The Healing Happy Hour

Are you feeling exhausted by the relentlessness of the modern world? Stressed out by the unending news cycle and societal pressures? Join us as we grapple with these realities, discussing the toll they can take on our mental health and exploring strategies for combating the burnout so many of us are experiencing. We share our own personal journeys, reflecting on recent wins and celebrating the power of self-growth. From teaching yoga classes to reclaiming a maiden name, we highlight the importance of acknowledging our successes.

We're not just talking about the problems, though. We're diving into potential solutions as well. As we navigate the complexities of mental stress in our chaotic world, we discuss the power of intentional pauses, appreciating moments, and making mindful choices. We also explore the potential dangers and benefits of using substances as a form of self-medication, emphasizing the importance of setting intentions and having a reliable support system in place. From stepping back from social media to cultivating self-care practices like listening to audiobooks and enjoying a soothing shower, we share the techniques we've found effective in managing our own anxiety and depression.

Wrapping up, we delve into the power of connection and physical touch, reflecting how nurturing our relationships can help us find balance in the midst of chaos. We're all on this healing journey together, and we're excited to share ours with you. So, whether you're feeling burnt out yourself or just looking for a space to learn and grow, we hope you'll join us for this candid conversation about mental health, personal growth, and the ongoing pursuit of a balanced, joyful life.

Topics this week include:

• Technical Delays and it's not even a mercury retrograde
• The Aaliyah and Selena collab happening in heaven
• Millennial Experiences
• Kids fighting over the Switch
• Bare essentials for survival
• Wash your ass

Reading List:

• Burnout by Emily Nagoski
• Threads of Light by Slava Kolpakov
• The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Relevant Links:

• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
• Denise Linn's The Sacred Forest Oracle

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna

We've all had those moments where we stumble upon an old photograph and get hit with a rush of nostalgia, right? Maybe it's hearing a Taylor Swift song, making a milkshake, or playing Mario Kart that bring back memories. Join us as we uncover the significance of how past experiences have shaped us, and how we can move forward with intentionality toward healing.

This episode shines a light on the concept of reparenting ourselves as we unravel how early experiences create our worldviews and how we can harness the power of neuroplasticity to rewrite our narratives. We delve into the importance of self-care, reparenting ourselves, and how setting boundaries can sometimes require a bit of tough love for ourselves. In addition, we examine the profound impact of healing and unlearning for our inner child.

In our reflections on childhood and growth, we find strength in acknowledging that all of our ages and experiences are still within us. We discuss rewiring negative self-talk, practicing self-compassion, and reconnecting with childhood joy for healing. From reminiscing about Taco Bell to indulging in nostalgic activities like playing Nintendo, we discover the simple yet profound ways to reconnect with our inner child.

Topics this week include:

• Pets
• Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie
• Dreams and subconscious exploration (what do dreams about shoes mean? What about that dream about being unprepared for an exam?)
• What is shadow work?
• What is this inner child stuff?
• Mean mommy and gentle parenting
• Homework battles
• Reparenting and setting boundaries
• Mario Kart
• Taco Bell
• Reconnecting With Childhood Joy

This weeks challenge:

1. Save a picture of little you in a place where you'll see it often.
2. Write a letter to yourself as a child. Tell them what you wish someone would have told you then.
3. Reconnect with your favorite childhood activities and have an "inner child playdate."

Reading List:

• Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Eleven, by Sandra Cisneros

Relevant Links:

• 5 Ways to Reparent Your Inner Child and Heal From Old Wounds
• Deep Secrets and Inner Child Healing
• Psychology Today: Recurring Final Exam Dream
• Shoes in Dreams
• Pope Pitbull (Father Worldwide) Cosplay TikTok 
• The Lantern Oracle deck by Angelina Mirabito, PhD

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna

Are you ready to redefine the boundaries of your comfort zone? Join us on an enlightening journey with our guest, Stefanie Carey, a holistic wellness practitioner, as we delve deeper into the realm of healing, Ayahuasca experiences, and the art of setting boundaries. Stefanie reveals the transformative power of Ayahuasca and offers invaluable advice on preparing for such a profound spiritual journey.

We journey through the Harry Potter fandom, childhood hyper fixations, and what Zeus might order at a Cheesecake Factory. Our conversation extends further into the art of showing compassion to oneself and others; we draw insights from the Moonology Oracle Card deck that affirm nothing is set in stone, and adjustments are necessary for growth. We discuss the importance of physical activity as a transformative tool and the power of yoga in healing and personal growth. Stefanie's bravery and vulnerability as she shares her journey and experiences with ayahuasca are both inspiring and enlightening.

