Fearless Self-Love

We all have multiple identifiers - maybe it's your profession, a hobby, a belief, or your relationship to others - that make up who we are. These identifiers are just part of what makes us wonderfully human. And self-loving self-care shows up in every one of these arenas. Join me as I talk with Michael Joseph - a therapist, musician, and athlete - as we talk about self-love on many levels, the importance of paying attention to energy, and how emotions can propel us forward into a life with greater self-love.

• Why paying attention to energy is necessary
• How to use emotions as fuel
• How to experiment with your life

Links Mentioned

Crossfit

Ayurveda and Doshas

Zone of Genius

Zone of Excellence

Show Highlights

2:52 Easeful Living Practice - Hydrate

6:38 Introducing Michael Joseph

9:39 Self-love from a therapist's, athlete's, and artist's perspective

14:31 Anti-personal growth weeks

18:30 Anxiety, depression, and dosha imbalance

20:08 Paying attention to energy

24:04 Zone of Genius and Zone of Excellence

26:32 Capacity to control our attention

28:12 "Dangerous" self-care

31:00 Capacity to pause and reflect

35:02 Tools of self-love

41:15 Using emotions as fuel

44:12 Experimenting with your life

Favorite Quotes

"Who you are as a person matters." - Michael Joseph

"Nothing's wrong with you. You're bringing tools of your humanity to a situation. You just have to learn how to use them." - Michael Joseph

"Anxiety moves us. Anxiety moves the world. If we didn't feel anxious about things, we wouldn't propel ourselves forward." - Michael Joseph

"If you're energy is low and you're going on sleep deprivation, you're not loving yourself." - Michael Joseph

"If you're meditating and you fall asleep, or you're in savasana and you fall asleep, you probably needed it." - Andrea Catherine

"Maybe we serve ourselves best - maybe we love ourselves best - when we're tapping into those things that really feel nourishing and exciting and help us feel connected to who we are." - Andrea Catherine

"Learning how to disappoint people gracefully is kind of a hallmark of mental health." - Michael Joseph

"One thing that's wonderful about being human is that we can stand down some of our instincts." - Michael Joseph

"We have permission to pause until we're ready." - Andrea Catherine

"It's OK to say to ourselves and to the world, 'let me think about that.'" - Michael Joseph

"Self-love also means standing inside uncertainty." - Michael Joseph

"Self-love is knowing how to use our emotions as fuel." - Michael Joseph

"You've tried everything? Do the opposite." - Andrea Catherine

"The opposite of fear is curiosity." - Michael Joseph

Meet Michael

Michael Joseph is a therapist, musician, rock climber, basketball player. He's spent the last 30+ years of his life exploring in his own life and with his clients the nature of love, life, emotional suffering and emotional joy. He feels privileged to be in a profession where he has the opportunity learn something everyday about life in conversation with the people who come to him.

We all have multiple identifiers - maybe it’s your profession, a hobby, a belief, or your relationship to others - that make up who we are. These identifiers are just part of what makes us wonderfully human. And self-loving self-care shows up in every one of these arenas. Join me as I talk with Michael Joseph - a therapist, musician, and athlete - as we talk about self-love on many levels, the importance of paying attention to energy, and how emotions can propel us forward into a life with greater self-love.

• Why paying attention to energy is necessary
• How to use emotions as fuel
• How to experiment with your life

Links Mentioned

Crossfit

Ayurveda and Doshas

Zone of Genius

Zone of Excellence

Show Highlights

2:52    Easeful Living Practice - Hydrate

6:38    Introducing Michael Joseph

9:39    Self-love from a therapist’s, athlete’s, and artist’s perspective

14:31  Anti-personal growth weeks

18:30  Anxiety, depression, and dosha imbalance

20:08  Paying attention to energy

24:04  Zone of Genius and Zone of Excellence

26:32  Capacity to control our attention

28:12  “Dangerous” self-care

31:00  Capacity to pause and reflect

35:02  Tools of self-love

41:15  Using emotions as fuel

44:12  Experimenting with your life

Favorite Quotes

“Who you are as a person matters.” - Michael Joseph

“Nothing’s wrong with you. You’re bringing tools of your humanity to a situation. You just have to learn how to use them.” - Michael Joseph

“Anxiety moves us. Anxiety moves the world. If we didn’t feel anxious about things, we wouldn’t propel ourselves forward.” - Michael Joseph

“If you’re energy is low and you’re going on sleep deprivation, you’re not loving yourself.” - Michael Joseph

“If you’re meditating and you fall asleep, or you’re in savasana and you fall asleep, you probably needed it.” - Andrea Catherine

“Maybe we serve ourselves best - maybe we love ourselves best - when we’re tapping into those things that really feel nourishing and exciting and help us feel connected to who we are.” - Andrea Catherine

“Learning how to disappoint people gracefully is kind of a hallmark of mental health.” - Michael Joseph

“One thing that’s wonderful about being human is that we can stand down some of our instincts.” - Michael Joseph

“We have permission to pause until we’re ready.” - Andrea Catherine

“It’s OK to say to ourselves and to the world, ‘let me think about that.’” - Michael Joseph

“Self-love also means standing inside uncertainty.” - Michael Joseph

“Self-love is knowing how to use our emotions as fuel.” - Michael Joseph

“You’ve tried everything? Do the opposite.” - Andrea Catherine

“The opposite of fear is curiosity.” - Michael Joseph

Meet Michael

Michael Joseph is a therapist, musician, rock climber, basketball player.  He’s spent the last 30+ years of his life exploring in his own life and with his clients the nature of love, life, emotional suffering and emotional joy.  He feels privileged to be in a profession where he has the opportunity learn something everyday about life in conversation with the people who come to him.

It might surprise you that an artist's best work does not always turn out the way they planned. Opening yourself up to uncertainty can elicit unexpected and wonderful results. And while we may not all consider ourselves artists in the traditional sense, everyone is a creator in one way or another. Join me in my conversation with multidisciplinary artist Kylin O'Brien as we discuss the how comfort with uncertainty, creation, and clearing your space all leave room for what serves us best at this point in our lives.

• How we can all approach life as creators
• Why authenticity and trust are key
• How clearing space can open up new opportunities

Links Mentioned

The Scream Room

Stress Less Day at Flathead Valley Community College

Imagine If Library in Kalispell

Show Highlights

02:08 Easeful Living Practice

05:15 Introducing Kylin and her Love Work

11:45 An artist's comfort with uncertainty

16:24 We're all creators

19:55 The process of creation

21:54 The Scream Room

32:42 Work based in authenticity and trust

36:12 Clearing your space, clearing your mind

46:35 How to connect with Kylin

Favorite Quotes

"I believe that we are all creators, and that we're all creating our lives all the time." - Kylin O'Brien

"Life is a collaborative project with the universe." - Kylin O'Brien

"Art, when it's effective, is potent." - Kylin O'Brien

"Life is laundry; it's never done." - Kylin O'Brien

"Get down with the undoneness of it." - Andrea Catherine

"It's inside of space that new things come. And it's inside of space that old things can leave. You don't have any movement without space." - Kylin O'Brien

"Your dog's happiness is worth more than a perfectly made bed." - Kylin O'Brien

"We're allowed to reinvent ourselves." - Kylin O'Brien

Meet Kylin

Kylin O'Brien is a New York City born Brooklyn based multidisciplinary artist. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Vassar College and a BA (Honours) in Contemporary Creative Practice from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK, where she was awarded a part-time lectureship while pursuing advanced multimedia studies. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has enjoyed solo exhibitions in New York at Feature INC, Open Source Gallery and Chashama. She has been a Brooklyn Arts Council, Awesome Foundation and Pro Arts award winner. Kylin has created commissioned public work during Art Basel Miami and has had public works on display in Wynwood Miami, West Oakland & Brooklyn. In addition to her studio practice, she is currently directing multiple initiatives, collaborations, workshops and presentations.

It might surprise you that an artist’s best work does not always turn out the way they planned. Opening yourself up to uncertainty can elicit unexpected and wonderful results. And while we may not all consider ourselves artists in the traditional sense, everyone is a creator in one way or another. Join me in my conversation with multidisciplinary artist Kylin O’Brien as we discuss the how comfort with uncertainty, creation, and clearing your space all leave room for what serves us best at this point in our lives.

