Runtime: ~12 minutes 

In this episode, Frances shares a reflection sparked by a question: What future are you standing for? From shifting ambitions in midlife to collective dreams rooted in compassion, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and imagine again. 

With three guiding anchors and a grounding practice, Frances helps you explore how to align your evolving self with an evolving dream, not just for your own life, but for the world we’re all part of. 

 Timestamps:

00:00 – Opening & welcome

01:20 – The spiral of returning: changing dreams in midlife

04:30 – Anchor 1: Let Your Evolving Self Shape an Evolving Dream (Crystalline Power)

07:10 – Anchor 2: Root Your Dream in Purpose and Live It as a Practice (Intention & Embodiment)

09:30 – Anchor 3: Let Your Dream Be Big Enough to Include Others (Collective Vision & Hope)

11:30 – Practice: Intention-Setting – What Future Are You Standing For?

13:45 – Closing reflection & invitation to share 

Guiding Anchors from this Episode:

1. Let Your Evolving Self Shape an Evolving Dream Tap into your crystallized intelligence or insight shaped by life experience and create from the values that matter most now. 

2. Root Your Dream in Purpose and Live It as a Practice Set intentions that rise from love and clarity, not pressure or fear. Let them take form in the way you move through the world. 

3. Let Your Dream Be Big Enough to Include Others The most powerful dreams are collective. Imagine futures not only for yourself, but for your communities and the world. 

Mentioned 

• Arthur Brooks – From Strength to Strength 

• Dr. James Doty – Into the Magic Shop, Mind Magic 

• Concepts: Crystallized intelligence, intention-setting, manifestation grounded in neuroscience 

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

A reminder that all of you belongs.

In this episode, Frances returns to an earlier reflection — There’s a Universe Inside You — weaving together poetry, science, and gentle wonder to remind us that we are vast, luminous beings.

Inspired by a line from Walt Whitman and a moment from the film The Life of Chuck, Frances invites you into a reflection on the spiral of returning and the beauty of containing multitudes.

⏱ Timestamps: (8-minute listen)

• 00:00 – Opening & warm welcome
• 00:38 – Revisiting an old reflection: There’s a Universe Inside You
• 01:18 – Inspiration from The Life of Chuck and Whitman’s “I contain multitudes”
• 02:00 – The spiral of returning: seeing with new eyes
• 02:34 – Three Inner Truths:
• 02:45 – 1. You Are an Enigma
• 03:40 – 2. You Are Not Alone
• 04:36 – 3. You Have a Radiant Inner Light
• 05:45 –  Guided Practice
• 07:02 – Closing reflection & invitation to connect

Mentioned:

Song of Myself by Walt Whitman

The Life of Chuck (film)

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

Welcome to Notes from the Tenderverse. This is a gentle reimagining of my podcast space. I’m Frances Lacuesta, and I’m so glad you’re here.

In this episode, I share why I’m choosing to begin again, and what inspired the name “Notes From The Tenderverse” — a space to explore the soft, spiraling journey of being human. Together, we’ll step into a slower, simpler rhythm of short, reflective voice-notes from my heart to yours. 

This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and begin again. 

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

In this episode, I speak from a personal place — as an immigrant, as a woman, as someone who holds space for healing. I speak of what freedom has meant to me, and how it's being tested in these times. But I also speak of hope. Of resilience. Of the ways we can still choose to hold light, even in the dark.

If your heart is heavy this week, this is for you.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

In this episode, I spoke with my friend and fellow coach, Bonnie Hutchinson, to discuss the power of compassion

We talked about:

* The meaning of compassion.

* The difference between compassion and empathy.

* How to practice self-compassion.

* Compassion in action.

Bonnie also shared a simple practice for nurturing our inner child during difficult and challenging moments.

Resources mentioned:

* Impossible Compassion by Edward Mannix

* Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, PhD

* Lovingkindness Meditation by Sharon Salzberg

Learn more about Bonnie’s work:

www.bonniehutchinson.com

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

I spoke with Positive Psychology Practitioner and Life Coach Kaylee Bronkhorst in this episode.

After a stint as a professional yachting crew member, she immersed herself in studying positive psychology. She fell in love with the concepts and its potential to transform lives. 

The tools and practices helped her build resilience and overcome challenging times. She founded Beyond Content, her life coaching practice, so she could share the power of positive psychology with others. 

Tune in to the episode to hear: 

* How to build a new habit by journalling for only a few minutes a day.

* The importance of turning simple chores into the practice of self-care.

* Learning to train the brain to scan for the positive experiences without ignoring the negative.

* Applying the hour of power before bedtime and after waking up in the morning.

* Noticing negative self-talk and re-framing it.

Buy the journal on Amazon.

Visit Kaylee’s website.

Link to the blog.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Being a creative is not easy.

We often celebrate the finished products—a published book, a polished song, or a captivating film—but rarely acknowledge the effort and emotional rollercoaster accompanying them.

Navigating this turbulent phase—the messy middle—is like a caterpillar transforming into a chrysalis. Not everyone emerges as a butterfly; some falter under self-doubt, while some lack the stamina to endure the creative process.

How, then, as a creative, can you handle the messy middle?

In this episode, I share five tips on how to deal with the messy and imperfect creative journey. 

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

For those consumed by worry, lean on to the wise and loving part of you.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

Inspired by Chara Caruthers’ post on self-renewal, here are four ways to revisit, renew, and re-commit to your intentions. 

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Resources Mentioned:

The Two Wolves Story

Sign up to The Chrysalis

Get weekly love letters delivered to your inbox, offering inspiration and reflection for brilliant and thoughtful women who want to nurture a rich inner life.

Website | Facebook | Newsletter

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco

In today's episode, I delve into a personal journey of discovering the true meaning of "rooting." Join me as I share how this journey has transformed my perspective on stability and inner strength, offering insights into the profound impact of rooting in our lives.

Sign up for The Chrysalis

Get weekly love letters delivered to your inbox, offering inspiration and reflection for brilliant and thoughtful women.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com

Connect With Frances:

• Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
• Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
• Instagram: @flourishingmindsco