Join me as I share a brief piece that invites you into a moving meditation.

Join me for another little story. A story about a place where you can find rest. A place where you can explore all the stories you hold. A place where you can begin to write new stories.

What does it mean that we are the storytellers? What stories are we telling? What stories aren't we telling? Today I share a brief poem inviting us into these questions.

An introduction to Season 5: The Season of Storytelling   Why storytelling? Why does it matter to me? What will I be sharing? Listen in to find out.

The Garden of Belonging Podcast Episode 35: Blooming Bravely with Kelsey Mech Kelsey Mech is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a mentor to creative humans and business owners. Through her one-on-one work and online programs, Kelsey supports women to connect to their intuition, live in integrity with their most authentic selves, and emotionally heal from old wounds and toxic messaging. Kelsey offers an online membership community, Wellspring, as well as other online courses and programs. She is also deeply committed to speaking about the need to let go of our collective social conditioning and move toward deep self-acceptance through her writing and podcast The Unraveled Life. We talk about: Being honest and generous with yourselfLeaning into fearThe ways we abandon ourselves to keep other people comfortableBrené Brown, vulnerability, and courageHow broader systems impact our ability to express ourselvesAncestral trauma and unraveling the stories passed down to usCreating a supportive environment for us to Bloom BravelyKelsey's community - WellspringThe importance of self-compassion  Mentioned in this episode: Becca Piastrelli  - https://beccapiastrelli.com/  Mara Glatzel - https://www.maraglatzel.com/  Varvara Erochina - https://www.bewith.org/  Azalea Moen - https://www.azaleamoen.com/  Elizabeth Gilbert - https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/  Glennon Doyle - https://momastery.com/ Brené Brown - https://brenebrown.com/  Find Kelsey at: www.kelseymech.com  https://instagram.com/kelseymech

Garden of Belonging Episode 34: Blooming Bravely with Louise Warren Louise Warren (founder of Rare Gem Creatives) is a passionate creative mentor and singer/songwriter. Over the past decade, she has penned songs in the hundreds, performed at venues all over the Southeast, and opened for musicians like Chuck Leavell (of the Rolling Stones), Jimmy Hall, and Edwin McCain. Louise is a certified coach with both the Beautiful You Life Coaching Academy and the Creativity Coaching Association, completing 100 + hours coaching. Her vision with Rare Gem Creatives is to provide community and support for people who long to live more creatively vibrant lives. We talk about: Allowing yourself to unfoldBlooming through creativityCreativity as play and mindfulnessOur mindset of permanence in an impermanent lifeBuilding self-trust and courage for a practiceHer inner mean girl and how she interacts with that voiceThe flow of creativity and the editing processElitism narrative regarding creativityWhat truly makes a creation rareUsing goals as an anchor  Mentioned in this Episode: “And the Day Came When the Risk to Remain Tight In a Bud Was More Painful Than the Risk It Took to Blossom.” – Anais Nin https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/187633.Art_and_Fear  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4485966-talent-is-overrated  Katherine MacKenzie Smith (BYCA coach) - https://katherinemackenziesmith.com/  Eric Maisel - https://ericmaisel.com/  Amy McNee - https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtowrite  Find Louise at: http://www.RareGemCreatives.com  http://www.instagram.com/raregemcreatives  http://www.facebook.com/raregemcreatives

Garden of Belonging Episode 33: Blooming Bravely with Thaís Sky Thaís Sky is a truthspeaking, edge-dwelling, trauma informed life coach and teacher whose multifarious approach to healing has transformed the lives of hundreds of women worldwide. She offers her thoughts weekly on a podcast called RECLAIM and for over a decade Thaís has coached visionaries, seekers and cycle breakers who are ready to reclaim their worthiness and take up greater space in the world through her 1-1 work as well as her year-long signature program, Worthy Women Rise. Recently she has started mentoring coaches who want to deepen their work responsibly. She holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and infuses psychoanalytic theories, social justice, family systems and mindfulness practices into her approach to tending what she calls the worthiness wound. You can learn more about her at IamThaisSky.com or find her at just about everywhere on social media at @IamThaisSky. Thaís and I speak about: Caterpillar metamorphosis as a metaphor for the internal processThe role of relationships in our growthThe relationship between trust and control and how that effects our sense of safetyThe worthiness wound and some of the ways it manifestsHow systems and cultures perpetuate the worthiness woundWhy healthy relationships require braveryCoaching and PsychotherapyThe responsibility for ethics in coaching Warning: some mild adult language Mentioned in this episode: Mara Glatzel - https://www.maraglatzel.com/  Find Thaís at: https://thaissky.com https://instagram.com/iamthaissky  https://facebook.com/iamthaissky  https://www.thaissky.com/reclaim-podcast

