In this episode I explain what neurodivergent means and its multiple “faces”: ADHD, autism, hypersensitivity amongst many others. I share how I've learnt to thrive with it and how you can do, too.

Having a brain that processes the surrounding world differently is actually a superpower, that opens up a window of possibilities, rather than a deterrent to your life. The thriving comes when you become curious about your neurodivergence and learn how to manage it: dealing with overstimulation, adapt to the changing environments.

I share how through therapy, certain practices and tools, I learnt to thrive with it.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:26) Disclaimer

(01:15) How I discovered my neurodivergence

(02:53) Definition of neurodivergence, autism and ADHD

(05:11) Internal & External environment (mis)match

(07:05) Neurodivergence in women

(09:18) How to relate to neurodivergent people

(10:14) Social exhaustion

(10:57) The “How are you" question… and why it’s difficult to answer

(15:15) How to have interesting conversations as neurodivergent

(18:27) Sound sensitivity

(21:36) Food and neurodivergence

(23:33) Eye contact

(27:11) Self-regulating

(29:55) Other benefits of neurodivergence

Watch this episode on Youtube, visit my website and connect with me on Instagram.

I'd be delighted to hear your stories and experience of being a neurodivergent and answer any questions you may have.

Laura,

Your host of On Emergence podcast

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In this episode, my guest Stephanie Kittell, founder of Rise & Thrive, a holistic embodiment wellness guide talks about how your body has the innate wisdom to self-regulate. How with certain practices and techniques it can help you go through emotional outbursts, as well as challenging life experiences that last longer, sometimes – for years.

Instead of shoving and hiding away from difficult or overwhelming emotions and experiences, in this episode you will learn how to flex the inner emotional muscle by using your body.

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(00:00) Introduction
(00:14) Rise & Thrive principle of Stephanie's work
(02:23) Meaning of being "Awake"
(04:50) Overwhelm from being "awake & present"
(06:21) Window of tolerance – your nervous system
(07:44) When you want to kill your yoga teacher...
(09:48) What to do if you feel angry
(10:50) How long does anger last?
(13:04) How to unlock your body's wisdom
(16:50) Your voice has power. This is how to get it.
(21:38) How to become an intuitive human
(25:04) Thumb Hug: simple somatic "trick" to help you feel calm
(29:30) More about embodiment work & practices

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Find out more about Rise & Thrive and Stephanie's work on her website and connect with her directly on Instagram

Subscribe to On Emergence podcast on YouTube

I'm always happy to hear from you on ⁠Instagram⁠

Much love,

Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

The podcast is about what it takes to be a human being, so it's impossible to proceed any further before I invite you to get to know yourself. There's only that much one can learn and improve before they take a leap into their psyche.

As a meditation teacher, I share my view, journey and experience with meditation. Practical tips on how & when to meditate – and above all WHY you should do it.

Is there a bonus to meditating? Many. One of them, you will never feel alone.

Really. Once you learn who you REALLY are, you will realise that there is an amazing human being always nearby (as close as it gets...). Meditation doesn't need to be scary, or effortful, in fact, it can easily become your addiction (but a healthy type)...

(00:00) Introduction 

(00:19) Different approaches to meditation 

(03:30) Experiencing yourself 

(04:54) Practical benefits of meditating 

(06:53) Easiest point to start 

(08:46) How much should you meditate? 

(09:43) Dealing with stress 

(11:58) Can you get addicted to meditation? 

(13:52) How to become your own friend. 

(14:55) Why meditation cannot be studied.

(16:31) Meditation teaches you how to OWN your life 

(18:39) Meditation apps

(19:27) How meditation can help you feel your emotions

(24:52) A short meditation practice...

Blog → https://www.onemergence.com/

In this episode we begin to explore one of the core aspects of being a human being: our feelings.

As humans, we constantly FEEL. That feeling is a reaction to the external world or our own inner workings & thoughts. The problem is that we don’t always KNOW what the feeling is... let alone how to feel it in a way that doesn’t overwhelm or “destroy” us.

I share a practical approach on how to feel your feelings by first, making a distinction between a feeling and an emotion; and then taking you on an investigation of them individually. 

We also touch upon:

Timestamps:

(00:56) Emotions vs. feelings

(02:21) Feeling is a skill

(04:18) Practical exercise on how to feel your feelings

(06:52) How to control your emotions

(08:39) How to feel happiness

(09:29) How to feel your anxiety

(12:23) How to use meditation as a tool to feel

(14:50) Use language as a tool to feel your feelings

(16:44) Use your body to change your emotions

(20:10) Why people numb their feelings

(21:48) Reminder if your feelings are overwhelming you...

