Insights with Us

E56 Long Term Goals: Patience and Purpose

Let’s talk about long-term goals: how to identify them, start them, and endure the frustration of slow progress without giving up. Long-term goals require flexible cycles of progress and rest, and today we talk about what that might look like. This episode ends with a guided thought experiment about what future you are working towards.
 
02:34 Pick Your Goal
04:25 When Motivation Fades
10:09 Rest Without Guilt
15:09 Avoid Short Term Traps
17:33 Guided Thought Experiment

E55 Pillow Talk with Heather Hendrie

Pillow Talk:  Real People. Real Stories. Real Awkward. (an awfully hilarious anthology) is available now! The audiobook is available on February 18th (on sale), get your copy and let’s heal together.
 
In this episode, we explore themes of sex, intimacy, and empowerment while celebrating our shared journey of writing and community building. Heather shares insights into the collaborative process of creating the book, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and the significance of laughter and vulnerability in storytelling. We also delve into the healing power of self-exploration, connection, and community. Anastasia reflects on the experience of becoming a published author through the project. The episode emphasizes the joy of authentic connections and the therapeutic potential of sharing personal stories.
What is Pillow Talk? It's smashing stigma with story, eighteen writers share frank and funny stories of their intimate experiences—celebrating moments of passion, and laying bare others they’d rather forget. Disappointing and humiliating encounters are interlaced with  instances of joy and self-discovery in a book that validates all manifestations of desire.
 
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
05:12 Discussing 'Pillow Talk' and 'Foreplay'
17:28 Community and Connection
31:22 The Importance of Foreplay
40:06 The Power of the Erotic
44:13 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Approaches
47:35 Building Community and Support
49:41 Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
56:06 The Power of Community and Connection
01:09:33 Final Thoughts and Resources

E54 New Year, New Shadows

Welcome back to the ‘Insights with Us’ podcast! My mission is to build a community rooted in acceptance and authenticity. In this episode, I want to reflect on the podcast’s journey over the past two years and share exciting plans for 2026 before we dive into the idea of shadow work, which involves confronting and understanding the parts of ourselves that we typically avoid so we can break old patterns and heal. Let’s get vulnerable and build insight together.
 
00:17 Reflecting on the Journey and 2026 Plans
01:43 Gratitude and Guest Highlights
04:55 Shadow Work and Personal Growth
09:15 Understanding and Embracing Shadow Selves
19:00 Setting Boundaries and Authenticity
32:43 Questions for Self-Reflection
37:34 Conclusion

E53 Neuroqueering with Brittaney Latta

In this episode, we join Brittaney Latta, a queer trauma therapist, as she shares her personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma and finding safety in adulthood. She shares the challenges and triumphs of starting her own private practice and her commitment to creating safe and affirming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Brittaney also introduces her innovative project—the Queer Rebels Box—a curated set of sensory coping tools designed for neurodivergent queer individuals. The discussion touches on the importance of boundaries, the complexities of queer identity, and actionable steps allies can take to support and protect the LGBTQ+ community.
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming
00:14 Brittaney's Background and Upbringing
07:25 Building a Safe and Sober Life
14:31 Building a Practice and Boundaries
33:10 Acceptance
37:07 The Importance of Safe Spaces
45:52 The Role of Allies
59:50 The Beauty of Non-Conformity
01:03:53 Final Thoughts and Intentions

E52 The Great Life Experiment with Maria Scarpello

What makes you feel free? How do you know what is authentic for you? In this episode, Maria Scarpello dives into alignment she has found with her true self, the significance of play and exploration in life, and the importance of authenticity and self-love. We talk about being a nomad, grounding practices, and genuineness and inner child work.
 
We show up together as our authentic selves, accept our differences, and share excitement for life’s endless possibilities. 
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Maria
03:28 The Great Life Experimenter
05:58 Living a Nomadic Life
15:30 Grounding Practices and Tools
21:09 Exploring Ancient Sites and Spiritual Journeys
26:46 Envisioning a New Earth
35:18 Embracing Uncertainty and Flexibility
46:19 Connecting with the Inner Child
53:36 Authenticity and Community Building
59:58 Final Thoughts and Intentions
 
https://transformationalshifts.com/
@transformationalshifts

E51 Boundaries 101

What are your boundaries? How do you enforce them? What does it look like when your boundaries change? In this episode we talk about the steps to setting boundaries, enforcing them, the intensity of boundaries, and the different types of boundaries to look out for in your life. 
You don’t just need to respect other’s boundaries, you need to respect your own. Let’s build insight together. 
 
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:34 Understanding Boundaries
05:50 Types of Boundaries
19:17 Personal Story: Navigating Boundaries in Relationships
28:57 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

E50 Authentic Living with Stefani

Join Stefani and I as we explore the process of self-discovery and embracing authenticity. We explore the challenges of getting stuck in survival patterns, shedding societal and familial expectations, and the importance of setting personal boundaries. We open up about the different parts of ourselves we’ve discovered and discuss the process of replacing self-criticism with self-compassion. This work is challenging, but it can lead to a more authentic and joyful way of living. It is worth it, and I hope you join us on the journey. 
 
What to expect in this episode:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:29 Diving into Personal Stories
04:22 The Journey of Self-Discovery
06:28 Embracing Authenticity and Boundaries
27:20 The Challenge of Setting Boundaries
42:21 Types of Boundaries and Their Importance
47:27 The Journey of Authenticity
01:04:11 The Healing Power of Crying
01:06:15 Embracing Your Unique Self
01:09:07 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

E49 It Takes a Village

Join Anastasia as she explores the concept of 'it takes a village,' emphasizing the importance of community and authentic connections. We are more isolated than we have ever been, and feeling seen and supported is imperative to our health. She discusses barriers to connection, how to build insight into how you’re showing up, and being curious about your capacity and efforts. The episode also highlights the importance of mutual support, setting boundaries, and balancing self-care with being there for others. 
 
Build insight into your roles within your communities and take small, actionable steps towards fostering genuine connections. Additional insights on contributing to broader community support and navigating complex social dynamics are provided. 
 
Sponsors include
Occupied Mind: INSIGHTSWITHUS15
The Pelvic People: INSIGHTSWITHUS7
 
00:18 The Concept of 'It Takes a Village'
01:57 Understanding the Need for Community
05:14 The Negative Lens and How it Affects Connection
10:40 Showing Up for Others
20:43 Balancing Personal Boundaries and Community Support
31:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

E48 Overcoming Obstacles with Clayton Jay Reeves

This episode Clayton Jay Reeves tells his inspiring life story. A trans man, athlete and advocate shares his experiences growing up in a small Iowa town, navigating the challenges of his identity, and ultimately finding community and resilience through American Ninja Warrior. Clayton discusses his difficult upbringing, the process of coming out, and his journey towards self-acceptance and advocacy. Clayton Jay Reeves appeared on seasons 17 and (soon to be) 18 of American Ninja Warrior. The episode is a testament to perseverance, the importance of representation, and the power of community support.
In this episode:
00:17 Meet Clayton Jay Reeves
02:06 Clayton's Ninja Warrior Journey
03:47 Challenges and Resilience
06:43 Coming Out and Family Dynamics
19:35 High School and Identity
30:18 Turning Pain into Motivation
39:17 Spreading Love and Acceptance
41:59 Confronting Misgendering and Leaving for Good
48:07 Building a New Life and Online Presence
01:01:31 Facing Discrimination and Finding My Voice
01:16:49 Discovering Ninja Warrior
01:21:08 Challenges and Triumphs in the Ninja Community
01:35:20 Manifesting Future Goals
01:39:19 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

E47 The Real Self Care Practice

Let’s build insight into the concept of self-care as self-preservation. In this episode, I explore how to build deeper knowledge of what helps you feel taken care of, rather than simply seeking superficial fixes. Learn how to navigate emotional and physical needs to feel truly recharged and authentic in your own skin. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights to help you feel most like yourself.
 
What you'll find in this episode:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:30 Understanding Self-Care and Self-Preservation
06:14 Personal Story: Stop Solution Finding
13:45 Intellectualizing Feelings vs. Acceptance
18:18 Curiosity and Self-Care Questions
21:41 Activities for Self-Preservation
23:56 Intentional Distraction Techniques
27:41 Checking in with Your Body
42:06 Mind-Body Connection and Balance
48:26 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Reflect
49:10 Closing Remarks and Contact Information