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Introduction to EpisodeWhat does it look like when someone who actually lives the consequences of policy decides to run for office? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melissa Bird — a social worker, mother, small business owner, and proud descendant of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes who is running for Congress in Oregon’s 4th District. We talk about the exact moment she knew she couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore, how lived experience shapes leadership, and why grassroots, community-rooted politics matter now more than ever. This conversation isn’t about polish or political theater. It’s about intuition, accountability, and what happens when everyday people decide to challenge systems that were never built for them — or for most of us. Podcast Episode SummaryIn this episode, Michelle Lasley sits down with Dr. Melissa Bird, a PhD-trained social worker, former policy strategist, and first-time congressional candidate, to explore what it truly means to run toward public service rather than away from it. Dr. Bird shares the deeply personal story behind her decision to run for Congress — from yelling at a virtual town hall while sitting on her couch, to receiving unmistakable intuitive nudges that it was her turn to step forward. Drawing on her experience as a lay preacher, wife of a veteran, and survivor of multiple broken systems, she explains why professional politicians often fail to represent the realities of working families, rural communities, veterans, Indigenous people, and those living at the intersections of identity and harm. Together, Michelle and Dr. Bird unpack big questions about democracy, closed primaries, institutional power, and what it looks like to build a people-powered campaign inside a deeply entrenched political system. They talk candidly about healthcare access, reproductive justice, land stewardship, rural economies, and why listening — really listening — has become a radical act in modern politics. This episode is an invitation to imagine a different kind of leadership: one rooted in lived experience, collective care, and the belief that democracy doesn’t have to crumble to evolve. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from politics but deeply impacted by it, this conversation is for you. Quotables“ … we were just talking in the campaign yesterday, like you can't just be against fascism. You have to be for something. And what I am for is introducing bills that help people survive in this economy.” “So it's not just about fighting policies that attack us. It's also about introducing bills and using the tools of Congress to consistently and constantly have a dialogue about where we want CD4 to be improving, using the rural New Deal as a framework to improve economies in rural areas, thinking about our, our farmers and our ranchers and the forests and how are we balancing, how are we not extracting from the land, but really creating bills and policies that nurture the land while we are still keeping industry going.” “I think that we need to bring our congressional leaders to the people so that the people know that they have access to their leaders.” “Progressives in politics keep saying We need more women. We need more people of color. We need more LGBTQ plus folks. // We need more people who are concerned about the environment and sustainability We need. We need, but not you, Missy Bird, because you. You don't quite fit.” “I am Native, I am bisexual. I am a woman. I am a Christian, and also a pagan. I am very deeply concerned about this planet and how we are caring for it.” Recommended ResourcesMelissa on [email protected] on BlueskyMelissa on IGa...

NotesUnveiling Cosmic Patterns: An Interview with Tam Veillieux In this episode, the host interviews Tam Veillieux, a visionary and publisher of the Energy Almanac, who discusses her passion for connecting astrology to personal development. Tam shares her journey as a transformational coach and astrology groupie, revealing how she started publishing the Energy Almanac. The conversation delves into the significance of astrology in understanding personal patterns, the integration of energy psychology techniques like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and the importance of recognizing cosmic signals. Tam emphasizes how astrology can provide insight into one's life purpose and psychological makeup, making transformation both fast and enjoyable. 00:00 Introduction to Tam Veillieux 00:44 The Energy Almanac: Behind the Scenes 02:42 Serendipitous Connections and Astrology 04:38 Astrology and Personal Patterns 08:46 Numerology and Personal Insights 10:13 A Nonlinear Path to Purpose 10:47 The Birth of the Energy Almanac 16:00 Making Transformation Fast and Fun 16:47 Permission to Let Go 17:49 Tools for Fast Change 18:18 Understanding EFT and Tapping 23:36 Exploring Astrology in Coaching 25:42 Astrology for Everyday Life 28:10 The Energy Almanac 32:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

NotesHealing through Art and Reiki with Lea K. Tawd In this episode, Michelle interviews Lea K. Tawd, an artist and Reiki master who has found her purpose in inspiring and healing through art and Reiki. Lea discusses her journey, how she integrates Reiki into her art, and the overarching impact of this practice. She also shares her experiences with creative blocks, her book 'Creativity Unstuck,' and the transformative potential of Reiki in healing and personal growth. Lea talks about her personal connection to the divine feminine and how it influences her artwork, providing insights into the unique power of combining spirituality and creativity. 00:00 Introduction to Lea K. Tawd 01:08 Understanding Reiki: Origins and Basics 05:50 Personal Journey with Reiki 08:57 Integrating Reiki with Art 16:05 Leah's Artistic Path and Challenges 24:40 Creativity Unstuck: Leah's Book 28:04 Exploring the Divine Feminine in Art 30:27 Conclusion and Contact Information Mentioned in this episode: Season 3 Introduction This is Season 3, where we discuss non-linear paths to finding your purpose. I interviewed over 35 people to hear their circuitous path to finding their purpose right now. Introduction This is Michelle Lasley. I call all of my work Balance Shared because I truly do believe we are better together. Conclusion This is Balance Shared by your host, Michelle Lasley. You can find more on the web at www.michellelasley.com. Michelle Lasley

In this episode, the host interviews Jillian Rothschild-Scholar, a classically trained Feng Shui expert with over a decade of experience. Jillian discusses how her purpose is to help people clear confusion over major life questions, enabling them to confidently move forward. She explains the principles of classical Feng Shui and shares her journey into the field. The discussion includes the intricacies of the Chinese New Year, including the differences between the lunar and solar calendars and their significance. Jillian delves into Chinese astrology, the importance of the 'four pillars of destiny,' and how these elements can guide individuals. Additionally, insights on what to expect in the year of the Water Tiger and practical Feng Shui tips for 2022 are provided. Jillian also shares her personal transformation story through Feng Shui, emphasizing the impact of environment on life success and well-being. 00:00 Introduction to Jillian Rothschild Scholar 01:06 Understanding the Chinese New Year 03:53 Jillian's Journey into Feng Shui 08:51 Exploring Chinese Astrology 15:17 Feng Shui Tips for 2022 31:48 Conclusion and Contact Information Mentioned in this episode: Conclusion This is Balance Shared by your host, Michelle Lasley. You can find more on the web at www.michellelasley.com. Michelle Lasley Introduction This is Michelle Lasley. I call all of my work Balance Shared because I truly do believe we are better together. Season 3 Introduction This is Season 3, where we discuss non-linear paths to finding your purpose. I interviewed over 35 people to hear their circuitous path to finding their purpose right now.

Creating a Better Future: Conversations, Values, and Voting In this episode, the speaker addresses an unintended scheduling mishap and pivots to an engaging discussion about current events and civic duties. They express curiosity about the upcoming election and emphasize the importance of community efforts in child care reform. The speaker advocates for a new, inclusive system free from racism, sexism, and classism. They discuss the significance of voting, understanding candidate alignments, and holding elected officials accountable. Reflecting on National Voter Registration Day, the speaker encourages listeners to verify their registration, have meaningful conversations, and actively participate in building a just society. 00:00 Introduction and Apology 00:31 Personal Update and Election Curiosity 00:37 Child Care Advocacy 00:58 Systemic Issues in Child Care 01:27 Voting and Values 02:17 National Voter Registration Day 02:31 Encouragement to Engage and Listen 03:13 Conclusion and Call to Action Use this link to register to vote: https://links.impactive.io/t/kpt5djrw?start=1

Reviving the Podcast: Unveiling Non-Linear Paths to Purpose Michelle Lasley recounts the origins of her podcast, which started just before the pandemic. The podcast delves into people's stories, highlighting their non-linear journeys to finding their purpose. Season three, airing after a three-year hiatus beginning September 25th, will focus on these circuitous paths. Future seasons, including an anticipated season on identity, are also hinted at. This episode previews content to prepare listeners for the 2022 Chinese New Year and promises insightful educational stories. 00:00 Introduction: The Birth of a Podcast 00:06 The Inspiration Behind the Podcast 00:14 Discovering the Power of Stories 00:25 The Focus on Non-Linear Paths 00:42 Season Three: Finding Your Purpose 00:48 Challenges and Delays 01:08 Season Four: Exploring Identity 01:17 Season Three Launch Announcement 01:23 Special Episode: 2022 Chinese New Year 01:35 Conclusion: Stay Tuned for More

Hi everyone! A note for this episode- due to some technical difficulties this episode ends rather abruptly. Introduction to EpisodeJeff Hahler & Bev Martin explain their reasons for being vegans as well as living a healthy life doing so. Podcast Episode SummaryJeff Hahler & Bev Martin both live their lives as vegans eschewing any products made from animals. They break down their path to veganism and reasoning both for personal and moral reasons ranging from the health benefits of focusing on a plant based diet as well as the ethical treatment of animals. Making sure they keep their values well in line with what they deem most important. They also take the time to explain how they are best able to navigate a meat-centric world with their diet choices, socializing with friends, and how best to make the most informed decisions. They lay out their well reasoned and practical approach with suggestions, methodologies, and humorous personal anecdotes. Quotables"I always believed that all people are equal... why are animals any different?" "The way that you want to eat is fine but the most important thing is to do research on what you are eating." Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Introduction to EpisodeSudeshna Sen discusses what to focus on to both grow your career while also connecting with what is important in your life. We dive into common pitfalls in moving forward in your profession, ways of thinking of women in (or not in) the workforce, and how to forge your own path. Podcast Episode SummarySudeshna Sen is a a career strategist and productivity geek who talks about careers, business, and everything in between. She runs a website and blog called The Abundance Psyche where she hopes to help people move forward in their high end careers. She talks about it from the spiritual angle but also thinks about it from the practical side. How to show up as leaders in our world, find our own truths, and find where our alignment is at it's best. She also organizes the Rise Up Cohort who works to help promote women in financial services and give them a stage during their shows. Quotables"[People with high power jobs] always care about being judged by other people who are scared of being judged." "When you feel like you're in alignment, that shows. It has so much positive energy around it. It's infectious. Just like negative energy is infectious. " Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Sudeshna Sen go to The Abundance Psyche. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter. As mentioned in the episode: Episode with Tiffany Chapman

Introduction to EpisodeMarina "The Trader Chick" Villatoro talks about how she built confidence and how she wants to share that confidence in day trading for anyone interested. Podcast Episode SummaryMarina "The Trader Chick" Villatoro is an entrepreneur, Ted X organizer, travel writer, professional day trader, and mother. She teaches beginners how to day trade and build their confidence in this complicated environment. She does this with courses on how to understand the ins and outs, what to trade, and why a strategy is important. She also discusses her move from the USSR to the United States and how that shaped her role as a mother and provider. How that helped her realize the importance of inclusivity, education, and providing a better life for her kids. Quotables"Would you ever, one day, decide you are going to be a pilot, watch a couple of videos on YT, and [...] tell your family 'let's hop into the plane'. [...] That's suicide [...] That's what you're doing when you go into the live market with your money." "If we don't fail how will we ever, ever learn?" Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Marina Villatoro go to her site at The Trader Chick. The TedX Antigua Green School Event. More about the event. Facebook Live with Michelle Lasley and Marina Villatoro. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Introduction to EpisodeCece Heart talk about building community and sharing hope in safeguarding our planet and becoming empowered, healthy, and happy denizens of our Earth. Podcast Episode SummaryCece Heart is an inspiration activator and health, wellness enthusiast, writer, and community catalyzer for a dynamic eco-tech company. She works to help others participate in safeguarding the planet with drinkable water, organic natural food, chemical-free breathable air, and empowered, happy, healthy people. The more she got involved in research and climate summits, the more she wanted to leave the planet better than she found it. She wants to help people down a healthy path in taking control of their surroundings with clarity and connection with getting in touch with nature. As a Community Catalyzer, she works with her company, SEEDS, to build community and change the old way of thinking about ecology and sustainability as it relates to the world of finance and business. Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Cece Heart and her work go to her website and blog. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Introduction to EpisodeMotherhood, Differently with Irene McKenna. In this episode, we sit down with Irene McKenna who is a parenting coach and founder of Irene McKenna Coaching. She aims her message towards moms ready to experience empowered motherhood. Podcast Episode SummaryIrene McKenna is an empowerment coach for moms, founder Irene McKenna LLC, the Empowered Mom Project, and organizes the Facebook community Thrive Motherhood all while being a mom herself. She uses her experience to help mothers not lose themselves in their roles of "mom". Helping mothers learn how to use their unique experiences to be the best mom they can be. Pulling from personal experience as well as the wealth of information available and being forgiving to yourself when it doesn't turn out how those books promised it would. She stresses the importance of moms showing up for themselves to be present for their family the way they are needed. Establishing a belief that moms deserve to be supported and the importance of self-care as a path to building a different kind of motherhood than the one we've been taught. Quotables"The way we get to something different [in motherhood], competently, is a long drawn-out process of implementation [of gathered knowledge]" "Stop focusing on the problems of what we don't have. We need to shift our mindset and outlook to what we desire in a way that we expect that it's inevitable if we do the work versus continuing to stand in the 'want want want' but seeing all the problems of why we don't get to have them." "When we believe and trust in ourselves we find the best way to get there for us." Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Irene McKenna go to Irene Mckenna Coaching, Thrive Motherhood Facebook community and her Thrive In Motherhood Podcast. For musings on motherhood, here are some writings from over the years. The Complicated Lives of Mothers and ChildrenSAHM to PSAHM to Not a SAHMThe Price of MotherhoodWrapping up the Price of Motherhood For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Introduction to EpisodeKaren Schopoff shows us how finding balance in all things is about creating boundaries, managing expectations, and recognizing and addressing stress. Podcast Episode SummaryKaren Schopoff Rooff is a health and fitness coach and nationally recognized public speaker, entrepreneur, wife, and mom of 3 kids. She is considered a Women's Wellness Warrior, founded Balance Personal Fitness, and runs the blog Well Balanced Women. We talk about creating balance between the most important aspects of our lives- from fitness to family to personal time. Using balance to even the load of our responsibility and level off the peaks and valleys. As well as setting boundaries and letting go of expectations to make sure we can free time for ourselves. We also touch on how modern life forces us out of sync with our physiology. How society's demands of delayed child rearing misaligns with hormonal changes in the body and how we can use those boundaries and managing expectations to address the "Life Laundry". Quotables"...if we don't have boundaries we are spending our lives... we're spending our energy, our vitality on what other people want." "One of the beautiful things of being human is we are all different. So, what I hate to do, someone else loves to do. If you can find that match, everybody wins." Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Karen Schopoff Rooff go to Well Balanced Women and Balance Physical Fitness Training. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Introduction to EpisodeMisha Bartlett dives into strategies and outlooks to build success as a female business leader or sales professional. Podcast Episode SummaryMisha Bartlett is an entrepreneur, certified coach, and founder of Misha Tamiko. She's spent 12 years in B2B tech and working with startups. Her focus is working with female-founded startup businesses and female sales professionals. Specifically, breaking down blockers and reaching sales goals. We discuss a range of struggles in the world of business and sales including what success should look like, managing trigger points, perceiving value, harnessing your energy for positive outcomes, and keeping a sense of humanity in your outlook. We also touch on strategies for building a mindset for success in the face of uncertainty. Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Misha Bartlett and her sales coaching go to mishatamiko.com. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.

Litha, Summer's Celebration. We have come off of May Day for those who ceremonially celebrate. Our school years have ended. We are now basking in the warmth of the sun, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. The grass is green. The promise of a harvest is on its way. It's summer! Celebrate the solstice by wearing pale yellow, blue, green, and/or white. Invite essentials such as Roman Chamomile, Lemon, Lavender, and Thyme into your diffuser. Consider rituals and prayers of gratitude and abundance.

Introduction to EpisodeKyira Wackett walks us through recognizing and naming trauma Informed Narrativesby referencing her own experiences and techniques. Podcast Episode SummaryKyira Wackett is a therapist and new (mother/parent). We talk about recognizing and naming trauma narratives and the shame-based thinking that comes with it. She frames this in her own experiences that include being a new mother in the middle of a pandemic. She discusses the effects of trauma on the body, the difference between big T and little t trauma, and techniques on being able to talk about, externalize, and make space for these traumas to begin the process of acceptance. Recommended ResourcesFor more information about Kyria Wackett and Adversity Rising go to adversityrising.com. For more information about Michelle, Balance Shared, events, and projects, please visit www.michellelasley.com. Our producer is Matthew Hunter.