Stories of Astonishing Light with KJ Nasrul Tue, 26 May 2026 21:35:41 -0400 https://blissbeginswithin.com/ en © 2026 Stories of Astonishing Light with KJ Nasrul yes Support this Podcast ddde9518-6d41-5e65-873f-794bd07fd1fb musesforkj@gmail.com KJ Hoard Nasrul episodic true Join Kimberly Jane ("KJ") Nasrul - artist, speaker, and licensed trauma specialist nursing a lifelong obsession with storytelling and melting cheese - in conversation about mental wellness, resilience, and creativity as the catalyst for true healing. Serving as a guide for the recovery of your Creativity & Compassion, KJ's mission is to support you in remembering and expressing your healing voice, your story of astonishing light. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) mental health, resilience, creativity, trauma recovery, psychotherapy, expressive arts, women's voices, transracial adoption KJ Hoard Nasrul musesforkj@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/q4gdf4slacwgvysnb8z01gieh5y2?.jpg Stories of Astonishing Light with KJ Nasrul https://blissbeginswithin.com/ Tiny Astonishments: Remembering Our Original Stories and Poems | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Remembering Our Original Stories and Poems | KJ Nasrul "Look down at your body
whisper
there is no home like you"
 - thank you
 
Rupi Kaur
the sun and her flowers 
 
🌴What would it be like to remember and honor your freest, most uninhibited self? Could reconnection with your ancestral guidance (what I call The Ancient Calm) bring you to your most creative, expressive you?

Today's Tiny Astonishment finds KJ musing on two accessible practices that help her remember her creativity, just in time to honor May,  the month of Mental Health Awareness and AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage. 

🌴Also: Join KJ in remembering, resetting, and recovering creativity in Bali! Grab your spot now, only two rooms remain for September's Session, and December already has a nearly full waitlist!
 
Episode Mentions:

-  The Sun,  Mary Oliver, from Devotions
 -  Evensong excerpt, Kathryn Le Grice from Song Of Ojai
 - Original Instructions,  Asha Frost from You Are The Medicine  

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

  • Join KJ & Norman in Bali and Lombok, Indonesia to nourish and recover your creative voice.  Next Retreats:  February 12 - 18, 2024  (3 spots left!) and  May 7 - 12 2024 (only ONE (1!!) spot left unclaimed and they are filling  up quickly)
  • IG:  @_KJCreates_
  • Web: Bliss Begins Within  
  • Book a FREE Hello Call
  • Ep 83 Background Music: Composed & Performed by KJ Nasrul 
  • SOAL Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Please rate and review this podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well >>> https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> "Look down at your body
whisper
there is no home like you"
 - thank you
 
Rupi Kaur
the sun and her flowers 
 
🌴What would it be like to remember and honor your freest, most uninhibited self? Could reconnection with your ancestral guidance (what I call The Ancient Calm) bring you to your most creative, expressive you?

Today's Tiny Astonishment finds KJ musing on two accessible practices that help her remember her creativity, just in time to honor May,  the month of Mental Health Awareness and AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage. 

🌴Also: Join KJ in remembering, resetting, and recovering creativity in Bali! Grab your spot now, only two rooms remain for September's Session, and December already has a nearly full waitlist!
 
Episode Mentions:

-  The Sun,  Mary Oliver, from Devotions
 -  Evensong excerpt, Kathryn Le Grice from Song Of Ojai
 - Original Instructions,  Asha Frost from You Are The Medicine  

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

  • Join KJ & Norman in Bali and Lombok, Indonesia to nourish and recover your creative voice.  Next Retreats:  February 12 - 18, 2024  (3 spots left!) and  May 7 - 12 2024 (only ONE (1!!) spot left unclaimed and they are filling  up quickly)
  • IG:  @_KJCreates_
  • Web: Bliss Begins Within  
  • Book a FREE Hello Call
  • Ep 83 Background Music: Composed & Performed by KJ Nasrul 
  • SOAL Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Please rate and review this podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well >>> https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12812726 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-12812726 Sat, 13 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700 766 Creativity, Mental Health, Resilience, Remembering, Ancestral Wisdom, Bali Creativity Retreat, Wellness Travel, Storytelling, Creative Purpose, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Podcast, AAPI Podcaster 4 83 full false Reclaiming Our Potent Becoming Pt 2: Donor Conceived Awareness and Weaving Wholeness | Meg Thomas Reclaiming Our Potent Becoming Pt 2: Donor Conceived Awareness and Weaving Wholeness | Meg Thomas Welcome back to the second part of an extremely vulnerable conversation in which Meghan "Meg" Thomas - podcast hostess, and breathwork teacher - talks to KJ about the discovery that she is donor-conceived. She opens up about her journey of reclamation now that she has learned the truth. 

Meg shares what happened once she decided to "Click Connect" after submitting her DNA into 23 and Me, which includes meeting half-siblings. She began leaning into curiosities such as Genetic Mirroring and embracing the potency and impact of unearthing her astonishing story.

Compassionate Considerations

🍃  When in a discovery journey feelings of shame, unworthiness, and insecurity may rise. How do you issue tender care in these moments?

 🍃 Words have power. Their intentionality informs our ability to remain open, transparent, and present. 
 
🍃 To stay in a relationship with people who have hurt us means finding ways of shifting toward forgiveness.
 
🍃 Self Compassion is sitting IN the feelings, not avoiding them.

April 27th is International Donor Conception Awareness Day 

Connect With Meg

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

  • Join KJ & Norman in Bali and  Lombok, Indonesia to nourish and recover your creative voice.  Next Retreats:   February 12 -18, 2024 (3 spots remain!); May 5 - May 12 (1 room left!) & May 28 - June 3, 2024 (only 3 rooms left!) and  Sept 5 - 12,  2024 (Rooms are  filling  up quickly!)
  • IG:  @_kjCreates_  + @blissbeginsretreats 
  • Web: Bliss Begins Within  
  • Book a FREE Hello Call
  • Ep 82 Background Music: Composed & Performed by KJ Nasrul 
  • SOAL Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Please rate and review this podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well >>> https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Welcome back to the second part of an extremely vulnerable conversation in which Meghan "Meg" Thomas - podcast hostess, and breathwork teacher - talks to KJ about the discovery that she is donor-conceived. She opens up about her journey of reclamation now that she has learned the truth. 

Meg shares what happened once she decided to "Click Connect" after submitting her DNA into 23 and Me, which includes meeting half-siblings. She began leaning into curiosities such as Genetic Mirroring and embracing the potency and impact of unearthing her astonishing story.

Compassionate Considerations

🍃  When in a discovery journey feelings of shame, unworthiness, and insecurity may rise. How do you issue tender care in these moments?

 🍃 Words have power. Their intentionality informs our ability to remain open, transparent, and present. 
 
🍃 To stay in a relationship with people who have hurt us means finding ways of shifting toward forgiveness.
 
🍃 Self Compassion is sitting IN the feelings, not avoiding them.

April 27th is International Donor Conception Awareness Day 

Connect With Meg

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

  • Join KJ & Norman in Bali and  Lombok, Indonesia to nourish and recover your creative voice.  Next Retreats:   February 12 -18, 2024 (3 spots remain!); May 5 - May 12 (1 room left!) & May 28 - June 3, 2024 (only 3 rooms left!) and  Sept 5 - 12,  2024 (Rooms are  filling  up quickly!)
  • IG:  @_kjCreates_  + @blissbeginsretreats 
  • Web: Bliss Begins Within  
  • Book a FREE Hello Call
  • Ep 82 Background Music: Composed & Performed by KJ Nasrul 
  • SOAL Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Please rate and review this podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well >>> https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12752154 Meghan Thomas Buzzsprout-12752154 Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:00 -0700 3224 Mental Health, Creativity, Shame, Family Secrets, Resilience, Belonging, Donor Conceived Awareness, Fertility, Finding Birth Family, Adoptee Stories, Doner Conceived Children, Finding Tribe, Becoming Whole, AAPI Podcasters 4 82 full false Reclaiming Our Potent Becoming Pt1: Fertility, Donor Conceived Awareness + Identity | Meg Thomas Reclaiming Our Potent Becoming Pt1: Fertility, Donor Conceived Awareness + Identity | Meg Thomas In this extremely open conversation, Meghan "Meg" Thomas - coach, podcast hostess, and breathwork facilitator - joins KJ on SOAL to share her deeply personal story publicly for the first time. 

Meg and KJ touch on themes of identity, reclamation, and the power of storytelling. Their dialogue serves as a catalyst for further discussions about fertility, adoption, and donor-conceived children. Welcome to the transparent, heartbreaking work of unearthing for reclaiming. 
 
Compassionate Considerations: 

🌱 How do you check back and ensure your intuition is correct?

🌱 In order to feel emotions, you move through them.

🌱 The body always knows the truth; even if our minds are unwilling to see it yet.

🌱 Permission to feel all the emotions including shame, betrayal,  grief, and anger. 

🌱 Ingredients for shame: secrecy, silence & judgment. The antidote is transparency and the willingness to dialogue. 

🌱 Be brave enough at this moment, to take the next action. 

🌱 Self-compassion includes allowing you to uncover your medicine for yourself (which is medicine for The World).

April 27th is International Donor Conception Awareness Day 

Connect With Meg

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In this extremely open conversation, Meghan "Meg" Thomas - coach, podcast hostess, and breathwork facilitator - joins KJ on SOAL to share her deeply personal story publicly for the first time. 

Meg and KJ touch on themes of identity, reclamation, and the power of storytelling. Their dialogue serves as a catalyst for further discussions about fertility, adoption, and donor-conceived children. Welcome to the transparent, heartbreaking work of unearthing for reclaiming. 
 
Compassionate Considerations: 

🌱 How do you check back and ensure your intuition is correct?

🌱 In order to feel emotions, you move through them.

🌱 The body always knows the truth; even if our minds are unwilling to see it yet.

🌱 Permission to feel all the emotions including shame, betrayal,  grief, and anger. 

🌱 Ingredients for shame: secrecy, silence & judgment. The antidote is transparency and the willingness to dialogue. 

🌱 Be brave enough at this moment, to take the next action. 

🌱 Self-compassion includes allowing you to uncover your medicine for yourself (which is medicine for The World).

April 27th is International Donor Conception Awareness Day 

Connect With Meg

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12722356 Meg Thomas Buzzsprout-12722356 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0700 2709 Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Resilience, Consent, Donor Conception, Donor Conception Awareness, Epigenetics, Finding Self, Adoptee Journey, Women Podcasters, AAPI Podcasters 4 81 full true Transformation & Creativity Through Conscious Breathwork | Elle Luna & Andrea Tomasi Transformation & Creativity Through Conscious Breathwork | Elle Luna & Andrea Tomasi Today's new SOAL gallery features artist, writer, and best-selling author (and Dream Guest for KJ)  Elle Luna and luminous Sound Healer and Shamanic Ritual Guide Andrea Tomasi in conversation exploring the intersection of art, breathwork, and the creative spark.

Compassionate Considerations:

🌱 Conscious breath helps us to REMEMBER our Soul Self, our Quintessential Self, The BELOVED

🌱 Conscious Breath can help us create from a place that is not solely in pain and suffering.

🌱 Creativity is the process of building the reconnective bridge where there was suffering and separateness. 

🌱 Creating comes from a place of devotion and service; a desire to create more LOVE

🌱 Self Compassion is in stabilizing ourselves and returning to our innate wisdom.

Connect With Elle and Andrea

Elle Luna

Andrea Tomasi

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Today's new SOAL gallery features artist, writer, and best-selling author (and Dream Guest for KJ)  Elle Luna and luminous Sound Healer and Shamanic Ritual Guide Andrea Tomasi in conversation exploring the intersection of art, breathwork, and the creative spark.

Compassionate Considerations:

🌱 Conscious breath helps us to REMEMBER our Soul Self, our Quintessential Self, The BELOVED

🌱 Conscious Breath can help us create from a place that is not solely in pain and suffering.

🌱 Creativity is the process of building the reconnective bridge where there was suffering and separateness. 

🌱 Creating comes from a place of devotion and service; a desire to create more LOVE

🌱 Self Compassion is in stabilizing ourselves and returning to our innate wisdom.

Connect With Elle and Andrea

Elle Luna

Andrea Tomasi

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12591446 Elle Luna, Andrea Tomasi Buzzsprout-12591446 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0700 3163 Creativity, Conscious Breathwork, Holotropic Breathwork, Elle Luna, Sound Healing, Self-Compassion, Women Artists, Andrea Tomasi, Awakening Breath, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health Podcast 4 80 full false Our Intuitive, Embodied Gifts | Brenda Winkle Our Intuitive, Embodied Gifts | Brenda Winkle Today's episode features a joy-infused, nervous system-soothing conversation between kindred spirits Brenda Winkle and KJ. The ladies contemplate ways to recover and enhance our intrinsic power: our intuition. 

As a trauma-informed Reiki Master, Brenda helps highly sensitive people, over-achievers, perfectionists, people pleasers, and empaths set boundaries, protect their energy, and heal their nervous systems. She holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership, and a BS in Music Education, and spent 26 years of her career in elementary and choral music classrooms.

She stepped away from full-time teaching and now runs her business full-time but still volunteers on a regional board as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair. She has been trained as an Advanced ThetaHealing® Meditation Technique Practitioner, and a trauma-informed Breathwork Facilitator.

Compassionate Considerations:
 
🍃 Align your inner and physical selves and chase joy endlessly.

🍃 Uncover authentic purpose by observing unguarded, uninhibited moments.

🍃 Have physical reminders for self-care and self-protection out within your eye line for easy accessibility.

🍃 Preparation is a form of self-compassion and activism.

🍃The Heart Hug technique crosses brain meridians and moves us out of the brain stem, our reptilian [survival] response mode. 

🍃 When we model stepping into our aligned power, we grant permission for future generations to claim theirs.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With Brenda

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Today's episode features a joy-infused, nervous system-soothing conversation between kindred spirits Brenda Winkle and KJ. The ladies contemplate ways to recover and enhance our intrinsic power: our intuition. 

As a trauma-informed Reiki Master, Brenda helps highly sensitive people, over-achievers, perfectionists, people pleasers, and empaths set boundaries, protect their energy, and heal their nervous systems. She holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership, and a BS in Music Education, and spent 26 years of her career in elementary and choral music classrooms.

She stepped away from full-time teaching and now runs her business full-time but still volunteers on a regional board as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair. She has been trained as an Advanced ThetaHealing® Meditation Technique Practitioner, and a trauma-informed Breathwork Facilitator.

Compassionate Considerations:
 
🍃 Align your inner and physical selves and chase joy endlessly.

🍃 Uncover authentic purpose by observing unguarded, uninhibited moments.

🍃 Have physical reminders for self-care and self-protection out within your eye line for easy accessibility.

🍃 Preparation is a form of self-compassion and activism.

🍃The Heart Hug technique crosses brain meridians and moves us out of the brain stem, our reptilian [survival] response mode. 

🍃 When we model stepping into our aligned power, we grant permission for future generations to claim theirs.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With Brenda

Connect With KJ & #BlissBeginsRetreats

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Brenda Winkle Buzzsprout-12491683 Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0700 2616 Mental Health, Creativity, Breathwork, Courage, Nervous System Healing, Trauma Informed Podcasters, Trauma Sensitive, Self Care 4 79 full false Coming home: Wanderers, nomads and transplants | Lilian Wee Coming home: Wanderers, nomads and transplants | Lilian Wee This week's episode is less of an interview and more of an intimate chat between KJ and her friend Lilian Wee. 

Moving away from home and relocating to a new place of residence thousands of miles away can be extremely challenging and lonely. Adjusting to a new culture, falling in love, and navigating relationships all in the middle of a world health crisis? This could be the breaking point for some folks, but not for Lilian. 

Leaving her home in Singapore to live and work in Houston, Texas (while in the offshore energy & shipping industry!) became the invitation for Lil (as her friends know her) to step into her resiliency and create a community for other immigrants, nomads, and transplants to connect on themes of finding roots and "home" from wherever they are in the world. 

Compassionate considerations:

⭐ Choose relationships that help you create a sanctuary or home. 

⭐ Asking for support via therapy is a form of self-compassion and advocacy and can be done without shame

⭐ COVID practically force-clarified how people defined home: connectivity, community, safety

⭐ Assess whether you’re embracing or isolating

⭐ Self-care & resiliency practices = committing to time with self in nature, with beloved animals, meditation, breathing and yoga, and a nap! 

⭐ Self-care is intentional and attainable 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With Lilian
Linktr.ee:  resilient_and_rooted
IG: @heartopenconvers_asians
Pod: Heart Open Convers_asians

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> This week's episode is less of an interview and more of an intimate chat between KJ and her friend Lilian Wee. 

Moving away from home and relocating to a new place of residence thousands of miles away can be extremely challenging and lonely. Adjusting to a new culture, falling in love, and navigating relationships all in the middle of a world health crisis? This could be the breaking point for some folks, but not for Lilian. 

Leaving her home in Singapore to live and work in Houston, Texas (while in the offshore energy & shipping industry!) became the invitation for Lil (as her friends know her) to step into her resiliency and create a community for other immigrants, nomads, and transplants to connect on themes of finding roots and "home" from wherever they are in the world. 

Compassionate considerations:

⭐ Choose relationships that help you create a sanctuary or home. 

⭐ Asking for support via therapy is a form of self-compassion and advocacy and can be done without shame

⭐ COVID practically force-clarified how people defined home: connectivity, community, safety

⭐ Assess whether you’re embracing or isolating

⭐ Self-care & resiliency practices = committing to time with self in nature, with beloved animals, meditation, breathing and yoga, and a nap! 

⭐ Self-care is intentional and attainable 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With Lilian
Linktr.ee:  resilient_and_rooted
IG: @heartopenconvers_asians
Pod: Heart Open Convers_asians

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12427255 Lilian Wee Buzzsprout-12427255 Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0700 1952 Resilience, Mental Health, AAPI Mental Health, Creativity, Home, Self-Compassion, Self-Care, Stories of Astonishing Light, commmunity, diversity, support, trauma informed care, trauma sensitive, Asian women, WOC podcaster, expatriates 4 78 full false F*cked-Up Hair Because You Care | Jo Dodd F*cked-Up Hair Because You Care | Jo Dodd In the official Season Four Kickoff, Jo Dodd and KJ share stories of their own experiences about how difficult and overwhelming it can be as a woman, let alone a mother, thriving in a working environment that’s rigid, fast-paced, and insensitive.

A mum of four, an author, speaker, and coach, Jo has published three children's books as well as a one-of-a-kind picture book for mums called 'Dear Mama Bear with the F*cked Up Hair.' This book, which tells an authentic, poignant, dark, sometimes humorous story of motherhood, is based on Jo's journey of silently battling depression for over a decade.

Within the past few months, Jo has pivoted her business to focus on perimenopause and menopause awareness.  Jo has launched her own podcast Dear Peri and Meno Pause and is building a community called MenoShine, where she encourages women to learn, laugh and lead their way through midlife while changing the stigma associated with mental health and menopause.

Compassionate Considerations: 

  • Do you experience physical symptoms indicating emotional distress?
  • Two things you can do to manage overwhelm immediately:
    • Physical space disruption
    • Releasing feelings through tears
  • Speaking to ourselves in the present tense signifies embodiment (vs. future or past tense which implies detachment or denial from the current situation)
  • People pleasing and martyrdom are actually the cause of physical and emotional sickness
  • Are you able to communicate and ask for what you need from your support network?

Connect With Jo 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In the official Season Four Kickoff, Jo Dodd and KJ share stories of their own experiences about how difficult and overwhelming it can be as a woman, let alone a mother, thriving in a working environment that’s rigid, fast-paced, and insensitive.

A mum of four, an author, speaker, and coach, Jo has published three children's books as well as a one-of-a-kind picture book for mums called 'Dear Mama Bear with the F*cked Up Hair.' This book, which tells an authentic, poignant, dark, sometimes humorous story of motherhood, is based on Jo's journey of silently battling depression for over a decade.

Within the past few months, Jo has pivoted her business to focus on perimenopause and menopause awareness.  Jo has launched her own podcast Dear Peri and Meno Pause and is building a community called MenoShine, where she encourages women to learn, laugh and lead their way through midlife while changing the stigma associated with mental health and menopause.

Compassionate Considerations: 

  • Do you experience physical symptoms indicating emotional distress?
  • Two things you can do to manage overwhelm immediately:
    • Physical space disruption
    • Releasing feelings through tears
  • Speaking to ourselves in the present tense signifies embodiment (vs. future or past tense which implies detachment or denial from the current situation)
  • People pleasing and martyrdom are actually the cause of physical and emotional sickness
  • Are you able to communicate and ask for what you need from your support network?

Connect With Jo 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Buzzsprout-12310931 Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:00:00 -0800 2640 full false Tiny Astonishments: Fall In Love With Listening | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Fall In Love With Listening | KJ Nasrul In the Season Four Premiere, KJ checks in with you all on the day she leaves to host her second Bali Creativity Recovery Retreat. After a varied, expansive 2022, this new season greets 2023 already brimming with rich conversations between artists, healers, and visionaries... Welcome back to the  Stories of Astonishing Light!

Compassionate Considerations:

- How long has it been since you've truly dropped in and listened?

- When have you last intentionally let things be? 

Episode Mentions:

Poem by Morgan Harper Nichols from All Along You Were Blooming

Fall in love with the art of living.
Fall in love with letting things be.
Fall in love with listening.
Be still in the sun, where the winds ever-gently blow,
knowing it is here,
in moments like this,
you are living,
and you will grow. 
 
Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In the Season Four Premiere, KJ checks in with you all on the day she leaves to host her second Bali Creativity Recovery Retreat. After a varied, expansive 2022, this new season greets 2023 already brimming with rich conversations between artists, healers, and visionaries... Welcome back to the  Stories of Astonishing Light!

Compassionate Considerations:

- How long has it been since you've truly dropped in and listened?

- When have you last intentionally let things be? 

Episode Mentions:

Poem by Morgan Harper Nichols from All Along You Were Blooming

Fall in love with the art of living.
Fall in love with letting things be.
Fall in love with listening.
Be still in the sun, where the winds ever-gently blow,
knowing it is here,
in moments like this,
you are living,
and you will grow. 
 
Please Rate and Review This Podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/12209030 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-12209030 Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0800 435 Mental Health, Creativity, Storytelling, Resilience, Kindness, Wellness Traveling, Active Listening, AAPI podcasters, Morgan Harper Nichols Poetry, Self Compassion, Bali Creativity Retreat 4 76 full false Safely Seen: A New Visibility | Mai-Kee Tsang Safely Seen: A New Visibility | Mai-Kee Tsang In the Season Three Finale,  Mai-kee Tsang and KJ contemplate their efforts in unsubscribing to the culture of urgency. Here is a compassionate conversation between friends who've experienced Othered pressures and seek trauma-informed care for themselves and fellow guides in the wellness space. 

Mai-Kee is a SUSTAINABLE VISIBILITY® Mentor, ICF Certified Trauma-Sensitive Leadership Coach & Podcast Guesting Strategy Trainer. She helps underestimated and underrepresented humans in business take an intersectional and trauma-sensitive approach to visibility, so they can feel safely seen while they grow their businesses.

Compassionate Considerations: 

  • Do you exercise agency over who gets to witness your work?
  • A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to conversations begins with curiosity 
  • How might we preserve capacity and integrity as space-holders (coaches, therapists, podcasters, healers, speakers)?

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if these stories have astonished you as well.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Resources

Connect With Mai-Kee 

>> Ep 75 background music is "Seashell" Composed & performed by KJ Nasrul
>> Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ
 
Want to work with KJ? Only three (3!!!) spaces remain in all of 2022  to work with KJ in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue healing others.  Creativity VIP Day 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In the Season Three Finale,  Mai-kee Tsang and KJ contemplate their efforts in unsubscribing to the culture of urgency. Here is a compassionate conversation between friends who've experienced Othered pressures and seek trauma-informed care for themselves and fellow guides in the wellness space. 

Mai-Kee is a SUSTAINABLE VISIBILITY® Mentor, ICF Certified Trauma-Sensitive Leadership Coach & Podcast Guesting Strategy Trainer. She helps underestimated and underrepresented humans in business take an intersectional and trauma-sensitive approach to visibility, so they can feel safely seen while they grow their businesses.

Compassionate Considerations: 

  • Do you exercise agency over who gets to witness your work?
  • A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to conversations begins with curiosity 
  • How might we preserve capacity and integrity as space-holders (coaches, therapists, podcasters, healers, speakers)?

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if these stories have astonished you as well.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Resources

Connect With Mai-Kee 

>> Ep 75 background music is "Seashell" Composed & performed by KJ Nasrul
>> Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ
 
Want to work with KJ? Only three (3!!!) spaces remain in all of 2022  to work with KJ in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue healing others.  Creativity VIP Day 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://storiesofastonishinglight.buzzsprout.com Mai-Kee Tsang Buzzsprout-11510027 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:00:00 -0700 2914 Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Consent, Compassionate Conversations, Othered, Belonging, Safety, Visibility, Asian Podcasters, AAPI Healers, Trauma-Informed Interviews 3 75 full true Receiving Pretty Foods for healthier stress responses | Lauren Bryson Receiving Pretty Foods for healthier stress responses | Lauren Bryson After an unexpected and adventurous 6 month hiatus, KJ and her beloved listening gallery The Stories of Astonishing Light Podcast returns today!
 
We're in Ultra Celebration Mode because KJ brings her friend and colleague Lauren Bryson, Certified Nutritional Consultant, back to SOAL to chat about the premiere of Lauren's new podcast Go Play In The Dirt! Listen in as Lauren shares her wealth of knowledge and witness the way these friends jam about the impactful connection between nutrition and mental health. 

Considerations: 

  • The impact of nutrition in healing from complex trauma is vast. 
  • How might one prepare for a big transitional event (i.e. a move) through the lens of nutritional wealth? 
  • What we ingest in our bodies informs how (if?) we healthily respond to stress. 


Want to work with KJ? Only three (3!!!) spaces remain in 2022  to work with KJ in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and retelling of familial stories. Find out more here >>> Creativity VIP Day Retreats

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for the podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. Let KJ know what you've missed and what you'd like to hear more about!  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Resources  

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> After an unexpected and adventurous 6 month hiatus, KJ and her beloved listening gallery The Stories of Astonishing Light Podcast returns today!
 
We're in Ultra Celebration Mode because KJ brings her friend and colleague Lauren Bryson, Certified Nutritional Consultant, back to SOAL to chat about the premiere of Lauren's new podcast Go Play In The Dirt! Listen in as Lauren shares her wealth of knowledge and witness the way these friends jam about the impactful connection between nutrition and mental health. 

Considerations: 

  • The impact of nutrition in healing from complex trauma is vast. 
  • How might one prepare for a big transitional event (i.e. a move) through the lens of nutritional wealth? 
  • What we ingest in our bodies informs how (if?) we healthily respond to stress. 


Want to work with KJ? Only three (3!!!) spaces remain in 2022  to work with KJ in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and retelling of familial stories. Find out more here >>> Creativity VIP Day Retreats

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for the podcast if the stories shared here have astonished you as well. Let KJ know what you've missed and what you'd like to hear more about!  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Resources  

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://storiesofastonishinglight.buzzsprout.com Lauren Bryson Buzzsprout-11509656 Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0700 1981 Mental Health, Integrative Medicine, Nutritional Wealth, Depression Recovery, Anxiety Treatment, Go Play In The Dirt, Healing Complex PTSD, Women Podcasters, Wellness Podcasts 3 74 full true We Are All Held | Erica Skone-Rees We Are All Held | Erica Skone-Rees "We are being held in all moments.”
~ Erica Skone-Rees   

KJ welcomes her friend and creative collaborator Erica Skone-Rees to the Astonishing Story Gallery today. Erica is a mindfulness & meditation teacher, chronic illness warrior, and healing arts practitioner. For the last 3 and 1/2  years, she has navigated recovery from mold toxicity and Lyme disease which required her to identify and embrace her own resourcefulness. Erica is dedicated to living her full potential, at her highest vibration; her Heart's Work is to empower others to do the same. 

Compassionate Considerations:

  • Your pain may reveal your purpose. 
  • Invite your discomfort into a dialogue, and request it impart its wisdom upon you. 
  • Even on your darkest days, you can find joy. 
  • Create space with nonjudgmental observation and pauses to embody wise action; to become responsive instead of reactive.

Episode Mentions - Erica Skone-Rees: 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Only three spaces left in June to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate experience!  Rediscover your creativity while replenishing and re-narrate your familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.

Schedule a chat with KJ here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> "We are being held in all moments.”
~ Erica Skone-Rees   

KJ welcomes her friend and creative collaborator Erica Skone-Rees to the Astonishing Story Gallery today. Erica is a mindfulness & meditation teacher, chronic illness warrior, and healing arts practitioner. For the last 3 and 1/2  years, she has navigated recovery from mold toxicity and Lyme disease which required her to identify and embrace her own resourcefulness. Erica is dedicated to living her full potential, at her highest vibration; her Heart's Work is to empower others to do the same. 

Compassionate Considerations:

  • Your pain may reveal your purpose. 
  • Invite your discomfort into a dialogue, and request it impart its wisdom upon you. 
  • Even on your darkest days, you can find joy. 
  • Create space with nonjudgmental observation and pauses to embody wise action; to become responsive instead of reactive.

Episode Mentions - Erica Skone-Rees: 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Only three spaces left in June to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate experience!  Rediscover your creativity while replenishing and re-narrate your familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.

Schedule a chat with KJ here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10604809 Erica Skone-Rees Buzzsprout-10604809 Sat, 14 May 2022 23:00:00 -0700 2980 Creativity, Mindfulness, Chronic Illness Ally, Mold Toxicity, Healing Artist, Nervous System Regulation, Meditation teacher, Women Healers, Artful Inquiry, Self-Compassion Advocates, Creativity Coach, Vagus Nerve Healing 3 73 full false Tiny Astonishments: Showing Up For Self Care | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Showing Up For Self Care | KJ Nasrul Showing up messy, showing up [40 minutes!] late, showing up Real. This is what Self Care looks like for KJ- sitting with streaky mascara in her car outside her massage therapist's studio, holding a Live Instagram #mondayswiththemuse session.

After this solo show, stay for a sneak listen from next week's guest Erica Skone-Rees of Our Woven Path Erica is a mindfulness guide, chronic illness warrior, and healing arts practitioner. She guides us into the present with an invitation to arrive wholly. 

Considerations: 

  • How do you practice self-care? 
  • Do you prioritize time and spaciousness to honor rest, reset, and self-compassion?
  • Are you engaged with the surrounding Creative Intelligence? 
  • Do you like the IG  Lip Ring Filter? Because KJ sure does. 

Want to work with KJ? Only one space in May remains to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories in order to continue uplifting others. Bookings in June and July are beginning to fill up! Reach out to sign up for Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Showing up messy, showing up [40 minutes!] late, showing up Real. This is what Self Care looks like for KJ- sitting with streaky mascara in her car outside her massage therapist's studio, holding a Live Instagram #mondayswiththemuse session.

After this solo show, stay for a sneak listen from next week's guest Erica Skone-Rees of Our Woven Path Erica is a mindfulness guide, chronic illness warrior, and healing arts practitioner. She guides us into the present with an invitation to arrive wholly. 

Considerations: 

  • How do you practice self-care? 
  • Do you prioritize time and spaciousness to honor rest, reset, and self-compassion?
  • Are you engaged with the surrounding Creative Intelligence? 
  • Do you like the IG  Lip Ring Filter? Because KJ sure does. 

Want to work with KJ? Only one space in May remains to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate container of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories in order to continue uplifting others. Bookings in June and July are beginning to fill up! Reach out to sign up for Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10526070 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-10526070 Fri, 29 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0700 1250 Mental Health, Creativity, Resilience, Courage, Storytelling, Showing Up, Bliss Begins Within, Self Compassion, Women of Color Podcasters, Self Care, Self Care Advocate, Healing Arts Practitioner 3 72 full false Orientating Towards Our True Selves | Karen Sprinkel Ancelet Orientating Towards Our True Selves | Karen Sprinkel Ancelet Author and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) Karen Sprinkel Ancelet joins KJ today in a conversation about bridging our highest identities so that we can truly thrive even while there is suffering. 

Dear friends for over fifteen years, KJ and Karen "Sprink" explore evidence that healing IS possible. In her work, Sprink acts as a witness to the process and offers direct guidance for how to help one attain the life they want to live with ease and wisdom. 

Compassionate Considerations from this Story: 

  • Our healing and self-nourishing can be embodied every day. 
  • To begin opening up to deep uncovering/recovery, take 30 seconds. 
  • We are conscious, phenomenally-minded mammals
  • Rest is an integral part of the whole healing process. 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Three spaces are available in May to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate experience of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.
Sign up to chat here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Author and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) Karen Sprinkel Ancelet joins KJ today in a conversation about bridging our highest identities so that we can truly thrive even while there is suffering. 

Dear friends for over fifteen years, KJ and Karen "Sprink" explore evidence that healing IS possible. In her work, Sprink acts as a witness to the process and offers direct guidance for how to help one attain the life they want to live with ease and wisdom. 

Compassionate Considerations from this Story: 

  • Our healing and self-nourishing can be embodied every day. 
  • To begin opening up to deep uncovering/recovery, take 30 seconds. 
  • We are conscious, phenomenally-minded mammals
  • Rest is an integral part of the whole healing process. 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Three spaces are available in May to work with KJ 1:1 in an intimate experience of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.
Sign up to chat here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10436198 Karen Sprinkel Ancelet Buzzsprout-10436198 Fri, 15 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0700 2724 Mental Health, Creativity, Self Compassion, Orientating, The Thriving Self, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, EMDR, Trauma Specialists, Healing Arts, Karen Sprinkel 3 71 full false Nutritional Integrative Medicine: Biodiversity of soil and soul | Lauren Bryson Nutritional Integrative Medicine: Biodiversity of soil and soul | Lauren Bryson Question: How sexy are the topics of healthy dirt and regenerative agriculture?
Answer:  SO VERY. 

Especially as we realize how 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 we are: healthy, diverse soil > 𝓃𝑜𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹 planet > enriched humans > optimal 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ⁣​​​​​​​​

Lauren Bryson, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, returns to the show to launch the Quarterly Wellness Check Sessions (stay tuned for a sassier name) with KJ!  

Some Nourishing Niblets from today's conversation: 

  • Everyone is creative, everyone can cook and be responsible for the nutrients you ingest
  • Ask: What time has elapsed between picking the vegetables from their vines and their arrival in my body?  
  • Harness your Big Kid Energy:  be curious, be playful, and be adventurous. 

Here’s your homework until our next Quarterly Wellness Check: 

  • Plant a tree
  • Go play in the dirt 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Three spaces are available in May to work with KJ 1:1 for a day in an intimate experience of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.
Sign up to chat here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Question: How sexy are the topics of healthy dirt and regenerative agriculture?
Answer:  SO VERY. 

Especially as we realize how 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 we are: healthy, diverse soil > 𝓃𝑜𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹 planet > enriched humans > optimal 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ⁣​​​​​​​​

Lauren Bryson, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, returns to the show to launch the Quarterly Wellness Check Sessions (stay tuned for a sassier name) with KJ!  

Some Nourishing Niblets from today's conversation: 

  • Everyone is creative, everyone can cook and be responsible for the nutrients you ingest
  • Ask: What time has elapsed between picking the vegetables from their vines and their arrival in my body?  
  • Harness your Big Kid Energy:  be curious, be playful, and be adventurous. 

Here’s your homework until our next Quarterly Wellness Check: 

  • Plant a tree
  • Go play in the dirt 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within
Three spaces are available in May to work with KJ 1:1 for a day in an intimate experience of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories so that you can continue sharing your medicine with the world.
Sign up to chat here >> Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10401269 Lauren Bryson Buzzsprout-10401269 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 18:00:00 -0700 2461 Creativity, mental wellness, biodiversity, integrative nutrition, regenerative agriculture, integrative medicine, mental health, holistic nutrition, Lauren Emerson Wellness, Microbiome, Soil Health 3 70 full false Tiny Astonishments: May Our Healers Heal | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: May Our Healers Heal | KJ Nasrul  "The Wounded Healer is not someone who was wounded and is now healed. It is someone who continues to courageously break open the self and ego as a means for deep integration." ~Kim Krans, Archetype Deck, HEALER Card

Dearest Ones, how do you as highly sensitive people, healers, and caregivers (because we all give and care for someone else) hold your grief?

KJ returns after spending more than a month in her childhood home caring for her mother who became suddenly, frighteningly ill.

Compassionate Inquiry:
1. How do I make space to breathe and nourish? 
2. How do I handle the changes from a child to a caregiver role? 
3. How can creativity and self-compassion be lifesaving?
4. How do you decide how you'll spend your time and with whom?

KJ discovered she holds a need to connect with other Healers for regeneration, grieving, and releasing untold stories that emerged with becoming a caregiver. 

Want to work with KJ? Only three spaces are available for April and May to work with KJ 1:1 in intimate containers of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories in order to continue uplifting others. Reach out to sign up for Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]>  "The Wounded Healer is not someone who was wounded and is now healed. It is someone who continues to courageously break open the self and ego as a means for deep integration." ~Kim Krans, Archetype Deck, HEALER Card

Dearest Ones, how do you as highly sensitive people, healers, and caregivers (because we all give and care for someone else) hold your grief?

KJ returns after spending more than a month in her childhood home caring for her mother who became suddenly, frighteningly ill.

Compassionate Inquiry:
1. How do I make space to breathe and nourish? 
2. How do I handle the changes from a child to a caregiver role? 
3. How can creativity and self-compassion be lifesaving?
4. How do you decide how you'll spend your time and with whom?

KJ discovered she holds a need to connect with other Healers for regeneration, grieving, and releasing untold stories that emerged with becoming a caregiver. 

Want to work with KJ? Only three spaces are available for April and May to work with KJ 1:1 in intimate containers of replenishment, rediscovery, and release of familial stories in order to continue uplifting others. Reach out to sign up for Healing Our Healers and Creativity & Compassion Days

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10344723 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-10344723 Fri, 01 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0700 1282 Creativity, Resilience, Self Compassion, BIWOC Psychotherapist, Healing Our Healers, Grief and Loss, Self Care, Caregivers, Compassion Fatigue Prevention, Burnout Prevention 3 69 full false The Power of Visualisation Pt 2: Envision Your Passionate and Purposeful Life | Beth Hewitt The Power of Visualisation Pt 2: Envision Your Passionate and Purposeful Life | Beth Hewitt “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.”  - Hafiz
 
Concluding part two of the conversation about attracting, visualising and accepting gifts,  Beth Hewitt introduces us to her methodology including the strengthening of her intuition with the aid of Oracle Cards she uses in her work.  

Beth Hewitt is a Spiritual Performance Coach, Speaker, Author, and Hostess of the Visualise You Podcast, where she shares the transformational stories of people who have taken a leap to follow their soul calling. She is a gifted intuitive. 

Story Points: 

  1. It can be difficult when we're not willing to let go of our preconceived ideas and Shoulds
  2.  We'll use these words all of the time without recognizing we are sabotaging ourselves 
  3.  Enhance your active listening skills. There is a transformation in being heard & understood. 
  4. Pay attention to your defensiveness. Defensiveness is a protectiveness and reminder of compassionate inquiry. 
  5.  Beth's Self-Compassion and Replenishment practices include: Surrendering to the flow, detaching from the outcome, and morning meditation to set the tone of the day

Episode Mentions

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.”  - Hafiz
 
Concluding part two of the conversation about attracting, visualising and accepting gifts,  Beth Hewitt introduces us to her methodology including the strengthening of her intuition with the aid of Oracle Cards she uses in her work.  

Beth Hewitt is a Spiritual Performance Coach, Speaker, Author, and Hostess of the Visualise You Podcast, where she shares the transformational stories of people who have taken a leap to follow their soul calling. She is a gifted intuitive. 

Story Points: 

  1. It can be difficult when we're not willing to let go of our preconceived ideas and Shoulds
  2.  We'll use these words all of the time without recognizing we are sabotaging ourselves 
  3.  Enhance your active listening skills. There is a transformation in being heard & understood. 
  4. Pay attention to your defensiveness. Defensiveness is a protectiveness and reminder of compassionate inquiry. 
  5.  Beth's Self-Compassion and Replenishment practices include: Surrendering to the flow, detaching from the outcome, and morning meditation to set the tone of the day

Episode Mentions

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10286806 Beth Hewitt Buzzsprout-10286806 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0700 1571 Creativity, Self-Compassion, Visualise You, Visualization, Creative Visualisation, Intuition, Law of Attraction, Mental Wellness, Courage, Storytelling, Scripting, Gratitude, Spiritual Entrepreneur, Visualise and Thrive 3 68 full false The Power of Visualisation Pt 1: Envision Your Passionate and Purposeful Life | Beth Hewitt The Power of Visualisation Pt 1: Envision Your Passionate and Purposeful Life | Beth Hewitt In a return after a hiatus, KJ FINALLY connects with her dear friend, Beth Hewitt with this intimate two-part conversation. Beth is a Spiritual Performance Coach, Speaker, Author, and Hostess of the Visualise You Podcast, where she shares the transformational stories of people who have taken a leap to follow their true soul’s calling.

Manifesting for the first time at just four years old, Beth specializes in gratitude & the power of visualisation. She helps people move from being unfulfilled to passionately and purposefully living life with clear intentions.

Story Points: 

  • Knowing from a very young age that our work would be NON- Traditional
  • Understanding that we are gifted, intuitive beings already
  • The majesty and miracles that happen when flow and intuition work in tandem

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In a return after a hiatus, KJ FINALLY connects with her dear friend, Beth Hewitt with this intimate two-part conversation. Beth is a Spiritual Performance Coach, Speaker, Author, and Hostess of the Visualise You Podcast, where she shares the transformational stories of people who have taken a leap to follow their true soul’s calling.

Manifesting for the first time at just four years old, Beth specializes in gratitude & the power of visualisation. She helps people move from being unfulfilled to passionately and purposefully living life with clear intentions.

Story Points: 

  • Knowing from a very young age that our work would be NON- Traditional
  • Understanding that we are gifted, intuitive beings already
  • The majesty and miracles that happen when flow and intuition work in tandem

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/10121949 Beth Hewitt Buzzsprout-10121949 Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0800 1597 Creativity, Self-Compassion, Visualise You, Visualization, Creative Visualisation, Intuition, Law of Attraction, Mental Wellness, Courage, Storytelling, Scripting, Gratitude, Spiritual Entrepreneur, Visualise and Thrive 3 67 full false Curiosity and Co-Creating: Nurturing beginnings while in good company | Dingding Hu Curiosity and Co-Creating: Nurturing beginnings while in good company | Dingding Hu KJ and her friend,  illustrator and author Dingding Hu welcome community over competition by meeting a couple times a month to churn on seedlings of ideas and current experiences. Hailing from China, Dingding is currently based in New York City and she specializes in drawing bubbly characters as well as serendipitous storytelling all of which can be found at her studio and site Hu Is Hungry.

KJ and Dingding discovered the riches of consistent jam sessions as artists, Asian women business owners, trying to form safe spaces for all of us “Weirdo Kids” (coined in KJ and Dingding's first Story Exchange, Episode 43) to gather and riff on concepts that build up instead of tearing down.

Compassionate Considerations 

  • Curiosity and collaboration may be the antidote to fears 
  • Seek reframe opportunities in all feedback  (or any "Unsubscribes")
  • Flip the negative self-talk by noticing the overwhelming evidence supporting The Good that you already do 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ and her friend,  illustrator and author Dingding Hu welcome community over competition by meeting a couple times a month to churn on seedlings of ideas and current experiences. Hailing from China, Dingding is currently based in New York City and she specializes in drawing bubbly characters as well as serendipitous storytelling all of which can be found at her studio and site Hu Is Hungry.

KJ and Dingding discovered the riches of consistent jam sessions as artists, Asian women business owners, trying to form safe spaces for all of us “Weirdo Kids” (coined in KJ and Dingding's first Story Exchange, Episode 43) to gather and riff on concepts that build up instead of tearing down.

Compassionate Considerations 

  • Curiosity and collaboration may be the antidote to fears 
  • Seek reframe opportunities in all feedback  (or any "Unsubscribes")
  • Flip the negative self-talk by noticing the overwhelming evidence supporting The Good that you already do 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9954722 Dingding Hu Buzzsprout-9954722 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 08:00:00 -0800 1943 Mental Health, Creativity, Resilience, Courage, Storytelling, Curiosity Over Fear, Co-Creation, Collaboration, Asian Artists, AAPI Creatives, Self Compassion, Women Supporting Women, Women of Color, Asian Podcasters, Self Care, Hu Is Hungry 3 66 full true Inviting In Imposter Syndrome | Margaret Soraya Inviting In Imposter Syndrome | Margaret Soraya "Who am I to do this?" This isn't an interview, but rather a  super casual jam session between friends, fellow artists, and podcasters about the fascinating and ever-hovering topic of Imposter Syndrome (IS).  KJ and her friend, the gifted land and seascape photographer Margaret Soraya wonder: Is the pervasiveness of IS due to it having been labeled? Is it across cultures, genders, and all professions?

Takeaways & Ponderings
1. Is Self Awareness is key? 
- Knowing boundaries and knowing what is uncomfortable?
- Having the conversations out loud and often will invite increased self-awareness

2. Gain confidence from doing
- Movement invites momentum and un-sticking 
- What happens when resources aren't available to take action?

3. Imposter Syndrome reveals our harsh self-talk 
-   We are harshest on ourselves with comparison and evaluative/critique
-   Would we speak so cruelly towards our best friends? Towards a child who is learning?

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> "Who am I to do this?" This isn't an interview, but rather a  super casual jam session between friends, fellow artists, and podcasters about the fascinating and ever-hovering topic of Imposter Syndrome (IS).  KJ and her friend, the gifted land and seascape photographer Margaret Soraya wonder: Is the pervasiveness of IS due to it having been labeled? Is it across cultures, genders, and all professions?

Takeaways & Ponderings
1. Is Self Awareness is key? 
- Knowing boundaries and knowing what is uncomfortable?
- Having the conversations out loud and often will invite increased self-awareness

2. Gain confidence from doing
- Movement invites momentum and un-sticking 
- What happens when resources aren't available to take action?

3. Imposter Syndrome reveals our harsh self-talk 
-   We are harshest on ourselves with comparison and evaluative/critique
-   Would we speak so cruelly towards our best friends? Towards a child who is learning?

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9872292 Margaret Soraya Buzzsprout-9872292 Wed, 12 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0800 1841 Imposter Syndrome, Creative Blocks, Self Compassion, Creativity, Mental Wellness, Self-Kindness, Self- Awareness, Quiet Landscapes, Margaret Soraya, Women Podcasters, Women Creative Entrepreneurs 3 65 full false New Year's Nourishment and Nutrition | Lauren Bryson New Year's Nourishment and Nutrition | Lauren Bryson KJ  invites friend and SOAL fan-favorite Lauren Bryson, a certified holistic nutritionist, back to the show to usher in 2022 with a tantalizing topic: nutrition and gut health to support overall physical and emotional health.

Lauren understands the therapeutic value of real, nutrient-dense food and she recognizes the impact the environment, chronic stressors, and mindset have on our whole health. She created Lauren Emerson Wellness, to guide clients 1:1 on achieving their health goals. She is also a wellness facilitator with Bauman Wellness and teaches kids cooking classes with Kids Cooking for Life.
 
Some nourishing niblets  from today's conversation: 

  • 70% of our immune system is located in our gut 
  • Feed your [sexy] microbiome with sexy nutrients (oh hiiiii, sauerkraut!) 
  • Self Compassion means advocating for and prioritizing our own immunity
  • Self Care equals proactive nourishment by getting outside and playing in the dirt! 

 Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ  invites friend and SOAL fan-favorite Lauren Bryson, a certified holistic nutritionist, back to the show to usher in 2022 with a tantalizing topic: nutrition and gut health to support overall physical and emotional health.

Lauren understands the therapeutic value of real, nutrient-dense food and she recognizes the impact the environment, chronic stressors, and mindset have on our whole health. She created Lauren Emerson Wellness, to guide clients 1:1 on achieving their health goals. She is also a wellness facilitator with Bauman Wellness and teaches kids cooking classes with Kids Cooking for Life.
 
Some nourishing niblets  from today's conversation: 

  • 70% of our immune system is located in our gut 
  • Feed your [sexy] microbiome with sexy nutrients (oh hiiiii, sauerkraut!) 
  • Self Compassion means advocating for and prioritizing our own immunity
  • Self Care equals proactive nourishment by getting outside and playing in the dirt! 

 Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9820967 Lauren Bryson Buzzsprout-9820967 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0800 2534 self compassion, resilience, mental health, holistic nutrition, Gut Health, Microbiome, Nutrient Rich Foods 3 64 full false Tiny Astonishments: Embracing Endings and Beginnings | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Embracing Endings and Beginnings | KJ Nasrul "To truly choose to love is heroic" - bell hooks

It's the final episode of 2021. Today, KJ holds space to honor themes and threads of this unparalleled year: the practice of self-compassion by setting boundaries, participation in creativity, and listening to the dialogue of our body.
Compassion is activism.

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Have you thought about starting your own podcast? Join KJ and dear friend Suzanne Dressler this Winter in an intimate Creatives' Cohort to learn how to launch your own show with the surrounding support of other new podcasters.  Email KJ (kj@blissbeginswithin.com) with questions!

Listen in to the Fan Favorites of SOAL 2021:  

Episode Mentions: 

  • The  Majesty of bell hooks 
  • Closing Compassion Meditation gifted from  Fresh "Lev" White 
  • Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 
  • Ep 63 background music is composed & performed by KJ Nasrul

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> "To truly choose to love is heroic" - bell hooks

It's the final episode of 2021. Today, KJ holds space to honor themes and threads of this unparalleled year: the practice of self-compassion by setting boundaries, participation in creativity, and listening to the dialogue of our body.
Compassion is activism.

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Have you thought about starting your own podcast? Join KJ and dear friend Suzanne Dressler this Winter in an intimate Creatives' Cohort to learn how to launch your own show with the surrounding support of other new podcasters.  Email KJ (kj@blissbeginswithin.com) with questions!

Listen in to the Fan Favorites of SOAL 2021:  

Episode Mentions: 

  • The  Majesty of bell hooks 
  • Closing Compassion Meditation gifted from  Fresh "Lev" White 
  • Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 
  • Ep 63 background music is composed & performed by KJ Nasrul

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9757293 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-9757293 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:00:00 -0800 1167 Creativity, Resilience, Self-Compassion, BIWOC Psychotherapists, Compassion Activism, Healing Our Healers, BIPOC Mental Health, AAPI Podcasters, Boundary Setting, Self Care, Loving Kindness, bell hooks on love 3 63 full false Sound Your Voice, Summon Abundance | Amanda Sellers Sound Your Voice, Summon Abundance | Amanda Sellers Join KJ and enchanting Voice Actor Amanda Sellers in an uplifting conversation about vocalizing our requests for The Good. Amanda is the mother of 2 amazing boys, a musician, a Voiceover mentor, and a meditation teacher. She has also co-founded TheVoiceOverSchool.com and is the creator of the #1 Mindfulness tool, Abundance Wands. You’ve probably heard her dulcet voice across campaigns for mega brands such as Axe, Nike, Apple and Roomba! Her bedtime meditation for kids and her happy morning guided visualizations are regularly featured favorites on Insight Timer. 
Whether in a resilient response to burnout, or in lulling her young son to sleep, Amanda helps listeners explore the ways our voices call in wealth, creativity, and wellness. 

Takeaways:
1. Courage to start new projects can be driven by the question: "What's next, Dreamer?"

2. For combatting Imposter Syndrome:  move through it, feel the fear, do it anyway.

3. The most successful voice talent speaks from the heart and not of the head. 

4. Tips for Self-Compassion:  a) Practice gratitude by writing down five things for which you're grateful; b) Write down your goals as if they've already been achieved; c) Verbalize mantras to aid your gratitude and compassion practices: "Thank you for this day. "Thank you for these little moments; and, "look for The Good." 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Join KJ and enchanting Voice Actor Amanda Sellers in an uplifting conversation about vocalizing our requests for The Good. Amanda is the mother of 2 amazing boys, a musician, a Voiceover mentor, and a meditation teacher. She has also co-founded TheVoiceOverSchool.com and is the creator of the #1 Mindfulness tool, Abundance Wands. You’ve probably heard her dulcet voice across campaigns for mega brands such as Axe, Nike, Apple and Roomba! Her bedtime meditation for kids and her happy morning guided visualizations are regularly featured favorites on Insight Timer. 
Whether in a resilient response to burnout, or in lulling her young son to sleep, Amanda helps listeners explore the ways our voices call in wealth, creativity, and wellness. 

Takeaways:
1. Courage to start new projects can be driven by the question: "What's next, Dreamer?"

2. For combatting Imposter Syndrome:  move through it, feel the fear, do it anyway.

3. The most successful voice talent speaks from the heart and not of the head. 

4. Tips for Self-Compassion:  a) Practice gratitude by writing down five things for which you're grateful; b) Write down your goals as if they've already been achieved; c) Verbalize mantras to aid your gratitude and compassion practices: "Thank you for this day. "Thank you for these little moments; and, "look for The Good." 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your words and thoughts are the fuel for this little listening gallery.  https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9683705 Amanda Sellers Buzzsprout-9683705 Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0800 2623 Voiceover, Voice Actors, Creativity, Mental Health Matters, Abundance Wands, Women-Led Businesses, Meditation for Anxiety Recovery, Burnout Recovery, The Voiceover School, Summon Abundance, Courage, Find Your Voice, Amanda Sellers 3 62 full true The Beauty in Belonging and Finding Your Tribe | The Magical Cartographers The Beauty in Belonging and Finding Your Tribe | The Magical Cartographers When and how did you know you belonged?  When and how did you know you had found your tribe? Today, KJ jams with her Karaoke crew--The Magical Cartographers--about the nuances and complexities of belonging and how our desire to connect with others shapes our decisions and the way we show up in the world every day. 

