Big Impact Women: Recent Episodes
Frances Lacuesta
This podcast is about empowering high-potential global women to explore what it’s like to live life on purpose, to discover their unique gifts, and be a contribution to the world. Featuring conversations with courageous women thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers who are breaking-through their inner barriers and overcoming adversities. We’ll also talk about how they’re making an impact with their work, navigating through the challenges and struggles they face in their lives, and the lessons they learn from these experiences.
In this episode of Finding Home, I speak to a familiar pain many women carry: the feeling of not being enough. It shows up in the moments we stay silent, tolerate dynamics that diminish us, or slowly forget our own worth.
This episode is part of the Dear Love Chronicles, a series of letters written from Love’s perspective. Through this letter, Love offers a reminder for those moments when self-doubt takes over: your worth has never been up for debate. You don’t need to earn it, prove it, or measure yourself against anyone else.
If you’ve been questioning your value, feeling behind, or struggling to see yourself clearly, may this letter from Love meet you gently and remind you of what has always been true: you are already enough, just as you are.
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In this episode, Frances shares a spoken poem exploring what love has meant for her across a lifetime.
A meditation on loving deeply, letting go, and discovering that even after all we’ve lived through, love remains a mystery we are always learning.
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
This episode is part of the Dear Love Chronicles, a series of short letters I’m writing from Love’s perspective.
This episode was born from my own tendency to worry, to think ahead, to hold responsibility for the people I love, and to feel the weight of what might come next. If you’re someone who cares deeply, who overthinks because your heart is wide open, this letter is for you.
It’s a reminder to trust a little more and to come back to this moment.
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
A spoken reading of I Come From, a poem about lineage, land, faith, longing, and the invisible stories we carry in our bodies.
An invitation to listen, remember, and come home to yourself.
Read the poem here: https://franceslacuesta.substack.com/p/i-come-from
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
When someone dear asked me, “Why do we have to go through such hard things?”, it opened the door to a quiet reflection — one I hope brings you comfort too.
I share four gentle anchors to hold onto when life feels overwhelming:
- You can do hard things
- Suffering is part of being human
- The obstacle is the way
- Meaning emerges slowly
💛 Take what you need. Leave what doesn’t serve. And may this episode offer a bit of light for your journey.
If it resonated, share it with someone who might need it too.
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In a world filled with noise, negativity, and constant overwhelm, how do we make space for joy, wonder, and the quiet goodness still around us?
In this episode, I explore the deeply human experience of forgetting and remembering the beauty of being alive. From our innate negativity bias to the transformative power of awe, we reflect on how to stay open-hearted even when the world feels heavy.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected or dulled by life’s demands, this is an invitation to return to what matters.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why our brains are wired to notice what’s wrong and how to shift toward what’s right
- How nature can help rekindle creativity, calm, and connection
- What aesthetic chills are and how awe can expand your sense of the sacred
- Why celebrating small daily victories can actually build resilience
- a lovingkindness practice to stay inspired and soften your view of others (and yourself).
📩 Let’s Connect
What’s one small thing you’re celebrating today?
I'd love to hear from you. Connect with me via the links below.
And if this episode offered you something meaningful, consider forwarding it to a friend who might need a lift today.
Send a text
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.franceslacuesta.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @frances.lacuesta
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Send us a text
A reflection on nervous system care, creative grounding, and daily hope.
In this episode of Notes from the Tenderverse, Frances invites us to gently slow down and take a breath in the midst of a chaotic world. With everything happening around us, from global crises to personal challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and helpless.
But there are ways to stay rooted, to tend to our inner world, and to stay resilient without falling apart.
This episode offers four compassionate, research-informed anchors to help you reclaim your calm, creativity, and sense of connection even when the world feels like too much.
⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening and welcome
01:05 – When the world feels overwhelming
03:40 – Guiding Anchor 1: Create More Than You Consume
08:10 – Guiding Anchor 2: Learn to Self-Regulate
14:25 – Guiding Anchor 3: Move Your Body
18:36 – Guiding Anchor 4: Stay Close to Life-Giving Communities
24:00 – Recap of all 4 anchors
25:45 – Guided Practice: How to Self-Soothe
28:45 – Closing invitation & reflection
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
Send us a text
A reflection on transitions, inner seasons, and learning to soften into change.
