That's Curious

In Part Two, we go deeper.

This episode explores birth charts as a powerful tool for self-awareness, revealing both your strengths and the patterns that challenge you. Alex breaks down how your chart highlights your natural gifts (your light) alongside the habits, blind spots, and growth edges (your shadow). Together, Alex and Amanda unpack how understanding both can lead to greater compassion, personal growth, and meaningful change.

Whether you’re astrology-curious, cautiously skeptical, or already fluent in cosmic language, this conversation invites you to see astrology not as a label but as a mirror.

What started as a casual Sunday afternoon chat turned into a two-part episode when Alex Gunter joined Amanda (who is resistant to astrology) to talk all things astrology. Alex breaks down the basics of sun, moon, and rising signs, explaining how different planets influence who we are and how we navigate the world. 

This episode is about using astrology as a tool for self-understanding, growth, and embracing change, whether you’re astrology-curious or already lost in the stars.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Astrology: A Simplified Overview

02:21 The Big Three: Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs

05:30 Exploring the Planets: Their Influence and Meaning

08:00 Generational Planets: Societal Impact and Personal Influence

10:45 Astrology in Modern Society: Accessibility and Community

13:34 Astrology as a Coping Mechanism: Finding Certainty in Uncertainty

15:49 Fate vs. Free Will: Navigating Life's Choices

18:38 The Complexity of Natal Charts: Beyond the Basics

21:26 Astrology and Social Connections: Belonging and Identity

24:22 The Role of Astrology in Queer Culture

27:16 Astrology's Historical Context: Evolution and Change

29:50 The Elements and Modes: Building Personality Traits

32:34 Astrology's Predictive Nature: Understanding Transits

35:11 Astrology and the United States: Historical Patterns

37:28 The Intersection of Astrology and Current Events

39:49 The Future of Astrology: Trends and Predictions

51:59 Exploring Natal Charts and Astrology

56:20 Emotional Dynamics and Zodiac Signs

01:00:32 Understanding Moon and Mars Influences

01:03:49 Navigating Life's Purpose through Astrology

01:08:39 Communication and Aesthetic in Astrology

01:12:29 The Role of North and South Nodes

01:17:12 Generational Planets and Their Impact

01:22:02 Embracing Impermanence and Astrology

01:36:49 Reflections on Astrology and Personal Growth

In this episode, Amanda introduces the practice of REST, an acronym for Reset, Embody, Space, and Tenderness. She emphasizes the importance of pausing in our fast-paced lives to reclaim agency and presence. The practice encourages listeners to align their minds and bodies, create emotional and mental space, and treat themselves with tenderness and compassion. Amanda provides practical exercises and insights to help individuals incorporate REST into their daily lives, highlighting that it can be done in just a few minutes and can significantly shift one's state of being.

Takeaways

The practice of REST stands for Reset, Embody, Space, and Tenderness.

Pausing can create time and help us regain focus.

Being on autopilot leads to mistakes and missed opportunities.

Embodiment involves aligning our minds and bodies in the present moment.

Creating space is essential for mental and emotional clarity.

Tenderness towards oneself is crucial for resilience and motivation.

Self-compassion is more effective than self-criticism.

The REST practice can be done in two minutes or less.

It's important to remember that this is a practice, not a performance.

Coming back to oneself is a radical act in today's world.

In this episode of "That's Curious," host Amanda Jenkins and guest Ashley Porter discuss the often-overlooked topic of navigating grief during the holiday season. We explore the challenges of carrying loss into spaces filled with memories, and explore ways to honor your emotional reality while creating boundaries that protect your peace. Whether you're dealing with the absence of loved ones or the weight of changed traditions, this conversation offers insights and support for finding solace amidst the festivities.

In this episode, MJ Jenkins takes the mic to interview Amanad Jenkins, They explore common misconceptions, the realities of the profession, and the ethical boundaries therapists navigate daily. Whether you're considering a career in therapy or simply curious about what goes on in those sessions, this episode offers candid insights and unfiltered truths. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the stereotypes and highlights the human side of therapy.

In this heartfelt episode of "Growing into a Parent (the one you needed) ," Effie Wenke and Amanda chat about Effie's experience with the complexities of parenting within a blended family. They explore the challenges of maintaining personal identity while nurturing children, the importance of creating safe spaces for emotional expression, and the journey of self-discovery that accompanies parenthood. Through candid conversations, they share insights on resilience, accountability, and the evolving nature of love and boundaries.

Join Amanda and her guest Cory, as they explore the complexities of maintaining connections amidst life's transitions, the impact of proximity and shared experiences, and the delicate balance of expectations and forgiveness. Through candid conversations, they uncover the joys and challenges of nurturing meaningful relationships in adulthood. Tune in for insights on how friendships shape our lives and the lessons learned along the way.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Daily Life

03:08 Childhood Friendships and Social Dynamics

06:47 Adolescence and the Importance of Friends

13:09 Navigating Parenting and Friendships

14:31 Emerging Adulthood and New Connections

18:09 Reflections on Friendship and Life Changes

19:37 Navigating Adult Friendships

25:10 The Evolution of Relationships

30:18 The Grief of Changing Friendships

33:21 Determining Worthwhile Friendships

35:53 Sustaining Long-Distance Connections

40:35 The Role of Forgiveness in Friendships

43:06 Building Community: The Effort Involved

45:43 Advice to Younger Selves: Lessons on Friendship

47:30 Understanding Friendship Tiers

50:44 Defining Good Friendship

51:43 Friendship as a Mirror: Learning About Ourselves

55:14 Navigating Life Changes in Friendships

01:00:54 Nostalgia and the Evolution of Friendships

In this episode of  Amands speaks to the often unspoken experience of not feeling like oneself. Drawing from personal insights and practical strategies, Amanda explores the complexities of these moments, offering listeners tools for acceptance and self-compassion. Discover how naming emotions, embracing impermanence, and practicing mindfulness can help navigate these challenging times.

Whether you're feeling disconnected or simply going through the motions, this episode provides a compassionate guide to finding your way back to yourself. 

Key Topics:
The importance of naming emotions to regain control Embracing impermanence as a tool for resilience Practical mindfulness techniques to stay grounded The role of self-compassion in personal growth

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Resources Mentioned:
"The Difficult Thing of Being Human: The Art of Self-Compassion" (Book) Thich Nhat Hanh's "No Death, No Fear" (Book)

In this episode of That’s Curious, Amanda sits down with Jo Chad (they/she), PhD, to talk about what it really  looks like to bounce back when life gets hard. Jo shares personal stories and practical tools for building resilience—from learning to manage emotions and trust your gut, to helping kids handle big feelings and finding support in your community. They also talk about what it’s like to stay true to yourself in work spaces that aren’t always easy. This is an honest, down-to-earth conversation about growth, strength, and showing up for yourself and the people you care about.

Emotional Wheel

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Podcasting

00:27 Understanding Resilience

02:39 The Concept of Quitting

05:19 Defining Resilience

07:43 Personal Experiences of Resilience

10:07 Emotional Regulation and Resilience

12:22 Finding and Trusting Your Voice

14:36 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Professional Spaces

19:57 Navigating Professional Spaces Authentically

23:19 The Impact of Gender Dynamics in Professional Settings

26:48 Resilience in the Face of Microaggressions

28:45 Growth Mindset and Emotional Regulation

33:32 Building Resilience Through Adversity

35:18 Fostering Resilience in Children

43:09 The Importance of Supportive Relationships

Amanda Jenkins, LCSW and Jessica Huntington discuss the multifaceted role of teachers and coaches in today's educational landscape. They explore the emotional and mental toll of teaching, the influence educators have on their students, and the challenges posed by societal expectations and school safety concerns. Jessica shares her insights on the importance of creating a supportive classroom environment, the need for mental health resources for teachers, and the impact of external factors such as gun violence on students' well-being. The conversation concludes with advice for parents on how to collaborate effectively with teachers to support their children's education.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Emotional Toll of Teaching

02:09 Influence and Expectations in Education

04:33 Navigating Community and Professional Boundaries

06:32 The Impact of Administration on Teaching

08:52 Influences from Past Educators

11:22 Relating to Students in a Changing World

13:41 The Reality of Social Media and Bullying

16:07 Reflections on Adolescence and Growth

18:36 Political Influences on Education

22:03 Understanding Student Anxiety and School Attendance

24:25The Impact of Immigration Policies on Students

28:14 Changes in Education: Technology and Standards

30:51 Teacher Compensation and Workload Challenges

34:27 The Importance of Teacher-Student Relationships

37:59 Navigating School Safety and Gun Violence

48:10 Supporting Mental Health in Education

52:36 Building Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships