From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

This episode was difficult to record and scary to release, but it’s a truth that Rachel wanted to share. She is no longer vegan. Rachel shares the full story, from going vegan for the first time, to how her needs changed throughout different life transitions, and what finally made her reconsider the views that were so ingrained in her psyche. She discusses what this means for her health and wellbeing, as well as the mixed emotions she feels about sharing this news with the world. Ultimately, we never know what is right for another human being. We can only hope to live in a way that is sustainable to the earth - and to ourselves.It is both brave and difficult to open ourselves up to backlash. With that, we ask that you listen with kindness. Emotional reactions are okay, but please keep them to yourself. Tune in for the story.  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

Today’s episode begins with a grounding to help settle your nervous system. Rachel has been feeling both very content within the bubble of her life, and very worried about the state of the world at the same time. She shares the contrasts happening in her outside world and in her heart. How do we stay hopeful when the world feels hopeless? Using her love for the (increasingly disappearing) forest as an example, Rachel shares the grieving process she has gone through in trying to align her life with her core values. Is it possible to walk through the forest in peace every day, while knowing most of it is being cut down just a mile away? Can we appreciate what we have, while also grieving what is lost?If you have a cause that you love, now is the time to get out of your bubble and fight for it. There is no time like the present. Today’s episode will inspire you to begin. 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

Welcome to Ask Rachel, a segment answering all your questions from the heart. In today’s episode, Rachel dives deep into how to nourish creativity when you feel uninspired, whether or not you should help your partner on their spiritual journey, and how to grieve past versions of yourself as you continue to change and evolve. You’ll hear some personal stories, some hard truths, and some words that will uplift your soul. Tune in to ask yourself big questions, make real changes, and shed old identities.Do you have a question for Rachel? Call her and leave a message at +1 (720) 443 1771. You may hear your voice on the next segment of Ask Rachel! 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 comes with ups and downs, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to manage. How do we feel joy when there is also pain? And how do we navigate the shame that comes with it? If you’ve been working through this lately, today’s episode is for you.Rachel discusses the duality of life that so many of us are experiencing right now. Through a personal example, she shares the fairly challenging phase she is going through with her daughter. And how even though it’s hard, this is still one of the most beautiful times of their lives. At the end of the show, Rachel shares some exciting news (hint: it may involve new life classes on yogagirl.com!).It takes courage to take a step back and process before you react, but this is the practice. Nothing will ever be perfect, so we can only learn to take the challenges as they come and never hold back from our joy.  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

If you have a furry companion, you know one very important truth: there is no such thing as just a dog. Today’s episode will connect you to the infinite love and gratitude you feel for your pets.Rachel is speaking to you today from a very raw, vulnerable space. Her family has just said goodbye to her brother’s dog, Hammer. She shares the story of how her family tragically lost their first dog, her relationship with Pepper and how she handled his death, and how the passing of Hammer has been both hard and harrowing, but also beautiful and healing.Losing a dog is like losing a very pure, innocent part of ourselves. But knowing that Hammer’s time was limited gave the family something very precious: vulnerability, honesty, love and presence. Tune into today’s episode to honor your fur babies, to hold them in gratitude, and to hug them tight.  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

We spin ourselves in circles and drive ourselves wild searching for peace. We look for success and validation from others but disappoint ourselves along the way. If you’ve been working yourself too hard or searching for your purpose, today’s episode will help you reframe your journey.After returning from a hiking trip above the arctic circle, Rachel is feeling more like herself than ever before. She discusses her journey over the years, from her self-harming teenage years, to finding yoga, and becoming a mother. But through it all, she lost sight of her reason why - her authentic motivation. It was nature that pulled her back. She shares exactly what about this hiking trip was so special and how she is slowly reconnecting to her true purpose.What places, people and circumstances make you feel like yourself? And how often do you turn away from them for something far more trivial? At the end of it all, you are the one you are looking for. You might as well start now. Tune into today’s episode to begin. 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

Parenting is hard, but knowing that other parents experience the same difficulties can help you feel seen, understood, and a little bit less guilty about it. If you’ve been struggling with your little ones lately, today’s episode will bring you a newfound sense of hope.Rachel shares the story of a recent temper tantrum that her daughter, Lea had. In the moment, there was no fixing it. But afterward, when she had some time to think it over, she began to put the pieces together and determine what happened. It concluded with a beautiful moment the two shared together and an epiphany for Rachel as a mother.At the end of the show, Rachel takes some questions from you for a bonus segment of Ask Rachel. You’ll hear how to use oracle cards, how to balance your yoga and teaching practice, and how to manage imposter syndrome. Tune in for an all-encompassing episode that will leave you feeling a little bit lighter. 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

What brings you joy? Is it a priority in your life or does it fall to the wayside for everything else? Today’s episode will remind you why you must chase your joy at all costs.It’s harvest season over at Rachel’s house. Simple things these days, such as teaching her sister how to garden, making elderberry syrup, and learning how to preserve foods has brought her more joy than she can remember in a long time. After some challenges with Lea’s schooling, Rachel discusses using her joy as an anchor to remember where her true values lie: in feeling free, being self-sustainable, and finding confidence in her ability to care for the ones she loves the most.The closer you bring yourself to your joy, the more you will recognize what really matters in your life. Tune in to remember what it’s all about for you. 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 been a while but your favorite guest is joining the show today: Rachel’s husband, Dennis! Hear the latest from the best couple in this hilarious conversation. From the light-hearted to the more serious, this episode has it all. Will Dennis ever get a sailboat? Will Rachel ever get a cow? Has Dennis found his purpose in Sweden? How is his transition going? More importantly, how did his latest Iron Man race go? Whether you’re interested in learning about Dennis’ passion for photography, what it’s like to live in nature, or whether Baby #2 will ever happen, this episode has the answers to your questions.Tune in for an episode that will remind you that relationships are about compromise, but a little goes a long way when there’s a whole lot of love and laughter. 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 heartbreaking but it’s inevitable - at some point in our lives we will all move through grief, loss and death. If this is close to your heart right now, today’s episode holds a beautiful epiphany for you.After a morning paddle boarding on the lake, Rachel was left feeling so alive. Death has felt very present in her life lately - but sometimes, it’s that closeness with death that allows you to be deeply present in every moment. She shares the story of her dog, Laika, and the scary experience that brought her to the emergency vet this week. As Laika nears the end of her life, Rachel discusses how to navigate grief, how to gently broach the topic with your children, and how to not waste your one precious life. There is aliveness all around you, from the plants in your garden to the buzzing bees and the people and pets you love the most. Tune in to remember what it is that you truly live for. 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