In this episode, Frances speaks to the ever-moving nature of life and on how change can feel both disorienting and full of wisdom. Whether you're in the middle of a shift, an ending, or a beginning, this episode invites you to meet it with curiosity and care.
Timestamps: (10.5 minute listen)
00:00 – Opening & warm welcome
00:40 – Reflecting on change as life’s constant
01:25 – Personal transitions: witnessing life’s seasons
02:45 – Three Guiding Anchors:
02:45 – 1. Savor the Ordinary
05:50 – 2. Acceptance is Key
07:05 – 3. Letting Go is a Sacred Act
08:30 – A quiet reminder: you are allowed to evolve
09:45 – Closing reflection & invitation to trust your unfolding
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
Send us a text
Runtime: ~12 minutes
In this episode, Frances shares a reflection sparked by a question: What future are you standing for? From shifting ambitions in midlife to collective dreams rooted in compassion, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and imagine again.
With three guiding anchors and a grounding practice, Frances helps you explore how to align your evolving self with an evolving dream, not just for your own life, but for the world we’re all part of.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening & welcome
01:20 – The spiral of returning: changing dreams in midlife
04:30 – Anchor 1: Let Your Evolving Self Shape an Evolving Dream (Crystalline Power)
07:10 – Anchor 2: Root Your Dream in Purpose and Live It as a Practice (Intention & Embodiment)
09:30 – Anchor 3: Let Your Dream Be Big Enough to Include Others (Collective Vision & Hope)
11:30 – Practice: Intention-Setting – What Future Are You Standing For?
13:45 – Closing reflection & invitation to share
Guiding Anchors from this Episode:
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Let Your Evolving Self Shape an Evolving Dream Tap into your crystallized intelligence or insight shaped by life experience and create from the values that matter most now.
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Root Your Dream in Purpose and Live It as a Practice Set intentions that rise from love and clarity, not pressure or fear. Let them take form in the way you move through the world.
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Let Your Dream Be Big Enough to Include Others The most powerful dreams are collective. Imagine futures not only for yourself, but for your communities and the world.
Mentioned
• Arthur Brooks – From Strength to Strength
• Dr. James Doty – Into the Magic Shop, Mind Magic
• Concepts: Crystallized intelligence, intention-setting, manifestation grounded in neuroscience
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
Send us a text
A reminder that all of you belongs.
In this episode, Frances returns to an earlier reflection — There’s a Universe Inside You — weaving together poetry, science, and gentle wonder to remind us that we are vast, luminous beings.
Inspired by a line from Walt Whitman and a moment from the film The Life of Chuck, Frances invites you into a reflection on the spiral of returning and the beauty of containing multitudes.
⏱ Timestamps: (8-minute listen)
- 00:00 – Opening & warm welcome
- 00:38 – Revisiting an old reflection: There’s a Universe Inside You
- 01:18 – Inspiration from The Life of Chuck and Whitman’s “I contain multitudes”
- 02:00 – The spiral of returning: seeing with new eyes
- 02:34 – Three Inner Truths:
- 02:45 – 1. You Are an Enigma
- 03:40 – 2. You Are Not Alone
- 04:36 – 3. You Have a Radiant Inner Light
- 05:45 – Guided Practice
- 07:02 – Closing reflection & invitation to connect
Mentioned:
Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
The Life of Chuck (film)
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
Send us a text
Welcome to Notes from the Tenderverse. This is a gentle reimagining of my podcast space. I’m Frances Lacuesta, and I’m so glad you’re here.
In this episode, I share why I’m choosing to begin again, and what inspired the name “Notes From The Tenderverse” — a space to explore the soft, spiraling journey of being human. Together, we’ll step into a slower, simpler rhythm of short, reflective voice-notes from my heart to yours.
This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and begin again.
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
Send us a text
In this episode, I speak from a personal place — as an immigrant, as a woman, as someone who holds space for healing. I speak of what freedom has meant to me, and how it's being tested in these times. But I also speak of hope. Of resilience. Of the ways we can still choose to hold light, even in the dark.
If your heart is heavy this week, this is for you.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Connect With Frances:
- Website: www.flourishingmindsco.com
- Substack: franceslacuesta.substack.com
- Instagram: @flourishingmindsco
In this episode, I spoke with my friend and fellow coach, Bonnie Hutchinson, to discuss the power of compassion
We talked about:
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The meaning of compassion.
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The difference between compassion and empathy.
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How to practice self-compassion.
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Compassion in action.
Bonnie also shared a simple practice for nurturing our inner child during difficult and challenging moments.
Resources mentioned:
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Impossible Compassion by Edward Mannix
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Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, PhD
-
Lovingkindness Meditation by Sharon Salzberg
Learn more about Bonnie’s work:
www.bonniehutchinson.com
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
I spoke with Positive Psychology Practitioner and Life Coach Kaylee Bronkhorst in this episode.
After a stint as a professional yachting crew member, she immersed herself in studying positive psychology. She fell in love with the concepts and its potential to transform lives.
The tools and practices helped her build resilience and overcome challenging times. She founded Beyond Content, her life coaching practice, so she could share the power of positive psychology with others.
Tune in to the episode to hear:
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How to build a new habit by journalling for only a few minutes a day.
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The importance of turning simple chores into the practice of self-care.
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Learning to train the brain to scan for the positive experiences without ignoring the negative.
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Applying the hour of power before bedtime and after waking up in the morning.
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Noticing negative self-talk and re-framing it.
Buy the journal on Amazon.
Visit Kaylee’s website.
Link to the blog.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Being a creative is not easy.
We often celebrate the finished products—a published book, a polished song, or a captivating film—but rarely acknowledge the effort and emotional rollercoaster accompanying them.
Navigating this turbulent phase—the messy middle—is like a caterpillar transforming into a chrysalis. Not everyone emerges as a butterfly; some falter under self-doubt, while some lack the stamina to endure the creative process.
How, then, as a creative, can you handle the messy middle?
In this episode, I share five tips on how to deal with the messy and imperfect creative journey.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
For those consumed by worry, lean on to the wise and loving part of you.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Inspired by Chara Caruthers’ post on self-renewal, here are four ways to revisit, renew, and re-commit to your intentions.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Resources Mentioned:
The Two Wolves Story
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In today's episode, I delve into a personal journey of discovering the true meaning of "rooting." Join me as I share how this journey has transformed my perspective on stability and inner strength, offering insights into the profound impact of rooting in our lives.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
I hear the expression "There's always something" a lot these days. An example is when your day is going well, and something unpleasant happens.
The expression has a negative connotation. So, how can we put a positive spin on it without bypassing the emotions that come with the experience?
In this episode, I share three keys to dealing with situations when life doesn't go as planned.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
During a global pandemic that left many of us isolated and uncertain, one television show emerged as a source of joy and inspiration for me: RuPaul's Drag Race. It wasn't just a show; it became a lifeline—a source of laughter, creativity, and profound life lessons.
In this episode, I shared five lessons I learned from the drag race queens.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In this episode, I talked about my fascination with space exploration, which was sparked by documentaries like PBS's Nova and Netflix's series on the James Webb Space Telescope.
The thought that we are made of the same elements as stars and interconnected with each other excites me to the core.
I shared three takeaways on exploring the universe within each of us.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Resources Mentioned:
PBS's Nova series
James Webb Space Telescope
Euclid Space Telescope
Unknown Cosmic Time Machine- Netflix documentary series
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In this episode, we delve into the tender realities of navigating life's challenges, especially when they happen at the same time. Join me as I share personal reflections and practical insights on finding resilience and solace during difficult times.
An invitation:
I'm holding a free listening circle for women. We'll witness our own experiences through writing, listening, and speaking. I'd love for you to join me. Let's make tough times a bit lighter. Save the date: July 9th.
Connect with Frances:
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
It’s been a while since I last recorded an episode, but I am now ready and eager to start this new chapter with some changes.
Have a listen, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey of transformation with you.
Connect with Frances:
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In this episode, we explore the topic of empathy and how it can be developed as a skill. We examine how we can become more empathetic towards those with whom we disagree and discuss some helpful practices that can assist in building empathy.
My conversation with Leadership Coach Misha Safran provides an in-depth look into the fascinating subject of empathy and how mastering it can enhance our relationships with others and improve our lives.
About Misha:
Misha Safran is the founder and CEO of the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence (CEEQ). She is a trilingual ICF professional certified coach, an international speaker, and an award-winning Leadership Trainer.
She is also the author of a Teacher's Companion, How to Center Empathy and Emotional Well-Being for Yourself and Your Students. She is a single mother of three adult children. She also identifies as queer and is a multi-passionate creative who is fully expressing herself to the world with her multitude of gifts.
Connect with Misha:
Website: www.ceeq.org
Buy her book A Teacher's Companion: How to Center Empathy & Emotional Well-Being for Yourself and Your Students HERE.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Where do you begin in letting go of these unresolved and festering resentments? In this episode, I shared a process to release them, so you can liberate yourself and allow more peace and joy into your life.
Music: Thoughts Unfolding on a Guitar- Kurtis Parks
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Are you struggling with feelings of bitterness and anger towards someone, making it difficult for you to let go of those resentments?
In this episode, we talked about resentments - its meaning and the importance of releasing oneself from them.
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Have you ever noticed how some individuals uplift and motivate you, while others make you feel uneasy and down? This is all connected to the energy we emit.
In this episode, I delve into the influence of human energy, specifically the vibes or presence that we project to those around us.
Mentioned in the podcast:
Jill Bolte-Taylor Ted Talk
Music: Empyreal Glow- Leaves
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Do you want to know how to build inclusive environments and understand the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?
Are you interested in becoming an inclusive leader but don't know where to start?
In this episode, I spoke with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging expert Cecilia Mzvondiwa. We explored the topic of inclusive leadership and how we can foster a sense of belonging for ourselves and those around us.
About Cecilia:
Cecilia Mzvondiwa was born and raised in Gweru, Zimbabwe, and moved to Canada in 2001. She’s a family and immigration lawyer, a certified executive coach, and the CEO and founder of Global People First, a consultancy business focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equity. She’s a speaker, trainer, and author of Beyond Tokenism. Embrace a Sense of Belonging and Stand Out as an Inclusive Leader.
With over 15 years of working with vulnerable groups and advocating for minorities, Cecilia is passionate about a world where every human being will be treated fairly on the basis of being human. She has a diverse educational background, from Philosophy and Theology to Human Security and Law.
Connect with Cecilia:
Website: www.globalpeoplefirst.com
Buy her book Beyond Tokenism HERE.
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
How many times have you held yourself back from pursuing your dreams because you felt you weren't good enough? How often have you battled the relentless voice in your head that constantly tells you it's never perfect, never worthy?
In this episode, we'll discover how we can break free from the grips of perfectionism, embrace our flaws, and confidently present ourselves to the world.
Music: We Will Get There- Dreamland
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Find the full transcript on the website: https://www.bigimpactwomen.com/the-imaginal-life
Connect with Frances:
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Finding a balance between living in the present moment and pursuing your dreams can be a challenge. How can you manage to do both without sacrificing one for the other?
In this episode, I explored the difference between striving and surrendering and what it’s like to strive with intention.
Music: Morning Flight- Brentwood
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
I share my own struggles as an introvert, but most of all, this is an invitation for you to look at what you consider as flaws and turn them into strengths.
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
I've adopted a valuable philosophy from one of my all-time favorite movies, Begin Again, directed by John Carney.
This simple phrase, This Moment is a Pearl, has profoundly transformed my perspective on life's ordinary, messy, and imperfect moments.
I now apply it in my daily life, and I invite you to join me on this journey of appreciating life's little pearls.
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Learn about the motivation behind the podcast rebrand. I'll be discussing the importance of unlocking our full potential and acknowledging our innate brilliance.
