INHABIT: THE ART OF RADICAL SELF-CARE - monicaballard.com

Today we have the incredible pleasure of hearing from the lovely and wise Lara Catone. Lara Catone is a trailblazer in the field of sexual wellness leading a worldwide movement of turned on women.  She has spent the past 15 years studying and practicing the healing arts as a birth doula, certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sexologist and yoga teacher. Lara is the creatrix of The Artemis School for Women's Sexual Wellness—the first and only educational institution weaving sex education with embodiment and nature based mystery traditions. As a mentor, writer, media producer and speaker, Lara is dedicated to empowering all people to reclaim radiant health and radical pleasure There is a fountain of truth and inspiration for every woman in this episode! I hope it inspires you to dig deep and reach out to the women who want to support your blossoming, healing, unfolding, and becoming! Connect with Lara: laracatone.com or artemisschool.com   In this episode: * Lara shares about the pleasure that is our birthright as women and how we got so far away from this truth and knowledge over time. * What is sexuality and why is it so important for healing the women of the world? * Why is it important to fully inhabit our bodies and not just our logical intellectual minds? * Any wounding we have in our lives can be integrated into gifts. * The incredible resilience and wholeness of women. * How to begin to fully inhabit your beautiful womanly being.

I am honored & thrilled to bring you this week's guest, PJ Cannon.  PJ is a mother, a grandma, a published author, Reiki Master, Inspirational Speaker, and licensed Religious Science Practitioner. She has some very powerful truth to share with us about why forgiveness is the root of all Self-Love.  I really hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Scroll down for links to PJ's website, and to purchase a copy of her book, Forgiveness is Bliss.   In this episode: * Forgiveness helps us to come into the present where everything is perfect. * True forgiveness is a healing tool for YOU * Why forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past. * The idea that if you feel weighted and resentful there is something you are holding onto from the past. * PJ's belief that the foundation of Radical Self-Care is truly releasing the past so we can love ourselves enough to enjoy the present right now...even in the presence of grief. * Forgiveness is ongoing. * PJ's favorite mantra: There's nothing more important than my happiness. My happiness is my greatest gift to others.

Our guest today is a friend and fellow podcaster, the lovely Athena Rosette. Athena is sharing her story and some awesome insight on the power and impact our names have on our lives.  Our names give us a title, a frequency, and a vibration.  Athena shares about her journey that led her to change her name, and she offers some fantastic insight on ways that you can harness the power of naming for yourself. If you have ever wanted to recreate yourself, or change the way you show up in the world, this episode is for you!   In this episode: * What is an alter ego and why is it valuable in the world? * Athena's experience of feeling like a drifter in her own name * The importance of naming and claiming in life * The concept of a naming ceremony * The power and significance of spiritual names *How to be the version of yourself that is in alignment with the Highest Expression of YOU

Announcing Q & A Tuesdays! When I started the show my intention was to build real relationships with YOU out there in the world. Send in all your questions related to Radical Self-Care. No question is off-limits or too much. Think, Dear Abby or Dear Sugar Radio, and then send your questions to Dear Monica! I want to give you exactly what you want and need to hear on the show! My goal is to do one Q&A Tuesday show every month. Email your questions to [email protected]. I can't wait to get your questions! Today I am celebrating the birth of a project I have been working on for some time! Announcing the opening of the INHABIT Self-Love Community Lab. The Lab is a community of women devoted to living a life devoted to Radical Self-Care so they are fully empowered & energized to give their deepest gifts to the world.  We gather in our private forum that lives off of facebook and has it's own app! No more getting screen-sucked while trying to practice Self-Care! The Lab is where we support and uplift one another in applying practices of Radical Self-Care to our daily lives and relationships. Never feel lost and alone on your path again!  You also get access to me offering the coaching insight you need; both in our private online Lab, and during our once-a month calls. Benefit from the power of a group while still receiving the personal coaching attention you desire. We aren't just learning it, we are BECOMING IT! I   On our monthly calls we will explore: *  What is a Radical Self-Care mindset? *  How do you weave Radical Self-Care into your existing daily habits & routines? * How do you want to FEEL every day of your life? *  The power & benefits of connecting with your tribe * The actionable steps you can take to practice Radical Self-Care in every area of your life; making it possible for you to be the most integrated, highly aligned version of yourself in a world that needs your light! Try it FREE for 30 Days!   Today's episode is on the subject of friendship. I've wanted to do a show on friendship for a while now and its been heavy on my heart, but I wasn't ready until now! I feel like the isolation and busy-ness of our modern lives create the perfect storm for putting strain on our friendships.  We are giving so much already, making time for our friends can feel exhausting, and like one more task on the to-do list…even when we really love and adore our friends. Women need one another. We need to be seen and heard by our sisters going through the same challenges and joys of life. We need to be listened to and understood in a way that the men in our lives can't understand us.  We need the the acceptance and support that only sisterhood brings.  I believe that our healthy friendships with our soul sisters makes a huge impact on the quality of our love relationships!  It gives us an opportunity to unpack the challenges of intimacy, and to vent and to process- so that we can go back and practice consciously, progressively loving our partners….without being in a state of reactivity.   Women keep us sane. They keep us healthy. So why are friendships so challenging?  We are just human beings BECOMING.  We change. We go thru seasons where we are less available physically and emotionally. I believe that is all natural, and perfectly ok.  I believe that just like in intentional, conscious loving- we can apply the principles of commitment and Radical Honesty to our friendships and receive tremendous benefit and rewards.  Today I want to share about an experience I've had within my relationships with women; I call it, The Curse of the Strong Friend. I wrote this out in blog post format as well, and I'll post a link to it in the show notes. I really want your feedback on this episode! I believe we have all been the Strong Friend, and the Other at different times in our lives. I would love to hear your stories and your thoughts.  And may we learn to love and cherish our sisters, because we need one another. I am only as free as my sisters. 

On today's show we are exploring one of my favorite things: Ayurveda! Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine & wellness that originated in the Indian Subcontinent. It is the Mother of All Medicines.  Sharing about the gifts and power of Ayurveda is the lovely and talented Traci Webb. Traci is the founder of the Northwest Institute of Ayurveda located in Arcata, California. Traci was the first Teacher I had in the study of Ayurveda over 8 years ago, and this ancient wisdom has been life-changing for me. I hope you enjoy this show, and explore the links for more resources if you're curious & interested in learning more!   In this episode: *What is Ayurveda and why do we practice with it? * Simple Ayurvedic Radical Self-Care Practices

Today our guest is the lovely Iyea Brandy and we are talking about success, mindset, and perseverance. I met Iyea years ago on facebook, and when I started the podcast I knew I wanted to get her on the show. She is a true love warrior and shining light!  I really hope that you are inspired by her story, and can activate some of her same lightful-ness to your own life!   In this episode: * Fear of failure * Iyea's experience of losing everything she worked for *Her belief that success is not an external measurement- success is within you *Why a gratitude list is so helpful * Iyea's experience of learning to do life her way *The blessing of being of service in the world *Why you should follow your dreams *Iyea talks about learning to be true to herself even when it wasn't a popular choice *Why you should find your personal spiritual practice * Why you should feel the pain in life and not avoid it   Iyea recommends: The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder

Today we are exploring whether or not it is the loving choice to rescue our loved ones from the consequences of their choices & actions.  I think this is an issue many women struggle with that leads to resentment, confusion, over-giving, & burnout.  I encourage you to listen, get radically honest with yourself, and explore how you are blocking the flow of love and wisdom in your life and the lives of your loved ones with your rescuing behavior. I really want to hear from you on this episode and have a conversation on this topic! Have you found yourself rescuing others from their own pain? Has anyone ever come between you and the consequences of your choices? What effect did this have on your life? On your relationship?

On today's show we are speaking with the insightful Janet Caliri. Janet is a Human Potential Practitioner, specializing in helping others to love themselves through massive life transitions.  Janet shares her personal journey of finding herself in a state of burnout which led her through adrenal fatigue, to healing, recovery, self-activation, and a discovery of the modality she now uses to assist others in similar situations. I really wanted you to hear her story because I see so many women struggling with adrenal fatigue who have NO IDEA what is going on with their mental, physical, and spiritual health.  In fact, the western medical model does not acknowledge that adrenal fatigue is a real condition at all. It is my hope that in sharing this story and information, more women struggling with this issue will find their way to healing, and home to their own vitality, joy, and purpose in the world.   In this episode: * Janet shares about professional burnout and the descent into adrenal fatigue * The confusion over her symptoms and having no idea what was wrong with her * Returning home to stay with her parents in her 40's, and the stress and struggle of them trying to "fix" her * Th healing journey that began upon understanding she was suffering from adrenal fatigue, and getting help for her condition * The importance of tracking our progress on different journeys in life, and why adding this ritual can be so beneficial to our healing and growth * How Janet came to develop her current healing modality that she now shares with others

Today we have the pleasure of speaking to the lovely Lila Simmons. Lila shares about her journey of transforming pain, accessing her inner Wisdom from a very young age, and re-creating herself in the image of her Divinity; as well as creating a life she truly loves. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!   In this episode: * Lila's realization that she needed to stop neglecting herself so that people she was in relationship with would also stop neglecting her * The idea that we live what we believe * Healing the beliefs that bring us pain & suffering * The shadow side of giving when we actually want to receive something * The difference between being nice and being kind * The importance of getting quiet and listening to your Soul

Today on INHABIT we are talking about the many shades of pregnancy & motherhood. Our guest today is the lovely Jordan Maya. Jordan Maya is a brand new mama living in Pittsburgh with her hubby. She is a career waitress of 22 years, and her life motto is, "Eat, Drink, & Be Merry."  Traveling and people are her passion. Maya is also a "wine angel", and has spent many years in all aspects of wine making, selling, and drinking. I really hope you enjoy this show, and if you are a mama, I would love to hear your thoughts, stories, and feedback!