In this soul-deep episode of Give It Heart, we break open the myth of “keeping it together” and explore what it really means to listen to ourselves before we collapse. Shanea unpacks the cultural pressure to “be strong” and stay silent — and how systems like patriarchy, capitalism, and toxic spirituality benefit when we ignore our own unraveling.

Through story, symbolism, and reflection, we journey into the power of noticing — not as a passive act, but as sacred resistance.

From journaling as a spiritual practice to decoding a soul-equation of survival (∅ ∩ ∑ ∼ ∞ + ♻️), this episode invites you to reclaim softness, presence, and the quiet truth under the noise.

Whether you're on the edge of burnout or beginning to come back to yourself, this is your permission to pause, to witness, and to make space for what’s real.

In a world that often prioritizes efficiency over connection, what happens when we dare to see beyond the surface? Welcome to the second episode of Give It Heart, where we continue exploring how small intentional actions can transform not just individual lives, but entire communities.

This week, I'm sharing a profound experience that fundamentally changed my approach to healthcare and human connection. Through my relationship with an ALS patient—a person progressively losing physical abilities while maintaining complete cognitive awareness—I discovered something remarkable about the pace of authentic care.

I'll introduce you to what I've come to call "The F*ck It Theory" – a surprisingly powerful lens for understanding people beyond their visible surfaces. This concept emerged from years of observing how we interact with each other, particularly in healthcare settings where time constraints often dictate the depth of our connections. The theory examines how we default to surface-level interactions when we could choose to go deeper, and what happens when we consciously decide to break that pattern.

You'll hear how this perspective, combined with deliberate micro-actions, transformed my clinical practice. From adjusting the tempo of care to creating moments of genuine connection, these shifts weren't time-intensive but intention-intensive. I'll share specific examples of how slowing down for just seconds created space for humanity in a system designed for efficiency.

What makes this approach revolutionary isn't its complexity, but its simplicity. The barriers to implementation aren't resources or specialized training, but our willingness to see the full humanity in each person we encounter—especially when systems incentivize us to do otherwise.

This episode bridges theory and practice, showing how philosophical shifts in perception create tangible changes in behavior. Whether you work in healthcare, education, business, or simply move through the world interacting with others, these principles offer a pathway to more meaningful connections.

The Creating Homeland vision isn't just about building physical spaces—it's about reconstructing how we relate to each other within any space. By understanding the mechanisms that drive superficial interactions, we gain the power to choose differently, creating micro-communities of care wherever we go.

Join me as we explore how one patient's journey with ALS became a masterclass in intentional presence, and how the courage to say "f*ck it" to conventional boundaries can transform professional care into profound human connection. You'll leave with practical techniques to implement immediately, whether you're a healthcare provider, community builder, or anyone seeking to create more meaningful interactions in daily life.

The journey to building homeland begins with these moments of intentional connection. Listen now to discover how small adjustments in perception can create ripples of transformation in your work, relationships, and community.

#GiveItHeart #CreatingHomeland #IntentionalCare #HealthcareHumanity

Life's richest lessons often come from unexpected encounters and meaningful connections. In this debut episode, I share how diverse cultural observations and frontline healthcare experiences gradually shaped my vision for a new kind of community center—one that exists beyond physical walls.

I'll take you through pivotal moments with people and places that fundamentally altered my understanding of human connection and community building. You'll discover how small, intentional interactions can ripple outward to transform both individual lives and entire communities.

These personal stories—some heartbreaking, others inspiring—reveal how our response to others' suffering ultimately reflects our true character. I'll explain how these experiences led me to believe that societal change doesn't always require grand gestures, but rather consistent compassionate action in our everyday lives.

Join me as I explore how these formative encounters inspired a lifelong mission to foster connection, healing, and belonging through the power of purposeful human interaction. This episode lays the foundation for our ongoing conversation about creating the communities we all deserve.