Your Kick Ass Life Podcast

This week our previous series on mental health intersects with our current theme on spirituality. Shontae Cone, a mental health counselor, energy worker, and psychic, joins me to talk about bodywork, mental health, and healing. Some of Shontae’s specializations include women empowerment, biracial and multi-racial peoples, and highly sensitive people, or empaths.  The spirituality theme we’ve been exploring has been so much fun for me because this is not my typical area of expertise. I hope you have been enjoying this series as well and equally enjoy this episode! We cover: The importance of learning to feel our feelings (5:49) How to know the healing work you are doing is effective (13:31) Bodywork: what it is and why it matters (26:09) Shontae answers the question “What do you think about thought work?” (32:10) http://andreaowen.com/465   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ana Verzone was on the show years ago and she is now back this week to talk about psychedelics and spirituality. We explore the differences between recreational use versus spiritual purposes, the science behind their use, and the benefits of gaining spiritual insight. Ana Verzone is a Master Life Coach, Altered States Guide, and host of the Rebel Buddhist™ podcast. She is devoted to helping yogis and wanna-be Buddhas create an {unconventional} life of true freedom – inside and out. We cover:  Why people seek psychedelics for spiritual or mental health (11:33) The difference between recreational use and intentional use (12:17) What qualifies someone to guide someone on psychedelic experiences (15:23) Integration is important following a psychedelic spiritual experience (19:57) Who psychedelics is appropriate for and some reasons that support their use (33:04) Ana answers, “Do you have to do the “hard work” to really get the benefit or spiritual insight?” (32:41) http://andreaowen.com/464   Learn more ab

I think like several events that happen throughout our lifetimes, the morning of June 24th, 2022 will be a day you remember where you were when you heard the news that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. I was getting into a Lyft in Boulder, CO, headed to the airport when the breaking news notification popped up on my phone. I stared at it for several seconds as the Lyft driver tried to make small talk with me, my stomach roiling with the two cups of coffee I had just consumed.  I recorded a minisode where I talk about how to walk through something like this when you might be feeling fear, rage, hopelessness, and uncertainty; plus seeing people online who seem like they're handling it so much better.  Plus, I talk a little about WHY the topic of safe and legal abortion is so integral to women’s empowerment.  http://andreaowen.com/463   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Anna Stromquist and Kristina Wiltsee from This Spiritual Fix join me on the show. What caught my attention about their work, on TikTok, of course, is that they talk about primal wounds: abandonment, rejection, injustice and betrayal, and humiliation. I mean, who doesn’t struggle with those, right? I love their work and I am happy to share our conversation with you today. In case you are new to Anna and Kristina, they are the hosts of the podcast This Spiritual Fix which within just four months of launching hit #2 on the Apple Podcasts Spiritual charts in the USA, and has hit #1 in a handful of countries and top #100 in over fifty countries. Some of the topics we discussed include: What spirituality mean to Anna and Kristina (7:26) We dive deep into the primal wounds: what they are and how to start and heal them: Abandonment, rejection, injustice, betrayal, and humiliation (11:13) http://andreaowen.com/462   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are kicking off the spirituality and creativity theme of the podcast, whoop! Our first guest is Christina Dunbar, a storyteller, poet, producer, and a doula for women's voices. For the past decade, she's worked as a transformational catalyst, helping women heal voice and visibility wounds through storytelling, writing, and soul work. In this episode, we have a conversation about sacred archetypes and how they manifest in the lives of women, the fear and vulnerability we feel when using our voice or displaying our creative endeavors, and owning the power of being a woman. Christina is one of my favorite people, especially to see her speak on stage. I really hope you enjoy our conversation. Some of the topics we discuss include: The sacred prostitute archetype and how that archetype work in the life of a woman (7:58) Some of the sub archetypes of the good girl and how they come up in terms of visibility and vulnerability with our voice + art (19:23) Fear around visibility vs. being witnessed (31:05) Sham

Since we’re rounding out the theme of relationships, I’m hopping on a minisode talking about  friendships! In this episode, I go over three common friendship scenarios/challenges as well as give you possible solutions.  In this episode you’ll hear:  A simple (but sometimes vulnerable!) thing to do to make sure your friendships stay healthy.  What to do if you have a friend who doesn’t seem to open up as much as you do What to do if you have a friend that you’ve lost touch with  If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the two episodes I recently aired with friendship experts Danielle Bayard Jackson and Shasta Nelson. As I mentioned before, our friendships with women are incredibly important, sometimes we have challenges in those relationships (which is normal!), and I always want to make sure you have some solutions.  http://andreaowen.com/460   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re wrapping up the relationship theme this week with guest Carole Cullen. I specifically wanted to include a guest in this series who was trained from The Gottman Institute and Carole fit the bill and y’all— she is amazing! In this episode, we talk about the seven principles for making relationships work. I took lots of notes while I was interviewing her and I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of this too   Carole Cullen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AAMFT Clinical Supervisor and public speaker. She is a Certified Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapist specializing in working with couples in crisis. She has a group practice in Wake Forest, NC where she helps couples learn practical tools to reconnect with their partner and create a lasting love.  We talked about: Carole shares, in detail, the seven principles that make relationships work (4:24) Emotionally focused therapy for couples in crisis (32:42) Creating a secure attachment with your partner (and realizing your partner is not re

Dr. Elizabeth Cohen is on the podcast this week! She’s a therapist who helps women maneuver through life’s toughest transitions. Most of us have been through something life-changing, either a breakup or a loss of a job. These changes can kick up complex emotions, and Dr. Cohen joins me to discuss the array of feelings that surface, and how to process them, and eventually heal.  Dr. Cohen received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Boston University. As part of her graduate training, she treated clients at the world-renowned Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders in Boston, MA. We talk about: Some ways a woman can process her anger following something life-changing like divorce, loss of job, etc (6:58) What it means to live by design versus living by default (21:25) Dr. Cohen answers, “What is the long-term impact of divorce?” (30:45) How to believe in your ability to heal (39:52) Letting go of resentment in a broken relationship (40:30) http://andreaowen.com/458   Learn more about your ad choices.

John and Julie Gottman are relationship experts that I often refer to. The Gottman's are famous for a term called The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and it's something that has helped me personally in my relationships a great deal.  In this minisode I break down The Four Horsemen, give examples, as well as point to a resource that will help you and possibly your partner learn the antidotes for these common relationship behaviors. It’s simple, yet profound. http://andreaowen.com/457   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we round up the relationships theme here on the show, I wanted to re-air one of my most downloaded episodes of all time. It’s an interview with my friend and colleague, Britt Frank, on healing from traumatic romantic relationships.  Britt Frank, MSW, LSCSW, SEP is a trauma therapist, teacher, and speaker who specializes in the "Science of Stuck." Her work empowers people to understand the inner mechanisms of their brains and bodies. When we know how things work, the capacity for CHOICE is restored and life can and does change.  In this episode you’ll hear:  What is a narcissist and how does someone know they may be in a relationship with someone who is a narcissist? (7:16) Britt’s goal is “dismantling the mental health myths that keep us feeling STUCK and SICK”. She shares what she means by that. (14:17) Dealing with trauma: Some signs or patterns which signal someone should deal with their trauma. (14:45) Why someone may get physically addicted to their narcissist and experience withdrawals. (23:10)

We’re talking about friendships on the show this week! We often focus on partners or familial relationships, so I knew I had to dedicate more than one episode in this series on friendships. Danielle Bayard Jackson joins me to talk about how women can create and maintain meaningful female friendships.  Danielle is a certified friendship coach and national speaker dedicated to teaching women how to create and maintain meaningful female friendships. She has been featured on NBC News for her expertise, and her advice has been quoted in several other media outlets including Psychology Today, Well + Good, The Tampa Bay Times, and Insider. “Making friends refers to cultivating something meaningful with another person.” Danielle Bayard Jackson We talk about: Some ways a woman can create (and maintain) friendships (7:18) How to approach a friendship that feels one-sided when it comes to being vulnerable or trust (14:17) Advice for women who have been hurt before in past female friendships (24:11) How long does it

In March of 2009 I wrote a blog post that over the years has popped up in people’s Google searches a lot. Apparently, many people are searching for ways to get over their ex and how to heal their broken hearts.  While I’ve changed a lot since the spring of 2009, (I hadn’t had my second baby yet, hadn’t officially launched my business, and sobriety was still two years away!) I do think what I wrote was helpful, but I would give that advice differently than I did back then.  This mini-sode is a short and sweet one. Basically, I talk about two things that are imperative to know as you’re navigating a broken heart, whether your experience was last week or a decade ago (or more).  Also, early-bird pricing goes up on June 10th for the Daring Way™ Retreat! Click here to learn more about it and to sign up.  http://andreaowen.com/454 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are deep in our theme of relationships and I didn’t want to forget about those of you who are single or dating. Lily Womble joins me to talk about relationship with self, your love life, and practicing self-compassion whether you are a single or partnered individual. She also shares how to tap into your own freedom and agency.  Lily Womble is the founder of Date Brazen where she’s helped hundreds of women around the world build badass dating lives that lead to extraordinary relationships through unconventional coaching and transformative community. We talk about: How women play small in their dating and love lives (7:47) What high-achieving women struggle with the most in their love lives (16:19) Why Lily believes dating can be an act of self-care (27:28) Advice for people who regularly deal with dating anxiety (33:22) How self-compassion impacts your love life (33:37) http://andreaowen.com/453   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we talk about relationships, we sometimes tend to leave out friendships. But friends are such an important aspect of our lives. Shasta Nelson is back on the show to talk about how to deepen friendships, get to the heart of why friendships are important, and some ways to build meaningful connections.    Shasta Nelson is a keynote speaker, author, and leading expert on friendship and healthy relationships at work. She is constantly teaching all of us how to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships in our lives.   We talk about:   Why friendship is important in women’s lives (5:00) There are three requirements for a healthy relationship: positive emotions, consistency, and vulnerability (13:07) How to be vulnerable within your friendships (14:16) 49% of you feel even more distant from friends and family now than a year ago, due to the pandemic. Shasta shares how you can begin to foster and build connection with others (25:19) How to repair a friendship that has drifted apart (37:29) http://a

