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:

In Episode 95 we talk about the opening of Sydney's new Yoga Space, Sacred Space Yoga. Her vision of the space and how she had to shift things internally in order to manifest it.

About how we can support one another moving forward as we open our hearts and show up authentically.

Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com

Episode 94: Bringing The Light Into The Story of Dying with Tynan Grierson

Overview: In this episode, we welcome Tynan Grierson, the founder of The Story Ark. Tynan shares his journey from launching a service to record the stories of loved ones and finding himself becoming a grief counselor, guide, coach, and confidant. He discusses the powerful role storytelling plays in how we process and understand death, and how Western culture’s discomfort with death affects us all. Tynan’s personal experience of nursing his father through his final days deeply informs this conversation.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Story Ark: Tynan launched The Story Ark just before the pandemic to capture the voices and stories of loved ones. His work evolved into guiding others through grief, helping them embrace their stories as part of their legacy.
• Western Culture and Death: The group explores how Western society tends to distance itself from death and aging, often placing elders in homes to avoid the reality of mortality.
• Emotional Capacity: Sydney highlights the struggle some people have with holding space for others during grief, leading to a sealing off of emotions and, ultimately, despair.
• Personal Stories of Loss: Tynan shares his experience of caring for his father through his illness and death, and the expectations placed on him to manage others’ emotions during this time.
• Cultural Perspectives on Death: They discuss how cultures like India’s have communal rituals that prepare people for death, contrasting with Western society’s lack of preparation.
• Melissa’s Experience: Melissa recounts the shock of discovering her mother and brother after they had died, and the impact of being unprepared for such events.
• Kundalini Yoga and Death: Sydney shares her experiences with Kundalini Yoga’s practices of “dying consciously” and rebirthing, which helped her develop a nurturing relationship with death.
• Grief and Storytelling: Tynan offers insights on moving through grief, emphasizing that it’s okay to let the process unfold naturally. He encourages everyone to share their stories, as every life holds wisdom and value.

Call to Action: To learn more about The Story Ark and how you can preserve the stories of your loved ones, visit www.thestoryark.ca.

Hosts: Melissa McHugh & Sydney Decker
Podcast: The Goddess & The Medicine Woman In this episode, Melissa and Sydney dive deep into the subject of negativity, exploring how our minds often gravitate toward the worst-case scenario when faced with challenging situations. They discuss how, as adults, we are conditioned to prepare for the worst, a stark contrast to the innate sense of magic and wonder we possess as children.

Melissa opens up about her personal tendency to brace for the worst, highlighting how this mindset can become ingrained over time. The conversation touches on how control, particularly in parenting, often stems from fear, and how these belief systems are passed down, making negativity an easier default. They emphasize the impact of our surroundings, noting how being in the company of negative people can make it easier to adopt a negative outlook as a way to connect with others.

However, the episode also offers hope and practical guidance for shifting toward positivity. Sydney shares action steps from her own experiences that listeners can use to begin fostering a more positive mindset. She stresses the importance of being willing to feel and release emotions within the body, recognizing the interconnectedness of our radiant, emotional, physical, and mental bodies. Paying attention to all aspects of ourselves allows for more informed decisions in life.

Melissa discusses how she applies these processes with her EFT clients, especially those dealing with weight loss. She encourages connecting with the body rather than staying disconnected due to negative feelings about it.

The conversation expands to critique modern marketing systems that rely on negative messaging to sell products, exploiting buyers' traumas for profit.

Melissa and Sydney suggest that small energy shifts could lead to more positive and effective marketing strategies as well as shifting the energies of our systems in general.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the power of Yoga and meditation, emphasizing the importance of finding the right practice and teacher to truly connect with your Whole being. They encourage listeners to reclaim their power, heal themselves, and shift from a mindset of fear to one of love. By being in service of ourselves, rather than sacrificing ourselves, we can create a more fulfilling and positive life.

Key Takeaways:

• Our minds often default to negativity, but this can be shifted with conscious effort.
• Surroundings and upbringing play a significant role in how we perceive and respond to situations.
• It’s possible to learn from positive people by asking questions and getting curious.
• Feeling and releasing emotions in the body is crucial for overall well-being.
• Marketing systems often use negative energy, but small shifts can create more positive approaches.
• Yoga and meditation are powerful tools for connecting with your whole being.
• Shifting from fear to love is a journey of reclaiming personal power and healing.