We wrap up our conversation with a discussion on the importance of setting boundaries and putting oneself first. We explore the challenges of surrender and self-healing, the power of words in creating a safe space for healing, and the importance of listening to your body and honoring its needs. Stephanie's journey of self-healing and personal growth is a testament to the power of holistic wellness and plant medicine. Join us in this enlightening conversation and be prepared to redefine the boundaries of your comfort zone.

Topics this week include:

• The Harry Potter obsession of the early 2000s
• The girlies with the Greek Mythology obsessions and where they are now (uh, hosting this podcast, thanks)
• Teaching Yoga!
• Importance of moving our bodies (hint: Elle Woods said it best)
• The best mom hack for dealing with socks
• Ayahuasca Journey
• Preparing for Ayahuasca
• Understanding and Embracing the Ayahuasca Experience
• Putting Yourself First and Setting Boundaries
• Challenges of Surrender and Self-Healing
• Healing Journeys and Personal Growth
• Healing Modalities and Advice for Ayahuasca
• Holistic Wellness and Plant Medicine Journey
• Crazy Neighbor Stories and Motherhood Reflections

Relevant Links:

• Journal of Experimental Psychology- Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement
• Moonology Oracle Card Deck
• Kids Socks
• Etta Lloyd Walker Foundation
• Queen Afua 12 Week Program

Find Us:

• Stefanie
• Crystal
• Vienna
• Healing Happy Hour

Music by 

It's more than Lucky Girl Syndrome, The Secret, and manifestation. Affirmations are the words we use to set our brain, hearts, and bodies on the path we want to take. Living in a world that seems hell bent on teaching us we're not (good, right, hot, productive) enough takes intentional reconditioning, and creating our internal monologue is a great place to start. Affirmations are scientifically backed, and give our brain an alternative to internalized, self-defeating thoughts and instead help us create new neural pathways toward confidence, happiness, and less anxiety, making that the default in our brains over time. 

Join us this week for a conversation about the power of affirmations, how to incorporate them in your own life , where to find the words, and even some of the science behind how they work. We also talk about how to move forward when it feels fully delusional and where the limitations come into play.

Topics this week include:

• Making the Band 2 and the chokehold Diddy had over MTV in 2003
• Cheesecake Factory (turning into a recurring segment)
• Tall Auras
• Government funded girls trips
• Getting an A in honors therapy via extra credit projects
• September 2023 Full Moon in Aries (our harvest moon and feeling that warrior energy)
• Neural Pathways and neuroplasticity
• Budget time travel and writing notes to yourself

This weeks challenge: Find 3 affirmations that speak to you (be specific!) and find places to integrate them into your life.

Relevant Links:

• Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation
• Healthline: Positive Affirmations: Too Good to Be True?
• The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention
• Association between Positivity and Smoking Cessation
• Drawn by Mary
• Grandma Baby's Black Gold Lenormand

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna
• Healing Happy Hour

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay.

We couldn't possibly wrap up the friendship convo in one week, so here's part two. There's too much to say about friendship, and somehow, not enough words in the English language to cover it.

Join us this week for a conversation about the unique heartbreak that is the bestie break up, grieving the death of a friend, making new friends, and how we're still chasing the high of us all being Girls Together in Summer 2023. We also get into tips for making new friends (it helps to get weird, and fast!) and rekindling conversations with old friends.

Topics this week include:

• Sick kids and mom guilt (hate it, sorry)
• What is your version of the Roman Empire?
• The regret of a lost friendship
• Girlhood Summer 2023: Beyonce, Taylor, and Barbie
• The magic of the women's bathroom at the bar
• Girl Fights, Real Housewives, and how capitalism benefits from tearing women apart
• Gremlin time, Barnyard animals, and the friends you can't take anywhere (it's us, hi, we're the problem, it's Crystal and Vienna)
• Tips for connecting with new people, and how to foster a new friendship in the awkward early days
• How to tell a new friend about pooping in your pants

This weeks challenge:

• Reach back out to an old friend that you lost touch with- tell them what their friendship meant to you.
• Take a chance and connect with someone new.

Reading List:

• The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism: Transform, Heal, and Remember with the Power of Plants and Ancestral Medicine by Karen M. Rose

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna
• Healing Happy Hour

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay.

