Must embodying authentic Presence have to look like the Mona Lisa?

Welcome to the final segment of our series, LIVING AS A PORTAL OF PRESENCE: The Inner Work that Changes the Outer World. In this soulful yet earthy conversation, host Colleen Akiko and spiritual counselor, Brenda Heldoorn explore the internal struggle of navigating global and personal chaos while staying anchored in love. They explore some under-the-surface questions, like:

• How do I witness the dialogue between my fearful Head and my knowing Heart?
• What's the difference between forgiving and pardoning someone?
• How can I transform an unfriendly inner reaction?
• What is the "activity of truth" for me?
• Can I shift from fear to forgiveness--without minimizing my pain?

Whether you’re seeking clarity, connection, or a spark of hope, We Be The Change introduces you to everyday people who are creating a brighter, more compassionate world.

Thanks for your engagement! Feel free to reach out for your complimentary eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light at SongRise.LIVE.

And remember: your own inner shift is a beautiful and mighty catalyst for outer change.

How can a little notebook disarm the ego’s grip?

In this short but potent episode, spiritual counselor Brenda Heldoorn shares a surprising exercise with host Colleen Akiko that dismantled her negative self-talk. With openness and humor, she names the “Doom Loop” for what it is, and offers a direct pathway through the grand illusion.

We explore how victim language sneaks into our thoughts and conversations, and how awakening to our spiritual brilliance may mean walking a quieter path. One where we no longer bond with others over our shared suffering, but the joy of discovering our shared light instead.

Brenda also shares a sweet metaphor of her dreaming dog that reminds us: when we awaken from the collective nightmare, there is no scolding—only welcome.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in repeat stories, you’ll appreciate the kind of medicine that doesn’t require years of analysis—just your willingness to listen... and maybe a little notebook.

Take a quick break. Tune in; breathe...

And remember: Bonus content, music, and your free eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light awai at Songrise.LIVE.

What if our total collapse could pivot us to our most radiant becoming?

In this vulnerable, luminous continuation of Brenda Heldoorn's conversation with Colleen, we explore what it truly means to surrender—not as defeat, but as a threshold where rock bottom becomes sacred ground.

Brenda shares her lived experience of a suicide attempt that became a catalyst for profound awakening—a moment that could have ended everything, but instead began the real journey home.

Together we move through the terrain of unraveling false beliefs, and the mysterious grace that meets us in non-resistance. Brenda’s story reminds us that staying present through the pain in our most broken moments can lead to a realization of our wholeness.

For supportive bonus content, journaling prompts, and songs that support this kind of inner work, visit Songrise.live. You’ll find resources for opening, awakening and thriving--including a complimentary eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light.

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• Content Note: This conversation touches on a suicide attempt and the journey of profound healing that followed. It is shared with gentleness—to bring understanding to the reality of despair and to the grace that can arise through surrender and presence.If you or someone you love is in crisis, please reach out for immediate support in your country or region:
  • United States: Dial or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
  • Canada: Call or text 988 or visit 988.ca
  • United Kingdom: Call Samaritans at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
  • Australia: Call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
  • International Directory: Visit findahelpline.com for a full list of free, confidential helplines worldwide

Have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders, believing you had to face every challenge alone?

Join host Colleen Akiko and her guest, spiritual director and counselor, Brenda Heldoorn--who reveals her pivotal moment of absolute surrender that led her to deep healing and a new path.

In this first segment of the four-part series, you'll witness how astounding power can be released in surrender. As you glean inspiration for your own journey, you'll gain real-life understanding to more fully embrace Presence to navigate life's struggles with clarity, grace, and even joy.

For Bonus Content, your FREE eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light, and supportive resources, visit Songrise.LIVE.

How are the new energetics asking you to increase capacity?

Enjoy this exhilarating conversation with host and Essential Connections Coach Colleen Akiko and sacred artist, teacher and "well-being generator" Daniel Strawn. In this final episode of the series, Navigating the New Energetics, you'll hear about perturbation, real “insulation,” the Blue Princess, and a near-death vision of Earth’s new domain of pure potentiality—aka the New Light.

Share your thoughts, explore more resources, and receive your free eGuide—Out of Your Head, Into Your Light—at Songrise.live.

What if you were designed to handle more light—but need to upgrade your wiring first?

This We Be The Change episode is a fun yet profound conversation, exploring the intersection of spirituality, development, energetics and collective consciousness.

Join host Colleen Akiko and sacred artist and teacher Daniel Strawn as they discuss silver and gold forces, ritual vs. ceremony, sacred architecture, and the journey into humanity's new light.

Perfect for seekers of spiritual growth, energy awareness, and a deeper understanding of our evolving world.

Find FREE Bonus Resources and a complimentary eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light, at SongRise.LIVE. Your subscription helps keep this podcast ad-free.

Thanks for telling others about We Be The Change, and sharing your comments!

How can “God’s Word” be used to justify harm–such as the mass murder and intentional starvation in Gaza?

What unfolds when scripture is weaponized by fear, and how can faith return to love?

In host Colleen Akiko’s candid conversation with Rev. Tim Boeve, we explore heaven, hell, and the heart of the Bible—not as dogma, but as a call to embody compassion and courage–living love in a fractured world.

This episode is for anyone drawn to reimagine faith—not as fear-based dogma or an escape from hell, but as embodying the fierce compassion of Jesus, bringing heaven to earth, and rediscovering how love can heal our fractured world.

This is We Be The Change—where we remember that changing the world begins by changing ourselves. Find bonus content, resources and your free eGuide, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light, at Songrise.live.

What if the dysfunctions we witness and experience are largely due to missing connections for soul growth opportunities?

Explore the intersection of electromagnetic energy, ancient spiritual wisdom, science and the transformative power of mentorship.

Join We Be The Change host, Colleen Akiko and sacred artisan and teacher, Daniel Strawn in Part 3 of the series, Navigating the New Energetics.

Discover how unity consciousness, emotional balance, pentagramic understanding and pineal gland activation can unlock your highest human potential and spiritual awakening.

Access Bonus Content for subscribers at Songrise.live – where you can also request your special eGuide gift, Out of Your Head, Into Your Light.

In a world obsessed with output and achievement, what does it mean to allow wellbeing to be generated from within?

In this second segment,The Electrical Aspect of Human Being, host Colleen Akiko continues the series, Navigating the New Energetics, with sacred artist and teacher Daniel Strawn. They explore the mosaic of Daniel’s lived experiences and teachings to colorfully emblemize the hardware circuitry of human being .

Using pentagramic color energetics as a map of development, they describe identifying an organic baseline of reality to move from fragmentation to wholeness.

Through storytelling, spiritual insight, and grounded metaphor, this episode invites you to reawaken your inner compass and reclaim the generative power of your own hands, breath, and being.

You’ll hear why active investigation is so vital in navigating the current energetics. And the difference our mentors make in our continuous personal development and resilience.

If you’d like to connect with bonus resources that parallel this series with Daniel Strawn, just go to the subscription page at Songrise.LIVE

 How do we make sense of all the information fragments flying around us?

How do we discern what's going on in us and outside of us?

Welcome to this new We Be The Change series, Navigating the New Energetics.

In this opening segment, Finding Our Bearings in Uncertainty, host Colleen Akiko talks with Daniel Strawn—sacred artisan and artist, teacher, mentor, and a lifelong spiritual explorer.

This first segment invites you to feel into the field of Daniel–who had kidney failure In 2019 and was on dialysis for more than two years until his younger brother gave him his kidney. You’ll hear Daniel share about natural law and the human design and ecology that we inhabit--laying the foundation for the in-depth teachings on Navigating the New Energetics he’ll be sharing during this series.

Enjoy feeling how Daniel’s creative path flows with his spiritual curiosity into his unique expressions as an "Artistic Wellbeing Generator." As one gallery owner wrote, “If you look at Daniel Strawn’s art work and it makes you smile, then Daniel has accomplished what he set out to do."

Feel free to invite others to this substantive series and please share your thoughts and questions with us! Just head over to SongRise.LIVE where you can also access Bonus Content, fresh resources and the FREE eGuide, Out of Your Mind, Into Your Light.