172. The Power of Ritual

In this episode of In Her Image, Meg Rittmanic, Jessica Woodbury, and Jess Burdette explore the significance of rituals in personal and community life. They discuss various definitions of rituals, their importance in spiritual practices, and how they can foster connections among individuals and communities. The conversation delves into different types of rituals, including religious, personal, and healing rituals, and emphasizes the empowerment that comes from creating one's own rituals. The hosts share personal experiences and examples of rituals that celebrate milestones, teach values, and promote healing, highlighting the transformative power of these practices in women's lives.patreon.com/InHerImagePodcast

In this conversation, Laurisa Paul shares a deeply personal journey of coming to know Heavenly Mother through transformative experiences in her own body. After struggling with body image issues for years, she had a life-changing, unmedicated birth that awakened her to the sacred power and divine nature of her body. This experience led her to explore and honor the Divine Feminine, heal her relationship with herself, and ultimately create Girls Who Know®—an organization that empowers teen girls to understand, love, and trust their bodies. Guided by a sense of spiritual purpose, she now helps girls recognize their inherent strength, creative power, and the sacredness of being female.https://www.girlswhoknow.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Larisa Paul and Her Journey01:37 Discovering the Divine Feminine04:42 The Impact of Motherhood on Self-Discovery08:06 Founding Girls Who Know10:24 Transformative Effects of the Organization12:57 Empowering Young Girls Through Education14:04 The Structure and Impact of Classes18:33 Personal Growth Through Teaching21:23 Messages of Empowerment for Girls25:01 Connecting and Building Community

In this episode of In Her Image, hosts Jess Burdette and Jessica Woodbury announce a summer break for the podcast, reflecting on their journey and the impact of their conversations. Jessica shares her decision to transition away from the podcast to focus on new opportunities in social work, particularly in supporting vulnerable women in Utah. The episode concludes with expressions of gratitude and an invitation for listeners to engage with the community through Patreon during the break.patreon.com/[email protected]

In this enlightening conversation, Meg Rittmanic hosts Douglas and Fiona Phillips, a couple celebrating 50 years of marriage. They discuss the profound partnership in their relationship, the spiritual depth of Fiona's art. The couple shares personal challenges, including a health crisis in their family, and how they navigated these together. Fiona's passion for mental health awareness is highlighted through her art, and they explore the symbolism in her painting 'Firstborn,' depicting Heavenly Mother and Father. Doug shares a poetic reflection on divine design, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the roles of both Heavenly Parents in our lives. In this conversation, Meg, Doug, and Fiona explore the themes of love, compassion, and the divine feminine, particularly focusing on the role of Heavenly Mother in their lives and relationships. They discuss the foundational principles that have allowed their marriage to flourish over 50 years, acknowledging the diverse experiences of others in relationships. The conversation emphasizes the importance of agency, personal growth, and the evolution of understanding within the Church regarding Heavenly Mother, while also recognizing the need for voices to speak out about these experiences.Fiona Phillips is a retired art professor, proud mom of five, and grandma to 13 wonderful grandkids. She is blessed to be married to Douglas, the love of her life! Originally from England, she moved to California with her family when she was just a pre-teen. Her art studio focuses on themes of water, women, nostalgia, and spirituality. One of her standout projects focused on raising awareness of the stigma surrounding mental illness was shown at DSU, Art Access Gallery and the OMA. She created 50 large portraits of adults, teens, and children, many of whom were personally affected by mental health challenges. Fiona’s paintings explore themes of faith, our relationship to our Heavenly Parents, and our equality as children of God. Her work has been featured in three International Art Exhibitions by The Church. her paintings and poetry have been published in The Ensign, Liahona, and Exponent II magazines. Most recently Fiona has shown with the Oceanside Museum of Art, the Restore Conference, the Compass Gallery and galleries in California.She’s earned numerous “Best of Show” awards and has had solo exhibits in Utah, California, Nevada, and Arizona. She has also earned two master’s degrees—an MA in Humanities/Art and an MFA in Visual Art.Dr. Douglas Phillips is a multifaceted individual whose journey blends faith, music, medicine, and a deep connection to his roots. Born and raised in Southern California,Douglas joined the Church of Jesus Christ when he was 18 then embarked on a mission to Spain, an experience that deeply influenced his personal and professional life. Shortly after his return he was married to Fiona, his high school sweetheart.Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Phillips was immersed in the music scene, playing piano and writing songs for a pop music group. This creative outlet honed his discipline and collaborative skills, which would later serve him well in his medical career.He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , followed by radiology specialty training at the University of California, San Francisco.Now retired, Dr. Phillips enjoys life in Southern California, where he continues to explore his passions and contribute to his community. His unique blend of experiences offers a rich perspective on the intersections of faith, creativity, and medicine.Douglas and Fiona have served 2 senior missions together, a member/leader service mission in a Spanish Ward in West Valley UT and as the Area Mission Medical Advisor and Assistant serving the 9 mission units in Southern California.https://fionabphillips.com/https://fionabphillips.com/faith/https://www.patreon.com/c/InHerImagePodcast

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, host Jessica Woodbury and guest Stefanie Reinsch explore the themes of Mother God, personal identity, and the struggles of being a single woman in a family-oriented faith. Stefanie shares her journey of connecting with the divine, her experiences with mental health, and the importance of women's voices in spiritual discussions. The conversation delves into the significance of acknowledging Heavenly Mother, the role of aunties, and the empowerment that comes from understanding one's purpose beyond traditional expectations. Through personal stories and insights, they highlight the need for change within cultural narratives and the celebration of womanhood.

Have you ever felt a longing for a deeper connection to the Divine Feminine? In this illuminating episode, we explore the profound power and peace that comes from intentionally honoring Heavenly Mother through sacred ritual. The host of this episode, Meg Rittmanic, invites you to go on a Journey with her as we delve into practical ways to weave Heavenly Mother's loving presence into your life, transforming your understanding of your own divine potential and your relationship with the Divine. Discover how embracing ritual can open pathways to greater spiritual nourishment, healing, and a more complete understanding of our Heavenly Parents' love for us.

In this episode, Valerie Hamaker discusses the complexities of navigating faith and relationships, particularly in mixed belief marriages. The conversation explores how couples can build understanding and connection amidst differing beliefs, the role of fear in these dynamics, and practical tools for compassionate dialogue. Valerie emphasizes the importance of recognizing underlying feelings, fostering open communication, and creating a values-based family environment. The episode concludes with hopeful examples of couples who have successfully navigated their faith journeys together, highlighting the potential for growth and deeper intimacy and connection through the wrestles.Valerie's courses that were mentioned in the episode:Becoming Values-Based Parents: https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/mixed-faith-parenting-in-the-lds-faithMastering Mixed-Faith Family Life https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/mastering-the-complex-multi-directional-dynamics-of-mixed-faith-family-lifeThe Growth-Oriented Marriage https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/growth-oriented-marriageValerie's podcast, Latter Day Struggles, can be found at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/latter-day-struggles/id1612326898Instagram: @latterdaystrugglespodcast We hope you'll join us and the In Her Image community at patreon.com/InHerImagePodcast

The Dedication to the Mother in Heaven Study Guide reads:This book is the culmination of a journey spanning four years, three strangers who are now dear friends, and countless hours with Google Docs and chocolate to create three books honoring and celebrating our Mother in Heaven.We are changed.We each arrived at the doctrine of Heavenly Mother’s existence at different times and from different angles, but we have been led to the same conclusion:We know She lives. We know She loves all of Her children. We know She is a full partner to our Father in Heaven and works with Him and our brother Jesus Christ to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all humankind.This book is dedicated to all seekers of the Divine Feminine, of our Mother.~ Ashli, Trina, and McArthurIn this podcast episode, Meg interviews Ashli, Trina, and McArthur on the impetus for and process of creating this Study Guide. They discuss the concern that has been brought up of whether including Heavenly Mother in our worship detracts from Jesus Christ, how celebrating the doctrine of Heavenly Mother can change our interactions and change the world, and the joy that can come by implementing the cherished knowledge that we have a Mother Goddess.

In this engaging conversation, Meg Rittmanic and Amy Sedgwick explore the themes of Easter, Holy Week, and the significance of feminine symbolism in Christianity from a more feminine lens. They discuss the beauty of spring as a time of renewal and rebirth, as well as the sacredness of liminal spaces and death. The conversation delves into the role of Mary Magdalene, the symbolism of the cross, and the Divine Feminine. Amy shares a beautiful campfire-style story of Holy Week from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Meg and Amy reflect on personal experiences with Lent and Easter and reflect on the importance of creating meaningful celebrations that connect with spiritual traditions going forward.Amy Sedgwick is a multi-generational Latter-day Saint woman, fertility awareness mentor, massage therapist, yoga teacher, and the creator of the Embracing Sacred Cycles podcast. Amy has spent over two decades navigating her own fertility journey, which led her not only to deep healing but also to a spiritual awakening she calls her “faith expansion.” Through her work, Amy helps women reconnect with their bodies, their cycles, and the Divine, weaving together wisdom from her Mormon roots and sacred feminine traditions around the world. https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/embracing-sacred-cycles-a-latter-day-fertility-podcast/id1773097600Amons' Adventure: a Family Story for Easterhttps://a.co/d/fdpnfYfChrist Centered Easter by Emily Bell Freemanhttps://a.co/d/5E41VBbhttps://www.etsy.com/market/emily_belle_freeman_easterThis Holy Week, Amy Sedgwick has created a special episode that weaves together what she’s learned from studying Holy Week through the lens of high church traditions—like Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox practices—and combines it with her own sacred re-story-ation of Holy Week told from the perspective of Miriam of Magdala, or Mary Magdalene.This episode is a deeply reflective offering—rich in feminine symbolism, ancient scripture, apocryphal texts, and expansive Latter-day Saint theology. Amy invites us to see Holy Week not just through the lens of Christ’s suffering, but through the eyes of the women who were there—and to reclaim the often-overlooked role of Mary Magdalene in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. It’s a poetic and reverent journey that brings us closer to the Divine Mother, the Tree of Life, and the sacred union of Heavenly Parents.

Meg Rittmanic and Gwendolyn Wyne discuss the the Matrimonial order being the highest order of God and how we can join our Heavenly Parents in the divine order of partnership. Gwendolyn Stevens Wyne is a former librarian who now writes about women's opportunities and responsibilities in theology and culture. Links to her writings about women’s opportunities and responsibilities in theology and culture, as well as butterfly conservation efforts, are found at https://gwendolynwyne.com/She also makes youtube content that address polygamyhttps://www.youtube.com/@gwendolynwyne