(22:16) Addictions as coping mechanism for hard & scary feelings

(24:45) What happens when you begin to FEEL

(29:52) How to become curious about your feelings even if you're scared of them

Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can also watch this show and episode on Youtube.

I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠ - feel free to leave your comments, thoughts and feelings there.

Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

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In this episode, my guest is Tata Izaias Mendoza, a Mayan elder from San Marcos, Guatemala, founder of LavaLove Cacao, educator of cacao as plant medicine in the context of Indigenous Mayan tradition and cosmovision.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:07) What does term “Tata” or elder mean to the community

(04:02) Meaning of “shaman” and “shamanism” 

(10:20) Cacao in the modern Western world

(11:16) Life as a ceremony – core approach to living

(15:52) What does it mean to be a human – in the context of Indigenous Mayan tradition

(17:43) How to sit with your sadness and sorrow

(21:22) Story and myth of cacao as plant medicine for humanity

(23:36) Why it’s important to treat your life as a ceremony

(26:51) If you forgot who you are and want to find your purpose again

(33:06) Living far from Nature - how to connect with it still

(36:07) About cultural appropriation… and its importance

(44:18) Doing the ceremony – who is it for, really?

(46:46) How to remember who you really are and live your life ​​

With much love,

Is fear really something you should be fearing, or...?

We dive into the psychology of this primal emotion. Fear protects us from danger, it alerts us when something isn't right and needs to be avoided – whether physically or psychologically – but it also prevents us from growth.

Growth is danger – it is the unknown, unexplored, while our brain likes the opposite: the familiar and the comfortable.

I share insights and perspectives gathered over the years in befriending and getting to know my fear. This is an invitation to look at this emotion with a little more lightness, as a helpful ally, instead of an enemy.

/First time we delve into this "big" topic - a gentle touch. Fear features a lot in our constitution as human beings, so be sure we'll be exploring it further./

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

We are shaped by the languages we speak and we shape the languages we use - an on-going circled process. In this episode I share a simple "trick" to dissociate yourself a little bit away from the words you use in an emotionally charged situation – in order to introduce more control and agency over how you feel.

Excited to share concepts like "language linearity" and "contextual-based languages". I also talk about other forms of communication available to us to express how we feel and how we can still use words as an imperfect tool of self-expression.

//Recorded in: San Marcos village near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction
(02:56) E-prime language
(03:57) Contextual based languages
(05:05) Why it's impossible to interrupt a Dutch (or German) speaker
(08:30) You're different in every language you speak
(10:22) Linear vs non-linear languages
(11:23) Non-verbal communication vs verbal
(13:03) Neurodivergence, looking in the eye and communication
(14:20) Language is an (unreliable) tool
(15:45) Feeling-based communication

A drawn out explanation of what to expect from yet-another-podcast – but in my soothing voice...

In all seriousness, what's this about? 

A space to turn to when life asks you questions you don't know the answers to. 

- Taking you along with me, I explore what it takes to be a human being. 

- I share insights on common things like: "language" and include you in my own experiences with things like: "feelings" – using many lenses that I collected over my lifetime. I explore even more abstract concepts – inviting you to get fascinated together.

- I collect human stories from all over the world, from all walks of life and ask them the same question: "What does it take to be a human being?" and let myself (and you) be carried away by their answer.

I attempt to bridge modern science, psychology with indigenous wisdom and spirituality by wrapping it in a comfortable cloak of philosophy and non-duality.

You joining the adventure? ;)

Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠OnEmergence.com⁠⁠

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Am I qualified to talk to you? 

(00:53) Who do I do – when I don't talk to you through a camera.

(01:31) Definition of a human being (one of many) 

(03:10) What's my fascination with human beings? 

(03:51) How can you expect to FEEL from this podcast? 

(04:58) Why did I start this podcast? 

(05:42) Where am I on this planet? 

(06:46) Let's talk. 

(07:11) Philosophy, science, spirituality...all three. 

(08:10) What do I want FOR you. 

(08:25) On mistakes.

(09:22) ...why "On Emergence"? 

(13:49) Maybe listen to this. 

(14:37) One more thing I want to mention.

P.S. This episode was recorded in in San Marcos, Guatemala by lake Atitlan - say hello to roosters in the background.