Modern Sacred: Women's Work

What happens when you stop outsourcing your inner knowing and start trusting the wisdom that's been living in your body all along?

In this soul-deep conversation, we sit down with Haley Arndt, BSN, RYT -- A Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator, Trauma-Informed Care Practitioner and Psychic Medium -- for an honest exploration of what modern spirituality actually looks like when it meets real life and the messy, beautiful work of becoming.

Haley opens up about her journey through sobriety and how that journey of transformation cracked her open to energy management, ritual, and a relationship with intuition she never saw coming. We dig into the development of psychic abilities (yes, we all have them), how ancestral wisdom shows up in our daily lives, and why listening to your body might be the most radical spiritual practice of all.

We also go there on the hard stuff: navigating loss, holding space for grief without drowning in it, and finding genuine joy alongside suffering — because the feminine path was never meant to be all light and no shadow.

In this episode, we explore:
✨ Building a spirituality that fits your modern life without abandoning ancient wisdom
✨ Why ritual is the ultimate self-awareness tool (and how to start small)
✨ Energy management & protection for empathic, sensitive souls
✨ Sobriety as a spiritual doorway — Haley's transformation story
✨ How to hear, trust, and act on your intuition (even when it's inconvenient)
✨ Developing psychic and mediumistic abilities as an adult
✨ Ancestral wisdom: connecting with the women who came before you
✨ Moving through grief and loss without bypassing the pain
✨ Setting boundaries with your intuition — discernment vs. fear
✨ Why community is non-negotiable for healing

Whether you're deep in your spiritual awakening or just intuition-curious, this conversation will remind you: your inner knowing isn't a gift you're waiting for — it's one you're remembering.

Connect with Haley Arndt on her website MoonriseSol.com

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Connections
• 05:40 Navigating Modern Spirituality
• 11:07 The Role of Ritual in Daily Life
• 20:36 Energy Management and Protection
• 26:05 Transformation Through Sobriety
• 31:49 Embracing the Human Experience
• 37:29 Listening to the Body
• 39:30 Evolution of Emotional Awareness
• 41:30 Connecting with Ancestral Wisdom
• 43:21 Understanding Intuition
• 46:30 Navigating Emotional Trauma
• 49:46 Exploring Psychic Abilities
• 01:11:12 Unfolding Spiritual Gifts
• 01:12:51 Navigating Loss and Emotion
• 01:15:52 Finding Joy Amidst Suffering
• 01:18:39 Trusting the Journey of Life
• 01:21:30 Intuition and Personal Boundaries
• 01:24:54 Privilege and Spiritual Connection
• 01:27:30 The Importance of Community

From information inequity to access to systemic barriers, there is SO much to unpack when it comes to women and money! Join us for the first of many finance chats with the brilliant Andrea Kenner, a financial advisor and proud feminist who believes more women deserve money knowledge, savvy, and plain old cash in hand. The world gets better when money is redistributed more evenly, and we’re here to be part of that conversation. Let’s talk about this deeply personal, highly sensitive, and unfairly hoarded resource, and let’s get smart about it together.

One year ago, we started Modern Sacred with a question: how do we keep healing and growing in the midst of change and loss?

In this anniversary episode, we tell the real story behind the podcast — the friendship that sparked it, the sisterhood community that grew around it, and the collective healing work that keeps us going. We talk openly about trauma healing through the body, why sacred feminine energy needs rebalancing in a world built on masculine momentum, and what it actually looks like to hold safe space for women doing deep emotional work.

Inside this episode:

• Why we started Modern Sacred — and what surprised us in year one
• Sacred feminine energy, the courtesan archetype, and modern spirituality
• Somatic healing: releasing stored emotion through movement and breath
• Sensual flow as a pathway back into the body
• Sisterhood, community, and why healing rarely happens alone
• Holding safe space and walking the talk without burning out as founders

If you're a spiritual woman craving embodiment, sisterhood, and honest conversation about healing — this is your invitation.

New here? Start with this one. It's the whole heart of the show in a single hour.

Follow Modern Sacred wherever you listen, and join the community by joining our newsletter at https://modernsacred.substack.com/

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Chapters

• 00:00 The Birth of Modern Sacred
• 02:54 Finding Home in Community
• 05:09 The Journey to Welcome Goddess
• 09:41 Embodiment and Emotional Release
• 18:16 The Role of Courtesans in Modern Spirituality
• 23:34 Reconditioning Through Sensual Flow
• 23:55 The Healing Power of Movement
• 25:23 Navigating Emotional Release
• 27:25 The Importance of Safe Spaces
• 29:06 Reconnecting with the Body
• 49:00 Modern Sacred Practices
• 52:49 Healing and Transformation
• 54:25 The Role of Somatic Therapy
• 55:51 Creating Safe Spaces for Expression
• 56:49 Continuing the Conversation
• 01:06:56 Collective Efforts and Community Building
• 01:09:04 Balancing Business and Well-being
• 01:12:10 The Power of Collaboration

What happens when faith outgrows institutional religion? What do you do if your view of the divine has expanding beyond the traditional box you were given?

In this episode, author Rev. Chantal McKinney joins Abby and Chelsea on the Modern Sacred: Woman's Work Podcast to discuss her new book, Following Jesus Beyond Church Walls: A Catalyst for Your Spiritual Growth.

Come join our conversation as we discuss healing from church harm, reclaiming sacred feminine spirituality, and co-creating new and inclusive spiritual spaces where radical rest is a form of resistance. Drawing from Chantal's 20 years as an Episcopal priest, her multicultural upbringing and her journey through personal trauma into spiritual expansiveness, this conversation offers a vision of expanded spirituality for modern women.

📖 Book: Following Jesus Beyond Church Walls by Chantal McKinney

🌐 Guest Website: Learn more about Chantal McKinney on her website: https://www.chantalmckinney.com/ and https://rootthrivesoar.com/about

Stay in the loop! Join the Modern Sacred Newsletter and get a FREE Divine Feminine Spotify Playlist: https://modernsacred.substack.com/

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Chantal McKinney
02:08 Chantal's Unique Spiritual Journey
07:58 Understanding Spiritual Expansiveness
11:36 The Challenge of Patriarchy in Faith
15:53 Rebuilding After Harm in the Church
18:55 Following Jesus Beyond Church Walls
23:45 The Business of Faith vs. True Faith
29:41 Creating Community Outside Institutions
31:33 Healing Through Inclusion
32:57 Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine
34:44 Redefining Women's Work
36:01 The Power of Co-Creation
39:45 Celebrating Women's Strengths
41:47 The Need for Inclusivity
43:37 Breaking Down Patriarchal Constructs
46:36 Catalysts for Change
50:22 Embracing the Present Moment
52:54 Radical Rest as Resistance
56:09 Understanding the Concept of the Devil
01:05:18 Co-Creating a New Paradigm
01:07:40 The Power of Community and Connection
01:10:11 Supporting Women in Their Journeys
01:13:01 Creating New Spiritual Spaces
01:20:33 The Role of Jesus in Healing
01:27:35 Embracing the Paradox of Faith

Welcome to our 1-year anniversary special! Co-founders Abby and Chelsea celebrate a full year of women's empowerment podcasting, reflecting on our journey building a community rooted in rebalancing the masculine and feminine energies, divine feminine leadership, and authentic feminine energy.

In this intimate reflection episode, we share the real milestones—both big and small—from creating meaningful connections, providing tools for personal growth, dismantling patriarchy through collaboration, and building a sustainable business aligned with our values. We talk about embodying change, the power of humility in learning, balancing work-life with passion projects, and why celebrating achievements matters for long-term success.

Whether you're new to the show or been here from day one, this conversation honors the growth, unity, and human connection at the heart of everything we do.

💬 CONNECT WITH US

Get weekly insights on women's empowerment, divine feminine wisdom, and feminist leadership by following us on social media or joining our newsletter to get news delivered to your inbox:

SUBSCRIBE: https://modernsacred.substack.com/
Instagram: @ModernSacred
Website: www.ModernSacred.com

Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration on their growth journey and could use a celebration!

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 The Power of Collaboration and Unity
• 21:33 Empowering Listeners with Real Tools and Resources
• 22:48 Embodying Change and Humility in Learning and Growth
• 26:00 Balancing Work, Life, and Passion Projects
• 31:31 The Significance of Human Connection in a Technology-Driven World
• 53:03 Building a Sustainable Business

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How to align actions with values in feminine leadership
• Why celebration fuels women's empowerment and personal growth
• Real tools and resources for listeners navigating their own journeys
• Strategies for collaborative entrepreneurship without burnout
• Building sustainable communities rooted in humility and purpose
• Creating meaningful human connection in a tech-driven world