Today, in addition to reminiscing about Def Leppard concerts, KJ introduces you to three astonishing, spicy women who are mapping out the uncharted territories through storytelling, with the mission to create space for folks to gather and share their experiences about being authentic, doing things differently, and bringing voice to diverse ideas and perspectives. This is all in an invitation for you to do the same. Please join us? You are always welcome in this tribe,  Healers. 

Takeaways and Considerations:
1.   We are absorbing, sensitive creatures in our youth. 
2.   How is your idea of belonging informed when you found no representations in the “outside world” that looked like you? 
3.  Where do the weirdo kids, the feral ones, the dreamers fit in? 
4.  Is belonging about being accepted for who we truly, genuinely are? 
5.  Whom in your life fits that description- of accepting and supporting you in all your facets? 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be the next SOAL Spotlight Listener Review featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> When and how did you know you belonged?  When and how did you know you had found your tribe? Today, KJ jams with her Karaoke crew--The Magical Cartographers--about the nuances and complexities of belonging and how our desire to connect with others shapes our decisions and the way we show up in the world every day. 

Today, in addition to reminiscing about Def Leppard concerts, KJ introduces you to three astonishing, spicy women who are mapping out the uncharted territories through storytelling, with the mission to create space for folks to gather and share their experiences about being authentic, doing things differently, and bringing voice to diverse ideas and perspectives. This is all in an invitation for you to do the same. Please join us? You are always welcome in this tribe,  Healers. 

Takeaways and Considerations:
1.   We are absorbing, sensitive creatures in our youth. 
2.   How is your idea of belonging informed when you found no representations in the “outside world” that looked like you? 
3.  Where do the weirdo kids, the feral ones, the dreamers fit in? 
4.  Is belonging about being accepted for who we truly, genuinely are? 
5.  Whom in your life fits that description- of accepting and supporting you in all your facets? 

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be the next SOAL Spotlight Listener Review featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9642503 Jocelyn Lindsay / Ish Modak / Mel Morris Buzzsprout-9642503 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0800 2610 Mental Health, Creativity, Resilience, Courage, Storytelling For Healing, Bliss Begins Within, Female Entrepreneurs, Self Compassion, Women Supporting Women, Women of Color Podcasters, Self Care, The Magical Cartographers, All The Things Podcast 3 61 full true Tiny Astonishments: Restoring Balance After Burnout | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Restoring Balance After Burnout | KJ Nasrul In this season of gratitude, KJ names appreciation for burning out, coastal train rides, and actress/director Kristen Stewart. This Tiny Astonishment almost wasn't published; the podcast was nearly placed on an indefinite hiatus. 
How does one come back from bouts of exhaustion and overwhelm, especially during these charged and tender times? KJ shares her recommendations for reconnecting with joy and creativity, even if you feel you've lost it wholly, even when you don't expect it. First step-  embrace your #Other. Secondly, give into it.
 
Takeaways: 

  1. Go back to the Beginning
  2. Allow it to be effortless
  3. This is not your first time (accomplishing, succeeding!) 
  4. Listen to the landscape
  5. Celebrate the joyful lesson  

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be SOAL Spotlight Reviewer featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In this season of gratitude, KJ names appreciation for burning out, coastal train rides, and actress/director Kristen Stewart. This Tiny Astonishment almost wasn't published; the podcast was nearly placed on an indefinite hiatus. 
How does one come back from bouts of exhaustion and overwhelm, especially during these charged and tender times? KJ shares her recommendations for reconnecting with joy and creativity, even if you feel you've lost it wholly, even when you don't expect it. First step-  embrace your #Other. Secondly, give into it.
 
Takeaways: 

  1. Go back to the Beginning
  2. Allow it to be effortless
  3. This is not your first time (accomplishing, succeeding!) 
  4. Listen to the landscape
  5. Celebrate the joyful lesson  

Please leave a review for this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be SOAL Spotlight Reviewer featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9598195 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-9598195 Wed, 24 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0800 1786 mental health, burnout, resilience, creativity, gratitude, BIPOC wellness, Kristen Stewart, Musings On Other, self care, self compassion, Other, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, Spencer The Movie 3 60 full false Sun Still Rising: Poetry For Overcoming Shame | Noor Pinna Sun Still Rising: Poetry For Overcoming Shame | Noor Pinna It's another SOAL Special featuring an Astonishing #WOCHealer! Ms. Noor Pinna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and transformative mindset coach. She helps women break free from the barriers of shame, emboldening them to advocate for themselves and their communities, and to embody resiliency. 

Noor guides women to celebrate deeply nourishing self-care rituals byway of designing healthy boundaries and reframing any cognitive dissonances. She has administered mental health services internationally, notably in the support of Afghan women.

KJ and Noor, instant kindreds, dive into charged topics including  the cost of shame, our discomfort in honoring our accomplishments, and the curious and glorious bravery of what is deemed the “ Midnight Brain".

The episode opens with Noor’s reading of her own exquisite composition, a poem that garnered the attention of Ted Talk organizers, and led to an invitation to share her musings on Shame Resilience from the massive TedX stage. Noor is in the process of publishing her first book, The Sun Still Rises. 

Takeaways: 

  • Comparison is a killer, a robber of joy 
  • Our unique stories are our assets
  • Shame carries a high cost 
  • What is your Midnight Brain prompting you to do? 
  • Celebrate and Honor every step of your creative process 
  • A Shame Resilience Practice:  a) Body scan b) Notice where the discomfort is in the body c) Observe in curiosity d) Engage in conversation with the tension and uncomfortable thoughts e) Listen 

Please review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be SOAL Spotlight Reviewer featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> It's another SOAL Special featuring an Astonishing #WOCHealer! Ms. Noor Pinna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and transformative mindset coach. She helps women break free from the barriers of shame, emboldening them to advocate for themselves and their communities, and to embody resiliency. 

Noor guides women to celebrate deeply nourishing self-care rituals byway of designing healthy boundaries and reframing any cognitive dissonances. She has administered mental health services internationally, notably in the support of Afghan women.

KJ and Noor, instant kindreds, dive into charged topics including  the cost of shame, our discomfort in honoring our accomplishments, and the curious and glorious bravery of what is deemed the “ Midnight Brain".

The episode opens with Noor’s reading of her own exquisite composition, a poem that garnered the attention of Ted Talk organizers, and led to an invitation to share her musings on Shame Resilience from the massive TedX stage. Noor is in the process of publishing her first book, The Sun Still Rises. 

Takeaways: 

  • Comparison is a killer, a robber of joy 
  • Our unique stories are our assets
  • Shame carries a high cost 
  • What is your Midnight Brain prompting you to do? 
  • Celebrate and Honor every step of your creative process 
  • A Shame Resilience Practice:  a) Body scan b) Notice where the discomfort is in the body c) Observe in curiosity d) Engage in conversation with the tension and uncomfortable thoughts e) Listen 

Please review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. You could be SOAL Spotlight Reviewer featured on the show! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9434538 Noor Pinna Buzzsprout-9434538 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0700 2594 Creativity, Shame Resilience, Shame Recovery, BIWOC Psychotherapist, BIPOC Mental Health, Asian Podcasts, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Distortion Reframe, Self Compassion, Self Care, TedX Talks, BIWOC Mental Wellness, WOC Healers 3 59 full false We Shine On: Revealing and Repatterning Our Beliefs | Shanna Windle We Shine On: Revealing and Repatterning Our Beliefs | Shanna Windle Today KJ opens the  SOAL listening gallery for a story from Shanna Windle, an attorney turned holistic-subconscious mind-hacker with a mission of helping  us utilize the natural resources within ourselves to make changes and regain control in certain arenas of our lives. Using the award- winning  approach of Rapid Transformational Therapy Hypnosis, Shanna guides her clients towards finally, completely breaking negative patterns in emotions and behaviors that have kept them from living their full potential.

In the aftermath of grief and loss, including a divorce and the death of her mother, Shanna experienced the deterioration of her own emotional and physical well being. She sought answers to rising questions about mental wellness, maladaptive behavior patterns, and sustainable health which led Shanna to the decision to leave a 15-year career in law. She created a holistic health and Rapid Transformational Therapy practice based in Florida, Shine Wellness.

Takeaways 

  •  Hypnotherapy defined differently: Guided visualizations with a specific goal in mind. Carry the intention of uncovering the  beliefs that may be obstacles to wholly healing. 
  •  Habits are dictated by the subconscious mind. 95% of everything we do- our thinking, our actions and our feelings- derive from our subconscious. 
  •  We have the capacity to rewire our thinking patterns to create new habits! Our brains possess the ability for plasticity and flexibility.
  • Recalibration through prayer, time spent with kids and family, visualization and connecting with nature are all ways to practice self compassion and restore balance.

Please rate and review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be featured on the show, AND  you're eligible for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Today KJ opens the  SOAL listening gallery for a story from Shanna Windle, an attorney turned holistic-subconscious mind-hacker with a mission of helping  us utilize the natural resources within ourselves to make changes and regain control in certain arenas of our lives. Using the award- winning  approach of Rapid Transformational Therapy Hypnosis, Shanna guides her clients towards finally, completely breaking negative patterns in emotions and behaviors that have kept them from living their full potential.

In the aftermath of grief and loss, including a divorce and the death of her mother, Shanna experienced the deterioration of her own emotional and physical well being. She sought answers to rising questions about mental wellness, maladaptive behavior patterns, and sustainable health which led Shanna to the decision to leave a 15-year career in law. She created a holistic health and Rapid Transformational Therapy practice based in Florida, Shine Wellness.

Takeaways 

  •  Hypnotherapy defined differently: Guided visualizations with a specific goal in mind. Carry the intention of uncovering the  beliefs that may be obstacles to wholly healing. 
  •  Habits are dictated by the subconscious mind. 95% of everything we do- our thinking, our actions and our feelings- derive from our subconscious. 
  •  We have the capacity to rewire our thinking patterns to create new habits! Our brains possess the ability for plasticity and flexibility.
  • Recalibration through prayer, time spent with kids and family, visualization and connecting with nature are all ways to practice self compassion and restore balance.

Please rate and review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be featured on the show, AND  you're eligible for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9405221 Shanna Windle Buzzsprout-9405221 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0700 2121 Mental Health, Resiliency, Courage, Creativity, Rapid Transformational Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, habit forming, Repatterning, reframing beliefs, rewiring the brain,the subconscious mind, Shine Wellness 3 58 full false Redefining Our Feminine Armory: Create Safety and Radical Love | Nina Flores Redefining Our Feminine Armory: Create Safety and Radical Love | Nina Flores Childhood friends KJ and Dr. Nina Flores jam about empowered presence as biracial Women Of Color.  Dr. Flores is an Assistant Professor with the Social & Cultural Analysis of Education master’s program in the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach. There she engages students in deep analyses of issues concerning justice, power, and resistance.

Nina's writing and research on topics such as gender-based violence, and harassment experienced at academic conferences has been featured in several esteemed Academic journals including Gender & Education and Journal of Critical Thought and Praxis as well as  national outlets: Washington Post, Huffington Post, Ms. Magazine Blog, Progressive Planning Magazine, and the OC Weekly.

Today KJ and Nina discuss messaging around harassment and safety and the multitude of layers comprising true Self Care, including boundary setting and designing our "Dressed Up" Outsides in both feminine expression and armor. 

Takeaways:

  • We can be impactful when we release our material attachments, even if only for minutes
  • Self Compassion is multilayered, whole, and an active intentionality 
  • What is your armor as you walk out your door today, Ladies? 

Please rate and review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be featured on the show, AND  you're eligible for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Childhood friends KJ and Dr. Nina Flores jam about empowered presence as biracial Women Of Color.  Dr. Flores is an Assistant Professor with the Social & Cultural Analysis of Education master’s program in the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach. There she engages students in deep analyses of issues concerning justice, power, and resistance.

Nina's writing and research on topics such as gender-based violence, and harassment experienced at academic conferences has been featured in several esteemed Academic journals including Gender & Education and Journal of Critical Thought and Praxis as well as  national outlets: Washington Post, Huffington Post, Ms. Magazine Blog, Progressive Planning Magazine, and the OC Weekly.

Today KJ and Nina discuss messaging around harassment and safety and the multitude of layers comprising true Self Care, including boundary setting and designing our "Dressed Up" Outsides in both feminine expression and armor. 

Takeaways:

  • We can be impactful when we release our material attachments, even if only for minutes
  • Self Compassion is multilayered, whole, and an active intentionality 
  • What is your armor as you walk out your door today, Ladies? 

Please rate and review this podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be featured on the show, AND  you're eligible for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9359916 Nina Flores Buzzsprout-9359916 Wed, 13 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0700 2261 Mental Health, Creativity, Social and Cultural Analysis of Education, Female Safety, Courage, Self Compassion, Harassment, Gender Violence, BIWOC Healers, Activism, Dr. Nina Flores, CSULB, AAPI Podcaster, AAPI Wellness 3 57 full false Tiny Astonishments: Qualities of gratitude when quitting your job | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Qualities of gratitude when quitting your job | KJ Nasrul Tis the Season! KJ assesses and honors qualities of gratitude for all the challenges and blessings received in the months of August and September. KJ returns with the first Tiny Astonishment (solo show) of Season Three after unexpectedly taking a month off from podcasting to experience a number of fairly significant life events. 

  • KJ's husband NN became a US Citizen! 
  • She and said American Citizen Husband subsequently got dropped by COVID. 
  • KJ quit her 9-5 corporate healthcare job to pursue creative endeavors and to expand her expressive arts and trauma informed counseling practice Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy.  
  • .... and she returned to school. 

September was something special. Nevertheless, KJ welcomes Fall with open arms and a grateful heart.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're qualified for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Tis the Season! KJ assesses and honors qualities of gratitude for all the challenges and blessings received in the months of August and September. KJ returns with the first Tiny Astonishment (solo show) of Season Three after unexpectedly taking a month off from podcasting to experience a number of fairly significant life events. 

  • KJ's husband NN became a US Citizen! 
  • She and said American Citizen Husband subsequently got dropped by COVID. 
  • KJ quit her 9-5 corporate healthcare job to pursue creative endeavors and to expand her expressive arts and trauma informed counseling practice Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy.  
  • .... and she returned to school. 

September was something special. Nevertheless, KJ welcomes Fall with open arms and a grateful heart.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're qualified for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9325250 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-9325250 Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 984 mental health matters, gratitude, guided meditation, heart coherence, EMDR Therapy, Trauma Informed Psychotherapy, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, Crying In H Mart, Resilience, Creativity, WOC Healers, WOC Podcasts, AAPI Podcaster 3 56 full false A Rebellious Beauty: What Is AAPI Mental Wellness? | Judy Tsuei A Rebellious Beauty: What Is AAPI Mental Wellness? | Judy Tsuei Hey Rebels and Misfits! Welcome to the newest episode of the SOAL Season 3 Mini-Series: Astonishing women of color healers. Today's #WOCHealer  is Judy Tsuei. She's a yoga teacher, Reiki, healer. Writer and speaker on all things, mental health for Asian-Americans. She is the hostess of F*ck Saving Face, a podcast that is both assuring and provocative while empowering Asian Americans to rebel against upholding the model minority standard. Judy aims to redefine what it means to be strong, courageous, and to break taboos placed on us by the generations that came before. 

Judy & KJ explore charged topics today:  

  • *Storytelling can bridge generational gaps  and destigmatize discussions around Mental Health. 
  • *We can create and be new models for Asian beauty. 

Here's to redefining beauty and wellness for the new line of advocates!
 
Takeaways: 

  1. Names,  pronunciation-all  language--is significant in shaping our relationships and our cultural identity. 
  2. There are struggles with loneliness and isolation for Asian Americans including those of us who are Biracial Asian Americans.
  3. Is there a place for you where you truly felt like you were home? Where you belong?
  4. Who creates the definition of “Beauty” in Asian-American Culture? 
  5.  Your experience is real, even if no one is talking about it.  ACKNOWLEDGE. It happened.
  6. Help Destigmatize Mental Health Issues such as depression and suicidality by talking about it and also addressing it through a lens that is racially considerate.
  7. Start with healing ourselves, for when we do, we disrupt, maybe stop  intergenerational trauma.
  8. Self Compassion Practices include accepting and receiving love. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  Leave a review for your chance at winning a Free 1:1 Consult with KJ! 

Episode Mentions:
Featuring Judy Tsuei 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Hey Rebels and Misfits! Welcome to the newest episode of the SOAL Season 3 Mini-Series: Astonishing women of color healers. Today's #WOCHealer  is Judy Tsuei. She's a yoga teacher, Reiki, healer. Writer and speaker on all things, mental health for Asian-Americans. She is the hostess of F*ck Saving Face, a podcast that is both assuring and provocative while empowering Asian Americans to rebel against upholding the model minority standard. Judy aims to redefine what it means to be strong, courageous, and to break taboos placed on us by the generations that came before. 

Judy & KJ explore charged topics today:  

  • *Storytelling can bridge generational gaps  and destigmatize discussions around Mental Health. 
  • *We can create and be new models for Asian beauty. 

Here's to redefining beauty and wellness for the new line of advocates!
 
Takeaways: 

  1. Names,  pronunciation-all  language--is significant in shaping our relationships and our cultural identity. 
  2. There are struggles with loneliness and isolation for Asian Americans including those of us who are Biracial Asian Americans.
  3. Is there a place for you where you truly felt like you were home? Where you belong?
  4. Who creates the definition of “Beauty” in Asian-American Culture? 
  5.  Your experience is real, even if no one is talking about it.  ACKNOWLEDGE. It happened.
  6. Help Destigmatize Mental Health Issues such as depression and suicidality by talking about it and also addressing it through a lens that is racially considerate.
  7. Start with healing ourselves, for when we do, we disrupt, maybe stop  intergenerational trauma.
  8. Self Compassion Practices include accepting and receiving love. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  Leave a review for your chance at winning a Free 1:1 Consult with KJ! 

Episode Mentions:
Featuring Judy Tsuei 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9278945 Judy Tsuei Buzzsprout-9278945 Wed, 29 Sep 2021 15:00:00 -0700 2774 self compassion, beauty, Asian American Safety, Asian Beauty, Asian Podcasts, courage, resilience, AAPI, AAPI Mental Health, F*CK SAVING FACE, Judy Tsuei, Storytelling for Mental Health, Asian American Podcasters, Stop AAPI Hate 3 55 full true Well-Rounded Creativepreneurs: How to become a triple threat in wellness | Jen Morris Well-Rounded Creativepreneurs: How to become a triple threat in wellness | Jen Morris KJ jams with her friend Jen Morris on today's new SOAL. Jen is an actor, Certified Health Coach and the host of the Well-Rounded Actor, a show that helps actors become Today’s Triple Threat - mentally, physically and financially WELL. She ardently believes that actors are built for business - and not just show business. She started her first business as a struggling 26-year-old NYC actor and grew it to a multiple 6-figure earning vehicle while continuing to go after her acting goals and do motherhood on her own terms. 

Jen is on a mission to help more actors put their talents to work in high impact, income producing businesses that can give them the leverage they need and fulfillment they deserve.  

Takeaways:
1.  Who are we waiting for to grant us permission to take action? 
2.  Awareness can arrive as an external source offering feedback
3.  Grant grace and the time to others and ourselves to make decisions 
4.  Notice when fear prevents us from stepping in to our alignment.
5.  Imposter Syndrome impacts everyone, even artists and performers.
6.  We have innate talents and skills, but we struggle accepting this. 
7.  Self Care Practices :
         a.  Ask for what  you need 
         b. Realize that not everything is going to be your thing, that's ok.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions:
Featuring Jen Morris-
29 Entrepreneurial Ways Actors Can Make More Income & Impact
QUIZ: Discover Your Actorpreneur Archetype

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ jams with her friend Jen Morris on today's new SOAL. Jen is an actor, Certified Health Coach and the host of the Well-Rounded Actor, a show that helps actors become Today’s Triple Threat - mentally, physically and financially WELL. She ardently believes that actors are built for business - and not just show business. She started her first business as a struggling 26-year-old NYC actor and grew it to a multiple 6-figure earning vehicle while continuing to go after her acting goals and do motherhood on her own terms. 

Jen is on a mission to help more actors put their talents to work in high impact, income producing businesses that can give them the leverage they need and fulfillment they deserve.  

Takeaways:
1.  Who are we waiting for to grant us permission to take action? 
2.  Awareness can arrive as an external source offering feedback
3.  Grant grace and the time to others and ourselves to make decisions 
4.  Notice when fear prevents us from stepping in to our alignment.
5.  Imposter Syndrome impacts everyone, even artists and performers.
6.  We have innate talents and skills, but we struggle accepting this. 
7.  Self Care Practices :
         a.  Ask for what  you need 
         b. Realize that not everything is going to be your thing, that's ok.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions:
Featuring Jen Morris-
29 Entrepreneurial Ways Actors Can Make More Income & Impact
QUIZ: Discover Your Actorpreneur Archetype

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9238929 Jen Morris Buzzsprout-9238929 Wed, 22 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0700 2685 Creativity, Wellness, Mental Health, Well-Rounded Actor Podcast, Self Compassion, Resilience, Actors Mental Wellness, Creativepreneurs, Purpose, Imposter Syndrome, Jen Morris 3 54 full true Surrender With Wonder and regain your natural delight | Yasmin Afrazeh Surrender With Wonder and regain your natural delight | Yasmin Afrazeh When was the last time you experienced divine play? "Lila" is a Sanskrit word used in Hinduism and yogic philosophy, loosely translated as "play", and "delight in the moment." Today's new episode explores these concepts and is the first interview of a new mini-series: Astonishing WOC Healers. KJ will share conversations held with healers, social activists and educators who are Women of Color. 

Meet Yasmin Afrazeh, a Certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, Radiant Child-trained Children’s Yoga teacher and Therapeutic Art Life Coach. She is the founder of House of Lila, a space for children to learn mindfulness through Kundalini Yoga and expressive arts including movement and storytelling.

House of Lila grew from Yasmin's vision to help children preserve their natural wisdom and radiance, and regain their inherent state of being--of joy, awareness, creativity.  Spanning across Persia and Australia and solo road trips within the badlands of Montana, KJ and Yasmin recall the lessons on how to wholly surrender with wonder. 

Takeaways:

  1.  We already know what to do. We have innate wisdom within . 
  2.  House of Lila could be a  mantra and lifestyle. "Lila" means "to divinely play".  Hold the space for delight and embrace the outcome of fluid, creative energy. 
  3.  Are we missing opportunities for living in the present? We’re always planning the next step,  doing instead of being. 
  4. Our natural state is joy, lightness, innocence and possibility. Observe and admire children, as they are the most wonderful teachers.  Admire their freedom, and their wild imagination. They remind us, Everything's possible. 
  5. Bow into service, of something greater than us.  “I am a small part. I am held. I am fine.” 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> When was the last time you experienced divine play? "Lila" is a Sanskrit word used in Hinduism and yogic philosophy, loosely translated as "play", and "delight in the moment." Today's new episode explores these concepts and is the first interview of a new mini-series: Astonishing WOC Healers. KJ will share conversations held with healers, social activists and educators who are Women of Color. 

Meet Yasmin Afrazeh, a Certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, Radiant Child-trained Children’s Yoga teacher and Therapeutic Art Life Coach. She is the founder of House of Lila, a space for children to learn mindfulness through Kundalini Yoga and expressive arts including movement and storytelling.

House of Lila grew from Yasmin's vision to help children preserve their natural wisdom and radiance, and regain their inherent state of being--of joy, awareness, creativity.  Spanning across Persia and Australia and solo road trips within the badlands of Montana, KJ and Yasmin recall the lessons on how to wholly surrender with wonder. 

Takeaways:

  1.  We already know what to do. We have innate wisdom within . 
  2.  House of Lila could be a  mantra and lifestyle. "Lila" means "to divinely play".  Hold the space for delight and embrace the outcome of fluid, creative energy. 
  3.  Are we missing opportunities for living in the present? We’re always planning the next step,  doing instead of being. 
  4. Our natural state is joy, lightness, innocence and possibility. Observe and admire children, as they are the most wonderful teachers.  Admire their freedom, and their wild imagination. They remind us, Everything's possible. 
  5. Bow into service, of something greater than us.  “I am a small part. I am held. I am fine.” 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9179177 Yasmin Afrazeh Buzzsprout-9179177 Mon, 13 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0700 2647 resilience, surrender, Kundalini Yoga, expressive arts therapy, yoga for kids, creativity, mindfulness for kids, WOC healers, House of Lila, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, Play Therapy for Kids 3 53 full true Sacred Sound: Crystal bowl healing Pt 2 | Deva Munay Sacred Sound: Crystal bowl healing Pt 2 | Deva Munay ** BIRTHDAY & NEW SEASON CELEBRATIONS  ** Today’s opening episode for the third season of SOAL is the nourishing, concluding conversation with Yoga & Meditation teacher and Certified Sound Healer Deva Munay.  In the first part of this conversation [Episode 49], we learned that Deva’s home community had perished in a California wildfire earlier this year, and friends and neighbors came together in a mission to raise money for a rebuild. And during such already charged times,  Deva separated from her longtime love. We ponder ways we recover from such  layered devastation and grief.  

Takeaways: 

  • Deva's mantra: Hold to the center. 
  • Inquiries: What is the Divine Plan? Is this for our protection?   
  • Response: We must learn to entrust that something will be there to hold us in our journey through destruction and pain. 
  • Inquiry: How can we be nourished while we encounter and discard old patterns?
  • Response: Follow the sound. 

Please enjoy a mini sound bowl healing session (about 14 minutes long)  Deva created exclusively for SOAL listeners in this soothing, quiet season premiere.

Episode Mentions: 

  • Deva's Website SacredSound.Love 
  • Listen to excerpts of Deva's  sound journeys 
  • Instagram @DevaMunay 
  • Ep 52 Background Music: Original Piano Composition by KJ Nasrul 
  • Show Intro & Outro Music:  Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Support This Podcast

It is our one year anniversary (Happy Birthday, SOAL!)  and we hope this will be just the first of many more years of reveling in these astonishing stories around and within us.  Please consider supporting and celebrating this podcast by subscribing and downloading  your favorite episodes. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 
BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 session with KJ!

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> ** BIRTHDAY & NEW SEASON CELEBRATIONS  ** Today’s opening episode for the third season of SOAL is the nourishing, concluding conversation with Yoga & Meditation teacher and Certified Sound Healer Deva Munay.  In the first part of this conversation [Episode 49], we learned that Deva’s home community had perished in a California wildfire earlier this year, and friends and neighbors came together in a mission to raise money for a rebuild. And during such already charged times,  Deva separated from her longtime love. We ponder ways we recover from such  layered devastation and grief.  

Takeaways: 

  • Deva's mantra: Hold to the center. 
  • Inquiries: What is the Divine Plan? Is this for our protection?   
  • Response: We must learn to entrust that something will be there to hold us in our journey through destruction and pain. 
  • Inquiry: How can we be nourished while we encounter and discard old patterns?
  • Response: Follow the sound. 