Action Steps:

• Start by recognizing negative thoughts and questioning their validity.
• Surround yourself with positive influences and be mindful of your environment.
• Practice feeling emotions in your body and releasing them.
• Explore Yoga or meditation to find practices that resonate with you.
• Approach life with curiosity and a willingness to reclaim your power.

Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com

Connect with Melissa: thespiritualtools.com

Hosts: Melissa McHugh and Sydney Decker

In this profound episode, Melissa McHugh and Sydney Decker delve into the current energetic shifts on our planet and their implications for humanity. They emphasize the interconnectedness of all life, highlighting that humans are part of nature, not separate or in control of it.

1. Planetary Energies and Human Influence:

   • The planet is undergoing significant changes, influenced by the influx of light from the sun.
   • This light is prompting a call for humans to "enlighten" themselves, encouraging deep, transformative change.

2. Human Reactions to Energetic Shifts:

   • Many people are struggling, particularly those who aren't actively releasing trauma and emotions.
   • Unresolved pain can lead to external expressions of rage and hurt, impacting interactions with others.

3. Choosing Our Path:

   • We have two paths: react unconsciously or breathe and make conscious decisions.
   • Sydney passionately discusses the vision of a new world driven by open-heartedness and love rather than fear.

4. Inner Work and Personal Responsibility:

   • Emphasizes the need for inward reflection and taking responsibility for our own lives.
   • Encourages becoming independent thinkers rather than followers, and holding onto our own dreams and wishes.

5. Practical Steps for Transformation:

   • Advocates for introspection and experiencing our true feelings.
   • Differentiates between true peace and compliance, stressing the harm of compromising oneself for the sake of maintaining the status quo.

6. Epigenetics and Health:

   • Discussion on how our DNA, along with nurture and nature, shapes our cellular structure.
   • Highlights the average onset of gene expression related to diseases around age 57.
   • Stresses the importance of releasing trapped emotions to prevent physical ailments like heart disease and cancer.

• How can you incorporate more introspection and conscious decision-making into your daily life?
• What steps can you take to release trapped emotions and traumas?
• In what ways can you shift from a mindset of fear to one of love?

• Epigenetics Research

Stay tuned for the next episode where Melissa and Sydney will continue to explore profound topics to aid your journey of transformation and healing.

Connect with Sydney

Connect with Melissa

Episode 91: Remembering Our Profound Connection to Nature

Hosts: Melissa McHugh and Sydney Decker

Summary:

In this enlightening episode, Melissa and Sydney delve into the profound connection between humans and nature, ignited by Sydney’s remarkable encounter with a sparrow named Alan. They explore how we are awakening to the natural world and rediscovering the innate wisdom that resides within us.

Key Points:

1. Sydney’s Encounter with Alan:

   • Sydney shares a touching story about her interaction with a sparrow named Alan, highlighting the deep bond we can have with nature.

2. Reawakening to Natural Wisdom:

   • Discussion on how people are beginning to remember the ancient connections with nature and the knowledge that has been within us all along.

3. Historical Suppression of Knowledge:

   • Exploration of how ancient knowledge and divine wisdom were suppressed throughout history.
   • The subtle ways women had to operate due to safety concerns and how they are now making significant changes.

4. Women Empowerment:

   • Many women are now choosing to leave unhealthy marriages, become financially independent, and heal family lineages.

5. Evolution and Trust in the Process:

   • Insight into the slow evolution of the world and the importance of trusting the process.
   • Encouragement to stay neutral and hold space amidst fear.

6. Nature’s Intelligence:

   • Observations on how trees, birds, and salmon evolve for safety and survival, drawing parallels to human evolution.

7. Honoring Our Food Sources:

   • Acknowledgement of the living creatures that become our food and how to honor them, inspired by Native American practices.

8. From Consumers to Creators:

   • The necessity of shifting from being mere consumers to becoming creators.
   • Encouragement to look inward and navigate through human life with a deeper understanding and respect for nature.

Conclusion:

Melissa and Sydney wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature, honoring our food sources, and embracing our roles as creators. They encourage listeners to trust in the evolutionary process and hold space for positive change, without succumbing to fear.

Call to Action:

• Reflect on your own connection with nature and consider ways to honor it in your daily life.
• Explore the ways you can shift from being a consumer to a creator.
• Stay informed and empowered, and trust in the journey of personal and collective evolution.

Tune in next week as we continue to explore the intricate connections between our inner and outer worlds.

Connect with Sydney: innerelementwellness.com

Connect with Melissa: thespiritualtools.com