her Self: IFS & Spiritual Entrepreneurship

When a woman owns her most harrowing life experiences deep in her bones, she becomes a gift to her community-- and the world. And, yet, that process of deeply feeling, accepting, and learning from our hardships is both grizzly and grueling. It’s one that few women have the courage to endure, much less emerge from stronger and more free. Merryl Rothaus is a testament to what’s possible for all of us when we say a full-bodied “Yes” to whatever darkness live hurls at us. In this truth-telling conversation, Merryl and I discuss: -Hard truths that many women face around becoming single mothers when they’re not in a relationship and are nearing the end of their childbearing years -How she dealt with infertility struggles -How she lived through two second trimester miscarriages-- one which ended in a 16-hour at-home labor -What happened when she became outraged at the Divine -How she has made peace with being a “Mother without Children,” and the fire in her belly to raise awareness around this unrecognized population of women -Ways to stay connected with your loved ones after they pass through honoring the wild wisdom of grief in your daily life Merryl’s the real deal. And she’s brave enough to speak out about experiences that would otherwise remain occluded in shame and cultural shadow. Visit Merryl’s website here: www.merrylrothaus.com Heartbreak comes into our lives like an unwelcome stranger, robbing us of who we are. Our dignity, our dreams, our self-confidence can all be gone in a flash. Yet heartbreak offers a secret message, too--a passageway to a deeper, wiser us. Heartbreak can unlock the secret to our unique spiritual unfolding, but we have to be willing to follow its mysterious, painful path. One week from tomorrow, “Healing from Heartbreak: Transform through the Wild Wisdom of Grief” begins. It’s a 4-week online immersion that shows you how to use heartbreak to become a true heroine. Early registration ends today! When you join us now, you’ll receive a special gift of a live 1- hour new moon ritual with me (at the end of our course), full of magic, sorcery, and manifestation practices to call in your new life after a loss. Join “Healing from Heartbreak” now to receive your early registration gift: http://bit.ly/HBDiaries3Mentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

“I don’t know anyone who hasn’t gone through multiple heartbreaks,” Sabrina says. She’s lived an unconventional life-- especially as a Chinese-American, seen through the eyes of her more conservative parents. While all of her siblings got married and had children, when yet another one of Sabrina’s relationships would end, her mother would shake her head and tell her, “Sabrina, you’re so unlucky in love.” A devout student and pioneering teacher in feminine spiritual practice, Sabrina is well-known for leading women’s circles in San Francisco and assisting David Deida at his intensives around the country. Now in her late fifties, she has dedicated her life to expressing a truer, freer form of love than convention acknowledges. In our conversation we explore: - The big shifts Sabrina noticed upon turning fifty, and now approaching sixty, and how she honors these big milestones - How menopause forced Sabrina to discover a new sense of sexiness and womanhood - Ways that Sabrina made peace with never having children of her own - How she coped with losing her parents - Why she’s grateful that she waited until she was in her 50s to get married - Why the heart is always to be shared, whether it’s broken or not Here’s where to learn more about Sabrina Chaw: http://afemininefeast.com May Sabrina’s vulnerability and courage mirror back to you some deeper truths about you and the unique path of love that you’re living. And if this story has inspired you, or would be helpful for a woman you know, please pass it onto her by forwarding this email to her or using the share buttons below. What are The Heartbreak Diaries? It’s a podcast series comprised of 4 intimate interviews with women who have suffered intense heartbreak — and come out the other side stronger than ever. And beyond being a safe space to speak up and share about our losses, this series also honors the opening of a new course I’ve been creating for the past year…. Healing from Heartbreak: Transform through the Wild Wisdom of Grief. Because, let’s be honest: heartbreak sucks. It convinces us we’re unworthy, unattractive, and terminally unlovable. But what if that crack in your heart were really a crack in the door, and that inside you’d find more: more wisdom, more attunement, more vitality, more you? Heartbreak feels like the end because it’s also a beginning. This 4-Week Immersion includes mentoring, sisterhood, ritual, and wisdom. We start June 7 (with a special gift for anyone who joins us before May 30). Click here to learn more about Healing from Heartbreak: http://bit.ly/H_f_HMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