What if meditation wasn't something you turned to only when you were overwhelmed, anxious, or at your breaking point? What if it became a simple, accessible daily practice for coming home to yourself?
In this episode of Modern Sacred: Women's Work, we're joined by meditation teacher and health coach Nichole Adams for a conversation about making meditation and mindfulness accessible for modern women—and why we don't have to wait for a crisis to begin.
Nichole shares her own journey of self-discovery, identity, self-worth, and learning to listen to what is true beneath the expectations and conditioning we absorb from society and culture. We explore what it means to move from constantly doing into a deeper experience of being, and how practices like meditation can help us develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, inner peace, and connection to ourselves.
We also talk about nervous system regulation, stress and anxiety, the labor of self-care, nurturing and “mothering” energy, and the ways small everyday rituals can create meaningful shifts in how we feel and move through the world.
One of the central ideas of our conversation is the difference between being a “crisis meditator”—someone who only meditates when life feels unbearable—and developing meditation as a consistent practice. Nichole offers a refreshing perspective on how meditation can fit into real, modern life: it doesn't have to be complicated, uncomfortable, or time-consuming.
We talk about simple ways to bring mindfulness into everyday moments, including the possibility of a short meditation or even a beverage blessing as a small sacred ritual.
If you've ever thought, “I should meditate, but I don't know how to make it part of my life,” this conversation is for you.
Connect with Nichole Adams
Learn more about Nichole, her meditation offerings, and her work on Facebook or Instagram @nichole.simque.adams
CLAIM THE WOMAN'S EMPOWERMENT SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Join the Modern Sacred newsletter and receive our Women's Empowerment Spotify Playlist for free:
→ http://modernsacred.substack.com

Join the Modern Sacred Membership for bonus podcast content, live events, and resources:
→ http://modernsacred.com/membership
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery
03:27 The Formation of Identity
06:20 The Pursuit of Authenticity
09:34 The Importance of Self-Awareness
25:57 Balancing Doing and Being
26:36 Crisis of Identity and Conditioning
27:33 Struggle with Self-Worth and Safety
28:02 Journey to Self-Nurturing and Compassion
37:03 The Impact of Societal Influences
50:33 The Quest for Self-Love and Acceptance
55:15 Resonance and Energetic Contribution
56:09 Nurturing and Mothering Energy
57:06 The Labor of Self-Care
59:03 Accessibility of Meditation as a Modern Sacred Practice
01:20:48 The Power of Simplicity and Comfort
01:21:30 Journey from Discomfort to Passion
01:22:01 Mindfulness and Nervous System Regulation
01:24:06 Everyday Rituals and Practices
01:24:56 Impact of Meditation on Self-Discovery
01:36:09 The Ripple Effect of Mindfulness
Modern Sacred: Women's Work explores the practices, questions, and conversations that help women create more intentional, meaningful, and connected lives.

What if meditation wasn't something you turned to only when you were overwhelmed, anxious, or at your breaking point? What if it became a simple, accessible daily practice for coming home to yourself?

In this episode of Modern Sacred: Women's Work, I’m joined by meditation teacher and health coach Nichole Adams for a conversation about making meditation and mindfulness accessible for modern women—and why we don't have to wait for a crisis to begin.

Nichole shares her own journey of self-discovery, identity, self-worth, and learning to listen to what is true beneath the expectations and conditioning we absorb from society and culture. We explore what it means to move from constantly doing into a deeper experience of being, and how practices like meditation can help us develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, inner peace, and connection to ourselves.

We also talk about nervous system regulation, stress and anxiety, the labor of self-care, nurturing and “mothering” energy, and the ways small everyday rituals can create meaningful shifts in how we feel and move through the world.

One of the central ideas of our conversation is the difference between being a “crisis meditator”—someone who only meditates when life feels unbearable—and developing meditation as a consistent practice. Nichole offers a refreshing perspective on how meditation can fit into real, modern life: it doesn't have to be complicated, uncomfortable, or time-consuming.

We talk about simple ways to bring mindfulness into everyday moments, including the possibility of a short meditation or even a beverage blessing as a small sacred ritual.

If you've ever thought, “I should meditate, but I don't know how to make it part of my life,” this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Nichole, her meditation offerings, and her work on Facebook or Instagram @nichole.simque.adams

CLAIM THE WOMAN'S EMPOWERMENT SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Join the Modern Sacred newsletter and receive our Women's Empowerment Spotify Playlist for free:
→ http://modernsacred.substack.com

Join the Modern Sacred Membership for bonus podcast content, live events, and resources:
→ http://modernsacred.com/membership

00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery
03:27 The Formation of Identity
06:20 The Pursuit of Authenticity
09:34 The Importance of Self-Awareness
25:57 Balancing Doing and Being
26:36 Crisis of Identity and Conditioning
27:33 Struggle with Self-Worth and Safety
28:02 Journey to Self-Nurturing and Compassion
37:03 The Impact of Societal Influences
50:33 The Quest for Self-Love and Acceptance
55:15 Resonance and Energetic Contribution
56:09 Nurturing and Mothering Energy
57:06 The Labor of Self-Care
59:03 Accessibility of Meditation as a Modern Sacred Practice
01:20:48 The Power of Simplicity and Comfort
01:21:30 Journey from Discomfort to Passion
01:22:01 Mindfulness and Nervous System Regulation
01:24:06 Everyday Rituals and Practices
01:24:56 Impact of Meditation on Self-Discovery
01:36:09 The Ripple Effect of Mindfulness

Modern Sacred: Women's Work explores the practices, questions, and conversations that help women create more intentional, meaningful, and connected lives.

What can Ayurveda teach us about women’s health, nervous system regulation, hormones, and emotional well-being?

In this episode, we sit down with Britt Vanderhoof, founder of The Ayurvedic Nurse, to explore the intersection of Ayurveda, mental health, women’s health, and holistic healing. Britt shares her journey from nursing into Ayurveda—and how Ayurvedic principles transformed the way she understands the body, mind, emotions, and nervous system.

We explore how Ayurveda can support women through perimenopause, menopause, the menstrual cycle, stress, inflammation, sleep disruption, and emotional change. Britt breaks down the Ayurvedic doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and explains how understanding your unique constitution can inform nutrition, daily routines, seasonal living, sleep, movement, and self-care.

We also explore nervous system regulation and weight, nutrition and inflammation, emotional balance, grief and healing, and the connection between physical and emotional health. At the heart of the conversation is an invitation into embodiment: learning to listen to your body, understand its signals, and develop a more conscious relationship with your health.

Whether you're curious about Ayurveda, navigating perimenopause or menopause, interested in nervous system health, or seeking a more embodied and conscious approach to women’s wellness, this conversation offers practical wisdom for supporting your whole self.

Learn more about Britt:
Instagram: @the.ayurvedic.nurse
Website: theayurvedicnurse.com

• Ayurveda and mental & emotional health
• Ayurvedic cleansing and healing
• The doshas: Vata, Pitta & Kapha
• Ayurveda, nutrition & seasonal living
• Nervous system regulation, stress & weight
• Sleep, routine & daily rhythms
• Ayurveda for women’s health and hormones
• Perimenopause, menopause & the menstrual cycle
• Embodiment, gratitude, empowerment & conscious living

Join the Modern Sacred newsletter and receive our Women's Empowerment Spotify Playlist for free:
→ modernsacred.substack.com

Join the Modern Sacred Membership for bonus podcast content, live events, and resources:
→ modernsacred.com/membership

00:00 Introduction to The Ayurvedic Nurse
02:16 From Nursing to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
03:28 Mental & Emotional Health in Perimenopause
05:26 Britt’s Journey Into Ayurveda
14:34 Ayurvedic Cleanse & Healing
22:10 Understanding Your Ayurvedic Body Type
30:21 Understanding Ayurveda & the Doshas
30:48 Ayurveda, Diet & Seasonal Changes
32:29 Balancing the Doshas
36:08 The Nervous System & Health
37:28 The Nervous System & Weight
39:20 Sleep, Routine & Ayurvedic Rhythms
56:10 Ayurveda for Menopause & Perimenopause
01:02:25 Ayurveda & the Menstrual Cycle
01:04:50 What Is Ayurveda, Really?
01:05:05 Nutrition & Inflammation
01:06:06 Balancing Emotions & Energy
01:09:24 Grief, Healing & Emotional Processing
01:36:02 Gratitude & Empowerment

What is Nervous System Regulation and why is everyone talking about it? Is there any real science behind the concept, or is this just another hype term marketed towards women to drive purchases of yet another tea, cream or app on the road to embodiment and inner peace? If nervous system regulation is legit, what role does it play for woman on the road to embodiment and conscious, soul-led living?

In today's conversation, Abby and Chelsea delve into the topic of nervous system regulation and its impact on daily life. Abby brings her background as a nurse and nervous system educator to explore the understanding of the nervous system, the role of cortisol and the vagus nerve, and a body-first approach to healing and trauma processing.

You'll learn about the main branches of the nervous system and the automatic responses in the background software of your body and how to begin rewiring your nervous system towards more peace and calm on the path to becoming a more embodied woman. Learn about the vagus nerve, and how to train it to become your master engage switch for peace and calm on command as we discuss the empowering nature of nervous system regulation, the balance of feminine and masculine energies, and the understanding of physiological aspects of well-being.

CLAIM THE WOMAN'S EMPOWERMENT SPOTIFY PLAYLIST AND STAY CONNECTED

Join the Modern Sacred newsletter and receive our Women's Empowerment Spotify Playlist for free:
→ https://modernsacred.substack.com/

Join the Modern Sacred Membership: Get access to bonus podcast content, live events, an expansive resource library of meditations, PDF downloads, courses, and previously recorded workshops.
→ https://www.modernsacred.com/membership

Takeaways

• Nervous system regulation for beginners
• Body-based approach Trauma processing
• The role of the vagus nerve in nervous system regulation
• Balancing feminine and masculine energies
• Understanding the physiological aspects of well-being

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Nervous System Regulation
• 02:10 Understanding the Nervous System
• 06:39 The Role of Cortisol and the Vagus Nerve
• 26:11 The Body-First Approach and Trauma Processing
• 29:36 Trauma Processing and Release
• 48:02 The Vagus Nerve and Nervous System Regulation
• 57:42 The Shift to a Life Worth Living
• 58:46 The Magic of Nervous System Regulation
• 01:05:08 Empowerment Through Understanding
• 01:08:03 The Impact of Lifestyle Choices
• 01:13:20 The Science of Nervous System Regulation

Forest Bathing for embodiment and nervous system regulation isn't something you have to drive or disappear to do—it can begin right inside your home.

In this expansive conversation, we're joined by certified Forest Bathing Guide Taylor Smith as we explore how nature offers healing, regulation, and deep connection no matter where you live.

Together we discuss how forest bathing supports nervous system regulation, embodiment, intuition, and spiritual wellbeing. From mysticism and astrology to animal wisdom, consciousness, healing, and reconnecting with the living ecosystem around us, this episode is an invitation to slow down, regulate your nervous system, and remember that nature is always available to support you.

Whether you're new to forest bathing, curious about spirituality, or looking for grounded practices to cultivate inner peace, this conversation offers practical wisdom and profound insight.

• Forest bathing and why it's accessible to everyone
• How to practice forest bathing from home or in your neighborhood
• Nervous system regulation through nature
• Embodiment and mindfulness
• Spiritual awakening and intuition
• Mysticism, astrology, and ancient wisdom
• Animals as mirrors, teachers, and healers
• Reading nervous dogs through nervous system awareness
• Nonverbal communication and expanded perception
• Consciousness, self-acceptance, and reconnecting with nature
• The living ecosystem and the energetic intelligence of the natural world

If you're an embodied woman seeking deeper connection with yourself, nature, and your intuition, this conversation offers gentle reminders that healing doesn't require perfection—it simply asks us to become present.

Whether you're navigating stress, burnout, spiritual growth, or simply longing to reconnect with the Earth, you'll discover practical ways to invite nature into your everyday life.

00:00 Exploring Mysticism and Astrology

03:03 Ancient Wisdom and DNA Evolution

08:01 Purpose and Human Experience

15:16 Animals as Mirrors and Healers

25:00 Balance and Nervous System Regulation

25:33 Understanding the Nervous System

27:47 Reading and Calming Nervous Dogs

31:03 Nonverbal Communication and Intuition

38:09 Expanding Senses and Detachment

50:02 Material Conditioning and Self-Acceptance

51:53 Forest Bathing: A New Perspective

52:37 The Practice of Forest Bathing

55:03 Reconnecting with Nature

56:07 The Living Ecosystem

1:00:31 The Energy of Nature

1:09:11 The Inclusivity of Nature

Website: https://www.liminalcommunication.com
Instagram: @liminal_communication_ 

Join the Modern Sacred newsletter and receive our Women's Empowerment Spotify Playlist for free:
→ https://modernsacred.substack.com/

Join the Modern Sacred Membership: For just $10/month, get access to bonus podcast content, live events, an expansive resource library of meditations, PDF downloads, courses, and previously recorded workshops.
→ https://www.modernsacred.com/membership-sign-up