Most days, our besties are the ones carrying us through. They might be in the office next to us, living in a group chat, or a little more remote, but so many women come to rely on these essential relationships. Research even points to better health outcomes for people with close friends.

Join us this week for a conversation all about besties! How do we make friends, how do we keep them, and how does society view female friendships in general?

Topics this week include:

• All or nothing wellness mentalities and how that sets us up for failure.
• Passions, and what ever happened to the middle schoolers who watched it obsessively (It's us. We're making podcasts.)
• Why do we have to ask people for help, why can't they just read our minds?
• Adult Birthdays and all the feels.
• A card pull for the new moon in Virgo.
• The specific love language that is sending the most unhinged memes and TikToks to your friends with zero context.
• Picking best friends the first day of school, and why they're probably one of the students who sat near you.
• The Emo Kid 2004 to Sad Girl 2023 Pipeline
• Was the Avengers HQ just a long-term slumber party girls weekend?

This weeks challenge: Connect with a friend you're missing! Share this podcast episode with YOUR best friend! Tell the friends you take for granted exactly why you love them so much!

Relevant Links:

• Friendology: The Science of Friendship (Psychology Today)
• The Laotong: Friendship through time and space
• What Adults Forget About Friendship (The Atlantic)

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna
• Healing Happy Hour

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay.

We know, it’s HARD to be present and sit in the moment when you have a million things on your plate. And we all have a million things now. When the world tells us that who we are right now isn't enough, it's tempting to try to live in a fantasy version future when you'll have a better job, more time, more money, a cleaner house, better listening kids- but if we take a moment, we know that there's way more joy in the current moment than we're currently tapping into (and that the future doesn't hold that fantasy either- just even more hoops to jump through and kids that still don't listen. )

Join us for a conversation about why it's so hard to be present, why our brains fight it, and how we can practice sitting with ourselves (even in the Target aisle when we're having a meltdown picking out new bedding).

Topics this week include:

• Cheesecake Factory life goals
• Trashy neighborhood gossip
• Productivity culture
• Why we hate the term "self care"
• Why tf do kids like tape so much?
• Being alone with our your own thoughts (it won't kill you!)
• How we lost our minds during the pandemic
• Who profits off our our dissatisfaction with ourselves?
• Grounding techniques you can use TODAY
• Are little kids actually great at meditating and we lost it somewhere along the way?
• Incorporating the 5 Principles of Reiki into your day
• Clubbing in your 40s (and wearing business casual to the clurb)
• Finding the great genitalia in the sky

This weeks challenge: give yourself ways to find moments of joy in being present. Tell us how you found it!

Reading List:

• Foundations of Reiki Ryoho by Nicholas Pearson

Relevant Links:

• Lindsay Mack: Tarot for the Wild Soul
• BehatiLife
• TIPPs Skills

Find Us:

• Crystal
• Vienna
• Healing Happy Hour

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay. Emotional Support provided by The Cheesecake Factory (but on our own dime, for now.)

Welcome to The Healing Happy Hour! This week, we're talking about why it's so hard to start new things. Let's get real about how it feels to struggle with vulnerability, face your fear of failure, and push through the challenges of moving from planning and prepping to the execution stage.

We'll give you our best steps for getting started going after what you want, whether it's learning something new, trying a new workout, or (ahem) starting a podcast where you're going to be vulnerable in front of the entire internet.

Discussions cover:

• corn kernels as a side
• inner child work
• finding accountability in community
• receiving feedback without having a full meltdown
• how to react when your 8 year old drops a deez nuts joke
• Rebecca Black claiming her crown
• embracing your cringe
• Jasonnnnnnn Derulo (mmm whatcha say)
• NBA legends and what the unathletic girlies can learn from them
• the nightmare that would be a world without Andre 3000
• how to do things when you feel scared
• doing things for the plot
• actionable tips to just do the damn thing
• and a whole lot more.

Links and External References:

• AI Magic To-Do List

Book List!

• Jason Derulo: Sing Your Name Out Loud

Mentioned Podcasts:

• Armchair Expert
• The Read
• Gettin' Grown
• The Friend Zone

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay

Welcome to The Healing Happy Hour with Crystal and Vienna, two deeply unserious people exploring serious topics while cackling, and sometimes crying. 

Together we are learning to push back against the trauma of being a human in the world today through ancient wisdom and practices, modern therapeutic techniques, and anything else that moves the needle towards healing. 

We can't wait to get to know you!

Make sure to listen to new episodes of The Healing Happy Hour, dropping every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe or follow to make sure you don’t miss any of this nonsense.