Five years ago, I felt like I was ready for the person that I wanted to co-create life with. But since I came to that realization, I’ve found myself in two major relationships with people who had unhealed avoidant attachment systems, resulting in a lot of heartbreak and little progress towards building the life that I’ve dreamed of. My desire to find my collaborator and start a family has pressurized new connections, and when things haven’t worked out, my expectations and reactions have been disproportionate to the relationship.

As a dating and relationship coach, it can feel frustrating that I can help others have these incredible breakthroughs in their romantic life, but I can’t seem to create for myself. I’ve decided to make a really bold decision regarding my home and motherhood, and I’ve noticed a huge shift in my approach to dating. This commitment has taken the pressure off finding my life partner because my dreams are no longer dependent on a relationship.

I wanted to put this episode out there for anyone who feels like they’re caught in a waiting feedback loop. Let this be an example of how an unexpected decision towards what you really want can set you free from the disappointment of life not turning out exactly how you expected it to.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Learn More and Connect:

One of the most powerful tools that I have developed and used with my clients is an Intentional Relationship Covenant, or a set of non-negotiable agreements that you make with yourself. This contract is an anchor that helps you become more aware and really show up in a way that is consistent with your values and priorities as a person relating with other people on the planet. These principles help us choose higher integrity forms of relating and cultivate intentional, mature, and regenerative relationships.

In today's episode, I’m sharing the fourteen commitments on my list and a brief explanation behind each one. I touch on the impact this practice has had on my partnerships, how this contract has improved the quality of my life and relationships, and tips for creating your own list.

Here is my Intentional Relationship Covenant:

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Learn More and Connect:

I’m joined by sustainability engineer Alessandra Capurro for an expanding conversation on the space industry and the role that it plays in conservation and environmental sustainability. Alessandra is currently completing her master’s thesis and working with the European Southern Observatory to integrate more sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations.

We met on an expedition cruise to Antarctica and while we were there, we discussed the paradoxical tension between wanting to research these untapped environments, but doing it in a diesel-fueled vessel. There’s a parallel argument happening in the aerospace industry, because there is so much research and data about sustainable development from space, but at the same time, one rocket launch produces up to 300 tons of carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere. The whole process can feel counterproductive, so I wanted to learn more about it from Alessandra’s perspective.

Alessandra explains the cycle of space debris, how it happens, and what the implications of this type of pollution are. She highlights startups like ClearSpace that are working on technology to grab inactive satellites and debris from the atmosphere and safely recycle it here on Earth. We touch on the shift in leadership values with newer generations, the downfall of industries who rely on the assumption of infinite resources, and the value in making personal choices to reduce your carbon emissions.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Resources Mentioned:

Guest Info

Learn More and Connect:

I often get asked what it’s like to date, as a relationship expert, and I can honestly say that because I practice what I preach, it’s not that hard. I’m continually investing in learning how to communicate, take care of myself, heal, and move through the world with a default compassion. Doing this work helps me stay curious about other people, commit to showing up authentically, and bring a certain playfulness back into dating.

My preferred dating method is to be out into the world, doing things I love in spaces that light me up, and meeting people organically in those environments. But, that’s been challenging given that I’m currently living in a rural area and things are slowly opening up post-pandemic. So, like most people, I’m on dating apps and meeting more people in the sort of ‘blind date’ setting.

Online dating can feel exhausting, but I’m sharing where I’ve been able to improve my approach and energy around meeting people via apps. I dive into why it’s so important to be your true self when you’re dating and show up in a way that you feel really good. I also talk about situations where I’ve had to confront my own internalized stereotypes about certain careers and lean into uncomfortable conversations.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Learn More and Connect:

One of my favorite relationship tools is to come up with a code word that is designed to help pattern interrupt something hard that's happening for one or both people in the connection. It’s a way to show up for each other in a healthy, loving, and collaborative way, and help each other feel more seen and supported. I share three examples of how this has shown up in my relationships and others that I’ve witnessed, including my dad and his partner, and a couple that I coach in The Relationship Dojo.

When you use code words, it signals to your partner that you’ve agreed to show up in a certain way. It’s a powerful tool to implement if you’re noticing things that are not supporting your relationship to grow or really choose each other. It’s also helpful for tapping into your unconscious programming and confronting your triggers.

One of the most important parts of implementing a code word is coming up with a phrase that matches the energy of where you want to move towards. It’s also crucial that everyone in the relationship commits to never using it against each other. I share some tips for how to create your own code words and introduce them into your partnership in a sustainable way.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Learn More and Connect:

I’m joined by masculine/feminine and polarity dynamics coach Ethan Henson. Ethan has been a healer, mentor, and guide for me, and has played an integral role in my masculine healing. We discuss some of the groundbreaking work that Ethan is doing for promoting restorative masculinity and partnerships as an ecosystem of co-healing.

We’ve all heard of toxic masculinity, which is the distorted, oftentimes violent, and desensitized expression of masculinity. Restorative masculinity is the antidote to that. It’s all about tapping into the full range of light and dark emotions and confronting parts of consciousness that are usually rooted in the lack of presence and love during key childhood developmental stages.

Ethan subscribes to the idea that if you want to teach really powerful relationship work, you have to do it with a partner. That’s why he’s creating a new program where the end game is to gain conscious governorship over the relationship between masculine and feminine and tap into fourth-dimensional relating. We talk about the momentum, power, and reflection that's needed to really break down our reality and woundings. We also touch on the future of conscious partnership and where the awakened, intentional partnership movement is headed.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Learn More and Connect:

Today, I’m joined by Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute, which is America’s only organization wholly dedicated to searching for life in the universe. Bill and I actually met on an Antarctic expedition cruise to chase a total solar eclipse last year. I was immediately drawn to how Bill explained the work going on at the SETI Institute and his perspective on astrobiology, and knew I wanted to have him on the show to take the conversation a step further.

We discuss the considerations for interstellar travel and some of the challenges of sending biology over extraordinary distances. Bill stresses the importance of the discoveries made on The Kepler Mission and explains why statistically, there is a very small chance that we’re alone in our galaxy. Bill highlights one of the most technologically advanced and complex systems humans have ever built, the James Webb telescope, and the design process behind the equipment.

We also get into the intersection of astrobiology and climate change. There’s no denying that the ‘new normal’ is becoming more severe, extreme, and dangerous every year. Bill shares some of the initiatives at SETI to study the impact of climate change on biodiversity, habitable conditions, and life forms. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating advancements happening at the SETI Institute and beyond.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Resources Mentioned:

Guest Info

Learn More and Connect:

There was such a powerful response to my solo episode where I shared my experience with ADHD and neurodivergence. I wanted to take it a step further and invite today's guest, Megan Kierstead, on the show to go deeper on how to find success and happiness as a person with a neurodivergent brain. Meg is a social scientist with over a decade of experience in researching humans and how to improve their lives, and she particularly focuses on the intersectionality of anti-oppression, chronic illness, mindset, feminism, and neurodivergence.

Meg was diagnosed with ADHD at 23, and she says that she felt an immediate sense of clarity and a weight lifted off of her shoulders. The constant battle to finish her homework or struggle to get research papers handed in on time suddenly made more sense. Like so many girls and women, she trained herself to hide a lot of the symptoms of ADHD because she didn’t want to be an inconvenience or be seen as disruptive and challenging. Instead of white-knuckling through life and feeling drained by taxing tasks, Meg has embraced her diagnosis and learned how to optimize her energy and talents.

We talk about some of the major misconceptions that are out there about people with ADHD, and how people with neurodiversity can empower themselves to build a successful career based on their passions. Meg shares her tips for people who want to redesign their life and discover where to be intentional about their energy. Listen in to hear more about our conversation about the power of unconventional thinking and following the threads of your curiosity.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Facebook: facebook.com/megan.kierstead

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megankierstead

Website: megankierstead.com

Instagram: @megkierstead

Learn More and Connect:

The idea of employee’s overall well-being a core value in a company is a relatively new idea, but today’s guest, Mark Palmer, has been a champion of this philosophy for over 20 years. Mark is a thought leader, author, consultant, and entrepreneur who specializes in leadership and organization change management, strategic performance, and workforce solutions innovation. Among his many titles, he is co-creator of the Position Success Indicator; The Job Fit Calculator; and LaborGenome™ Talent Mapping technology. He describes himself as someone who helps organizations become more holistic and come up with proactive solutions for company alignment.

We discuss what the future of work looks like and the intersection of personal welfare, restorative justice, sustainability, and the success of organizations. Mark shares his unique insight into how the work environment has shifted historically and what he sees trending in different markets now. We talk about how many organizations have changed the way they prioritize their bottom line and ways that revenue is tied to the employee and client experience.

We also get into some examples of where we’ve seen these practices work in companies, including a local grocery store chain all the way to Google. There’s a lot of evidence of how improved working environments have an impact on revenue, success, growth, and industrial reputation of the company. Mark rounds out our conversation by sharing advice for leaders who want to maximize the psychological safety of the people and clients within an organization.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Learn More and Connect:

I am anti-capitalist but pro-commerce. Those might seem like conflicting statements, but in today’s episode, I break down ways that we can bring creativity back into the free market and dismantle the toxic system that capitalism breeds. In theory, supply and demand should work. But, the practical applications of capitalism are driven by money, greed, and resource hoarding. Not to mention, the environmental impact that major corporations have on our planet is unfathomable.

As consumers, we’re in a position to demand that corporations leverage their influence and power as a company to make the world better than how they are finding it. With the rise of movements like B Corps, of Benefit Corporations, and other businesses that prioritize social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, we can really put our money where our mouth is.

Billionaires create a wealth sink that's extracting wealth from our economy and extracting its capacity to stimulate more innovation and more growth. There’s not a labor shortage, but rather a collective consciousness of people who are unwilling to work for less than living wages while their bosses are on vacation on their private islands. This is a highly debated topic, so let’s dive in.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Learn More and Connect: