Energy Works

In this episode of Cool People Big Ideas, Lauren talks with Ann Hood, author of The Stolen Child, Comfort, and Morningstar, to talk about storytelling, grief, and the choices that shape our lives. Ann shares her thoughts on creating characters that feel real, balancing truth and fiction, and using art as a way to heal. They talk about time travel in stories, the fun and challenge of writing in different genres, and how personal loss affects creative work. Ann talks about the power of decision-making, explaining how every choice can affect a lifetime in surprising ways. If you're a writer, a reader, or someone interested in the power of art, this episode offers a look at life's important moments and the stories we tell to understand them.

What to Listen For:
- The Essence of Fiction: Why fiction matters and how it helps us understand the world.

- The Role of Art: How creativity—from knitting to writing—helps and changes us.

- Decisions and Regret: Talking about the “what-ifs” of life through stories.

- Grief and Writing: How personal loss affects Ann’s work and her journey to creating the Gracie Belle imprint.

- The Stolen Child: The story behind Ann’s novel, including the connection of time, memory, and art.

- Knitting and Healing: The calming practice that helped Ann's recovery.


Takeaway:

Every decision is a part of life. Through her writing and personal stories, Ann Hood reminds us that it’s never too late to use creativity, find meaning in grief, and enjoy storytelling.

🔗 Tune in now to discover the stories behind Ann Hood’s most profound works and her reflections on life, loss, and literature.


✨ Like, subscribe, and share your favorite Ann Hood book with us!

What does it mean to truly let go? The metal element in Five Element Theory represents endings, refinement, and the wisdom that comes from life's experiences. When out of balance, it can cause grief, rigidity, or detachment. In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine talk about the metal element—its strengths, its challenges, and how to work with it in a way that helps growth and clarity.
Blaine, whose primary element is metal, and Lauren, who has worked to develop more metal energy, talk about how this element influences the body, emotions, and mindset. They also share practical techniques to balance metal energy, allowing for healthy detachment, clarity, and faith in life's cycles.

What You’ll Hear:
Metal and the Body – How this element connects to the lungs, large intestine, skin, and the process of release.

The Alchemist and The Sage – Talking about the archetypes of metal energy and how they show up in leadership, discipline, and clarity.

Grief and Letting Go – Why grief is a normal part of life and how to process it in a healthy way.

Finding Balance in Metal Energy – Breathwork, neurovascular holds, and sound techniques to move from grief to faith.

Metal in Daily Life – How the energy of endings can help us refine our purpose, relationships, and personal growth.

Takeaway:
Metal energy teaches us the art of release and refinement. When in balance, it allows us to process grief, extract wisdom, and move forward with faith. By learning to accept endings, we open ourselves up to new beginnings.

🔗 Listen now to discover how to harness the wisdom of metal energy in your own life!


✨ Like, subscribe, and share how metal energy has shown up for you!

To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine break down the Earth element in Five Element Theory. As they continue around the elemental wheel, they look at how Earth energy shapes balance, nourishment, and emotional well-being.

Lauren shares a personal story about caring for her aging dog in his final days and the lessons it brought about love, devotion, and the need to balance giving and receiving. Blaine explores Earth archetypes and why caretakers—whether parents, healers, or teachers—often struggle with boundaries and self-care.



What’s Inside This Episode:


The Earth Element – How it supports stability, nourishment, and life transitions.
Earth Archetypes – The nurturers, caregivers, and empaths who hold it all together.
Worry and Self-Love – Why excessive worry drains energy and how self-care shifts everything.
Keeping Earth in Balance – The challenge of giving too much and why receiving matters.
Energy Techniques for Earth Types – The Ujjayi breath and a neurovascular hold to restore inner harmony.
Key Takeaways:


- Earth energy governs nourishment—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Caretakers can’t pour from an empty cup—giving without limits leads to exhaustion.
- Worry often disguises itself as care, but real love is rooted in trust.
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation for lasting well-being.


🔗 Listen now and learn how to work with Earth energy for more balance, nourishment, and self-care.


Like, subscribe, and tell us—how does the Earth element show up in your life?
To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine break down the Fire element in Five Element Theory. As they move around the elemental wheel, they explore how Fire shapes passion, connection, and emotional balance.
Blaine explains how Fire types are natural social connectors—full of charisma, warmth, and joy—but also prone to anxiety and burnout. Lauren discusses the link between anxiety and inspiration, why discernment matters, and how Fire influences the heart and emotional well-being. They also touch on surprising stories about heart transplants and the mysteries of the heart’s energy field.

What’s Inside This Episode:
- The Fire Element – How it fuels joy, passion, and relationships.
- Fire Archetypes – The expressive, magnetic, and deeply emotional nature of Fire types.
- Anxiety vs. Inspiration – When Fire energy tips from excitement into overwhelm.
- Keeping Fire in Check – Why boundaries, discernment, and emotional regulation matter.
- Energy Techniques for Fire Balance – The HAA breath and a neurovascular hold to restore calm and focus.

Key Takeaways:

- Fire energy drives passion, connection, and emotional expression.
- Anxiety is Fire out of balance—grounding techniques help restore calm.
- The heart is more than a pump; it carries emotional and energetic intelligence.
- Fire types need strong boundaries to avoid burnout.

🔗 Listen now and learn how to work with Fire energy for more balance, connection, and clarity.


Like, subscribe, and let us know—how does the Fire element show up in your life?
To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

Is your energy pushing forward—or pushing too hard? The wood element in Five Element Theory is all about growth, movement, and getting things done. But when it’s out of balance, it can show up as frustration, tension, or burnout. In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine discuss the wood element—its strengths, its challenges, and how to work with it instead of fighting against it.

Lauren, whose primary element is wood, and Blaine, whose secondary element is wood, share how this energy influences the body, emotions, and leadership style. They also break down practical ways to balance wood energy using simple techniques that anyone can try.
What You’ll Hear:

🌿 Wood & the Body – How this element connects to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nails, and its ties to the liver and gallbladder.
⚔️ Archetypes of Wood Energy – Understanding the warrior, pioneer, and commander personalities and how they show up in daily life.
😠 The Role of Anger – Why anger isn’t always bad and how to channel it productively.
🔧 Balancing Wood Energy – Practical tools like a specific breath and neurovascular holds to help keep wood energy steady.
🌍 Wood Energy in Society – How this element fuels activism, leadership, and social change.
Takeaway:

Wood energy is what drives action, leadership, and momentum—but when it’s off, it can lead to burnout or frustration. Learning to balance it can make a big difference in handling challenges, emotions, and personal growth.

🔗 Listen now to learn how to work with wood energy and make it work for you.✨ Like, subscribe, and share how the wood element shows up in your life!

To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine talk about the water element, one of the five elements in ancient Chinese medicine. They cover what makes water energy different, how it influences emotions and physical health, and why keeping it balanced can help you feel more steady and strong. You’ll learn how water connects to fear and courage, why it plays a key role in resilience and simple ways to work with this energy in daily life.
What to Listen For:

🌊 The Water Element – What it represents and how it affects your body and mind.
💧 Fear and Courage – How these emotions connect to water and ways to work with them.
🔄 Balancing Water Energy – Simple techniques to help you feel more steady and strong.
🧘‍♀️ Water in Daily Life – How this element shows up in emotions, relationships, and habits.
🌟 Emotional Resilience – Using water’s wisdom to manage fear and build confidence.
Takeaway:

The water element plays a more significant role in your life than you might think. It influences your emotions, energy, and how you handle stress. In this episode, Lauren and Blaine break it down and share ways to work with water energy so you can feel more balanced and at ease.


🔗 Listen now and learn how working with the water element can bring more steadiness into your life.

✨ Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on how water energy shows up for you!
To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine break down the five elements of Chinese medicine—water, wood, fire, earth, and metal—and how they’re woven into Energy Medicine Yoga. These elements aren’t just abstract concepts but the threads connecting everything in the universe, from seasonal changes to our moods.

Lauren shares her journey of studying these elements with Donna Eden and how it changed how she approaches energy work. Blaine explains how these elements fit naturally into traditional yoga practices, making it easier to balance your energy without overthinking it.
They discuss how each element shows up in both the physical and emotional aspects of life, setting the stage for future episodes where they’ll tackle each element in more depth.

What You’ll Hear:

🌊 The Five Elements: Water, wood, fire, earth, and metal—what they are and why they matter.
💖 Emotions & Energy: How each element is linked to specific emotions and how to keep them in check.
🌟 Donna Eden’s Energy Systems: A quick look at her approach and why it complements the five elements.
🍂 Seasons & Cycles: The connection between the elements and the changing seasons.
⚡ Practical Tips: Simple ways to work with the elements for better health and emotional balance.
💫 Emotional Resilience: How the elements can help you feel more grounded and steady.


Takeaway:

Understanding the five elements isn’t just about theory—it’s about tuning into your own energy and learning how to shift things when they feel off. This episode gives you the foundation to start using these tools to create more balance in your life, both on and off the yoga mat.

🔗 Tune in to discover how the five elements can transform your approach to health, energy, and emotional well-being.

✨ Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on which element resonates with you most!

To get a free quiz to learn your primary element, use this link: https://emyoga.thinkific.com/enroll/2213777?price_id=2979517

In this episode of Cool People Big Ideas, Lauren talks with Eileen McKusick, a pioneering researcher of the human biofield, about the essential role of play in our lives. Eileen reflects on her shift from a work-centered mindset to embracing play as a powerful healing and personal growth tool.
Eileen shares her expertise on the biofield anatomy map, explaining the connection between sound, emotions, and well-being. Together, she and Lauren discuss the influence of cultural expectations, childhood experiences, and overwork, offering practical ways to bring balance and joy back into your life through playful expression.
Whether you're new to biofield tuning or curious about rediscovering the joy of play, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives and actionable steps to create a more vibrant, joyful life.

What to Listen For:
The Biofield Anatomy Map: How sound and vibration influence energy centers.
Work vs. Play: Why balance is key to feeling whole.
Childhood Trauma: How early life shapes our relationship with play and work.
Cultural Expectations: The pressure to prioritize productivity over joy.
The Power of Play: Activities like singing and dancing as tools for healing and vitality.
Practical Tools: Tips for using biofield adjustments and affirmations to enhance energy.
Eileen’s Story: Her journey of reclaiming joy and connecting with the queen archetype.


Takeaway:
Play isn’t just a pastime—it’s essential to a healthy, balanced life. Tapping into the joy of play can help you release old patterns, boost energy, and approach life with renewed enthusiasm.

🔗 Tune in now to learn how you can reconnect with play in your daily life.
✨ Like, subscribe, and share your favorite ways to bring play into your world!

In this episode of Energy Works, Blaine and Lauren tackle the exhausting pressure of constantly feeling like you “should” be doing something - whether it’s sticking to a rigid self-improvement plan or living up to other people’s expectations.

Blaine shares her experience with the endless “shoulds” that pop up around yoga and spiritual practices and how quickly that mindset can turn into frustration and burnout.

They dig into how this pressure can backfire, leading to self-criticism and even resistance to the things you actually care about. 

This episode introduces a straightforward three-step process to help you move away from self-judgment and create healthier habits rooted in genuine choice. Blaine also shares a reflective technique to identify and work through the mental blocks that often keep you stuck.

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by self-imposed expectations, this conversation offers practical tools for creating a more relaxed, intentional approach to personal growth.

What’s in This Episode:
- Why the “should” mindset drains your energy and creates resistance
- The impact of comparison and internalized expectations
- A personal pandemic story that reshaped Blaine’s approach to self-care
- Practical journaling exercises to uncover hidden resistance
- A three-step method for building healthier habits


🎧 Tune in now and take one small step toward a more balanced, intentional approach to growth.


How ‘Should’ Makes Us Stupid — And How to Get Smart Again on Medium:
https://medium.com/curious/how-should-makes-us-stupid-and-how-to-get-smart-again-6815a9460302

In this episode of Energy Works, Lauren and Blaine tackle the often awkward, sometimes cringey, but totally human experience of being self-conscious - whether it’s behind a mic or just in life.
Lauren shares a story about being recognized by a podcast listener and how that unexpected moment threw her off her game. It’s a candid look at how awareness of being “watched” can mess with your confidence. Together, the hosts unpack their experiences with podcasting, the fear of criticism, and how feedback (both constructive and not-so-helpful) can feel especially heavy in today’s cancel-culture world.
The episode doesn’t just stop at the hard stuff, though. Lauren and Blaine offer practical strategies for pushing through discomfort while staying authentic, avoiding the comparison trap, and keeping self-criticism in check. 

They also teach two simple energy techniques: The Schoolyard Hookup and The Blowout - that’ll help you calm your nerves and stay grounded when life gets stressful.


What’s in This Episode


- How self-consciousness can sneak up on you and derail your confidence
Strategies for handling criticism without losing yourself
- Why authenticity beats perfection every time
- Tips for managing that tricky line between self-improvement and self-judgment
- Two energy practices to keep your cool when the pressure’s on


Don’t let self-doubt hold you back—tap into your power instead! 💪
🎧 Listen now and reclaim your confidence.