Heartbreak is a harsh — but incredibly potent — teacher. It carries us straight into our deepest wounds and invites us to heal them, once and for all. It pulls the rug out from under us — and asks us to find our footing amidst the freefall. Heartbreak shatters us — and demands we piece ourselves back together, more whole and holy than before. One of the most painful pieces of heartbreak is the isolation it brings. I’m on a mission to help shift this by creating a safe space where women share not only the highs of our lives, but, more importantly, the lows. To help us find a sense of community in our struggles, and to give voice to the losses that we often grieve in silence, I’ve created a special interview series on our podcast called “The Heartbreak Diaries.” Here, I’ll feature 4 intimate interviews with women who’ve weathered intense heartbreak — and come out the other side even stronger. Today, please enjoy the first interview of this series, with Leadership Trainer and Coach, Krista Barbour. On an early September morning in 2015, Krista awoke to a flurry of text messages and voicemails on her phone. I’m thinking of you…. Are you okay?!.... I’m here if you need me. Moments later, she learned that her beloved, Mark, passed unexpectedly the night before. From there, Krista spiralled into the most unimaginable and challenging period of her life. Little did she know that living through that time would also gift her with the most profound, transformative and life-giving growth she’s ever known. This is the first time Krista has spoken publicly about Mark’s passing; and we’re honored that she chose to share her journey, and all the wisdom she’s claimed from it, with us today. If you’re needing more support while navigating your own grieving process, please explore: Healing from Heartbreak: Transform through the Wild Wisdom of Grief. In this 4-week, online immersion, you’ll receive support from a like-hearted community of women, weekly classes and mentoring calls with me, and the exact tools and practices you need to work skillfully with each stage of your grieving and healing process. So you don’t just break down … you break through. Here’s where to learn more: http://bit.ly/H_f_HMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

Last week we also passed through the milestone of Imbolc. Here in the northern hemisphere, this marks the halfway point between winter and spring. We’re in the time of the year when the seeds deep inside the earth, like all the cells in our bodies, start to turn towards the light. These seasonal touchstones offer us chances to pause and reflect. Winter--the season of hibernation, gestation, and visioning--urges us to prioritize stillness, inner listening, and patience with what feels gritty and uncomfortable. It’s hard, I know. Because, even if you’re not experiencing winter geographically, you’re nose-to-nose with transition and uncertainty, and I came across something that I think you’ll find helpful. Last week we welcomed women between 26 and 65, from 14 countries, into this year’s SHE School. One of the things that I shared with the group this past week was a SHE Talk on our theme for February, “Leaving Your Normal Life.” The first step along our 9-part Heroine’s Journey, the central lesson of this month is that a woman’s initiation into greater wisdom and power always begins with a crisis. As my team was preparing this audio for our SHE School sisters, they voiced to me that the message I offer in it is so valuable and relevant for the time we’re currently living in that I should share a slice of it with all of you. So please enjoy, as a gift from me to you, an impromptu podcast episode….. In the clip from the first month’s talk in this year’s SHE School, you will learn: how to come to terms with our fundamental aloneness and groundlessness; why we need safe harbors during times of transition; a Tibetan prayer that offers an inspiring perspective on your suffering; the disposition every mature woman must take to wake up from the nightmare of addictive accomplishment and perfectionism. May these teachings offer some salve and strength for your spirit as we step into the second half of this season, together. And….if you’d still like to partake in this year’s SHE School journey, it's actually not too late for you to join us! I can’t wait to support you through whatever transition you’re facing this year. Here’s where to step into The SHE School 2017 http://thesheschool.comMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

We all have seasons in our lives where we feel like all hope is lost and we’re desperately groping in the dark. We struggle with trusting the process of life and having faith that we can make the right decision. We feel like we’re constantly both fighting off our inner voices that tell us we can't do it whilst battling the fear to forge ahead to still claim what we want out of life. If, like me, you’ve ever grappled with any of these things, today’s episode is for you. Tune in to learn everyday ways to surrender and trust the process of your life; how to live with true joy & calmness in the face of the truism that life is full of uncertainty and can knock you out at anytime; the best way to make any decision from you deepest, wisest self; ways to better hear your SHE (or your feminine intuition) to know irrefutably who you are and what you want in this life. You have infinite wisdom within you. But none of it matters unless you take the time to listen to and live from it. If you’re inspired by this 4-part seasonal series, Chaotic Calm, you’ll adore the SHE School. The SHE School is a 9-month women’s spiritual practice community. Integrating women’s yoga, meditation, spirituality, lifestyle, and more, it’s a life-changing practice container to help you come home … to yourself. The SHE School is the very best way to integrate the practices and principles you’ll discover in Chaotic Calm… right into your own busy and sacred life. Here’s to a softer, saner, more spiritually connected you. Learn more about The SHE School here: www.TheSHESchool.comMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

Welcome to the first class in our 4-part series, Chaotic Calm: Living from Your Confident Center in Turbulent Times. In today’s class, I’ll share the exact practices, routines, mini-rituals, and tools I relied on in 2016 — the trial-by-fire year that brought me to my knees. Whatever kind of initiation you’re facing right now — whether it’s learning to stay sane with a new baby on board, trying to rekindle some sexiness in your long-term relationship, or simply trying to stay connected to yourself so you don’t spiral into exhaustion — you’ll find boundless wisdom here to support you, right away. Miniature practices create massive transformation. And the best time to start? Is fresh, in the morning … What if--even when you get up on the wrong side of the bed-- you could easily reverse that to the right side of the bed, every day? So you could move through your meetings and errands and carpools and random run-ins with your ex — feeling totally yourself. Vibrant. Centered. And maybe even a tad glowing. Because how you start your day determines how you live it. And it all starts with a beautiful, doable morning ritual. If you’re inspired by this 4-part class series, Chaotic Calm, you’ll adore the SHE School. The SHE School is a 9-month women’s spiritual practice community. Integrating women’s yoga, meditation, spirituality, lifestyle, and more, it’s a life-changing practice container to help you come home … to yourself. The SHE School is the very best way to integrate the practices and principles you’ll discover in Chaotic Calm… right into your own busy and sacred life. Here’s to a softer, saner, more spiritually connected you. Learn more about The SHE School here: www.TheSHESchool.comMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

Your body’s a temple -- but someone made a mess in it. And you try to meditate your way to inner peace -- but your monkey mind is flinging banana peels everywhere. You’re not doing anything wrong! These obstacles to inner peace are so common, the Buddha named them: the 5 Hindrances. Enjoy this inspiring SHE dharma talk to make coming home to yourself much, much sweeter. Want more? Join my 9-month spiritual practice community for women, now open for a very short time at: www.TheSHESchool.com.Mentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

You’re on the verge of a new chapter in your life -- but you feel resistant and awkward. You’re about to kickstart deeper self-care (and prioritize standing in your own truth), but you’re all elbows and self-doubting. The beginnings of things are hard. Especially when they really, really matter to us. This is the archetype of the Maiden in the Heroine’s Journey. When we understand and honor her (and bring not only our Beginner’s Mind… but also our Beginner’s HEART), we can melt resistance, bring ease into the fiery crucible of change, and say YES to our current “spiritual assignment.” Want more support for your Beginner’s Heart? Discover The SHE School 2017, now open for a very brief window here: www.TheSHESchool.comMentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

The beginnings of things -- even wonderful, self-caring things -- can be challenging. You sit down to meditate and your mind won’t shut up. You hop on your yoga mat and feel stiff and awkward the first 15 minutes. Hear what I told women the opening night of my last SHE Retreat about honoring transitions and beginnings. We talk mindfulness, the two kinds of self-care practices (yes, retail therapy counts!), how to work with resistance, and an ultra-simple practice to determine your “growing edge,” in the Sacred Feminine. Enjoy in a cozy bubble bath. Because living true to ourselves is challenging; and the journey needs all the gentleness and sweetness we can muster. Want more? Join my 9-month spiritual practice community for women, now open at: www.TheSHESchool.com.Mentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular

Over these past few weeks we’ve turned women’s yoga, meditation, and feminine spirituality inside out and upside down. Today it’s time to look at it from one final angle. Let’s explore the business of teaching yoga to women-- and the host of strings (ahem: challenges!) that come along with this gift. A fitting finale to our Poolside Sutras summertime podcast series! It’s not only for yoga teachers and aspiring yoga teachers; but it’s also for anyone who struggles with making a living from her passion. If you love these Sutras, please consider joining me for my upcoming SHE Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training. At this unconventional gathering, I’ll share the under-the-hood techniques and principles I’ve used in my own yoga & meditation for two decades — and taught to thousands of women, worldwide. Whether you’re aching to support other women or just deepen your own practice, you’ll find the feminine heart of yoga and meditation there. And, yes: we’ll have plenty of pool-time, too. www.SHEYogaTraining.com Mentioned in this episode:DYDB 2026 Regular