Episode 120 : From Survival to Renewal - A Journey of Healing Through Connection and Compassion

In this deeply moving episode of Magic Seeds, Dr. Adam Gries and Health & Spiritual Coach Laura Gries welcome back a return guest whose journey embodies what it means to rise again after life’s most devastating experiences.   Her story—rooted in childhood trauma, loss, and years of isolation—unfolds into a profound testimony of what real healing looks like when you’re met with compassion, consistency, and the right tools. Through years of personal coaching, emotional processing, holistic medicine, movement, and community support, she has gently transformed from survival into renewal.   This conversation offers listeners an intimate look at what’s possible when body, mind, and spirit are reunited. But it also reminds us that renewal is not a destination—it’s a continuous cycle. Life is ever-changing, and so are we. When we stop chasing “finished” and start honoring change as a constant companion, we discover that peace and growth are always available, right where we are. Her journey also reflects the heart behind Magic Seeds, an upcoming app designed as a “first aid kit for the human experience,” giving people everywhere access to the same kind of real-time support, teachings, and practices that helped her heal.   Tune in to witness one woman’s extraordinary courage—and rediscover your own capacity for hope, growth, and harmony within life’s constant evolution.   Learn More To learn more about Dr. Adam and Laura’s holistic approach and stay updated on the Magic Seeds app launch, visit awakeningsonline.net and awakeningshealth.com. Join the community, explore upcoming workshops, and begin your own journey through the ever-changing cycles of healing and renewal. Hosted by: Dr. Adam Gries, DACM, L.Ac. and Laura Gries, Health & Spiritual Coach

In this episode of Magic Seeds, we explore a deeply overlooked practice that holds the key to mental, emotional, and even physical health: emotional hygiene.   Just as we brush our teeth to prevent decay, we must learn to “brush” our hearts and minds to prevent emotional buildup, stress, resentment, and stagnation. Drawing from the wisdom of Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, we examine how emotional cycles mirror nature’s seasons — and why autumn is the perfect time to release what no longer serves us.   Highlights:   Seasonal Medicine & Emotional Release Learn how autumn in Chinese Medicine corresponds with the lungs and large intestine — organs of release and letting go. Discover why this season makes us feel called to slow down, exhale what’s heavy, and create space for clarity.   The Concept of Emotional Hygiene What happens when we ignore emotional residue? From chronic stress to inflammation, the consequences are real. This episode breaks down what emotional hygiene is, why it's vital, and how we can start practicing it today.   Ayurvedic Recapitulation Ritual A powerful, ancient practice of mentally reviewing the day to clear emotional charge before bed. You’ll learn how to use this nightly ritual to reclaim your energy and prevent emotional stagnation. A   One-Minute Emotional Detox You Can Do Tonight A fast, simple practice to release emotional weight before sleep. No tools needed — just breath, awareness, and intention.   7-Day Listener Challenge Join the #LetItGoChallenge to build your emotional hygiene muscles. Each night, before sleep, ask: What can I release today? Tag your journey and let’s create a community of release and renewal.   Closing Thought: Your peace is not passive. It’s earned through daily emotional digestion. We floss our teeth — it’s time we start flossing our hearts.   For more emotional wellness tools, resources, and guidance, visit awakeningsonline.net and awakeningshealth.com. Stay tuned for next week’s episode: “Your Nervous System Isn’t Lazy — It’s Lodged.”

