Empowered Human Academy

Today’s guest is the intuitive, the powerful, Antonia Coffelt. We first met Antonia in Chicago a few years ago—and the soul kindredness felt electric from the start. With a master’s in Communications from Northwestern University and a passion for human truth, Antonia engages her work as a host, creative director, and founder from a place of inner expansiveness. Through her practice as an experiential marketing and communications consultant, Antonia guides teams to successfully actualize their ideas. And as a C-suite adviser, thought-leader, interviewer, and market researcher, Antonia helps enable clients to actually feel the data and articulate their experiences through insightful, intuitive, and empathetic conversations. Antonia also shares her presence and perspective in her role as the Director of Engagement for UN Women Chicago.

Throughout this conversation we discuss developing tools to navigate reality, discovering your purpose in the human ecosystem, finding play through adventure, spotting aligning intersections in your network, and building intuition within moments of neutrality.

“Life in lockstep with serendipity” is the tagline of Antonia’s company, On A Personal Note, and that’s exactly what being in Antonia’s orbit feels like. Antonia is a heart-expander simply by being herself, and we’re so grateful for how she showed up in her full radiance here.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/43—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've also recorded a subscribers-only bonus episode (available only via Apple Podcasts) where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun.

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What’s a moment of serendipity you’ve experienced that’s shifted the course of your life in some way?

Journal Prompt: Describe your current relationship to intuition.

Action Step: Take a leisurely walk this week and playfully practice following your intuition, deciding where to turn and where to go.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Learn more about Antonia’s work: onapersonalnote.com

Follow Antonia on Instagram: @onapersonalnote_ig

Follow Antonia on Pinterest: @onapersonalnote_pinterest 

A Series of Fortunate Events by Sean B. Carroll

brandedworld.co

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Jedidiah Jenkins is the New York Times bestselling author of two books, To Shake The Sleeping Self—which chronicles his bike trip from Oregon to Patagonia, and his newest release, Like Streams To The Ocean, a collection of essays on ego, love, and the things that make us who we are.

Throughout this conversation we discuss letting go of certainty, shifting belief systems, the journey of embracing his sexuality, writing as an exercise to understand the self, and what it means to live with both malleability and integrity. Jed’s brain beautifully oscillates from the personal to the collective—from topics like growing up gay in the church to the future of humanity. He has a gift for assigning language to things that feel scattered and complex until he gathers them into a clear-eyed, yet open-handed, cohesion. We really loved this hour with Jed and are stoked for you to hear it.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/42—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've also recorded a subscribers-only bonus episode where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun.

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: Has devaluing certainty played a role in your own spiritual evolution? If so, what has that looked like?

Journal Prompt: This is what it means for me to live in my integrity....

Action Step: Order Jed’s books, then curl up with your favorite drink and get lost in the adventure for a while ;)

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Jed on Instagram: @jedidiahjenkins

To Shake The Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret

Like Streams To The Ocean: Notes On Love, Ego, and the Things That Make Us Who We Are

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

The truth-teller and legend Melissa Urban is here, dropping her wisdom—so buckle up. Melissa is the co-founder, CEO, and spark behind the Whole30 program. She’s a six-time New York Times bestselling author, host of the podcast Do The Thing, and is also a prominent keynote speaker on social media and branding, health trends, and entrepreneurship. Melissa is a beacon of light in the world of wellness, and ranks #19 on Greatist’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness.

Throughout this conversation we discuss living in your truth, the difference between intimate vs. personal, examining limiting stories, perception and manifestation, modeling the behavior you want your team to embrace, cultivating contentment in the pursuit, and building a life that lights you up. Melissa truly glows from the inside out—she’s using her platform in powerful ways and is a shining example of how living in your truth is ultimately the greatest gift we can give the world. There’s so much wisdom, truth, and gold in this conversation—we can’t wait for you to hear it.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/41—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've also recorded a subscribers-only bonus episode where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun.

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What does truth-telling mean to you? What are the internal calisthenics, pep talks, and reminders you give yourself to stay in your own cycle of truthfulness?

Journal Prompt: What’s something that you’ve seen recently (about life, yourself, what is) that you can’t unsee?

Action Step: Create two lists to distinguish what is “intimate” and what is “personal” to you right now.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissau

Follow Whole30 on Instagram: @whole30

Learn more about Melissa’s work: melissau.com

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie

Listen to Melissa’s episode on Do The Thing podcast: How I Bomb-Proofed My Self-Confidence

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Linnea Gits is the creative director at Uusi, a design studio based on the idea that life is worth the meaningful effort, and its reward is one of discovery. Both Linnea and her creative partner Peter have a love of traditional craftsmanship, material exploration, and a search for the essential beauty in everyday objects. We first came across Linnea’s work through a project titled “Materia Prima”—a tarot deck inspired by the periodic table and recently picked up by CB2. After two decades in Chicago, Linnea and Peter have relocated to a small 1890’s wood cabin in a remote part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From this remote sanctuary of quiet and respite, they have expansive conversations with nature that are reflected in their work.

Throughout this conversation we discuss believing in yourself prior to external validation, fearlessness in creativity, managing expectations, outsourcing help, and cultivating patience in the midst of process. As you’ll soon hear for yourself, Linnea is committed to the slow build of creating more of what she wants to see in the world. Her love for process has led her to some exciting places like working with companies like Herman Miller, Design Within Reach, Chronicle Books, Sharpie, Prismacolor, and most recently, Louis Vitton. It was a gift learning from the way that Linnea sees, what keeps her inspired— and we’re honored that she so generously shared herself with us here.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/40—and watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've recorded a subscribers-only bonus episode where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun. 

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What are you currently discovering about your process?

Journal Prompt: Write about an inner knowing you carry that you may have lost touch with along the way.

Action Step: Make a wish list of things you want to bring into the world.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Learn more about Linnea and Peter's work: uusi.us 

Follow Uusi on Instagram: @uusidesignstudio

Brain Pickings by Maria Popova

Memoirs, Dreams, Reflections by C.G. Jung

On Being with Krista Tippett

The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight Into Beauty by Soetsu Yanagi

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Today’s guest is our Denver neighbor, friend, and the owner of Park Hill Yoga, Deborah Baker. As an Iyengar Yoga certified instructor with 30 years of experience, Deborah is sharing her passion for mindfulness and movement through her studio that she’s been running for 25 years now. Alongside her love for yoga, Deborah also has a love for language. She has her Masters in Linguistics, and is fluent in both German and Spanish—basically, Deborah has a love for life and is deeply in love with her own. This past year we’ve witnessed Deborah’s resilience, curiosity, and strength as she’s navigated some health concerns that have put her in touch with the magic of being alive in a whole new way.

Throughout this conversation we discuss strength as curiosity, power in the face of powerlessness, the value of human connection, wiring vs. essence, and staying close to hope in the midst of fear and uncertainty. As Deborah’s been navigating a potentially life-threatening reality, she’s devoted her energy to cherishing the life she has right now, in this breath. She’s chosen a life-affirming perspective—one that she so generously shares with us here. We’re moved by Deborah’s passion for life and hope this conversation might be a portal to this wild miracle of aliveness that’s here for you, too.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/39—and watch the conversation on YouTube here! 

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What does hope mean to you, and what keeps you close to that?

Journal Prompt: This is what it means to “hold myself”...

Action Step: Come up with a short, clear list of self-soothing activities and/or mantras that ground you in the midst of overwhelm. Place it somewhere easily-spottable for reference whenever you might need it.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Hard Times by Pema Chodron

Learn more about Deborah’s work: parkhillyoga.com

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

David Malki ! is the cartoonist and creator behind Wondermark, the inventively playful and poignant comic that we’ve linked below—so do yourself a huge favor and check it out right after listening to the episode. In addition to his creative endeavors with Wondermark, David was also co-editor of the Machine of Death series of fiction anthologies and is presently the director of games development at Cut.com.

Throughout this conversation we discuss developing artistic taste, finding your audience, interacting with feedback, cultivating patience in the midst of process, and deriving your style from your work. Having been at this Wondermark expression for almost 18 years now, David’s made it clear to the universe that he’s here to develop his craft for the long game. He has some insightful reflections on process and building a creative life that he was generous to share with us, and we can’t wait for you to hear them.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/38

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What have you learned from what other people see in things you make?

Journal Prompt: Identify and describe a recent evolution in your artistic style and/or taste.

Action Step: Ask someone you trust what themes they see in the work that you’re doing in the world. Invite a thoughtful mirroring to get a different perspective on the unique perspective you bring to the world.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Experience David’s work: wondermark.com

Follow David on Twitter: @malki

Order Machine of Death: A collection of stories about people who know how they will die

Explore the Wondermark series

Pre-order the upcoming game, TBH

Ira Glass quote on the gap between taste and work

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Today’s guest is someone who’s very dear to us—a frequent collaborator who’s filmed the anniversary videos that we make every year. We’ve shared some beautiful moments in some beautiful places over the years, and today’s episode feels like an extension of one of our many heart-expanding conversations—Joshua Tree, the Rocky Mountains, the California redwoods, and now here, with you. Orion Pahl identifies as an artist, space-holder, and healer. As a documentary filmmaker, Orion is currently exploring themes like cultural ideals, feelings, and rituals surrounding death. His most recent film, Bury Me At Taylor Hollow, won Best Tennessee Short at the Nashville Film Festival.

Throughout this conversation we discuss the origin of identity, staying both grounded and adaptable in the midst of growth, and reframing grief as healing energy. In many ways, this hour with Orion is an exploration of consciousness waking up to itself. Consciousness in suspension, curiosity, and participatory evolution. Going off the grid to see what we might find—like exploring the back roads on your way home. Time with Orion is an expansive place to land, and we hope it might be an invitation to lean into your own becoming and growth.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/37

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What's a recently discovered piece of self-knowledge that felt like a returning, a coming home?

Journal Prompt: How do I learn to be who I am?

Action Step: Write the mantra “My heart is good” in a place you can see it this week.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Orion on Instagram: @orionpahl 

Learn more about Orion’s work: orionpahl.com

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Jennifer Detrich Smith is in the business of making something beautiful. She’s both the mother of two as well as the owner of Birdseye Rule, a magical store located in the heart of Logan Square—and it’s one of our favorite shops in Chicago. We first met Jen at an Enneagram panel she hosted in her space and we’ve kept in touch and kept ordering things from her thoughtfully-curated collection ever since.

As you’ll soon hear for yourself, Jen is an expansive soul who’s thought a lot about what she needs to feel centered and optimized so she can stay close to her own creativity. Throughout this conversation we discuss trusting your gut, what truth feels like, rebuilding confidence, defining success, and finding balance amidst a full life. There’s a freeing sense of fluidity in how Jen talks about what she knows—she radiates a rooted confidence but also holds a loose grip knowing that she’s continually evolving. She’s truly delightful and we really enjoyed this hour of exploring what she’s come to know so far.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/36

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What’s your order of balance list? What’s an area that you’re currently rebalancing?

Journal Prompt: What’s your current definition of success?

Action Step: Pay attention to what truth feels like in your body this week.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Birdseye Rule on Instagram: @birdseyerule

Learn more about Jen’s work: birdseyerule.com

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Jake Nickell is the CEO and founder of Threadless, the nexus of a diverse and expansive artist community that partners with those artists to promote and produce their art. In 2000, Threadless began as a t-shirt design company based in Chicago. Since then, Threadless has grown into a fully remote company with a marketplace of full apparel, accessories, and home decor powered by their artist community. In lifting up the creative expression of their artists, Threadless was an early innovator in the new digital economy, showing the world that business can support art, for the benefit of everyone involved. Today, Threadless hosts over 2 million users and continues to evolve— staying true to their mission of giving the creative minds of the world more opportunities to make and sell great art.

Throughout this conversation we discuss flow, simplifying problems to find solutions, stepping back to re-establish your relationship to work, infusing your identity into what you’re making, and the differing energies of making and managing. Wherever you’re at in your own journey— just starting out, taking a step back, or feeling the growing pains of expansion, there’s so much gold here in this conversation and we’re stoked to share it with you.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/35

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What’s something about you that you’ve clearly infused into your work in the world? In other words, what’s a fingerprint of you in your work in the world?

Journal Prompt: Write about a reference point in your life where you stepped back to re-evaluate your relationship to something and then returned with a different perspective and/or energy. What did you learn from that experience?

Action Step: Identify an activity you enjoy where you experience flow—then find some time this week to do that thing!

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Threadless on Instagram: @threadless

Learn more about Jake’s work: jakenickell.com

Watch Jake’s TEDxBoulder: “Never Stop Making”

Sell your art via Threadless

Explore the Make Time blog

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Today’s guest is the effervescent, resilient, and powerful Agnes Igoye. Agnes is Uganda’s Deputy National Coordinator for the prevention of human trafficking and is a Labour Migration Expert at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. She’s also a Senior New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute and teaches an online child protection course at Harvard University.

Agnes has both lived through tremendous hardship and lives with contagious joy. At age 14, Agnes fled from the Lord’s Resistance Army when they raided her village. After a narrow escape, she endured the long journey that eventually led her to a camp for internally displaced people. Agnes’s past has carved a deep empathy and determination inside her, which she’s used as fuel for her impressive career path. Agnes was a Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota specializing in Human Trafficking Prevention & Policy, and she studied forced migration at the University of Oxford. She also has her master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Throughout this conversation we discuss nurturing the good in others, how our environments shape us, and finding purpose amidst challenges. Through her work as a mentor at the Clinton Global Initiative, Agnes is actively sharing her wisdom with the next generation and we’re honored she said yes to sharing her story here.

Full show notes, downloadables, and links are also available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/34

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: Who’s someone who saw and nurtured the good in you before you saw it in yourself?

Journal Prompt: If the sky’s not even the limit, write out a list of dreams you’d dream for yourself.

Action Step: Brainstorm a tangible way to love yourself this week, then do it.

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration: 

Follow Agnes on Facebook

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.