Please enjoy a mini sound bowl healing session (about 14 minutes long)  Deva created exclusively for SOAL listeners in this soothing, quiet season premiere.

Episode Mentions: 

  • Deva's Website SacredSound.Love 
  • Listen to excerpts of Deva's  sound journeys 
  • Instagram @DevaMunay 
  • Ep 52 Background Music: Original Piano Composition by KJ Nasrul 
  • Show Intro & Outro Music:  Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Support This Podcast

It is our one year anniversary (Happy Birthday, SOAL!)  and we hope this will be just the first of many more years of reveling in these astonishing stories around and within us.  Please consider supporting and celebrating this podcast by subscribing and downloading  your favorite episodes. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 
BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 session with KJ!

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/9120682 Deva Munay Buzzsprout-9120682 Wed, 01 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0700 1740 Mental Health, Sound Healing, Resilience, Sound Bowl Healing, Stories of Astonishing Light, Sound Meditation, Grieving Process, Creativity, Sound Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Deva Munay, Crystalline Singing Bowls 3 52 full false SOAL Second Listen: Raise Your Resilience | KJ Nasrul SOAL Second Listen: Raise Your Resilience | KJ Nasrul **BONUS** Here's a  SOAL Second Listen to hold you until the Season 3 premiere. In the Fall of 2020, KJ was featured on the incredible podcast Go To Gal as hosted by Jaclyn Mellone. Today, just as she did on Go To Gal, KJ shares observations after years of studying resilience: People exhibit common elements which indicate high resiliency levels. Do you possess these elements too? 

In the second part of this mini episode, KJ invites you to connect with your body’s wisdom in stressful moments byway of guidance from resilience expert Linda Graham and Mindful Magazine.  

Takeaways: 

  1. Are you able to access your basic needs to be safe in the world? 
  2. Name at least 2 supportive resources in your life:  a person or community on whom you can rely for encouragement and kindness.
  3.  Do you celebrate your ability to overcome difficult situations? 
  4. Natural Breathing is a powerful exercise in regaining control when you’re fearful; Also, it regulates and soothes the autonomic nervous system. 
  5. The Heart and Hand Meditation helps restore calm and equilibrium to the mind-body; also summons memory of cherished, safe moments with a loved one- prompting the release of oxytocin. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> **BONUS** Here's a  SOAL Second Listen to hold you until the Season 3 premiere. In the Fall of 2020, KJ was featured on the incredible podcast Go To Gal as hosted by Jaclyn Mellone. Today, just as she did on Go To Gal, KJ shares observations after years of studying resilience: People exhibit common elements which indicate high resiliency levels. Do you possess these elements too? 

In the second part of this mini episode, KJ invites you to connect with your body’s wisdom in stressful moments byway of guidance from resilience expert Linda Graham and Mindful Magazine.  

Takeaways: 

  1. Are you able to access your basic needs to be safe in the world? 
  2. Name at least 2 supportive resources in your life:  a person or community on whom you can rely for encouragement and kindness.
  3.  Do you celebrate your ability to overcome difficult situations? 
  4. Natural Breathing is a powerful exercise in regaining control when you’re fearful; Also, it regulates and soothes the autonomic nervous system. 
  5. The Heart and Hand Meditation helps restore calm and equilibrium to the mind-body; also summons memory of cherished, safe moments with a loved one- prompting the release of oxytocin. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8927454 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-8927454 Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:00:00 -0700 919 mental health, Resiliency, creativity, storytelling, Mindfulness, Self Compassion, emotional regulation, nervous system regulation, Linda Graham, Go To Gal Podcast, Jaclyn Mellone, Bliss Begins Within, Resilience 2 51 bonus false Tiny Astonishments: Soul Stories and Salves | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Soul Stories and Salves | KJ Nasrul “We are ourselves creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.” -Julia Cameron, The Artist's The Way  

It's Episode 50 and the Season Two Finale for this Listening Gallery of Stories and Healing Salves. KJ celebrates her 11 month journey since starting Stories Of Astonishing Light  by honoring her beginnings and returning to creativity. 

Takeaways:
 
1. Spotlight Listener Review  from AJ Optimist

  • Receiving your words wholly and gratefully, AJ! 
  • Reviews invite you into a chance to win a 1:1 session with KJ 
  • Reviews help spread the word about this 


2. Four Universal Healing Salves 

  • Did you stop 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰?
  • Did you stop 𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰?
  • Did you stop being 𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?
  • Did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of 𝓼𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮?

3. When You Quit Your Job... 

  • Return to your most aligned, creative purpose 
  • Opportunities and invitation flows often and easily  
  • Joyful replenishment in abundance 

4. Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy is Open 
Work with KJ in whole-person, self compassionate practices by way of Expressive Arts Therapy for trauma informed care.  

  • Day Retreats of art, music, sound and story exchanges
  • Healing Our Healers: Small Group Live Coaching and Community 
  • Creativity & Compassion Sessions 

..... all of these events are available for August and September! 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're qualified for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> “We are ourselves creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.” -Julia Cameron, The Artist's The Way  

It's Episode 50 and the Season Two Finale for this Listening Gallery of Stories and Healing Salves. KJ celebrates her 11 month journey since starting Stories Of Astonishing Light  by honoring her beginnings and returning to creativity. 

Takeaways:
 
1. Spotlight Listener Review  from AJ Optimist

  • Receiving your words wholly and gratefully, AJ! 
  • Reviews invite you into a chance to win a 1:1 session with KJ 
  • Reviews help spread the word about this 


2. Four Universal Healing Salves 

  • Did you stop 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰?
  • Did you stop 𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰?
  • Did you stop being 𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?
  • Did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of 𝓼𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮?

3. When You Quit Your Job... 

  • Return to your most aligned, creative purpose 
  • Opportunities and invitation flows often and easily  
  • Joyful replenishment in abundance 

4. Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy is Open 
Work with KJ in whole-person, self compassionate practices by way of Expressive Arts Therapy for trauma informed care.  

  • Day Retreats of art, music, sound and story exchanges
  • Healing Our Healers: Small Group Live Coaching and Community 
  • Creativity & Compassion Sessions 

..... all of these events are available for August and September! 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're qualified for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8900148 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-8900148 Wed, 21 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0700 898 Self-compassion, creativity, resilience, mental health advocacy, emotional wellness, self care, balance, creativity and compassion, healing our healers, bliss begins within psychotherapy, Trauma Informed Care, Expressive Arts Therapy 2 50 full false Sacred Sound: Crystal bowl healing Pt 1 | Deva Munay Sacred Sound: Crystal bowl healing Pt 1 | Deva Munay Sound is one of the oldest and most natural forms of healing known to our planet. Sound frequencies can restore one’s mind, body and spirit back to a state of balance. KJ welcomes Certified Sound Healer Deva Munay to explore what this means today in our Pandemic-riddled world. 

Deva has traveled and studied healing modalities across many landscapes, including Belize, Peru, Indonesia, and Egypt with the hope of incorporating the wisdom of these cultures into her sound journeys. Her mission is to create a unified field of pure awareness, with the intention of invoking deep states of healing, transformation, awe and wonder.

In this first half of a two part conversation, KJ and Deva recall discovering the restorative properties of sound--- calm and tranquility; a technique to quiet the mind chatter!-- through extensive travel to post -injury recovery. 

The ladies also acknowledge that while this was a year of heartache and grief (on a personal and global level), it introduced new resources for wellness to a new audience. Somehow the world crisis prompted a return to a common mode of communication, a bond through an ancient language. 

Takeaways:
1.  Seek surroundings completely different than your known, familiar world. 
2. There is this collective consciousness. Whether we're physically touching or not, we are constantly impacting our world and one another. 
3.  Even in grief, this is what I can understand: destruction and transformation can lead to a higher good.
4.  Nothing is ever truly lost; it is transformed. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with KJ!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Sound is one of the oldest and most natural forms of healing known to our planet. Sound frequencies can restore one’s mind, body and spirit back to a state of balance. KJ welcomes Certified Sound Healer Deva Munay to explore what this means today in our Pandemic-riddled world. 

Deva has traveled and studied healing modalities across many landscapes, including Belize, Peru, Indonesia, and Egypt with the hope of incorporating the wisdom of these cultures into her sound journeys. Her mission is to create a unified field of pure awareness, with the intention of invoking deep states of healing, transformation, awe and wonder.

In this first half of a two part conversation, KJ and Deva recall discovering the restorative properties of sound--- calm and tranquility; a technique to quiet the mind chatter!-- through extensive travel to post -injury recovery. 

The ladies also acknowledge that while this was a year of heartache and grief (on a personal and global level), it introduced new resources for wellness to a new audience. Somehow the world crisis prompted a return to a common mode of communication, a bond through an ancient language. 

Takeaways:
1.  Seek surroundings completely different than your known, familiar world. 
2. There is this collective consciousness. Whether we're physically touching or not, we are constantly impacting our world and one another. 
3.  Even in grief, this is what I can understand: destruction and transformation can lead to a higher good.
4.  Nothing is ever truly lost; it is transformed. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with KJ!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8860877 Deva Munay Buzzsprout-8860877 Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0700 2066 Mental Health, Creativity, Grief Recovery, Resilience, Sound Bowl Healing, Sound Therapy, Storytelling, Sound Healing, Bliss Begins Within, Sound Meditation, Deva Munay, Self Compassion, Women Supporting Women, Self Compassion, Women In Business 2 49 full false She Returns To Rise: Rebuilding business in difficult times | Sophia Noreen Syed She Returns To Rise: Rebuilding business in difficult times | Sophia Noreen Syed How do you dig deep and summon your resilience in a crisis?  Today's SOAL friend Sophia Noreen Syed returns to the show to share her experience as she witnessed the incredible success and then the halting of her product-based start up company Also Sophia  during the pandemic.

Sophia Noreen is a Toronto-based physiotherapist, podcaster, multi-business owner, mama and mentor for women entrepreneurs. 

KJ and Sophia Noreen became fast friends last year as they launched podcasts and created coaching courses together in the midst of a world health crisis. Today the ladies catch up, support each other’s accomplishments and detours, and return to the drawing board as women entrepreneurs embodying resilience through creativity and compassionate reassessment.

Takeaways: 

  1.  Be willing to be introspective; self assess. 
  • Question: What am I willing to do? What might I delegate elsewhere? 

       2.   There are projects, people and places who deserve the BEST of you.  

  • Question: Where is my zone of genius? Where are my skills and talents best utilized?

       3.  Essential Self Compassion is doing something else. 

  • Question: How might I start small to re-engage in my wellness routines? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> How do you dig deep and summon your resilience in a crisis?  Today's SOAL friend Sophia Noreen Syed returns to the show to share her experience as she witnessed the incredible success and then the halting of her product-based start up company Also Sophia  during the pandemic.

Sophia Noreen is a Toronto-based physiotherapist, podcaster, multi-business owner, mama and mentor for women entrepreneurs. 

KJ and Sophia Noreen became fast friends last year as they launched podcasts and created coaching courses together in the midst of a world health crisis. Today the ladies catch up, support each other’s accomplishments and detours, and return to the drawing board as women entrepreneurs embodying resilience through creativity and compassionate reassessment.

Takeaways: 

  1.  Be willing to be introspective; self assess. 
  • Question: What am I willing to do? What might I delegate elsewhere? 

       2.   There are projects, people and places who deserve the BEST of you.  

  • Question: Where is my zone of genius? Where are my skills and talents best utilized?

       3.  Essential Self Compassion is doing something else. 

  • Question: How might I start small to re-engage in my wellness routines? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8824455 Sophia Noreen Syed Buzzsprout-8824455 Wed, 07 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0700 2322 Mental Wellness, Creativity, Resilience, Courage, Storytelling, Bliss Begins Within, Female Entrepreneurs, Sophia Noreen Syed, Self Compassion, Women Supporting Women, Women of Color, BIPOC Podcaster, Self Care, Women In Business, Also Sophia 2 48 full false Recovering, Transforming and Transcending Fear | Terri Kozlowski Recovering, Transforming and Transcending Fear | Terri Kozlowski How do you move forward as an adult after experiencing a childhood filled with abuse and trauma? We discuss this in today's SOAL.  Our guest is Terri Kozlowski, a Native American Warrior,  certified life coach, blogger, and author of the book "Raven Transcending Fear". She is also founder of the Soul Solutions Podcast and YouTube Channel. 

Terri specializes in empowering women by teaching them to set personal boundaries, reframe the stories they tell themselves, overcome their fears, and push past their limiting beliefs.  

In a conversation that honors intuition and healing creativity, KJ and Terri explore how to untether from the fears that hold us back from living genuine, enriched  lives. Terri shares her exquisite reframing inquiry (a simple question composed of  two words)  that shaped her courage as an adult to finally begin healing wounds caused by nearly unspeakable childhood trauma.

Note:  There are references to experiencing childhood abuse, which may be triggering for some listeners.

Takeaways:

  • Release attachments, release your suffering
  • Reconnect with and remember your intuitive, healing gifts with creativity 
  • Reframe the "Why me?" question into an empowering declaration of transformation 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be shared on the show, AND you'll be in the running for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> How do you move forward as an adult after experiencing a childhood filled with abuse and trauma? We discuss this in today's SOAL.  Our guest is Terri Kozlowski, a Native American Warrior,  certified life coach, blogger, and author of the book "Raven Transcending Fear". She is also founder of the Soul Solutions Podcast and YouTube Channel. 

Terri specializes in empowering women by teaching them to set personal boundaries, reframe the stories they tell themselves, overcome their fears, and push past their limiting beliefs.  

In a conversation that honors intuition and healing creativity, KJ and Terri explore how to untether from the fears that hold us back from living genuine, enriched  lives. Terri shares her exquisite reframing inquiry (a simple question composed of  two words)  that shaped her courage as an adult to finally begin healing wounds caused by nearly unspeakable childhood trauma.

Note:  There are references to experiencing childhood abuse, which may be triggering for some listeners.

Takeaways:

  • Release attachments, release your suffering
  • Reconnect with and remember your intuitive, healing gifts with creativity 
  • Reframe the "Why me?" question into an empowering declaration of transformation 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review may be shared on the show, AND you'll be in the running for a FREE, private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8787700 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Terri Kozlowski Buzzsprout-8787700 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0700 2671 Healing, self compassion, creativity, resilience, trauma recovery, Expressive Arts Therapy, Art Heals, Adult Survivors of abuse, Morning Pages, Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care, Self Care, Terri Kozlowski, Raven Transcending Fear 2 47 full true Tiny Astonishments: These Unexpected Gifts | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: These Unexpected Gifts | KJ Nasrul KJ Nasrul realized she was Asian when she was 11 years old. KJ has suffered bouts of depression throughout her life, most markedly at age 17. Today, KJ has turned in her notice and is leaving her corporate job to open the doors to her trauma-informed, expressive arts healing practice. 

In this personal solo episode, [Tiny Astonishment], KJ shares what happened when she returned to her rituals of morning writing and musical composition. She found herself examining her roots including her Asian ethnicity and the prevalence of mental health issues in her life. 

Today’s show is a celebration of reconnecting and rediscovering our inner wisdom and resources for healing, even in heartbreaking times. 

It’s our experiences and decisions to show up, even while messy and scared, that can still be the beginnings of countless astonishing stories of light.

In closing of SOAL's 46th episode, enjoy a sampling from the impromptu and inspiring jam session with KJ's friend and fellow #aapi musician, Ning Recio. 

**KJ invites you to rediscover your innate wisdom for healing **
Her Creativity & Compassion Session, [Summertime Edition] takes place this Saturday, June 26, 2021. 

In the 90 minute gathering, KJ and a small group of healers/artists will: 
*uncover our resilient stories

*reclaim our self-healing abilities

*unearth embedded creativity

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're in the running for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Nasrul realized she was Asian when she was 11 years old. KJ has suffered bouts of depression throughout her life, most markedly at age 17. Today, KJ has turned in her notice and is leaving her corporate job to open the doors to her trauma-informed, expressive arts healing practice. 

In this personal solo episode, [Tiny Astonishment], KJ shares what happened when she returned to her rituals of morning writing and musical composition. She found herself examining her roots including her Asian ethnicity and the prevalence of mental health issues in her life. 

Today’s show is a celebration of reconnecting and rediscovering our inner wisdom and resources for healing, even in heartbreaking times. 

It’s our experiences and decisions to show up, even while messy and scared, that can still be the beginnings of countless astonishing stories of light.

In closing of SOAL's 46th episode, enjoy a sampling from the impromptu and inspiring jam session with KJ's friend and fellow #aapi musician, Ning Recio. 

**KJ invites you to rediscover your innate wisdom for healing **
Her Creativity & Compassion Session, [Summertime Edition] takes place this Saturday, June 26, 2021. 

In the 90 minute gathering, KJ and a small group of healers/artists will: 
*uncover our resilient stories

*reclaim our self-healing abilities

*unearth embedded creativity

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. Your review could be read on the show, AND you're in the running for a FREE private 1:1 call with KJ! https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8748995 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Ning Recio Buzzsprout-8748995 Wed, 23 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0700 846 courage, resilience, creativity, movement therapy, healing our healers, Expressive Arts Therapy, Asian Heritage Month, Self Compassion, Trauma Informed Healing, mental health awareness, Ning Recio, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy 2 46 full false Blooming Within Water and Salt | Dani Richards Blooming Within Water and Salt | Dani Richards “If the ocean can calm itself so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.”
 ~Nayyirah Waheed

Today's #SOAL guest Dani Richards has known KJ for many years, having  first met in an online community based on monikers and screen names built to protect identity and distance. Today's episode is their first face-to-face conversation in nearly a decade, exploring  ways we can overcome barriers and connect authentically.

Dani is a 200 hour trained yoga teacher,  a varsity swim coach and she is First Aid Certified in youth mental health. Dani's master's degree is counseling-based in higher education and her mission is to practice and share lessons of self-compassion and resilience to help recognize and combat stress and anxiety.
 
The reunited friends explore so many themes in this chat including: showing up, "showing face", and granting radical acceptance and forgiveness to ourselves and in turn, others. 

Takeaways: 

1. Observe what it might mean for you, to overcome the fear of showing up, and deciding to "Show Face". 
2. Using reframes, how might our “disabilities” be our greatest gifts? Could these be opportunities to learn something more about our own resiliency?
3. Practice Self Kindness.
4. Reacting is human. Instead of judging our instinctual responses, perhaps practice these kind statements: 

“I forgive myself”
“I forgive myself for having this reaction.” 
“I forgive myself for falling into this belief.” 
“I forgive myself for being caught up in this false judgment."

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

  • Bloom Yoga & Wellness Website  
  • Instagram  @bloomwellyogi 
  • Dani Richards, Bloom Well Yogi  Facebook 
  • Episode  Background music: Original composition 'Butterfly' by  KJ Nasrul 
  • Episode Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> “If the ocean can calm itself so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.”
 ~Nayyirah Waheed

Today's #SOAL guest Dani Richards has known KJ for many years, having  first met in an online community based on monikers and screen names built to protect identity and distance. Today's episode is their first face-to-face conversation in nearly a decade, exploring  ways we can overcome barriers and connect authentically.

Dani is a 200 hour trained yoga teacher,  a varsity swim coach and she is First Aid Certified in youth mental health. Dani's master's degree is counseling-based in higher education and her mission is to practice and share lessons of self-compassion and resilience to help recognize and combat stress and anxiety.
 
The reunited friends explore so many themes in this chat including: showing up, "showing face", and granting radical acceptance and forgiveness to ourselves and in turn, others. 

Takeaways: 

1. Observe what it might mean for you, to overcome the fear of showing up, and deciding to "Show Face". 
2. Using reframes, how might our “disabilities” be our greatest gifts? Could these be opportunities to learn something more about our own resiliency?
3. Practice Self Kindness.
4. Reacting is human. Instead of judging our instinctual responses, perhaps practice these kind statements: 

“I forgive myself”
“I forgive myself for having this reaction.” 
“I forgive myself for falling into this belief.” 
“I forgive myself for being caught up in this false judgment."

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

  • Bloom Yoga & Wellness Website  
  • Instagram  @bloomwellyogi 
  • Dani Richards, Bloom Well Yogi  Facebook 
  • Episode  Background music: Original composition 'Butterfly' by  KJ Nasrul 
  • Episode Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8670821 Dani Richards, Bloom Well Yogi Buzzsprout-8670821 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0700 2653 Creativity, Yoga, mindfulness, breath, forgiveness, Eight Limbs of Yoga, Inquiry, self compassion, movement, resilience, Dani Richards, Bliss Begins Within, Congruence, Authenticity, Bloom Well Yogi 2 45 full false Seeking Sanctuary and Self Compassion | Arielle Schwartz Seeking Sanctuary and Self Compassion | Arielle Schwartz KJ embraces her inner fangirl as she welcomes today's guest, clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, international speaker and author, Dr. Arielle Schwartz.  Dr Schwartz is a leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma and she is the author of six books incorporating an integrative (somatic psychology, EMDR, mindfulness practices), strength-based approach to trauma treatment. 

In a compassionate conversation, KJ and Dr. Schwartz honor the courage it takes to practice true self compassion.

Takeaways: 

  1.  Notice your body’s coping mechanisms. 
  2.  Take the risk to put your gift in the world. Someone will be impacted by it. 
  3.  Self Compassion practices means a willingness to let go of prescription and of trying to protocol or predict where we're going. 

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ embraces her inner fangirl as she welcomes today's guest, clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, international speaker and author, Dr. Arielle Schwartz.  Dr Schwartz is a leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma and she is the author of six books incorporating an integrative (somatic psychology, EMDR, mindfulness practices), strength-based approach to trauma treatment. 

In a compassionate conversation, KJ and Dr. Schwartz honor the courage it takes to practice true self compassion.

Takeaways: 

  1.  Notice your body’s coping mechanisms. 
  2.  Take the risk to put your gift in the world. Someone will be impacted by it. 
  3.  Self Compassion practices means a willingness to let go of prescription and of trying to protocol or predict where we're going. 

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8620989 Arielle Schwartz Buzzsprout-8620989 Wed, 02 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0700 2017 healing our healers, somatic psychology, bliss begins within psychotherapy, trauma recovery, ptsd, yoga therapy, trauma informed care, resilience, stories of astonishing light podcast, complex ptsd, vagus nerve yoga, Arielle Schwartz 2 44 full false A New Asian Artistry | Dingding Hu A New Asian Artistry | Dingding Hu KJ returns from a brief hiatus with a Full Moon episode, featuring her friend, artist Dingding Hu. Dingding  is on a mission to spread joy and unite people through positivity. She is a Chinese illustrator based in New York City specializing in drawing bubbly characters and  serendipitous storytelling. Dingding’s  artwork is a combined reflection of self discovery, food cravings, people watching, and pop culture. You can find her at her studio Hu Is Hungry.  

Today KJ and Dingding jam as fellow Weirdo Kids harboring secret dreams to offset societal (and familial) expectations. The ladies dive into the rich layers of what it means to belong; the renaissance of the Asian Creative and the transcendently magical and connective properties of food…   

Takeaways:
1. Food is home. In stressful times, food represents family, comfort and tenderness.
2. Were you a Secret Dreamer? How have your childhood dreams emerged in what you do today?
3.  Who defines our Asian-ness and what it means to be an Asian Creative?
4. What is your narrative of belonging as an Asian? 
5. Hope is a choice. Hope is to be treated as a friend.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ returns from a brief hiatus with a Full Moon episode, featuring her friend, artist Dingding Hu. Dingding  is on a mission to spread joy and unite people through positivity. She is a Chinese illustrator based in New York City specializing in drawing bubbly characters and  serendipitous storytelling. Dingding’s  artwork is a combined reflection of self discovery, food cravings, people watching, and pop culture. You can find her at her studio Hu Is Hungry.  

Today KJ and Dingding jam as fellow Weirdo Kids harboring secret dreams to offset societal (and familial) expectations. The ladies dive into the rich layers of what it means to belong; the renaissance of the Asian Creative and the transcendently magical and connective properties of food…   

Takeaways:
1. Food is home. In stressful times, food represents family, comfort and tenderness.
2. Were you a Secret Dreamer? How have your childhood dreams emerged in what you do today?
3.  Who defines our Asian-ness and what it means to be an Asian Creative?
4. What is your narrative of belonging as an Asian? 
5. Hope is a choice. Hope is to be treated as a friend.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8590551 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Dingding Hu Buzzsprout-8590551 Wed, 26 May 2021 05:00:00 -0700 2597 art, resilience, creativity, expressive arts, Asian Artists, healing, AAPI, Asian Heritage Month, soul food, self-compassion, belonging, Ding Ding Hu, Hu Is Hungry, Women Creatives, Women Supporting Women 2 43 full true Friends First: Releasing Into The Current | Fawn & Matt Anderson Friends First: Releasing Into The Current | Fawn & Matt Anderson When did you decide to become more than Just Friends? The second part of KJ's conversation with Our Friendly World's Fawn and Matt Anderson  is beguiling, flowing and whimsical.  It's infused with Aikido principles, possibly revealing the recipe for creating deep, congruent relationships. KJ is a softy for a good love story, which Fawn and Matt generously provide. A universal human theme that emerged is the desire to connect, be seen and belong with each other. 

Episode Themes:

+ Aikido principles can be applied to our relationships  in  search for harmony, and reducing conflict: 

  1.  redirecting momentum
  2.  releasing into 
  3.  flowing around
  4. not resisting
  5. not attacking
  6. softening, reflecting, melding

+ Perhaps the formula for meaningful relationships (friendship, marriage) is: 
      1.  Enter into another state;
      2.  Release into it 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> When did you decide to become more than Just Friends? The second part of KJ's conversation with Our Friendly World's Fawn and Matt Anderson  is beguiling, flowing and whimsical.  It's infused with Aikido principles, possibly revealing the recipe for creating deep, congruent relationships. KJ is a softy for a good love story, which Fawn and Matt generously provide. A universal human theme that emerged is the desire to connect, be seen and belong with each other. 

Episode Themes:

+ Aikido principles can be applied to our relationships  in  search for harmony, and reducing conflict: 

  1.  redirecting momentum
  2.  releasing into 
  3.  flowing around
  4. not resisting
  5. not attacking
  6. softening, reflecting, melding

+ Perhaps the formula for meaningful relationships (friendship, marriage) is: 
      1.  Enter into another state;
      2.  Release into it 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8446404 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Fawn & Matt Anderson Buzzsprout-8446404 Wed, 05 May 2021 10:00:00 -0700 2027 self compassion, friendship, creativity, kindness, resilience, connection, marriage and family, compassionate conversations, relationships, Art of Friendship, Our Friendly World, Fawn and Matt Anderson, Aikido 2 42 full false Friends First: Harnessing Extraordinary Connections | Fawn & Matt Anderson Friends First: Harnessing Extraordinary Connections | Fawn & Matt Anderson Question: When did we become friends? KJ spends an afternoon of laughter and connection with The Andersons. Fawn Anderson is a photographer and Matt Anderson  is a software developer and together they pursue social, racial, and economic justice through their thought provoking conversational podcast exploring the Art of Friendship.  The movement and the podcast is called Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt

In the first of a two-part conversation, KJ and her friends muse aloud about the significant stories that arise out of otherwise commonplace items (fridge magnets, cooling racks); and they examine an essential Shifting Moment: When and how do we pursue friendship? 

Takeaways: 

  1. Have curious, compassionate conversations, start now.  
  2. Stories and connecting conversations exist everywhere. 
  3. When or why did we stop using imagination? Can we adapt and approach problem solving with a fresh perspective?
  4. Survival means the ability to  adapt and create currency. 
  5. Currency is our fluency and relationship skills. 
  6. How to build currency? One way: create a safe environment for authentic sharing. 
  7. When do we make the shift from casual acquaintance to friendship? 
  8. What is our style of initiation: Golden Retriever?  Gradual Gatekeeper?  
  9. What structures, architecture inform our abilities to create and maintain meaningful relationships?

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Question: When did we become friends? KJ spends an afternoon of laughter and connection with The Andersons. Fawn Anderson is a photographer and Matt Anderson  is a software developer and together they pursue social, racial, and economic justice through their thought provoking conversational podcast exploring the Art of Friendship.  The movement and the podcast is called Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt

In the first of a two-part conversation, KJ and her friends muse aloud about the significant stories that arise out of otherwise commonplace items (fridge magnets, cooling racks); and they examine an essential Shifting Moment: When and how do we pursue friendship? 

Takeaways: 

  1. Have curious, compassionate conversations, start now.  
  2. Stories and connecting conversations exist everywhere. 
  3. When or why did we stop using imagination? Can we adapt and approach problem solving with a fresh perspective?
  4. Survival means the ability to  adapt and create currency. 
  5. Currency is our fluency and relationship skills. 
  6. How to build currency? One way: create a safe environment for authentic sharing. 
  7. When do we make the shift from casual acquaintance to friendship? 
  8. What is our style of initiation: Golden Retriever?  Gradual Gatekeeper?  
  9. What structures, architecture inform our abilities to create and maintain meaningful relationships?

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well. https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8419786 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Fawn & Matt Anderson Buzzsprout-8419786 Wed, 28 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0700 2242 self compassion, friendship, creativity, self care, kindness, resilience, connection, compassionate conversations, crucial conversations, imagination, structural design, Art of Friendship, Our Friendly World, Fawn and Matt Anderson, Relational Skills 2 41 full false Tiny Astonishments: Compassionate Conversations | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Compassionate Conversations | KJ Nasrul Can we have honest and crucial conversations -charged, heavy, electric, passionate, uncomfortable, provocative as they are-- today?  If yes, what do they look like? How do we start them? It is these questions, and more that KJ contemplates  in today's Solo SOAL episode. Stick around for a few minutes as she accompanies us through a Compassion Invocation and music mandala. 

Questions Worth Considering: 

1. Would you Come Sit With Me?  If you saw me hanging out on the couch or at a table with an open, available seat, would you take it? What stops you from sitting next to me? What compels you to sit next to me, engage with me? Come Sit With Me experiment, as envisioned by artist @jackieshermanart 

2. What happens when we let go of  attachment to the outcome, but instead focus in the moment, on the process?

3. Do you recognize the impact of nonverbal communication? What happens when there are no words? An experiential Expressive Arts Therapy seminar brought many nonverbal conversations that were just as profound and telling if not more than any verbal exchange. 

4. What would it be like to talk about the grief, fear, and passion and channel that momentum towards advocacy for issues that are important to us and our communities?

5.  The conversation is just beginning. This week, a Minneapolis jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder of George Floyd last year, on May 25, 2020. We have much work to do, Healers. It starts with talking about it. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

  • Artist and writer Jackie Sherman - Come Sit With Me 
  • KJ's Interview on WTF Live With Melissa Morris- YouTube Video 
  • Compassion Meditation Background Music: Seashell Sound Mandala, performed by KJ 
  • Intro  & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Can we have honest and crucial conversations -charged, heavy, electric, passionate, uncomfortable, provocative as they are-- today?  If yes, what do they look like? How do we start them? It is these questions, and more that KJ contemplates  in today's Solo SOAL episode. Stick around for a few minutes as she accompanies us through a Compassion Invocation and music mandala. 

Questions Worth Considering: 

1. Would you Come Sit With Me?  If you saw me hanging out on the couch or at a table with an open, available seat, would you take it? What stops you from sitting next to me? What compels you to sit next to me, engage with me? Come Sit With Me experiment, as envisioned by artist @jackieshermanart 

2. What happens when we let go of  attachment to the outcome, but instead focus in the moment, on the process?

3. Do you recognize the impact of nonverbal communication? What happens when there are no words? An experiential Expressive Arts Therapy seminar brought many nonverbal conversations that were just as profound and telling if not more than any verbal exchange. 

4. What would it be like to talk about the grief, fear, and passion and channel that momentum towards advocacy for issues that are important to us and our communities?

5.  The conversation is just beginning. This week, a Minneapolis jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder of George Floyd last year, on May 25, 2020. We have much work to do, Healers. It starts with talking about it. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

  • Artist and writer Jackie Sherman - Come Sit With Me 
  • KJ's Interview on WTF Live With Melissa Morris- YouTube Video 
  • Compassion Meditation Background Music: Seashell Sound Mandala, performed by KJ 
  • Intro  & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8385700 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-8385700 Thu, 22 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0700 966 courage, resilience, creativity, movement therapy, somatic experiencing, healing our healers, Expressive Arts Therapy, trauma informed healing, mental health, wellness, bliss begins within psychotherapy, trauma recovery, Compassionate Conversations 2 40 full false The Stories That Bond Us | Marisa Corcoran The Stories That Bond Us | Marisa Corcoran "𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, i𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴."- Marisa Corcoran 

Ready to discover what to say and how to say it to magnetically attract your dream clients?  If so, then you'll want Marisa Corcoran in your corner! Our girl's words can 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 at 60% (or higher!) and her personality-filled emails compel thousands of fans to her copywriting summit and community  The Copy Chat.

In today's laughter-filled jam session, KJ and  her copywriting mentor Marisa explore current obsessions (it involves, books, y'all, of course!),  how to access a limitless supply of storytelling nuggets (tip: your favorite ice cream flavor is brimming with stories, am I right?), and how being a Harvard Grad with a MFA in Acting lends to a transformative framework for drawing in both a loyal clientele and a deeply connected, supportive community. 

Also, we may refer to human spines carried in a suitcase all over New York City. 

Takeaways:
1. Be Relatable, be human
-Listen and collaborate
-Be Clear with your messaging- ask:  how can I help? How can I be of service? 
-Be Consistent and receptive - value feedback, listen to whomever you’re with, Notice the nonverbal cues

2. Stories are Everywhere, bring it in from the world 

- Keep a running, fluid list nearby and available 
- Be present with your five senses, they're incredible sources of information! 
- Don't be afraid to repurpose - Be like Billy Joel

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Connect With Marisa: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> "𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, i𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴."- Marisa Corcoran 

Ready to discover what to say and how to say it to magnetically attract your dream clients?  If so, then you'll want Marisa Corcoran in your corner! Our girl's words can 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 at 60% (or higher!) and her personality-filled emails compel thousands of fans to her copywriting summit and community  The Copy Chat.

In today's laughter-filled jam session, KJ and  her copywriting mentor Marisa explore current obsessions (it involves, books, y'all, of course!),  how to access a limitless supply of storytelling nuggets (tip: your favorite ice cream flavor is brimming with stories, am I right?), and how being a Harvard Grad with a MFA in Acting lends to a transformative framework for drawing in both a loyal clientele and a deeply connected, supportive community. 

Also, we may refer to human spines carried in a suitcase all over New York City. 

Takeaways:
1. Be Relatable, be human
-Listen and collaborate
-Be Clear with your messaging- ask:  how can I help? How can I be of service? 
-Be Consistent and receptive - value feedback, listen to whomever you’re with, Notice the nonverbal cues

2. Stories are Everywhere, bring it in from the world 

- Keep a running, fluid list nearby and available 
- Be present with your five senses, they're incredible sources of information! 
- Don't be afraid to repurpose - Be like Billy Joel

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Connect With Marisa: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8323543 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Marisa Corcoran Buzzsprout-8323543 Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0700 2793 Copywriting, Confidence, Words Matter, Uncopyable Message, Female Entrepreneurs, The Copy Chat, Marisa Corcoran, Women Supporting Women, Creativepreneurs, Copy, branding, messaging, creativity 2 39 full true Storied Silence: Leaning Into Quiet Wisdom | Valerie Zaric Storied Silence: Leaning Into Quiet Wisdom | Valerie Zaric Today we’re doing something a little different, Healers. This episode is the recording of KJ as a guest on her friend Valerie Zaric's podcast, Future Proof Career. The ladies jam  for a little while on an apparently provocative topic... silence.

When KJ asked a question about silence to her Facebook and Instagram friends, she learned that silence can be polarizing, unsettling and also very wise, if  we allow it to be. This fun conversation was a gentle way to re-emerge after KJ's self-imposed cocooning over the past several weeks. Listen in to consider the complexities (or simplicities?) of quiet..

Takeaways:
Silence is:
Uncomfortable and soothing.
Contemplative and provocative.
Gentle and agitated.
Wise and torturous.
 
Questions:
What is your relationship with silence? 
What stories does silence hold for you? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Today we’re doing something a little different, Healers. This episode is the recording of KJ as a guest on her friend Valerie Zaric's podcast, Future Proof Career. The ladies jam  for a little while on an apparently provocative topic... silence.

When KJ asked a question about silence to her Facebook and Instagram friends, she learned that silence can be polarizing, unsettling and also very wise, if  we allow it to be. This fun conversation was a gentle way to re-emerge after KJ's self-imposed cocooning over the past several weeks. Listen in to consider the complexities (or simplicities?) of quiet..

Takeaways:
Silence is:
Uncomfortable and soothing.
Contemplative and provocative.
Gentle and agitated.
Wise and torturous.
 
Questions:
What is your relationship with silence? 
What stories does silence hold for you? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8286781 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Valerie Zaric Buzzsprout-8286781 Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0700 1739 self compassion, silence, quiet, contemplative, uncomfortable, words matter, anxiety management, resilience, creativity, crucial conversations, compassion, relationships, communication, self critical, self kindness, valerie zaric, bliss begins within 2 38 full false Tiny Astonishments: I Hurt Too | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: I Hurt Too | KJ Nasrul Hi, friends, it's me, KJ.  While I haven't  spoken much these days, I am here, though my grief is vast.  I am grateful to these three exquisite poetesses (Rupi Kaur, Morgan Harper Nichols and Katie Herzig) who do have the perfect words to express what I cannot at this time. 
Stay but a few moments if you would;  there are poems to be read, and a song to sing. 
With Love, KJ

Episode Notes: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Hi, friends, it's me, KJ.  While I haven't  spoken much these days, I am here, though my grief is vast.  I am grateful to these three exquisite poetesses (Rupi Kaur, Morgan Harper Nichols and Katie Herzig) who do have the perfect words to express what I cannot at this time. 
Stay but a few moments if you would;  there are poems to be read, and a song to sing. 
With Love, KJ

Episode Notes: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8199879 KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-8199879 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0700 450 self-compassion, wellness, grief, overwhelm, balance, self care, musical therapy, sound healing, KJ Nasrul, music healing, bliss begins within psychotherapy, poetry, rupi kaur, morgan harper nichols, katie herzig, aapi, hate is a virus, aapi podcaster 2 37 bonus false An Invitation For Grace | Aaliyah Madadi An Invitation For Grace | Aaliyah Madadi When you find your people, you find your way. Today's SOAL guest is Aaliyah Madadi,  a Dharma Life Coach, ganja yoga teacher, US Trademarks lawyer, and the host of the Soul Sesh Podcast.  She has a mission: empower women in fully embodying their purpose and living a life that truly feels good. 

Today, KJ and Aaliyah explore ways to grant more grace to acknowledge our strengths as medicine for ourselves and others.  The ladies create new definitions for concepts such as safety and self compassion. Also, Aaliyah shares the intricate and scary process of walking away from her big time career in corporate law to live a life of connectedness on her terms. Welcome to this delightful and soothing Soul Sesh. 

Takeaways

  1. When did you know you have and are the medicine? 
  2. How might you grant yourself the grace to accept your gifts? 
  3. Find Your People. They will provide a safe environment for you as you take action. 
  4. Slow down and cultivate an intentional, sacred life. 
  5. Notice and acknowledge urgencies that are assigned to you, but not by you. 
  6. Prioritizing where you’ll spend your energy is an empowering form of self care

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> When you find your people, you find your way. Today's SOAL guest is Aaliyah Madadi,  a Dharma Life Coach, ganja yoga teacher, US Trademarks lawyer, and the host of the Soul Sesh Podcast.  She has a mission: empower women in fully embodying their purpose and living a life that truly feels good. 

Today, KJ and Aaliyah explore ways to grant more grace to acknowledge our strengths as medicine for ourselves and others.  The ladies create new definitions for concepts such as safety and self compassion. Also, Aaliyah shares the intricate and scary process of walking away from her big time career in corporate law to live a life of connectedness on her terms. Welcome to this delightful and soothing Soul Sesh. 

Takeaways

  1. When did you know you have and are the medicine? 
  2. How might you grant yourself the grace to accept your gifts? 
  3. Find Your People. They will provide a safe environment for you as you take action. 
  4. Slow down and cultivate an intentional, sacred life. 
  5. Notice and acknowledge urgencies that are assigned to you, but not by you. 
  6. Prioritizing where you’ll spend your energy is an empowering form of self care

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1302661/8158810 KJ Hoard Nasrul / Aaliyah Madadi Buzzsprout-8158810 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0700 2346 self-compassion, wellness, body, reset, prioritize, self compassion, gratitude, grace, ganja yoga, cannabis yoga, dharma coach, mindfulness 2 36 full false Be Powerfully Pain Free | Yvonne Castillo Be Powerfully Pain Free | Yvonne Castillo This week, KJ welcomes Dr. Yvonne Castillo, a Pain-free Movement Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Yvonne has cracked the code to getting and staying pain-free naturally, without endless painkillers, procedures or trips to the doc. As the founder of Perseverance Wellness Solutions, she’s helped over a thousand active adults stop chasing their symptoms with ineffective pills and procedures, and finally fix the true source of their pain with her proven 3S Mobility Method.

Today, KJ and Yvonne bring the attention back to the relationships we grow with our clients and the importance of modeling  healthy coping skills for our loved ones . Yvonne has over a decade of experience as a Pain-free Movement Specialist, holds a Doctorate and Masters in Physical Therapy and is a Certified Pilates instructor.  Her holistic philosophy of kindness and collaboration is inspired, and inspiring. 

Episode Takeaways: 

  1. View healing holistically, not with a fragmented focus on pain and injury. Your health, your pain points influence and impact all facets of your life
  2. Spend the time to be of service. Treat People as humans, not data. Value the relationships and  stories your patients bring. 
  3. We are the models.  What mentality or coping mechanisms are you teaching your loved ones? What messages are your kids learning from you?
  4. Think Long Term  and Big Picture.  Ask yourself: What can I do today that will improve my quality of life for the next 40 years?
  5. Be kind, listen,  and start where you are.  Acknowledge others and yourself not with judgment but with compassion and curiosity. 

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> This week, KJ welcomes Dr. Yvonne Castillo, a Pain-free Movement Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Yvonne has cracked the code to getting and staying pain-free naturally, without endless painkillers, procedures or trips to the doc. As the founder of Perseverance Wellness Solutions, she’s helped over a thousand active adults stop chasing their symptoms with ineffective pills and procedures, and finally fix the true source of their pain with her proven 3S Mobility Method.

Today, KJ and Yvonne bring the attention back to the relationships we grow with our clients and the importance of modeling  healthy coping skills for our loved ones . Yvonne has over a decade of experience as a Pain-free Movement Specialist, holds a Doctorate and Masters in Physical Therapy and is a Certified Pilates instructor.  Her holistic philosophy of kindness and collaboration is inspired, and inspiring. 

Episode Takeaways: 

  1. View healing holistically, not with a fragmented focus on pain and injury. Your health, your pain points influence and impact all facets of your life
  2. Spend the time to be of service. Treat People as humans, not data. Value the relationships and  stories your patients bring. 
  3. We are the models.  What mentality or coping mechanisms are you teaching your loved ones? What messages are your kids learning from you?
  4. Think Long Term  and Big Picture.  Ask yourself: What can I do today that will improve my quality of life for the next 40 years?
  5. Be kind, listen,  and start where you are.  Acknowledge others and yourself not with judgment but with compassion and curiosity. 

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://blissbeginswithin.com KJ Hoard Nasrul / Yvonne Castillo Buzzsprout-8097531 Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0800 2541 courage, resilience, creativity, movement therapy, injury prevention, healing our healers, movement specialist, physical therapy, pain free, Holistic Healing, trauma informed healing, mental health, wellness, bliss begins within psychotherapy 2 35 full false Boxing Lessons: Move gracefully through grief | Suzanne Dressler Boxing Lessons: Move gracefully through grief | Suzanne Dressler Head up, hands up, be light-footed, be present:  a few life lessons from boxing.  KJ welcomes her friend Suzanne Dressler to the podcast to talk grieving a lost relationship, celebrating frontline essential workers and redefining self care. Suzanne Dressler is a professional singer/actress, runs her own tutoring business, Skyscraper Tutoring, LLC, and is a dedicated Podcaster and host of There's a Word for That!, a podcast that explores our relationships to words and expressions. She is very short and has very curly hair and she is pure delight. 

Takeaways:
1. Lessons from Grenada: Treat others with kindness; Take pride in your work; Be glad for your blessings.  Enjoy a healthy lifestyle of an exchange of nourishment with the land.

2. Lessons from Boxing: Be light on your feet, practice vigilance . Concentrate on maintaining your form, keep your hands up, practice presence, be light footed and hold your stance;  stay out of your head and trust in your form.  

3. Recognize the resilience models around you.  People move through difficult situations every day.  Look to and celebrate Front Line workers- Health Care and  Grocery Store and Food Vendors. They are putting their lives at risk to ensure we have  our basic needs. 

4. Humans are designed to survive. The pandemic revealed boundaries and edges.  Understand and utilize your inner resourcefulness. 

5. Re-evaluate and redefine. Know when it’s time  for a mental health break.  Re-evaluate your definition of Self Care.  Yoga and movement can equal catharsis and sanctuary. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Head up, hands up, be light-footed, be present:  a few life lessons from boxing.  KJ welcomes her friend Suzanne Dressler to the podcast to talk grieving a lost relationship, celebrating frontline essential workers and redefining self care. Suzanne Dressler is a professional singer/actress, runs her own tutoring business, Skyscraper Tutoring, LLC, and is a dedicated Podcaster and host of There's a Word for That!, a podcast that explores our relationships to words and expressions. She is very short and has very curly hair and she is pure delight. 

Takeaways:
1. Lessons from Grenada: Treat others with kindness; Take pride in your work; Be glad for your blessings.  Enjoy a healthy lifestyle of an exchange of nourishment with the land.

2. Lessons from Boxing: Be light on your feet, practice vigilance . Concentrate on maintaining your form, keep your hands up, practice presence, be light footed and hold your stance;  stay out of your head and trust in your form.  

3. Recognize the resilience models around you.  People move through difficult situations every day.  Look to and celebrate Front Line workers- Health Care and  Grocery Store and Food Vendors. They are putting their lives at risk to ensure we have  our basic needs. 

4. Humans are designed to survive. The pandemic revealed boundaries and edges.  Understand and utilize your inner resourcefulness. 

5. Re-evaluate and redefine. Know when it’s time  for a mental health break.  Re-evaluate your definition of Self Care.  Yoga and movement can equal catharsis and sanctuary. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://blissbeginswithin.com KJ Hoard Nasrul / Suzanne Dressler Buzzsprout-8066332 Wed, 03 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0800 2994 Self-compassion, wellness, resilience, bliss begins within, mental health advocates, self care, nutrition, heart break, balance, kindness, boxing, grief, courage, confidence, There's A Word For That, Podcasters, Suzanne Dressler, Essential Workers, Surviv 2 34 full true The Advocacy For Artistry | Adam Roberts The Advocacy For Artistry | Adam Roberts Are the arts and creativity endangered species? KJ and Adam Roberts discuss the creative community's pivots at the one year anniversary of COVID's world premiere.  One of KJ's podcasting besties, Adam Roberts, is the founder of Arts in America, a media company moving the arts from the margins to the mainstream. He hosts the Arts in America podcast, exploring how creatives survive and thrive during a global pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter.

Adam has nearly twenty years of experience in nonprofit management with such organizations as the Huntington Theatre Company, Phillips Academy, and the Handel and Haydn Society. Join in this passionate conversation about saving arts from extinction at a time when they are needed most. 

Takeaways:.
1. Finding the innate good . There is good in all our tasks no matter how little, messy or uncomfortable. 

2. Priority and preciousness of now. We have been gifted this unique time with our loved ones. 

3. Creators and artists in America are vastly diverse.... though this is not reflected in mainstream communities. 

4. Devastation and tragedy awaits us if the arts cannot be supported in the rebuild, Post-COVID.  Now is the time for boards of directors, benefactors and sponsors to model and advocate for the essentialness of arts in America.   

5. Artists are survivors. The creative community thrives in pivotal times. 

6. Self care can be nuanced, quiet and extremely profound…Tiny love letters may heal your sanity and your marriage. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Are the arts and creativity endangered species? KJ and Adam Roberts discuss the creative community's pivots at the one year anniversary of COVID's world premiere.  One of KJ's podcasting besties, Adam Roberts, is the founder of Arts in America, a media company moving the arts from the margins to the mainstream. He hosts the Arts in America podcast, exploring how creatives survive and thrive during a global pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter.

Adam has nearly twenty years of experience in nonprofit management with such organizations as the Huntington Theatre Company, Phillips Academy, and the Handel and Haydn Society. Join in this passionate conversation about saving arts from extinction at a time when they are needed most. 

Takeaways:.
1. Finding the innate good . There is good in all our tasks no matter how little, messy or uncomfortable. 

2. Priority and preciousness of now. We have been gifted this unique time with our loved ones. 

3. Creators and artists in America are vastly diverse.... though this is not reflected in mainstream communities. 

4. Devastation and tragedy awaits us if the arts cannot be supported in the rebuild, Post-COVID.  Now is the time for boards of directors, benefactors and sponsors to model and advocate for the essentialness of arts in America.   

5. Artists are survivors. The creative community thrives in pivotal times. 

6. Self care can be nuanced, quiet and extremely profound…Tiny love letters may heal your sanity and your marriage. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://blissbeginswithin.com KJ Hoard Nasrul / Adam Roberts Buzzsprout-8024338 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 18:00:00 -0800 2697 resilience, creativity, arts, podcasts, creative community, artistry, creatives, art healing, creative arts, expressive arts, creative arts therapy, psychotherapy, bliss begins within, adam roberts, kj nasrul, morning rituals, self care, self compassion 2 33 full false Tiny Astonishments: The Solace Of Sound Club...house | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: The Solace Of Sound Club...house | KJ Nasrul KJ's brief solo mic check today touches on Clubhouse, The 100 Day Project, adoptee storytelling and the revelatory return of the auditory sense. KJ acknowledges how impactful sound [and the absence of it] has been in her creative process. Then, stay a few moments to enjoy a sound bowl session courtesy of Sound Healer Breanna Blair.  And start your day with KJ's quiet seashell meditation. 

Takeaways: 
1. Creativity is thriving.  Most of KJ's current projects are rooted in sound.  Her #100Dayproject focuses on music, lyrics and the physical and emotional responses invoked.

2. The shift to aural  feedback removes the Visual Pressure and stimulation. 

3. Music encourages new family rituals. The Nasruls bond over Otis Redding and Miles Davis lately, not TV. 

4. Clubhouse resurrects the art of compassionate conversationsand active listening.  Reminds us how to authentically react and respond.

5. Introducing a very personal passion project today- Adoptee Society.   A central resource for adoptees and their families for connection, storytelling and mental health support. Fellow adoptee Alex @voicesoftheadopted and KJ are developing a course on the foundations of Adoption. Want to join the conversations starting on Clubhouse? Start here with this quick survey...

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with KJ!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ's brief solo mic check today touches on Clubhouse, The 100 Day Project, adoptee storytelling and the revelatory return of the auditory sense. KJ acknowledges how impactful sound [and the absence of it] has been in her creative process. Then, stay a few moments to enjoy a sound bowl session courtesy of Sound Healer Breanna Blair.  And start your day with KJ's quiet seashell meditation. 

Takeaways: 
1. Creativity is thriving.  Most of KJ's current projects are rooted in sound.  Her #100Dayproject focuses on music, lyrics and the physical and emotional responses invoked.

2. The shift to aural  feedback removes the Visual Pressure and stimulation. 

3. Music encourages new family rituals. The Nasruls bond over Otis Redding and Miles Davis lately, not TV. 

4. Clubhouse resurrects the art of compassionate conversationsand active listening.  Reminds us how to authentically react and respond.

5. Introducing a very personal passion project today- Adoptee Society.   A central resource for adoptees and their families for connection, storytelling and mental health support. Fellow adoptee Alex @voicesoftheadopted and KJ are developing a course on the foundations of Adoption. Want to join the conversations starting on Clubhouse? Start here with this quick survey...

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with KJ!

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-7914445 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0800 1442 Sound Healing, Meditation, Resilience, Silence, Sound, Clubhouse, The 100 Day Project, Creativity, Adoptee Society, Creativity Heals, Bliss Begins Within, Sound Bowls, Breanna Blair, KJ Nasrul, Psychotherapy, The 100Day Project 2 32 full false Learning and Living Well | Lauren Bryson Learning and Living Well | Lauren Bryson Connect with the powerful healing properties of food! Today KJ chats with Nutrition Consultant, Lauren Bryson.  Lauren  discovered the world of holistic healing after experiencing her own personal health crisis  in which she bounced in and out of hospitals for years and received countless unneeded prescriptions and misdiagnoses. Reclaiming her power, Lauren found remedies for her body imbalances using nutrition and holistic lifestyle practices.

Today's chat highlights Lauren's goal of educating and empowering clients in learning the healing properties of food (including the coolest gig- teaching Elementary school kids how to Cook For Life ) and the fascinating gut-brain connection.  Plus, listeners are introduced to the ultra sexy topic of microorganism communities  = The  Microbiome.

Takeaways:.
1.  Bio individuality means every body is different.
2.  Stay in tune with your own body, participate in intuitive eating. 
3.  Become  friends with nutrient-dense whole foods.
4. Avoid Nutrition Bandits like refined sugar, processed foods, artificial flavors, GMOs. 
5. Practice mindful eating, minimize distractions.
6. Plants are power. They are highly anti inflammatory, and super high in antioxidants. Plant rich diets are proven to lower risk of developing many chronic illnesses.
7. Our gut and brain are connected.  There is a link between our microbiome digestion and mood immunity and overall wellness.
8.  Accurate diagnoses maybe scary, but it also means you have Step One in your healing journey. 
9.   Nutrition Knowledge is powerful knowledge. 
10.  Be childlike in curiosity and wonder; use your five senses.
11.  Self Care activities can be small and intentional to create essential, lasting impact.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

  • IG:  @laurenemersonwellness
  • Email: laurenemersonwellness@gmail.com
  • www.kidscookingforlife.com
  • www.baumanwellness.com
  • Ep 31 Ad background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro  & Outro background music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Connect with the powerful healing properties of food! Today KJ chats with Nutrition Consultant, Lauren Bryson.  Lauren  discovered the world of holistic healing after experiencing her own personal health crisis  in which she bounced in and out of hospitals for years and received countless unneeded prescriptions and misdiagnoses. Reclaiming her power, Lauren found remedies for her body imbalances using nutrition and holistic lifestyle practices.

Today's chat highlights Lauren's goal of educating and empowering clients in learning the healing properties of food (including the coolest gig- teaching Elementary school kids how to Cook For Life ) and the fascinating gut-brain connection.  Plus, listeners are introduced to the ultra sexy topic of microorganism communities  = The  Microbiome.

Takeaways:.
1.  Bio individuality means every body is different.
2.  Stay in tune with your own body, participate in intuitive eating. 
3.  Become  friends with nutrient-dense whole foods.
4. Avoid Nutrition Bandits like refined sugar, processed foods, artificial flavors, GMOs. 
5. Practice mindful eating, minimize distractions.
6. Plants are power. They are highly anti inflammatory, and super high in antioxidants. Plant rich diets are proven to lower risk of developing many chronic illnesses.
7. Our gut and brain are connected.  There is a link between our microbiome digestion and mood immunity and overall wellness.
8.  Accurate diagnoses maybe scary, but it also means you have Step One in your healing journey. 
9.   Nutrition Knowledge is powerful knowledge. 
10.  Be childlike in curiosity and wonder; use your five senses.
11.  Self Care activities can be small and intentional to create essential, lasting impact.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories  BONUS- Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me!

Episode Mentions: 

  • IG:  @laurenemersonwellness
  • Email: laurenemersonwellness@gmail.com
  • www.kidscookingforlife.com
  • www.baumanwellness.com
  • Ep 31 Ad background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro  & Outro background music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul/ Lauren Bryson Buzzsprout-7759678 Wed, 10 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0800 2450 Self care, Resilience, Courage, Wellness, Holistic Nutrition, Emotional Wellness, Gut Health, Microbiome, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, Lauren Emerson Wellness, Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business 2 31 full false We Are The Catalysts | Ellen Yin We Are The Catalysts | Ellen Yin In this bright, buoyant episode, KJ welcomes entrepreneur and marketing strategist Ellen Yin to chat all the ways we women (of all colors, shapes, ages and sizes) can be the CEOs of our dream businesses and lives. We are the changemakers!

Topics today flow from Craigslist Baby Grand Pianos, Gilmore Girls ambitions and identifying priorities of cultivation for a successful business.  Ellen is the founder of Cubicle to CEO, an online membership teaching entrepreneurs who sell client services how to make their first $10K month - without a large audience.  She has been featured on the TODAY show with Hoda & Jenna and in several publications like Authority Magazine, BlogHer,  Databird Business Journal and Disrupt Magazine.

Ellen is also the host of the award-winning Cubicle to CEO Podcast, which features weekly interviews with successful female founders and has been downloaded in over 100 countries worldwide.

Takeaways:
1. You CAN be paid using your skills and gifts and doing what excites you. 
2. Solutions come from taking action; dreams become fruition from experience 
3. Become aware when our lives and our schedules are in response to other peoples' urgencies and expectations. 
4. Consistent introspection is key- Ask yourself: What is the significance of this task? Does this have a significant, long term impact in my life?
5. Self Care and effective business building means investing in yourself, building knowledge and connections with strong mentors. 
6.  Prioritize and cultivate relationships above all else.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me.  Let's hear it, Friends!

Episode Mentions: 

  • Free Gift From Ellen: ellenyin.com/getclients  (Access to watch  Ellen's FREE masterclass + download the accompanying workbook on "how to make your first $10K month without a large audience or posting every day")
  • Cubicle to CEO Podcast: ellenyin.com/podcast
    Instagram:     instagram.com/missellenyin
  • Ep 30  Ad music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro and Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In this bright, buoyant episode, KJ welcomes entrepreneur and marketing strategist Ellen Yin to chat all the ways we women (of all colors, shapes, ages and sizes) can be the CEOs of our dream businesses and lives. We are the changemakers!

Topics today flow from Craigslist Baby Grand Pianos, Gilmore Girls ambitions and identifying priorities of cultivation for a successful business.  Ellen is the founder of Cubicle to CEO, an online membership teaching entrepreneurs who sell client services how to make their first $10K month - without a large audience.  She has been featured on the TODAY show with Hoda & Jenna and in several publications like Authority Magazine, BlogHer,  Databird Business Journal and Disrupt Magazine.

Ellen is also the host of the award-winning Cubicle to CEO Podcast, which features weekly interviews with successful female founders and has been downloaded in over 100 countries worldwide.

Takeaways:
1. You CAN be paid using your skills and gifts and doing what excites you. 
2. Solutions come from taking action; dreams become fruition from experience 
3. Become aware when our lives and our schedules are in response to other peoples' urgencies and expectations. 
4. Consistent introspection is key- Ask yourself: What is the significance of this task? Does this have a significant, long term impact in my life?
5. Self Care and effective business building means investing in yourself, building knowledge and connections with strong mentors. 
6.  Prioritize and cultivate relationships above all else.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me.  Let's hear it, Friends!

Episode Mentions: 

  • Free Gift From Ellen: ellenyin.com/getclients  (Access to watch  Ellen's FREE masterclass + download the accompanying workbook on "how to make your first $10K month without a large audience or posting every day")
  • Cubicle to CEO Podcast: ellenyin.com/podcast
    Instagram:     instagram.com/missellenyin
  • Ep 30  Ad music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro and Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Ellen Yin Buzzsprout-7639594 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0800 2897 courage, resilience, creativity, BIPOC women in business, minimalist marketing, women of color, marketing strategies, mental wellness, Women Podcasters, bliss begins within psychotherapy, cubicle to ceo, Ellen Yin 2 30 full false Tiny Astonishments: Replenish, Renew | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Replenish, Renew | KJ Nasrul In her first solo musings of 2021, KJ Nasrul shares a couple of the lessons learned in the shedding of the challenging, grief-filled days of 2020  to fully step into the new year. KJ touches upon her first experience doing a plant based cleanse and she remembers the losses that prompted her to pursue her own healing through compassion and stillness. This reflective episode unwinds with KJ's invocation meditation of compassion and a quiet sound mandala.

Takeaways:
1.  A 10 Day Plant Based Reset brought the clarity and clearing I needed.
2.  The absolute essentialness of Self Care and Compassion
2.   I take inspired action, and the Universe takes care of me
3.   I surrender to creative solutions
4.   In Stillness I receive
5.  Compassion Invocation - Breathing in compassion and kindness for ourselves and others

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me.  Let's hear your thoughts, Healers!

Episode Mentions: 

  • Jessica Hernandez Holistic Wellness Coach @sol.body.balance 10-Day Reset Cleanse
  • Creatives Do Money Podcast  with Eowyn Levene 
  • Move Into Resilience with Pamela Stokes 
  • Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt 
  • Compassion Meditation background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Seashell" 
  • Ep 29  Ad background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro and Outro background music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

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Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In her first solo musings of 2021, KJ Nasrul shares a couple of the lessons learned in the shedding of the challenging, grief-filled days of 2020  to fully step into the new year. KJ touches upon her first experience doing a plant based cleanse and she remembers the losses that prompted her to pursue her own healing through compassion and stillness. This reflective episode unwinds with KJ's invocation meditation of compassion and a quiet sound mandala.

Takeaways:
1.  A 10 Day Plant Based Reset brought the clarity and clearing I needed.
2.  The absolute essentialness of Self Care and Compassion
2.   I take inspired action, and the Universe takes care of me
3.   I surrender to creative solutions
4.   In Stillness I receive
5.  Compassion Invocation - Breathing in compassion and kindness for ourselves and others

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories Every review you leave enters you into a drawing to win a FREE 1:1 consultation with me.  Let's hear your thoughts, Healers!

Episode Mentions: 

  • Jessica Hernandez Holistic Wellness Coach @sol.body.balance 10-Day Reset Cleanse
  • Creatives Do Money Podcast  with Eowyn Levene 
  • Move Into Resilience with Pamela Stokes 
  • Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt 
  • Compassion Meditation background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Seashell" 
  • Ep 29  Ad background music: A KJ Original Composition - "Butterfly" 
  • Intro and Outro background music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-7523320 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:00:00 -0800 1277 Courage, Resilience, Bliss Begins Within, Psychotherapy, Creativity, Stillness, Healing Our Healers, Self Care, Self Compassion, Grief recovery, Trauma recovery, Meditation 2 29 full false Mindful Movement Part 2 | Pamela Stokes Mindful Movement Part 2 | Pamela Stokes *SURPRISE*  Here is part two of KJ's conversation with Trauma Informed healer, Pamela Stokes. Absorbing lessons learned in her own recovery quest, Pamela created a method called Somatic Release--a synthesis of movement, sound and mindfulness for trauma resolution. We wrap up our conversation by exploring self compassionate practices and Pamela gently guides us through a simple and impactful release technique to create new neural pathways, i.e. new opportunities to live each moment optimally. 

Part Two Takeaways
1. Your body holds such a wealth of knowledge. It is communicating with you always. 

2.  Noticing your pain points is the first step towards healing and RELEASING extremely potent energy, masquerading as stored anger and fear. Once you recognize your body’s pain signals, you'll begin the process of connecting with sensation again.

3. You have the power to retrain your brain in communicating with your nervous system. 

4. Meet in the middle. The In-Between is your body’s optimal functioning place.

5. Self Compassion looks like self curiosity. Listen and explore the stories your body wants to share with you. When you are curious, it may mean you're feeling safe. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> *SURPRISE*  Here is part two of KJ's conversation with Trauma Informed healer, Pamela Stokes. Absorbing lessons learned in her own recovery quest, Pamela created a method called Somatic Release--a synthesis of movement, sound and mindfulness for trauma resolution. We wrap up our conversation by exploring self compassionate practices and Pamela gently guides us through a simple and impactful release technique to create new neural pathways, i.e. new opportunities to live each moment optimally. 

Part Two Takeaways
1. Your body holds such a wealth of knowledge. It is communicating with you always. 

2.  Noticing your pain points is the first step towards healing and RELEASING extremely potent energy, masquerading as stored anger and fear. Once you recognize your body’s pain signals, you'll begin the process of connecting with sensation again.

3. You have the power to retrain your brain in communicating with your nervous system. 

4. Meet in the middle. The In-Between is your body’s optimal functioning place.

5. Self Compassion looks like self curiosity. Listen and explore the stories your body wants to share with you. When you are curious, it may mean you're feeling safe. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul / Pamela Stokes Buzzsprout-7425817 Sat, 23 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0800 1651 courage, resilience, creativity, movement therapy, somatic experiencing, healing our healers, neuroplasticity, trauma informed healing, mental health, wellness, bliss begins within psychotherapy, trauma recovery 2 28 full false Mindful Movement Part 1 | Pamela Stokes Mindful Movement Part 1 | Pamela Stokes Can mindful movement heal buried trauma? "YES", says Pamela Stokes. In today's episode, KJ chats with Pamela, a trauma informed healer with an extensive background in biology, education, movement and music. From early dreams of dancing on Broadway in NYC, to teaching biology as a Science Specialist, Pamela was aware of a constant companion--pain. She sought balm for the discomfort of fibromyalgia through inquiry into neuroscience and sensory-motor training.  Absorbing lessons learned in her own recovery, Pamela created a method called Somatic Release--a synthesis of movement, sound and mindfulness for trauma resolution. This conversation is so rich it expanded to grant space as KJ and Pamela touch on everything from Entomology, religion and trauma healing through neuroplasticity. The body speaks its story loud and clear, and Pamela provides counsel on how to truly listen. 

Part One Takeaways

1. Our bodies are a wealth of information.  We are impactful and powerful when we bring awareness to our physical vessels. 

2.  We can release our body's stored energy (in a variety of forms- anger, grief, unaddressed trauma) once we reposition ourselves, turn inward, to actively create new pathways and habits. 

Question:  Are you willing to unlearn what you've been conditioned to do all this time?

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Can mindful movement heal buried trauma? "YES", says Pamela Stokes. In today's episode, KJ chats with Pamela, a trauma informed healer with an extensive background in biology, education, movement and music. From early dreams of dancing on Broadway in NYC, to teaching biology as a Science Specialist, Pamela was aware of a constant companion--pain. She sought balm for the discomfort of fibromyalgia through inquiry into neuroscience and sensory-motor training.  Absorbing lessons learned in her own recovery, Pamela created a method called Somatic Release--a synthesis of movement, sound and mindfulness for trauma resolution. This conversation is so rich it expanded to grant space as KJ and Pamela touch on everything from Entomology, religion and trauma healing through neuroplasticity. The body speaks its story loud and clear, and Pamela provides counsel on how to truly listen. 

Part One Takeaways

1. Our bodies are a wealth of information.  We are impactful and powerful when we bring awareness to our physical vessels. 

2.  We can release our body's stored energy (in a variety of forms- anger, grief, unaddressed trauma) once we reposition ourselves, turn inward, to actively create new pathways and habits. 

Question:  Are you willing to unlearn what you've been conditioned to do all this time?

Please Rate and Review This Podcast if our stories have astonished you as well.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories

Episode Mentions: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul/ Pamela Stokes Buzzsprout-7387189 Wed, 20 Jan 2021 04:00:00 -0800 2109 courage, resilience, creativity, movement therapy, somatic experiencing, healing our healers, neuroplasticity, trauma informed healing, mental health, wellness, bliss begins within psychotherapy, trauma recovery 2 27 full false Creatives Can Money | Eowyn Levene Creatives Can Money | Eowyn Levene In Season Two's  debut, KJ connects with Eowyn Levene,  a massage therapist and money coach. Through a membership community, podcast (Creatives Do Money) and 1:1 work, Eowyn guides self-employed artists, creatives, and healers in mastering their money and building financial stability to fuel a creative future.  This conversation explores compassionate ways we can shift our relationship with a "charged and tender" topic for many (including KJ): money.  

Takeaways: 

  1. Radical Acceptance means surrendering to Now. 
  2. The emotion and struggle in our relationship with money is REAL due to our primal associations and base, human needs (safety, health, acceptance). 
  3. Money management can be a neutral tool that grants us freedom to support people and causes that are meaningful. 
  4. Day to day money awareness is the key to building new habits and creating long term stability.
  5. Eowyn dispels three belief patterns that creatives hold about money today 1.) Money is the root of all evil 2. Money is unsexy  3) Income is more important than managing what we already have. 
  6. Stories are just stories. We can revisit, revise, and we can retell. 
  7. Presence and accountability are two of the most courageous and compassionate actions we can take. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ..if our stories have astonished you as well.

Episode Mentions:  Eowyn Levene 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In Season Two's  debut, KJ connects with Eowyn Levene,  a massage therapist and money coach. Through a membership community, podcast (Creatives Do Money) and 1:1 work, Eowyn guides self-employed artists, creatives, and healers in mastering their money and building financial stability to fuel a creative future.  This conversation explores compassionate ways we can shift our relationship with a "charged and tender" topic for many (including KJ): money.  

Takeaways: 

  1. Radical Acceptance means surrendering to Now. 
  2. The emotion and struggle in our relationship with money is REAL due to our primal associations and base, human needs (safety, health, acceptance). 
  3. Money management can be a neutral tool that grants us freedom to support people and causes that are meaningful. 
  4. Day to day money awareness is the key to building new habits and creating long term stability.
  5. Eowyn dispels three belief patterns that creatives hold about money today 1.) Money is the root of all evil 2. Money is unsexy  3) Income is more important than managing what we already have. 
  6. Stories are just stories. We can revisit, revise, and we can retell. 
  7. Presence and accountability are two of the most courageous and compassionate actions we can take. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ..if our stories have astonished you as well.

Episode Mentions:  Eowyn Levene 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul/ Eowyn Levene Buzzsprout-7266916 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0800 2935 Money, Creatives, Courage, Radical Acceptance, Compassion, mental health, bliss begins within, Self Care, Resilience, Money Management, Coaching, Wellness, Personal Finance, Money Stories, awareness 2 26 full false SOAL Second Listen: Future Proofing Today | Valerie Zaric SOAL Second Listen: Future Proofing Today | Valerie Zaric In the final episode for 2020, KJ returns to an interview that left a lasting impression for weeks after the session ended. It's striking how timely this replay is, featuring Valerie Zaric, discussing future proofing our careers, and preparing for the unexpected.  I love this interview because in less than 38 minutes, Valerie provides action packed recommendations we can use RIGHT NOW. We can better position ourselves for success even as we transition into the new year. This conversation offers steadiness at a time we need it most.  

Valerie and KJ examine questions such as: 

  • What would Future Me do today?
  • How can we address uncertainty and overwhelm? 
  • What might we need to confront  tomorrow because of new revelations today?

TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Address all the uncertainty by taking control in small manageable chunks
  2. Another Definition of Resilience: Moving through Trauma and being stronger because of it. 
  3. This worldwide Health Crisis is producing surprising results. Witness more confidence, and the ability to better embrace/or tolerate discomfort
  4. One tip to maintain/sustain balance:  Schedule in Family Time. Use Block Scheduling
  5. You can connect with your dream interviewees/clients by networking in an authentic way, from a place of service. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> In the final episode for 2020, KJ returns to an interview that left a lasting impression for weeks after the session ended. It's striking how timely this replay is, featuring Valerie Zaric, discussing future proofing our careers, and preparing for the unexpected.  I love this interview because in less than 38 minutes, Valerie provides action packed recommendations we can use RIGHT NOW. We can better position ourselves for success even as we transition into the new year. This conversation offers steadiness at a time we need it most.  

Valerie and KJ examine questions such as: 

  • What would Future Me do today?
  • How can we address uncertainty and overwhelm? 
  • What might we need to confront  tomorrow because of new revelations today?

TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Address all the uncertainty by taking control in small manageable chunks
  2. Another Definition of Resilience: Moving through Trauma and being stronger because of it. 
  3. This worldwide Health Crisis is producing surprising results. Witness more confidence, and the ability to better embrace/or tolerate discomfort
  4. One tip to maintain/sustain balance:  Schedule in Family Time. Use Block Scheduling
  5. You can connect with your dream interviewees/clients by networking in an authentic way, from a place of service. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast   https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-7015921 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0800 2436 Self-compassion, wellness, resilience, reset, morning routines, mental health, emotional wellness, self care, Future-Proofing, managing overwhelm, balance 1 25 full false Pivoting Into The Known | Mia Hagerty Pivoting Into The Known | Mia Hagerty KJ and Mia Hagerty consider the pivot from the cerebral  to the expressive physical via making films.  There is confidence in our creative abilities, even before we have the language for it. Mia is an artist and transracial adoptee, born in China and raised in Michigan, amongst a multicultural household with an American mother and Portuguese father. As a self-taught filmmaker, she creates nonfiction work that explores the curiosity, adventure, and wonder of the human experience. 

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1. Say the thing even before you're the thing. Claim it aloud. Telling people what you are and what you do.  Confidence is in the repetition of showing up and logging that information- every time you show up- as evidence! 
  2. You’re already creative by doing, but you’ve redefined it, dropped out of being cerebral, and into physical expression. 
  3. Breaking free of the rigidity-- once you’ve established it as foundation- is your launch pad! Try something new, even if uncomfortable. It’s movement, which is better than inaction.
  4. Things do not need to be so hard. Make it manageable until you can use the materials that are accessible to you. Cut it in half, cut it in half again, and again. It will become familiar and inspiring again. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! 

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ and Mia Hagerty consider the pivot from the cerebral  to the expressive physical via making films.  There is confidence in our creative abilities, even before we have the language for it. Mia is an artist and transracial adoptee, born in China and raised in Michigan, amongst a multicultural household with an American mother and Portuguese father. As a self-taught filmmaker, she creates nonfiction work that explores the curiosity, adventure, and wonder of the human experience. 

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1. Say the thing even before you're the thing. Claim it aloud. Telling people what you are and what you do.  Confidence is in the repetition of showing up and logging that information- every time you show up- as evidence! 
  2. You’re already creative by doing, but you’ve redefined it, dropped out of being cerebral, and into physical expression. 
  3. Breaking free of the rigidity-- once you’ve established it as foundation- is your launch pad! Try something new, even if uncomfortable. It’s movement, which is better than inaction.
  4. Things do not need to be so hard. Make it manageable until you can use the materials that are accessible to you. Cut it in half, cut it in half again, and again. It will become familiar and inspiring again. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! 

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Mia Hagerty Buzzsprout-6984712 Wed, 23 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0800 2921 courage, resilience, creativity, photography, filmmaking, psychotherapy, healing, mental health, female entrepreneur, self improvement, transracial adoptee, mindset, gratitude, stories 1 24 full false Your Restoration Is Your Resilience | Jessica Hernandez Your Restoration Is Your Resilience | Jessica Hernandez You can be your optimal self by building in  restoration and reset into your daily life. Today’s amazing guest Jessica Hernandez teaches us that balance is possible once you examine your priorities. She is a Holistic Health Coach and Reiki practitioner with a strong passion for empowering others through strength training, plant-based healing, veganism, and energy work. Jess has transformed a weekend side hustle into a flourishing wellness business while [at times single-handedly] raising children and rising through the corporate ranks to snag her current job as a  Business Development Executive for a Fortune 500 company.  Listen in as Jessica shares how she does it all. 

Takeaways:  

  1. You can always return if you wandered from your health routines during the COVID Pandemic. Reset. 
  2. Sit down, list it out, take inventory. Determine what you can start eliminating and delegating in your life immediately.  
  3. Detox at least four times a year.  Re-alkalize your body and release toxicities you absorbed, especially those in processed foods. 
  4. Craft a grounding morning practice as your routine. These rituals inform your entire day and how you’ll show up, be present in the world. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode- Connect with Jessica 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> You can be your optimal self by building in  restoration and reset into your daily life. Today’s amazing guest Jessica Hernandez teaches us that balance is possible once you examine your priorities. She is a Holistic Health Coach and Reiki practitioner with a strong passion for empowering others through strength training, plant-based healing, veganism, and energy work. Jess has transformed a weekend side hustle into a flourishing wellness business while [at times single-handedly] raising children and rising through the corporate ranks to snag her current job as a  Business Development Executive for a Fortune 500 company.  Listen in as Jessica shares how she does it all. 

Takeaways:  

  1. You can always return if you wandered from your health routines during the COVID Pandemic. Reset. 
  2. Sit down, list it out, take inventory. Determine what you can start eliminating and delegating in your life immediately.  
  3. Detox at least four times a year.  Re-alkalize your body and release toxicities you absorbed, especially those in processed foods. 
  4. Craft a grounding morning practice as your routine. These rituals inform your entire day and how you’ll show up, be present in the world. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode- Connect with Jessica 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6876926 Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0800 2389 Self-compassion, wellness, body, reset, morning routines, coaching, mental health, emotional wellness, self care, nutrition, overwhelm, balance, veganism, Reiki, Jessica Hernandez, creativity and compassion, healing our healers 1 23 full false You Already Know | Asma Kassam You Already Know | Asma Kassam Where do you hold your joy? Your grief?  Stretch therapist and injury specialist Asma Kassam  reminds us to listen to our own body's stories. KJ and Asma explore ways that health challenges--Asma herself has experienced female triad syndrome, adrenal fatigue, and numerous injuries -- prompt one to fully step into her mission.  Asma serves as guide for women in trusting their divine feminine life force energy to find their optimal flow and live each day empowered, fierce, and in alignment.  

Takeaways:

  1. It starts with breath. Improper breathing leads to misalignment and 9 of 10 times causes injuries in the neck and shoulder regions. 
  2. Dance it out, move out of your head and into your body.
  3. Women hold their shame in their deep abdomen: womb, cervix. 
  4.  Grief when stored in our bodies manifests in our digestion and in our shoulders.
  5. Our bodies will tell us what we need. Listen. 
  6. Unlearn, relearn, break down the lifelong conditioning of "health"
  7.  Be  intentional with your downtime and rest. 
  8.  Engage with our femininity simply by being collaborative, intuitive, and listening to what we already know. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Where do you hold your joy? Your grief?  Stretch therapist and injury specialist Asma Kassam  reminds us to listen to our own body's stories. KJ and Asma explore ways that health challenges--Asma herself has experienced female triad syndrome, adrenal fatigue, and numerous injuries -- prompt one to fully step into her mission.  Asma serves as guide for women in trusting their divine feminine life force energy to find their optimal flow and live each day empowered, fierce, and in alignment.  

Takeaways:

  1. It starts with breath. Improper breathing leads to misalignment and 9 of 10 times causes injuries in the neck and shoulder regions. 
  2. Dance it out, move out of your head and into your body.
  3. Women hold their shame in their deep abdomen: womb, cervix. 
  4.  Grief when stored in our bodies manifests in our digestion and in our shoulders.
  5. Our bodies will tell us what we need. Listen. 
  6. Unlearn, relearn, break down the lifelong conditioning of "health"
  7.  Be  intentional with your downtime and rest. 
  8.  Engage with our femininity simply by being collaborative, intuitive, and listening to what we already know. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

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Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6765655 Wed, 09 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0800 3156 self-compassion, body, breath, surrender, stretch therapy, intentions, down time, self care, movement, grief, depression relief, fascial stretch therapy, asma kassam 1 22 full true Feel Good, Girl | Torrey Felber Feel Good, Girl | Torrey Felber On today's show, KJ chats with certified personal trainer, health and nutrition coach Torrey Felber.  As CEO of Feel Good Girl, Torrey's  passion is in helping women become the thriving CEOs of their own wellness through restoring their relationship with mind, body and soul.  Over the last three years Torrey has helped hundreds of women lose hundreds of pounds. You'll feel empowered  listening to Torrey's recovery story and her accessible recommendations in nutrition, fitness and mindset. 

Takeaways:

  1. It’s only an obstacle if you decide it is.
  2. You are an active participant in your life. 
  3. Break free from two common mindset barriers 1)  All Or Nothing  2) Bad vs Good 
  4. What Stories are we holding onto that we should let go? Do these stories hold us back? 
  5. The longer we avoid addressing our grief, the likelier we are to become sick. 
  6. Living optimally means building your day around self care and wellness. Time Blocking and Scheduling  compassionate practice prioritizes self-wellness. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> On today's show, KJ chats with certified personal trainer, health and nutrition coach Torrey Felber.  As CEO of Feel Good Girl, Torrey's  passion is in helping women become the thriving CEOs of their own wellness through restoring their relationship with mind, body and soul.  Over the last three years Torrey has helped hundreds of women lose hundreds of pounds. You'll feel empowered  listening to Torrey's recovery story and her accessible recommendations in nutrition, fitness and mindset. 

