Empowered Today

Erin is a mom, a nurse and an empowered woman. In her interview, she will walk you along her path from her growing up years when she felt the stirring of her intuition and was supported to follow her inner wisdom, through to her choice to have home births in spite of her traditional nursing training that did not endorse alternative healthcare options. She will share the unique ways life presented her with opportunities to grow and become empowered, and what she does today to empower others. Listen to her realization that the power to make change in the world resides in unique situations, and hear her describe how listening to her intuition changed her life. Finally, learn more about her organization “Freedom Keepers United”, a worldwide organization that she co-founded that offers resources and education allowing people everywhere to own their medical freedoms and become empowered to follow their inner voice.

When you have a new idea, do you think about where this idea originates. Consider that you are a conduit for the energy of the divine, and that all inspiration comes from a higher place. How does this change what you do with your unique ideas? Will you dismiss them or let them die as easily if you consider them a enchanted gift from the Universe. What is intuition and how do we learn to use it. With in each of us is an ability to exercise our listening that is beyond what our ear can hear. Some say it is following your heart or the hunches we feel. It is bringing an awareness to our willingness to hear the answers to our questions. Being intune and staying intune with the infinite is the ultimate goal. This is where all life flows. Ralph Waldo Trine, an early 1900's philosopher, wrote In tune with the Infinite, and on Page 11-15 tells the story of the lotus pond. He said: “There is something in the universe that responds to brave, intrepid thought. The Power that holds and that moves the stars in their courses, fights for the brave and the upright. Courage has power and magic in it.” As we choose to open our mind, heart and life to possiblities and allow the flow of inspiration to flow, we receive all that is possible to live the life we love.

Do you have a conviction, that you are on this earth with a purpose, but are not sure how to use it? Getting clear about your path is something we all grapple with through life. There are a few aspects of the process; First, figuring out your purpose, your dream. Then getting curious about the why and how. Finally, putting it out to the Universe, and starting to create the dream. If you want more information about the full length subscription version of Empowered Today, go to https://empoweredtoday.supercast.com/ and sign up today!

Gratitude is the very essence of an energy that changes everything. It can change your chemistry in your body, your minds view on something, the people around you and even your animals and plants. Gratitude is a practice like any good habit or playing an instrument or achieving goals. Practice is important. Daily practice in our words, our awareness, in situations, and more. Finding the good

Join us as we talk about exciting changes for Season 3, and we share some of our less... shall we say... together moments? Enjoy the bloopers as we poke a little fun at ourselves.

Science has shown that our energy affects our environment. Love is at a higher frequency than hate. In order to get to your best life, you must have a high vibration. You cannot sustain that frequency and hold on to negative emotions. Words & Water Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto performed some of the most fascinating experiments on the effect that words have on energy in the 1990’s. When frozen, water that’s free from all impurities will form beautiful ice crystals that look exactly like snowflakes under a microscope. Water that’s polluted, or has additives like fluoride, will freeze without forming crystals. In his experiments, Emoto poured pure water into vials labeled with negative phrases like “I hate you” or “fear.” After 24 hours, the water was frozen, and no longer crystallized under the microscope: It yielded gray, misshapen clumps instead of beautiful lace-like crystals. In contrast, Emoto placed labels that said things like “I Love You,” or “Peace” on vials of polluted water, and after 24 hours, they produced gleaming, perfectly hexagonal crystals. Emoto’s experiments proved that energy generated by positive or negative words can actually change the physical structure of an object. The results of his experiments were detailed in a series of books beginning with The Hidden Messages in Water, where you can see the astounding before and after photos of these incredible water crystals. The Power of Gratitude In another experiment, Emoto tested the power of spoken words. He placed two cups of cooked white rice in two separate mason jars and fixed the lids in place, labeling one jar “Thank You” and the other, “You Fool.” The jars were left in an elementary school classroom, and the students were instructed to speak the words on the labels to the corresponding jars twice a day. After 30 days, the rice in the jar that was constantly insulted had shriveled into a black, gelatinous mass. The rice in the jar that was thanked was as white and fluffy as the day it was made. This dramatic example of the power of words is also detailed in Emoto’s books. How many times a day do we throw our words away? We say things like, “I hate my hair,” “I’m so stupid,” “I’m such a klutz.” We never think that these words bring negative energy into our vibration and affect us on a physical level, but they do. Emoto’s experiments were conducted with water. Why? Because sound vibration travels through water four times faster than it does through open air. Consider the fact that your body is over 70% water and you’ll understand how quickly the vibration from negative words resonates in your cells. Ancient scriptures tell us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. As it turns out, that’s not a metaphor.

How do you decide what to eat? It is rare to find a conscious eater; most often we continue to eat what our family provided when we were small. And our nutrition begins in the womb, based on how our mother’s ate. Most don’t even think about the impact of our dietary choices until we find that we are nutrient-deficient or have developed a disease or condition; diabetes, high cholesterol, auto-immune disorders. Once they are present, we have to address them, but often that comes with a prescription. What if we become aware of our eating before we have a problem? What if we help our children to be conscious eaters from the start?

What is DIS-ease. Where do they start, and when do you know you have an issue. How can you track your wellness and avoid dis-ease. What is the connection to the Mind. How does it impact your immune system and what does that have to do with developing disease. Mind-Body Wellness University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) What is the mind-body connection? Your mind and body are powerful allies. How you think can affect how you feel. An example of this mind-body connection is how your body responds to stress. Constant worry and stress over jobs, finances, or other problems can cause tense muscles, pain, headaches, and stomach problems. It may also lead to high blood pressure or other serious problems. On the other hand, constant pain or a health problem like heart disease can affect your emotions. You might become depressed, anxious, and stressed, which could affect how well you treat, manage, or cope with your illness. But your mind can have a positive effect on your health, too. Having a positive outlook on life might help you better handle pain or stress and stay healthier than someone who is less hopeful. How do your thoughts and feelings affect your health? Your brain produces substances that can improve your health. These substances include endorphins, which are natural painkillers, and gamma globulin, which strengthens your immune system. Research shows that what your brain produces depends in part on your thoughts, feelings, and expectations. If you're sick but you have hope and a positive attitude and you believe that you'll get better, your brain is likely to produce chemicals that will boost your body's healing power. Negative thoughts and emotions can keep your brain from producing some of the chemicals that help your body heal. But this doesn't mean you should blame yourself for getting sick or feeling down about a health problem. Some illnesses are beyond your control. But your thoughts and state of mind are resources you can use to get better. How does stress affect you? How you handle stress has an effect on your health. When you're stressed or anxious, your body reacts as if it is under attack. Your body releases hormones that speed up your heart rate and breathing, increase blood pressure, and make your muscles tense. This physical reaction is called the fight-or-flight stress response. This stress reaction is good if you need to avoid an accident

Life is Energy Quantum physics long ago determined that physical matter doesn’t really exist, that everything is just energy in different states of vibration. Nobel Prize winning physicist Werner Heisenberg once stated, “Atoms or elementary particles themselves are not real; they form a world of potentialities or possibilities, rather than one of things or facts.” This energy vibrates at an infinite number of subtle frequencies that cause it to appear as all the different creations we see in our world. There has been a great deal of research in recent years as to whether the universe we live in is actually a holographic experience, and it seems that this is very close to the truth. And so, it seems life is more of an energy flow than a collection of solid things. What that means for us is that if we stay conscious of the energy we contain, based on the emotions we feel, we can make deliberate choices that alter our frequency and create the realities we desire. If we’re feeling down about something, we can choose to reframe the situation and raise our own spirits. With a renewed perspective and a higher, more positive energetic vibration, we stand a much better chance of bringing good into our lives, rather than bitterly repeating old mistakes.

What is a life contract? How do they start? Does everyone have them? What do they influence, and how can you ensure you are managing yours properly? How do you change a contract that is no longer serving you? Life is full of opportunities, our contracts outline how we manage them: When we make a decision about something, we also can make a contract with ourselves and others to abide by our commitments. This contract may need to be revised from time to time or even canceled. However, it was made for the purpose of helping you be accountable for your agreements. Life contract: You may have grown up with a certain mindset and expectation in your family. You have the choice to change that, but it’s more than just changing your mind You can cancel a contract, amend it and create new ones Exercise: Write down one contract you brought with you from childhood about how you live life. Next write down one that you would like to cancel/end What would you put in the new contract if you cancel the old one? Write up a new contract and add to it that all past contracts are null and void as of today. Retraining the mind and the subconscious mind to live by the new contract. Just like when a job changes the responsibilities, descriptions, expectations, pay scale etc. change. It takes practice to integrate the changes. Journal about your feelings each day for 21 days.

There are many reasons why we try to hide who we are. We say yes when we really mean no so that we do not disappoint people, or through fear of being disliked. We go along with our spouse’s plans to see the latest football game at the stadium or chick flick at the movies even though we can’t stand them because we do not want to ‘rock the boat’ in our relationship. We see a total disaster looming on a project at work but don’t dare speak up for fear of being ridiculed or seen as too bossy, unfeminine, weak, or scared. All of these examples of inauthentic living might not seem like a big deal, but if you find yourself constantly behaving like this all day, every day, not being authentic can soon take its toll on your mental and physical health. You might think you are “getting away with it” or “faking it ‘til you make it”, but there are many emotional and even physical health-related consequences of living an inauthentic life. The Emotional Consequences of Not Being Authentic The emotional consequences of leading an inauthentic life include: Low self-esteem - Feelings of not being appreciated, loved or valued for who you are. Low self-confidence - Feelings of “not being good enough” to be yourself. Low self-worth - Feeling like you are a fraud or don’t deserve your good fortune, also known as “impostor syndrome.” Keeping up appearances even if you are in serious trouble - Thinking you always have to play a role to keep people happy or fulfill certain expectations; living behind a mask for fear of what others will think of you. Feeling like a caged tiger - As your inauthentic behaviors increase, so too can your feelings of “being trapped” in a relationship or certain role, such as the perfect wife, the dutiful son, the successful businessman. Low self-respect - You will not be able to respect yourself, let alone earn the respect of others if you don’t actively try to be truthful and live your best life. You may think you are fooling people, but most will sense you are being insincere or a fraud in some way. Low self-regard - Always trying to make others happy, while feeling miserable yourself. You go along with things for the sake of a quiet life. You don’t allow yourself to say no and to mean it. The Physical Consequences of Not Being Authentic All of these emotional consequences will usually be accompanied by physical changes in the body, which over time can lead to serious health issues. The physical consequences of living an inauthentic life include: Stress Tension Anxiety

Making space in your life for something new requires assessment and a willingness to purge what no longer serves you. As we move through the chapters of our life, we need to be aware that things that worked for us in the past may need to be purged/let go. This podcast will dive into our hesitancy to let go of things, and how we can change so we have room in our lives for new and exciting opportunities.

Money; what do we know about it? What are our beliefs and where did they come from? Have you ever thought that maybe the lessons you learned in your childhood about money could be the reason your financial life looks the way it does as an adult? Does Money rule the world? What impact does it have on your dreams? How can you begin working with your paradigms around money? This podcast will help you uncover the link between your paradigms and money.

Did you know that education is EVERYTHING, and PREPARATION is the KEY to having a healthy pregnancy, baby, and a successful birth? Listen to today’s podcast as Kaleem and Jenn give you an introduction to the 40 P’s of Pregnancy, then go to www.naturalchildbirth101.com to take control of YOUR birth now… if you don’t who will?

What are the things everyone does because it’s “what you do”. Where did you learn about these things, when did you first realize you were complying with a social construct and how did it happen. What choices did you make without realizing it was a choice? What other choices did it force as part of the initial action - unconscious or forced. Would you have chosen something else if you'd known what was happening? Common paths people take, social norms can lead you down a path without understanding what has happened. What are the "things everyone does". Where did you learn about these things, when did you first realize you were complying with a social construct and how did it happen. What choices did you make without realizing it was a choice. What other choices did it force as part of the initial action - unconscious or forced. Would you have chosen something else if you'd known what was happening. We have commercials, social media, advertisements on road and nearly everywhere Goal is to influence you: The influence will either be fear or trust. to get money, to the gain of the company/organization vs benefiting you as an individual improving your life and your ability to live the life of your desire. Health care: Allopathic approach vs holistic approach, a combination of the two, none at all Have you explored your options for the particular life choice you are coming to make? Pregnancy, birth, BF Self- care health iii. Foods and products Physician vs naturopath, chiro, acupunture/Chinese medicine, ayurvadic, Example: As a former peds RN, I cared for babies and children in the hospital. I saw the way their care was determined. Tests, Drugs and surgery. A fine and lifesaving ability when it is the best choice. I moved from in hospital care to visiting nurse/ homecare. During the time, I was exposed to chiropractic and nutrition. I knew only that there was medicine. Now I had seen there was something more. Baby sent home to die/baby with genetic issues parents told its all we can do/gymnast had back fused, I have since then gained by my own study and attending classes to look at nature first and medicine second. And there sometimes there is a very nice balance between the two.

The dietary pattern that characterizes the Western diet is strongly associated with obesity and related metabolic diseases, but biological mechanisms supporting these associations remain largely unknown. We argue that the Western diet promotes inflammation that arises from both structural and behavioral changes in the resident microbiome. The environment created in the gut by ultra-processed foods, a hallmark of the Western diet, is an evolutionarily unique selection ground for microbes that can promote diverse forms of inflammatory disease. Recognizing the importance of the microbiome in the development of diet-related disease has implications for future research, public dietary advice as well as food production practices. Research into food patterns suggests that whole foods are a common denominator of diets associated with a low level of diet-related disease. Hence, by studying how ultra-processing changes the properties of whole foods and how these foods affect the gut microbiome, more useful dietary guidelines can be made. Innovations in food production should be focusing on enabling health in the super-organism of man and microbe, and stronger regulation of potentially hazardous components of food products is warranted. Ultra-Processed Foods as Drivers of Diet-Related Disease Factors that Promote Inflammation through Diet-Microbiome-Host Interactions Acellular Nutrients—A Major Shift in Our Diets Food Additives Solutions Probiotic or fermented foods could contain beneficial bacterial molecules left in the foods during fermentation. Studies have shown beneficial effects of fermented milk products on metabolic markers in mice [74,75,76], also independently of the presence of live probiotic bacteria, either in the product or in the gut of the recipient [77]. It has been demonstrated in vitro that metabolites from probiotic bacteria are capable of reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines A large body of research now supports the hypothesis that the Western Diet is causing changes in gut microbiota associated with obesity and metabolic disease [67]. There also seems to be consensus that fixing the diet-induced dysbiosis is a possible approach in fighting the obesity epidemic [108]. Several researchers speak of the promising potential of gut microbiota-modifying therapies, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics or fecal microbiota transplants and the need for more research into these topics

"I'm The Boss of Me" is a book designed to help children learn about personal responsibility. But this philosophy doesn't stop with the children, and neither does Casey Waesche. This author is scheduled to release the next book in the series, supporting older children to become empowered and accountable in their growing years. And as the children learn, so do the parents. We are thrilled to be able to bring this new book, the author and the movement to the attention of our listeners. We know the practical guidance and insight Casey shares with us all will pave the way to enlightenment and the confidence to make a change in our lives.

Life has momentum. Without intention, we end up somewhere we would not have chosen if we had foreseen the outcome. Teach intention early. Talk about choices and why they are important. What Would You Be Doing If You Didn’t Get Caught Up In Things Getting caught up in life is a weird argument we tend to use to justify our state of probably being-a-bit-too-busy-and-not-too-happy. It is a terrible joke we play on ourselves that lets us continuously do unproductive and useless stuff. While we are aware of our inertia most of the time, we don’t always realize how much potentially great/ productive/ valuable/ useful or just time we are wasting “being busy” (with work, with friends, saving or spending, watching TV or travelling). Being busy is a choice and we don’t need to be busy to gain importance. Because if you are too busy to do something you actually want to do or meet someone you actually want to see, then you have a big problem with prioritizing and organizing your life. If you find yourself constantly having to postpone something because “other things come up”, maybe it is not your priority and you don’t actually want to do it. Simple. Your mental picture becomes so much more uncluttered and clear when you do things that you deem important and see people that you want to see. Don’t be caught up and then you might find time for an opportunity that can change your life. Life doesn't always give us what we want, but it sure gives us what we need. It's funny how that happens. Sometimes, we're so sure about how things are supposed to play out that we fight, kicking and screaming, any deviation of the plan that comes our way. Oddly enough, the more we resist, the more it persists and the harder we make it on ourselves. It's like trying to swim upstream against a strong current. Our arms and legs move furiously, but we get nowhere. We end up completely exhausted and out of breath. While I truly believe that the choices we make and even the thoughts we think all matter greatly and affect the outcome of our existence, I also believe there is also another force at work and our role is actually more of a co-creator in our own lives. We all have unique gifts to offer the world, and certain passions that lie inside of us wanting to get out. This is our soul's work. Our calling. It's what makes us feel totally alive. The universe wants and needs us to do this work. In our daily lives, we're constantly given signs to try to lead us to our higher self, enabling us to leave a positive impact on the world. But, here's the thing.

What you think about you bring about. How does the law of attraction work? When you're dwelling on the negative, what are you attracting? What tools can you use to bring your awareness to this, and make a change? Our lives are a series of opposites, mirror images, and opposing forces. You have the choice of where to put your energy and attention. What you focus on you attract into your life. Problem or Solution Focusing on the problem rarely helps matters. It doesn’t allow you to consider the solution. It wastes your time and energy and leaves you exhausted from fear and worry and prevent you from taking decisive action. Your mind can only give its full attention to one thing at a time. Fear, self-doubt and worry may prevent you from moving forward and dealing with the issue at hand. But if you focus on the solution, you actively engage your mind in resolving the matter. You have little time for negative thinking. Take charge of dealing with a problem, you can choose the best way to resolve it. Get the outcome you want as you influence events with your actions and choices. Law of Attraction Three central universal principles that make up the law of attraction: Like attracts like: This law suggests that similar things are attracted to one another. It means that people tend to attract people who are similar to them—but it also suggests that people's thoughts tend to attract similar results. Negative thinking is believed to attract negative experiences, while positive thinking is believed to produce desirable experiences. Nature abhors a vacuum: This law of attraction suggests that removing negative things from your life can make space for more positive things to take their place. It is based on the notion that it is impossible to have a completely empty space in your mind and in your life. Since something will always fill this space, it is important to fill that space with positivity, proponents of this philosophy say. The present is always perfect: This law focuses on the idea that there are always things you can do to improve the present moment. While it might always seem like the present is somehow flawed, this law proposes that, rather than feeling dread or unhappiness, you should focus your energy on finding ways to make the present moment the best that it can be. Physical effects Our mind, body and spirit are affected by how we think and choose to live our life. If you have tension, your neuro chemicals are affected

Words have power. When we use them without intent/consideration they do damage. Words we use to hurt/put down/make superior. Those we hurt lose trust.

How do we keep our heads up and recover from 2020 and push through when the mountain looks too big to climb? We are excited to introduce you to Jasmyn Wright, an inspirational author and poet, as we discuss her revolutionary movement and the resulting mantra and book capturing the attention of the world today. We know that some of us are wounded children inside ourselves and we’re craving a deeper understanding of our purpose on the planet. You may be wondering what you can do to make a difference and become more empowered. Jasmyn may be the inspiration you need to find your answer. Website: www.wepushthrough.org Book Title: I'm Gonna Push Through! Book Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Focus on the Resolution like it’s a gift you will give yourself. The main reason no one sticks with Resolutions is because they are inherently all about something you have to give up, of a torturous task that you would never undertake unless forced. The key is turning that approach around, making these changes into positive experiences. For example, make a Bucket List out of your Resolutions. Dream about the great things you want to do this year, and make them a reality.

These years are some of the easiest, and some of the hardest, as our children become who they are and explore the world outside our grasp. Developmentally they are still children, but physically they are beginning to change. We still have control over the environment around them, but not the people in their space or their thoughts in their heads. These changes can be frightening when you consider that your child is looking to others as influencers instead of you during these years. What do they see, who teaches them and how it forms their thoughts about the world, and what do you do to steer their attention. We focus on this time because in so many ways, this is the last shot we have at molding our children.

If only parenting came with a handbook; addressing common issues in the first five years can feel overwhelming. We often receive guidance and suggestions that just don’t feel right to us, but we don’t know what else to do. Sleep issues, food issues, nursing, colic, reflux, developmental milestones, emotional struggles, spiritual needs. We want to parent our baby with a full understanding of their needs, but don’t know where to start.

As soon as we find out we’re going to have a baby, we start to think about birth. Decisions and choices must be made; birth location, practitioner, birth plans. But can we make those decisions without knowing all our options? The difference between midwifery and obstetricians, what does natural birth mean, how to plan this life-changing event; decisions that will be with the baby and birth giver forever.

Families are created in many ways. The traditional route isn't the only one, and in society today it is more often created in non-traditional ways. Enhanced fertility, surrogacy, adoption, blended families, fostering; all are ways to achieve the goal of parenthood. But parenting isn't the end of the journey. Life is messy and complicated, and requires you to make a decision about which method or methods you choose to create your family. Join Kaleem and Jennifer as they discuss the many paths that lead you to the family of your dreams.

Empowered Today will support and guide you to face our challenging world. Stand together as a community, empowering and educating each other, diving into traditional topics in non-traditional ways. Incorporating the power of the spirit into discussions investigating alternative solutions to parenting, health, personal and career development, intimacy, meditation, birth and breastfeeding, diet, finances, and more.