From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

How is it possible to manage our anxiety when everything feels like it’s on fire? In today’s episode, Rachel talks about two separate worlds: Gaza, and where she is in Sweden, making red currant jam. How can these two worlds exist simultaneously? She shares more about a family she has been helping in Gaza, and how sometimes experiencing that anxiety and letting ourselves marinate in the suffering of the world can actually propel us into taking more action. On the other hand though, Rachel goes deeper on how we have to keep our feet planted on the ground at the same time. We have to continue to immerse ourselves in the little things that make life feel good and remind ourselves that beautiful things do still exist. We have to make the red currant jam. Tune in for an insightful episode that will remind you of your duty to this world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life is full of so many contrasts, and one scroll down your Instagram feed will show you that easily. This summer, you have probably seen your friends and families enjoying their lives, celebrities living lavishly and taking exciting trips… and then you have probably also seen a genocide happening - the worst suffering that children have experienced in recent times. How can we live our lives when faced with such contrasts?  In today’s episode, Rachel shares her feelings and thoughts about the current state of the world. She opens up about whether or not she feels hopeful or hopeless when it comes to the future, and how it is so important for us to never take our situation for granted. If you have  the privilege and luxury of a safe life, then you have the duty to not just make the most of your life, but to also stand up for those not as fortunate. There is still hope for the world if we can come together and work for something better. Tune in for an episode that will leave you with a little bit more hope in this hopeless world.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel is talking to you from Greece as she visits on a family vacation. Greece holds a special place in Rachel’s heart, as this was a country she visited with her mom when she was little, but also on her first solo trips without parents, and even on her honeymoon. Reminiscing on all the trips in the past leads Rachel to today - now on a trip with her little family. She talks about the magic of summer, of playing in the water with her children, of visiting ancient temples and legendary trees, and of really good food and really good wine.  But even surrounded by all this beauty, it can be hard to slow down if life back home is still busy. Do you have trouble slowing down in the summer? Are you savoring these moments as much as you could be? And how can you support yourself and your nervous system so you can take it all in and enjoy exactly where you are? Today’s episode is full of storytelling, pondering, and a beautiful reminder to appreciate this moment - it’s all you’ve got. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for Ask Rachel on the show! In today’s episode, Rachel takes four beautiful questions from listeners - and each one followed themes of how to move forward, how to anchor into what is happening now, and how to accept change. One listener asked about the farm store, how to get started on doing something similar, and what the timeline should be. Another listener asked how to get out of a slump when you feel stuck. Then the conversation shifted into deeper topics, such as how to transition from early, new love into long-term partnership and the scary decision to shed an old identity and move forward with something new. It’s a meaningful episode that will remind you that life happens in seasons and you’re always on the right track as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel is navigating the uncharted territory of making a big project happen while avoiding burnout. She has been tweaking her current routine and realizing, certain things make her feel better even when her to-do list is full of tasks. It’s those things that need to be prioritized. But as women, prioritizing ourselves can feel so challenging. Everything we do is for others - even self-care! We practice self-care to be better moms or kinder neighbors. What do we really do for ourselves? This episode will help you ask some really important questions, like what would happen if you allowed yourself to be a little bit more selfish? What would happen if you did things just because they brought you joy, not because they were useful or served the world? What if the point isn’t the doing, but it’s taking the time to pour presence and love into yourself? We may not have all the answers, but asking these questions can bring us one step closer to healing. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt burnt out? What caused that feeling? And what happens when it’s caused by something that you love? In today’s episode, Rachel takes a walk down memory lane, connecting the dots on all the different moments where she pushed herself to the point of depletion in order to create something. And the truth is - it has been happening throughout her entire life. She shares very honestly that she is struggling to find the balance between creation and depletion, and worrying about a very scary question: what if this is just how her personality works?  Life asks so much from all of us. We have to balance our dreams and goals with our families and all the logistical things that keep everything flowing. Maybe it’s all too much. And maybe time isn’t moving too fast - it’s just our stress taking us out of the present moment. Tune in for a story about burnout, not having all the answers, but preserving on when there is nothing left to do. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode of the podcast, Rachel has lost her voice! She shares some lessons she has learned through that, including the dynamic she has with her family, with herself, and what really changes when you can’t communicate well. But her voice was lost for a magical reason: she spent all day working at her farm store, meeting new people, and creating community.  Rachel opens up about the joy and magic of watching your dreams come together in front of your eyes, sharing that dream with others, and how, sometimes even losing your voice can be because you arrived somewhere beautiful. Tune in for an uplifting episode after an eye-opening week. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Things have finally relaxed for Rachel after launching her family’s farm store and cafe. In today’s episode, she steps into summer and shares her life over the past week, from work she’s done, to celebrating her son’s second birthday, and now preparing for a beautiful midsommar celebration. But with the balance of happiness there is also some sadness to be found. Rachel opens up about recent heartbreaks she has experienced on the farm and everything that comes along with having a homestead. As usual, this episode is a balance of joy and sadness, life and death, and where to find yourself in the middle of it all.  At the end of the episode, Rachel shares her favorite elder flower dessert recipe - it’s a must try! Happy Midsommar and don’t forget to put joy at the top of your to-do list - don’t leave it for if there is time to spare. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manifesting the life of your dreams takes hard work - there’s no denying that. And with that can come stress, anxiety, a feeling of overwhelm, and many struggles along the way. In today’s episode, Rachel shares everything that is unfolding in her life right now, from the happenings at her own homestead (where the bees may have swarmed at a neighbor’s house), to how things are going on the family farm as they open the farm store and cafe. With so much happening at the same time, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Is there a way to appreciate stressful moments if they are bringing you somewhere beautiful? How can we do everything and keep our feet planted on the ground at the same time? Today’s episode will remind you to be proud of yourself through the busy seasons - you are creating something magical. At the end of the day, staying anchored in your reason why will carry you through to the end.  P.S. Rachel’s farm store and cafe at Ala Gård are now officially open for business! Follow them on Instagram at @ala_farms for more, or visit them at Vassunda-Örby 41 in Knivsta, Sweden. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This show is usually full of big epiphanies, realizations, and moments of healing, with Rachel sharing the whole story and how she made her way to the final result. But today’s episode… is not one of those episodes. Rachel shares in real time everything she is struggling with right now. Over the past few weeks, she has been overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, and she can’t seem to find a balance or a middle ground with everything on her plate.  Is it possible to create the life of our dreams and not burn ourselves out along the way? Should we deprive ourselves of the things we want to create if we can’t find balance? Is there a way to heal from perfectionism? This episode is a vulnerable and honest moment of storytelling as Rachel sits with a lot of questions and not many answers. Tune in if you relate. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices