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This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tess Palma-Martinez. Tess is a sound healer, manifestation expert and founder of Completely Golden, based in Nosara, Costa Rica. She has created a medicinal style of sound healing, and works with clients in her Find Your Frequency mentorship. Her clients have experienced miraculous healing and perspective shifts that lead to greater awareness of who they are and how to express themselves in the world. You can find Tess on Instagram at @completelygolden where she shares a deeper connection with nature, offers daily insights and promotes upcoming events and retreats.  This episode is full of profound insights, a-ha moments and you'll probably want to listen with a pen and paper in hand!   Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear from Tess what she means when she says to validate yourself in every direction of your life. Learn about how Tess healed her body with sound healing. Discover how to find your frequency and shift from forcing things to happen to receiving. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 17 | Special Episode! Receive a Reiki Transmission Sign up for Elise's upcoming event GOLDEN HOUR on 3/23 here! Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Tess Palma-Martinez's website: www.completelygolden.com Connect with Tess on Instagram: @completelygolden Subscribe to Tess' Substack: www.completelygolden.substack.com  

On this latest episode of Returning Home: The Podcast, meet my guest Jenny McGurk. Jenny is a Psychic, Spiritual Guide & Resource. She uses Hypnosis, NLP, EFT and her natural intuition to help others heal & develop their own intuition. Her passion & highest excitement is to help guide others to discover their own unique inner intuition and develop a direct connection to spirit & source. Jenny spends her time studying, currently she is a 2nd Degree Freemason working on Master Mason, she loves reading about esoteric knowledge, ancient history, painting Aura readings for clients and having adventures homeschooling her kids. Listen to this episode to get inspired to start a new path, try a new talent, and let yourself be your true inner self. This episode should leave you feeling curious, ready to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn what Jenny means by having Spiritual ADD. Hear about Jenny's path and courage to change careers. Pull back the curtain (a little bit!) about what it is to be a Free Mason! Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 18 | Blood + Guts + Star Stuff: Making Sense of Being Human Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Website: All information for Aura Readings, courses & free resources  https://www.jennymcgurk.com/ How To Follow Your Highest Excitement Book: https://a.co/d/eXcVU2w Daily Rituals Card Deck: https://jennymcgurk.kartra.com/checkout/b75b3154376599c67fee4c74a3d2dd3f Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this podcast, please make sure to subscribe and share it! Leave an episode review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review. You can also share what you’ve learned today with your friends to help them embody their true, authentic selves. Anything is possible when you return home to yourself.  Have any questions or lightbulb moments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram or send an email at [email protected].  Thank you so much for listening! For more episode updates, visit my website.

On episode 21 of Returning Home: The Podcast, meet Britt Stauduhar. They are a multi-passionate entrepreneur leading the way in Richmond's health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle scene. Britt is a queer athlete & entrepreneur that has been working full time helping others uncover their strengths for the past 3 years. They qualified for IPL World’s in 2021 as a National level powerlifter and less than a year later they co-founded RVA’s first queer owned gym. They’ve since married their wife Kade Stauduhar, a highly credited VFX editor in TV & film and together they raise 6 cats as well as their creative company: STAUDZ. We had a really enlightening conversation that covered so many things- taking care of yourself so you can show up to other spaces and be your best for others, putting in the WERK, and shining light in dark spaces. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear more about Britt's journey from college dropout to successful business owner. Learn how you can truly live the life of your dreams if you stay true to yourself- which also means letting yourself evolve! Be the first to hear about a fun project that Britt and I may do together (you have to listen to the end to learn about it!) Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 18 | Blood + Guts + Star Stuff: Making Sense of Being Human Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Learn more about my upcoming Reiki training on February 10-11 and sign up here! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Personal: https://www.instagram.com/brittstaudz | @brittstaudz   Top Energy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/topenergypod | @topenergypod   Naughty & Nourished: https://www.instagram.com/naughtyandnourished | @naughtyandnourished   Resistance + Co: https://www.instagram.com/topenergypod | @resistanceandcompany   STAUDZ: https://staudz.podia.com | https://www.instagram.com/staudzcreative | @staudzcreative   Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this podcast, please make sure to subscribe and share it! Leave an episode review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review. You can also share what you’ve learned today with your friends to help them embody their true, authentic selves. Anything is possible when you return home to yourself.  Have any questions or lightbulb moments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram or send an email at [email protected].  Thank you so much for listening! For more episode updates, visit my website.

In this episode of Returning Home: The Podcast, I interview Chelsie Skowyra, Spiritual Mentor. Chelsie is a former mental health therapist until her spiritual awakening sent her on a journey of integrating psychology with spirituality. She now works as a spiritual mentor offering transformational services such as teaching others how to be spiritual mentors, reiki healings, and hosting self-care retreats. In this episode, you will hear Chelsie's path to finding herself in her purpose, tools she offers to her clients in healing sessions, and OF COURSE a Taylor Swift reference (or 2!). I hope this episode is a reminder to listen to the small nudges you are receiving every day from various channels. Be open to the messages of your life and follow the guidance of your inner knowing. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear from Chelsie how she knew that Spiritual Mentorship was her professional calling. Learn what Chelsie means when she talks about favorite self vs. higher self. Discover some of Chelsie's spiritual icks! Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 16 | Reiki Is For Rebels: Finding a Spiritual Home Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Chelsie Skowyra's website: www.chelsieskowyra.com Substack: https://chelsieskowyra.substack.com/ Social Media (TikTok, IG, Pinterest): @chelsieskowyra Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this podcast, please make sure to subscribe and share it! Leave an episode review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review. You can also share what you’ve learned today with your friends to help them embody their true, authentic selves. Anything is possible when you return home to yourself.  Have any questions or lightbulb moments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram or send an email at [email protected].  Thank you so much for listening! For more episode updates, visit my website.

Meet Sophia Hornyak in this interview on Returning Home: The Podcast. Sophia is a mother, writer, akashic teacher, and occult historian. Driven by her own traumatic upbringing, she has a personal practice of researching occult and mystic philosophy to find the bridge between the spiritual and the meaning of self. Her work is grounded, raw, and places the importance of resonance in the hands of her students and clients. In this episode, Sophia shares about the powerful work we did together in EMDR sessions, her views on spiritual bypassing, her upcoming Trance training in the UK, and she discusses her terminology “Spiritual Ecosystem.” Healing doesn’t mean erasing yourself or your experiences, it means integrating the past with who you are now and who you have always been, and who you are becoming.   Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear from Sophia and the exciting progress she made during EMDR treatment. To learn what Sophia means by Your Spiritual Ecosystem. To discover upcoming events where you can meet Sophia and learn from her. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 18 | Blood + Guts + Star Stuff: Making Sense of Being Human Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Sophia Hornyak’s Website: www.divinevoidsophia.com  Connect with Sophia on Instagram: @divinevoidsophia Attend Sophia’s next event in Richmond: In person event:  https://buffalofirefly.com/pages/classes-events-journey-sophia Sophia’s podcast is called Magical Baddies (we love!)   Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this podcast, please make sure to subscribe and share it! Leave an episode review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review. You can also share what you’ve learned today with your friends to help them embody their true, authentic selves. Anything is possible when you return home to yourself.  Have any questions or lightbulb moments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram or send an email at [email protected].  Thank you so much for listening! For more episode updates, visit my website.  

In this latest episode of "Returning Home: The Podcast," Elise returns to discuss the juxtaposition between having a powerful human brain and a very fragile human body. She discusses the difficulties she and her clients face in having to be both an animal and a computer all at once. In this episode, Elise tells some anecdotes about her life, and also poses big questions that feel almost too big to answer. You are invited to participate in this conversation by leaving a comment, or find Elise on social media and pose some questions of your own! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear about common struggles in the therapy room. Feel a sense of connectedness to the conundrum of being a human with big dreams while also having to live with the restraints of a body. Broaden your thinking around common humanity. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 1 | Returning Home to Yourself From Childhood Trauma Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Episode Highlights [02:45] A topic that comes up in the therapy room. Balancing having a really powerful human mind inside of a fragile animal body. Elise finds that she and a lot of her clients are deep thinkers who have answers to big problems but other people don't get it. [04:02] Common Humanity and Self Compassion Being a deep thinker and feeler can be overwhelming and lonesome Sometimes it feels like we're the black sheep sticking out from everyone in our lives Thread of common humanity is helpful when we think on a bigger global scale and the interconnectedness with others across the world. [06:30] Finding Community Where You Are Finding people who are likeminded so you don't feel so alone in your approach [07:03] Writing a novel! This concept of "blood and guts and starstuff" came to me in a creative writing class I took a class that uses prompts called "Life in 10 Minutes" to help jumpstart the writing process We had to read what we wrote out loud to the class! Writing helps me to metabolize what is in the ethereal realm into the 3D on the page. [09:09] Bringing Art into The World Having a human brain makes art possible All invention is only possible with the power of the human brain Getting feedback on our work can be really scary! We need feedback to improve our ideas [10:36] The conundrum of Blood + Guts + Star Stuff Humans are an oxy moron of needing to deal with the mundane and the magical Looking around and seeing the concepts and stories the human mind can take us Reconcile feelings and thoughts In the therapy room, clients recognize that logically they understand one thing about a situation and feel something completely different about it We can't think our way out of trauma which is maddening [12:42] The body isn't wrong, but the mind isn't always wrong either The mind can sometime work against our body to make meaning When our body feels a certain way, our mind can write an untrue story about it People are many parts- we don't have to judge it, it just is [15:30] Human Capacity to Make Things We Need Evolution of ideas across the years I tell a story about how I was thinking about this in high school while walking on the board walk Were humans always capable of making the things we have? Technology evolves so fast in the modern day It feels like a huge question to answer [17:59] A world full of people who have healed their trauma I think unhealed trauma is why we have war, power struggles and suffering I talked about the novel I want to write What if we lived in a world where everyone could live out their true potential? [20:56] Closing Thoughts If you have something to add, find me on social media and start the conversation with me there. I have interviews lined up with Richmond practitioners, so stay tuned If there is anything you want to hear about from me on the podcast? Let me know! Enjoye

Welcome back to Returning Home: The Podcast, hosted by Elise Kindya. This episode is special because you will be receiving a Reiki transmission! Disclaimer: please do not operate heavy machinery such as driving a car when listening to this episode. Please have the following items available: a comfortable place to sit or lay down with pillows, blankets and anything you need to maintain a restful posture journal and pen anything you need to build a special space or altar such as: candle, crystals, feather and a vessel for clean water This episode is a channeled Reiki healing, so prepare to feel grounded, whole and rested at the end of this episode. Make sure you listen through to the end for a special surprise! As always, your reviews and ratings are so important. Please make sure to rate this podcast 5 stars! Resources: Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: The Podcast Episode 16: Reiki is for Rebels: Finding a Spiritual Home Sign up for a 1-1 Reiki Session with me here Sign up for my upcoming Reiki Mini Retreat (happening Saturday, August 19 2023 from 10am-12pm) here Connect with me on IG: @elisekindya Sign up for my newsletter Visit my website to learn more about my offerings: www.elisekindya.com  

Welcome back to Returning Home: The Podcast! I have taken a little hiatus while I had some big life events happening: getting married, bringing home a new puppy, and opening an in-person office/healing space! There has been a lot to celebrate in the 3D world. It feels good to be back on the show with you.   In this latest episode of Returning Home: The Podcast, I invite you to learn more about Reiki, which is my spiritual home. I explain a bit about the history of Reiki and how it got to the West from Japan, what the power of Reiki offers to you, and my own personal path for getting to Reiki (spoiler alert- I once thought all religion/spirituality was really corny!).   The reasons you should listen to this episode are: You want to understand more about what Reiki is. You are on a spiritual journey and you don’t feel like you have a spiritual home as of yet. Hear about my path to this approach to spirituality.   Resources: Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: The Podcast Episode 15: Be The Change: Positivity As a Practice Episode 3: 8 Healing Resources to Return Home To Yourself Sign up for a 1-1 Reiki Session with me here Sign up for my upcoming Reiki Mini Retreat (happening Saturday, August 19 2023 from 10am-12pm) here Connect with me on IG: @elisekindya Sign up for my newsletter Visit my website to learn more about my offerings: www.elisekindya.com Episode Highlights: [02:27] The History of Reiki The Original Reiki Ideals by Mikao Usui The approach of Reiki is kindness and appreciation of life Reiki means “universal life force energy” Reiki was founded and discovered in Japan 1914- Matiji Kawakami used Reiki in his therapy practice 1922- Mikao Usui received Reiki while meditating on Karuma Yama 1930s- Usui asked Hayashi Sensei to take over for him 1930s-1940s- Master Takata brought Reiki to the West through Hawaii Levels of Reiki: 1, 2, 3 and Master level William Lee Rand wrote many training manuals on Reiki that are used today   [06:35] Zooming out and seeing spirituality in general How spirituality runs through everything Universal force of love that transcends time, space and human made understanding of time and space Reiki runs through everything and can’t be tied down or stopped It helps to perceive this force to strengthen it, but it is working whether we focus on it or not Much like the universal laws of the universe and gravity- it works whether we recognize it or not Reiki is Source - The Divine, God/Goddess Reality is created in our minds, so we can decide to recognize it and let it help It can only help, it cannot hurt anyone How a Reiki session works- the practitioner tapping into this source/subtle energy realms and being a channel of it to you as the client   [10:30] My Journey To Reiki The days I am offering Reiki are really good days, it feels good and I know it is working on a heart, spirit and soul level I was raised Christian Maybe other trauma survivors can relate- becoming athetist or agnostic to rebel against organized religion I did not agree with how religion was presented and forced onto me as a child and teenager I was always drawn to tarot and other mystical practices but didn’t practice due to gatekeeping Slowly but surely, I opened to other approaches to life and spirit there were   [13:01] On the move- discovering Reiki in Richmond Nature is a huge part of life in Richmond which seemed to open me more to spirit and Reiki Living in NY and NJ, nature isn’t a big part of life or my upbringing and I felt really disconnected from anything important Having trauma in life cuts us off to positive experiences Life felt more hopeful about life in Richmond due to an abundance of nature all around and easily accessible   [15:52] How Social Work Opened me to Spirit The Social Work Framework of biopsychosocialspiritual helpe

In this episode, join me to have a conversation about positivity and how we need this force in our life to combat negativity. I want to use this platform as a ripple to reach more people in order to positively impact my community and the world. Sure, there are moments when negativity takes over, and there are even times when the benefit of negativity can be felt and understood (listen to the episode to hear more about that!). But, making more time for positivity cannot be a bad thing for us. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Hear stories about how I take negativity and transform it. Uncover the hidden depths within yourself where you can access more positivity. Connect with the energy of gratitude and maintain what you already have instead of striving for more in order to feel positive. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 13 | The Power of EMDR Episode 14 | The Birth of The Art Of Us Slow Down To Speed Up: Visualization Masterclass Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Episode Highlights [03:00] Why Positivity? I find that I often talk about trauma and negativity and want to lighten up the topics of the podcast a bit. Giving some of our time to what is going well. As a “J” on the Meyers Briggs, seeing the negative happens a lot for me, so I want to spend time on what’s going well. Let things be what they are and notice the good in them. Nothing is perfect anyway, so why not see the best in things when you can? You don’t have to believe all of your thoughts- both positive and negative.   [07:21] Synchronicities and Magic  Sometimes the cause between things happening doesn’t seem related but they are or we can connect them in our own mind. Listen to this section for a story about an interview I did in a past episode. The change you want to experience in your life can happen without you striving or trying for it. How can you slow down and receive? It can be relieving to think that there are forces at work that are outside of our human ability to perceive that can be helping us. Sometimes slow is fast. Being guided and learning is sending the message that you don’t know everything and you’re open to having your mind expanded. What you need is inside of you. [14:06] Grab a Journal and Ask Yourself These Questions: What is this resistance trying to teach me? What could I learn from this situation? What is missing that I’m trying to fill in right now? Do I need what I’m trying to fill in? Is the thing I’m using to fill this void actually serving me? [14:41] Being In The Cycle of Giving and Receiving is Positive It’s hopeful to see yourself in this light. You are resilient and capable of doing great things. Be your own cheerleader. Take time to celebrate your wins, milestones, and efforts. What is the point of reaching goals if we don’t mark the occasion? [18:09] Back To Magic - Synchronicities and Numbers  Noticing numbers in sequence helps me to feel positive, hopeful, and that I’m on the right path. Astrology and seasonal alignment can be inspirational as well. You can make the connections between what numbers and what they mean to you. Building a strong connection to your own intuition. [20:55] Mindfulness and Positivity Noticing neutral or pleasant emotions or sensations within yourself can be helpful. Sometimes we have to feel the suffering to get to the joy of life. Being able to define suffering is what helps us be able to define joy. Let giving space to positivity a daily practice. Seek assistance from a professional to work through these difficult emotions. [25:24] Social Media - Can It Be Used for Positivity? I am currently taking a break from social media. Listen to this section to hear

If you live in Richmond, VA, you need to check out TAOU Studio in Carytown. TAOU stands for "The Art of Us" and has been birthed by Katie Bosch and Kat McCrory. In this podcast episode, you will hear about their inspiration for opening the studio, the type of yoga they practice and teach, opportunities to learn alongside them, and lots of fun stories about their lives that brought them to this place in time together. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Get to know Katie Bosch and Kat McCrory from TAOU Studio.  Learn how to pull ideas from the ether into 3D reality. Discover the importance of community on your self-discovery journey. Resources TAOU Studio in Carytown Upcoming trainings at TAOU in yin yoga and Katonah yoga. Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Episode Highlights [05:25] Inspiration for The Art of Us Katie and Kat came into the development of the studio not knowing each other very well.  The concept of TAOU came together in 24 hours!  Both Katie and Kat bring a lot of past experiences into the studio.  Kat's computer died the moment she emailed Katie the PDF of the proposal while at a training in Costa Rica. [08:30] Pulling A Concept from the Ether into 3D Reality Dabbling in a lot of modalities like art, body work and others to let yourself explore.  Kat sees the connection of Katonah Yoga in how to bring dreams to life.  Listen to this section to hear a story about Kat and Jimmy Fallon's lawyer.  Sometimes a hard experience makes way for powerful lessons and leads to a rebirth. [13:26] TAOU Is Offering A Series of Katonah Yoga Trainings Breaking the training into smaller bite sized chunks.  There is so much to learn about the connection of mind/body so focusing on smaller parts is important.   The magic square = the body is a home. Asking yourself questions for how to deepen your connection to your life. [16:22] Putting Yourself In The Center of Your Dream  Having patience to put everything in practice and give yourself time for things to materialize.  Not giving up on your own vision and dream.  Realizing you will still get tripped up. Putting theory into practice helps you see if your vision is really for you. Your practice is up to you, you get to decide what your practice teaches you and what is revealed to you. Katie says that every time she comes to the practice, the questions are the same but the answers are allowed to shift which feels free. [23:01] Kat and Katie Are Mirrors for Each Other  Spending more time together they found out small similarities they have. Helping each other take concepts and make them 3D. Katie and Kat play off each other and it feels easy and effortless. [24:46] TAOU As a Space For Freedom Kat tells a story about her dream of having a studio that encompasses art, movement and supporting other people. Kat wants to break yoga out of a box, it can be innovated from the root of the practice. There were obstacles in the way when Kat was trying to open other studios, before opening TAOU. People take things really seriously and make us feel small, which can limit our dreams. Sometimes curve balls prove our limiting beliefs to ourselves. Katonah helped Kat change her life. [27:29] If Katie Hadn't Shaved Her Head, TAOU Wouldn't Have Opened Katie and Kat went to a training last summer for Katonah Yoga.  2016 was a huge year for Katie, where she got her yoga teacher training as well as got inspired to become a massage therapist.  At Vitality Float Spa, Katie was inspired to massage. At the beginning of 2022, Katie shaved her head. If she hadn't shaved her head, TAOU wouldn't have opened. Katie needed to shake things up to try something new for her professsional life. She couldn't put herself in the center of her work. Kat texted Katie in the middle of her deeper shadow work of trying to figure out her next professional st

Healing from trauma sometimes seems impossible, but with new developments in neuroscience over the last 15 years, it is more possible than ever. Join me on this episode all about one of my favorite therapy modalities, EMDR. EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing” and it’s a revolutionary technique that can help you to finally feel relief from trauma. In this episode, I explain a bit about how it works and why it works, as well as share some stories about my experiences both administering EMDR and receiving EMDR. You will learn so much about how trauma is stored in the body, how to metabolize it, and how to move forward with more peace and freedom. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Connect how trauma lives in the body and how to process it using both the mind and the body. Understand more about how EMDR works. Feel inspired that healing is possible. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 1 | The Power of EMDR Slow Down To Speed Up: Visualization Masterclass Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Episode Highlights [04:54] What is EMDR? EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing”. This modality was adapted from a 1950s modality, systematic desensitization therapy that used progressive muscle relaxation, and instead uses bilateral stimulation with eye movements as well as other stimulation- sound tones and tactile stimulation of touching or tapping. Bringing both sides of the brain online to witness a traumatic memory. [06:38] What is trauma?  Trauma is a negatively activating experience where we are overwhelmed by a threat and we are unable to successfully defend ourselves. In humans, we tend to get stuck in our trauma psychologically when we aren’t able to close the traumatic stress response. See the book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky to learn more about getting unstuck from stress. EMDR helps us get the trauma unstuck from our bodies. PTSD: Post traumatic stress disorder and CPTSD- Complex PTSD. Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. [09:01] Trauma happens first in the body- even psychological trauma. The body disconnects the higher-level thinking brain when we experience trauma. We need the energy in our limbs to fight or run away from threat. Trauma gets stuck in our body at this point. Humans make meaning of our experiences- and so when trauma gets stuck, we make it mean something about ourselves. EMDR guides clients to go back into the memory- usually the first and worst- and bringing the higher level/left side of the brain into the memory, usually gaining a new perspective on the memory. [11:58] Bringing all of you into the memory The analytical part of the brain is seeing this memory for the first time. After trauma, you might over analyze and wonder what we could have done differently. As humans, we make it mean something about us - even when it wasn’t our fault. EMDR can stop these intrusive thoughts. When you can see this memory more logically and objectively it helps you realize that the traumatic event that happened was out of your control. [15:24] Tools to use in EMDR  Often times, you needed protection from the trauma or nurturing after the trauma so that the impact would not have been as great. I help clients develop Protective Figures and Nurturing Figures into sessions to reprocess the memory. I see this as powerful inner child work. You deserve care and love, and EMDR provides the opportunity for a rebirth. [18:14] Talk therapy and EMDR We use the left side of the brain in talk therapy. The trauma is stored in the right side of the brain and in the body, which talk therapy doesn’t usually touch. EMDR brings both sides of the brain to see the memory and actuall

What does sobriety mean to you? We each get to choose what our relationship to the substances we consume is. In this latest episode of Returning Home: The Podcast, Elise talks more in depth about consuming substances- alcohol and others- and what this means for her life. She shares stories from her days of drinking and how it’s been easy for her to make a new choice in her life. She also shares stories about her new perspective as a sober person. Elise will encourage you to reflect on your own identity, your values, the balance you have struck in your life, and hopefully you’ll share a few laughs along the way. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn how you can align your identity with your actions. Discover the secret to staying sober. Hear some stories from my life that might help shed light onto the relationship you have with alcohol. Resources Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: Episode 2 | How Sobriety Changed My Life Slow Down To Speed Up: Visualization Masterclass Sign up for Elise’s Newsletter and receive a FREE PDF to start your self-compassion journey! Connect with Elise on Instagram: @elisekindya Episode Highlights [03:05] Things that make it easy for me to stay sober Thinking about how alcohol kills brain cells. Identifying as a sober person at the basic identity level. [05:32] I had hit a rock bottom moment while drinking that made me choose Hitting a rock bottom moment while drinking that made me come face to face with other parts of my identity. I had to choose between being a drinker and being kind, mindful, and thoughtful. [07:49] Grateful that I will never have another alcohol-induced rock bottom moment I can be fully awake to my life. If I have a bad day, it’s ok. I know how to take care of myself through that. Alcohol seems to have worse negative effects that make it easy to continue to not consume it. [09:31] The hardest part about staying sober The choice has been made at an identity level so it isn’t a choice for me at this point. For people struggling to stay sober from alcohol, I encourage you to ask yourself what it is about this substance that is calling to you, how do you identify yourself, and what is in your environment that encourages drinking alcohol. I miss some types of alcohol that taste good- like pina coladas. I like things that taste good and make me feel good- that is one of my values. Going to happy hour used to be a fun activity for socializing with friends. [14:18] My Secret To Staying Sober Reaching out to people I knew were sober and getting that support was really important. I didn’t work in a culture that encouraged Zoom happy hours. My living environment was supportive of staying sober. Identifying as a sober person has been my secret to staying sober. [16:43] Psychedelic Journey Staying in integrity, I have done a psychedelic journey. The purpose of this journey was to connect more closely to my truth and authenticity. Being under the influence of alcohol was for a different purpose than using psychedelics. Helps to stop overthinking. [21:32] Returning Home: Coming Back To Your True Nature Getting in touch with your truth and authenticity is easier without alcohol. How would your life be different if you were honest with yourself? Drinking does not help calm anxiety. It’s not a good “self medication” option. [22:53] Things To Consider On Your Sobriety Journey Welcome to the party! What do you want your life to be? Is alcohol something you want in your life? How much space and energy does alcohol take up? Are you ok with that harmony and balance you’ve struck? What are your values? What is the result you are getting from consuming alcohol? You have the power and control in your life to make a change if you want to. Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this podcast, please make sure to subscribe and share it! Leave an episode review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this episode, don