Episode 709: You don't have to reinvent yourself in January

The end of the year can bring a lot of pressure to reflect, reset, and reinvent yourself all at once. Some people love the fresh-start energy of January, while others feel overwhelmed, resistant, or just plain tired. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, this episode is an invitation to step away from the noise and approach the transition into a new year in a way that actually feels supportive. In this short episode, I talk about why January isn’t as powerful as we’ve been led to believe, why there’s no single “right” way to do personal growth, and how you don’t need resolutions, routines, or lifestyle overhauls to be worthy of change. I also guide you through a simple end-of-year reflection designed to help you close the year with honesty and move forward with clarity—without pressure or what might feel like performative positivity. In this episode, we explore: Why you don’t have to begin the year with resolutions, intentions, or rigid routines in order to grow or change How January is just a date on the calendar, and why meaningful resets can happen at any point in the year The importance of questioning advice that claims there’s only one correct way to heal, grow, or live well A simple end-of-year inventory that invites you to reflect on: The wins and moments where you showed up for yourself The lessons you learned about your needs, limits, and patterns The losses, endings, and disappointments that shaped your year  What you’re ready to stop carrying forward into the next year Why focusing on how you want to feel can be more grounding than focusing on what you want to accomplish How choosing a few feeling-words for the year ahead can serve as a compass rather than a set of rules As you step into the new year, remember that you’re not behind and you don’t need to have everything figured out right away. You’re allowed to move slowly, do things differently, and begin again whenever it feels right for you. Resources from this episode: Write Your Way Through It starts on January 21st! Come join us at Rythmia in January! The Heroine's Journey by Maureen Murdock Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by:We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/podcast/709 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m joined by Irina Vlada for an honest conversation about healing, nervous system regulation, and what real integration actually looks like when working with psychedelics and other therapeutic tools. Irina helps people navigate transformation at the intersection of psychedelics, spirituality, psychology, and wellness. I met her earlier this year at Rythmia, and after spending time with her and diving deeper into her work, I knew I had to bring her on the show. Irina has over a decade of experience as a coach and facilitator, and from 2020 to 2022, she worked as an Integration Coach with Mindbloom, guiding more than 200 clients through preparation and integration for ketamine-assisted therapy. In our conversation, she’s clear about one thing: psychedelic medicine isn’t the work itself. Real transformation happens afterward, through integration, embodiment, and taking actionable steps that rewire habits, thoughts, and the nervous system. Without that process, insight can fade just as quickly as it arrives. We also talk about why ancient practices like breathwork and meditation are such powerful tools for healing trauma, regulating the nervous system, and expanding awareness, often without needing altered states at all. And for anyone curious but skeptical about psychedelics, Irina emphasizes the importance of safety, education, preparation, and the willingness to surrender to the process. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Irina bridges psychedelics, spirituality, psychology, and wellness through lived experience and ethical practice (4:05) Her personal path to self-awareness and healing, including trauma and the long road of recovery (5:47) What ketamine-assisted therapy involves, why integration matters, and how insight without action quickly fades (17:21) How meditation, breathwork, yoga, and nervous system regulation create real, lasting change without psychedelics (25:06) What Irina emphasizes for people who feel skeptical or unsure about psychedelics from a therapeutic standpoint (44:39) Resources from this episode:  Write Your Way Through It Come see me in Costa Rica at Rythmia Ayahuasca Retreat in January! Irina on Instagram Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/podcast/708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The free workshop: Live Like You Give a Damn (As the World Burns) is happening tomorrow! Tomorrow, December 18th at 3 p.m. Eastern, I’ll walk you through how to keep your heart open, grounded, and intact during hard seasons of life, so you can live like you give a damn. I’ll add the link for you below so you can join us live. And in case you missed it, my new book Live Like You Give a Damn is officially out in the world — and I can’t wait for you to read it. In this episode, we’re taking a look at what it means to shed before we step into a new year. Since 2025 is the Year of the Snake and 2026 is the Year of the Horse, this moment naturally invites both release and momentum. I’m walking you through the questions, stories, and real-life moments that help you recognize what’s ready to fall away — and how that clearing creates space for aligned action. In this episode, you’ll hear: How the symbolism of the Snake (shedding) and the Horse (movement) can guide your personal reflection What shedding actually looks like in everyday life — with examples you’ll definitely recognize Why release is essential before you start planning or taking action for the new year The most important questions to ask yourself as you move toward 2026 How to free up emotional and energetic space without forcing resolutions A reminder that growth doesn’t require a full reinvention — just honesty and willingness As you listen, I hope you let yourself soften, get curious, and notice what’s quietly asking to be released. Sometimes the smallest things we put down make the biggest difference in how we step forward. PS: I’ll be guest speaking at Rhythmia Life Advancement Center in January, and if you’re interested in attending, click HERE.  