• How we can all approach life as creators
• Why authenticity and trust are key
• How clearing space can open up new opportunities

Links Mentioned

The Scream Room

Stress Less Day at Flathead Valley Community College

Imagine If Library in Kalispell

Show Highlights

02:08  Easeful Living Practice

05:15  Introducing Kylin and her Love Work

11:45  An artist’s comfort with uncertainty

16:24  We’re all creators

19:55  The process of creation

21:54  The Scream Room

32:42  Work based in authenticity and trust

36:12  Clearing your space, clearing your mind

46:35  How to connect with Kylin 

Favorite Quotes

“I believe that we are all creators, and that we’re all creating our lives all the time.” - Kylin O’Brien

“Life is a collaborative project with the universe.” - Kylin O’Brien

“Art, when it’s effective, is potent.” - Kylin O’Brien

“Life is laundry; it’s never done.” - Kylin O’Brien

“Get down with the undoneness of it.” - Andrea Catherine

“It’s inside of space that new things come. And it’s inside of space that old things can leave. You don’t have any movement without space.” - Kylin O’Brien

“Your dog’s happiness is worth more than a perfectly made bed.” - Kylin O’Brien

“We’re allowed to reinvent ourselves.” - Kylin O’Brien

Meet Kylin

Kylin O'Brien is a New York City born Brooklyn based multidisciplinary artist. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Vassar College and a BA (Honours) in Contemporary Creative Practice from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK, where she was awarded a part-time lectureship while pursuing advanced multimedia studies. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has enjoyed solo exhibitions in New York at Feature INC, Open Source Gallery and Chashama. She has been a Brooklyn Arts Council, Awesome Foundation and Pro Arts award winner. Kylin has created commissioned public work during Art Basel Miami and has had public works on display in Wynwood Miami, West Oakland & Brooklyn. In addition to her studio practice, she is currently directing multiple initiatives, collaborations, workshops and presentations.

Have you thought about working with a life coach but find something's holding you back? When we're comfortable with the status quo, we have little incentive to pursue change. It's only when we view change as necessary that we're ready to reach out for guidance. Join me in my conversation with life coach, Shelly Smith, as we discuss the power of working with a coach, how shifting thought patterns can change your trajectory, and the importance of fiercely protecting your own self-care.

• Why it helps to name your thoughts and feelings
• How you can choose to think something different
• How to fiercely protect your own self care

Links Mentioned

Body Thrive by Cate Stillman

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

Show Highlights

03:59 Easeful Living Gratitude Practice with guest, Shelly Smith

7:20 Interview Begins

13:50 Thinking big and following the path

20:40 What stands out about coaching

24:00 Coaching inspirations

28:44 Necessity to be fully present

32:52 Why folks seek a life coach

41:14 Changing thought patterns

48:45 A coach's own self care

50:10 Saying "no" and other ways of protecting self care

57:04 Are you sacrificing your higher intentions? Do you have everything you need?

Favorite Quotes

"You make decisions every single day, and you can decide to go left or right, and you can decide what you eat, and you can decide how to react to things, and every single choice changes the direction of your life." - Shelly Smith

"People forget that they have choices." - Shelly Smith

"Thinking big is just a series of choices that increase your belief each day." - Shelly Smith

"Thinking big is really a bunch of little thoughts." - Andrea Catherine

"Just start on that path, and one day you're gonna look back and you'll be pretty much there." - Shelly Smith

"It's when we decide to choose to believe in something we can't see that things start to change." - Andrea Catherine

"I just love fantastic conversations about real things." - Shelly Smith

"People don't change until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change." - Shelly Smith

"Every habit we have has a reward, or we wouldn't have that habit." - Andrea Catherine

"There's something energetically different about talking about what's working." - Andrea Catherine

"I'm a big fan of self care; in fact, I protect it pretty fiercely." - Shelly Smith

"I think a lot of people need permission to say 'no' to things they don't like and want." - Shelly Smith

"If people don't create boundaries and take care of themselves, everybody just starts wreaking havoc on each other because they're not happy." - Shelly Smith

"Who are you trying to impress at the expense of your own wellbeing?" - Shelly Smith

Meet Shelly

Shelly Smith, sales and leadership consultant, believes laughter is as important as discipline. She has coached over 170 clients in a wide range of industries. She hopes you stop taking yourself so seriously so you can enjoy the journey

Have you thought about working with a life coach but find something’s holding you back? When we’re comfortable with the status quo, we have little incentive to pursue change. It’s only when we view change as necessary that we’re ready to reach out for guidance. Join me in my conversation with life coach, Shelly Smith, as we discuss the power of working with a coach, how shifting thought patterns can change your trajectory, and the importance of fiercely protecting your own self-care.

• Why it helps to name your thoughts and feelings
• How you can choose to think something different
• How to fiercely protect your own self care

Links Mentioned

Body Thrive by Cate Stillman

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

Show Highlights

03:59 Easeful Living Gratitude Practice with guest, Shelly Smith

7:20 Interview Begins

13:50   Thinking big and following the path

20:40  What stands out about coaching

24:00   Coaching inspirations

28:44   Necessity to be fully present

32:52   Why folks seek a life coach

41:14   Changing thought patterns

48:45   A coach’s own self care

50:10   Saying “no” and other ways of protecting self care

57:04   Are you sacrificing your higher intentions? Do you have everything you need?

Favorite Quotes

“You make decisions every single day, and you can decide to go left or right, and you can decide what you eat, and you can decide how to react to things, and every single choice changes the direction of your life.” - Shelly Smith

“People forget that they have choices.” - Shelly Smith

“Thinking big is just a series of choices that increase your belief each day.” - Shelly Smith

“Thinking big is really a bunch of little thoughts.” - Andrea Catherine

“Just start on that path, and one day you’re gonna look back and you’ll be pretty much there.” - Shelly Smith

“It’s when we decide to choose to believe in something we can’t see that things start to change.” - Andrea Catherine

“I just love fantastic conversations about real things.” - Shelly Smith

“People don’t change until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” - Shelly Smith

“Every habit we have has a reward, or we wouldn’t have that habit.” - Andrea Catherine

“There’s something energetically different about talking about what’s working.” - Andrea Catherine

“I’m a big fan of self care; in fact, I protect it pretty fiercely.” - Shelly Smith

“I think a lot of people need permission to say ‘no’ to things they don’t like and want.” - Shelly Smith

“If people don’t create boundaries and take care of themselves, everybody just starts wreaking havoc on each other because they’re not happy.” - Shelly Smith

“Who are you trying to impress at the expense of your own wellbeing?” - Shelly Smith

Meet Shelly

Shelly Smith, sales and leadership consultant, believes laughter is as important as discipline. She has coached over 170 clients in a wide range of industries. She hopes you stop taking yourself so seriously so you can enjoy the journey

When life hands us lemons, we make lemonade. Or in Upasna Kakroo's case, use storytelling and art to make life's difficulties a little bit sweeter. Our stories are important and they create connection between us and our consumers. Being fearless and authentic in our life, art, and business requires self-love and compassion toward the truth of our lives and experiences. Join me as I interview doodler, creative, and business leader, Upasna Kakroo, who shares how art inspires her life and helps her solve problems. Grab a cup of tea, a pencil, and a pad since you might just become more inspired with your life and find answers to the questions living within you.

• Why self-love requires you to prioritize your time and values
• How to use your life story in business and art
• Why creating always involves being your authentic self

Links Mentioned

Upasna's Blog/Personal Website

Brandanew, Upasna's Company Website

Lil' Danny Runs a Race (book)

Yoga Health Coaching

Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies (book)

Grounded Here

Show Highlights

5:30 Show starts

9:32 Paradox of connection in social media. Responsibility of our action

12:55 The life doodles of Upasna

16:25 Bringing authenticity to social media

18:45 Balancing our time to reflect our values

22:50 Rubin's Four Tendencies: How we uphold our expectations

24:35 The importance of the company you keep and saying "yes" to opportunities

29:05 Cultivating self-care when there's no model

33:43 Traveling as a means to self-discovery

36:05 Process of creating authentically and how it creates connection

43:00 Upasna's life reflected in art

49:58 Connect with Upasna and view her work

Favorite Quotes

"Stress doesn't solve problems." - Upasna Kakroo

"The world doesn't exist so that it can be uploaded." - Unknown

"I pay very close attention to what I say yes to." - Upasna Kakroo

"Sometimes we tend to know ourselves better when we get away from where we're from." - Upasna Kakroo

"...to create for the sake of creating." - Upasna Kakroo

"When I draw, it simplifies the problem for me." - Upasna Kakroo

"All art is personal." - Upasna Kakroo

"...to see and admire our own skill set based on the life we've had." - Andrea Catherine

Meet Upasna

Upasna Krakoo is a business owner, creator, and leader in brand marketing, storytelling, and art. Growing up through displacement and instability, she's found a way to embrace and share her life through art and business. She's also the author of a children's book and inspirational calendar, that you can order through the website listed above. Connect with her via Instagram for business content @brandanewco and her doodles at @upasnakakroo.

When life hands us lemons, we make lemonade. Or in Upasna Kakroo’s case, use storytelling and art to make life’s difficulties a little bit sweeter. Our stories are important and they create connection between us and our consumers. Being fearless and authentic in our life, art, and business requires self-love and compassion toward the truth of our lives and experiences. Join me as I interview doodler, creative, and business leader, Upasna Kakroo, who shares how art inspires her life and helps her solve problems. Grab a cup of tea, a pencil, and a pad since you might just become more inspired with your life and find answers to the questions living within you.

• Why self-love requires you to prioritize your time and values
• How to use your life story in business and art
• Why creating always involves being your authentic self

Links Mentioned

Upasna’s Blog/Personal Website

Brandanew, Upasna’s Company Website

Lil’ Danny Runs a Race (book)

Yoga Health Coaching

Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies (book)

Grounded Here

Show Highlights

5:30   Show starts

9:32   Paradox of connection in social media. Responsibility of our action

12:55  The life doodles of Upasna

16:25  Bringing authenticity to social media

18:45  Balancing our time to reflect our values

22:50  Rubin’s Four Tendencies: How we uphold our expectations

24:35  The importance of the company you keep and saying “yes” to opportunities

29:05  Cultivating self-care when there's no model

33:43  Traveling as a means to self-discovery

36:05  Process of creating authentically and how it creates connection

43:00  Upasna's life reflected in art

49:58  Connect with Upasna and view her work

Favorite Quotes

“Stress doesn't solve problems.” - Upasna Kakroo

“The world doesn't exist so that it can be uploaded.” - Unknown

“I pay very close attention to what I say yes to.” - Upasna Kakroo

“Sometimes we tend to know ourselves better when we get away from where we're from.” - Upasna Kakroo

“...to create for the sake of creating.” - Upasna Kakroo

“When I draw, it simplifies the problem for me.” - Upasna Kakroo

“All art is personal.” - Upasna Kakroo

“...to see and admire our own skill set based on the life we've had.” - Andrea Catherine

Meet Upasna

Upasna Krakoo is a business owner, creator, and leader in brand marketing, storytelling, and art. Growing up through displacement and instability, she's found a way to embrace and share her life through art and business. She’s also the author of a children’s book and inspirational calendar, that you can order through the website listed above. Connect with her via Instagram for business content @brandanewco and her doodles at @upasnakakroo.

Valentine's Day, or National Singles Awareness Day, as some call it, can be a frustrating and lonely reminder of our relationship status or lack thereof. But who says being single has to be devoid of love? Fearless self-love reminds us that we need to spend just as much time building a relationship of love within ourselves. Join me as I interview Ayurveda student and writer, Lauren Gernady, who also struggles with being single. Grab your favorite cup of tea and get comfy as we explore how Ayurveda teaches us about courageous self-love and being authentic to ourselves. Of course, one has to know themselves first; every thought, every feeling, every crevice.

• How Ayurveda can teach you to love yourself
• Why you need to embrace being single
• How to say yes to yourself

Links Mentioned

Kripalu School of Ayurveda

Everyday Ayurveda

National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA)

Ayurvedic Center of Vermont

Yoga Healer

Dr. Claudia Welch

Dr. Vasant Lad, Marma Points

Episode 7 Podcast

@ home in your body course

Grounded Here

Show Highlights

1:27 Meet Lauren

9:25 Ayurvedic Terms: What it means to be pitta

13:55 Lessons from @ Home in Your Body: Importance of Play

16:25 Ayurvedic Practices: Benefits of Shirodhara

20:45 Ayurvedic Practices: Panchakarma "5 actions"

27:45 Ayurvedic Practices: Abhyanga aka self-massage

35:30 How to create a routine of Abhyanga to experience the physical, relational, and spiritual benefits

43:10 Strategies for being single

46:25 Giving ourselves permission

49:43 Perspective of Time and cultivating the quality of non-rushing

Favorite Quotes

"Shoot for four out of five days...that other day is just as important and it's okay to blow it off." - Andrea Catherine

"[Abhyanga] is a way to nourish the body from the outside in." - Lauren Gernady

"It's impossible to be angry and curious at the same time." - Unknown

"It's interesting to take an inventory [of our bodies] everyday." - Lauren Gernady

"We're householders, we're not sitting in an ashram." - Rosie Mann

"I can totally provide for myself what I want from someone else." - Lauren Gernady

"While it's mine, its treasured time." - Mae Erlewine

"We're so focused on how we show up for other people that we forget how to show up for ourselves." - Andrea Catherine

Meet Lauren

Meet Lauren Gernady, Admissions Counselor and writer at Kripalu School of Ayurveda. Her passion for writing and Ayurveda has led her down a path of inspiring and teaching others who desire to know more about the science of self. If you're curious and want more information, you can email her at [email protected] or visit Kripalu's website here https://kripalu.org/schools/kripalu-school-ayurveda.

Valentine’s Day, or National Singles Awareness Day, as some call it, can be a frustrating and lonely reminder of our relationship status or lack thereof. But who says being single has to be devoid of love? Fearless self-love reminds us that we need to spend just as much time building a relationship of love within ourselves. Join me as I interview Ayurveda student and writer, Lauren Gernady, who also struggles with being single. Grab your favorite cup of tea and get comfy as we explore how Ayurveda teaches us about courageous self-love and being authentic to ourselves. Of course, one has to know themselves first; every thought, every feeling, every crevice.

• How Ayurveda can teach you to love yourself
• Why you need to embrace being single
• How to say yes to yourself

Links Mentioned

Kripalu School of Ayurveda

Everyday Ayurveda

National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA)

Ayurvedic Center of Vermont

Yoga Healer

Dr. Claudia Welch

Dr. Vasant Lad, Marma Points

Episode 7 Podcast

@ home in your body course

Grounded Here

Show Highlights

1:27     Meet Lauren

9:25     Ayurvedic Terms: What it means to be pitta

13:55   Lessons from @ Home in Your Body: Importance of Play

16:25   Ayurvedic Practices: Benefits of Shirodhara

20:45   Ayurvedic Practices: Panchakarma “5 actions”

27:45   Ayurvedic Practices: Abhyanga aka self-massage

35:30   How to create a routine of Abhyanga to experience the physical, relational, and spiritual benefits

43:10   Strategies for being single

46:25   Giving ourselves permission

49:43   Perspective of Time and cultivating the quality of non-rushing

Favorite Quotes

“Shoot for four out of five days...that other day is just as important and it's okay to blow it off.” - Andrea Catherine

“[Abhyanga] is a way to nourish the body from the outside in.” - Lauren Gernady

“It's impossible to be angry and curious at the same time.” - Unknown

“It's interesting to take an inventory [of our bodies] everyday.” - Lauren Gernady

“We're householders, we're not sitting in an ashram.” - Rosie Mann

“I can totally provide for myself what I want from someone else.” - Lauren Gernady

“While it's mine, its treasured time.” - Mae Erlewine

“We're so focused on how we show up for other people that we forget how to show up for ourselves.” - Andrea Catherine

Meet Lauren

Meet Lauren Gernady, Admissions Counselor and writer at Kripalu School of Ayurveda. Her passion for writing and Ayurveda has led her down a path of inspiring and teaching others who desire to know more about the science of self. If you're curious and want more information, you can email her at [email protected] or visit Kripalu’s website here https://kripalu.org/schools/kripalu-school-ayurveda.