Lisa is joined by Cynthia Santiago-Borbón, a multi-faceted healer, as she discusses healing, personal growth, and the intersection with social change. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, societal detachment, and the impact of personal healing on broader social systems.

Topics Include:

[1:20] Lisa shares the story of how she met Cynthia, through her ex-client, then highlights the serendipitous and magical nature of their meeting, which led to Cynthia teaching at Lisa’s retreat. Cynthia describes herself as a multi-faceted healer, residing between New York City and Puerto Rico. She focuses on the intersection of self-development, spirituality, and social change, working primarily with other healers.

[10:20] Cynthia shares how her experience growing up in a home with domestic violence influenced her career path, driving her to advocate for justice and safety for others. Cynthia and Lisa discuss her journey from working with women fleeing domestic violence to becoming a therapist and coach, emphasizing her desire to create inclusive environments for healing.

[15:30] Cynthia shares her journey from childhood spirituality to disillusionment with organized religion, and eventually finding a personal spiritual path that includes healing and self-discovery. She emphasizes the importance of continuous personal healing and growth. Cynthia shares her struggle with body image and societal standards, and how she began to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about her body. She talks about finding what is right about oneself and avoiding comparisons with others.

[26:00] Cynthia discusses the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection in personal healing and growth. She describes how she worked on these aspects simultaneously to improve her self-acceptance and happiness. Cynthia discusses the challenge of societal comparison and emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s unique path and character, independent of societal norms. 

[35:40] Lisa introduces a framework of awareness, acceptance, and aligned action as a process for personal growth and breaking free from dissatisfaction. Cynthia shares personal experiences with body image issues, societal standards, and overcoming an eating disorder by rejecting societal control mechanisms.

[39:29] Cynthia attributes personal growth and healing to spiritual and ancestral guidance, emphasizing the importance of connecting with one’s roots and inner wisdom. Lisa and Cynthia discuss the importance of commitment in overcoming personal challenges, highlighting that recovery is a continuous process requiring dedication. Cynthia talks about how personal healing contributes to social change by making individuals more compassionate and effective in her interactions with others.

[58:52] Lisa and Cynthia emphasize the importance of making conscious choices rather than operating on autopilot. She discusses how choosing actions that align with one’s well-being can lead to self-love and commitment to oneself. Lisa and Cynthia discuss the impact of social systems, colonization, and privilege on individuals. They explore the challenge of operating within these systems while striving for personal freedom and not letting them define one’s value.

[1:04:17] Cynthia shares her frustration with systemic racism and the dehumanization of Black men. She stresses the importance of recognizing humanity in everyone and not allowing oppressive systems to dictate personal worth. Cynthia emphasizes that personal healing and social change are interconnected. She calls for healers to challenge social paradigms that diminish humanity and emphasize the need for collective liberation. Lisa and Cynthia discuss the importance of recognizing and challenging internalized biases, such as racism and fatphobia, to foster genuine human connections beyond societal categories.

[1:20:28] Lisa and Cynthia close out with how Cynthia can be found on social media and her website: Cynthia’s Instagram | Facebook | Website

*The views of podcast guests do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Lisa Schlosberg or Out of the Cave, LLC.

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