource navigation helps clients create manageable action plans and complete overwhelming paperwork. Perhaps most innovative is their body doubling program, where simply having another person present—virtually or in-person—helps participants accomplish tasks that would otherwise remain undone.

What makes Ladle of Ferns extraordinary isn't just what they offer, but how they offer it. Every service is completely free and tailored to individual needs. Need someone to sit with you while making a difficult phone call? They'll do it. Just need links to resources? They've got you. This flexibility comes from lived experience—both founders identify as "spoonies" themselves, understanding firsthand how chronic illness transforms simple tasks into monumental challenges.

Visit ladleofferns.org to learn how you can join their community, volunteer, or donate to help those who wake up each day not knowing how many spoons they'll have, but knowing they don't have to face it alone.

Ladle of Ferns is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit organization that provides personalized support to adults living with chronic physical and/or mental illnesses. Ladle of Ferns was dreamt up after Co-Creators Andie Melone and Cady Menk spent countless hours discussing the lack of support for themselves, their friends, and even their fellow social workers. They realized that many people struggle to access traditional support services for two main reasons: they do not make enough to pay for services out of pocket AND they do not qualify for traditional low to no-cost services. To put it simply, they belong to the economic middle. If you would like some support, or simply want to get involved, check out the links below: 

To check-out the website: https://www.ladleofferns.org/

For information on our events: https://www.ladleofferns.org/events

To follow us on socials: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556308831956 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladleofferns/ 

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The hidden cost of caring for others often manifests in our bodies, and no one understands this better than nurses. In my raw and illuminating conversation, Amanda Farq—registered nurse, wellness warrior, and nervous system educator—she reveals how years of nursing led her down a path of chronic illness that conventional medicine couldn't fully address.

Amanda shares her personal journey through endometriosis, the devastating loss of her child at 24 weeks, and eventually ulcerative colitis following intense workplace stress and grief. While talk therapy provided some relief, it wasn't until she rediscovered somatic practices that true healing began. "We hold trauma in our body," Amanda explains. "Our body remembers what we go through, and sometimes we need to let our body release that trauma in ways that are more intuitive."

Our conversation dives deep into how nurses—conditioned to believe that extraordinary stress is simply "part of the job"—often ignore their body's warning signals until serious health issues emerge. Amanda describes how simple 15-minute daily somatic exercises can help regulate the nervous system, release tension from specific areas like the psoas muscle, and ultimately prevent burnout. She's now created specialized programs for nurses that even offer continuing education units (CEUs), making healing more accessible to a profession notorious for putting others first.

What makes this episode particularly powerful is the practical wisdom shared about establishing boundaries in high-pressure medical environments. We discuss how detachment (not from compassion, but from outcomes beyond your control) becomes essential for longevity in healthcare. We explore the flexibility nursing offers—from per diem work to travel contracts—as pathways to prevent burnout while staying connected to the profession they love.

Whether you're in healthcare or any helping profession, this conversation offers a roadmap to recognizing when your body is speaking to you—and the somatic tools to finally listen. Follow Amanda @zen.nurse on Instagram to learn more about her workshops and upcoming 30-day course specifically designed for healthcare providers.

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Imagine reaching the breaking point—crying at the kitchen sink, feeling lost in the life you've built, and walking away from your family for several days just to breathe. This was certified coach Liliane de Vries reality before her extraordinary journey of self-discovery transformed her approach to life, relationships, and purpose.

Liliane, a former oncology nurse turned wellness coach, shares the raw and powerful story of how she took a six-month "sabbatical" from being a wife, mother, and daughter to focus solely on herself. What she discovered in the first hour of this journey changed everything: "I had full permission to look after me. I now had nobody to blame." This simple yet profound revelation became the foundation for her work with unstoppable women who feel overwhelmed, burnt out, and disconnected from their own needs.

Throughout our conversation, Liliane reveals why nurses and healthcare professionals often struggle to prioritize self-care, and how the mindset that "the system owes me" prevents many from taking responsibility for their wellbeing. She explains the crucial difference between happiness (which depends on external circumstances) and joy (an attitude that defies all circumstances), offering practical strategies for cultivating the latter even in challenging environments.

Whether you're a healthcare professional feeling burnt out, someone struggling with boundaries in relationships, or simply seeking more balance and peace in your daily life, Liliana’s insights will resonate deeply. Her mirror exercise for self-acceptance, techniques for recognizing saboteur voices, and perspective on relationships as a "third entity" provide transformative tools you can implement immediately.

Ready to move from surviving to thriving? Discover how asking yourself "What do I need right now?" rather than "What do I need to do?" can be the first step toward reclaiming your joy, purpose, and balance. Connect with Liliane’s free support group for nurses or book a one-on-one call to explore how her coaching might support your journey.

Liliane de Vries 

Website: www.lilianedevries.com and www.aliveinhealthcare.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlivewithLilianedeVries/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/liliane-devries

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@alivewithLiliane/videos

Author: The Passionate Nurse: https://www.amazon.ca/Passionate-Nurse-Liliane-Vries/dp/1978194439/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531858474&sr=1-1&keywords=the+passionate+nurse

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Dive into a world of empowerment, sensuality, and body confidence as we chat with Marta Kagan, a transformative coach dedicated to helping women over 40 reconnect with their true selves. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Marta reveals deep insights into overcoming societal norms that keep women from embracing their own pleasure and confidence. The episode emphasizes that aging should not signify a decline in vitality or sensuality—instead, it's a unique time to rediscover and reclaim personal joy.

We discuss the ways in which societal conditioning can instill feelings of shame surrounding pleasure and the importance of dismantling these beliefs. Marta shares powerful stories from women who have transformed their self-image and discovered a deeper sense of intimacy with their bodies. The magic of community plays a vital role in this journey, as Marta explains how the Sensual Sisterhood fosters support and connection among women navigating similar challenges.

Whether you're curious about finding your sensual power or seeking a community of empowered women, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps for every listener. Embrace the fact that pleasure is indeed your birthright, and join us as we celebrate the vibrant and beautiful journey of growth in our lives. Ready to take the plunge? Tune in, and together, let’s embark on the journey towards a more fulfilling and pleasurable life! Subscribe, review, and share your thoughts with us!

Marta Kagan is a Body Confidence & Sensuality Coach who helps women over 40 reconnect with their sensuality, confidence, and pleasure—because your body deserves love, not criticism. Through her signature Pleasure Playground, her FUCK YES group embodiment program, and products like The Ultimate Turn-On Toolkit, she guides women to shed shame, embrace desire, and reclaim their radiance. She also shares her wisdom (and plenty of spicy truth bombs) on her YouTube channel and The Pleasure Playground podcast. Known for her bold, no-BS approach and deep devotion to pleasure as a lifestyle, Marta is here to remind you that confidence isn’t about changing your body—it’s about loving the one you have.

Links are active in the bio!!

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What happens when a traumatic event leads you back to a forgotten passion? After a life-altering car accident, Crystal Hurley, therapeutic art and self healing coach, found solace in painting, which proved to be more than just a hobby—it became a powerful form of therapy. Join me as I share her personal story of overcoming post-concussive syndrome through art, and how this rediscovery inspired her to establish a nonprofit aimed at helping others find healing through creativity. Each brushstroke brought new layers of emotional release, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

Art has a remarkable ability to express the unspeakable, and we explore how various techniques provide not just catharsis but also profound emotional healing. Listen as we delve into therapeutic painting sessions fueled by raw emotions and the liberating process of scream painting, where perfection takes a backseat to authentic expression. Discover the magic of neurographic art, a unique technique that helps ease mental blockages and promote emotional balance, offering a fresh perspective on problem-solving and self-discovery. These creative practices are not just hobbies—they're lifelines during life's most turbulent times.

Meet Crystal, a shining example of resilience through art, whose passion for scream painting has been a beacon of strength for her and her son. Through her inspiring journey, we uncover the transformative power of artistic expression and self-care techniques like morning affirmations and breathing exercises that draw out subconscious thoughts. Crystal's story ignites hope for others to explore their own creative potential, and her nonprofit endeavors promise to extend this healing influence far and wide. Join us as we celebrate the empowering capacity of creativity to uplift, heal, and transform lives.

