The Mind Your Own Life Podcast

What do you think of when you think self-care? 
Therapy? Exercising? A spa day? Or maybe something as simple as making yourself a meal or drinking a glass of water?
The concept of self-care is incredibly intricate, nuanced, and subjective to each individual but often self-care product marketing is limited to bubble baths and face masks. While these activities can be important forms of self-care for some, they are not indicative of the broad spectrum of what self-care actually can be. 
Enter today's guest, the wonderful Ashely Sondergaard. 
Ashley is a mother, yoga teacher, self-care coach and host of the Yoga Magic Podcast. She has a very refreshing view of self-care as a whole and how important it is to individualize your self-care actions. Tying together her passion for this work and her own self-care story, Ashley has developed a unique offering in which she integrates her clients' astrology charts with self-care, producing actionable activities that are very specific to them. I'm so excited for you to hear her perspectives.
 
On today's episode, we covered: 
- The levels of self-care 
- Integrating self-care with your astrology chart 
- Social media and self-care 
- Setting energetic boundaries 
- Manifestation and self-care 
 
I loved this interview and I absolutely love Ashley. Give her a follow and be sure to send us your feedback once you've had a chance to tune in! 

Human Design (HD) is truly a life-changer. I have never come across a system that has resonated more with me, so I am always incredibly grateful to be able to share conversations with HD Readers like today’s awesome guest, Travis Day. 

Travis has held many titles throughout his adult life including Waiter, Surf Instructor, Founder, Entrepreneur, and Human Design advocate.

Built upon learnings garnered from more than a decade of running two self-started businesses Redondo Surf Club and Bingin Dog, and inspired by his own personal growth journey, Travis spent the better part of quarantine 2020 developing his own unique offerings in the realms of surf therapy, spiritual guidance, and Human Design; together combined into his latest client-facing experience- Surfer’s Guide To Spirit- launching Summer 2021. 

As a 1/3 Splenic Projector, he is an avid and curious learner. Travis holds a degree in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University and a certificate of education from the International Human Design School (IHDS). He is a practising thought leader and host of the Stupid Beautiful podcast and lives in Manhattan Beach, CA with his Jack Russell, Russell. 

Travis’ purpose for his work was so palpable during our interview and it was very inspiring for me to hear how much joy and abundance can come to you when you are living in alignment, according to your design.

We chatted about:

• The origins of HD
• How HD can help us shed our conditioning  
• HD and self-love and acceptance 
• Integrating HD into your life
• How HD can help you to be more compassionate in relationships

Big thank you to this beautiful soul for sharing his light and insight on the podcast today!

Death. It’s an inevitable part of each of our lives, one of two assurances that unite all of humanity…so why do so many of us have such a hard time talking about it? I personally feel very comfortable exploring the many possibilities of what happens to us after we die; reincarnation, the afterlife, the soul’s journey, but - I’ll be honest - I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the actual dying process here on earth. It is high time to have this important conversation on the podcast and I'm so excited to welcome today's guest, Niagara-based Palliative Care Nurse, Mahoganie Hines who is an expert on the topic. Mahoganie has an enlightening message for all of us; ‘talking about death won’t kill us’, and in today’s episode, she outlines how we can empower ourselves to take action today towards co-creating a ‘good death’ experience for ourselves and our loved ones. I’m so grateful for the advocacy work Mahoganie does for those who are dying and truly value the insights she shared in this episode. 

We chatted about:

-       What a ‘good death’ actually means

-       How to approach a conversation about death with loved ones

-       What palliative care advocacy looks like

-       Different viewpoints on medical assistance in dying 

About Mahoganie:
Mahoganie is an active and ardent member of the community. She volunteers her time to act as the policy and political action executive network officer (PPAN ENO) for both the Niagara chapter and Palliative Care Nursing interest group (PCNIG) of the registered nurses association of Ontario, she sits on the inaugural board as secretary/treasurer for the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association (CPCNA), on numerous committees of the Overdose prevention education network of Niagara (OPENN), also volunteering her time at the consumption and treatment site in St. Catharines and referees for Niagara Roller Derby. She currently works as a RN in a casual capacity at Both of the hospices in Niagara and full time as a palliative pain and symptom management consultant (PPSMC) throughout the Niagara Region. When she is not working or volunteering she likes to spend her time with her husband and two dogs.



Links:

·      Mahoganie’s blog: https://dyingdreads.wordpress.com/

·      Mahoganie’s Instagram Accounts: @Nurse_staxx  &  @cascades_of_kindness

·      Find your local Palliative pain and symptom management consultant (PPSMC): http://www.pccnetwork.ca/where-we-are/

·      Speak up Ontario: https://www.speakupontario.ca/

·      Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senate-maid-bill-third-reaading-pass-1.5917798 

Today's guest is the one and only Atarah Valentine! He's a Neural Manifestation Coach with To Be Magnetic*, an Artist, a Songwriter and self-described  'Shadow-Wrangler, Wellness Big Mouth and Belief System Enhancer'. Is he ever! He does all of the above with an unmatched level of authenticity that is so refreshing. 

I first came across Atarah almost a year ago when he appeared on The Expanded Podcast to talk about his experience with manifestation and rock bottoms. His story spoke to my soul. In the episode, Atarah shared his life journey, his experiences navigating shadow work, and his transformation once he began living in his worth. It was so inspiring and expansive for me to hear and I immediately wrote him down on my 'dream podcast guests' list! I'm so grateful he was able to be a guest as this was such an impactful conversation. 

On today's episode we chatted about:

• Atarah's story and how he navigated his rock bottoms
• How the manifestation process really works (hint: it's not always easy breezy) 
• Partnership and manifestation
• How Atarah's artistry has evolved with this work
• What it really means to 'be in your worth'
• Mindset shifts and responding to challenges in a healthy way
• The concept of 'Expanders' and how they can help you manifest

*To Be Magnetic:
To Be Magnetic (TBM) is a manifestation brand founded by Lacy Phillips. Under their umbrella, they have a manifestation school (The Pathway) with membership and a la carte packages. They also have a podcast called 'The Expanded Podcast'. The teachings within TBM are based on epigenetics, neuroscience and energetics. Atarah has been a student of TBM for years and has recently become one of a few TBM coaches. I love this work and have been a member of The Pathway for about a year and have experienced some very major shifts.

Links:
Atarah Valentine on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4hbjqhUp1vrybHxlf8kg1I
Atarah Valentine Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/atarahvalentine/?hl=en
To Be Magnetic:
https://tobemagnetic.com/

About this episode:
[Trigger Warning: Indigenous Genocide, Canadian Residential Schools]

I was introduced to April and her work last year and it's been a true honour to get to know more about her and her art over the past few months. April is a Turtle clan Mohawk with roots at Six Nations. She is a designer and entrepreneur and founded her jewellery company, Lofttan, with a strong ethos of slow fashion and honouring  Mother Earth. I'm so grateful to have shared this conversation with April; she truly has the most beautiful perspectives on life and the healing process.

On today's episode, we chatted about: 

• April's background and her 'why' for creating her slow fashion jewellery brand
• How important art and creativity are in the healing process 
• The ways in which living your most purposeful path can pave the way for others to do the same.
• How the support of her partner has helped to propel her
• April's creation of The Lydia Ruth Project in honour of her Great Grandmother who was her last family member in  Residential School 
• April's aim for the project; to educate on the effects of colonialism and Residential schools on our Indigenous communities

About April Mitchell-Boudreau & Lofttan: 

Lofttan is an Indigenous-owned, female-led handmade convertible jewellery business with a unique opportunity for job creation. Our beautifully handmade pieces revitalize and revolutionize the jewellery industry through the creation of a multi-wear, slow-fashion, sustainable jewellery collection.

At the heart of the Lofttan brand is a celebration of diversity, accessibility and the Medicine of Creativity. Lofttan’s Convertible jewellery system offers an invitation to play and create using traditional materials like sustainably sourced wood, shell and semi-precious stone to beautifully frame the masterpiece that is you.

Originally distributed through independent boutiques across Ontario, Lofttan is successfully navigating a massive Covid-inspired pivot to online retail. 

Lofttan jewellery is the brainchild of Mohawk designer April Mitchell-Boudreau. Situated on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe people, every piece is lovingly made in the Niagara studio.

In 2017 April was nominated for The Entrepreneurial Award given by the Women in Business Awards of Niagara, and most recently Lofttan has been nominated for the Excellence in Manufacturing Award 2020-2021 in the Niagara Business Awards by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

One of Lofttan’s goals is to create enough demand to employ other Indigenous people in our community, as piece-workers, able to work from home.

Lofttan celebrates the Medicine of Creativity further in The Makers Circle PLAYshops, delivered through the lens of traditional Indigenous teachings, such as the Medicine Wheel bracelet making. Each participant makes their own wearable work of art, that also concretely anchors them to the teachings delivered in the PLAYshop.

Links:
Lofttan website: https://lofttan.myshopify.com/
The Lydia Ruth Project: https://lofttan.myshopify.com/pages/the-lydia-ruth-project
Lofftan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lofttan/?hl=en
April's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april_mitchellb/?hl=en\

I'm honoured to welcome Toronto-based GP, Dr. Steph Godard, MD to the podcast today! I've known Dr. Steph for over 20 years and have been fortunate to witness her hard work and perseverance on the road to realizing her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. We have had many beautiful conversations throughout the years, especially after my diagnosis with MS, that have exemplified the type of doctor she is; open-minded,  understanding and empathetic. Our conversation on today's episode only magnified those observations especially around her approaches to creating a collaborative relationship with her patients. 

One of my biggest goals for 2021 is to expand the guests I invite to be on this podcast beyond those who think exactly as I do. I want to hold space for an open-hearted discussion in which people from different belief systems and backgrounds can find common ground.

And we did just that! 

Me, a 'woo-woo', spiritual, hippie soul who errs on the side of natural healing, and Dr. Steph, a medical professional with a more structured scientific approach to health - found common ground on so many things. I can honestly say I learned so much and Dr. Steph opened my mind to new ways of thinking - and that's what it's all about, baby!

We chatted about:

• How the doctor-patient relationship has evolved over the years
• Ways to be more collaborative - from both the patient & doctor's perspective
• Dr. Google vs. being an informed advocate for our own health
• Practising medicine during a pandemic
• How the privatization of Pharma in Canada weakens trust
• The vaccine - facts and founded fears (and especially  not allowing our opinions it to divide us)
• BMI as an indicator for health (hint: it's not) 

DISCLAIMER: This episode is a candid conversation between myself and Dr. Steph Godard. Nothing shared by Dr. Steph in this interview is intended to act as medical recommendations. Please seek information specific to your individual health situation from your health care professional. 

The greatest gift of starting this podcast has been connecting with like-minded souls from all around the world.  I met Ali and Jessica,  founders of  The Aligned Podcast, through Almost 30's Podcast Pro course, and I was immediately drawn to their energy and their beautiful dynamic as a duo. Coming from different spiritual backgrounds, Ali, an Astrologer and Intuitive Healer and Jess, a Medium and Intuitive Healer,  combined their unique gifts to birth their podcast in 2020. In its first year, The Aligned Podcast has covered everything from spiritual awakenings to astrology to Human Design and much more. It's a must-listen for anyone getting in touch with their higher self.

What an honour it was to interview these two beautiful souls on today's episode of the pod! I always love the flow of interviewing multiple guests- such an energetic conversation was had.

We discussed:

• Ali and Jess' backgrounds and their co-creation of The Aligned Podcast
• Awakening our spirituality 
• Learning about spiritual practices and modalities while honouring our innate gifts 
• Breaking out of our conditioning, labels and containers 
• The energy of 2020 

Tune in! And if you love it, be sure to rate, review, subscribe and share with a pal.

About The Aligned Podcast:
A conversation between friends, Jessica Meils, spiritual medium and intuitive healer, and Ali Ofstedal, astrologer and intuitive healer. Sharing their experiences as they navigate a life aligned. Discussing what it’s like to be in flow with the universe, sharing the tools they’ve used to access their intuition, clear fear and limiting beliefs, trust the pings, and bring forth healing into their daily lives. This podcast is for anyone curious about their own spiritual path, regardless of where they’re at in their journey.

Links:
The Aligned Podcast- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aligned-podcast/id1515972840
Instagram- The Aligned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thealignedpodcast/?hl=en
Instagram - Ali Ofstedal: https://www.instagram.com/aliofstedal/?hl=en
Instagram- Jessica Meils:  https://www.instagram.com/peoplecallmejess/?hl=en

2020 will not be a year that is soon forgotten.  Humanity as a whole has collectively experienced something incredibly life-altering; challenging in so many ways, but also transformative. Reconciling my personal emotions about this year as well as connecting with others to understand their feelings has been a very powerful and healing exercise for me, which is why I'm very excited to be sharing this episode in which my sister, Nicole, and her sister-in-law, Lauren, reflect on experiences and lessons in 2020 and our hopes for 2021.

What we chatted about: 
- Roses & thorns from the year
- Our biggest lessons of 2020
- The ways we've been coping with the pandemic
- Our dreams for the future; for ourselves and the collective

Want to get in touch with today's guests?
Nicole's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolehops11/ 
Lauren's Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ellehopp/

About this Episode:

On today's special HOBIB (Honouring Ontario Black & Indigenous Owned Businesses) edition of the Mind Your Own Life podcast, my guest co-host, Ally Payetta, and I welcomed  the incredible Asha E of Soul You & Co. Asha is a Toronto-based yoga teacher, speaker, educator, and consultant in the field of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism.  

It was a true honour to sit with Asha for this conversation and to learn more the motivation behind the authentic content she puts out into the world and the space she holds for her community in the various spaces she occupies. 

Asha wears many hats and has described herself as a 'student of life' which is so evident in all of her offerings. I personally have learned so much from her Instagram platforms over the  past few months where she covers a wide range of topics, from movement and yoga,  to self-love, to anti-racism and personal development. 

Asha is a must follow and this episode is a must listen!  

Here's what we chatted about:

• Asha's why behind creating her platforms; Soul You &  Co and Soul You for Black Girls
• Asha's journey to becoming a yoga teacher and how important it is that the spaces Asha practices in are inclusive  
• The importance of observing and understanding the culture and history behind our wellness practices
• Self-transformation in 2020 and optimism for the future 
• Being in our worth and how we can all show up more authentically in our various spaces 

About Asha:

She/Her. Multifaceted, dynamic, and passionate, Asha has a passion for people and community and directs her efforts to exploring and encouraging avenues of change. As a consultant, certified yoga teacher, educator, speaker and wellness enthusiast, Asha's mission is to bring unity, healing, awareness, and lasting positive change to our community.  Asha invites individuals and organizations to promote and effect change through interdisciplinary, holistic approaches. She fosters dynamic and meaningful conversations, encourages engagement and strategizes solutions that prioritize access, inclusivity and development.  Asha brings her multi-disciplinary capabilities to her work in equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism consulting for those willing to be a part of an equitable future for all.

Links:
Soul You & Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulyouandco/
Soul You for Black Girls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulyouforblackgirls/
Asha's website: https://www.ashare.ca/
Did Y'all Plan That Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/did-yall-plan-that/id1534270481
HOBIB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hobib_/
HOBIB website: https://hobib.ca/

About today's episode:

One of the greatest privileges of this journey on social media has been connecting with like-minded souls from all different corners of the world. Maddie Ace has been someone who I have learned so much from about healing, mental health, resilience and courage, so I was truly honoured to welcome her as a guest on the podcast. 

You may recognize Maddie from a few episodes ago when I interviewed her and her partner, Martina, about their experiences as an interracial gay couple living in America in the lead up to the presidential election. 

Maddie has been a source of calm for me on Instagram; whether she is sharing her vulnerabilities in an authentic way or taking the time to really ask how her followers are doing with her daily mental health check-ins, her page and her general presence are truly a breath of fresh air.

On today’s episode, we talk about:

·      Maddie’s mental health journey and her first mental illness diagnosis in her teens

·      How Maddie began to advocate against the stigma of mental illness and for the importance of mental health 

·      Maddie’s coming out story and how she describes it as an internal journey 

·      What to expect on Maddie’s brand new podcast, titled ‘She Be Red’ 

Tune in now & be sure to rate, review, subscribe and share with a friend if you like what you hear! 

About Maddie Ace:
Maddie Ace is the founder/CEO of two businesses; Nella Marketing, a content marketing firm where she serves clients around the world as an artist/writer, and She Be Red, an advocacy brand and podcast with the purpose of helping others on their journey to holistic mental health. 

At her core, Maddie is a mental health activist. For the last 12 years, she has walked alongside multiple mental health diagnoses and after a difficult marriage and the onset of severe somatic symptoms, she decided to start making huge changes to her life. This is where she discovered that mental wellbeing isn’t just in the mind, it’s in the body, soul and spirit as well. 

Though She Be Red, Maddie shares her journey to show others who are struggling that there is always hope, and she believes it lies within 3 main concepts; healing, feeling and taking leaps of faith. In her new podcast, she encourages her listeners to get curious so they can find a path to a life that truly feels good because, as she says, we are all worthy of that. 

 
Where to find Maddie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddie_shebered/
• The She Be Red Podcast:  https://www.shebered.com/sbrpodcast