Garden of Belonging Episode 32: Blooming Bravely with Nicola Humber Nicola Humber is the author of Heal Your Inner Good Girl, UNBOUND and Unbound Writing. She's also the founder of The Unbound Press, a soul-led publishing imprint for unbound women. After playing the archetypal good girl up until her mid-thirties, Nicola left her 'proper' job in finance to retrain as a coach and hypnotherapist and this leap of faith led her to what she does now: activating recovering good girls to embrace their so-called imperfections and shake off the tyranny of 'shoulds', so they can be their fullest, freest, most magnificent selves. Nicola helps women to write the book their Unbound Self is calling them to write, whilst growing a community of soul-family readers and clients. She currently lives in Southampton in the UK with her husband, Mark. She’s the host of The Unbound Writer’s Club Podcast. Nicola and I speak about: Blooming as the idea of opening to be seenThe ongoing journey of evolution that has no endAll about the word UnboundShadow integration & welcoming back parts of ourselvesBooks as a way to express ourselves deeplyBook writing as a process of radical self-trust and a transformational journeyWriting in an unbound wayThe importance of rest Mentioned in this episode: Kelly Diels - https://www.kellydiels.com/  Find Nicola at: https://nicolahumber.com  https://instagram.com/nicolahumber  https://www.facebook.com/nicolahumber

Garden of Belonging Episode 31: Blooming Bravely with Elizabeth Russell Elizabeth Russell is a social artist, dedicated witch, and joyful Earthling. For over 25 years, she has been generating creative processes to inspire radical engagement with the living cosmos. For many years she owned and operated the Be Space expressive arts & community space, and produced the annual Life Art Being Integrative Arts Festival in Portland Oregon. She now lives in Eugene Oregon and is the creator of the Dreamfruit interactive almanac for radical belonging. TW: mention of suicide Elizabeth and I speak about: Showing up in truth and purposeThe tension between perceived expectations and personal integrity in workYearning to belongReframing FailureDreamfruit, Radical Belonging, and ImaginationOur need for enchantmentReciprocityDeep imagination and connection to the more than human worldVulnerability and risk in blooming bravely Also mentioned in this episode: Joanna Macy - the work that reconnects - https://www.joannamacy.net/main  Find Elizabeth at: https://elizabethrussell.space  https://www.instagram.com/dreamfruit.maven/  https://www.facebook.com/be.space.now  Also enjoy her curated playlist for 2021, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0jVLepixcCn0Obpp3wr8ZQ?si=g6rWa3PmQ4qNd5uZqSm1cw

Garden of Belonging Episode 30   Welcome to Season 4 of the Garden of Belonging   This is a brief solo episode outlining where we've been and what's ahead for season 4.

This is a brief solo episode to close out season 3. Sharing with you some thoughts on self-trust, what has been supportive for me and some new lenses on it that have shown up recently.   I share about: Self-trust as foundational to belongingTrusting myself with reintegration decisionsSharing ourselves as a gift - from Nicola HumberSelf-trust as not being thirsty - from Helena WoodsBuilding evidence for trust via baby steps   Thank you for listening this season! If you know anyone who might benefit from listening, please share it with them. I appreciate any help getting the word out especially since I've left social media for the most part.   I'll be taking a pause while I prepare season 4 for you. Meanwhile, the best way to keep in touch with what I'm up to is by subscribing to my newsletter (link below).   Mentioned in this episode: Nicola Humber - https://nicolahumber.com/Helena Woods post - https://helenawoods.com/how-to-balance-being-creative-while-living-a-slow-lifestyle/My Medium Profile - https://kimkgraycoach.medium.com/My newsletter - https://www.subscribepage.com/d2b4j3

Olya is an intuitive, teacher and artist based in Moscow, Russia. She is super passionate about us all living as our true, eternal, «full-size» selves. On her journey in life she has been motivated and led by her intuition, progressively learning to trust it more and more - in her personal life, in her physical healing journey and in finding her professional path in life. Note: This conversation was recorded in late 2019 Olya and I talk about: How self-trust is deeply connected with intuition and self-careTrusting in something bigger than ourselvesUsing experts only when you know exactly what you want from themTrusting your own discernmentRadical self-trust in healing Lyme disease You can find Olya at: Website: https://www.olyakosogova.com/en  Art shop: https://www.olyakosogova.com/artshop_en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olyakosogova  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/olyakosogova

Today's guest is Tara Mixon. Tara is a food freedom health coach. She believes we are dynamic and complicated beings, and our wellbeing arises from more than the right diet and culturally accepted body shape. That we need to shift the focus from food to who are we as eaters, to who we are beyond the body. Tara came to this work after practicing pharmacy for over a decade, and having her own journey with bulimia. She understands that health and healing is a deep, complicated, long and holistic journey. She believes we need to learn to love ourselves the way we innately love others.   Tara and I talk about: Self-trust and the ability to listen to our inner voice while tuning out all the external noiseHow honoring self-trust has opened doors for her to step into a life that is hers instead of a life that others perceive she should be livingShould vs. wantCuriosity as a state of opennessHow the pain of staying the same can become greater than the pain of risking change   You can find Tara at: www.soulfulmed.com https://www.facebook.com/soulfulmedicine/ https://www.instagram.com/soulfulmedicine   What are you taking away from today's conversation?

Today I hope you will enjoy my conversation with Valérie Mège. Valérie is a mindset coach and self confidence expert, with a no-fluff, based on science and actionable approach, for corporate leaders and entrepreneurs who want to confidently thrive in life and business. She does believe that when we know how to manage our mind, we can achieve whatever we want in life and her method proves it.  After a successful management career in nightlife and luxury hospitality (amazing place to learn about human behaviors!), meeting VIPs everyday, traveling the world, organizing amazing events, she was feeling like something was still missing and took the leap to transform her passion for personal development into her career. Now a certified mindset coach, NLP, hypnosis and Timeline Therapy practitioner and after being mentored by the most renowned coaches, she coaches clients from all over the world, in English, French and Spanish, runs workshops and gives talks. Nothing makes her happier than seeing her clients go from self doubt and stuck to self confident and thriving. Val and I discuss: Self-trust as the foundation of a full and happy lifeHow self-trust goes hand in hand with self-confidenceHow negative messages can erode our self-trustHow action is required to build confidence and self-trustHow radical self-trust allowed her to step out on her own Please Be Aware: we touch briefly on Val's experience in an abusive relationship. Please honor your own self-care in consuming (or not) this episode. Find Val at: https://www.valeriemege.com/  https://www.facebook.com/valeriemegelifecoach/  http://instagram.com/valibiza

Today's guest is Rachel Strivelli. Rachel is a writer, celebrant of life, & spiritual coach. She believes that when we pause to look at ourselves with self-love and self-acceptance, our energy, our happiness, and our lives expand! She teaches men and women to cultivate self-love and manifest their desires by tuning into the natural world. She has been featured on sites like Thrive Global, Tiny Buddha, Scary Mommy, and Positively Positive. She shares her writing and videos at Soulpioneer.com.   Rachel and I discuss: Self-trust as part of the practice of being a whole human beingThe trust required to make a choiceHow trusting ourselves can be hardest when it means affecting someone else negativelyFinding balance with social mediaBalancing science vs. emotions/intuition depending on the situationSelf-trust vs narcissism   You can find Rachel at: https://soulpioneer.com/ https://www.facebook.com/SoulPioneer/ https://www.youtube.com/RachelStrivelli https://www.pinterest.com/thesoulpioneer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelstrivelli/ https://www.instagram.com/rachelstrivelli/

Today's guest is Leslie Dawson. Leslie Dawson is a coach for moms of the next generation! She has two small boys and quickly learned how easy it is to get lost in the demands of motherhood. Leslie helps mothers like you calm the chaos, mother guilt-free, and create the time to do the things that matter most to you. Leslie believes that you as a mom are doing the most important work-raising the next generation - and it doesn't have to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. When Leslie is not busy supporting moms, changing diapers or playing dinosaurs, she is enjoying time to herself, outdoors!  Leslie and I talk about: Self-trust as a process of getting back in alignment with our valuesThe energetic vacuum that happened when she made a decision without trusting herselfTurning off the noise when it's time to make a decisionDecision fatigue as a momQuestioning vs debating You can find Leslie at: https://www.facebook.com/lesliedawsoncrew  https://www.instagram.com/lesliedawson_  What are you taking away from today's conversation? I'd love if you'd share with me. Share on social media #gardenofbelonging

Today my guest is Jill Anderson. Jill is an Expectations Exterminator & Empowerment Coach, foodie, doting auntie and nature-loving traveler. Through coaching, speaking and writing, Jill helps women who feel stuck and overwhelmed in their careers or relationships (aka LIFE!) ditch expectations. She helps them reconnect to their inner-compass, awaken to their sources of joy and empower themselves to grab life by the #amazeballs and live it their way.  Jill is a graduate of the Beautiful You Coaching Academy, has a BS in Food Science, an MBA, more than a few job changes, a divorce and a helluva lot of perspective. She loves doing the work she is meant to do - helping women step into their truths, reclaim their power and kick ass with zero apologies. Jill and I discuss: Self-trust as a relationship with your intuitionHow sometimes our inner voice starts to scream so loud we can't ignore itAsking yourself first AND lastOur responsibility in consuming informationBeing ok with making mistakesThe difference between self-trust and confidence You can find Jill at: https://www.heyjill.com  https://facebook.com/andersenjillm  https://www.instagram.com/jillheyjill  What are you taking away from today's conversation? I'd love if you'd share with me. Share on social media #gardenofbelonging

Today's guest is Megan Miller. Megan has been a mental health therapist for over ten years and recently added coaching into her practice, with an emphasis on supporting individuals to develop greater mindfulness and self-care in their daily lives. She currently offers both therapy and coaching through online platforms. Last year she moved from Portland to the Oregon coast where she lives with her partner Theron and their cat in a tiny cabin in the woods.   Megan and I talk about: Self trust as a foundationBalancing self-trust with self-reflectionHow the system that gives power to experts is flawedNormalizing self-doubtHow self-questioning can build our self-trustThe masculine lens of science and how it's just one piece of the puzzle   You can find Megan at: www.meganelizabethmiller.com https://www.instagram.com/inspiredlife_nw   What are you taking away from today's conversation? I'd love if you'd share with me. Share on social media #gardenofbelonging

My guest today is Sadie Tichelaar.  Sadie is a qualified and certified UK life coach for women who are ready to shake off external expectation; embrace their truest self and live a life of deep and meaningful fulfilment. ​She uses her superpowers of intuition, empathy and curiosity to support women to uncover their own superpowers and step boldly into living the best possible version of themselves.   Sadie and I talk about: Self-trust and intuitionMaking bold decisions despite your inner criticUsing values as a compassHow other people's opinions are none of our businessTrusting yourself as a highly sensitive personAnd how relying too much on experts allows doubt to creep in   You can find Sadie at: https://www.thiscuriouslifecoaching.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thiscuriouslifecoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/curiously_sadie/   What are you taking away from today's conversation? I'd love if you'd share with me. Share on social media #gardenofbelonging

Today my guest is Sheila Delaney Duke. Sheila is a coach, evocateur and student of the human experience. She is driven by her own story to help us live and lead more authentically, more brightly, for the bone-deep satisfaction that comes from serving well. She focuses on the sweet spot where self-trust meets radical responsibility, knowing this is where mind, heart, and body come into potent alignment. She works directly with the energy of our desires and amplifies gifts we have already. Individuals and teams who engage with Sheila remember how to befriend themselves with kindness and calm, and to extend this care to others. She left the practice of law nearly twenty years ago and has been a heart centered coach and soulful mentor ever since.  Follow her on IG (@sheiladelaneyduke) for details on her upcoming live event: Ever More Myself: Remembering, Reclaiming, and Rewilding our Voices.  Sheila and I talk about: Self-trust as an act of rememberingTrusting ourselves to endure the outcomeAutoimmune disease and self-trustHow we can allow the opinions of others to influence us without giving up our agencyHow sharing our stories can help others gain self-trustRadical self-trust as a joining of self-trust and self-responsibility You can find Sheila at: https://EverMoreMyself.com https://www.instagram.com/sheiladelaneyduke  What are you taking away from today's conversation? I'd love if you'd share with me. Share on social media with #gardenofbelonging