Thomas lost his brother to suicide in 2001. After a decade of grief, uncertainty, and confusion, he decided he needed to change. In 2012, along with a friend who had also lost a brother to suicide, he set out on a cross-country bicycle tour for suicide awareness and the healing power of art. They started on the northern edge of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and ended in Wappinger's Falls, New York, at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, the art retreat center of artist, Alex and Allyson Grey. After his return, he spent three years as a group facilitator for a local mental health facility, helping others who have lost loved ones to suicide. In 2015, he launched a podcast called Inner Monologue, a conversational interview show where others shared their journies of trials and tribulations. Recently, he published his book 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey, which tells the tale of my cross-country adventure.

Connect: www.risephoenix.org

Episode 97: Creating Our Own Emotional Capacity in Hopes of Connecting in a New Way

Hosts: Melissa McHugh & Sydney Decker
Warning: This episode contains explicit language.

In this episode, Melissa and Sydney dive into a range of topics centered around emotional capacity, personal growth, and the challenges we face in today’s fast-paced society. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted yet relatable story of Sydney's stolen coffee, setting the tone for an exploration of how we move through everyday frustrations.

The hosts then transition into a discussion about Paul Quinton, creator of The Alignment Modality, and his work in ancestral healing and shadow work. They highlight how his methods encourage a deeper dive into self-awareness and personal transformation.

A major theme in this episode is the importance of levels of awareness. Melissa and Sydney talk about how we are being asked to look deeper within ourselves, recognizing the shifts and darker aspects of both our inner and outer worlds. They emphasize the importance of living from within, particularly from the sacral chakra, and finding balance as we move into the heart space with healthy empowerment.

Sydney shares insights from a recent women’s weekend, where she observed how many of us are individually struggling. She underscores the importance of community—especially for women—in overcoming overwhelm and fear imposed by societal pressures. Together, they discuss how women can support each other in tribal, group settings to feel seen, heard, and uplifted.

The episode also touches on the dynamic between masculine and feminine energies, pointing out how societal structures set both men and women up for failure in relationships. The hosts reflect on what women truly need in order to show up fully in intimate and sexual relationships: to be seen, heard, and safe.

Wrapping up, Melissa and Sydney offer profound reflections on the necessity of creating emotional capacity within ourselves. They encourage slowing down, tuning into our bodies, and making space for emotions as a pathway to healing and deeper connection.

Listen now to explore how you can begin creating your own emotional capacity to show up in relationships in a healthier, more connected way.

This episode is filled with wisdom on self-awareness, emotional health, and how we can grow both individually and in community. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com

Check Out Her Book: Cleanse Your Energy Book

Check Out Her Journal: Cleanse Your Energy Journal

Episode 96: A Conversation with Spiritual Eclectics & Podcasters Natalie & Stephanie from Immersive Spirit

In this episode, Melissa and Sydney are joined by Natalie and Stephanie, the dynamic sisters behind the High Heels to Happy Feels podcast. From a young age, Natalie and Stephanie displayed extraordinary psychic abilities, often experiencing prophetic dreams that shaped their spiritual journey. They embraced a wide array of spiritual traditions—including Wicca, indigenous wisdom, Buddhism, and contemporary spiritual thought—carving out a unique path as spiritual eclectics. Their journey emphasizes unity, interconnectedness, and personal growth, reaching far beyond the boundaries of organized religion.

Together, the sisters have developed their psychic and mediumship abilities and embarked on a multifaceted adventure as facilitators of healing and spiritual educators. They offer a wide variety of services, including investigating hauntings, helping spirits cross over, and providing tarot card and psychic readings. Their work extends to intuitive coaching and sharing the healing energy of Reiki, all done in collaboration with their spirit teams. Natalie and Stephanie continue to deepen their spiritual expertise while empowering others to do the same.

Key highlights of this episode include:

• The story behind the name "Immersive Spirit" and its significance to Natalie and Stephanie.
• Insights into what it's like working alongside a family member in the spiritual field.
• Their transition from corporate America into spiritual work.
• What it's like to see and interact with those who have crossed over.
• Sydney dives into the astrological aspects influencing the current energy and gives a mini astrological reading.

Tune in to hear an enlightening conversation that explores the mysteries of the unseen, spiritual growth, and the unique journey of two remarkable sisters.

Connect with Immersive Spirit at: immersivespirit.com

The High Heels To Happy Feels Podcast: