I sat down with La-Doniea, founder of Breakthru, who is creating spaces for women to slow down, be present, and actually rest…not as something we earn, but as something we require as a human be-ing (and not a human do-ing).

We talk about what it means to choose yourself, especially as women and caretakers who are so used to pouring into everyone else first. La-Doniea shares how her experiences, her family, and her Jamaican roots inspired her to create retreats, community events, and intentional spaces where women can unplug, be taken care of, and just exist for a moment.

This one is a gentle but powerful reminder that rest isn’t lazy…it’s necessary. And sometimes the most healing thing we can do is nothing at all.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or constantly “on,” I think this conversation will gift you a little lift and maybe the inspiration for a little more rest too.

Connect with La-Doneia on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brakethru.co

And on her website: https://www.la-doniea.com/retreats-and-renewal

Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

SPONSOR: Help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within - Get 20% Off with code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

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I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this conversation with Kay from Blush and Reverie. What started as a simple interview at a community event turned into one of the most unexpectedly beautiful and profound conversations I’ve had in a while.

Kay and her sister run a custom photo booth and event décor business called Blush and Reverie, where they help people capture joyful moments at weddings, celebrations, and gatherings. As someone who is admittedly a bit of a photo hoarder myself (please don’t check my phone storage), I completely understand the value of capturing those memories. I love that their business is centered around helping people pause, celebrate, and hold on to moments that matter.

In this conversation we talk about what it really takes to start a business and follow a path that doesn’t always come with a blueprint. Kay shares the story behind starting her company, including how the loss of her mother two years ago became one of the biggest inspirations for her and her sister to step into entrepreneurship. What follows is a deeply human conversation about grief, courage, family, and trusting the calling in your heart.

We also talk about the mental resilience it takes to build something of your own, navigating uncertainty, and redefining what success really means.

Toward the end of the conversation Kay flips the script and asks me a few questions about my own experience running businesses. I share some of the most practical advice I’ve learned over the years…including one financial tip I wish I had known much earlier.

If you’re someone who has ever felt the pull to create something of your own, this conversation will resonate with you.

Connect with Kay & Blush and Reverie

Instagram: @blushandreverieevents

Listen to more episodes of Thought Experiment Called Life where we explore creativity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and what it means to follow your calling.

Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

SPONSOR: Help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within - Get 20% Off with code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m recording in the beginning stages of my new home studio, boxes and all, but I wanted to stay consistent and get this episode out.

I'm talking mental clarity, brain fog, and focus, from the “lowest hanging fruit” (sleep, hydration, nervous system support, nature) to the tools and plants that genuinely help me as someone who’s neurospicy, has dealt with Lyme-related/autoimmune cognitive stuff, and lives a very multi-passionate life.

I also share two breathwork resets you can do anywhere, plus a planning tool called Neuralist that’s been helping me turn a brain dump into an actual plan.

Get one month FREE of Neuralist with code 'THOUGHT'

https://neuralist.io/land/thought-experiment-called-life

Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Love In Focus event at BlendCo in Denver, this conversation with Idally Vanessa (who works as a medical assistant at Denver Indian Health) is a reminder that you can sit down with a complete stranger and instantly find community from your shared human experiences.

In this conversation, Idally Vanessa shares her journey of spirituality, cultural identity, and the importance of community service. She discusses the impact of personal loss and trauma on her life, emphasizing the significance of creativity and authenticity in navigating these experiences. The dialogue explores the beauty of romanticizing life, the power of storytelling, and the connection to nature and energy. Vanessa reflects on family dynamics and the choices individuals must make to pursue their own paths, highlighting the importance of human connection and mutual support in overcoming challenges.

If you’ve been craving something real, grounded, and heart-forward, this one’s for you.

Connect with Idally at @youlooksocool75 on Instagram

Join me on Substack: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Practical Magic of Creative Business: From Vision to Reality with Sophie Miller of Wild Iris Collective

This week I’m sharing the first two conversations I recorded live at the Love In Focus event at BlendCo in Denver, hosted by the wonderful Katie Puc.

In a time when it feels like our nervous systems are constantly being thrown into chaos, I’m feeling called to tend to what’s right in front of us. The rooms we sit in...the communities we can actually touch...the hearts we can hold right in front of us. I went in expecting quick five-minute chats. Instead, I spoke with four humans and each conversation opened like a hidden door. We went super deep, quickly and beautifully.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Sophie, founder of Wild Iris Collective, a luxury floral and workshop experience rooted in sustainability, courage, and trusting your gut. This conversation explores the journey of creativity and collaboration in the context of floral design and sustainability. The speaker shares insights on how personal experiences, such as the impact of COVID-19, led to a passion for plants and a career in floral design. The discussion emphasizes the importance of balancing creative vision with practical planning, trusting one's instincts in decision-making, and the value of community and collaboration among creatives. Additionally, the conversation touches on the healing properties of plants and the significance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.

The other conversations will follow as bonus episodes.

Connect with Sophie at @wild.iris.collective on Instagram

Join me on Substack: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually mean to “call your power back”? It’s a phrase we hear often, but what does it look like in real life?

In this episode, I share practical ways to reclaim your energy in a world that constantly siphons it away. From reducing digital noise and reconnecting with nature, to revisiting good memories, honoring your inner child, choosing nourishing environments, playing more, and building physical strength… this is about power as a daily practice, not just a nice sentiment.

If you’ve been feeling drained, scattered, or disconnected from yourself, this one is for you.

For a deeper written reflection on this episode, head to my Substack where I share more of my thoughts first. I’m also offering a free Nine Lives Longevity class there so you can start building strength, mobility, and resilience in a practical way.

Come join me there: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kaydence, a 2x Grammy-nominated songwriter whose work spans records for Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lopez.

We explore her powerful journey through adversity, self-doubt, and industry challenges, and the mindset that helped her stay devoted to her craft when quitting would have been understandable. This conversation touches on resilience, creativity, self-belief, and the courage it takes to follow the path of your heart.

If you’re navigating uncertainty, resistance, or questioning whether you can keep going, this episode is for you. Please share it with anyone who could use a little hope and encouragement right now.

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a short bonus and a bit of a love note.

I’m sharing a glimpse into my Nine Lives Longevity Training, an active recovery practice I use to keep training jiu jitsu and MMA at 43 after years of living with Lyme disease. It blends mobility, strength, stretching, breathwork, and nervous system support, with some herbal and nutritional tools at the end. This first class is available now on my Substack, and I’ll be releasing more as it feels aligned.

I also reflect on something that’s been giving me hope lately. While listening to Tara Brach, I was reminded of research showing that when just 3.5% of people commit to sustained, nonviolent action, meaningful change becomes almost impossible to stop.

In a noisy, overwhelming time, this episode is a reminder that our power lives in how we show up, stay grounded, and care for one another.

Thank you for being here, and thank you for being part of the 3.5%.

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Katie Puc doesn’t just take gorgeous editorial-style photos, she builds community. I met her through our wedding, fell in love with her work, and then discovered she’s also the kind of person who brings creatives together on purpose… and she trains martial arts too (yes, really).

In this episode we talk photography, multi-passionate living (HR + art), the courage to reach out even when you might hear “no,” and Katie’s upcoming creative collaborative event Love In Focus at BlendCo in Denver on Feb 7. I’ll be there doing mini interviews, and I’d love to see you there.

Get Your Tix: https://partiful.com/e/N0Fxk0OIfUVnIsWuK5aP

Connect with Katie:

Website: www.katiepucphotography.com

IG: @katiepuc_photography

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to live through seasons that bring us to our knees and how healing isn’t only about examining our wounds, but also about remembering our strength.

We explore:

• Why focusing only on pain can keep us stuck
• How strength builds safety in the nervous system
• Why perspective shifts change not just how things feel, but how life unfolds
• Small, practical ways to reconnect with your strength when you feel depleted

This conversation is for anyone navigating grief, illness, burnout, survival mode, or a dark night of the soul. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

Healing becomes sustainable when we include strength in the practice.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear how you remember your strength.

And if it feels helpful, share it with someone who might need it right now.

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.