IN THIS EPISODE we cover terrain of coming of age type reflections and a journey of cultivating sense of self and purpose by overcoming internalized toxic cultural narratives. We also get an intimate window into Lauren’s  own art-making which I think is such a  generous gift- to be offered the chance to peel back the curtain on someone’s creative process. Ultimately, our conversation is an unfolding exploration of intuition as a practice of presence.  

SPECIAL BONUS NOTE: In case you want to go back and re-listen later, at about 57-60 minutes (give or take) into our conversation, Lauren gives us some very specific and insightful ways that we can cultivate a rich dream practice that can inform, enrich, and impact our waking life for the better.

View Episode Transcript  

ABOUT LAUREN

Lauren Mantecón (she/her) is a visual artist who’s focus has been primarily in  the abstract realms of painting , exhibiting in museums and galleries  for over twenty five years. Her primary focus is in abstract painting   and working with the leitmotifs , of orbs, vessels ,  veils and  atmosphere. Her interests lie in the in between  dimensional spaces that  can not often be seen, but can be felt.

OTHER MENTIONS IN THIS EPISODE:

Santa Fe Art Institute 

Helene Wurlitzer foundation

Southern Vermont Art Center Museum - (where Lauren has a show in spring!)

Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Big Magic)'s  Ted Talk on creativity 

Various Books by Paul Levy 

Poet, Mark Nepo 

#MeToo Movement

Madison Krekel (pronounced - Cray-kul) is a dancer, performer, writer, rock n' roll singer of her band Snatch Attack, and an aspiring end of life/death doula. She was born in Ohlone land (Oakland, CA), her spirit was raised in  Lenapehoking land (NYC), and she now resides in beautiful Bulbancha (New  Orleans, LA).

IN THIS EPISODE we talk with Madison about unveiling the things that light you up that make you feel sparked and fiery and give you pleasure. We rally against the toxic mindless grind culture of productivity and pressurized linearity, and instead lean in to the practice of listening to the real voice within that says exactly how they want to spend their time, how they want to serve their communities, and what they want to leave behind. Which is not a fixed state of always knowing the path forward, but instead a marker for what feels good (or doesn't) and source of wisdom with which to move through the world on this wild Earth Ride. We have many many laughs and ah-ha moments. Enjoy!

INTRO SONG : Zombie Lover, OUTRO SONG: Phantom Creepin' by Madison's band Snatch Attack

Episode Transcript

Follow Madison/ MADDADDY MAYHAMMHMM and SNATCH ATTACK! 

@snatchattackband on IG +  their newly released EP, UNDEAD AND UNTAMED on Spotify and Itunes!

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

Going With Grace, Death Doula Training/End of Life Planning/Support - founder Alua Arthur

@going_with_grace on IG

Caitlin Doughty - @thegoodeath on IG

Then She Fell by Third Rail Projects

Jonathan Blake (He/Him) is a Writer/Cartoonist and an appreciator of gentle absurdity. “I felt I had a choice between being a Monk or a Cartoonist and I chose Cartoonist.”

In this episode we walk with Jonathan on his dance with life from comedy, to drawing; weaving through philosophy and religion; navigating challenges with family and mental health, and stepping intuitively and with deep integrity into each new beginning - all the while continuing to come back again and again with each moment of learning and experience, to a place of self love and acceptance and over flowing with abundance and care for everyone he is in relationship with. He is so very wise. Open this episode and take a listen. You won't be disappointed! 

Episode Transcript

Instagram:@jonathanblake.cartoonist + @thisidiotlife

Twitter: @thisidiotlife

Substack: https://thisidiotlife.substack.com/ - "a space for failure and exploration"- you can subscribe to his newsletter and receive art love from him for free (for now:))

IN THIS EPISODE we sit down with Jessy Smith, dancer and owner of MinimizingNYC, to dive deep into the transformational world of minimizing and organizing, and her personal story of stepping into her intuitive power. We get to explore what often lies beneath all the material and emotional clutter that can take over our spaces thus blocking our road to self actualization and living a life of joy and purpose. We also get to unpack the distinct connection between Jessy’s influences as an immersive theater artist, and her intuitive practice of guiding people as they discover the agency they have in their ability to transform their space and personal narratives in ways they never imagined. We also delve into navigating the balance between creative careers and running a business and the ways in which pursuing multiple passions can influence and support one another.