In this inspiring and deeply reflective episode of The Honor You Method, host Melissa Coloton welcomes Laura R. Karch Gries and Dr. Adam Gries, owners of Awakenings Health and Awakenings Online, for a transformative conversation on healing, personal growth, and the natural rhythm of the Seasons—Harvest, Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer.   Together, they explore how each season represents a stage of the human experience: release, reflection, restoration, renewal, and expansion. Drawing from their integrative approach to health and personal transformation, Laura and Dr. Gries share how understanding these cycles can help you navigate burnout, emotional stagnation, and change with greater balance and awareness.   Listeners will discover how Awakenings Health applies the Seasons framework to both patient care and self-development—helping individuals and organizations reconnect to their rhythm, find clarity, and cultivate resilience. This conversation bridges science and soul, offering practical wisdom for leaders, teams, and anyone seeking to live in alignment with their authentic self.   Whether you’re in a season of letting go, resting, rebuilding, or thriving, this episode reminds you that every stage of growth has purpose—and that true transformation begins when you honor where you are.   In this episode, you’ll learn: The deeper meaning behind each Season—Harvest, Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer—and how they mirror emotional and energetic cycles.   How to recognize the season you’re in and align your habits, mindset, and goals accordingly.   Ways to integrate seasonal awareness into leadership, wellness, and personal growth.   How Awakenings Health uses the Seasons approach in patient care and holistic coaching.   Why honoring natural rhythms leads to sustainable wellbeing and authentic success.   About the Guests: Laura R. Karch Gries and Dr. Adam Gries are the co-founders and owners of Awakenings Health and Awakenings Online, organizations devoted to guiding individuals toward balance, confidence, and emotional freedom. Through their integrative approach—blending intuitive awareness, somatic healing, mindfulness, and evidence-based care—they empower people to reconnect to their inner strength and create lasting transformation in health and life.   About the Host: Melissa Coloton is a Certified Life Coach, Corporate Wellness Mentor, and host of The Honor You Method podcast. She helps professionals, executives, and teams uncover their authentic potential through mindfulness-based coaching, emotional intelligence training, and self-leadership practices. Her work centers on cultivating self-awareness, sustainable success, and honoring the human side of performance.   Learn more about Melissa and her programs at MelissaColoton.com or explore her coaching method at TheHonorYouMethod.com   Connect with Awakenings: Website: AwakeningsOnline.net Health Programs: AwakeningsHealth.com Instagram: @AwakeningsOnline   Connect with The Honor You Method: Hosted by Melissa Coloton Learn more: MelissaColoton.com | TheHonorYouMethod.com   For more information and resources, visit AwakeningsOnline.net and AwakeningsHealth.com

In this powerful final episode of our Sixth Love Language series, Laura from Awakenings Online explores the art of building a foundation of mature love—a kind of love that goes beyond infatuation and emotional highs, and into the quiet, steady work of connection, growth, and presence. Mature love isn’t something we fall into; it’s something we create through conscious effort, emotional awareness, and daily intention. In this episode, we unpack the essential qualities that sustain lasting love:   Commitment Self-Awareness Mutual Respect Emotional Resilience   You’ll discover how these four pillars form the framework for relationships that are not only strong, but deeply fulfilling—and how self-work becomes the ultimate love language that transforms how we connect with ourselves and others.   Laura also shares five practical daily practices to nurture mature love, from choosing communication over assumption to making love a daily, mindful practice. You’ll be guided to reflect on your own growth, your patterns, and the ways you can begin showing up differently—more intentionally, more openly, and with greater compassion.   This episode challenges you to take one small but powerful step this week: Identify one area of your life where you’ve been waiting for someone else to change, and instead, take one conscious action to shift your own response.   By choosing awareness over reaction and healing over avoidance, you begin to speak the Sixth Love Language—the language of self-work.   Join us as we close this chapter with an inspiring reminder:   Love isn’t found; it’s cultivated. It isn’t perfect; it’s practiced. And it begins within you.   In this episode you’ll learn: What defines mature love and how it differs from conditional or surface-level connection The four key pillars that sustain lasting relationships How self-awareness transforms communication and intimacy The daily actions that keep love alive and grounded How self-work is the ultimate form of love—both for yourself and others   Connect with Awakenings Online: Website: AwakeningsOnline.net Instagram: @AwakeningsOnline Join the Awakenings Membership Club or download our app for guided tools, courses, and community support on your path to balance, self-awareness, and personal growth. For more resources and holistic wellness programs, visit AwakeningsOnline.net and AwakeningsHealth.com.

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of emotional triggers — how they surface in our relationships and how, when met with awareness and compassion, they can become powerful gateways to intimacy and growth.   What Triggers Really Are Triggers aren’t random reactions; they’re echoes of past pain surfacing in the present. When something small sets off something big, it’s often an old wound asking for attention. Being triggered doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means a part of you is ready to be seen and healed.   Awareness — The First Step to Freedom The moment you notice a surge of emotion, pause and acknowledge it: “I’m feeling triggered right now.” Naming the experience creates space between feeling and reaction, allowing you to choose a new, more conscious response. Awareness turns automatic defense into intentional healing.   Looking Beneath the Reaction Every trigger has a root. Ask yourself what the moment reminds you of, or what fear it awakens. Often, it’s not about the current situation — it’s about an older story of feeling unseen or unsafe. When you identify the source, you can soothe the wound instead of fighting the symptom.   When Your Partner Is Triggered When someone you love is triggered, meet their pain with empathy rather than defensiveness. Remind yourself: This isn’t about me. Simple words like “I can see this feels big for you” create safety and connection. Compassion becomes the bridge through emotional storms.   The Power of Vulnerable Communication Healing happens through vulnerability, not blame. Instead of accusing — “You made me feel ignored” — reveal your experience: “When you didn’t respond, I felt invisible.” Vulnerability invites understanding, and listening with openness builds deeper trust.   The Role of Boundaries and Space Sometimes the most loving response is a pause. Taking space to self-regulate is not avoidance — it’s maturity. Calm conversations repair; heated ones divide. Boundaries create room for clarity, safety, and genuine connection.   Growing Through Triggers When two people face triggers together, they move from reactivity to recognition. Seeing the human behind the reaction transforms pain into partnership. Real intimacy is built not in perfection, but in shared compassion.   The Challenge — Your Next Step This week, when you feel triggered, pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself, “What story is being reactivated here?” Then, do one brave thing — share honestly instead of reacting. One conscious moment of awareness can begin rewriting the story of your relationships and your life.   Core Message: You are not your triggers. You are the awareness that sees them — and in that awareness lies your power. When we navigate triggers together, they don’t break connection; they deepen it.   Awakeningsonline.net Awakeningshealth.com

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of emotional triggers — how they surface in our relationships and how, when met with awareness and compassion, they can become powerful gateways to intimacy and growth.   What Triggers Really Are Triggers aren’t random reactions; they’re echoes of past pain surfacing in the present. When something small sets off something big, it’s often an old wound asking for attention. Being triggered doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means a part of you is ready to be seen and healed.   Awareness — The First Step to Freedom The moment you notice a surge of emotion, pause and acknowledge it: “I’m feeling triggered right now.” Naming the experience creates space between feeling and reaction, allowing you to choose a new, more conscious response. Awareness turns automatic defense into intentional healing.   Looking Beneath the Reaction Every trigger has a root. Ask yourself what the moment reminds you of, or what fear it awakens. Often, it’s not about the current situation — it’s about an older story of feeling unseen or unsafe. When you identify the source, you can soothe the wound instead of fighting the symptom.   When Your Partner Is Triggered When someone you love is triggered, meet their pain with empathy rather than defensiveness. Remind yourself: This isn’t about me. Simple words like “I can see this feels big for you” create safety and connection. Compassion becomes the bridge through emotional storms.   The Power of Vulnerable Communication Healing happens through vulnerability, not blame. Instead of accusing — “You made me feel ignored” — reveal your experience: “When you didn’t respond, I felt invisible.” Vulnerability invites understanding, and listening with openness builds deeper trust.   The Role of Boundaries and Space Sometimes the most loving response is a pause. Taking space to self-regulate is not avoidance — it’s maturity. Calm conversations repair; heated ones divide. Boundaries create room for clarity, safety, and genuine connection.   Growing Through Triggers When two people face triggers together, they move from reactivity to recognition. Seeing the human behind the reaction transforms pain into partnership. Real intimacy is built not in perfection, but in shared compassion.   The Challenge Your Next Step This week, when you feel triggered, pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself, “What story is being reactivated here?” Then, do one brave thing — share honestly instead of reacting. One conscious moment of awareness can begin rewriting the story of your relationships and your life.   Core Message: You are not your triggers. You are the awareness that sees them — and in that awareness lies your power. When we navigate triggers together, they don’t break connection; they deepen it.   Awakeningsonline.net Awakeningshealth.com

This episode is one of our most personal yet. It started with a painful moment—our daughter coming home from the school bus crying, after being bullied and pushed by another child. What followed was even more complicated: we chose to reach out to the other child's parents, not with anger, but with empathy—hoping to open a door for awareness and change. But the door didn’t open. It slammed shut.   In this deeply emotional conversation, we unpack not just what happened, but what it revealed—about fear, about the difficulty of raising emotionally aware children in a world that sometimes punishes sensitivity, and about the unexpected grief and anxiety that can linger after trying to do the "right" thing.   As the episode unfolds, something unexpected happens: I find myself unraveling. The weight of fear surfaces. Not just fear for my daughter, but fear of being vulnerable. Fear of retaliation. Fear that I might not have the tools to protect my children in a world where kindness is sometimes mistaken for weakness—and where conflict can escalate beyond control.   This isn’t a how-to episode. It’s a “sit-with-you-in-the-dark” episode. We hope it reminds you that you’re not alone—and that even when kindness isn’t met with kindness, it’s still worth choosing.   In this episode, we explore: What really happened on the bus—and how our daughter responded The emotional toll of trying to do the right thing and being shut down The deeper fears that surfaced when we began to talk openly How we're trying to teach our kids resilience without hardening them What it means to be a sensitive parent raising sensitive kids in a reactive world   Join the Conversation: Have you ever reached out to another parent after your child was hurt? How do you support sensitive kids when the world isn’t always kind? DM us on Instagram or send us a voice note to share your story. awakeningsonline.net awakeningshealth.com