Takeaways:

  1. It’s only an obstacle if you decide it is.
  2. You are an active participant in your life. 
  3. Break free from two common mindset barriers 1)  All Or Nothing  2) Bad vs Good 
  4. What Stories are we holding onto that we should let go? Do these stories hold us back? 
  5. The longer we avoid addressing our grief, the likelier we are to become sick. 
  6. Living optimally means building your day around self care and wellness. Time Blocking and Scheduling  compassionate practice prioritizes self-wellness. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave,  you're entered into a drawing to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and take a screenshot/let me know. I'll announce the winner for the week on Fridays on my Instagram + FB stories!

In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ & Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6650677 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 04:00:00 -0800 2061 courage, resilience, creativity, grief, anxiety, psychotherapy, healing, female entrepreneur, wellness, nutrition, fitness, Feel Good Girl 1 21 full true Tiny Astonishments: Gifting Creativity & Compassion | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Gifting Creativity & Compassion | KJ Nasrul How do I find a therapist, and how do I know if my therapist is right for me? How can I work 1:1 with KJ ? And, am I a Healer? In the first ever Q + A episode of SOAL, KJ answers these questions and more as submitted by listeners. It's also the BEST time to join the Healing Our Healers Creativity and Compassion Series, which begins December 2, 2020!

Questions Answered In This Episode: 

  1. How do I find a therapist?
  2. How do I know if I’ve selected the RIGHT therapist? 
  3. How can I work with you, KJ?  
  4. Am I a Healer? Am I the right fit for your Healing Our Healers Program? 
  5. I want to join the  December Creativity and Compassion/Healing Our Healers program, but don't think I can attend  all 5 weeks. How can I still participate? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave between now and November 30, 2020, you enter a chance to win a 30 minute FREE Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and let me know you did! 

 In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> How do I find a therapist, and how do I know if my therapist is right for me? How can I work 1:1 with KJ ? And, am I a Healer? In the first ever Q + A episode of SOAL, KJ answers these questions and more as submitted by listeners. It's also the BEST time to join the Healing Our Healers Creativity and Compassion Series, which begins December 2, 2020!

Questions Answered In This Episode: 

  1. How do I find a therapist?
  2. How do I know if I’ve selected the RIGHT therapist? 
  3. How can I work with you, KJ?  
  4. Am I a Healer? Am I the right fit for your Healing Our Healers Program? 
  5. I want to join the  December Creativity and Compassion/Healing Our Healers program, but don't think I can attend  all 5 weeks. How can I still participate? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too. For every review you leave between now and November 30, 2020, you enter a chance to win a 30 minute FREE Counseling/Coaching Session with ME! Just leave a review for the show and let me know you did! 

 In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6581641 Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0800 899 art, resilience, creativity, expressive arts, art therapy, healing, grief counseling, therapy, find a therapist, anxiety management, depression management, psychotherapy, self-care, self-compassion, mental health, reframe, Healing Our Healers, Workshops 1 20 full false Tiny Astonishments: A Gratitude Mixtape | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: A Gratitude Mixtape | KJ Nasrul KJ changes it up a little bit with a review of six favorite lessons learned since the launch of the SOAL Podcast. While 2020 has presented heartbreak and devastation, it also has revealed abundant opportunities for reassessment and gratitude. 

Six Stories of Astonishing Light 

Listen. There are remarkable lessons to be learned from every single person we encounter. 

Words are powerful and have lasting impact. Let’s be mindful of how we hear them, how we use them. 

We are Co-Designers with The Universe. We are participants in our creative purpose. 

We can be the creators of the changes we want to see in the world. There is hope. 

Impeccable timing for conversations about confidence and embracing the discomfort in the present. 

When we embrace our Other or differences, we are accessing our deepest opportunity to heal.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  For every review you leave by December 1, 2020, you'll be entered into a drawing  to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Session with ME! 

 In This Episode: 

  • Interested in Self-Compassion, Creativity and Healing Our Healers? Let's Chat!   
  • November is National Adoption Awareness Month  More Info Here 
  • Music for Ep 19 Outro: KJ’s Original Piano Composition 
  • Music for Show Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Want to create and send beautiful emails? Try Flodesk for free your first 30 days! Use this link here to get started 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ changes it up a little bit with a review of six favorite lessons learned since the launch of the SOAL Podcast. While 2020 has presented heartbreak and devastation, it also has revealed abundant opportunities for reassessment and gratitude. 

Six Stories of Astonishing Light 

Listen. There are remarkable lessons to be learned from every single person we encounter. 

Words are powerful and have lasting impact. Let’s be mindful of how we hear them, how we use them. 

We are Co-Designers with The Universe. We are participants in our creative purpose. 

We can be the creators of the changes we want to see in the world. There is hope. 

Impeccable timing for conversations about confidence and embracing the discomfort in the present. 

When we embrace our Other or differences, we are accessing our deepest opportunity to heal.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast  For every review you leave by December 1, 2020, you'll be entered into a drawing  to win a 30 minute FREE 1:1 Session with ME! 

 In This Episode: 

  • Interested in Self-Compassion, Creativity and Healing Our Healers? Let's Chat!   
  • November is National Adoption Awareness Month  More Info Here 
  • Music for Ep 19 Outro: KJ’s Original Piano Composition 
  • Music for Show Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Want to create and send beautiful emails? Try Flodesk for free your first 30 days! Use this link here to get started 

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6550960 Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0800 1346 Resilience, Creativity, Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence, Courage, Kindness, Self-Compassion, Self-Care, Mental Wellness, Gratitude, Thank You, Bliss Begins Within, Healing Our Healers Program, Psychotherapy, Coaching 1 19 full false Lessons in Listening | Tyler Gravley Lessons in Listening | Tyler Gravley Get ready for a jolt of joy as KJ welcomes Tyler Gravley to the podcast. Tyler is a mindset and meditation coach and hostess of the podcast The Pollen Show. Tyler's mission is to help you clear old thought patterns, gain positive momentum, and take control over your own choices in life. Today's episode is jam packed with laughter, honesty and gratitude as we remember that communication, simplicity and listening are keys to transforming our thoughts into positive action.

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1.  Simple Mantra to guide you through a day: I am Here.  I am breathing in. I am breathing out. 
  2.  When we strive to get better, we make those around us better; also, we attract those    who are doing the work. 
  3.  Self Reflection and awareness is not always pretty. 
  4.  Are we communicating with our partners? Did I ask for what I want and need?
  5.  What have you discovered about yourself  in this pandemic? Do you know how to administer self care, self compassion? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Get ready for a jolt of joy as KJ welcomes Tyler Gravley to the podcast. Tyler is a mindset and meditation coach and hostess of the podcast The Pollen Show. Tyler's mission is to help you clear old thought patterns, gain positive momentum, and take control over your own choices in life. Today's episode is jam packed with laughter, honesty and gratitude as we remember that communication, simplicity and listening are keys to transforming our thoughts into positive action.

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1.  Simple Mantra to guide you through a day: I am Here.  I am breathing in. I am breathing out. 
  2.  When we strive to get better, we make those around us better; also, we attract those    who are doing the work. 
  3.  Self Reflection and awareness is not always pretty. 
  4.  Are we communicating with our partners? Did I ask for what I want and need?
  5.  What have you discovered about yourself  in this pandemic? Do you know how to administer self care, self compassion? 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Tyler Gravley Buzzsprout-6469012 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0800 2291 courage, mindfulness, resilience, listening, coaching, mindset, mental health, communication, self compassion, self care, meditation, yoga, psychotherapy, wellness 1 18 full false Future Proof Your Career | Valerie Zaric Future Proof Your Career | Valerie Zaric Valerie Zaric is a podcast host and futuristic career strategist. She helps nine-to-fivers create peace of mind, become resilient, and discover their ideal Future-Proof Career. She has a decade of experience in corporate leadership positions and lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two toddlers. In a conversation jam-packed with tangible and inspiring advice, Valerie and KJ chat about pivoting into confidence, embracing discomfort, and authentically networking to summon incredible, dream client connections. 

TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Address all the uncertainty by taking control in small manageable chunks
  2. Another Definition of Resilience: Moving through Trauma and being stronger because of it. 
  3. Worldwide Health Crisis may produce surprising results. Confidence, our ability to better embrace/or tolerate discomfort
  4. One tip to maintain/sustain balance:  Schedule in Family Time. Use Block Scheduling
  5. You can connect with your dream interviewees/clients by networking in an authentic way, from a place of service. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Valerie Zaric is a podcast host and futuristic career strategist. She helps nine-to-fivers create peace of mind, become resilient, and discover their ideal Future-Proof Career. She has a decade of experience in corporate leadership positions and lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two toddlers. In a conversation jam-packed with tangible and inspiring advice, Valerie and KJ chat about pivoting into confidence, embracing discomfort, and authentically networking to summon incredible, dream client connections. 

TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Address all the uncertainty by taking control in small manageable chunks
  2. Another Definition of Resilience: Moving through Trauma and being stronger because of it. 
  3. Worldwide Health Crisis may produce surprising results. Confidence, our ability to better embrace/or tolerate discomfort
  4. One tip to maintain/sustain balance:  Schedule in Family Time. Use Block Scheduling
  5. You can connect with your dream interviewees/clients by networking in an authentic way, from a place of service. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Valerie Zaric Buzzsprout-6434863 Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0800 2304 courage, resilience, creativity, grief, anxiety, psychotherapy, coaching, healing, female entrepreneur, online business, Confidence, Future Proof Career Podcast 1 17 full false Tiny Astonishments: How We Heal | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: How We Heal | KJ Nasrul KJ explores ways to tap into our own resources as healers for ourselves and for others. KJ also introduces her new live coaching/psychotherapy program Healing Our Healers; sharing her why for creating the program. The solo episode closes with a short meditation for you, a technique to help connect with calm. 

Resources and Links

Red Cross Disaster Response 

COVID Wellness 

Mental Health Warmlines and Links 

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resource and Information
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255; Text 838255 
  • Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 
  • Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to  66746, (24/7) 
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD, (24/7) Foster Caregiving: 800-KIDS-4US
  • Psychology Today - Therapist Finder 

Apps and Resources that are Free/ Free-ish

  • CALM - Free to Kaiser Permanente Members 
  • HeadSpace - Free to any Health Care Provider, Behavioral Health Worker (enter your NPI#) 
  • Nike Training Center - Free workouts and movement plans for stress relief
  • RAD@Home, Free Online Classes (Ballet, Pilates, Five A Day), Royal Academy of Dance: https://bit.ly/2FyYBPv 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

More Topics Mentioned In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ explores ways to tap into our own resources as healers for ourselves and for others. KJ also introduces her new live coaching/psychotherapy program Healing Our Healers; sharing her why for creating the program. The solo episode closes with a short meditation for you, a technique to help connect with calm. 

Resources and Links

Red Cross Disaster Response 

COVID Wellness 

Mental Health Warmlines and Links 

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resource and Information
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255; Text 838255 
  • Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 
  • Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to  66746, (24/7) 
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD, (24/7) Foster Caregiving: 800-KIDS-4US
  • Psychology Today - Therapist Finder 

Apps and Resources that are Free/ Free-ish

  • CALM - Free to Kaiser Permanente Members 
  • HeadSpace - Free to any Health Care Provider, Behavioral Health Worker (enter your NPI#) 
  • Nike Training Center - Free workouts and movement plans for stress relief
  • RAD@Home, Free Online Classes (Ballet, Pilates, Five A Day), Royal Academy of Dance: https://bit.ly/2FyYBPv 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

More Topics Mentioned In This Episode: 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6367780 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 23:00:00 -0800 1381 courage, resilience, creativity, expressive arts, art therapy, healing, psychotherapy, stories, mental health, mental wellness, find your voice, Healing Our Healers, Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy, Coaching, Reframe, Sound Healing, Arts, Donate, Red Cr 1 16 full false Reclaim Your Feminine Creative Power | Majo Molfino Reclaim Your Feminine Creative Power | Majo Molfino Majo Molfino is a Latinx author, designer, and women’s leadership expert. She is the author of Break the Good Girl Myth (HarperOne) and host of the HEROINE podcast featuring top female leaders, creatives, and visionaries. Her leadership program, IGNITE, guides women to design and share a creative dream with the world. She has a master’s degree in learning, design, and technology from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in cultural studies from McGill University. Her work can be found at majomolfino.com. Today, KJ and Majo explore new definitions for creativity and how we can reclaim our feminine narratives through ritual, defiance and acts of self-compassion.

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1. Creativity’s definition is broad + expansive. Move beyond labels of artistry into a process and intention
  2. The process of manifestation involves both the passive and active energies. Actively design the structures and systems around you to support your creativity
  3. Action brings clarity 
  4. Self Care Rituals reclaim our feminine narratives, expand the space needed to deepen our creativity. 
  5. Unplugging, disconnecting, resetting is a rich opportunity to review our patterns and reacquaint with our stories 
  6. Once you turn down the volume on the noise, your true gifts are revealed.   

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

For Majo Molfino 

  • Website: majomolfino.com
  • Instagram: majomolfino
  • Twitter: majo
  • Order “Break the Good Girl Myth” at goodgirlmyth.com 
  • Take Majo’s free quiz to discover your creative, feminine power at majo.co
  • Music for Ep 15 Heal Our Healers Break:  Original Sound Mandala- Seashell by KJ Nasrul 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 



Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Majo Molfino is a Latinx author, designer, and women’s leadership expert. She is the author of Break the Good Girl Myth (HarperOne) and host of the HEROINE podcast featuring top female leaders, creatives, and visionaries. Her leadership program, IGNITE, guides women to design and share a creative dream with the world. She has a master’s degree in learning, design, and technology from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in cultural studies from McGill University. Her work can be found at majomolfino.com. Today, KJ and Majo explore new definitions for creativity and how we can reclaim our feminine narratives through ritual, defiance and acts of self-compassion.

TAKEAWAYS: 

  1. Creativity’s definition is broad + expansive. Move beyond labels of artistry into a process and intention
  2. The process of manifestation involves both the passive and active energies. Actively design the structures and systems around you to support your creativity
  3. Action brings clarity 
  4. Self Care Rituals reclaim our feminine narratives, expand the space needed to deepen our creativity. 
  5. Unplugging, disconnecting, resetting is a rich opportunity to review our patterns and reacquaint with our stories 
  6. Once you turn down the volume on the noise, your true gifts are revealed.   

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

For Majo Molfino 

  • Website: majomolfino.com
  • Instagram: majomolfino
  • Twitter: majo
  • Order “Break the Good Girl Myth” at goodgirlmyth.com 
  • Take Majo’s free quiz to discover your creative, feminine power at majo.co
  • Music for Ep 15 Heal Our Healers Break:  Original Sound Mandala- Seashell by KJ Nasrul 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 



Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6324412 Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0800 1811 book, creativity, author, resilience, defiance, Break The Good Girl Myth, women, design, Other, Women’s Leadership, Female Leaders, Female Creatives, Majo Molfino, Heroine Podcast, awareness, self care, self compassion, emotional wellness, mental health m 1 15 full false Becoming Boss, Ladies | Sophia Noreen Syed Becoming Boss, Ladies | Sophia Noreen Syed Turns out that we Ladies CAN have it all. Sophia Noreen Syed is a registered physiotherapist, podcaster, Lady Boss Mentor, mama, wife and multi-business owner based in Canada. Not too long ago, she  was a manager at a publicly funded medical clinic when she decided to scale back and work part-time, in order to pursue her product-based startup company.  This move paid off BIG TIME, as her products landed in Walmart Canada last spring to a warm reception! Today Sophia Noreen and I riff on ways to remain accountable in our business and home life decisions, how it’s OK for a woman to decide to pursue all the wins, including  entrepreneurship, and we explore a few self care practices to maintain A Lady Boss Life. 

Takeaways 

  1. The Lady Can Do What She Wants 
  • There isn’t anything stopping a woman, not the color of her skin, not her religion, not her status as a mother from pursuing all that she wants. 
  • ASK for what you want and claim it
  • Communicate with your colleagues and partner
  • Initiate and maintain a support network

       2.    Accountability is Essential Self Care  

  • Crafting a consistent routine of movement (yoga, walking, swimming, etc)  is  effective mental health self care
  • Connecting with friends for accountability will further your likelihood of sustaining healthy habits for self care 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

  • Sophia Noreen on Instagram BossitClub & MsSophiaNoreen 
  • The Boss It Podcast 
  • Sophia Noreen’s Website  Also Sophia 
  • Music for Ep 14 Outro:  Original Piano Composition-  Butterfly by KJ Nasrul 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Turns out that we Ladies CAN have it all. Sophia Noreen Syed is a registered physiotherapist, podcaster, Lady Boss Mentor, mama, wife and multi-business owner based in Canada. Not too long ago, she  was a manager at a publicly funded medical clinic when she decided to scale back and work part-time, in order to pursue her product-based startup company.  This move paid off BIG TIME, as her products landed in Walmart Canada last spring to a warm reception! Today Sophia Noreen and I riff on ways to remain accountable in our business and home life decisions, how it’s OK for a woman to decide to pursue all the wins, including  entrepreneurship, and we explore a few self care practices to maintain A Lady Boss Life. 

Takeaways 

  1. The Lady Can Do What She Wants 
  • There isn’t anything stopping a woman, not the color of her skin, not her religion, not her status as a mother from pursuing all that she wants. 
  • ASK for what you want and claim it
  • Communicate with your colleagues and partner
  • Initiate and maintain a support network

       2.    Accountability is Essential Self Care  

  • Crafting a consistent routine of movement (yoga, walking, swimming, etc)  is  effective mental health self care
  • Connecting with friends for accountability will further your likelihood of sustaining healthy habits for self care 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

  • Sophia Noreen on Instagram BossitClub & MsSophiaNoreen 
  • The Boss It Podcast 
  • Sophia Noreen’s Website  Also Sophia 
  • Music for Ep 14 Outro:  Original Piano Composition-  Butterfly by KJ Nasrul 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6216679 Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0800 2405 Mental Health, Creativity, Artist, Entrepreneur, Resilience, Courage, Storytelling, Healing, Bliss Begins Within, Female Entrepreneur, Sophia Noreen Syed, Boss It, Self Love, Self Compassion, Women Supporting Women, Women of Color, Podcaster, Self Care 1 14 full true Healing Our Healers | Shanta Hyche Healing Our Healers | Shanta Hyche BIRTHDAY BONUS EPISODE! Listen into a poignant and uplifting conversation with a soul sister. Shante Hyche is a counseling student, a mom and adoptee advocate with inspiring global goals. We talk about our experiences as biracial adoptees, being empathic and creative...all elements that inform our most prominent role - HEALER. Shanta is the Founder of Trauma Transformation Global Ministries, INC a nonprofit founded to globally teach orphaned, adopted, and fostered children they are loved, valued, and enough. She is the hostess of Trauma Transformation Adoptee Podcast and is eager to introduce her newest initiative: Spiritual healing for adult women separated at birth from their moms.

Episode Takeaways

1. Early Acts of Empathy 

  • Honor the sensitivities and special gifts procured as a child 
  • Knowing the feeling of being “other” and “different” are indicators of your empathy...and potential life’s work as a healer 

2.  Artistic Expression Liberates 

  • Answers may reveal themselves when invited through other channels such as:
  • Journaling, poetry, crafting, doing/styling hair,  movement (sports, dance)
  • All of these are modes of communication that may be your path to freedom 

3. Healers Need Healing As Well 

  • Rather than be reactive, be proactive and create a plan for moments of disquiet 
  • Employ a Breath Technique like 4 -7- 8 
  • Build in time to Meditate and connect to nature.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our stories have astonished you too.

 Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> BIRTHDAY BONUS EPISODE! Listen into a poignant and uplifting conversation with a soul sister. Shante Hyche is a counseling student, a mom and adoptee advocate with inspiring global goals. We talk about our experiences as biracial adoptees, being empathic and creative...all elements that inform our most prominent role - HEALER. Shanta is the Founder of Trauma Transformation Global Ministries, INC a nonprofit founded to globally teach orphaned, adopted, and fostered children they are loved, valued, and enough. She is the hostess of Trauma Transformation Adoptee Podcast and is eager to introduce her newest initiative: Spiritual healing for adult women separated at birth from their moms.

Episode Takeaways

1. Early Acts of Empathy 

  • Honor the sensitivities and special gifts procured as a child 
  • Knowing the feeling of being “other” and “different” are indicators of your empathy...and potential life’s work as a healer 

2.  Artistic Expression Liberates 

  • Answers may reveal themselves when invited through other channels such as:
  • Journaling, poetry, crafting, doing/styling hair,  movement (sports, dance)
  • All of these are modes of communication that may be your path to freedom 

3. Healers Need Healing As Well 

  • Rather than be reactive, be proactive and create a plan for moments of disquiet 
  • Employ a Breath Technique like 4 -7- 8 
  • Build in time to Meditate and connect to nature.

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our stories have astonished you too.

 Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Shanta Hyche Buzzsprout-6139435 Fri, 30 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0700 3157 Courage, Resilience, Creativity, Art Therapy, Healer, Psychotherapy, Adoptee, Transracial Adoptee, AdopteeVoices, Stories, Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Shanta Hyche, Trauma Transformation Adoptee Podcast, Healing Our Healers, Bliss Begins Within, Psych 1 13 full false Tiny Astonishments: Embrace Your Other | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Embrace Your Other | KJ Nasrul KJ shares a story about growing up #other, #different, #weird, #biracial, #adopted, which ultimately bestowed lessons on becoming comfortable in her skin, and embracing  her majesty.

Episode Takeaways 

 1. Spotlight Listener Review 

  • Miss El Yu, thank you for your kind and articulate review of the show on Apple Podcasts! 
  • The more you review, the more you spread the word about the topics most important to you. Thank you for spotlighting my little show, thank you for downloading, just passing 1000 downloads! Keep going and you have all my gratitude. 
  • Please consider leaving a review for this podcast at https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

 2. Your Otherness is Your Majesty 

  • All the traits and characteristics that you are shy about, that set you apart as different, that make you unconventional … They are your strengths, they are your genius 
  • When we embrace our Other we reveal our resilience. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ shares a story about growing up #other, #different, #weird, #biracial, #adopted, which ultimately bestowed lessons on becoming comfortable in her skin, and embracing  her majesty.

Episode Takeaways 

 1. Spotlight Listener Review 

  • Miss El Yu, thank you for your kind and articulate review of the show on Apple Podcasts! 
  • The more you review, the more you spread the word about the topics most important to you. Thank you for spotlighting my little show, thank you for downloading, just passing 1000 downloads! Keep going and you have all my gratitude. 
  • Please consider leaving a review for this podcast at https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

 2. Your Otherness is Your Majesty 

  • All the traits and characteristics that you are shy about, that set you apart as different, that make you unconventional … They are your strengths, they are your genius 
  • When we embrace our Other we reveal our resilience. 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-6097723 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0700 1305 courage, resilience, creativity, expressiveartsarttherapy, pianohealing, psychotherapy, stories, mentalhealth, mentalwellness, Other, Embrace Your Other, OtherOn, findyourvoice, adopteestories, adopteevoices 1 12 full false A Sound Healing Journey | Breanna Blair A Sound Healing Journey | Breanna Blair Breanna Blair was working as a preschool teacher until she discovered alignment in becoming a certified sound healer and doula. Today she holds many titles including certified 500 hour Trainer with the Awakened Warrior Yoga Teacher Training as well as Quantum Healing Hypnosis Practitioner. Today we discuss knowing when it’s time to leave your job and the shedding of perfectionism. After our catch up session, we invite you to immerse yourself in a healing sound bath session as performed (and gifted) by Breanna. Melt away, loves...

Episode Takeaways
 
1. Done is better than perfect. 

  • Hesitation to put yourself out there may mean that someone who seeks your particular message, method or skill today misses out on working with you and benefitting  from your knowledge. 

2. Action tends to lead to clarity/Check In with yourself 

  • You might ask these questions: Is this something I want to get up for every day in the morning? Does it excite me, light me up? 
  • Ready, Fire, Aim - Start moving first, fine tune while moving along the course. 

3. Self Care means honoring your personal rituals 

  • There is power in consistency
  • Here’s a chance to reacquaint and empower yourself in your wellness

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our stories have astonished you too.

 Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Breanna Blair was working as a preschool teacher until she discovered alignment in becoming a certified sound healer and doula. Today she holds many titles including certified 500 hour Trainer with the Awakened Warrior Yoga Teacher Training as well as Quantum Healing Hypnosis Practitioner. Today we discuss knowing when it’s time to leave your job and the shedding of perfectionism. After our catch up session, we invite you to immerse yourself in a healing sound bath session as performed (and gifted) by Breanna. Melt away, loves...

Episode Takeaways
 
1. Done is better than perfect. 

  • Hesitation to put yourself out there may mean that someone who seeks your particular message, method or skill today misses out on working with you and benefitting  from your knowledge. 

2. Action tends to lead to clarity/Check In with yourself 

  • You might ask these questions: Is this something I want to get up for every day in the morning? Does it excite me, light me up? 
  • Ready, Fire, Aim - Start moving first, fine tune while moving along the course. 

3. Self Care means honoring your personal rituals 

  • There is power in consistency
  • Here’s a chance to reacquaint and empower yourself in your wellness

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our stories have astonished you too.

 Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-5992282 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 21:00:00 -0700 2534 Resilience, Artistry, Creativity, Sound Bath Healing, Breanna Blair, Self Care, Compassion, Expressive Arts, Mental Health, Awakened Warrior Yoga, Wellness, Psychotherapy, Healing Our Healers, 1 11 full false An Artist’s Retreat | Margaret Soraya An Artist’s Retreat | Margaret Soraya We are gifted artists already, we just sometimes forget this, especially in these frenetic days. Margaret Soraya is a retreat leader and a professional photographer living in Scotland, specializing in landscapes and seascapes. She encourages us to explore the vast possibilities of our passions within the safe surroundings of personal introspection. We do that by welcoming the quiet, returning to artful listening. 

Takeaways 

1. You can move through unnameable difficulties

  • Your resilient experience grants you a genuine , deeper understanding 
  • Through doing, we find our way 
  • The way you model moving through challenges can impact ONE person
  • Impacting ONE PERSON  is powerful enough  

2.    Retreating is Essential Self Care  

  • Retreat means to pull back, withdraw from the noise of expectations + social media
  • Doing so uncovers the beauty already within you 
  • Self Care promotes healthier relationships and healthier people in your life
  • Reacquaint yourself with what you love, what you drifted away from 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> We are gifted artists already, we just sometimes forget this, especially in these frenetic days. Margaret Soraya is a retreat leader and a professional photographer living in Scotland, specializing in landscapes and seascapes. She encourages us to explore the vast possibilities of our passions within the safe surroundings of personal introspection. We do that by welcoming the quiet, returning to artful listening. 

