Vibrant Happy Women

Most of us have participated in "diet culture" at one time or another, which can leave us feeling like a failure. My guest Karuna May and I discuss a more soulful approach to health that allows us to treat ourselves with compassion and to see the wholeness and sacredness of who we really are.  In this episode you'll learn: * How to let go of the "quick fix" and begin to practice a lifelong devotion to your body  * The importance of looking at our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences before we focus on our actions * Why viewing our bodies as the home of our spirits can have a dramatic impact on our ability to eat healthfully in a consistent way * How creating a good relationship with our bodies can change every aspect of our lives.  * And much more!

Dreams happen for all of us, whether we remember them or not. What would happen if you could use your dreams to help you to know yourself better? You can! Join me and guest Tzivia Gover for a fun conversation about dreams that will leave you feeling curious about the true meaning behind your dreams! Tzivia Gover, Certified Dreamwork Professional, is the author of seven books, most recently Dreaming on the Page: Tap into Your Midnight Mind to Supercharge Your Writing. She also offers 1:1 dreamwork, and workshops on dreams, writing, and everyday joy to empower people to wake up to their best selves. She lives and dreams in western Massachusetts.  What You’ll Learn: How Tzivia "cured" Jen's "tornado dream" and Tzivia's thoughts about Jen's two new recurring dreams! What happens when we start to open ourselves up and befriend our dreams A surprising fact about sleep patterns during the pandemic Why many people are avoiding getting all the sleep they need (it's not what you think!) How confusion about our dreams can create an internal disharmony The easy, doable skill that will help you remember more of your dreams And much more! Find all the links mentioned in the episode here.

Grief and sadness can occur in any number of circumstances and often leave us feeling helpless, unproductive, and out of control of our lives. This week Heather Ambler explains how Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT Tapping, can help us understand the root of our grief so we can truly heal from our emotional pain.  What You’ll Learn: What it means to look in your "suitcase of grief." The hidden wounds that might be impacting our grief at a loss How EFT tapping can help to heal the wounds of grief. Examples of root beliefs that might make grief heavier than it might need to be.  And much more!

Life comes with its share of curve balls, which can leave us feeling overwhelmed with emotion. In this episode, my best friend, Kitt Rothstein, and I talk about her 18-month journey of grief that culminated with the death of her amazing husband, Blake, on July 3, 2023. What You’ll Learn: What to do when your life suddenly doesn't match what you had planned. How Kitt was miraculously prepared in advance for her journey of grief. Why a grief journey can be both terrible and beautiful. How grief can be like a CD-ROM. The reason we often need someone to witness our grief rather than fix our grief. And much more!

Do you struggle with energy and clarity? Or with headaches or other aches? This is the episode for you. Dr. Meg Mill talks about using a functional approach to healing your body so you can feel more confident and in charge of your health. What You’ll Learn: The difference between functional and conventional medicine and why it matters for your health. The functional way to deal with headaches, brain fog, low energy, and weight. How the E.A.T. Method can help you take charge of your health. The secret to being able to say, "I didn't know I could feel this amazing!" Why it's essential that we measure all the complicated pieces that contribute to health and weight. And much more!

Body shame is pervasive in our culture, and this episode is geared toward releasing that shame. Join Jen and guest Arielle Estoria as they discuss: How to take up space with your body What it means to be powerful, even if you're a bigger-bodied woman  What it means to follow the 5-step path of awakening, eclipsing, illuminating, mending, and returning as we try to fully inhabit our bodies and release shame  And much more!

Nicole Smith Levay, a former dancer turned energy coach, discusses the vital role of somatic practices in nervous system regulation. She highlights why addressing a child's nervous system is crucial before tackling behavior. Nicole shares insights on authentic self-expression and the benefits of showing up 'messy.' Listeners learn why traditional breathing techniques may fall short and discover grounding methods for emotional resilience. Plus, hear about the unique lessons we can learn from autistic individuals regarding emotional regulation.

What does it really mean to be authentic? And how do we release control and allow our kids to be their authentic selves? Guest Rachel Macy Stafford answers these questions and shares her story of ditching perfectionism and shame so she could truly shine. In this episode you'll discover: How to plant yourself in the right ground for you Ways to find out what you really like What happened with Rachel's daughter Avery What happened with Jen's daughter (and how she's handling her husband's disapproval) and much more!

Positive thinking has its merits, but sometimes when life feels heavy and overwhelming, it is even more powerful to know how to regulate your nervous system. In this episode Jen describes: Where she has been since November What the three main nervous system states are (and which one has been Jen's baseline state) How to release stress, overwhelm, and anxiety through somatic practices  Why we can't get out of a freeze/shutdown/depression response through stress regulation strategies (and what we need to do instead) and much more!

Ever felt like your kids are always out of sorts, having a meltdown, or just not listening?  This week we're talking about how to raise emotionally intelligent children, and especially how to teach them about nervous system regulation. My guest, Alyssa Blask Campbell, shares why it's essential that we as parents become aware of how our nervous systems work so we can help our kids manage stress and anxiety, depression and low energy, and everything in between.  This skill set has a powerful impact on how the energy in our homes feels, how kids handle stressors at school or in social situations, and how kids will likely perform as adults. Learn how to improve your emotional intelligence so you're better equipped to help your kids do the same so you can experience greater connection and peace in your relationships with your kids.  If you're ready to slow down, find balance, and love more, join me in the Vibrant Happy Women Club. It’s only $47 per month and if you purchase the annual membership you get two months free!   What You’ll Learn: Why we can't teach social skills without understanding emotional safety.  The biggest gaps parents have in trying to raise well-adjusted kids.  The definition of nervous system regulation and why it's an essential skill set for parents. How avoiding overwhelm, exhaustion, burnout, and meltdowns as parents pay huge dividends in the parent-child relationship.  The various buckets every child (and adult) needs to fill to keep our nervous systems in emotional safety.  How parents can balance their need for downtime (or stimulation) with their kids' needs for stimulation (or downtime).  Why parents would benefit from carpooling. How hormones and neurotransmitters are involved in nervous system regulation and dysregulation. The difference between dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin activities. And much more!