Life can get intense, and it's easy to pour all of our time and energy into a single role, whether it's our career, a relationship, or our family. While dedication is important, hyper-focusing on one area can leave us feeling lost and asking, "Who am I now?" when that role inevitably shifts or ends. In this episode, we explore the common experience of losing your sense of self and provide a powerful, simple strategy to prevent it: always keeping one foot in another door. This isn't about neglecting your commitments, but about intentionally nurturing the other parts of you. We discuss how small, consistent investments in your hobbies, friendships, and personal growth act as a lifeline, keeping you balanced, skilled, and connected to your core identity.   Key Takeaways The Identity Trap: Understand why pouring yourself entirely into one role can lead to a feeling of emptiness when circumstances change, such as children leaving home or a major project ending.   Keep a Foot in the Door: Learn the secret to maintaining your sense of self. It’s about making small, regular efforts to stay connected to other interests and parts of your life.   The Power of Small Investments: Discover how simple actions—like reading for 15 minutes, having a monthly coffee with a friend, or spending an hour on a hobby—can have a massive impact on your long-term well-being and resilience.   Planting Seeds for the Future: These small actions are the seeds you plant today that will blossom when you need them most, ensuring you have a strong foundation to stand on no matter what life brings.   This Week's Challenge What is one small thing you can do this week to keep a foot in another door? It could be a phone call you've been meaning to make, signing up for an online class, or even just taking a quiet walk by yourself. Decide on one small, manageable action you can take to invest in yourself. You've got this.   Mentioned Resources For more tools and support on your journey of self-discovery and wellness, be sure to visit our trusted partners: AwakeningsOnline.net AwakeningsHealth.com Thank you for tuning in! If you found this episode helpful, please consider leaving us a review and subscribing so you never miss an update.

Welcome back to the Magic Seeds Podcast! In this transformative episode, your host [Your Name] dives deep into the power of courage and its role in personal growth. Change is hard, messy, and often uncomfortable, but it’s also the birthplace of everything extraordinary. Today, we explore why change feels so daunting, how to overcome the fear that holds us back, and the actionable steps you can take to start your journey toward a more aligned and fulfilling life.   What to Expect We begin by unpacking the fear of change and why our brains are wired to resist it, even when staying the same is more painful. Fear, while intimidating, can also be a compass pointing us toward the areas where we have the most to gain. Through heartfelt insights and relatable stories, we’ll reframe courage—not as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to show up despite it.   This episode also offers practical tools to help you take that first step toward growth. From setting micro-goals to finding your “why,” you’ll learn how to break the inertia and create momentum in your life. We’ll discuss the ripple effect of personal growth, how it transforms not just you but also your relationships, and why imperfection is a beautiful part of the process.   Key Takeaways Change is hard, but it’s also the most loving thing you can do for yourself. Courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about taking small, brave steps forward. Growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and becoming the person you’re meant to be.   Call to Action What’s one small step you can take today? Whether it’s journaling, reaching out for support, or simply saying, “I’m ready,” take that step. The world needs your courage, and so do you.   Thank you for joining us on this journey. If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who could use a little courage today.   Visit us at awakeningsonline.net and awakeningshealth.com for more resources and inspiration. Until next time, keep planting those magic seeds, keep choosing courage, and remember: the best is yet to come.

In this deeply reflective episode of Magic Seeds, Laura and Adam engage in a heartfelt conversation about the people who hold the most meaningful roles in our lives. They explore the connections that anchor us—the ones who lift us up in difficult times, the ones we’re willing to show up for no matter what, and the ones we can be completely open and vulnerable with as we navigate life’s experiences together.   Laura and Adam invite listeners to think about these relationships and the privilege of being both supported and supportive. They also discuss the importance of recognizing co-dependencies in these connections, offering thoughtful insights on how to ensure these bonds remain healthy and balanced.   Throughout the episode, Laura and Adam reflect on the beauty of shared journeys, the courage it takes to be vulnerable, and the gratitude we can show to those who walk beside us. They encourage listeners to pause and ask themselves: Who are the people you can call in the middle of the night? And how can you express your appreciation for them this week?   Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation and join Laura and Adam as they celebrate the power of connection, togetherness, and the gift of being there for one another. https://awakeningsonline.net/ https://awakeningshealth.com/