Her Link Tree

https://linktr.ee/GracefulArtNP

Her Website

http://gracefulartnselfawakening.com/

More

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Elicia Ybarra defied gender stereotypes in martial arts by embracing her unique style, all while building a brand around the color pink, despite the critics. As a seasoned martial artist with expertise in karate and Taekwondo. Elicia joins us to share her journey of empowerment and resilience. We discuss the importance of boundaries and trust in intuition,  women's self-defense, the struggle women face in finding female-led self-defense classes, and how martial arts can be a vital tool for self-empowerment, especially in places like the Midwest where such classes are sparse.

Elicia’s story is one of personal growth, marked by a series of transformative experiences. We navigate through her tumultuous teenage years and an engagement in a controlling environment that almost derailed her dreams. Listen as she recounts breaking free from an abusive relationship, celebrating her newfound freedom and independence with bold actions that signified her journey towards self-discovery. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of reclaiming one's life after overcoming manipulation and control.

We also tackle the difficult topic of abusive relationships, focusing on the healing process and the critical importance of setting personal boundaries. Elicia shares insights from her own experiences, emphasizing the significance of therapy, community support, and self-care in overcoming abuse and trauma. From understanding the complexities of manipulation to recognizing the subtle signs of abuse, this episode serves as a guide for those facing similar situations, offering practical advice and empowering listeners to recognize their self-worth and the power of leaving toxic environments.

Empowering Women Through Self-Defense and Resilience
Elicia Ybarra is a seasoned martial artist, dedicated women's self-defense instructor, and passionate advocate for empowering women to live confidently and fearlessly. With over two decades of martial arts experience, including a 4th dan black belt in Taekwondo and a 1st dan black belt in Hapkido, Elicia has transformed her personal journey of resilience into a mission to uplift others.
As the founder of Pretty Hands, Hard Punches, Elicia uses her own experiences overcoming abuse and exploitation within the martial arts industry to teach women practical self-defense techniques, boundary-setting, and how to recognize and stand against abuse. Her unique approach combines technical skill, emotional intelligence, and empowerment to help women build physical and mental strength.

www.prettyhandshardpunches.com if you want more information

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What if you had the power to transform not just spaces, but lives? Join us as we talk to Terry Grail, the visionary founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, who turned a simple act of painting a wall in a shelter into a full-blown mission to create healing environments for women and children in need. Terry's journey from facing initial setbacks to securing crucial donations like mattresses is a testament to her unwavering commitment and serves as an inspiring tale of perseverance and compassion.

Throughout this episode, we explore various programs that empower women in overcoming their traumas. From the innovative Capes for Kids initiative to the heartwarming doll adoption program, these efforts show small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. Terry's story highlights the extraordinary resilience and courage of women, often forged through challenging experiences like transient childhoods and homelessness. These women are not just survivors; they are true warriors, turning adversity into strength.

In our conversation, we also dive into the remarkable sewing program that aids women escaping human trafficking and domestic violence. By creating sacred sewing rooms, these initiatives foster new skills, community involvement, and personal healing. Handcrafted treasures carry the love of their makers and the potential to spark joy and connection. As we wrap up, we also introduce an inspiring children's book author whose tales of discovery and love echo the themes of empowerment and transformation woven throughout this episode. Join us, get inspired, and perhaps find your way to contribute to this beautiful mission.

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Join us for an empowering discussion on microdosing, burnout, and holistic healing with Micah Walker. We explore how reshaping our relationship with mental health can lead to profound transformations for women, empowering them to reclaim their creativity and community. 
• Micah’s journey from nursing to holistic coaching 
• The role of microdosing in mental health and neuroplasticity 
• Systemic issues in healthcare contributing to nurse burnout 
• Importance of community-building among nurse coaches 
• Inner child work as a tool for self-discovery and healing 
• Practical stress management techniques for busy professionals 
• Call for collective healing and empowerment within women's networks

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