Episode Transcript

ABOUT JESSY SMITH: In 2017, a friend introduced her to the book  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. She had been living in Downtown Brooklyn for almost 10 years at that point, with a career as a professional dancer, choreographer, immersive theater artist, teacher, rehearsal director, (see more about that here), after-school art teacher, micro B&B host and gardener. Needless to say, she had accumulated some clutter. She did a complete overhaul on her place, went through every item that she owned, purged and then decided to take an improv comedy class at the Upright Citizens Brigade. Now, somehow, she failed that class.  She guesses improv was not the magic that she was after...

What she did discover is that she really like cleaning, organizing and letting go of stuff.   She also loves helping people sweep the clutter aside to uncover the full potential of their space and their life. So, she started with one client and began developing her own method of minimizing. Listening, observing, and positive affirmations are all an integral part of what she practices with her clients, as well as continued research and mindfulness. With each new project, she finds herself more fully realizing her own potential as a minimizing maven. She currently resides on the top floor of a beautiful sun-drenched brownstone in Bed-stuy, Brooklyn.

Connect with Jessy and Minimizing NYC on IG @minmizingnyc  and her website minmizingnyc.com

In this episode we mention:

Marie Kondo’s Inspirational Book - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing' 

Then She Fell, the groundbreaking immersive theater experience by Third Rail Projects in which we both performed for several years before it closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Dr. Ginny Baro is a deep well of wisdom, good advice, and love. I have learned so much from working with her in her Fearless Leaders Mastermind training program, and Visionary Leaders Circle. And I know in this short time you will too. Because there are just so many good nuggets in this episode about the different ways our intuition comes into play when we are trying to figure out what’s most important to us, what it means to listen and to follow our gut, and how to use our inner knowing to guide us from point A to B in service to our compelling future- supporting us to take aligned action, even when we are navigating unknowns.

DR. GINNY A. BARO is an award-winning international motivational speaker, leadership coach, career strategist, and #1 bestselling author. Named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders, she helps Fortune 500 companies build inclusive leadership dream teams and supports women and leaders to get promoted and transition into a new phase of their career. 

You can connect with Ginny at ExecutiveBound.com.

Episode Transcript

In this episode we mention:

Ginny’s Book - Healing Leadership and her Fearless Leaders Mastermind Training Program

Client Attraction Business Coaching Program, Boldheart w/ Fabienne Fredrickson

Continuing right where we left off with Alicia in Part 1 (if you haven’t listened, I do recommend going back to get the full breadth of all that comes up in our conversation!) 

Having just come to terms with her marriage being the thing that needed to go in order for her to live her purpose fully, we follow her down a new path rich with transformation, connection, and abundance in direct counter to the capitalistic mindset of scarcity.

Also note this we recorded this on March 24 2021 - and since our world is ever evolving, it’s worth noting the timestamp on here since we do get into some pandemic realness.  

In this episode we mention the work of

Haiku Poet Artist Mikumar Caiyhe

Find Alicia on IG at @alibo_at_home as well as her first book Purpose Power

Welcome to the second episode of Knowing in the Bones with Alicia Bonner (she/her) - an amateur sorceress with a fierce ability to speak her truth from the depths of her soul with so much vulnerability and generosity - it just blows my mind. In this conversation we follow her winding intuitive journey through many professional and creative paths, loss, and love. In fact we get so into it that I didn’t stop recording because I was too busy hanging on her every word.  It’s that juicy. So I broke up the interview into two episodes. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

You can find Alicia on IG @alibo_at_home

We also mention: Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way 

and Alicia's first book, Purpose Power

"We live in a culture where so much of our inner knowing is pushed aside, repressed, pathologized... and so yeah - it can feel really courageous to listen to what we already know."    

In this episode, Knowing in the Bones creator, Tara OCon shares her inspiration for creating this podcast along with a personal share of her own to start things off.

Tara is a professional transformation coach and multidisciplinary performing artist who helps creative people and freelancers get unstuck around changes they want to make in their personal and professional  lives so that they can realize their vision, bring it out into the world, and live their truth with joy, fulfillment, and abundance. She also consults with immersive theater-makers and experiential brands who want to craft meaningful and ethical storytelling experiences for their audience. Her ultimate joy is holding compassionate space through  performance, group workshops, and one-on-one coaching, where people can feel seen, heard, and empowered in their experience.

Connect with her at taraocon.com and on IG @taraocon

In a society that often tells us how to be, it takes incredible courage to challenge expectations and carve our own path. Here we talk to people who listened to their intuition and followed their heart in order to transform their lives and live their truth. I’m your host Tara OCon, and this is Knowing in the Bones. 

We are currently recording a first round of inspiring conversations with some very special people  Subscribe and stay tuned! 

Do you have a personal story of rising above the shoulds and should nots to follow your gut intuition and make powerful change in your life, or in the world? Send me an email to [email protected] and I'll be in touch!