What Lights You Up

It's no coincidence there are so many documentaries, podcasts, and books focused on cults at this time. While they have existed forever, our ability to connect and share information quickly is new. Rapid communication online supports the exposure of toxic and harmful practices with possible justice...and it also helps the same practices to spread. 

Many cult-like ("culty") behaviors can be found in your daily life. It may be in the products you buy, the affiliations you make, the groups you are a part of; any number of things. Marketing tactics have long ago shifted from persuasion toward manipulation and even elements of mind control. MLMs have infiltrated nearly every market and continue to get away with shady business practices. And they are merely one example of a much larger picture.

None of this is intended to scare you. Quite the opposite. This is intended to shine a light of awareness on these practices so you are better positioned to protect yourself. Consider this episode an introduction to the topic of culty behavior and learn to spot the warning signs before you get in too deep. 

Referenced in this episode: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/

Connect with Sunny: https://linktr.ee/iamsunny

Intro music: "Pieces of Light" by Trevor Mack

Let's take a trip together, shall we? A trip inside....for 30 minutes [and more, if you desire].

**THIS IS A GUIDED MEDITATION. DO NOT LISTEN WHILE DRIVING, WALKING, etc.**

Just LISTEN. You deserve to take some time to yourself. So please lay your body down, relax, and listen to my voice for about 30 minutes. 

Before you begin, please bring kind and conscious awareness to your intention. 

If you have never experienced a guided meditation, here's what you should know about this one: 

* the guidance itself lasts about 25 minutes

* you can stay in "trance" longer if you choose to (extended music)

* it's okay if you fall asleep (your subconscious will still receive the message!)

* you can't get this wrong

* there is no such thing as "I don't know how to quiet my mind"

* RELAX - do it again and again. You will be amazed at what your mind, body, and soul can do.

I am bringing this to you today (whatever day you are receiving) because I believe in the power of meditation. And I want you to experience it too. 

I am also building a meditation library, so if you enjoy this experiece, please get on my list so we can continue to reap the benefits together. 

This one's on me.

With love,

Sunny

Find all of the ways to connect with me here

Original Music by Cindy Locher – The Relaxation Works    / @cindylocherthere...  

“It’s not so much what’s going to happen when we die. It’s about how we are going to live…and what our legacy is going to be while we’re here.” 

This episode featuring Maureen Kafkas is a philosophical conversation between friends. Few aspects of life are as certain or as difficult to face as death, yet Maureen’s experiences have ultimately created expansion and growth. Through her professional and personal experiences, she has supported and advocated for the dying while balancing her own emotions where her loved ones were involved. 

We skim the surface on a broad and taboo topic with a light dose of spirituality, so bring your open mind. We discuss advocating hospice care, having conversations with your parents, navigating emotions of family members, our thoughts on the ceremonies and burial options after death, even losing our pets. We understand from our own experiences how difficult these conversations can be. It’s also true that we can choose a path that feels right for us. 

Connect with Maureen: 

https://www.thebrainbs.com/

The Brain BS Podcast Community

Connect with Sunny: 

Join the What Lights You Up Facebook group here.

Schedule a conversation here.

Intro/outro music: “Feeling Free” by Martin Riopel

So many humans are filled with unnecessary worry. Worry steals your time and energy. It sends you spinning all the threads of possibility or potential devastation around things that haven’t even happened yet. It is a vibration rooted in fear. 

No matter what it is that you may be worried about today, I assure you that there is a better way to approach this emotion when it arises. You may have even created a habit of worrying so you're not even aware it's happening. It’s time to release your concerns and embrace the notion that worry does not have to take over your life. It’s time to live the way you were designed to live. 

Join the What Lights You Up Facebook group here. Schedule a conversation here. Email: [email protected]

Intro/outro music: “Feeling Free” by Martin Riopel

Get ready for some real talk that incorporates the spirit within you. We are all feeling the squeeze and the burden of the times we are living. We may even feel powerless to change anything in our personal lives, much less for the collective. 

The good news is that no single person bears responsibility to “fix things” on this planet. We may ask why we are here and what our purpose is when we feel stripped of our power. This episode is going to deliver some guidance for you. Some of it is channeled from higher places and I hold a knowing that what has been shared here is the purest truth I have access to at this moment. Perhaps it is for you too or maybe you’re skeptical. Either way, you’re sure to have some actionable takeaways for stepping back into the power that is your birthright. 

Join the What Lights You Up Facebook group here. Schedule a conversation here. Email: [email protected] Intro/outro music: “Feeling Free” by Martin Riopel

CW: brief reference to gun violence

If you have ever felt your emotions spiraling out of control, this episode is for you. I recently faced a dark night of the soul and am sharing three key approaches that I took to get back on solid ground. 

 What we often do when faced with deep challenges in life is to try to tamp it down and keep forging ahead with our daily lives. Some of us feel this is our responsibility or even our purpose: to shake it off, move on, and continue to show up when you are screaming inside. 

The truth is that each of us have a far greater purpose that may be revealed if we take the time to focus our efforts where they will have the greatest impact. This is unlikely to be things you are accustomed to doing, so bring your open mind and prepare yourself for a challenge that will change your perspective. Not just a shift - a full on change. 

Join the What Lights You Up Facebook group here. Schedule a conversation here. Email: [email protected] Mentions: 

“Shrinking” trailer

“Chase You” by Elizabeth Kendig and Monica Lawson

Intro/outro music: “Feeling Free” by Martin Riopel

"It’s okay to have a glitchy conversation. I would rather have a glitchy, imperfect conversation than no conversation at all." 

Charlotte's husband and the father of her children didn't give her that option in 2007. He simply opted out of a family outing on a typical Saturday and said he was going to take a nap. Only that's not at all what he did.  That's the opening of her newly released memoir. What unfolds from that point in time is how Charlotte became a single mother navigating her own grief alongside her young children. She very plainly explains what death is while she speaks truth to her young boys in a community where "everyone knows." They whisper on the sidelines and eventually it does come back to her. What are they saying about him and about us? Do I allow their judgments to impact me? How do I express my own grief while guiding two young boys to do the same?  Charlotte's memoir is about as raw and real as it gets. In this episode, we break down the deeper contexts of this story and how it is indeed possible to heal even while carrying a hole in your heart - for life.  Charlotte's children refer to her as a walking trigger warning, so 'nuff said. If you're brave enough to press play on this episode, you likely already know what you're in for. And if you really want to understand the sushi reference, we'll break that down in ways I didn't even expect!  Purchase Sushi Tuesdays wherever books are sold (shout out to the local indie bookstores, always).  Connect with Charlotte:

IG @charlottemayawriter Twitter @charlottemaya1 FB @sushituesdays https://charlotte-maya.com Connect with Sunny:  https://linktr.ee/iamsunny

Music: Pieces of Light by Trevor Mack

I don't know about you, but I'm already primed for a "do over" of welcoming the new year. And I've decided to make it so, because the LUNAR new year is upon us. I am personally grappling with some things, so I giving myself grace and acknowledging that I get to decide what is true about me and I get to decide when, where, an how to celebrate...me. I highly recommend this practice! 

View the video version on my YouTube channel.

Find all of the ways to connect with me here (including through Dry January!).

Intro/outro "Feeling Free" by Martin Riopel. 

More and more Americans seem to be getting on board with the concept of Dry January, which is abstaining from alcohol for the entire month. With drinking solidly ingrained into our culture, that can be difficult for some. 

This episode does not go into all of the benefits and tactical approaches (like "mocktails"). While Dry January continues to grow in popularity, there is one thing that is rarely talked about: how your mind and body will respond as the days and weeks ahead unfold. This is an introduction into conversations we'll be having throughout the month (not always on the podcast), so if you're interested in all opportunities ahead, join the What Lights You Up Facebook group or follow my socials.  Video version available on YouTube. 

I am...

Let us be here now. 

I love being present.

We are now here or nowhere.

We got this.

Let's DO THIS.

Join the What Lights You Up Facebook group to engage with like minds!

Other ways to connect with me here.

Intro/outro “Feeling Free” by Martin Riopel