Sexy Spirituality - SoundSage

The Voice of Intuition

Sexy Spirituality Episode #42

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Rev. Beverley Strutt, Assistant Minister at CSL East Hawaii

Guest: Rev. Nan Bankston, ancient lightworker and modern-day minister at CSL Grants Pass

Small Talk

Lezli, Rev. Bev and Rev. Nan share their stories about mothering in honor of Mother’s Day.

The Voice of Intuition

I’m delighted to have to lovely friends with me today, both of whom live from their deep well of intuition.
Our topic today is “The Voice of Intuition”
- Beverley, can you start us off with your personal definition of intuition?: First thing that rises up is “did I make the right choice”; however today, it is the voice I hear inside that is literally a constant guide. I don’t even question it. I listen and just do. In hindsight I recognize it as that internal guidance of the Divine.
- Nan: Shows up for me as a deep knowingness without question that I’m making the right turn or decision. There is ease. I just know I am always guided and directed and it is always life affirming.
- Life Affirming: moving us in a positive direction, never cruel, never takes. A giving and a guiding.
- Nan: Anything that looks smells or sounds like fear is not intuitive. Life affirming for me is also based in loving action for myself and others; not a knee jerk response.
- Bev: Over time listening to intuition, we allow the opening so when we hear it we tend to choose it. Then there’s no doing anymore, we are just flowing.
- Nan: Intuition is always flowing down stream and it’s easy. If I’m trying to fight my way upstream that is not intuitive insight. It’s always easy and down stream.
- Lezli: I’m hearing Karen Drucker’s “Let go of the Shore”
- How would you advise people to nurture their intuition? Nan: There must be a connection to source. The more time in communion with that presence, the more I developed the relationship that supported me to be able to receive the wisdom. So, be still. Be with yourself, your source energy and be open to receive. This will develop a sense of confidence. It takes consistency persistent and patience.
- Bev: It’s about reflection and connecting the dots because often we fail to look back enough to see what happened that led to where we are. We then learn to trust the voice of intuition.
- Lezli: Be in the listening, in the silence, pay attention to what has happened. I also like journaling as reflecting and on the flip side, we can actively invite the opportunities to notice intuition in the present. Practice on silly things; should I eat soup or carrot? A feeling rises up from the inside and we then can learn what that feels like rising up within.
- Bev: Willingness and desire are important too. A willingness to feel vulnerable and trust the process. I call willingness the combo code; it unlocks everything. Open that desire to be guided.
- Let’s talk Story! Share an Intuition Story! Bev takes a cruise; Nan moves to NM; and Lezli shadow boxes with God.
- Good News – Intuition will always come back around. What is yours to be/know/have you can’t lose. It will keep coming back around and may even become a 2x4 and smack you upside the head!
- We mentioned Karen Drucker https://www.karendrucker.com/, Marianne Williamson (The Law of Circulation) https://marianne.com/,
Something Good

Nan: I have been working on my website, https://www.123spiritinme.com/, it is an oasis of calm and wonder. A pit stop in the middle of your day to get refreshed and revitalized. Take a good look at it and let me know if there’s something you’d like to see. My email is on the website.

Bev: I invite anyone that wants to come and visit the big Island virtually, join us at Centers for Spiritual Living East Hawaii, http://hawaiicsl.org/. We are a beautiful community. Our church has no walls, so it is all open and all inviting. Come on in. We are on Youtube. I speak the 2nd weekend of every month. I’d love to see you there. If you do stop in please send a little message in the live stream chat!

Lezli: My something good is…I have a FREE online class coming up called "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership.” This is an experiential class based on the book of the same name. If you are ready to show up with more integrity, as well as experience more success, this class is for you. This is a 4-week class, and it’s completely free but a Love Offering to New Vision CSL is always welcome. Class starts Tuesday, May 25 at 6:30 PM PST. To find out more, go to lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please consider joining us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SexySpirituality. From bonus content to insider access, our patrons get all the sexiest stuff. Thanks to our Patrons are making this show possible.

Thank you for joining us for Sexy Spirituality. I'm your host, Lezli Goodwin, spiritual mentor, minister and author at lezligoodwin.com. Our guests have been Rev. Beverley Strutt, assistant minister at The Center for Spiritual Living East Hawaii, and Rev. Nan Bankston, ancient lightworker and modern-day minister from CSL Grants Pass. Thanks for being with us!

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please give a 5 start review on Apple Podcasts or the platform you prefer to listen on. It really does help! And please do check us out on Patreon.

If you have any feedback about the show, we’d love to hear from you at lezligoodwin@gmail.com. You can find all of our show notes and podcast episodes at sexyspiritualitypodcast.com. Be sure to click subscribe! We’ll see you on May 21st for our next episode. Thanks for joining us for Sexy Spirituality, Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

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Healthy Boundaries, Happy Lives

Sexy Spirituality Episode #41

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Savanna Riker, Spiritual Coach, Author and Minister

Guest: Sarah Forbes, Spiritual Guide and Transformational Coach

Small Talk

Lezli, Savanna and Sarah talk: what’s bringing you Joy today?

Healthy Boundaries, Happy Lives

* We’ve brought together a round able of very powerful women today. Each of us are in different phases of life, in different places in our careers. And yet, today’s topic is powerfully present for each one of us.

Savanna, give us a nutshell description of how healthy boundaries became such an essential area of exploration for you: This is the biggest thing yet up for me. It used to be a dirty word; I didn’t ever want to talk about boundaries because I didn’t have any. I started digging deep into my past traumas of childhood and the ways in which I felt unsafe. So for many years of my life, I started to wonder why my relationships were so hard with so much dysfunction. Brené Brown, I believe, said, “Boundaries without consequences are merely suggestions.” I didn’t know what a boundary was. I wasn’t modeled that growing up. I didn’t understand how my experiences were informing my relationships going forward. Once I started to grasp that boundaries are very important in my life, I said I have to dive in. I have to really explore what this means and how it actually creates safety between us as human beings. It has been a huge interest of mine for a while now.
Lezli: As humans we reach a point where we look around and go wait I might not be doing this in the way that serves me best. In my first marriage I am not sure I really had any understanding of adult relationships at all. The list of things that I didn't do to take care of myself in that relationship could wallpaper a house! What a joy it is to know that with every breath we get to look at it again and see how to do things differently
Sarah: I had my second baby a couple years ago. He's two now. After I had him I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. While I was going through that I had a lot of responsibilities and a lot of expectations in my home life, with my husband and my family, and I also had a lot of expectations in my career. I had to learn how to set clear boundaries otherwise I couldn't heal and I couldn't do what I needed to do to find my center again. It was really crucial for me to figure out a way to get clear about what the feelings going on in me meant and once I could get clear about that I could communicate what I needed and what I wanted and really set boundaries. This time period was one of the main reasons that I was able to come out of it so quickly. Postpartum depression can last a long time for people and for me it was about six months and it's because I was working with a professional and was working in my life to really honor my feelings and communicate what was going on in me and letting people know I can't do that right now. I really got clear about the language I used and how direct I was. I've had to maintain that even two years later to make sure that I'm not going back to the other side where I just say yes to everything to helping everybody to being the best mom. We have this idea especially being maternal and having maternal instincts and social conditioning around what it means to be a mom. We have to learn, as moms especially, how to care for ourselves because it's not something we're taught.
Lezli: When I was a young mom I’m so glad Pinterest wasn’t a thing yet as I’m super crafty and it creates an expectation that everybody put up their brightest and shiniest and the expectation is that not only are your children going to be clean, fed, and loved, but they're also going to have sculptures for their snacks and handcrafted everything! As a mom/step mom of 5, I'm just glad nobody's been to jail they all still speak to each other! I'll take it!
- Savanna: The thing that I have found so tricky about being able to set boundaries with people is that I didn't always have the self-esteem and self-respect to know the behaviors that were happening which were crossing my boundaries. I wasn't really clear that I was feeling violated or betrayed, often because it was normalized behavior and how I grew up. So in order to create boundaries I have to have enough self-esteem and self-respect to know when this is OK or that is not OK. If you don't know what's not OK for you it makes it really challenging to not have [boundaries] violated often.
- Lezli: What constitutes a boundary?
- There are internal boundaries and external boundaries. They are a way of communicating either to yourself or to someone else that something needs to change, or something needs to stop right there.
- Determining if something is OK or not OK or doesn’t feel good. Feelings and emotions are the guide. Some of us aren’t in touch with our feelings which makes it harder to know if boundaries are being crossed or need to be set.
- If we don't have a clear “if X then Y” and then actually honor whatever that is, then we as well say I think everything should be grape jelly, my furniture should be grape jelly. It's all just kind of an imaginary thing until there is a firm “I will step away” or “we will need to take a break” or “we'll have to have a conversation about other options.” We then have the responsibility as the boundary former [creator] to communicate the boundary and then also to honor and follow up on any clear set outcomes.
- I stayed way too long in relationships with people that were abusive because I I didn't follow up. I would set a boundary but then I would allow the behavior to continue and never actually implement what I said which means that you're basically teaching this other person how to treat you. You're teaching them that this is OK and therefore they keep doing it
- Lezli: So what do you say to the people who say, “I hate boundaries?”
- A person saying that may not have any and boundaries. [Boundaries] show people how to love us. Some of the most compassionate people that I know are some of the most boundaried people that I know. [They are] just so clear on where they stand. I never have to question where they are and where they're at and how they feel about me or a relationship or our friendship.
- When people think of boundaries they often equate it to conflict. What gets missed in that is that [setting] boundaries is actually a way to prevent long term conflicts. It's a way to keep you in a relationship that's healthy so that all these unnecessary conflicts don't keep coming up. So short term you might have to endure a little bit of conflict but in the long term when you get good at setting boundaries, you avoid a lot of conflict. Conflict naturally fizzles out when you learn how to set the boundaries that you need to keep you healthy and take care of yourself.
- Lezli, Kicking the Coke Machine Analogy: This can be what it's like to train people to recognize I'm serious I'm holding this boundary. They may push it [the boundary; put a dollar in] a couple times to see if they can get you to follow the old pattern [spit out a coke] But they might kick the Coke machine and [eventually] they learn this dollar is not going to get me a Coke and they stop putting in money
- I would just self-abandon my own needs and my own value for someone else’s desires instead of standing in my own truth and setting my own boundary. In turn, I was dishonoring myself and continuing a cycle of toxic, addictive, abusive [relationships]. For me it was all of those things which really didn't call people higher or to the plate. Then the challenge [becomes] well then you lose those people. What do we do with that?
- If we don't have that self-worth piece it's so hard to let go of the other person because we think they're providing our worth, they are completing us, there's that codependency piece. Developing this self-worth and working on learning to love yourself and care for yourself is so essential in this practice of setting boundaries
- Lezli: Even thinking I'm worth spending the time in my own consciousness and in my own awareness to recognize what boundaries should be for me. It is an interesting process for me to recognize I don't have to be the cool girl I don't have to be the girl who's down for everything and I don't have to be the easy one in the room, meaning the one that never cares what restaurant we go to, or what time we're meeting up. Not just in romantic relationships but I think I was really guilty of that in my girlfriend relationships. I just want to be included. It didn't even occur to me that I was worth having an opinion.
- Sarah: I think, as women especially, we are anger phobic. We are taught that anger is [bad] and we’re not the cool girl, or we’re the one that's losing it. So we are taught to be scared of our own anger and to shame our anger. Our anger is the clearest signal that a boundary has been crossed so one of the things that we really have to do, especially as women, is be comfortable with our anger, be OK with it and that can be a process for a lot of people. I'm still working on it how to be OK when I'm angry. It's a natural human emotion. It's a signal. It's telling me something and it's wise and I need to hear it and honor it and listen to it
- Savanna: When I first started setting boundaries, I was so in my anger about it because they had been violated for so long that there was like this self-righteousness. I had to set a very firm boundary and it has to stick. So, I would go overboard to the point where people felt so pushed out that they thought I was crazy. It's a process of using our anger in a way to not only explore the anger deeply, but to channel it in a way that we're setting a boundary not from just a place of anger [seeking balance].
- In this Episode, we mentioned Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/, Thich Nhat Hahn https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/

….

Something Good

Savanna: I’m always having a class coming up and you can find out more information about what I'm offering, what lectures might be coming up, on http://www.savannanoelle.com/ You can also find me of course on social media, @savinoelle is my Instagram handle and of course Facebook also has all of this information.

Sarah: I’m working on a class right now about trauma informed care and how to implement trauma informed care into spiritual guidance and practice. I’ll be teaching the class either in summer or fall. If you want more information about the class you can go to my website: http://www.theinspiredmindhealing.com/

**Lezli:** I have a class coming up called Podcasting 101. Podcasting can be a fun, creative way to embrace the idea of a church without walls, connecting with people all over the world. It can seem overwhelming, but there are simple, inexpensive ways to make your podcasting dreams a reality. In just a few weeks, you could be ready to launch your first podcast and get your message to the people who really want it. Cost for this 4-week class is $89.00. Class starts Thursday, May 6 at 6:00 PM MST. To find out more, go to lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

Thank you for joining us for Sexy Spirituality. Our hosts today have been Lezli Goodwin, spiritual mentor, blogger and author at lezligoodwin.com, Savanna Noelle Riker, Spiritual Coach, Author and Minister, and Sarah Forbes, Spiritual Guide and Transformational Coach. Thanks for being with us!

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please consider joining us on Patreon at patreon.com/sexyspirituality. From early access to episodes to patron-only content, our Patreon community gets the very sexiest stuff from us! A big thank you to our patrons for making this show possible.

If you have any feedback about the show, we’d love to hear from you at lezligoodwin@gmail.com. You can find all of our show notes and podcast episodes at sexyspiritualitypodcast.com. Be sure to click subscribe! Thanks for joining us for Sexy Spirituality, Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

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4.9.21 Sexy Spirituality Show Notes

“Exploring Spirituality through Songwriting”

Recorded 2.9.21. 10:00 AM MST

Exploring Spirituality through Songwriting

Sexy Spirituality Episode #40

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Denise Rosier, Contemporary New Thought artist, and award-winning singer/songwriter

Guest: Heather O’Day, Musical Director of Sonoran Desert Center for Spiritual Living in Amado, Arizona

Small Talk

Lezli, Heather and Denise talk birthdays!

Exploring Spirituality through Songriting

Okay, we’ve got singer/songwriter madness going on here today
I wanted to have Denise and Heather on today, as they are both wonderful songwriters, performers and spiritual leaders. I came to know each through the Empower Music and Arts organization, the group that gives the Posi Awards for positive music. Https://empowerma.com
Denise, give us the nutshell version of how you landed in positive music: Starting out as an inspirational Christian artist, as my spirituality changed my music changed. During a performance break, someone suggested that a spiritual center community would appreciate my music. I didn’t know the songs, so I had to write to find songs that would work.
Heather: A director at Tuscon New Thought was looking for musicians to sit in for Sunday Celebration Services. My path was taking me there, but I didn’t have a community or a name for it. Before I knew it, there was an entire community at home, in my back yard, and led to a Music Director position. There was no hymnal! So, I was guided to some new thought musicians, and I did a retreat with Karen Drucker, who said, “This genre needs new voices. This genre needs your voice. Why not start now”
Lezli: I came to all of this exactly background. I grew up doing performing arts, and then I took a 16-year break & developed stage fright. During practitioner training, I was assigned, “Go do the scariest thing you can think of.” The scariest thing I could think of was to go back into vocal training. Dawn Kerlin made herself available to do some vocal training, which turned into song writing, which turned into recording albums.
The more you write, the better it gets. You have to get the muck out.
Tom Kimmel once gave me the homework to go home and write a hundred terrible songs! It takes the pressure off.
Densie: a Christian label pushed me to write, as they wanted every singer to write their own songs, and I loved it. Sometimes I have to just be with a song until a word lands, just let them move around in my mind and then BAM, there it is.
It’s amazing how people have such deep meaning and feelings about songs, and I remember, “I was microwaving spare ribs when I thought of that line.” The funniest things stand out.
Writing songs (and messages for Sunday) come from what we’re working on in our own lives. It’s true in inspirational music as much as any other kind of music.
Denise: I was very clear that I was going to write the songs I wanted to write and produce them the way I produce them. I didn’t care of anyone else liked them. Luckily, people did respond to them.
When it comes to inspirational music, I am simply just reaching out to Spirit and having a conversation with God. We’re kind of like the greeting card writers for people who maybe don’t know quite how to say what they are feeling. We create a space for people to be with God in that moment.
“To sing is to pray twice.” St. Augustine (sorry for the misattribution)
What is the greatest lesson from being a spiritual song writing for non-writers:
Heather: That everything is an act of creativity, that there is only One Mind and One Heart. It’s all coming from a personal place.
We mentioned Daniel Nahmod http://www.danielnahmod.com/, Karen Drucker https://www.karendrucker.com/, Tom Kimmel https://tomkimmel.com/, Harold Payne https://haroldpaynemusic.com/, Lezli & Dawn https://www.reverbnation.com/lezlidawn.

….

Something Good

Heather: I am the host of Wednesday Night Live, which is a New Thought music driven video podcast Facebook.com/CSLSonoranDesert. Plus, new music called “The Journey” at www.heatheroday.com for info.

Denise: In addition to my music, one of the things I did during COVID was work on some ministry resources. Go to deniserosier.com for info for ministers and music directors, free chords for congregational songs. I’m developing workshops for pulpit ministers and music directors to build a stronger connection for creating a bigger and more robust music ministry. And I’m starting a new album this year!

Lezli: My something good is…I have a class coming up called Podcasting 101. Podcasting can be a fun, creative way to embrace the idea of a church without walls, connecting with people all over the world. It can seem overwhelming, but there are simple, inexpensive ways to make your podcasting dreams a reality. In just a few weeks, you could be ready to launch your first podcast and get your message to the people who really want it. Cost for this 4-week class is $89.00. Class starts Thursday, May 6 at 6:00 PM MST. To find out more, go to lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please consider joining us on Patreon at patreon.com/sexyspirituality. From early access to episodes to patron-only content, our Patreon community gets the very sexiest stuff from us! A big thank you to our patrons for making this show possible.

If you have any feedback about the show, we’d love to hear from you at lezligoodwin@gmail.com. You can find all of our show notes and podcast episodes at sexyspiritualitypodcast.com. Be sure to click subscribe! We’ll see you on April 24 for our next episode, “Expressing Spirituality through Songwriting”. Thanks for joining us for Sexy Spirituality, Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

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Spirituality and Pop Culture

Sexy Spirituality Episode #39

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Rev. Dr. Raymont L. Anderson, Senior Minister of The Center for Spiritual Living Greater Baltimore

Guest: Rev. Barbara Bue, Manager of Field Services for Centers for Spiritual Living

Small Talk

Lezli, Ray and Barb talk about favorite Easter goodies and traditions. For Ray, it’s chocolate. For Barb, it’s Cadbury Crème Eggs. So terrible and so amazing.

**Spirituality and Pop Culture**

We’ve got a gathering of proud geeks here today
I wanted to have Ray and Barb on today, because these are two people I can always count on to get my geeky references and take them one step further, exploring the spiritual messages in pop culture.
Ray. Tell me about how you came to connect your favorite pop culture icons with your spiritual life.
Ray: I originally got into all of this through reading. Wonder Woman, Bionic Man, Bionic Woman. But at Carlo College, a philosophy teacher and a nun told me that spirituality and mythology are closely connected. Also, that the Bible is not in inerrant word of God. And then my father re-introduced me to Joseph Campbell. In order for SPider Man to become Spider Man, Uncle Ben taught him that with great power comes great responsibility. If we’re going to walk this walk, there is responsibility. It’s in Yoda, and in the Judeo-Christian theology.
- Barb: It’s also practice, choice-points, the biggest opportunities for growth. Let’s use Harry Potter – they learn your word is your power, but you must practice to say it rightly and use intention. All the things Science of Mind has been teaching for 150 years is in all of this, even from way before of course.
- The journey is never complete. You can be successful, and then step right back into the next expansion of the self. There is always another Heros Journey.
- Yoda learned for 600 years, to become the person who said you failed because you did not believe, you’re not convicted. Two generations now have grown up with the Star Wars universe, and it’s changing the world and wanting to make the world be different.
- The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is the most current wave in culture, echoing what Star Trek and Star Wars did in the last generation, comic books before.
- George Lucas is a Science of Mind guy! The Force was what he came to about God from the Science of Mind.
- Ray: Gene Roddenberry, communicators & now flip phones. Touch screens are now literally touch screens. Thought becomes form, it’s in real life now. In Harry Potter, “Is this just my imagination?” Dumbledore, of course it’s in your mind. WHy would that make it not real?
- Do we ever get to let go of the war or idea of the need to fight? The Declaration of Principles says the ultimate goal of life is freedom from discord of every nature, and this freedom is sure to be attained by all. Luke was at war with himself. We can get past the idea of needing to harm another, and move into challenging ourself and others. Like chess – that's a challenge, but not war.
- We can talk about how we can all win. Some people think that’s fantasy thinking, but this is that episode! It’s the old rising tides should float all boats.
- This idea that fantasy is just daydreaming, but Albert Einstein said imagination is more important than knowledge. All new things come from imagination, fantasy, thought first. Fantasy is just another way that the Divine is expressing.
- The key is separating the idea that fiction is for children. We do such a good job teaching children that anything is possible, and then we tell them to grow up. Lezli’s generation (born in 1975) never knew a world without Star Wars and Star Trek, and we never stopped believing in possibilities and the bursting forth of technology shows it.
- Dr. Strange: At the root of existence, mind and matter meet. They are not divorceable. There is only one Mind, and that Mind is God. We know mind affects the body, physiology. If not, there wouldn’t be 1-900 numbers. That wouldn’t be a multi-billion -dollar industry.
- “Don’t worry yourself sick.” We say that because we know you can.
- So many of these stories also involve intuition, trusting the inner voice.
- How do we reconcile the comic book “There is only one” in a teaching where we are taught that we are all the chosen one? Each one of us are The One, and it’s always manifesting as individuals, and as a team.
- Buffy had the Scoobies. Harry Potter had Ron and Hermione. Spider Man had the Avengers. They set it up as “The One,” and then the hero chooses to build a family/team. Nobody is the Ron in their version of the story. Nobody is Xander. This even holds for Jesus, Jeshua, the Christ. But he says that he did these things but you will do greater. He built the family of apostles and then awakened it for all of us. IF we connect to it.
- What is our responsibility as New Thought teachers to reference pop culture for relevance?
- Barb: Those of us that do attract younger crowds include pop culture, sports and science, to men and women in balance. I do think it’s important. Young people are coming in and they know all this because they grew up with Harry. We try to make it high minded and they are like, “Yeah, I learned about this when I was five.”
- If you are brave enough and audacious enough and unapologetic enough to bring the fantasy into real life, not only will your life change, but the life of your community, city world will change, one thought at a time. Pop culture is the great example of how this happens.

Something Good

**Barb:** If you are looking to plug into community that thinks like this, that explores like this, find a Center for Spiritual Living. My personal favorite is New Thought Norther Colorado, which is a community I helped birth and I’m still attached to. Life can still be magic. www.NewThoughtNoCo.org

Ray: Feel free to find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (Raymont Anderson) www.cslgreaterbaltimore.com

Lezli: My something good is…I have a class coming up called Creating Powerful Memes. A picture is worth a thousand words, and the evidence of gorgeous branded memes are all over social media. The amazing thing is you can learn to create these impressive and impactful images more quickly and more easily than you think. Come explore free and low-cost technologies and techniques that will open the door to a completely new world of marketing magic! (Held as part of the Centers for Spiritual Living Advance and Thrive Series) Cost for this 4-week class is $89.00. Class starts Thursday, April 8 at 6:00 PM MST. To find out more, go to www.lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

Thank you for joining us for Sexy Spirituality. I'm your host, Lezli Goodwin, spiritual mentor, minister and author at lezligoodwin.com. Our guests have been Rev. Dr. Raymont L. Anderson, Senior Minister of The Center for Spiritual Living Greater Baltimore, and Rev. Barbara Bue, Manager of Field Services for Centers for Spiritual Living. Thanks for being with us!

If you have any feedback about the show, we’d love to hear from you at lezligoodwin@gmail.com. You can find all of our show notes and podcast episodes at sexyspiritualitypodcast.com. Be sure to click subscribe! We’ll see you on April 9 for our next episode, “Expressing Spirituality through Songwriting”. Thanks for joining us for Sexy Spirituality, Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

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New Thought and New Media

Sexy Spirituality Episode #38

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Rev. Robert Brzezinski, founding minister and Creative Director of New Thought Media Network

**Guest:** Cerise Patron, Singer, Songwriter, Speaker and Author, Spreading the message of Love to the world.

Small Talk

Lezli, Robert and Cerise talk about what book really inspired them.

Cerise: The book that changed my life was “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsh (https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Uncommon-Dialogue-Book/dp/0399142789) but the one that really set me in motion was “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Suzanne Jeffers (https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Uncommon-Dialogue-Book/dp/0399142789)
Robert: Thank you so much, Cerise, for not limiting yourself to one! “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield (https://www.amazon.com/Celestine-Prophecy-James-Redfield/dp/153873026X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFDQDJ3Z9OAM&dchild=1&keywords=the+celestine+prophecy+by+james+redfield&qid=1615562059&s=books&sprefix=the+celestin%2Cstripbooks%2C202&sr=1-1) but I read it long before I was introduced to New Thought. What really launched me was “The Science of Mind” by Ernest Holmes (https://www.amazon.com/Science-Mind-Complete-Ernest-Holmes/dp/1585428426/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2BRDXADYW24QW&dchild=1&keywords=the+science+of+mind+ernest+holmes&qid=1615562145&s=books&sprefix=the+science+of+m%2Cstripbooks%2C223&sr=1-3) But the most influential is Michael Singer’s books like “The Untethered Soul” (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michael+singer&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2)
Lezli: “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson (https://www.amazon.com/Return-Love-Reflections-Principles-Miracles/dp/0060927488/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VDCFP56KV8B2&dchild=1&keywords=marianne+williamson&qid=1615562328&s=books&sprefix=marianne%2Cstripbooks%2C208&sr=1-1) and “This Thing Called You” by Ernest Holmes ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ernest+holmes+this+thing+called+you&crid=2DIAN49ELMXM4&sprefix=ernest+holmes+this%2Cstripbooks%2C201&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_18_ts-doa-p)

New Thought and New Media
- I wanted to have Robert and Cerise on today, because I see each of them using New Media to expand their message to a broader audience in interactive ways.
- Robert, it has been really interesting to watch you walk out your New Thought ministry through New Media. Tell us a little bit about how this focus came about for your ministry.
- Robert: The thing behind it all is the Life Visioning process. After exploring a pulpit ministry, I came to explore what ministry was going to be for me. I dove deep into the Life Visioning process, and an old idea of a New Thought radio station emerged and I launched New Thought Radio. It was a hobby at the times. Through the development of that music radio station, more emerged. Talk radio? YouTube? Videos? Out of prayer, the New Thought Media Network was born. I was posting prayers and very quickly there was a timeframe behind it. We now have 20 hours of live video broadcasting on Facebook per week.
- Mental Equivalent: the capacity to envision the fullest capacity of your vision, how big can you see your dream getting? You can’t realize more than you can imagine.
- Cerise: The pandemic, when it happened, I had just launched Sacred Spiritual Tours and had 4 tours planned in South America for 2020. So I went from an amazingly busy planned year – and I don’t like it when plans don’t come to fruition. Technology is really spectacular, and I created virtual reality travel experiences (one on one session in her home). The experiencer wears a virtual reality device walking through all of these amazing places while I sing to you and lead you in meditations. So concerts, showing up virtually for church services, reaching the most people is boosted by technology even during this pandemic.
- We can all find a way to connect with ministers, meditations, good news and be a blessing in the world.
- Lezli: Rev. Karin Lewis and I were able to pivot immediately when everything went online, so we didn’t really lose anyone. But we’re finding that out online campus has grown by about 40% over the pandemic period. And it’s very active, engaged, not just being a passive “watching” population.
- The landscape has changed. We all became global overnight. With that came the necessity for ministries to shift to what is more palatable to the online audience. Shorter segments, Interactivity. Things that draw people in more.
- Friday Night Game Night, Zoom fellowship, the hilarity of how we figure out how to do things together online is as fun as the actual connection.
- What is our responsibility to share the New Thought philosophy via New Media? Robert: If we wish to stay relevant, absolutely. More and more people spend time in front of a screen of some kind. It is experiencing life. It’s our responsibility to be available in the channels and places where people are influenced in their lives.
- Both Robert and Lezli have a background in marketing: Go where the people are.
- Is Sunday dying? Do people want to go to church? Does anything new distract or detract from Sunday? Why are we so stuck on Sunday?
- Lezli: I think we’re teachers of New Thought, not Sunday morning professionals.
- Cerise: there’s a call to all of us to be the Light, to offer that Light in a bigger way. Young people want something that inspires them and excites them about life, and that involves some change. The amazing thing with pandemic is that those of us who have committed to being the Light in the world have to show up as the Light in a new way every day.
- “We are beings of light. Is it not time for us to start traveling at the speed of light? New media moves at the speed of light.” Robert
- Wisdom Everyday Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wisdomwednesday
- You can have it all, the both/and – traditional Sunday, social media, YouTube, podcasts.
- The prayer of Jabaz: Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.
- What do you wish more people understood about New Media?
- Robert: The internet is not free. Let’s create a network where everyone is prospering. Please support your favorite online ministries. Spirituality is not a side-hustle!
- Cerise: No matter what level we are at, sharing our gifts, we’re human. We’re learning as we go. We’re all trying to figure it out. Don’t give up. If you don’t know it, you can learn it. Just keep moving forward. Put some dedicated time into learning the technology so you can show up in a new way. There are classes, teachers, YouTube videos. You are never alone.
- CSL is running another podcasting class in May 2021 – 4 weeks, $89.00. I will share the enrollment link as it becomes available.
Something Good

Cerise: I am dedicated to breaking out of the chains! I’m releasing a new album this year with meditations and music. There are 3 virtual tour packages ($45.00/hour through the pandemic). There are 2 big in person tours coming up later this year. www.singingthetruth.com and Cerise’s Peeps Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2763645437240346

Robert: Join us at New Thought Media Network (YouTube channel, Facebook page, hashtag) www.NTMedia.org Saturday mornings 9am MST, team of 7 amazing speakers sharing and teaching directly from the Science of Mind textbook, all year long – open Q&A. Join us!

Lezli: I am presenting as part of the Park Point Press CSL Authors Summit next Saturday, March 20th 2021, 10am to 2 PM MST. If you are curious about publishing or are looking for ways to support your book – lots of ways to approach this. I’m presenting on how to prepare yourself to market your book on a podcast. Register at www.Shop.csl.org/books

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please consider joining us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/sexyspirituality. From early access to episodes to patron-only content, our Patreon community gets the very sexiest stuff from us! A big thank you to our patrons for making this show possible.

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please give a 5 start review on Apple Podcasts or the platform you prefer to listen on. It really does help!

Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1

Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles

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Rocking Recovery the New Thought Wat

Sexy Spirituality Episode #37

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Jolene Baney, Co-Founder and Spiritual Coach at Qualia Recovery, providing case management and supported residential living for long-term recovery

Guest: Ron Trunnell, licensed practitioner, new ministerial student living and breathing his own recovery for 22 years, and founding member of Renewal in the Desert, an annual spiritual retreat for sober gay men in Phoenix, Arizona

Small Talk

Lezli, Ron and Jolene talk about what’s inspiring them right now.

Jolene: Opening Qualia Recovery, a new residential facility (8 apartments) in Phoenix. I am inspired by creating the coaching program & helping people reconnect with their passions.
Ron: I’m really focused on the concept of “Back to Basics” both in the Center, where we focus on the basics of Science of Mind, and in recovery where we go back to the idea of powerlessness.
Lezli: The New Vision Center for Spiritual Living’s annual theme, “The Spiritual Hero’s Journey” -- combining Joseph Campbell’s theory of the Hero’s Journey and New Thought. I’m loving having reasons to talk about Harry Potter and Buffy.

Rocking Recovery the New Thought Way

Ron and Jolene are both good friends and fellow partners at New Vision Center for Spiritual Living
Our topic today is “Rocking Recovery the New Thought Way”
Sometimes, Recovery and New Thought are conceived of as philosophically antithetical.
Ron: Recovery can come across as traditional, New Thought less so. But there are places in the Big Book of AA (called “We Agnostics”) that sound like it could be literally out of The Science of Mind or written by Ernest Holmes. Holmes also spoke of AA very positively, focusing on “The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.” (Gender due to the age it was written.)
Where does the misunderstanding come up that 12 Steps are against Science of Mind? Jolene: It can be the word “powerless.” I think of it as I have turned away from the power of God that is always there. I’d been choosing not to plug in.
Ron: Look below the surface. If I only look at the surface, look how different Jolene and I are. But within we have so much in common. The common thread is there. The same is true of the two philosophies, but you have to look beneath the surface to the deeper meaning.
Jolene: Surrender is one of those words where you feel like you’re surrendering your power, or you can give it over and gain Freedom. That’s what I chose. It’s such a relief.
Georgia Prescott, “Powerful or Powerless.” https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Powerless-Georgia-Prescott/dp/0982681704
Jolene: It’s about rediscovering your passion and good, that there is an intuition and a power in your body, in your being. You wake up to it through meditation, affirmations, reconnecting your mind-body connection.
Joe Dispenza: infecting the Quantum Field https://drjoedispenza.com/
“What the Bleep Do We Know,” https://whatthebleep.com/
Ron: It’s all just a choice away. “The entire universe will conspire for you at that moment of choice, that moment of commitment.”
Jolene: doing monthly World Cafes to connect with people all over the world. http://www.theworldcafe.com/key-concepts-resources/world-cafe-method/
Sacred Service & being a sponsor, ways of sharing our experience, strength and hope with those who are new to the path of self-healing
Honoring every path, every philosophy, every faith tradition. It’s about what is right for each person as an individualized creation of the Divine.
Ron: There are many paths. THe important thing is to make a choice and move in that direction.
Jolene: People in recovery are not broken. There are the most wonderful, powerful, creative people in the world.
Lezli: There is nothing you cannot do. You just have to take the first step and trust there will be stone underneath your foot when it lands. The entire Universe conspires to bring you the things you need to walk it out.

Something Good

Jolene: I mentioned Qualia Recovery, our new residential center in Phoenix Arizona. www.qualiarecovery.com I also mentioned Passion Maps, and my website for that is www.premiererecoveryoptions.com

Ron: There are people out there already loving you. So whoever you are, whatever your situation is, just know that there’s a power of Love already supporting you. And by making that choice, whether it is to pursue a 12 Step program, perhaps Alcoholics Annonymous, search that out and find a meeting and simply say yes. If it’s about finding that deeper spiritual connection, find a Center for Spiritual Living near you or online (www.newvisioncsl.org streams online) and connect with people who want to love you.

Lezli: My something good is that we have NEW pieces of Science of Mind jewelry on our website www.newthought.shop. New colors in bracelets, some beaded earrings, good stuff. Check it out and save 20% with Promo Code “Sexy2021” to save 20% off your order. Again, that’s www.newthought.shop You can find more from me at www.lezligoodwin.com

If you’d like to support Sexy Spirituality Podcast, please give a 5 start review on Apple Podcasts or the platform you prefer to listen on. It really does help!

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Loving Yourself First

Sexy Spirituality Episode #36

(Our first episode back after hiatus!)

Host: Lezli Goodwin

Guest: Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano, Lead Minister at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, CO

Guest: Rev. Kathleen Sibley, solo minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in Prescott AZ

Small Talk

Lezli, Michelle and Kathleen talk about favorite Valentine’s Day goodies and traditions

**Loving Yourself First**

Michelle and Kathleen are women who have had a profound influence on my spiritual life and my career. I’m psyched!
Our topic today is “Loving Yourself First,” a primary aspect of New Thought teachings.
I don’t know about you folks, but getting to the place where I really love myself has been a long journey
You become the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.
- Michelle: Is honored that people see her as someone who loves herself outloud. She came to that place while serving as senior minister for 17 years at New Vision CSL, having to shed her need to appear perfect. The more she was her authentic self, the more she could be love and feel love. If someone couldn’t love the real her, if she wasn’t their cup of tea, that’s okay. The deep desire to love and be loved, Real Love, couldn’t be met as long as she was hiding behind a façade.
- Kathleen: It changes all the time, and there is so much deeper to go. She’s so grateful that instead of being the intensely driven person she thought she was supposed to be, the God of her understanding loves her exactly the way she is. She gets exhausted when she tried to be what she is not. “If you try to put me up on a pedestal, you’re just going to find that A. I need a pedicure and B. I don’t know how to hem pants.’
- Letting go of the voice that says, “What’s the next impressive thing I have to do so I can earn the air I breathe?”
- Rev. Dr. Penny Macek’s truth bombs!! She helped Lezli see the belief that she was as valuable as she was useful. Oof!
- Kathleen: Was raised to believe that if she’s not pleasing or serving people, why is she here? It’s good to see the newer generation release this old mindset.
- Michelle: Similar concern – the busier I am, the more important I am. We often need someone to be present with us, not busy. Being too busy to do spiritual practice or foster self-growth. The younger generation is much more open to spending time, money and energy on self-development.
- Kathleen: It’s a newer thing to love myself enough to spend the time and money on whatever I need to be the happiest. “I had a real ‘Come to Kwan Yin moment...”
- Michelle: We believe that big and little are meaningless in the Divine. The cumulative effect of a lifetime makes a HUGE difference. We really do impact each other for Good in ways we don’t realize.
- Kathleen: It’s like Emma Curtis Hopkins, who almost no one knows about, but her students created whole spiritual movements and taught thousands and thousands of people.
- Michelle: Anything can be a meaningful ministry. She tells a story of a task she hated doing, and how she found a way to make it meaningful. Accessing love in every mundane task by blessing it, to make a bigger impact.
- When you stray from the self-love path, how do you get back on track?
- Michelle: Access self-love through the deeper process of feeling and sensing your highest self. If I’m living in that higher space, what would I really be thinking and feeling about this?
- Kathleen: I just realize there’s a little girl inside me throwing a hissy fit because she needs a metaphysical nap. So, I just hug her. I plop myself down in Divine Mother’s lap and let her rock me.
- Lezli: Recognize the feeling without needing to push it away, and then do the scary thing anyway. Doing that gives everyone around me permission to do their own thing, too. That’s enough to pull me out of it.

Something Good

**Kathleen:** If you are local to Prescott, Arizona, we are reopening our labyrinth, which is open to the public. You can be a part of our community no matter where you are in the world through our online ministry at www.cslprescott.org. You can also find out more about our marketing at www.MadScience.marketing.

Michelle: I’m so excited to be offering an alternative February 14 Valentine’s Service at Mile Hi Church, which people can access by going to www.milehichurch.org or going to our Mile Hi Church Facebook page. We’re going to do a commitment service that day. We’re going to tlk about the deepened experience of Love that we can have, and commit that to ourselves, whether we’re in a relationship or not in a relationship. And then for anyone looking for a future partner, we’re going to commit to a future partner. Join us!

Thank you for joining us for Sexy Spirituality. I'm your host, Lezli Goodwin, spiritual mentor, minister and author at lezligoodwin.com. Our guests have been Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano, Lead Minister at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, CO, and Rev. Kathleen Sibley, solo minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in Prescott AZ. Thanks for being with us!

If you have any feedback about the show, we’d love to hear from you at lezligoodwin@gmail.com. You can find all of our show notes and podcast episodes at sexyspiritualitypodcast.com. Be sure to click subscribe! We’ll see you on February 26 for our next episode, “Rocking Recovery the New Thought Way”. Thanks for joining us for Sexy Spirituality, Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

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The Spirituality of Inclusion

Sexy Spirituality Episode #35

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest Host: Michele Synegal

Small Talk

Sonia, Lezli and Michele talk about how Spring has sprung in Newfoundland and DC.

The Spirituality of Inclusion

Michele Synegal is the chair of the Diversity Inclusion Commission for Centers for Spiritual Living.
The Diversity Inclusion Commission was born when a group of 7 ministerial students of color were told they were required to attend the CSL convention. Upon looking at the program information, they decided to boycott, as they didn't see themselves represented by the presenters, leadership or staff of the convention. They then became more strategic in affecting change, and offered up a proposal to the 2011 convention, creating the Diversity Inclusion Commission.
Many denominations have been active in diversity and inclusion for decades, notably the Unitarian/Universalists. Unity and CSL have entered this field more recently.
Michele has been working in diversity and inclusion since 1979. She joined the CSL Diversity Inclusion Commission in 2017 and became its chair in 2018.
The Commission works to raise awareness that planners of events and conventions must be cognizant that there is diversity in the greater organization, helping organizers to be mindful. It gives input around educational offerings, including ministerial training.
If we want to be viable as an organization, we MUST be more inclusive.

Something Good

Sonia: For non-profit organizations, it's strategic planning time! We can do three-day retreats or meet over Zoom, and we can make it FUN! Find out more by emailing me at coach@soniabyrne.com

Michele: We have about 5 months to get ready for World Day of Service! The 2nd Saturday in September, this year we'll be celebrating on September 14, 2019. All around the world, this is a day for CSL communities (and other communities, too!) to step up in service to their greater community. You can find out more by emailing me at revmichelesynegal@gmail.com

Lezli: On May 14, we are starting a free five-week interactive book study on Brene Brown's book Dare to Lead. If you want to become a more courageous, inspirational leader, come join us on Tuesday nights, 6:30-8:30 PM at New Vision Center for Spiritual Living in Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more and register at www.newvisioncsl.org

Thank you for joining us for Sexy Spirituality. This episode is our season finale! We'll be back with you again soon, talking about real spirituality for the modern world!

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #34

The Spirituality of Money Consciousness

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Karen Russo

Opening Chat

Sonia, Lezli and Karen talk wallets, their use and what it means for modern commerce.

The Spirituality of Money Consciousness

Karen Russo is the author of "The Money Keys," a program that combines spiritual principle and money consciousness in the real world.
The biggest question she is asked is, "Can this get better?" Can spiritual principles really lead us to real change in our lives? Her answer is a resounding YES!
Money isn't any harder than any other area. Should we have hope? Yes, yes, yes.
Key affirmation: I love and respect myself enough to live a financially prosperous and responsible life.
As we move into community behavior, Karen sees a trend toward accountability and investments that reflect community values.
Next, Karen is going deeper in women, money and worth as her career moves forward. The question is, "What does it mean that it was only 1974 when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed in the United States where women could apply for a home loan in their own name and not have a husband or father sign for them? How does that really affect us, when we have spiritual principle that is unbounded by history that is moving out of seeming limitation?"

Something Good

Sonia

Tuesday, April 30 is the final class for the free "Stained Glass Spirit" class via Zoom at 6:00 PM PST. This is a special night! We'll be joined by the author, Tracy Brown. You can find the link to join us to hear the authorst ake at www.riversidecsl.org.

Karen

If you've been listening to this conversation and want to have a sense of, "Where so I start around money?" I have a wonderful video training and a quiz to show you where you're stukck and where to get free. Get the Three Money Myths Kit at www.threemoneymythskit.com

Lezli

New Vision Center for Spiritual Living is offering a free Community Morning Meditation via Zoom. Join us at 7:00 AM PST for a 15 minute guided meditation, Mondays through Fridays. www.zoom.us, room # 6027878888 or find the link at www.newvisioncsl.org

We'll see you May 6 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #33

The Spirituality of Mysticism

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Rick Finbow

Opening Chat

Sonia, Lezli and Rick share the stories of their first readings.

The Spirituality of Mysticism

Rick is a professional psychic medium who uses tarot to focus his intuition. He's been doing professional readings since he was 20 years old. He's been a full time psychic medium for the last eleven years.
Rick has pretty much always been able to do what he sets his heart on. He's been a singer and dancer in New York, a magician in Vegas and coordinated a team of 60 tarot readers at the MGM.
Magicians usually don't believe in magic or intuition, but rather focus on illusion and tricks. They are usually pretty skeptical. Rick finds this particularly fun, since he does both.
When he introduces himself at a party as a psychic medium, the most common question is, "Are you reading me now?" That's not how it works, even though you sometimes see it depicted that way on TV. He waits until asked. There are no attack readings.
Married to Rev. Dr. David Goldberg, publisher and editor of "Science of Mind Magazine," Rick is the mystic part of their duo -- The Minister and the Mystic. They often speak and perform at churches and events.
Rick says a good psychic generally tells you things you already know or sense, but that you are not yet acknowledging. He tells his clients that he's not a fortune teller, because we create our future through choice. Sometimes all that is needed is a tweak in your attitude to have a better experience.

Something Good

Sonia

Springtime is strategic planning time! If you are ready to look at the next year, three years or five years in your business, it's time for some strategic planning coaching! Unprecedented growth can be yours. You can find out more at soniabyrne.com

Rick

I'm really excited about a new two-day workshop I'm facilitating on June 15 & 16 called "Make Your Own Magic Wand!" You'll leave with three wands you made yourself, to help you focus your energy and intention in the direction of your dreams. To learn more and register go to psychicrick.com and visit the events page.

Lezli

I love Brene Brown, and I bet you do, too! I'll be leading a five-week interactive book study based on her book "Dare to Lead," starting May 14. Best of all -- it's FREE! You can learn more and register at www.newvisioncsl.org

We'll see you April 28 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #32

The Spirituality of Animal Ministry

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Jeanne Turner Kataoka

Opening Chat

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Sonia, Lezli and Jeanne chat about their furry family.

The Spirituality of Animal Ministry

Jeanne is an ordained animal chaplain. She inherited the animal ministry at her center, Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living, when the coordinators stepped away. As a practitioner, she stepped in and found that it was hers to do.
She completed the Ordained Animal Chaplain program at the Emerson Theological Institute, a ground-breaking animal ministry program. http://emersoninstitute.edu/
Animal chaplains can do many things for your pet: blessings, prayer, bereavement support and memorial services. Jeanne has even been brought in to bless and pray for animals that are not getting along within the home.
Any animal can benefit from an animal chaplain. Jeanne and her fellow chaplains have worked with horses, snakes, goats, rats and rabbits as well as cats and dogs.
If you think you might be interested in becoming an animal chaplain, you might want to consider becoming vegan. It's difficult to minister to animals if you eat them.

Something Good

Sonia

Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living is offering a FREE three-week book study on Zoom focusing on diversity and inclusion, focusing on Tracy Brown's Stained Glass Spirit, April 16, 23 and 30 at 6:00 PM PST. You can register at www.riversidecsl.org

Jeanne Turner Kataoka

Our next quarterly Animal Memorial Service at Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living will be at 7:00 PM on June 20 in the community room. Find out more at www.riversidecsl.org

Lezli

Check out my newest book, "Built on Faith: Transform Your Life Through Affirmative Prayer." For a limited time, the eBook version is just 99 cents. Paperback is also available. www.lezligoodwin.com/builtonfaith

We'll see you April 22 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #31

What is Your Everest?

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: TA Loeffler

Opening Chat

Sonia, Lezli and TA chat about their furry family, including dogs who love to play outside and cats that definitely do not.

What is Your Everest?

TA first started dreaming about peaking big mountains in her teen years, so when the opportunity arose she jumped at it.
When her first attempt to summit Everest was cut short by illness, she dealt with a big lesson in handling disappointment. TA leaned into her Buddhist practice to befriend her mind and release frustration.
Her Buddhist mentor told her that she would influence and inspire more people through her three "failed" attempts to peak Everest than she would through her successful summit. Her mentor was right. TA speaks regularly about working through disappointment and continuing to follow your dream.
Step by step: everything from mountain climbing to tackling your own personal challenges is handled step by step, one tiny increment at a time.

Something Good

Sonia

In just a couple of weeks, we will be in the high Himalayas. Come along with us online and learn the highs and lows of trekking in the big mountains. You can join in at www.taloeffler.com

Lezli

We'll see you April 15 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #30

The Spirituality of Conscious Leadership

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Stéphane Leblanc

Opening Chat

Sonia, Lezli and Stéphane chat about their best ways to stay conscious and positive during travel -- meditation apps and audio books.

The Spirituality of Conscious Leadership

Stéphane Leblanc is the CEO of the International Center for Conscious Leadership
Most people are still teaching the same societal program: work hard, achieve, make money, be happy. What's missing is depth, meaning, purpose.
Conscious Leadership is a new paradigm that helps us to have a vision, lead with values, satisfy the needs of all stakeholders (not just shareholders), and to address the obvious problems in the world (climate change, wealth imbalance, lack of access to health care, etc).
It helps us achieve our goals in an easier way, because it focuses on building cultures where people are inspired to take care of customers, to work well, so customers are happy and buy more. Nobody is taken advantage of.
Stéphane hit a crisis point where two major depressions made it clear to him that he didn't want to live and work in the old paradigm any longer. It came down to a choice between suicide and building an international company that would introduce conscious leadership to the world.
People are being drawn together by the universe to do this work together, including attending and presenting at Stéphane's events.
Spirituality is a major part of the conscious leadership path. Stéphane has often been told that his true talent is helping to reconnect people with Source.

Quote of the Episode

"Love is the biggest foundation for leadership... If you don't love yourself, if you don't love the people you serve, how can you be a leader?" Stéphane Leblanc

Something Good

Sonia

Stéphane

April 9, you are invited to Global Summit for Conscious Leadership in Montreal Canada. You can register at www.globalsummitforconsciousleadership.com. You can also find out more about Stéphane'sorganization at www.icfconsciousleadership.com

Lezli

New Vision CSL is offering a FREE Community Morning Meditation. 7:00 AM PST, Monday-Friday, you can join us in Zoom Room 602787888 for a 15 minute guided group meditation. Learn more at www.newvisioncsl.org

We'll see you April 8 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, "What is Your Everest?" Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #29

Built on Faith

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia & Lezli chat about signs of spring and lament living in places where they can only get tulips at the grocery store.

Built on Faith

Lezli just released a new book called Built on Faith: Transform Your Life Through Affirmative Prayer. It gives the how-to's and tips and tricks for writing powerful affirmative prayers.
While this is Lezli's first spiritual book, it is her 14th book. The other 13 books are about beading and jewelry design. She says there are more similarities than you might think.
It was important to Lezli to use her natural, playful voice in the book because she didn't want it to be too serious. Prayer shouldn't be a drudgery.
Built on Faith is available on Amazon for just 99 cents for a limited time. It is also available in paperback form.
The second half of the book is a library of affirmative prayers for every occasion. They are written in the first person, and you can just read them aloud.

Something Good

Sonia

Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living is offering a FREE one-week Rise & Shine Morning Mindfulness Practice on Zoom beginning March 25, 6:30 AM PST. You can register at www.riversidecsl.org

Lezli

I just released a new book this month. "Built on Faith: Transform Your Life through Affirmative Prayer" is the how-to on affirmative prayer that I wish I'd had when I was learning. Whether you are just starting affirmative prayer or you're looking for a great textbook for your prayer classes, this is the book for you. For a limited time, just 99 cents for the eBook version. www.lezligoodwin.com/builtonfaith

We'll see you April 1 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #28

The Spirituality of Social Activism

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Jeffrey Kealoha Ryan

Opening Chat

Sonia, Lezli and Jeffrey chat about their favorite Las Vegas experiences, as Rev. Jeffrey prepares to move from Vegas to Riverside, California.

The Spirituality of Social Activism

Rev. Jeffrey was lead into the work of ministerial social activism as a person who grew up in the LGBTQ experience and felt marginalized at times. Also, coming to the mainland from his home state of Hawaii highlighted the presence of "isms" that he had not previously experienced.
What about the "political" question? The majority of the issues are not political, but are human rights issues. They might get politicized, but they are not actually political.
Minsters are called upon to lead with our prophetic voice. Who better to lead the charge for humanitarian and ethical issues.
Advice for ministers and centers who are looking into this work: Get clear on your intentions, have a lot of conversation within the community before moving forward, watch the news and familiarize yourself with the actually goings-on in your community, reach out to effective local partners to accomplish more.

Something Good

Sonia

Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living is offering a FREE one-week Rise & Shine Morning Mindfulness Practice on Zoom beginning March 25, 6:30 AM PST. You can register at www.riversidecsl.org

Jeffrey

Riverside CSL is also offering a book discussion April 16th, 23rd & 30th. We'll be discussing the book Stained Glass Spirit by Tracy Brown. It's a practical way to link diversity and inclusion to your ministry's mission. 6:00-7:00 PM PST on Zoom. You can register at www.riversidecsl.org

Lezli

We'll see you March 25 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #27

The Sunday Monday Blues

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia and Lezli chat about how fun it is to visit different spiritual communities and see how folks do things. Each community is completely unique and perfect.

The Sunday Monday Blues

The Sunday Monday Blues show up when you just don't want your weekend to come to an end. It can look like apathy, sadness or outright dread of Monday morning.
One classic way to stave off the SMB is to fill yourself up with spiritual community on Sunday. Visit a spiritual center, watch a service online, or get together with some like-minded friends.
Create a Sunday evening ritual that helps you set your intention for the week.
Pre-plan something you'll really enjoy on Monday morning, like a favorite meeting or project. Leave yourself encouraging notes to find or a little morning treat.
If the SMB are ongoing, take some time to look within and identify the real problem. What is it you are dreading? Can you find a way to shift that issue?
A gratitude practice, especially identifying gratitude around someone or something that is challenging you, can help you change your own attitude. And then, amazingly, the other person often shifts as well!
Big picture, SMB are an inside issue, and can only be resolved by looking inward and making some decisions around actions and ideas. What will move you forward? What's holding you back? Get connected with a community that will support you in the healthiest choices.

Something Good

Sonia

Riverside Community Center for Spiritual Living is offering a FREE one-week Rise & Shine Morning Meditation on Zoom beginning March 25, 6:30 AM PST. You can find the link on our Facebook Page

Lezli

We'll see you March 18 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, The Spirituality of Social Activism. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #26

The Spirituality of Coupledom

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Lola Wright

Opening Chat

We chat about how Lola survived the Polar Vortex hitting the Midwest. It turns out that she was in Florida! Of course, the Floridians (like the Arizonans) thought it was freezing anyway!

The Spirituality of Coupledom

Being in spiritual partnership helps us to move through whatever life brings. It gives us access to different tools and a deeper level of commitment.
Those who are struggling to find their beloved may want to consider revising their list of things they think they need. Maybe your "type" is ruling out the perfect person for you.
Your partner is already here. You just have to have eyes to see.
It's okay if your partner is very different that you. In fact, it can be helpful and provide balance.
Lola and her husband Nathan teach a class on spiritual relationships. This April, they are creating a couple's retreat to take it deeper.

Something Good

Sonia

March 25-31, I am offering a 6:30 AM PST Rise & Shine Morning Meditation via Zoom. This spiritual practice will be about 15 minutes. Find out more by checking my Facebook page!

Lezli

My book is out! Built on Faith: Transform Your Life Through Affirmative Prayer is the complete how-to book I wish I'd had when I was learning affirmative prayer. Whether you are a student learning or a teacher looking for a great textbook for your prayer classes, this just may be the book for you. Find out more at www.lezligoodwin.com/builtonfaith

Lola

We are having a couple's retreat April 12-14 at a Midwest location TBA. You can find out more at www.BodhiSpiritualCenter.org. Also, follow me on social media, @lolapwright We'll see you March 11 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #25

Finding Your Spiritual Home

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia and Lezli learned a lot on their recent road trip, including where to find the world's best gluten-free pizza (a truck stop in Vicksburg, Arizona), American gas stations require zip codes for gas machines, ear buds and ear plugs are different things, and why you should believe a liquor store employee when they say you don't want their wine.

Finding Your Spiritual Home

There are a number of archetypes of people who come into a spiritual center for the first time. Most people are a blend of these archetypes.
The Spiritual Seeker: Looking for a community that shares their same beliefs and language, where they can expand and learn.
The Wounded: Something crisis-level has happened in their life, and they are broken open. Looking for support, love and a safe place to heal.
The Skeptic: Looking to be convinced that this is better than some other religion or community, but loves to criticize and find fault.
The Modern Traditionalist: Looking for a traditional spiritual community experience (often for children or family), but wants to avoid the guilt or judgment that they associate with more traditional religion.
The number one thing that determines whether a person will come back to a church or spiritual center is if they feel like they have someone to sit with. In other words, did people say hello? Were they welcoming? Do they feel like they could belong here?
Well-meaning people can violently disagree on what makes people feel welcome, because we tend to believe that what makes "us" feel welcome is what makes "people" feel welcome. Hugs, handshakes, having new people stand... all of these have their strong proponents and opponents.
It is the responsibility of center leadership to be very intentional about creating a welcoming environment. This can include a very clear path to involvement in the community that makes space for varied levels of personal commitment.
One way to mitigate this is to lean into the word "invitation." This opens up options for people to be acknowledged without people feeling cornered or embarrassed.

Something Good

Sonia

I am offering a workshop at the virtual Center for Spiritual Living Vista Conference on Strategic Planning for Spiritual Communities. March 6, 10:00 AM PST.

Lezli

I am releasing a new book this month. "Built on Faith: Transform Your Life through Affirmative Prayer" is the how-to on affirmative prayer that I wish I'd had when I was learning. Whether you are just starting affirmative prayer or you're looking for a great textbook for your prayer classes, this is the book for you. www.lezligoodwin.com/builtonfaith

We'll see you March 4 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, The Spirituality of Coupledom. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #24

Sacred Masculinity

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest: Eamon Duffy

Opening Chat

We chat about the amazing relationships and connections that come from conventions and retreats. Sonia and Eamon originally met at a ministerial school retreat. Lezli first met our earlier guest Masando Hiraoka at a similar retreat. These relationships are so key to building strong ministries.

Sacred Masculinity

Eamon Duffy is the director of The Mens Ministry, a natural outgrowth from 25 years of men's work and 25 years of Science of Mind. It's his way to pay it forward, supporting the community of New Thought and men.
Asking what was his to do, his inner meditation voice said, "Duh, silly...this is what you know how to do!"
Eamon has a new book, The Blessing Circle, which gives step-by-step instructions for starting and building a men's group. It gives specific activities and ideas about how to build trust and help men open up. It is designed to make the process easy.
When creating a men's group, Eamon advises getting the minister involved. Their support is key.
Try starting out with a low-key social gathering. Just start it with a pizza night or a social event after Sunday service. That's an easier entry point for some men.
These circles are designed to be an ongoing program, to allow for the time to create connection and allow for healing, sharing and opening of the heart.
What is the value of having a group of all men? There are biological, neurological and sociological differences. It can be easier for some people to build these skills in a more homogeneous group. Once the skills are there, it can absolutely also work in a more heterogeneous group.
One of the biggest challenges is the Lone Wolf Syndrome, the societal idea that men need to be strong and self-sufficient, never needing help from anyone. It's an unhealthy belief, and groups like this help men break out of that box.
1 out of every 10 people say they don't have even one close friend. We need connection to move through life.

Something Good

Sonia

I am offering conscious business coaching packages for conscious entrepreneurs that are looking to both do good and do well. Reach out to me at coach@soniabyrne.com or at my website www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

I have a new book coming out in March! Built on Faith: Transform Your Life Through Affirmative Prayer is the complete how-to book I wish I'd had when I was learning affirmative prayer. Whether you are a student learning or a teacher looking for a great textbook for your prayer classes, this just may be the book for you. Find out more at www.lezligoodwin.com/builtonfaith

Eamon

We are having the Southwest New Thought Mens Gathering March 22 to 24. Register by Feb 22. (this week). You can find out more on our website www.thenmensministry.org Be sure to sign up for the newsletter. If you would like a copy of The Blessing Circle Book , go to Contact and type in your address. Donate 20.00 to the Mens Ministry and I will send a book out to you. We'll see you February 25 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #23

The Spirituality of Failure

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia and Lezli chat about what they do when stuck on a flight with no screen! In Sonia's most recent experience, she had exams to grade and work to do. This never happens to Lezli, because she always has several audio books on her phone. (Usually a cheesy vampire novel...)

The Spirituality of Failure

Sonia was recently contacted to do a business symposium panel on failure. As someone who is willing to have difficult conversations, of course they wanted to invite her to participate.
Failure brings out shame, and most people want to hide from that -- lie, deny, distract, drink, whatever it takes to cover it up.
To become a powerhouse, we often need to have gone through a whole lot of experiences, including serious failures. We want the shortcut, but it doesn't work like that.
We learn what works by experiencing what doesn't work!
Many people are afraid to do brave things that risk failure publicly. If you are going to try big things, you're going to suck sometimes. There's nothing you can do about it except continue showing up.
I am more afraid of living a life that is not fully expressed than I am of failure.
We often learn more from failures than we do successes.
What do you value more? Avoiding failure or avoiding regret?
We love to reference icons like Steve Jobs or Thomas Edison or Madonna. We have a tendency to overlook the rounds of failure and only look at the success. But the failures are actually steps in the process of success.
If you're going to fail, fail big and then -- TA DA!!!!
Failure does not indicate that there is something wrong. It simply means there is more to be discovered before you reach your goal.
Something important is happening here every time we get back up and TA DA!

Something Good

Sonia

I am offering a workshop at the virtual Center for Spiritual Living Vista Conference on Strategic Planning for Spiritual Communities. March 6, 10:00 AM PST.

Lezli

I am teaching another round of Releasing the Rocks, my two-session workshop that helps you release old emotions and live a life that is more free. This version is in person in Phoenix. Find out more and register at www.newvisioncsl.org

We'll see you February 18 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #22

The Shame and Blame Game

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia and Lezli chat about what they are binge watching to get through the long January.

The Shame and Blame Game

We live in a culture that encourages blame and shame, and it can be hypnotizing.
For most of us, we can still vividly remember early experiences of shame.
Shame (the feeling that I am bad, as opposed to I did something bad) is often turned out at someone else as blame. It can also be turned inward, leading to withdrawl and a drop in energy.
Spiritual practice and study can help us replace the knee-jerk shame reaction with a healthier approach, but it takes dedication. The more we practice, the easier it is to choose differently.

Something Good

Sonia

I am offering one-on-one coaching packages for spiritual entrepreneurs. Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

We'll see you February 11 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #21

Fierce Vulnerability

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Guest Host: Brian Akers

Opening Chat

We chat about Thrive CSL, Kimjera's brand new community and how the first couple of Sunday Celebrations have gone.

Fierce Vulnerability

Being a spiritual leader requires fierce vulnerability, especially when facing physical or mental health challenges.
The New Thought teaching can encourage rugged individualism, which can be very lonely. Instead, it is incumbent upon spiritual leaders to model authenticity and integrity, asking for support when we need it. This makes it okay for congregants and community members to do the same.
Being able to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses without fear of judgment is essential!
There is still cultural residue in Science of Mind that we should be able to pray it away, especially ministers, but there is power in going through the human condition and sharing from the position of spiritual principle.
You learn about your ministry in providing access to people to see who you are when you are in challenge, and inviting the spiritual work in your community.
We don't rule out praying the condition away, but being free from discord doesn't mean being free from the environment. Healing isn't always physical cure -- Spirit is bigger than that.
Being fierce about all of this means not caring about peoples' opinions about all of this. I don't care if you think being honest about my needs and experiences means I'm weak. I'm going to share it anyway, and model healthy, loving community support.
Our teaching is less about eliminating every irregularity and more about being able to face whatever comes with a great deal of ease and grace. So much of that requires reaching out for support and love when we need it.

Something Good

Kimjera

CSL Thrive is offering a three-week class on Mondays, 6:30-8:00 PM PST, February 4, 11 & 18 via Zoom technology (available worldwide). Explore basic spiritual practices together as a commnity. $49.00 Find out more and register at www.thrivecsl.org

Brian I'm ready to relaunch the "It's Really Real" project, exploring what happens when a middle aged white guy really lives these principles and tries to build organic community. Join the It's Really Real Facebook group. Soon, itsreallyreal.org will be relaunching.

Lezli

This March, I'm releasing a new BOOK! If you want to be a part of the Launch Team making this happen, you can join in the fun. Find out more and register at www.lezligoodwin/launchteam

We'll see you February 4 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts and ideas with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #20

My Funny Valentine:

Learning to Love Our Unlovable Spots

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Sonia and Lezli chat about their New Year's intentions to exercise more. Sonia has been at the indoor track, and Lezli has been doing Body Groove. It's all about feeling good with whatever you're doing.

My Funny Valentine

As Valentine's Day approaches, it's very apparent how much pressure we put on ourselves to match up to societal expectations and to "fix" anything that we perceive is wrong with us.
The messages speak to appearance, body shape, money, gifts, sexual expression, ability level, age and so much more.
Thankfully, we are seeing an improvement in representation of a wider cross-section of society in media.
Each co-host shares things about themselves that were a self-love challenge: Sonia with her height, Lezli with her curves and bisexuality.
Deciding that our parts are lovable is the biggest step to being lovable. Once we accept ourselves, the rest of the world falls in line.

Something Good

Sonia

I am launching a book study on January 28th, studying You Can Heal Your Life by Lousie Hay. $89.00, happening on line. Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

I have an exciting (and secret) new project launching soon, and you can be a part of it! Find out more and register at www.lezligoodwin.com/launchteam

We'll see you January 28 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #19

Our Sacred Worth

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Guest Host: Kevin Ross

Opening Chat

Sonia and Kevin discuss the best parts of the Parliament of the World's Religions, including sharing spiritual practices, exploring social justice and catching up with friends from all over the planet. https://parliamentofreligions.org/

Our Sacred Worth

Rev. Kevin Ross, our guest host, shares about his work at Unity of Sacramento, helping people to see and accept their own sacred worth.
There is a message that we are unworthy or worthless, picked up from media and culture, and we need to unlearn that.
Each of us is made in the likeness and image of a Creator that brought them forth and is thus inherently valuable, imbued with sacred worth -- not because they have done anything or earned anything, but just because they are.
"I am a unique, unrepeatable miracle of God." Rev. Johnnie Coleman. We are born worthy.
We express this element of sacred worth with people by treating them as if they are inherently worthy. Rev. Kevin shared about the grocery project his Center does each year, raising money and then surprising people by paying for their Christmas groceries and gifts. It's essential that this form of giving comes from a place of valuing one another on a fundamental level.
Some liturgy in our culture can leave us feeling spiritually violated, with unworthy, "worm of the dust" teachings. For Rev. Kevin, that is sacrilegious. Jesus the Christ has had some pretty bad spokespeople, but those original teachings of Christ Consiouness are still valuable and valid in today;s world.
We are committed to building a consciousness where everybody recognizes their own worth.
In spiritual community, we have varying levels of spiritual evolvement. But we seek to awaken and inspire people to recognize their divine nature.

Something Good

Sonia

I am launching a book study on January 28th, studying You Can Heal Your Life by Lousie Hay. $89.00, happening on line. Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Kevin

Kevin is featured in the February edition of Science of Mind Magazine, covering the Unity of Sacramento's work on healing the relationship between the community and law enforcement. January 30, I'll be at First Unity Church in St. Petersburg, Florida with the entire Leadership Council of the Association of Global New Thought. Come join us!

Lezli

I am running two new sections of Releasing the Rocks, my two-day workshop facilitating emotional release and deeper forgiveness. one section is on Zoom, available world wide, and one is in person in Phoenix. Find out more and register at www.lezligoodwin/onlineclasses

We'll see you January 21 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, "My Funny Valentine: Learning to Love Your Unlovable Spots." Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #18

The Spirituality of the Law

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Sonia Byrne

Guest Host: Sara Awad

Opening Chat

We share the fun of holiday baking, including putting our teenagers to work making cookies and fudge.

The Spirituality of the Law

When we think of spiritual centers, we generally think of what happens on the platform on Sundays. But in the modern world of non-profits, our ministers are also expected to be CEOs. With little or no legal training, ministers are expected to learn on the job -- but there is a better way.
Centers for Spiritual Living offers a legal team to help, as well as a series of classes to help ministers and their Boards run smoothly BEFORE a problem happens.
In the US, Centers for Spiritual Living are 501c3 organizations.
Can Centers fund raise or make money without generating a really large tax bill. There are some wonderful exceptions for non[profits.
Volunteer Exceptions: When all of the work is performed by volunteers, it's tax-free, even when it's a competitive business. Volunteers can't be paid or accept tips at all.
Convenience Exception: When activity is conducted for the convenience of our members, it's tax free. We can't advertise or compete with outside businesses, but if we operate just for our own people, it's free from business tax. (Sales tax may still apply.)
Passive Income Exception: Anything passive, we don't pay any tax on it. Rentals are a huge example of that. Any income derived from rental of real property is tax-free, which is a good tax=free source of income. This counts for parking lots, as well. Services are taxed on a normal rate, so be aware of that. Remember, it has to be completely passive.
Operations can be a real challenge, especially for new Centers. CSL is creating a Head Start program for new Centers, making sure their governing documents are in working order from the very beginning.
Crises are caused by issues with Policy & Procedure Manuals, with Centers only realizing they need a policy when something unexpected happens. We see issues with situations like challenges with emotional support animals, contract employees who post on social media ideas that are inappropriate, questionable states of dress on Sundays and more.
Home Office is developing a template for a global Policies & Procedures Manual, which they hope will be available by the end of the year.
Legal 101 for Ministers is a class that is offered, along with Legal Academy for Boards and Ministers.
Liability with volunteers is a huge issue, and you need to screen volunteers the same way you screen regular employees.
Lezli's Center puts every volunteer that works with youth through a full security check, using Trak-1, https://portal.trak-1.com/
Political Involvement can be an interesting issue. Centers can't participate in partisan political activities, supporting or opposing a candidate or party for political office. We CAN work on issues, with lobbying (petitions, calls to action, education, etc.) CSL encourages Centers to get involved with social engagement.

Something Good

Sonia

We are scheduling 2019 sessions of Business & Branding, a Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success. $379, which includes 2 coaching sessions. If you are interested in our next class, you can find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Kimjera

Center for Spiritual Living Murietta Valley's first Sunday Celebration will be on January 13 at Redhawk Elementary in South Temecula. The youth ministry will be available, so bring the kiddos! Come join us! Find out more at www.thrivecsl.org or check us out on Facebook.

Sara

The CSL Member Council is currently offering a comprehensive legal training academy as part of it's Conscious Centers Success Series (I teach it). In this course, you will learn how to manage the everyday legal concerns that matter the most to your center's daily operations. We especially love to work with new centers and centers that are in transition! The course is provided on a love offering basis and no center is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Getting enrolled is easy - simply reach out to the CSL Member Council at 720-279-8979 or cslmembercouncil@gmail.org.

Lezli

If you have a message you'd like to share, join us for Podcast 101, a four-session Zoom class that will walk you through everything you need to launch your own podcast quickly, easily and inexpensively. Just $199, this class includes a 45-minute one-on-one coaching session. This round begins on January 30, 7PM EST! Find out more and register at www.lezligoodwin/onlineclasses

We'll see you January 14 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality. Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #17

The Revolution Resolution

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

As we enter into New Year's Eve, Lezli, Kimjera and Sonia chat about their plans. Lezli and Kimjera are planning quiet nights at home snuggling poolside with family. Sonia is looking forward to bundling up and heading to her terrace to watch the gorgeous St. John's fireworks.

The Resolution Revolution

We've been practicing resolution setting for about 4,000 years, beginning with the Babylonians. That took place in spring, with the planting of the crops.
In more recent history, John Wesley (founder of Methodism) encouraged annual covenant renewal services to bring in the New Year in an interactive way.
Centers often have New Year's events. Kimjera's Center, CSL Murietta Valley, is hosting an intention setting gathering.
We can sometimes set ridiculous resolutions that don't stick because they are unrealistic and negative.
Switching from resolutions to setting intentions helps us stay positive. Think about what you're inviting in rather than fixing something that's broken. It's easy and you are more likely to make a real change, in a natural and organic way.
The Resolution Revolution is in using positive language. Deprivation sets our amygdala into high-jack mode. It creates stress and distress. Being positive and realistic helps us actually make real change.
Making too many resolutions, or unrealistic resolutions, sets us up to feel like failures.
Instead, think about what you want to have!
Kimjera's word for the year is THRIVING!
Sonia's word for the year is COLLABORATE!
Lezli's Word(s) for the year are OWNING IT!
Vision boarding can help you make your resolution real!

Something Good

Sonia

If you love Louise Hay like I love Louise Hay, join me for a Zoom book study on her classic book, "You Can Heal Your Life." January 28, six-sessions for 90 minutes each. Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Kimjera

Center for Spiritual Living Murietta Valley is offering a New Year's Day meditation and intention-setting session to start the year off right. Our first Sunday Celebration will be on January 13 at Redhawk Elementary in South Temecula. The youth ministry will be available, so bring the kiddos! Come join us! Find out more at www.thrivecsl.org or check us out on Facebook.

Lezli

If you have a message you'd like to share, join us for Podcast 101, a four-session Zoom class that will walk you through everything you need to launch your own podcast quickly, easily and inexpensively. Just $199, this class includes a 45-minute one-on-one coaching session. Find out more and register at www.lezligoodwin/onlineclasses

We'll see you January 6 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, "The Law of Spirituality" Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #16

Manifesting Less Stress

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Lezli celebrated Yule on Friday, the Pagan winter solstice. She had a quiet gathering with family around a fire, calling back the sun and warmth with food, fun and intentions for the new year. Sonia shared about Tig's Eve, a Newfoundland tradition that is different from anywhere else in Canada, where friends gather to kick off the holiday season.

Manifesting Less Stress

We can get stuck in the mode of stress, even though we know that Spirit has us and we're sourced and supported.
During the holidays, there is a lot of energy around family, wrapping gifts, etc.
Sometimes experiencing less stress is about realizing when you need to stop and take a breath.
We're big on meditation, but at this time of year it can be helpful to plan additional calming, centering activities
Proactive, Planned and Prepared! yoga, group meditation, going for walks, structured calming activities can really help. Even if you only make it to some of those activities, it really helps to build those gentle activities in.
Mindless, creative activities can help, too! Coloring books, baking, crocheting, beading, even Netflix. Lezli has been painting a lot more than usual. Give yourself the space to do things that just feel good.
Classic Zen saying, "You should meditate an hour a day, unless you're busy. Then you should meditate two hours a day!"
Mind-Body-Spirit: taking care of ALL of ourselves.
Take advantage of the healing services and meditations your local spiritual community offers during the season, especially if you are grieving or struggling. Just knowing you have positive activities to look forward to can carry you through difficult moments.
Moving into gratitude can help us feel more centered as well. Make a list of 5 things you are thankful for. Our brain won't allow us to be in both gratitude and something else -- it helps us release anger, fear or any other emotion.
If we have a sense that something is going to be stressful, it can be helpful to anticipate it and plan a response that won't make it worse. Practice the response, so you can feel good about it. It can protect you, especially when you are tired or not feeling well.
Remember, other people's opinions or judgments don't actually have anything to do with you! You can honor their right to their own opinion without accepting it as our own truth.
We don't have to attend every fight we are invited to!

Something Good

Sonia

We're kicking off another round of "Business & Branding: A Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success" on January 10. Designed for Healing arts practitioners, coaches and spiritual practitioners, this interactive Zoom class will give you the tools to shine your light more brightly in the world, including pricing, talking about your offerings, creating marketing materials and more. $379 (includes two 45 minute coaching sessions: a $300 value). Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Kimjera

Center for Spiritual Living Murietta Valley is offering a New Year meditation and intention-setting session to start the year off right. Our first Sunday Celebration will be on January 13. Come join us! Find out more at www.thrivecsl.org or check us out on Facebook.

Lezli

I'm offering more rounds of Releasing the Rocks, a two-session workshop that helps you learn to release the stored emotion that's holding you back. We have an in-person class in Phoenix and some online options via Zoom as well. Just $45, includes a recorded meditation and journaling pages. Find out more at www.lezligoodwin/onlineclasses

We'll see you December 30 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, "The Resolution Revolution." Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality Episode #16

Fostering Forgiveness

Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Sonia Byrne

Opening Chat

Christmas decorating is in full swing, except at Sonia's house. Buddy the cat tried to eat her tree, so it went back in the box after 36 seconds. Lezli's cat is uninterested in her tree. Kimjera's tree is protected from the dogs by a security gate. (Which, by the way, also protects her tree from Lezli who can't open the gate.)

Fostering Forgiveness

During the holiday season, we tend to see a proliferation of movies that focus on the heartwarming aspects of coming together and forgiveness.
Lezli offers the embarrassing fact that Love Actually is her favorite Christmas movie. You can watch it and mock her HERE.
How do we know if our upset is actually a sign of needing to forgive ourselves?
If we are noticing the same problem or irritation coming up in multiple situations, maybe it's something we need to forgive in ourselves.
Perhaps we need to consider the idea from Colin Tipping's Radical Forgiveness that there is a gift in whatever happened. Even though it was painful, it brought us to where we are today, and that's valuable. Check out the book and bonus materials HERE.
The more we feel we are owed an apology, the more likely that there is something we need to forgive ourselves. That idea itself might be upsetting, but it rings true.

Something Good

Sonia

We're kicking off another round of "Business & Branding: A SPiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success" on January 10. Designed for Healing arts practitioners, coaches and spiritual practitioners, this interactive Zoom class will give you the tools to shine your light more brightly in the world, including pricing, talking about your offerings, creating marketing materials and more. $379 (includes two 45 minute coaching sessions: a $300 value). Find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Kimjera

Center for Spiritual Living Murietta Valley is offering a New Year meditation and intention-setting session to start the year off right. Find out more at www.trivecsl.org or check us out on Facebook.

Lezli

I'm offering Podcasting 101, four-session interactive Zoom class to help you learn everything you need to start your own podcast: format, equipment, recording, editing, distribution and more. Class starts January 30, 7:00 PM EST. $199, includes one 45 minute coaching session. Find out more at www.lezligoodwin/onlineclasses

We'll see you December 24 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality, "Manifesting Less Stress." Share your thoughts with us at sexyspirituality@gmail.com.

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 15:

Spirituality and Diversity

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Kimjera Whittington

Special guest host: Tracy Brown

Check in:

Kimjera has announced the creation of a brand new spiritual community, Center for Spiritual Living Murietta Valley!

Spirituality and Diversity:

Diversity is just God being God, showing up as the natural profusion of life. All of nature is diverse. It's a part of the Divine Design.
Somehow, when we start talking about people, this gets all confused.
Inclusion is just us making a commitment to walk our spiritual talk to love thy neighbor as myself. God is expressed in, through and as me. The only way I can express that is through me. I need to be an expression of inner peace, where other people can express that, too.
Indicators of a community is engaged in the inclusion process: valuing how different people show up, which may or may not have to do with race or ethnicity. People don't always agree, but they work through it. Realizing what you've learned from people from other places or cultures.
God makes no mistakes. We're here in the likeness and image of our creator.
How can a community leader move the dial on diversity and inclusion? Every community has diversity, but we don't always see it. However, leaders can have blinders on about who is available and interested in being engaged. Draw a 5 mile diameter circle around your community and look at the census -- who are you missing?
Tracy wants leaders to be asking the question of what are they doing to make sure people feel welcome and included.
Is our purpose to have a Sunday morning service? Or is our purpose to offer education that helps people have a life of quality?
Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church: Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation, Mark Deymaz Buy Here
The books of Jim Wallis, Buy Here
A Bigger Table: Building a Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community, John Pavlovitz Buy Here

Tell Us Something Good!

Lezli Goodwin:

Sonia and I are running another round of our Business & Branding: A Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success. Get past those bumps that can stop you from really going for it out in the world. Meets via Zoom, starting January 10, 7:00 EST. Check it out at www.soniabyrne.com

Sonia Byrne:

I'm facilitating a book study on You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay via Zoom technology. Class starts in January, and ar eoffered in times that will be good for the Pacific folks. Find out more and register at soniabyrne.com

Kimjera Whittington:

Our brand new community is launching! Services should start in January. Find out more on Facebook @cslmuriettavalley at www.thrivecsl.com

Tracy Brown:

Stained Glass Spirit, my new book about spirituality and inclusivity, is due to come out this month. Two more books will drop between now and April. The best place to find book info, webinar info and more is www.stainedglassspirit.net

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

We'll see you on December 17 for our next episode, Fostering Forgiveness.

A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community

Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 14:

Don't Miss a Thing

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Kimjera Whittington

Featuring

Amy Steinberg

Nicole VonAtzingen

Masando Hiraoka

Don't Miss a Thing:

We have a great time recording Sexy Spirituality, and a lot of amazing content gets edited out for time. But we don't want you to miss a thing! So this episode is a peek behind the curtain to hear some of the things that didn't make it into the show -- from bloopers to extended versions of meaningful conversations. Enjoy!

Tell Us Something Good!

Lezli Goodwin, spiritual mentor, blogger and author at lezligoodwin.com

Sonia Byrne, conscious business consultant at soniabyrne.com

Kimjera Whittington, keynote speaker, career development expert and leadership advisor & at kimjerawhittington.com

Amy Steinberg, performance artist and teacher at amysteinberg.net

Nicole VonAtzingen, Co-Spiritual Director at Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living at www.sbcsl.org

Masando Hiraoka, social uplift minister, learning to do good, seek justice and walk well in the world, @masandomike on Facebook and Instagram

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

We'll see you on December 10 for our next episode.

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 13:

Growing in Gratitude

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Check In

Sonia & Lezli chat about Thanksgiving in their respective countries, the US and Canada. Fun fact: the first North American Thanksgiving took place in Newfoundland.

Growing in Gratitude:

Sonia and Lezli share specific practices they utilize to deepen into gratitude and the reasons those practices work.
Gratitude and a Good Night's Sleep: Sonia recommends this process for people who are having trouble sleeping. While lying in bed, go through your day is excruciating detail, expressing gratitude for each thing. Be grateful that you woke up, grateful for your shower, grateful for your breakfast and so on. It's like having surgery, when the anesthesiologist tells you to count backwards from 100. You won't remember anything after 97.
Keeping a Gratitude Journal: in addition to the classic "write down ten things you are grateful" form a journaling, Lezli specifically likes to journal gratitude points about someone or something that is upsetting her. This reminds her what IS working in the relationship or situation. Sonia reminds us that we are looking for a state change, an emotional shift.
Thank You Notes: Both Lezli & Sonia are big fans of writing thank you notes as a part of their spiritual practice. Expressing heart felt gratitude blesses both the writer and the receiver.
Thank You on Steroids: Sonia shares with us the difference between a thank you and an acknowledgement, or a thank you on steroids. This involves linking the gratitude with the benefit. "Thank you, Lezli, for inviting me to dinner. I had a difficult week and I didn't have any food in the house and it meant a lot to have a nice place to go and some lovely company and wonderful food. Thank you."

Tell Us Something Good!

Sonia

I am offering strategic Goal setting packages for people who are looking to start 2019 strong. You can find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

Ready to change the one habit that is holding you back? My 3 session package helps you identify the limiting belief that is keeping you stuck and choose something better moving forward. Learn more at www.lezligoodwin.com

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

We'll see you on December 3 for our next episode of Sexy Spirituality/

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 12:

The Spirituality of Activism

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Masando Hiraoka

Check In

Sonia and Masando share their adventures at the Parliament of World Religions in Toronto.

The Spirituality of Activism:

Social activism helps to move us past the "self-help" and "self-improvement" over-focus on only the self.
There are important differences between charitable activities and social engagement.
We need to do the groundwork out in the community, in our own groups and on the inside of ourselves regarding what we want to accomplish and why.
Education and solid groundwork are key in overcoming backlash, as it dispels fear and confusion about the goals.
We have to give people the tools to talk about these issues over any kind of divide.

Emergent Strategies, Adrian Marie Brown Buy Here

Deep Diversity: Overcoming Us vs. Them, Shakil Choudhury Buy Here

Tell Us Something Good!

Sonia

We're coming to the end of 2018, believe it or not! I'm offering coaching sessions to set goals for the new year and move into 2019 in a powerful way. Learn more at www.soniabyrne.com

Massand

I'll be offering another round of my social activism class in winter or spring, and you can keep an eye out for that at www.milehichurch.org Also, let's connect on Facebook and Instagram, @masandomike.

Lezli

Transform Your Life with Affirmative Prayer is my video-based class that will deepen your prayer life. You can write amazing custom affirmative prayers, and this class will help. Just $49.00. Find out more or register at www.lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

We'll see you next week for "Growing in Gratitude."

Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 11:

Taking Off the Mask

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Check In

Kimjera is preparing for the upcoming Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer!

"Taking Off the Mask"

Taking off the mask means letting go of what we think others expect of us and just being ourselves.
It involves learning how to be a fully integrated person, rather than being different in different situations.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

I am having a great time coaching people who are ready to create the career, the life they want. If you are launching a new business, looking to improve your leadership skills or opening up to showing up in a new way, I would love to work with you. You can find all the details at www.kimjerawhittington.com

Lezli

I am offering an online class to help you learn to "Transform Your Life with Affirmative Prayer." You can take this video-based class at your own pace. Just $49.00, and it comes with a free mini-ebook of 20 affirmative prayers. Learn more and register at www.lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 10:

Who You Are is More than Enough

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Kimjera: "Who You Are is More Than Enough"

It's easy to get caught up in living day to day life and miss the necessity to "just be."
Reading Ernest Holmes This Thing Called You, he talks about each person being an individualization of The One (God, Spirit).
We get confused and think we have to do more, but we are okay just as we are.
When in doubt, go back to the basics.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington & Lezli Goodwin

Recovering from mistaken beliefs that keep us in the doing vs the being, including Lezli's old belief that, "I am as valuable as I am useful."
Part of spiritual leadership is modeling and encouraging healthy boundaries, including saying no to things we would really like them to do. We have to live the message.
True Self-worth comes from not getting caught up in either the highs or the lows, but trying to stay in the middle.
Who you are, exactly as you are, is necessary in this world -- the evidence is that you wouldn't be here, wouldn't feel called to where you are in life. So you can relax about whether you think you fit in or meet expectations.
The "just being" is where we feel wholeness, true safety and a deep sense of connection. We don't do that enough.
Becoming better isn't about becoming anything. It's about letting everything that is not like God fall away, revealing the truth of wholeness which has always been there.

Quote of the Episode

"Every single one of us is a light for someone else, and just by being brave enough to be who we really are we give others the permission to do the same." Lezli

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

Lezli

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is Taking Off the Mask."

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 10:

Who You Are is More than Enough

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Kimjera: "Who You Are is More Than Enough"

It's easy to get caught up in living day to day life and miss the necessity to "just be."
Reading Ernest Holmes This Thing Called You, he talks about each person being an individualization of The One (God, Spirit).
We get confused and think we have to do more, but we are okay just as we are.
When in doubt, go back to the basics.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington & Lezli Goodwin

Recovering from mistaken beliefs that keep us in the doing vs the being, including Lezli's old belief that, "I am as valuable as I am useful."
Part of spiritual leadership is modeling and encouraging healthy boundaries, including saying no to things we would really like them to do. We have to live the message.
True Self-worth comes from not getting caught up in either the highs or the lows, but trying to stay in the middle.
Who you are, exactly as you are, is necessary in this world -- the evidence is that you wouldn't be here, wouldn't feel called to where you are in life. So you can relax about whether you think you fit in or meet expectations.
The "just being" is where we feel wholeness, true safety and a deep sense of connection. We don't do that enough.
Becoming better isn't about becoming anything. It's about letting everything that is not like God fall away, revealing the truth of wholeness which has always been there.

Quote of the Episode

"Every single one of us is a light for someone else, and just by being brave enough to be who we really are we give others the permission to do the same." Lezli

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

Lezli

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is Taking Off the Mask."

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 9:

The Book that Changed Me

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Nicole Von Atzingen

Check In

Sonia: I'm so glad we are doing this episode, because I was always such a bookworm as a kid. Actually, I still am!

Nicole: I have discovered my love of audio books on Audible. Reading real books puts me to sleep, but I love to listen.

Sonia: You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay

Buy It Online

Nicole: Conversations with God, Neal Donald Walsh

Buy It Online

Lezli: A Return to Love, Marianne Williamson

Buy It Online

Nicole: The Edinburgh Lectures, Thomas Troward

Buy It Online

Tell Us Something Good!

Sonia

I am offering Spiritual Entrepreneurship coaching opportunity for people who are ready to launch a new spiritual business or service, or are ready to have their business to look differently in 2019 . You can find out more at www.soniabyrne.com

Nicole

If you are in the Southern California area, you are invited to visit Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living. We are a spiritually progressive community that accepts everyone. Our November talk series is entitles, "Yes, Thank You, More Please!" Our Sunday services are at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Find out more at www.sbcsl.org

Lezli

If you'd like to learn to create your own professional looking custom graphics, I have a class for you! "Yes You Canva" is a video-based online class that walks you step by step through how to use Canva.com to make your own images. Just $49.00 Learn more at www.lezligoodwin.com.onlineclasses

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

The Dore & Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science (with linked TOC)

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 8:

A Message for Our Girls

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Sonia Byrne

Nicole Von Atzingen

Check In

Nicole: I spent the last three days painting the center office. They don't teach that in ministerial school!

Sonia: Lezli, Kimjera and I spent the last week in Denver at Centers for Spiritual Living home office, sitting for our final oral panels to become ministers.

Lezli: We can sure give feedback on what could be added to the ministerial school curriculum -- apparently office painting, podcast 101...

Lezli: "A Message for Our Girls"

There are so many messages being tossed at our girls and young women today. Messages about their appearance, how they should act, what they should value, what they can do. It's overwhelming.
What I want our girls to hear is that there is so much more to them than what other people expect.
You are spirit, you are soul, you are wisdom, you are intelligence, you are creativity. You can do or be anything.

Roundtable with Sonia Byrne & Nicole Von Atzingen

The US political and cultural situation (with Me Too, Time's Up, etc.) is reflective of the international situation. The same issues are affecting women and girls all over the world.
We want young women to know that they are expressions of the feminine divine, the goddess. The reason we find ourselves oppressed across history is because we are so powerful.
The female is the place of ultimate creativity -- of birth. This can be the creation of life, the creation of ideas, the creation of all kinds of goodness.
Being raised in a teaching like New Thought offers girls and young women to be with their strength, their feelings, their vulnerability. What a difference it makes to be surrounded by these messages when you are young.
Resilience studies suggest that the most important factor in how well a young person handles trauma is the presence of one adult who thinks they matter.
That brings up the idea of mentors for young women. Look for someone who has what you want, ask for guidance and listen.

Tell Us Something Good!

Sonia

I am facilitating a book study that starts tonight, focusing on Marianne Williamson's book "A Woman's Worth." There is still time to join our 5 week study, meeting at 7:00 PM EST via Zoom technology. You can register at www.soniabyrne.com

Nicole

If you are in the Southern California area, you are invited to visit Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living. We are a spiritually progressive community that accepts everyone. Our Sunday services are at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Find out more at www.sbcsl.org

Lezli

After a bit of a break, I am currently accepting new mentoring clients. If you are ready to dig in, make some real changes and experience your best life, give me a call. I'd love to work with you. Learn more at www.lezligoodwin.com

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "The Book that Changed Me."

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 7:

Creating Abundance

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Check In

Lezli: It's October, deep into fall, and I'm enjoying "Pumpkin Floof," my indescribable weird autumn treat. It takes the place of pumpkin spice latte for me.

Kimjera: I love pumpkin space latte! My favorite fall treat is a pumpkin crumb cake that my family loves.

Kimjera: "Creating Abundance"

Abundance is one of those awesome things that everyone has access to. It's our birthright. It's a universal principle.
The universe is naturally abundant, from grains of sand to blades of grass
The universe is impersonal and impartial.
Abundance is not just financial. A lot of us want an abundance of peace, of love, of joy.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington & Lezli Goodwin

The nature of the universe is unlimited, continually bringing forth more of itself.
One creative idea can spark an entire industry, and create abundance and jobs for thousands of people.
It's not just about more stuff, but having more love and kindness -- that really feels empowering.
Surrendering things because "it's just stuff" can also open us up to be okay with wanting and getting stuff, too. It's just energy. We can invite it in if it serves us if it serves our values. We can't give what we don't have, and financial flow can serve that.
We receive according to our beliefs and acceptance.
Giving opens up to the channels of how the universe creates more.
Someone else getting something or accomplish something does not take away from what I can have. We need to celebrate the successes of others as much as we celebrate our own.
If I can see it, I can have it!
The Optimist Creed, Christian Larson

Quote of the Episode

"When you're in that creative mode with the universe, and again you're in alignment with the energy, then you're in the flow of that. And it's exciting, right?" Kimjera

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

I participated on a panel at last week's "All Women Rock" event, and it was great. I'm loving speaking, and I'd love to speak at your event or company. You can find all the details to book me as a keynote speaker at www.LuminarySpeakers.com and www.kimjerawhittington.com

Lezli

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "A Message to Our Girls."

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 6:

Finding Purpose and Meaning

Co-Hosts

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Check In

Kimjera: This week has been all about changing schools for my little guy and doing a web site revamp.

Lezli: It's a really busy week at New Vision Center, with stewardship month kicking off and our upcoming GalaPalooza fundraising event.

Kimjera: "Finding Purpose and Meaning"

Meaning and purpose are all about being inspired, feeling like what you're doing is in alignment with your higher purpose.
It relates to every area of life: career, relationships, hobbies.
I notice I'm out of alignment when I'm saying, "I should" or "I wish I would." There's something more being called forth.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington & Lezli Goodwin

We talked a few weeks ago about redefining success (LINK). It's such a huge part of finding alignment with your purpose.
Another way to recognize being out of alignment is "divine discontent," that sense of unhappiness that rises up because I'm not placing importance on what I value deeply.
Lezli referenced The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks, when speaking about the Zone of Genius.
Creativity can add a lot of meaning and helps us find excitement around whatever we are doing.
Activities that help us align with our purpose: paying attention to our intuition, playing attention to how we are feeling about things, staying out of the "how" and let go of knowing the whole plan, surrendering into divine good.
If I just get started, everything shows up that I need.
Divine discontent is really divine guidance.
There's so much meaning to be found in things that aren't working. There are always things we can learn to make better choices the next time. It can be part of the process of finding our inspired purpose and meaning.
We can call forth that next great thing by letting go of things that aren't quite right. That's faith in the process, that what is meant to be is already happening.
When we're living a life of alignment, we're already in the place of creativity.
Lezli's ridiculous olive oil miracle, referencing the miracles of Elijah (I Kings, 17:12). Every needed thing is provided. That's trusting the process.
In all of this, be soft with yourself. As long as we are moving in the direction of our path, the "whens" are about as important as the "hows."

Favorite Spiritual Sayings in this Episode

I don't need to know how to do anything because God knows how to do everything.

The Universe abhors a vacuum.

Every needed thing is supplied.

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

I am participating on a panel at this week's "All Women Rock" event. I'm loving speaking, and I'd love to speak at your event or company. You can find all the details to book me as a keynote speaker at www.LuminarySpeakers.com and www.kimjerawhittington.com

Lezli

My online class, "Transform Your Life with Affirmative Prayer," will help you deepen and strengthen your affirmative prayers. Learn the 5 steps, explore why prayer works and expand your prayer vocabulary. Just $49.00, you can take this class at your own pace. www.lezligoodwin.com/onlineclasses

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "Creating Abundance"

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 5:

Music Changes Everything

Today's Hosts:

Lezli Goodwin

Kimjera Whittington

Sonia Byrne

and special guest host Amy Steinberg

Check In

Halloween costumes are on our minds...

Lezli Goodwin: "Music Changes Everything"

On the spiritual path, seemingly small choices add up to a huge difference in how you feel about your life and yourself.
We all know that music sets a tone – think about the music you choose for a romantic evening vs the music you choose for an intense workout.
Negative, heavy, dark music can contribute to similar feelings. Positive, joyful, spiritual music can support that kind of lifestyle.
We’ve all had the experience of the song that touched us so deeply it literally changed our lives. What if we curated the music we listen to intentionally to affect us in positive ways?
That doesn’t mean you can’t have your guilty pleasures, but in moderation.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington, Sonia Byrne & Amy Steinberg

Reclaiming words like holy, spirit and God can really be a big part of opening to new music.
High vibration choices can shift the energy of your day, even when the coffee maker is broken.
We can speak to anything through music. It's important to be honest and authentic. What we focus on grows, yes, but we have to process our feelings before we can turn back to the positive. Anything else is spiritual bypass. Looking at the shadow is legitimate, and a real part of wholeness.
Sometimes the "crying songs" are the highest vibration songs, because they are about owning the whole soul. When we deny what's happening right now (not from the cosmic truth, but from what we are in), that can be a very low vibration. Depression, terminal illness and pain are real things.
What am I willing to let go and trust? What am I willing to let Spirit do? (Looking at the journey from "It's happening TO me, BY me, THROUGH me, AS me.")
Amy is working on New Thought praise music, which is so deeply needed in the spiritual world. It touches our hearts so deeply.
Links to all of the inspiring songs we mentioned, plus a couple more because we love you:

Karen Drucker, You Are Healed https://youtu.be/LSNto4cGigM

Rickie Byers, Wholly Holy Way: https://youtu.be/jRPcZb447r4

Daniel Nahmod, Get Ready My Soul: https://youtu.be/vUrRtf3rVmg

Eddie Watkins Jr., I Walk Away: https://youtu.be/SAmbbx1KLYU

Lenny Kravitz, Let Love Rule: https://youtu.be/Bbiqy2TOwBw

Michael Buble, Feeling Good: https://youtu.be/Edwsf-8F3sI

U2, Beautiful Day: https://youtu.be/co6WMzDOh1o

A fun song from Lezli (co-written and produced by the amazing Jack Howell, WilloDisc), Deepak on a Yacht: https://youtu.be/g7WadVm5Yk8

Lezli's favorite song from Amy Steinberg, Grace: https://youtu.be/vQjauXyJWxk

The Universe's favorite song from Amy (so far), Burning into the High: https://youtu.be/dyXjfwnfhyU

Tell Us Something Good!

Amy

"Shine, Be Glorious" (my new CD) is coming out really soon! You'll find it on iTunes, my web site www.AmySteinberg.net. Check the web site for retreats, concerts and all kinds of good things coming up. (Plus, don't forget to check out the bonus download from Amy -- the song "So Rich" from her not yet released new album!!)

Kimjera

I've just signed with Luminary Speakers, a speaking agent, and will be working with businesses and organizations who are ready to expand and thrive. You can find all the details to book me as a keynote speaker at www.LuminarySpeakers.com and www.kimjerawhittington.com

Sonia

I have a book study coming up on "A Woman's Worth" by Marianne Williamson. She actually wrote it 25 years ago, and it's having a resurgence and a re-relevance. October 22 begins a 5 week interactive community group around this book. $70.00, meeting via Zoom technology. You can learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com.

Lezli

I have launched a 10 session spiritual mentoring package at a steep 20% discount off my normal rates. So, if you're ready to dig in and look at life differently and let go of the limiting beliefs that have held you back, this offer might be perfect for you. I love helping people learn real, practical and mystical ways to put Spirit first and experience real change. Learn more at www.LezliGoodwin.com.

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 4:

Learning to Listen to Your Intuition

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Kimjera: Fall is keeping us busy: Homecoming dress shopping, flag football practice, a new business opportunity.

Lezli: I love fall! I love the cooler weather and crisp air.

Lezli Goodwin: "Learning to Listen to Your Intuition"

So many people go through life waiting for a sign, so they can be sure that they’re doing the right thing.
I believe that flash of intuition, that sudden sense of knowingness that comes from nowhere, IS that sign.
Ernest Holmes said that the highest God and the Innermost God are One God, so that inner knowingness is literally the voice of God in us.
But we doubt it! We question it! We think it’s crazy.
That initial impulse is almost always right. We need to learn to listen.

Roundtable with Kimjera Whittington & Sonia Byrne

Kimjera: My dad used tot ell me that when I listen to that voice, it's not always right but when I don't listen, I for sure am wrong. It's not a guarantee. We have to take int hat information and decide that we want to do with it.
It invites you to use your discernment, while treating that internal awareness as information worth being considered.
Sonia: Do you have different sensory locations for different kinds of intuitive understanding? Logical knowing in the head, emotional knowing in the chest. For Lezli (and probably only Lezli), the rear end when encountering a moment of inspiration.
Kimjera: I don't always feel like I'm getting along with my intuition. I hear it, but I don't want to listen. Sometimes I just don't want to follow what it's telling me.
Sonia: I definitely think intuition grows with life experience. Being able to tell which is intuition, versus what is the next good idea.
Lezli: For me, intuition is always life-affirming and always expansive.
Sonia: In business or consulting, sometimes my intuition is best in the long run but it may not feel immediately life affirming because it requires change.
Kimjera: YES! Sometimes in business you have to help clients see how to be in alignment, and it can be a bit more complicated. But it generally works out. It's getting easier as businesses are opening to ideas like mindfulness and conscious leadership.
Sonia: As I get older, I can just relax. There's a whole lot less angst.
Learning what we personally need to do to deepen our own connection to intuition is key -- silence, meditation, prayer, whatever we personally need.

Quote of the Episode

"It;s essential to remember that 'highest and best' does not mean you're going to like it or it's going to be easy."

Lezli

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

Sonia

I have a Spiritual Entrepreneur program starting this Thursday. That's ten modules over ten months for spiritual community leaders. Class begins September 27 and meets online via Zoom technology. Your can learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com or reach me by email at coach@soniabyrne.com

Lezli

Sonia and I have teamed to create a class called "Business and Branding: a Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioners." Beginning this Wednesday, September 26, via the power of Zoom, we'll be exploring the tools and concepts that can help you shine your light more brightly into the world. Learn more at www.soniabyrne.com or reach out directly at coach@soniabyrne.com

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "Music Changes Everything"

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 3:

Redefine Success and Thrive

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Kimjera: Excited that we came up with this idea a couple of weeks ago and it's today's topic!

Sonia: Helping clients through this back to school period

Lezli: Our youngest child just left for college!

Kimjera Whittington "Redefine Success and Thrive"

The word success means so many things to different people. We can think of creating wealth, making money, chasing the white picket fence & looking like we have it all.
So many belief systems can get wrapped into what it is to be successful.
We can choose to redefine how we look at success.
Success can mean being a kind person, taking care of ourselves and others, making a difference.
Definition: "Accomplishment of an aim or purpose"
It's important that our definition of success reflects our values

Roundtable with Lezli Goodwin & Sonia Byrne

There is a transition between the old definition and the new definition, and it can be a pivot point.
A big part of that redefinition is a mindfulness about what matters to you as an individual.
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it." ~Maya Angelou
For some people, abundance isn't particularly important, which is okay. For others, it really is, and that's okay. That's part of redefining success to reflect what is important to you.
Another definition, "attainment of popularity or profit"
Popularity is a perspective. We never know what's really going on inside other people.
The judgement of people looking from the outside and from their own definition of success can put a lot of pressure on people.
The feeling of dissatisfaction in one's own life can come from buying into other peoples' definitions of success.
Opening up to our own ideas, goals and what we really want, we are so much more empowered. It means resisting what we "should" do, so we aren't out of alignment with our true calling or trying to be something that we're not.
It's okay to say "no thank you" to something that doesn't fit your definition of success, even if other people can't understand why.
Hopefully, as we get older, we care a little less what other people think.
The myth of The Hustle can pull people into that old way of thinking, implies that there's not enough for everybody. It's lack consciousness.
As co-hosts, we're redefining success around being a stay-at-home mom, health, and career stability. This idea of redefining success hits every area of life.
Anchoring into redefining success requires us to learn who we really are by tuning into our intuition, which is the topic of our next show.

Quote of the Episode

"I love abundance. Bring it on! I just want it to come because I'm doing what I'm passionate about, not just because I'm chasing money." Lezli

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

On my website, I launched a Strategy Session for people who own their own business or are looking to start their own business. FOr just $1.00, you do a 30-40 minute session with me and walk away with a Business Blueprint. You can find all the details at www.kimjerawhittington.com

Sonia

I have a Spiritual Entrepreneur program starting in a few weeks. That's ten modules over ten months for spiritual community leaders. Class begins September 27 and meets online via Zoom technology. Your can learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com or reach me by email at coach@soniabyrne.com

Lezli

I have an offer that leans into my social media marketing coaching side. If you'd like to learn to make wonderful, professional graphics and marketing materials for you business, "Yes You Canva" teaches you step-by-step! Using the very inexpensive tool, Canva.com, you can make custom graphics for social media, flyers, newsletters and more. This is a video-based class, so you can take it at your own pace. Learn more and register at www.lezligoodwin.com.

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "Learning to Listen to Your Intuition"

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 2:

Speaking to Your Ego: Friend or Foe?

Sonia Byrne

The term ego comes from the work of pioneering psychologist Sigmund Freud. The ego was considered a mediator between the id (pure desire) and the super-ego (the moral part of the self).
When we speak in common language about ego, we're more likely to be speaking of someone who is boastful or conceited.
The ego gets a bad rap for two reasons. First, it's used to put people down. It can be used in a judgmental way, as in, "He's being egotistcal."
Secondly, we're being egotistical when we talk about ourselves a lot, creating an unbalanced conversation.
The ego can be our friend, because it is the place of recognizing and celebrating the great things about ourselves.

Roundtable with Lezli Goodwin & Kimjera Whittington

It can be interesting trying to strike a balance between knowing and claiming our worth but not sliding into the part of the ego that is fear-based.
It can create a sense of shame when we feel like we shouldn't get too big for our britches, and that can force us into going to one extreme or the other: total humility or egotistical.
It's all about perspective! We can lean into the strength of the ego to help us be brave enough to step into new things (like putting this podcast out!) as opposed to using the ego to shield ourselves from something we are afraid is wrong with us, to pretend to be something that we're not or to put down others so we can feel bigger.
We need to have a value check-in, because we know when we are using that ego to diminish someone else to make ourselves feel better. It's not pretty, but it's real!
Ego challenges can show up when we are taking on new roles, like stepping away from a job to be a stay-at-home mom or starting a new business. It can be bruising when we don't always feel like we're doing a great job.
It's helpful to be conscious and question why we are feeling how we are feeling. Are we reacting to a wounded ego? Just knowing what's going on can save us so much heartache.
Fear of the ego can keep us from celebrating our accomplishments, like promotions at work, because we don't want to seem boastful or egotistical. But it's important to celebrate our successes as well as those of others.
We hold ourselves back and play small, but it doesn't serve us or the people around us.
As women, it's an extra challenge to develop those leadership skills and willingness to own our worth without tipping over to the place where we are judging or diminishing others.
An essential piece of this is allowing people, even our children, to define success for themselves. It's a protection against that need to tip into the negative part of ego and helps us to keep it postive.

Quote of the Episode

"We play small in order to help people not feel small, but the truth is if we life ourselves up and we act in our wholeness and in our perfection of who we are -- even in the workplace -- then what we actually create is an opportunity for other people to then do the same in their lives." Kimjera

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

I just launched an Entrepreneur Business Coaching Program. If you're a female entrepreneur and you're ready to take your passion and turn it into a viable six-figure income, I want to support you in making your dream a reality! You can find all the details at www.kimjerawhittington.com

Sonia

I have created a class called "Business and Branding: A Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success" with Lezli. This six-module course will help spiritual practitioners learn the business and marketing skills needed to shine their light more brightly into the world. Class starts September 27 and meets online via Zoom technology. Your can learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

I'm offering an online class to help people to deepen into their prayer life. "Transform Your Life with Affirmative Prayer" has something for you, whether you are brand new to affirmative prayer or you are a practitioner looking to strengthen your prayer skills. This is a video-based class, so you can take it at your own pace. Learn more and register at www.lezligoodwin.com.

Show Info

Thank you for tuning in to Sexy Spirituality!

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

Our next episode is "Redefine Success and Thrive!"

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Sexy Spirituality podcast Episode 1:

What is Sexy Spirituality?

Lezli Goodwin

Sexy spirituality is about blending spirituality with every part of life, even the messy stuff, to create an integrated life.
Sexy stuff is the interesting stuff that people want to talk about, and spirituality IS interesting!

Kimjera Whittington

Sexy spirituality is about gaining confidence. Confidence is sexy and powerful, and too many of us lack it.
It's about claiming that inner badass within. When we're in touch with it, we show up in our business and life authentically and powerfully.

Sonia Byrne

Sexy spirituality shows up in the workplace as "mindfulness", "conscious leadership", "compassionate communication" and "collaborative communication." People aren't always overt about their workplace spirituality, but it is there more and more.
The definition of sexy includes the words desirable, exciting and appealing. There is a growing desire for business and leadership to come from this place of confidence and consciousness.

Roundtable

What can somebody do when they feel that their job is requiring them to behave in a way that feels less than spiritual? Spend some time in self-awareness activities like meditation, counseling or with a coach. Figure out what your highest values are, and then strategize how to bring those authentic qualities into your work role. When deeper issues or limiting beliefs come up, they can then be addressed.
We come into work (and every environment) with hidden beliefs from when we were children, and can find ourselves recreating roles that leave us feeling small or fearful.
People in the workplace are bringing in addiction, grief, family challenges and other difficulties that color how they show up. Part of sexy spirituality in the workplace is creating a space where people can be their authentic selves even at work.
It's important to redefine success to mean excelling in the areas and qualities YOU think are important, not what everyone else thinks matters.
Choosing compassion when encountering people who are struggling, whether they share their struggle or not, is a huge part of integrated spirituality.
When we center into our spiritual values throughout the day, we are able to be Love wherever we are and whatever we are doing.

Tell Us Something Good!

Kimjera

A brand new limited time offer of a free 30 minute coaching strategy session to get to know one another and help you thrive! Sign up and find other free goodies at www.kimjerawhittington.com

Sonia

Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Spiritual Leaders, launching September 27 via Zoom. In 10 monthly modules, we'll cover conscious conflict, strategic planning, viewing our congregant as a client and other things that help community leaders succeed in a spiritual environment. Learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com

Lezli

I'm teaming with Sonia to offer Business & Branding: a Spiritual Entrepreneurship Program for Practitioner Success. This 6 module class will give Practitioners the business and marketing tools they need to shine their light more brightly out into the world. Launching September 26 via Zoom technology, you can learn more and register at www.soniabyrne.com. You can learn more about all of my classes and programs at www.lezligoodwin.com

Show Info

Share your thoughts at SexySpirituality@gmail.com

Be sure to subscribe at www.SexySpiritualityPodcast.com

View Details

Welcome to Sexy Spirituality, the podcast for messy. authentic, amazing spiritual people living in the real world. Co-Hosted by Lezli Goodwin, Kimjera Whittington and Sonia Byrne, Sexy Spirituality is fast-paced and stuffed full of relevant goodness. No more separating your spiritual life from the rest of your life. This is Real Spirituality for the Modern World.

Sexy Spirituality: Recent Episodes

Lezli Goodwin