Today’s guest is Michaela Boehm who was on the podcast almost three years ago and A LOT has happened since the last time we spoke. She just published a book - The Wild Woman's Way and she lost her entire home and property in a huge fire last year.
My favorite thing about this conversation was the major emphasis on the application that's possible when someone is devoted to deep practice and cultivating the skills to be an integrated, resilient person, even if they're sensitive.
We talked about that and how she was able to move through the grief, shock, and trauma of losing her home and property. We also talked about the difference between cultivation and devotion which I really appreciated because this is something that people often overlook in the self-help, spirituality and personal development worlds.
People want tools and practices but not everyone is willing to show up with the discipline required. To many the word "discipline" brings up a lot of resistance and in this chat we explored why it doesn't have to.
Enjoy and share!
About Michaela Boehm:
Michaela Boehm teaches and counsels internationally as an expert in intimacy and sexuality. Born and raised in Austria, Michaela combines degrees in psychology and extensive clinical counseling experience with her in-depth training in the yogic arts as a classical Kashmiri Tantric lineage holder. Michaela's approach empowers her students through an eclectic mix of education, experiential exercises and guided explorations. Known for her work with high-performing individuals, her ongoing private clients include Oscar-winning actors, producers, business pioneers, and multiple Grammy-winning musicians. Michaela lives on an organic farm in California where she rescues and rehabilitates animals. For more information, please visit her website at MichaelaBoehm.com.
Today's guest is someone I've been wanting to have on the show for a while, Desiree Adaway. Desiree is a seasoned nonprofit consultant and facilitator who is known by staff, senior leadership, peers, and partners as being great at open, honest, and productive conversations, which is exactly what we had in this episode.
Her big truth was that, "Black and brown bodies are expendable." From there we got into a few really important distinctions: unity vs solidarity, discussion vs debate, diversity vs equity, inclusion and social justice.
We also talked about allyship, accountability within community, whiteness, racism, finding ways to communicate that work for everyone, and the importance of listening.
This is a good episode to listen to more than once and share with your friends, family and colleagues as a tool for unpacking and raising your awareness. Enjoy!
About Desiree Adaway:
Desiree is a seasoned nonprofit consultant and facilitator. All of her presentations have a mix of thought provoking content presented with humor and wit. When she teaches she makes a point to connect with every person, and create a safe space for their growth. She is known by staff, senior leadership, peers, and partners as being great at open, honest, and productive conversations. She is not afraid of addressing anything that gets in the way of great work. Her style is positive, approachable, engaging, service-oriented and audience-centered.
Today's guest, Esther Goldenberg is passionate about Jewish life, Israel, and living your religion in the way that's meaningful to you. Her mission is to make Judaism accessible and interesting, regardless of how you choose to use that information in your life. While I'm neither Jewish nor into practicing religion personally, I still very much appreciate gleaning the universal wisdom available from stories, traditions, customs and rituals (in a non-appropriating way, of course!)--and Esther provided a ton of that throughout this conversation.
Her big truth was two fold and a bit paradoxical, "This ain't about you and this is all about me..."
From there we also discussed weaponizing the Bible versus finding the gems that can help people live everyday life regardless of any specific faith.
Enjoy and share!
This interview with Rebekah Borucki is on the raw and messy side by design. Bex is one of my learning and processing buddies around topics related to dismantling systems of oppression in every areas of our lives.
Her big truth was that we have so far to go in our evolution to even be decent. From there we talked about all the things we’re learning, implementing and integrating as we strive to be more decent human beings.
This is not a teaching episode as we're both deeply in student mode on these topics (and will be for life).
We talked about whiteness, privilege, cultural appropriation, fetishization, racism, ableism, self care, how hard it is to interact with people we’ve been close with who aren’t doing their work to learn, unpack, speak up and be allies. We also got into how complex things are and how we’re navigating and handling that, while learning, staying open and flexible throughout all of it.
I love this woman. This is definitely one to share with loved ones and use as a conversation tool to take a look at these topics in your own spaces.
About Rebekah Borucki:
Rebekah “Bex” Borucki, founder of BEXLIFE® and the BLISSED IN® wellness movement, is a mother-of-five, TV host, yoga and meditation guide, author, speaker, birth doula, and life transformation and resilience coach. She also travels extensively, sharing her love for yoga, wellness, and meditation at exclusive workshops, luxury retreats, and public events. Her first book, You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life: Simple 4-Minute Meditations for Inspiration, Transformation and True Bliss, was released by Hay House in February 2017. For more information, visit www.BexLife.com/book.