Takeaways 

1. You can move through unnameable difficulties

  • Your resilient experience grants you a genuine , deeper understanding 
  • Through doing, we find our way 
  • The way you model moving through challenges can impact ONE person
  • Impacting ONE PERSON  is powerful enough  

2.    Retreating is Essential Self Care  

  • Retreat means to pull back, withdraw from the noise of expectations + social media
  • Doing so uncovers the beauty already within you 
  • Self Care promotes healthier relationships and healthier people in your life
  • Reacquaint yourself with what you love, what you drifted away from 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Margaret Soraya Buzzsprout-5892451 Wed, 14 Oct 2020 13:00:00 -0700 3294 Resilience, Artistry, Creativity, Photography, Quiet Landscapes, Quiet, Self Care, Compassion, Expressive Arts, Mental Health, Wellness, Margaret Soraya, Psychotherapy 1 10 full false Finding Our Friendly World | Fawn Anderson Finding Our Friendly World | Fawn Anderson We are Misfits, Other and Dark Girls. My friend Fawn and I discuss the lost art of making friends through compassionate conversations. Fawn Anderson is a documentary photographer and founder- along with her husband Matt- of Be Friendly World, a social movement for compassion, dialogue, and friendship. Listen in as we recall the first fears-turned-freedom of being “other” and “dark-skinned girls”. We chat about childhood crushes who inspired our ultimate career paths, and ways to uncover deeper connections, for less loneliness. 

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Your Outsider, Other status is freedom 

  • Feeling outsider-y propels you to make bold decisions 
  • Promotes creativity and unique perspective 

2.  Glimpses of your ultimate creative path your whole life 

  • Honor the experiences which have set you apart while growing up 
  • Guideposts on using your imagination and visionary skills to be everything you dream 

3. Compassionate Conversations are the root of everything 

  • Invite neighbors, family, colleagues into discussions by using open-ended questions
  • Initiate conversations, though uncomfortable, to invite connection; dispel loneliness, anxiety, depression 

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

Rate and leave a review here for the Stories of Astonishing Light Podcast! 

  1. Heart Intelligence by Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Deborah Rozman Ph.D. and Rollin McCraty Ph.D
  2. Molecules of Emotion by Candace B Pert, PhD 
  3. Mind-Body Code by Dr Mario Martinez 
  4. Music and Mantras: The Yoga of Mindful Singing for Health, Happiness, Peace & Prosperity  by Girish 
  5. Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza
  • Ep 9 Outro music:  Butterfly, A Sound Mandala by KJ Nasrul 
  • Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

More About KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> We are Misfits, Other and Dark Girls. My friend Fawn and I discuss the lost art of making friends through compassionate conversations. Fawn Anderson is a documentary photographer and founder- along with her husband Matt- of Be Friendly World, a social movement for compassion, dialogue, and friendship. Listen in as we recall the first fears-turned-freedom of being “other” and “dark-skinned girls”. We chat about childhood crushes who inspired our ultimate career paths, and ways to uncover deeper connections, for less loneliness. 

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Your Outsider, Other status is freedom 

  • Feeling outsider-y propels you to make bold decisions 
  • Promotes creativity and unique perspective 

2.  Glimpses of your ultimate creative path your whole life 

  • Honor the experiences which have set you apart while growing up 
  • Guideposts on using your imagination and visionary skills to be everything you dream 

3. Compassionate Conversations are the root of everything 

  • Invite neighbors, family, colleagues into discussions by using open-ended questions
  • Initiate conversations, though uncomfortable, to invite connection; dispel loneliness, anxiety, depression 

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

Rate and leave a review here for the Stories of Astonishing Light Podcast! 

  1. Heart Intelligence by Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Deborah Rozman Ph.D. and Rollin McCraty Ph.D
  2. Molecules of Emotion by Candace B Pert, PhD 
  3. Mind-Body Code by Dr Mario Martinez 
  4. Music and Mantras: The Yoga of Mindful Singing for Health, Happiness, Peace & Prosperity  by Girish 
  5. Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza
  • Ep 9 Outro music:  Butterfly, A Sound Mandala by KJ Nasrul 
  • Intro & Outro music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

More About KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-5864719 Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0700 2352 Friendship, conversations, compassion, resilience, creativity, mental health, relationships, culture, Other, misfit, mental health awareness, kindness, Our Friendly World, Be Friendly World, Women of Color, Women Supporting Women, Women Artists 1 9 full false Tiny Astonishments: Purple Hair Bows for Baby Girl T-Rex | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Purple Hair Bows for Baby Girl T-Rex | KJ Nasrul KJ shares the sweet lessons on joy and creativity learned from 2nd grade super heroes and an18-month-old bubble enthusiast. Stay ‘til the end, to hear a new original piano Sound Mandala sample...?

1. An Incredible Beginning and a Spotlighted Listener Review 

  • Seven episodes and a trailer done! Such overwhelmingly kind responses, new connections open, new friends and adventures created. 
  • Skonita, thank you for your kind show review on Apple Podcasts! 
  • The more you review, the more you spread the word about the topics that are important to you. Please consider leaving a review for this podcast at https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

2. Hey, Girl, Hey- How Do You Manage It All? 

  • Mandalas, Mantras and Meditation create routine and centering.
  • Planning out the day intentionally, by including self care activities and breaks provides structure and accountability 
  • Celebrate the joy in moment to moment awareness 

3. Noticing joy and wonder in the moment to moment 

  • Little Sophia found utter contentment in chasing bubbles on Sunday. I found this to be the reminder I needed most 
  • Music makes us feel colors and emotions. Listen to them, name them, draw them, revel in them. 
  • Markers are Sensitive and Baby Girl T Rexes also deserve to look their best in purple bows and tutus -according to the BRILLIANT Room 17 2nd grade scholars at 74th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:


Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ shares the sweet lessons on joy and creativity learned from 2nd grade super heroes and an18-month-old bubble enthusiast. Stay ‘til the end, to hear a new original piano Sound Mandala sample...?

1. An Incredible Beginning and a Spotlighted Listener Review 

  • Seven episodes and a trailer done! Such overwhelmingly kind responses, new connections open, new friends and adventures created. 
  • Skonita, thank you for your kind show review on Apple Podcasts! 
  • The more you review, the more you spread the word about the topics that are important to you. Please consider leaving a review for this podcast at https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

2. Hey, Girl, Hey- How Do You Manage It All? 

  • Mandalas, Mantras and Meditation create routine and centering.
  • Planning out the day intentionally, by including self care activities and breaks provides structure and accountability 
  • Celebrate the joy in moment to moment awareness 

3. Noticing joy and wonder in the moment to moment 

  • Little Sophia found utter contentment in chasing bubbles on Sunday. I found this to be the reminder I needed most 
  • Music makes us feel colors and emotions. Listen to them, name them, draw them, revel in them. 
  • Markers are Sensitive and Baby Girl T Rexes also deserve to look their best in purple bows and tutus -according to the BRILLIANT Room 17 2nd grade scholars at 74th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:


Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Nasrul Buzzsprout-5784718 Wed, 07 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0700 1224 Mental Health, Creativity, Artist, wonder, joy, Resilience, Recovery, Courage, Storytelling, Healing, gratitude, Bliss Begins Within, Rediscovery, Mental Wellness, Self Love, Self Compassion, time management, morning routine, Self Esteem, moment-to-moment 1 8 full false Reveling in the Reset | Samantha Jo Harvey Reveling in the Reset | Samantha Jo Harvey Samantha Jo Harvey is a professional dancer, life coach, and entrepreneur. Having personally experienced divorce, worthiness struggles and disordered eating, she empowers women to rediscover their passion, rewrite their stories, and step into their power. Now she is modeling the beauty and wonder in the rediscovery of her own strength. She always knew she was a dancer, but only recently gave permission to refer to herself as a creative being. Today she is reveling in her new position of reset and possibility, and it’s beautiful to witness.  Join me in this truly joyful conversation with my friend Sam. 

1. Find joy and fun in everyday occurrences 

  • Dance Party Remixes while in the midst of not favorite tasks like packing, moving and shedding skin 
  • Have a good laugh over the fact that your sexy convertible still doesn’t have room for your boxes

2. Processing emotions through physical expression 

  • Literally, physically move through your grief, anger, uncertainty, depression 
  • Channel this energy into a workout, running, dance… throw yourself out of a plane 

3. Rediscovering your innate creativity is resilience 

  • Circle back to what you’ve known always, including viewing the world through a childlike lens of wonder and confidence 
  • You’ve already built a wealth of strength, sometimes revisiting childhood triumphs is the reminder you need 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 



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Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Samantha Jo Harvey is a professional dancer, life coach, and entrepreneur. Having personally experienced divorce, worthiness struggles and disordered eating, she empowers women to rediscover their passion, rewrite their stories, and step into their power. Now she is modeling the beauty and wonder in the rediscovery of her own strength. She always knew she was a dancer, but only recently gave permission to refer to herself as a creative being. Today she is reveling in her new position of reset and possibility, and it’s beautiful to witness.  Join me in this truly joyful conversation with my friend Sam. 

1. Find joy and fun in everyday occurrences 

  • Dance Party Remixes while in the midst of not favorite tasks like packing, moving and shedding skin 
  • Have a good laugh over the fact that your sexy convertible still doesn’t have room for your boxes

2. Processing emotions through physical expression 

  • Literally, physically move through your grief, anger, uncertainty, depression 
  • Channel this energy into a workout, running, dance… throw yourself out of a plane 

3. Rediscovering your innate creativity is resilience 

  • Circle back to what you’ve known always, including viewing the world through a childlike lens of wonder and confidence 
  • You’ve already built a wealth of strength, sometimes revisiting childhood triumphs is the reminder you need 

Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 



Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-5670595 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 22:00:00 -0700 2438 Mental Health, Creativity, Artist, Dancer, Resilience, Recovery, Courage, Storytelling, Healing, Bliss Begins Within, Joy, Rediscovery, Mental Wellness, Self Love, Self Compassion, Samantha Jo Harvey, Life Full Out, Podcast, Self Esteem 1 7 full true Embracing Empathy Part 2 | Michelle Yearick, RN Embracing Empathy Part 2 | Michelle Yearick, RN Here is Part Two of our conversation with Michelle Yearick, RN, a neonatal lactation consultant and Frontline Essential Healthcare Worker. Michelle is in the trenches working with women in their most powerful and vulnerable states of being- during pregnancy and in the moments after giving birth. She is my very first and dearest friend in the world- and her style is no-filter, blunt, straight talking honesty combined with unparalleled compassion and empathy. 

Episode (Part 2) Takeaways: 

1. Look to your children and your own childhood mischiefs for creative clues on what soothes you during these unsettling times. 

  • Early signs of curiosity might be the key to your optimum health. 
  • Honor your discoveries and explorations as a child 
  • Remember the places holding joy and comfort for you 

2. Connect with others Human to Human 

  • Ask open-ended questions 
  • Invite deeper conversations
  • Intentionally hear the responses 

3.  Listen. 

  • Listen to the answers given once you ask the question. 
  • Hold the space in silence so that people can speak about their experiences - you will be amazed at the tragedy...and triumphs in people’s lives 
  • We have much to learn about ourselves and those with whom we interact every day 


Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Michelle’s Instagram
  • Michelle’s Email EvolutionOfEmpathy@gmail.com 
  • Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
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]]> Here is Part Two of our conversation with Michelle Yearick, RN, a neonatal lactation consultant and Frontline Essential Healthcare Worker. Michelle is in the trenches working with women in their most powerful and vulnerable states of being- during pregnancy and in the moments after giving birth. She is my very first and dearest friend in the world- and her style is no-filter, blunt, straight talking honesty combined with unparalleled compassion and empathy. 

Episode (Part 2) Takeaways: 

1. Look to your children and your own childhood mischiefs for creative clues on what soothes you during these unsettling times. 

  • Early signs of curiosity might be the key to your optimum health. 
  • Honor your discoveries and explorations as a child 
  • Remember the places holding joy and comfort for you 

2. Connect with others Human to Human 

  • Ask open-ended questions 
  • Invite deeper conversations
  • Intentionally hear the responses 

3.  Listen. 

  • Listen to the answers given once you ask the question. 
  • Hold the space in silence so that people can speak about their experiences - you will be amazed at the tragedy...and triumphs in people’s lives 
  • We have much to learn about ourselves and those with whom we interact every day 


Please Rate and Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Michelle’s Instagram
  • Michelle’s Email EvolutionOfEmpathy@gmail.com 
  • Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> KJ Hoard Nasrul Buzzsprout-5596657 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 21:00:00 -0700 2088 1 6 full true Embracing Empathy Part 1 | Michelle Yearick, RN Embracing Empathy Part 1 | Michelle Yearick, RN As a neonatal lactation consultant, Michelle Yearick is in the trenches working with women in their most powerful and vulnerable states of being- during pregnancy and in the moments after giving birth. 

She is my very first and dearest friend in the world- and her style is no-filter, blunt, straight-talking honesty combined with unparalleled compassion and empathy. She serves as guide for our return to the very basic human necessities: kind conversations about essential life topics- love, loss, bonding, grieving, and the celebration of women’s resilience. 

Episode (Part 1) Takeaways: 

1. Look to your children and your own childhood mischiefs for creative clues on what soothes you during these unsettling times. 

  • Early signs of curiosity might be the key to your optimum health. 
  • Honor your discoveries and explorations as a child 
  • Remember the places holding joy and comfort for you

2. To connect with others on a human level,  first go with your feelings 

  • Ask open-ended questions 
  • Invite deeper conversations
  • Listen to the responses 


Please Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

Michelle’s Instagram
Michelle’s Email EvolutionOfEmpathy@gmail.com
Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within: 

IG @MusingsOnOther 
IG @Bliss Begins Within
Bliss Begins Within Website
Let's Be Pen Pals- Email List
Let's Work Together! https://blissbeginswithin.as.me/
Facebook
Twitter



Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> As a neonatal lactation consultant, Michelle Yearick is in the trenches working with women in their most powerful and vulnerable states of being- during pregnancy and in the moments after giving birth. 

She is my very first and dearest friend in the world- and her style is no-filter, blunt, straight-talking honesty combined with unparalleled compassion and empathy. She serves as guide for our return to the very basic human necessities: kind conversations about essential life topics- love, loss, bonding, grieving, and the celebration of women’s resilience. 

Episode (Part 1) Takeaways: 

1. Look to your children and your own childhood mischiefs for creative clues on what soothes you during these unsettling times. 

  • Early signs of curiosity might be the key to your optimum health. 
  • Honor your discoveries and explorations as a child 
  • Remember the places holding joy and comfort for you

2. To connect with others on a human level,  first go with your feelings 

  • Ask open-ended questions 
  • Invite deeper conversations
  • Listen to the responses 


Please Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

Michelle’s Instagram
Michelle’s Email EvolutionOfEmpathy@gmail.com
Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within: 

IG @MusingsOnOther 
IG @Bliss Begins Within
Bliss Begins Within Website
Let's Be Pen Pals- Email List
Let's Work Together! https://blissbeginswithin.as.me/
Facebook
Twitter



Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://storiesofastonishinglight.buzzsprout.com Michelle Yearick, RN Buzzsprout-5544994 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0700 1575 courage, resilience, creativity, grief, anxiety, psychotherapy, healing, mental health, empathy, kindness, self improvement, mindset, gratitude, stories, Nurses, EssentialWorkers, FrontlineWorkers, Compassion 1 5 full true Your Superpowers Redefined | Sachiko Cohen Your Superpowers Redefined | Sachiko Cohen When Sachiko was 18 years old, she left her hometown of Chiba in search of adventure and inspiration. From Japan to Switzerland, the US and back, she realized that adventure and inspiration sought her.  Listen in on this rich conversation with Sachiko Cohen: psychotherapist, coach, mama, and impassioned defender of the shy and the bullied. Prepare for enchantment.

Takeaways: 

1. You have a lasting impact on one person and many people, by being YOU. 

  • Show up - even if it’s messy, because your presence is real and relatable. 
  • Your genuineness may light the fire of creativity and advocacy in one other person, which is enough to start a movement. 

2. Our beliefs have power over us; let's challenge and disrupt them.

  • We can deconstruct a label, and break the power it has over us. 
  • We can re-wire and change a lifetime of default thinking. You're not "shy" after all. 

3.  Our instincts may be our superpower.

  • Listen to your natural responses. They are the blueprint of your unhindered, unlabeled self.
  • You were born gifted. The world needs people who embrace their strengths and abilities (challenges too) to serve as our leaders.  

4.  Nourishing our basic needs may be the highest form of self care. 

  • Reconnect with our base human needs (Maslow's Hierarchy) such as sleep, air, food, water and shelter.
  • We best serve our loved ones, clients and communities when we ensure we have provided for our wellness first. 

**NOTE**:  Technical glitches lent to the loss of most of Sachiko's two-part reply to the question: "What led you to pursuing this particular career?"

Sachiko's Answer:  We can disrupt the old therapy model of charging hourly to correlate with what we think we are worth. The value and services that therapist-coaches provide far transcends a price tag, especially when we shift our paradigm from one to one to an expansive one-to-many model. Serving more people creates deeper impact.

Please Leave A Review if you enjoy the show and our guests to help us spread the word about the intersection of creativity, mental health & resilience.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> When Sachiko was 18 years old, she left her hometown of Chiba in search of adventure and inspiration. From Japan to Switzerland, the US and back, she realized that adventure and inspiration sought her.  Listen in on this rich conversation with Sachiko Cohen: psychotherapist, coach, mama, and impassioned defender of the shy and the bullied. Prepare for enchantment.

Takeaways: 

1. You have a lasting impact on one person and many people, by being YOU. 

  • Show up - even if it’s messy, because your presence is real and relatable. 
  • Your genuineness may light the fire of creativity and advocacy in one other person, which is enough to start a movement. 

2. Our beliefs have power over us; let's challenge and disrupt them.

  • We can deconstruct a label, and break the power it has over us. 
  • We can re-wire and change a lifetime of default thinking. You're not "shy" after all. 

3.  Our instincts may be our superpower.

  • Listen to your natural responses. They are the blueprint of your unhindered, unlabeled self.
  • You were born gifted. The world needs people who embrace their strengths and abilities (challenges too) to serve as our leaders.  

4.  Nourishing our basic needs may be the highest form of self care. 

  • Reconnect with our base human needs (Maslow's Hierarchy) such as sleep, air, food, water and shelter.
  • We best serve our loved ones, clients and communities when we ensure we have provided for our wellness first. 

**NOTE**:  Technical glitches lent to the loss of most of Sachiko's two-part reply to the question: "What led you to pursuing this particular career?"

Sachiko's Answer:  We can disrupt the old therapy model of charging hourly to correlate with what we think we are worth. The value and services that therapist-coaches provide far transcends a price tag, especially when we shift our paradigm from one to one to an expansive one-to-many model. Serving more people creates deeper impact.

Please Leave A Review if you enjoy the show and our guests to help us spread the word about the intersection of creativity, mental health & resilience.
https://ratethispodcast.com/astonishingstories 

Episode Mentions 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> http://bit.ly/SachikoCohen Sachiko Cohen, MFT Buzzsprout-5445244 Wed, 16 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0700 3486 courage, resilience, coaching, rebellion, creativity, overcoming shyness, healing, psychotherapy, stories, mental health, therapist to coach, bullying 1 4 full true Rediscovering Roots | Megs Jolliff Rediscovering Roots | Megs Jolliff Not too long ago, fashion merchandiser Meagan Jolliff was unemployed and riddled with anxiety and grief so badly she would not drive, and she would not leave her house. She rediscovered her fight when she remembered the strong women who served as luminous guides before her. Join me in conversation with one of my childhood best friends as she recounts the steps she took to defy her inner critic and launch a thriving online business in these unpredictable times.

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Return To Nature 

  • Place your hands and feet in the ground - start a garden, plant olive trees 
  • Return to comforts of childhood- the trees, the beach, near the water

2. Celebrate your Accomplishments

  • You have overcome hardships many times before, know you can do it again
  • You have unique skills, talents and abilities that could be helpful and healing for someone else 

3. If you can't remember the good, perhaps remember someone who can

  • Honor and celebrate your role models growing up
  • Recall the encouragement and praise you received from those you admire most

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Mackie Ann Website 
  • Mackie Ann Instagram 
  • Leave a review if Meagan's story left an impression on you... 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Not too long ago, fashion merchandiser Meagan Jolliff was unemployed and riddled with anxiety and grief so badly she would not drive, and she would not leave her house. She rediscovered her fight when she remembered the strong women who served as luminous guides before her. Join me in conversation with one of my childhood best friends as she recounts the steps she took to defy her inner critic and launch a thriving online business in these unpredictable times.

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Return To Nature 

  • Place your hands and feet in the ground - start a garden, plant olive trees 
  • Return to comforts of childhood- the trees, the beach, near the water

2. Celebrate your Accomplishments

  • You have overcome hardships many times before, know you can do it again
  • You have unique skills, talents and abilities that could be helpful and healing for someone else 

3. If you can't remember the good, perhaps remember someone who can

  • Honor and celebrate your role models growing up
  • Recall the encouragement and praise you received from those you admire most

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Mackie Ann Website 
  • Mackie Ann Instagram 
  • Leave a review if Meagan's story left an impression on you... 
  • Music for Intro & Outro: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

Connect With KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Megs Jolliff Buzzsprout-5359402 Wed, 09 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0700 2842 courage, resilience, creativity, grief, anxiety, psychotherapy, healing, mental health, womensupportingwomen, shedidit, female entrepreneur, womeninbusiness, girlboss, self improvement, mackieann, mindset, gratitude, stories 1 3 full true Living Artfully In A Pandemic | Kathryn Le Grice Living Artfully In A Pandemic | Kathryn Le Grice How can you connect with your creativity during a world crisis? Can you practice self care when you are a multi-hyphenate Super Mama also sheltering in place? Join me in an inspiring tea time conversation with my muse, Welsh artist Kathryn Le Grice.

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Practice Self Care during unsettling times 

  • Keep your routines + rituals for structure and comfort
  • Be open to discovery. Your own neighborhood is a treasure trove! 
  • Return to childhood loves and activities: language, dance, nature 

2. Lean into The Wonder of each moment

  • Listen to what your children teach you
  • Keep a notebook/sketchbook or camera on hand 
  • Pause. In-the-moment awareness offers new angles and possibilities. 

Please Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Kathryn Le Grice's Art Website 
  • Painter Henri Matisse 
  • Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> How can you connect with your creativity during a world crisis? Can you practice self care when you are a multi-hyphenate Super Mama also sheltering in place? Join me in an inspiring tea time conversation with my muse, Welsh artist Kathryn Le Grice.

Episode Takeaways: 

1. Practice Self Care during unsettling times 

  • Keep your routines + rituals for structure and comfort
  • Be open to discovery. Your own neighborhood is a treasure trove! 
  • Return to childhood loves and activities: language, dance, nature 

2. Lean into The Wonder of each moment

  • Listen to what your children teach you
  • Keep a notebook/sketchbook or camera on hand 
  • Pause. In-the-moment awareness offers new angles and possibilities. 

Please Review This Podcast ... if our Stories have astonished you too.

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

  • Kathryn Le Grice's Art Website 
  • Painter Henri Matisse 
  • Intro & Outro Music: Canada Lo Res by Pictures Of The Floating World 

All The Places To Find KJ and Bliss Begins Within:  

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://storiesofastonishinglight.buzzsprout.com Kathryn Le Grice Buzzsprout-5183686 Wed, 02 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0700 2587 art, resilience, creativity, expressivearts, arttherapy, healing, psychotherapy, self-care, self-compassion, mentalhealth, reframe, artist, Kathryn LeGrice, painter 1 2 full true Tiny Astonishments: Butterfly Courage | KJ Nasrul Tiny Astonishments: Butterfly Courage | KJ Nasrul Welcome, Healers, to the first episode of the show-- a solo vignette to introduce you to the podcast.  Here's a Tiny Astonishment about finding the courage to show up, even if only for 182 seconds. Also... I play a little piano for ya.

Episode Takeaways: 

  • Reflection: How do you drop into your bravery? How do you access your courage? What activity or physical anchor... or whom helps you? 
  • The outro music for this episode? That's me. I composed, recorded, and asked my kickass editing team to help me link it to the episode before crawling into bed a few evenings previously. 
  • Six months ago I wouldn't show my face on Facebook or Instagram Stories, let alone show up LIVE with my own show, and my own musical compositions. Now I'm sharing what I do... out loud, in hopes of encouraging others to do the same. 
  • It's Progress, not perfection
  • New episodes will post every Wednesday.
  • Next episode lands this Wednesday, Sept 2, 2020, with a guest- artist Kathryn Le Grice 

Please Leave A Review if these stories have inspired you...

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

All The Places To Find Me: 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Welcome, Healers, to the first episode of the show-- a solo vignette to introduce you to the podcast.  Here's a Tiny Astonishment about finding the courage to show up, even if only for 182 seconds. Also... I play a little piano for ya.

Episode Takeaways: 

  • Reflection: How do you drop into your bravery? How do you access your courage? What activity or physical anchor... or whom helps you? 
  • The outro music for this episode? That's me. I composed, recorded, and asked my kickass editing team to help me link it to the episode before crawling into bed a few evenings previously. 
  • Six months ago I wouldn't show my face on Facebook or Instagram Stories, let alone show up LIVE with my own show, and my own musical compositions. Now I'm sharing what I do... out loud, in hopes of encouraging others to do the same. 
  • It's Progress, not perfection
  • New episodes will post every Wednesday.
  • Next episode lands this Wednesday, Sept 2, 2020, with a guest- artist Kathryn Le Grice 

Please Leave A Review if these stories have inspired you...

Links To Topics Mentioned In The Show:

All The Places To Find Me: 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://storiesofastonishinglight.buzzsprout.com KJ Nasrul, MFT - Bliss Begins Within Psychotherapy Buzzsprout-5183527 Mon, 31 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0700 774 courage, resilience, armor, creativity, expressivearts, arttherapy, stagefright, piano, healing, psychotherapy, stories, mentalhealth 1 1 full true TRAILER: Astonishing Light Coming Soon! TRAILER: Astonishing Light Coming Soon! Episode 00: Trailer Introducing my new health and wellness podcast! We’ll discuss behavioral health and culture concepts such as courage, resilience and the words we use to communicate about crucial conversations. Topics cover mental health issues and advocacy, racism, trauma recovery, emotional intelligence, creativity and adoptee voices. 

Weekly episodes will feature recorded interviews and live sessions with creatives, leaders and healers demonstrating healing practices of art, storytelling and music.

*Coming Late August 2020

Connect with KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> Episode 00: Trailer Introducing my new health and wellness podcast! We’ll discuss behavioral health and culture concepts such as courage, resilience and the words we use to communicate about crucial conversations. Topics cover mental health issues and advocacy, racism, trauma recovery, emotional intelligence, creativity and adoptee voices. 

Weekly episodes will feature recorded interviews and live sessions with creatives, leaders and healers demonstrating healing practices of art, storytelling and music.

*Coming Late August 2020

Connect with KJ and Bliss Begins Within 

Support the show

Follow KJ in her worldly adventures, and receive notifications for when her next events (Creative Recovery Workshops, Bali Wellness Retreats, and Storyteller Evenings) take place.
- Join The Story Squad and receive Love Notes Here
- Visit her website here: Bliss Begins Within.com  

]]> https://blissbeginswithin.com KJ Hoard Nasrul f9d2f9dd-03da-4f87-adcd-9b7679a9480c Sun, 19 Jul 2020 14:09:27 -0700 93 resilience, courage, mental health, mental wellness, stories, self compassion, self care, finding voice, rise up, creativity, arttherapy, creativity found, creativepreneurs, healers, healing, blissbeginswithin, psychotherapy 1 trailer false