While transformation can be challenging, finding happiness in each step of the journey is essential.
Thank you for listening to the Imaginal Life podcast!
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Erin brings us deep within our bodies in this short but powerful meditation. She provides us with a safe container to hold space for the parts of us that need our love and attention.
This meditation is part of the episode, “Listening to the Wisdom of the Body.” Listen to the conversation here.
Erin Pace is a somatic therapist, embodiment guide, intuitive body reader, soul coach, and meditation facilitator. In these times of anxiety, Erin's work is vital in helping women feel comfortable in their own bodies and expressing themselves fully through movement and bodywork.
Know more about her at https://www.erinpace.com/
Music: Open to Receive by Outside the Sky
Dear friend, thank you for listening to Big Impact Women. If you love listening to the podcast, please consider supporting it by making a donation. Your support will help keep the podcast going. That being said, no matter what, you’re welcome here! You’re valid, you’re worth it. Thank you for dropping by!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
Taking a conscious journey through intentional breath, movement, energy, and sound can be a powerful way to foster personal growth. This full-bodied experience can help you become more present and mindful of your environment, enabling you to make the most of each moment. By intuiting and using these tools, we can create an intentional adventure that helps open up space for self-reflection and presence. This is an opportunity to thrive in every aspect of your life.
Erin Pace joins us in this episode to share more about her method, the Responsive Body Practice. Learning to listen to the wisdom of the body can help us become aware of our inner selves and move into a more meaningful life. It’s a practice that helps us connect with our physical and emotional states, allowing us to deepen our inward journey. Through this practice, we can release our old patterns and habits to welcome new possibilities. Responsive body practice offers an opportunity to transform how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.
Erin Pace is a somatic therapist, embodiment guide, intuitive body reader, soul coach, and meditation facilitator. In these times of anxiety, Erin's work is vital in helping women feel comfortable in their own bodies and expressing themselves fully through movement and bodywork. Erin developed the responsive body practice to gracefully access and integrate mind-body energy and spirit for healing and sacred wholeness. Her warm, soothing voice feels like an embrace and her presence is palpable. Working with Erin is a gift and one that needs to be experienced.
Key Highlights from the Show
[00:00] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Erin Pace
[03:14] Erin’s backstory and how she got into somatic work.
[07:40] How do we integrate our minds and bodies into what we do?
[12:43] Knowing what women carry in their bodies and how it is manifested
[14:48] Getting into the right relationships with our bodies
[15:24] How you can become A.L.I.V.E
[22:33] Always check if you are present for the moment
[30:30] How women can create safety within themselves despite the external circumstances.
[40:37] Erin talks about the Responsive Body Practice.
[48:42] Erin’s experience with grief, what she learned, and some tools she used to navigate through it.
[56:55] Golden key takeaways from the guest
[58:07] A quick guided meditation to end the show
[01:07:38] Ending the show
Notable Quotes
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Though there are similarities in how we approach things in life, our bodies are unique, and they will exhibit different behaviors.
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Each person has their way of keeping promises to themselves to build self-trust or move through fear and create safe conditions.
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Responsiveness is practicing how we respond to ourselves first and to the information available within us.
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Though embracing the nervous system calibrators would be recommended for creating immediate safety in the body, practicing your own experience of self-trust is the best way.
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Responsive Body Practice is a practice of deep listening and explorative movement that informs responding in life from a place of pure love.
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Embrace your purpose and serve it to the world with joy. Not everybody has that privilege.
Stay Connected
Erin Pace
Website:
https://www.erinpace.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/erin.pace/
Renew Oracle Deck: https://www.erinpace.com/oracle-deck
About The Show
Thank you for listening to BIG IMPACT WOMEN!
This podcast explores what it's like to live life on purpose, discover our unique gifts, and be a contribution to the world.
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. We appreciate you. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the goods on the show!
Connect with Frances and learn more at:
https://www.bigimpactwomen.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
“A Meditation on Emotional Connection” is a poem written and read by Cherise Adjodha. This poem is from her book, Things I Would Have Told My Children If I Had Them. This is also featured in the episode, How to Build Authentic Connections.
Cherise Adjodha is a Human Development practitioner for 24 years. She has worked with the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, and Oxfam Canada.
She is building on her work through the application of advanced systems thinking and applied positive psychology.
Know more about her at https://www.cherise.life/
Music: First Snow by Shimmer
Dear friend, thank you for listening to Big Impact Women. If you love listening to the podcast, please consider supporting it by making a donation. Your support will help keep the podcast going. That being said, no matter what, you’re welcome here! You’re valid, you’re worth it. Thank you for dropping by!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
How do we live in authentic relationships with each other? Everything begins from within, and whether it’s love, connection, authenticity, or trust, we have to start with ourselves. Connecting with ourselves first, being non-judgmental, respecting ourselves and others, and identifying our imbalances will help us pay attention to how we connect and disconnect with people.
Our inner world, that whole life inside of us, is special. We’re the only ones who experience it, but it impacts how we show up in every area of our lives and can make our lives pure magic. Understanding our inner selves and what we need will help us change the outcome and build authentic connections.
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Cherise Adjodha, a Human Development practitioner for 24 years. She has worked with the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, and Oxfam Canada. Cherise recently wrote a book, Things I Would Have Told My Children If I Had Them: An Adult's Guide To Living In Connection. In the book, she beautifully shares stories from her life and the wisdom she has gained from her experiences throughout the years.
In this conversation, we dove deep into her writings and the philosophies she held true and wanted to share with others to transform lives and make a difference.
During this episode, you will learn about:
[00:00] Intro and a bit about our guest, Cherise Adjodha
[02:16] Cherise’s book and what inspired her to write it
[09:57] How reading opened up the world for Cherise
[14:43] How Cherise and her father shared a bond through music
[20:33] “Mono no aware” how Cherise embodies this philosophy in life
[25:45] Trusting your inner child to pick up the beauty in life and pocket it for you
[31:22] Evoking the unconditional and unreasoned love within us
[38:56] Cherise’s struggles and process of finding her purpose
[49:04] How to live in authentic connections with others at all times.
[55:40] How to live in connection with oneself and others.
[59:01] Don’t make it personal— what it means and getting past it
[01:04:27] Golden takeaways for the listeners from Cherise
[01:08:15] A meditation on emotional connection
[01:09:22] Ending the show
Notable Quotes
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Your mind is very flexible, and reading engages it, satisfies curiosity, and indulges your imagination when immersed in a story or idea.
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We have the opportunity to savor peculiar moments, even after they’ve passed. They’re somewhere inside our bodies, and we’ll remember and see them once we start paying attention.
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No one ever needs permission to love. Therefore, there is never a reason never to love anyone.
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Love is something that unfolds from within; you can allow the unfolding any time you want, but you cannot love anyone if you don’t love yourself.
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Your purpose is what you bring, but it is also about how you’re oriented in your life's journey.
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Respect where people are. It’s not always about you, and don’t make it personal.
Connect With Cherise Adjodha
Website: https://www.cherise.life/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit franceslacuesta.substack.com
In this episode, Frances and Reverend Jennifer Cormier talked about how to navigate through grief and loss in life.
Jennifer believes that when we shift our perspective, include our bodies in our grieving process, and see grief as a creative collaborator in our lives, we open the door to healing and peace.
Show Notes:
Grief in Perspective: Grief as woven in with the celebration. It's like living a life that has a full range. (00:47)
Grief Work: How helping other people move through, through really big losses in life and getting to the other side and find peace and connection, and start living again as well. (05:34)
Definition of Grief: It is a transformational healing process. It is an opportunity to do some of the deepest healing work of my life. (07:08)
Grief is a Journey: It is a journey that we can walk through all of the cycles and all the seasons internally and externally, to really live a richer life. (08:07)
Quotes:
Grief really gave me an opportunity to do some of the deepest healing work of my life. And now I see grief as more of a container, like a big basket or a big tapestry. (07:15)
A beautiful life, just like a really beautifully done photograph has all of the different gradations in between. And I think it's really about living well is about grieving well, celebrating well, and experiencing the peaceful neutral moments in between. (13:21)
It's so important to allow the body to do what it naturally wants to do, and not to push it to be neutral or to do the opposite. (27:46)
Lead with your heart, lead with your whole body, and slow down and see what happens. (47:54)
In this episode, Frances and Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon talked about the Gift of Resilience.
QUOTES:
"We all want to just belong. We want to be fulfilled, we want to find joy as we are and for who we are." (00:53)
"Our life is what inspires us to lean into the service that we give." (02:48)
"When your child is holding on to life by a thread, the energy has to go into making that child hold on stronger." (07:12)
"How raising a child with special needs requires so much time, energy, and resources, but these challenges will only make your family closer and stronger." (17:51)
"When negative experiences of the past come to mind, be gentle with yourself. Those negative emotions can be used for learning and future experiences -- no matter how painful they are." (29:28)
"That realization that you don't have to compare yourself to somebody else." (33:50)
Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a storyteller and educator who believes that we each have a powerful purpose that should guide our lives. As one of her children is brain-injured and bedridden, Marcia and her family have traversed significant challenges.
She is passionate about helping people cope with adversity and thrive despite overwhelm, feel more connected, gain visibility, access and support, and tap into their resilience. Her book, Lighting the Path, focuses on these issues and on sharing special needs experiences to boost inclusion and reduce isolation of special needs families.
Find her book for Special Needs Parents:
https://books2read.com/lightingthepath
Access podcast episodes, training content and more:
www.MarciaNB.com/biolink
In this episode, Frances and Colleen Robinson talked about fostering a relationship with Nature. Colleen shares in this conversation that if we want to truly bring ourselves into harmony with the natural world, we must return to seeing humans as part of it.
SHOW NOTES:
"The expansion of compassion is natural and automatic." (00:48)
Colleen recalls the first memory she had with nature that made her realize a strong desire to help people create a deep connection with nature." (02:43)
"That deep gratitude for what nature has given us". (05:56)
"Watching the sunrise or watching the sunsets, these are some of the moments that perhaps some people do not even have the opportunity to experience. (11:44)
The relationship between people and the rest of nature, how we are connected to the natural world. (18:22)
The way Colleen healed from an injury, and the way she coped with stress and difficulty in life by being one with nature. (20:12)
Colleen Robinson has dedicated her life to helping people recognize and acknowledge their own connections to the natural world. Trained as an environmental educator, Wisconsin Master Naturalist Instructor and course developer, and environmental communications manager for several organizations and agencies, she is most excited about her newest effort, Nature's Good Company, LLC.
Colleen feels that engaging in Mindful Outdoor Experiences is one of the most important personal wellness, environmental sustainability, and social justice actions we can each take today. Certified as Mindful Outdoor Guide, this work is fulfilling what Colleen has always felt was a "missing piece" in how people are encouraged to interact in nature and in community.
Learn more about her work: http://www.naturesgoodcompany.com
In this episode, Frances and Christine talk about the “heart space", a concept of following your heart's path with a mission to be a living example and creating a nurturing space for others on their journey of self-discovery and transition.
Christine also articulates that living in the heart space means realizing that relational things do not depend too much on the rational and logical side of things but also on feeling and sensing.
They also talk about Christine's experience moving to Canada and living there as a first generation immigrant from Indonesia.
Quotes:
“Just trust, trusting in the emergence of things, and it releases us from suffering. It releases us from mystery. Because when we trust, it allows us to have that space.” (43:13)
“For me, the understanding of heart space is a gentle holding space where all feelings, thoughts, and sensations are welcome. So it is a space where we can have a loving relationship with our complexities and contradictions.” (44:42)
Christine Samuel is a curious explorer who finds delight in experiencing the unknown and sharing her ever-growing understanding of living from the heart space. She left her 20 years of a corporate career to follow her heart path with a mission to be a living example and create a nurturing space for others in their journey of self discovery and transition through coaching, inner work training, and facilitation.
Learn more about her at https://www.innerworkmatters.com/