Love them or not, the Kardashians and their show are an impactful part of pop culture. You probably know they aren’t the most healthy family in terms of their communication. You don’t necessarily think of them when you think of families that talk about their feelings in a way you’d probably want to emulate.  That’s why in today’s minisode, I’m pulling two examples from the same episode on how NOT to communicate.  This episode is for all the people out there who struggle with how to talk to their family, co-workers, friends, and many others. In it, you’ll hear:  First up, a comment from yours truly on the leaked document from SCOTUS about Roe v. Wade.  Both Kourtney and Rob hurt Kris’s (their mom) feelings, and what they do in response to hearing about it from her.  WHY we typically fall short when someone tells us we’ve hurt their feelings.  Examples on how to “clean up your mess” (aka apologize). Lastly, if you’re interested in signing up for The Daring Way™ Retreat that's coming up in September but hav

Kate Anthony returns to the show this week! She joins me in a conversation on how women can best maneuver relationships in today’s world. We also discuss making the difficult decision to stay in or leave your marriage. Kate’s passion is to empower women to find their strength and confidence even in the most disempowering of circumstances, and our conversation is a perfect example of her mission in action. Kate Anthony is the host of the critically acclaimed and New York Times recommended podcast The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast and the creator of the groundbreaking online coaching program, Should I Stay or Should I Go?  We talk about: How the patriarchy has affected women’s ability to find happiness and fulfillment in their long term relationships (9:39) Narcissistic abuse vs. narcissism and relationships (15:30) Why you shouldn’t stay in a relationship for your kids’ sake (21:09) You can’t do the healing work or heal from trauma while you are still experiencing it (32:02) Kate answers, “Should you be

Today I have a special bonus episode to share! Ashley Stahl has been a guest on the podcast and she was here we talked about how to get unstuck and uncover your career direction. As host of You Turn Podcast (spelled Y O U ), Ashley helps you elevate your confidence, both in work and love. She speaks often on how to get clarity and fulfillment on what path will truly light you up in your career. I am delighted to share my You Turn Podcast interview where we talked about money, power, and how to maximize your confidence.  You’ll hear: How to have a healthy relationship with money How your childhood experiences shape your perspective with money and risk-taking  Some tools to connect with your intuition http://andreaowen.com/449   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In week two of our relationship theme, Dr. Akua Boateng joins me for a conversation about healing from breakups, overcoming co-dependency, and creating intimacy with a partner, beyond the bedroom. She also gives a 3-minute masterclass on navigating difficult conversations with a partner. When I say our conversation was enlightening, that’s an understatement.  Dr. Akua K. Boateng is a sought-after mental health and relationship expert. With over 14 years of experience in clinical practice and education, she specializes in an integrative approach to treating anxiety, trauma, relationship issues and other emotional concerns. We talk about: Dr. Boateng offers her advice for having open and hard conversations with a partner (4:19) On and off again relationships: why do people stay in them? (12:29) The best way to navigate healing from a breakup (23:51) Overcoming and healing from codependency (27:40) The different ways to create intimacy in relationships (31:35) Reparenting: what it looks like and how to get

We are moving into our relationship theme on the podcast, yahoo! In this series, we’ll be talking about romantic relationships, friendships - all kinds of relationships. To kick things off, Laura Danger joins me for a conversation about the division of labor and invisible labor in relationships. I first learned of Laura on TikTok, of course. She is an educator and an advocate and unapologetically champions for equitable division of labor at home and in the workplace. She raises awareness of the insidious undervaluing of care and empowers domestic engineers to fight back.   Whether you are in a relationship or are single, don’t turn off this episode. Laura’s advice is helpful to everyone!  We talk about: The Fair Play method: what is it and how can it help couples or even people at work (5:09) If you are uneasy about opening a discussion about fairness in domestic relationships or workplace responsibilities - Laura offers advice on a good place to start (17:25) Everyone deserves rest, space, and time for t

Today is a bit of a random minisode– I ended up sick on my birthday (not Covid, but it still sucked), and on a positive note, we got a new puppy! More on that introduction later (and after I start to get more sleep