In this timely episode relating to conversations in the United States, Kara speaks with Danielle Tumminio Hansen, author of Speaking of Rape: The Limits of Language in Sexual Violence. 

We keep learning more and more about the brain and how it can change with us and create new pathways. Kara got to totally geek out talking with Stefanie Faye about her favorite subject, the brain. They discuss how the brain chemically bonds us, the way we can hijack our own brain, how mistakes can help us grow with intention, and ways to regulate ourselves. Stefanie has a wealth of information and this episode is not one to miss.

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In this podcast, Kara had the opportunity to interview a man who reframed her story as a youth, her youth minister Ken Grant. While Kara was a teenager in the 90s when youth groups were all the rage and the purity movement was in full swing, she considers herself lucky. Though she was influenced by the purity culture, she never got the message from her youth minister that she needed to be demure. Instead, he encouraged her to lead and use her voice. This was the first time Kara has spoken to Ken since she was 18 and was able to express to him what he meant to her. Listen as they discuss topics including leadership, what Christianity is today, social media, race and white privilege. Ken spent time teaching religion in high schools and universities, and has worked full time as a dad and in youth ministry.

There is so much packed into this little episode with Shannon Savage- Howie. We start this interview by acknowledging mid-life and perimenopause. Shannon experienced so many unanswered questions related to her health that later was diagnosed as an autoimmune disease that technically “didn’t fit.” She was so frustrated but experienced a calm when talking with other women who experienced the same thing. Shannon is a contemplative coach and spiritual director and discovered that many people are unsettled with not knowing, but when listened to and are invited into a space where they feel cared for are able to acknowledge what they really need. This episode takes us through this journey of the mysteries of mid-life, the need for women to be heard, and to know the power of listening. 

Shannon Savage-Howie, a certified spiritual director and contemplative coach, has dedicated over two decades to guiding individuals through profound journeys of self-discovery and spiritual growth. With a nurturing and empathetic approach, she creates a sacred space where people can explore their deepest questions, find grounding practices, and align their lives with their core beliefs and values.

Having embarked on her own spiritual quest filled with twists and turns, Shannon deeply understands the diversity of human experiences and belief systems. Her extensive background includes storytelling for community healing, and invaluable experience in addiction treatment settings, where she has honed her skills in supporting individuals of all ages and genders.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Shannon has embarked on a deeply personal journey navigating an autoimmune diagnosis and exploring the complexities of female health in mid-life. This journey has imbued her with a profound understanding of resilience, self-care, and the intersection of physical and spiritual well-being. 

Shannon shares her life with her husband, who travels the world working in the entertainment industry, and their three vibrant children. Through her work and personal journey, Shannon embodies a profound commitment to helping individuals navigate life's complexities with authenticity, resilience, and deep spiritual insight.

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#Spiritual #contemplative #spiritualwellness #spiritualdirector #perimenopause #autoimmune #listening #holdingspace #healing

In this episode, Kara talks with another educator around body literacy, media and the flipping the script around puberty. Many experienced shame and fear in their puberty education and that is why parents seek help from people like Konika Ray Wong who make puberty education for girls fun and empowering. 

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We are influenced by a lot in our early years that affect our sexual lives. Those who work on college campuses and teach human sexuality have noted that there is a rise in rough sex among the students. Some of what this rough sex involves is choking. Dr. Debby Herbenick has recognized how this can be problematic for many reasons, but one is that any constriction of breath can cause damage to our bodies and our brain. Her book, Yes, Your Kid helps parents navigate the necessary conversations that are needed in the home around sex and the exposure to porn. Often as parents we tend to think, “Not my kid.” However, the reality today is that with social media and 24 hour access to porn, this could very well be something your child has experienced or maybe thought about. 

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When it comes to reproductive rights that are occupying the attention of the nation and threatening the lives of women, Kara asks the question, “What about the men?” It takes two to tango as we know but men seem to be left out of the conversation. This is why Kara reached out to Men4Choice co-founder Oren Jacobson to get his take on things. Oren and Kara talk about how men are stakeholders in what is happening in our country around reproductive rights as well and how Oren is fostering conversations nationwide with other men around this very idea.

Oren Jacobson is a civic entrepreneur, thought leader, and organizer focused on addressing systemic problems. He's the co-founder and co-Executive Director of Men4Choice, a multi-state advocacy organization working to bring male allies into the fight for reproductive freedom. Founded in Illinois in 2015, Men4Choice now organizes in Florida and Georgia and is expanding into North Carolina and Arizona in 2024. He's also the political chair of Personal PAC, Illinois' leading pro-choice political action committee that is widely recognized as one of the most powerful and successful political organizations in the state.

Oren is the former National Chapter Development Director for the New Leaders Council, where he helped grow NLC into the largest leadership development organization in the progressive movement. He holds a Master of International Relations from the University of Chicago, a Master of Economics and Policy Analysis from DePaul University, and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University.

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In this episode, Kara talks with Anna Hayek and Marco Orlando on the topic of sexuality health education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community that supports them.

Anna works for Mad Hatter Wellness, a business that creates comprehensive sexual health education programming that educates, trains and empowers people with intellectual disabilities and their support systems. She is a 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher, as well as a Certified Yoga Calm Youth Instructor and is certified to teach K-12 ESL and Spanish. She uses these certifications within her sexuality education classes.  Anna appreciates opportunities to empower people to connect to their breath, body and community. 

Marco Orlando is a trained peer educator on the Empowered Together curriculum, on the topics of healthy relationships and sexual health, designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The lessons were created to be co-led by a professional educator and peer educator. He is on the Board of Directors for Speaking Up For Us (SUFU), an organization in Maine that advocates to empower people living with developmental disabilities to speak up and take action in ways that improve their lives. 

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We can get stuck in the stories we tell ourselves and this can be an exhausting way to live. However, our brains are pretty wonderful and with intention we can help rewire and change the ways we show up for ourselves. This is what Christina Woods did for herself and now she is helping others through hypnosis and coaching. 

Christina combines her background in corporate leadership along with her life experiences in dealing with trauma and abandonment to empower other women to trust their intuition and set themselves free of self-doubt. 

As the CEO and Founder of Wise Woods Hypnotherapy and Coaching, Christina has extensive experience working on complex challenges and pulling potential out of others so that they can become self-reliant individuals. Through this deep hypnotherapy and coaching work, she empowers women to shed old programming, so they can live the life they deserve. She has been honing her intuition and spiritual energy practice throughout her entire life, and it is this experience, knowledge, and wisdom that she brings to every client during each session. Christina wants everyone to stop looking outside for what they need and instead look inside themselves. She helps her clients step into their true authentic self, free of self-sabotaging behavior, so they can live a life full of deep meaning, and potential.

Christina is a licensed Rapid Transformational Therapist®, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Empowerment Coach, and Reiki Master.

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On our podcast, we’ve talked a lot about sexuality related to people who identify as female, but today we are focusing on those who identify as male. Societal gender roles not only impact females, but everyone else. Reece Malone and Kara discuss the way that the buzz phrase “toxic masculinity” affects those who identify as male and the way their female partners perpetuate this culture. Reece discusses topics brought into this sex therapy practice and how many grown men don’t know how to access their emotions as they have been told to shut them off for so long. This messaging affects the way they show up in relationships and their sexual lives. Listen to the way Kara and Reece unpack these narratives together. 

Reece Malone is a sexologist, sex therapist and sexuality educator. He is an associate professor at Antioch University Seattle and a certified sexuality educator supervisor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.  He provides program and policy consultation and service provider training in healthcare, education, social services and corporate sectors. Reece’s specializations include: workplace equitable and inclusive communication and practices, sexuality and sexual orientation awareness, 2SLGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion, transgender and gender diversity, issues in human sexuality, and sex-positive / sexuality affirming service delivery. He also has sex therapy and intimacy coaching private practice 

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