Becoming Aligned

Sometimes you have to say No to something in order to say Yes to something else. At least that's the approach I've taken in my life these past few years. And it's helped me to keep my sanity:-)

In this week's solo episode, I share why I'm taking a break from podcasting for a few months.

**Hint** It's so I can take some time to work on a project that has been on my heart and mind for years.  I want to create an online sanctuary space that will help to empower nurturing people to make the care of their body, mind and heart a priority. 

I hope to facilitate this through Restorative Care. I’ve talked a bit about Restorative Care in a few of my solo podcast episodes. But if this is a new term for you, it’s my twist on self-care. 

The root of Restorative Care is Self-Compassion. 

Restorative care helps us reconnect to ourselves. It helps us to return home and allows us to feel grounded and connected to our truth. 

It’s offers a holistic approach to our overall well-being that involves Movement, Play + Creativity, Rest + Recovery, Gratitude and Connection. .

My intention is to create a community that will allow us to practice Restorative Care together.

I’m choosing to take a break from the newsletter and the podcast so that I can have time to bring this to life.

But I also want to invite you to share your story with me….

I’d love to hear from you so that I can take your needs into consideration as I begin to put this together. I made this form to make it as easy as possible to share your story.  

If you would prefer to just chat with me over the phone, please reach out to me at maureen@maureenryan.co. I’ll schedule a time that works for both of us.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Nitika Chopra. She is the founder of Chronicon which is dedicated to elevating the lives of those living with a chronic illness. 

In this conversation, we talk about Nitika’s own personal journey and how that helped to shape Chronicon and allowed it to be a space that is real, loving and just incredibly supportive for people who may feel very alone because they may not know other people who are experiencing chronic illness.

You can feel Nitika’s heart in everything she does. And the community members are so supportive and amazing in their own right.

If you know someone or you are someone who has a chronic illness... Or if you’re someone like me who wants to be an ally and support those in her life and her work who have a chronic illness, I would love to encourage you to check out Chronicon. Nitika offers new members a free week so that you can dip your toe in and see what it’s all about. 

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In my solo podcast episode this week, I talk about how important it is to cultivate a relationship with your feelings. So that you can begin to identify and name your feelings. 

This simple step can provide you with so much information that can help you make choices and move forward in a way that addresses your needs and aligns with your values.

This sounds simple…. But it’s not.  We’ve been conditioned to not feel our feelings.  And because of that...cultivating a relationship with our feelings is a process and a journey for many of us.

Especially for those of us who worry that we’re not "good enough" and wear the armor of people-pleasing and perfectionism to protect ourselves.

When you’re wearing armor that’s designed to hide your insecurities. You not only protect yourself from the judgement of others.  You also “protect” yourself from FEELING your true feelings.

And that’s where the real danger lies. When the “should’s” and “expectations” hijack your feelings and keep you caught in your thoughts. You can become disconnected from your feelings and from your sense of self.  

In this week’s solo podcast episode, I talk about the ways I use Restorative Care to cultivate a relationship with my feelings and why I think this is so important in today's world.

We’ve been conditioned to believe our feelings are a sign of weakness. Why is that?  Who wrote that narrative? And what purpose does it serve?

I’d love to invite you to explore those questions with me in this week's episode.

To be totally honest, I had another episode planned but switched gears after I allowed myself time to write as I processed the news of the past few weeks. In doing so, I discovered what was really on my mind and in my heart.

I hope that you'll allow yourself some time to cultivate and create a safe space for your feelings. If you do, please let me know. I would love to see what you create or allow to come forth.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Cazzie Pantoja. She is a Truth Teller. And someone who is deeply rooted in her values.  I so appreciate her sharing some of her experience growing up in NYC, navigating academia, dealing with grief and raising her 4 boys to know they had the roots and wings to flourish in their own unique ways. 

She has so many nuggets of wisdom to share and I’m so grateful that she took the time to share some of her story with us. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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I’m popping in for another solo episode. And I have a question for you. Do you ever feel like you’re failing at self-care?

I’m curious... because I feel like so many of us struggle to integrate self-care into our lives.  And then we feel guilty or bad about ourselves because it becomes another item on the  todo list that we didn’t get to…

Today, I want to explore why so many of us feel that way.  And also offer some ideas on ways that we can begin to shift our perspective and relationship with care. To begin to reimagine, recalibrate and renew our relationship with care. 

So that we can feel empowered to make our care a priority.  

In today’s episode I share:

• My twist and reframe on self-care as restorative care which includes a healthy dose of self-compassion.
• The history of self-care so that we can compare it to our current understanding and relationship with care. 
• Why I don’t believe you are failing as an individual at self-care.
• Some ideas on ways we can begin to reimagine, recalibrate and renew our relationship with our care.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Bianca Bloomfield. She is someone who is creating and allowing space for people to be with and to move through their big feelings in a loving way. She does this work in a variety of ways. 

Primarily, by just BEING WHO SHE IS AND ALLOWING HER TRUE SELF TO SHINE THROUGH. Which is so often a journey in and of itself. And something we explore through this episode.

She also facilitates Breathwork healing, works as a yoga instructor for kids and is a beautiful writer.  

One of the goals of this podcast is to share interviews with regular people who are becoming aligned to their values and to also share tools that can help us be lovingly present and care for our needs and our emotions.

There is no one way that works for everyone. And I'm a big believer in building a toolbox of skills and strategies to help facilitate our own personal and collective wellbeing.

Which is why I’m so happy to share this conversation which explores Bianca’s personal journey and how she discovered tools that help her to facilitate healing in her own life... Tools that she now shares with others.  I hope you enjoy our conversation!

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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Has the pandemic helped you become more clear on what you really value and  what you feel is essential?

I know so many people are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted right now. The idea of doing one more thing seems impossible.

Which is why I’m channeling Maxine Waters and encouraging you to reclaim your time. 

But let’s be realistic...this is easier said than done for so many of us. 

In this week’s episode, I share how time for rest, play and following your curiosity are some wonderful ways to become reconnected with your priorities and yourself.  

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Sara Shah. She is the founder of Mother Yin which is a holistic platform designed to help women find balance in their bodies, minds and lives.

This is a passion for Sara that becomes even more evident as we learn about her own personal journey. It was so interesting to discover how her different areas of expertise come together and allow her to find balance in her own life.

I also really appreciated our conversation about the work she is doing with Mother Yin and how that work can help open up the conversation about the menstrual cycle and women’s health in general. I think it’s so important that we are able to have conversations and share our experiences in order to care for ourselves and each other.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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The Becoming Aligned Podcast is back after an extended break. I jump back into podcasting with a longer solo episode where I share how I’ve been processing some of my feelings from the first few weeks of 2021.  

It’s been a lot...I thought it would be helpful to talk about because I really want to encourage and invite you to create space for your own feelings and your own reflections to come to the surface.

I believe that learning to foster a relationship with our feelings is essential for healing… 

And yes... I dive into the topic of healing in this episode as well...

Healing is a loaded word at the moment. It’s necessary but it’s HARD WORK that requires time, patience and consistent effort. Are we ready for it?

Along with doing our own individual work and individual healing, I believe it’s imperative to create environments that promote healing.

Environments where people feel safe, seen and heard.

I would love to hear what you’re doing to create environments for healing in your life.  I share a few things that I’m up to in this week’s podcast episode. 

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this week’s podcast episode I share why I’m choosing to honor my needs and carve out time for rest and recovery. I touch on why it can be so challenging for so many of us to set boundaries.

I’ll share my twist on boundary setting and share why I think this is especially important for those of us who can slip into perfectionist and people-pleasing tendencies.

I leave you with some guided reflection questions to help you set your vision for 2021. I share a few in this episode, but you see the rest by subscribing to my weekly newsletter.

I hope you find some time to pause and take some time for yourself these next few weeks! Wishing you a safe, happy, healthy and restorative holiday season!

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Vincent Toro. He’s a Poet, Playwright and Theater Performer and Director. He’s a community builder who describes himself as a devout Educator, which I think is really beautiful. 

I found myself using the word beautiful repeatedly during our conversion. I find that artists have an ability to “see” things in this world and express “truths” in such a way that it offers the rest of us a new perspective and allows us to think differently and more deeply about the world around us.

Vincent and his work is an example of this. He has so many nuggets of wisdom to offer through his story and his journey. 

We talk about a number of things, including:

• The power of naming.
• The impact of mentors
• The role of an artist
• Toxic Masculinity
• The power of play
• How he views his role as an Educator
• And how he made a change and learned to move towards fear rather than retreat.

Vincent has so many beautiful nuggets of wisdom to offer as he shares his story. I so enjoyed our conversation and hope you do as well!

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Chelsea from the Wildflower Kitchen. She is on a mission to help the nurturers of the world learn to prioritize their own nourishment.

We chat about how she cultivated her relationship with food and nourishment and how this informs the work she does with her clients. 

She tells us about her business, the Wildflower Kitchen and all of the wonderful ways she helps support her community which has expanded to include an online option.

And she shares some of her meal planning tips, which I found so helpful! I hope you enjoy our conversation.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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This week, I'm trying something new. I’m stepping away from the regularly scheduled program to share a short solo episode that I’m calling, A Love Note to You.

I want to help you return home to yourself when things become challenging.

I hope this is something that you can return to again and again. And that these words provide you with some comfort.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this solo episode, I share the ways in which I have been intentionally trying to cultivate joy and allow time for celebration in my life and in my business.

This has been a practice that has been really helpful…but it’s one that does not come naturally. I find that when I stretch myself or put myself out there in new ways, old limiting beliefs and feelings can bubble to the surface.

Which is something that I experienced as I prepared to share the Becoming Aligned Online Course. But fortunately, my Inner Cheerleader and my Hype Squad were there to cheer me on and keep me focused on what was really important to me.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I chat with Attorney turned Entrepreneur, Sam Vander Wielen. She helps online coaches and service providers legally protect and grow their own businesses. 

We cover a WIDE range of topics and chat about changing careers, starting your own business, navigating health issues and dealing with grief. 

I really appreciated her perspective and her insights. Especially when it came to examples on how she tries to lead with curiosity.

Sam is so down to earth, honest and open about her experiences and what she’s learned along the way. I’d love to invite you to listen. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did:-)

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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This is a short solo episode that shares the intention behind the Becoming Aligned Online Course and the ways I hope it can truly create deep, meaningful shifts.

The Becoming Aligned Online Course is a Guided Self-Discovery Experience to help you release an All-or-Nothing Mindset. Learn to BEFRIEND your feelings and HONOR your needs as you create a life that Aligns with your Values.

I’m so excited to share this Course and to have the opportunity to help facilitate self-discovery for as many driven, nurturing, heart centered women as possible. Because I believe the world needs us to stop living by the “shoulds” and to have the courage to show up and live according to our values. 

You can check out the curriculum and hear what others are saying about their experience in the course at my website, maureenryan.co.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I talk to Taylor Morrison. She’s the founder of a self-care company called Inner Workout which exists to help people build the skill of self-care. I love how she defines self-care. I think it’s a really beautiful way to approach the practice of self-care in our lives. 

During the course of our conversation, she shares her journey to creating her business. We get to see how her sense of curiosity and integrity really shaped her journey. And how it continues to do so.

I really enjoyed learning more about Taylor and Inner Workout’s approach to self care and I think that it’s something that can be very helpful to people, so I’m excited to share this episode. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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The Becoming Aligned Podcast is BACK!  It's been a while. For anyone keeping track, it's been about 9 months. PHEW!

Back in November of 2019, I shared that I was taking a break from podcasting to create an online course that had been in my heart and on my mind for many years.

I thought I would be back in March 2020...but as you can see that didn't go quite as planned. That's ok. I know I'm not alone in that!

In this episode, I share a little peak behind the scenes and tell you more about what to expect moving forward with the Becoming Aligned podcast. I'm really excited about what's in store:-)

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In the last few episodes, I’ve shared what I had learned from all of the inner, reflective work I had been doing.  Now it was time to put this new sense of knowing into practice.  

It was time to focus on Becoming Aligned. 

I began to shift my mindset in regards to how I managed my time, energy and resources. To allow space for my personal growth.  And create a life that aligned with my values.

I began to practice setting healthy boundaries. So uncomfortable at first...But so necessary. 

In this episode, I share the small, consistent steps I took over a period of time to create change in my life. I talk about the importance of healthy boundaries and how we can teach people how to treat us.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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In this episode I share how I began to connect to my feelings and use the feedback and information my feelings provided as a guide to help me make decisions.  

I always thought of my feelings as a sign of weakness.  Raise your hand if you’ve been told you’re too sensitive.  

Over time I began to bottle up my feelings and do my best to ignore them.  They just seemed to get in the way.

I thought that was the best way to keep on moving forward...

But I found the opposite to be true.  When I dismiss or ignore my feelings, they stick around and linger.  And have a way of seeping out when I’m least expecting it.

When I acknowledge how I’m feeling and show myself some self-compassion, I’m able to move forward. It doesn’t stop me from taking action.  It just allows me to be better tuned into my needs and wants.

I share how connecting to my feelings was an important step to discovering what I wanted.  

What do you want?  If that question makes you a bit nervous to even think about, check out this episode where I’ll share some strategies that helped me create some clarity for myself.

To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.

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