Resources from this episode:  Free workshop and grab your copy of LLYGAD Download your free PDF that accompanies this workshop Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/podcast/707 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re talking about what it feels like to live in a world that just won’t let up and how to stay connected to yourself when everything around you feels chaotic. Returning guest Kate Swoboda is here to dig into fear, overwhelm, and the emotional fallout of constant crisis. Kate is the creator of YourCourageousLife.com, Director of the ICF-accredited Certified Life Coach Collective, and author of The Courage Habit. She’s spent years helping people break fear patterns and practice courage in real, everyday ways and she brings that wisdom straight into this conversation. Together, we unpack the toll nonstop stress takes on your nervous system, why doomscrolling feels like quicksand, and how courage has nothing to do with muscling through. Instead, it’s about capacity, self-regulation, and the internal stories that shape how you move through the world. Kate and I also talk about overwhelm, somatic support, and why the smallest emotional shifts often end up being the most life-changing. In this episode, you’ll hear: How to stay informed about a messy world without getting emotionally pulled under (3:44) What it really takes to build resilience and courage in daily life (14:53) Where to start when overwhelm takes over and you can’t see a way out of the spiral (21:01) What to consider if you’re drawn to becoming a life coach during your own growth journey (31:57) Resources from this episode:  Join me for my workshop: Live Like You Give a Damn (As the World Burns) Certified Life Coach Collective (CLCC) Insight Timer Kate’s website Kate on Instagram Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/podcast/706 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My new book, Live Like You Give a Damn, comes out December 9th, and I’m so excited for you to finally read it. And right after that, on December 18th, I’m teaching a free workshop to help you reset, reconnect with yourself, and head into the new year with clarity. In today’s episode, we’re digging into communication; specifically the two paths you have when things get tricky: the courageous, connection-building path of hard conversations, and the protective, peace-preserving path of grey rocking. Knowing which one to choose is the skill. In This Episode You'll Hear: Why hard conversations matter and how they’re the backbone of healthy relationships How to recognize when connection is possible versus when self-protection needs to come first What grey rocking actually is and why it’s not “cold,” it’s strategic How to choose the right communication lane instead of defaulting to old patterns An example of grey rocking with a difficult family member during gatherings Communication isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s about discernment. Some relationships deserve your clarity, vulnerability, and effort. Others require neutrality, distance, and zero emotional investment. The magic is learning the difference and choosing the approach that keeps you grounded, sane, and true to yourself. Resources from this episode:  Pre-order my new book, Live Like You Give a Damn and sign up for my free workshop!  Amy Smith’s podcast Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ https://andreaowen.com/podcast/705 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re talking about stress and the body, the kind that simmers under the surface until something forces you to finally pay attention. This week’s guest, Stacey Garcia, knows that story intimately. After a lifetime of movement through dance, wellness, and “doing everything right,” she was hit with a breast cancer diagnosis that changed the way she thought about stress, healing, intuition, and what it really means to care for yourself. What unfolds in this conversation is an honest look at how stress wakes things up in the body (and not necessarily in a good way), why so many women minimize their symptoms, and how energy healing, daily practices, and self-advocacy become lifelines when your world tilts. Stacey, a dancer, trainer, Reiki practitioner, and host of Never Miss a Monday, brings a grounded wisdom to this episode that I know will stay with you long after it ends. In this episode, you’ll hear: Stacey shares how dance, wellness, and a breast cancer diagnosis shaped the work she does today (4:14) Why chronic stress often shows up right before a major diagnosis and how Stacey began to recognize her own patterns (10:38) What Reiki actually is, how it works, and the emotional releases people experience during sessions (16:09) The one belief about food and bodies Stacey wishes we would retire for good (21:49) Simple ways to tiptoe into spiritual or nervous system practices without overwhelm (24:15) Why becoming the CEO of your own health matters, especially when doctors dismiss you (34:01) Her evolving relationship with control and how energy work helped her surrender during treatment (40:46) Resources from this episode:  Join me for my workshop: Live Like You Give a Damn As the World Burns Never Miss a Monday podcast Stacey on Instagram Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: https://andreaowen.com/podcast/704 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emotional intelligence is often reduced to “keeping your cool” or not reacting, which is only a very small part of the equation. The real work begins when you can understand why someone is behaving in a way that challenges you, stay grounded in your own truth, and respond with both compassion and clarity. In this solo podcast episode, I unpack the deeper evolution of emotional intelligence; the point where empathy meets boundaries, and self-trust becomes your emotional compass. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why emotional intelligence is more than just self-control or politeness The five core components of emotional intelligence and how they actually show up in real life The stages of emotional growth—from reactivity to true compassion How to hold empathy and boundaries without falling into self-abandonment What it looks like when your nervous system becomes emotionally mature As you listen, you’ll be invited to notice where you might be confusing compassion with tolerance, and how your relationships can transform when understanding doesn’t require self-sacrifice. Resources from this episode: Join me for my workshop: Live Like You Give a Damn As the World Burns Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: https://andreaowen.com/podcast/703 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let’s talk about pleasure. Yep, the thing women are taught to avoid, minimize, hide, or feel guilty about. And yet, as this week’s guest Dr. Kimberly Rose Pendleton says, “Pleasure has never been more radical, especially for women.” In a world that feels like it’s collapsing in real time (and let’s be honest, it mostly is), pleasure isn’t frivolous. It’s the way back into your body, your intuition, and your aliveness. Together, we get into how pleasure reconnects you to yourself when the world has trained you to disconnect, why so many women feel shame around wanting anything, and how small “what would feel good right now?” choices can quietly lead you home. Dr. Kimberly Rose Pendleton, intimacy scholar, trauma-informed coach, and founder of UNCOVER, brings her blend of research, real life, and hard-won wisdom to this conversation. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Kimberly shares the unexpected path that led her into intimacy work and how it shapes everything she teaches (5:30) Why knowing what you want starts with the tiniest daily choices (11:34) We talk about how vulnerability has challenged and transformed her relationships and career (20:21) Kimberly breaks down why pleasure feels so off-limits for women and how it can become a healing force (25:20) How grief shows up in intimacy work and why it matters (37:23) Simple ways to rediscover what actually brings you pleasure (42:22) Resources from this episode:  Sign up for my free workshop happening on December 18th! Rythmia Ayahuasca Retreat Dr. Kimberly Rose Pendleton’s website Kimberly’s book Kimberly on Instagram Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/702 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of the time, I come into these solo episodes with a well-thought-out topic, complete with an outline and bullet points. But today, I wanted to riff organically with no structure. Just me talking about something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately: integration. Integration is one of those buzzwords that gets thrown around in personal growth, but it’s often misunderstood. It’s the moment where insight turns into embodiment, the thing I like to call the point of no return where you stop trying to “fix” yourself and start actually living what you’ve learned. Many people stay stalled or stuck here (me!), so I’m here to talk about it! In this episode, I talk about what integration really looks like, why emotions are at the center of it, and how to move through this phase with compassion and curiosity. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why integration is the bridge between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. The “point of no return” moment when personal growth stops being conceptual and starts being embodied. How emotions play a central role in integration—and why learning to name, feel, and move through them changes everything. What it means to witness yourself first before expecting anyone else to. How tapping into your childlike nature helps you see all the dimensions of yourself and stay connected to your wholeness. Integration isn’t glamorous or a mountaintop moment. It's the in-between space where you practice what you know and learn to trust yourself in the process. My hope is that this episode helps you soften into that space and recognize that this, right here, is where real transformation happens. Resources from this episode:  Sign up for my free workshop!  We Are the Stars by The Nunnery (on Spotify) Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ https://andreaowen.com/podcast/701 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m so excited to welcome Sabrina Bendory, author of Detached: How to Let Go, Heal, and Become Irresistible, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to stay grounded in yourself while building healthy, connected relationships. Sabrina shares what inspired her to write Detached and how learning to let go transformed her approach to love, self-worth, and emotional intimacy. We explore how fear and old conditioning keep so many of us stuck and what it looks like to show up as the fullest, most self-assured version of yourself in love and life. What you’ll hear about in this episode: What it means to be detached in relationships and how it actually creates deeper connection (4:44) The fear of ending up alone and how to get free from it (6:44) What emotional availability looks like in practice when you’ve been with someone for years and how to grow together (16:36) How to attract love and opportunities when you’re embodying your worth (you get to decide) (24:48) Shutting down or numbing out in relationships and how to come back home to yourself (41:44) Resources from this episode: Hop on my email list for updates on my books, programs, and more: andreaowen.com/free Sabrina’s Book Sabrina on Instagram Sabrina’s Podcast Sabrina’s Substack Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ https://andreaowen.com/podcast/700 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices