Original Belonging

In episode six, I delve into the deep presence I felt of a female lineage I never knew. I longed to uncover their lost stories. I recall moving to New York in my 20s, where I worked in publishing and retraced my ancestors' steps. After falling in love, I left NYC to join my husband, whose training and career prompted moves around the country. The importance of creativity dulled as I focused on work, linear thinking, and fitting in. Eventually, I encountered a graduate program in Jungian-oriented Depth Psychology, which exposed my long-forgotten, soul yearnings. By sharing my stories of vulnerability and also beginning to pen FBI Girl, I felt vitality return. I was reconciling with my own feeling heart, writing my own myth. Many people today yearn to embrace their unique wisdom. What we do with that yearning becomes a gift, an anchor into our original belonging. We don't need to look to external sources for meaning as we tap into that inner “Divine Child” archetypal energy. Accessing this inner wisdom leads to liberation. New paths open up as we challenge old silences and begin to create a new life narrative. Being with my parents as they transitioned revealed hidden stories from their first 14 years of life and inspired this podcast series! I invite listeners to consider the childhood events that shaped their lives as sources of healing and also as gifts for life transformation. This treasure trove of embodied remembrance is a reflection of our mythic uniqueness, a reminder of why we are here, and what is ours to offer the world during these times of transition.Honoring Mary Ann Hogan ConlonMother, Activist, Writer, Advocate/Intellectual Disabilities Movement, Thinker & EducatorTopics Covered:(03:52) The reckoning of our divine assignment(11:18) Sixth-grade poem about divine nature (16:04) Love's tidal wave(23:48) “Maybe I felt too much.”(27:36) Creative momentum returns (34:43) Mythmaking to anchor purpose (39:51) Purpose beyond achievement (44:07) Vital aliveness of your first 14 years (50:49) Thank you, Joe and Mary Conlon(54:45) Liberated by the Divine Child archetypeStay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on Facebook Credit:Podcast series production by Media Midwife Ahri GoldenPodcast series launch by The Wave PodcastingAbout: In this series, I explore how the significant influences and archetypal events experienced in our first 14 years of life set the stage for what is most meaningful throughout our adult years. In times of transition, a voice wonders: who am I at the soul level, at my essence? Our earliest resonant moments of awe–what lit us up–offer direct access into the root system of our original belonging.

In episode five, I introduce my connection with the sea, a reverence passed down from my female lineage. I'm then joined in conversation with Dr. Easkey Britton, a surfer, artist, filmmaker, and marine social scientist who lives in County Donegal, Ireland. She shares stories about her original belonging and her passion for connecting human vitality with the health of our blue planet.I loved the ocean early on, living only four miles away. The expanse of the sea connects me to the divine, the feminine, to primal energy. I tell the story of my mother's love for the ocean in the Rockaways, in New York, where she once was a bathing beauty. I share my tale of empowerment as the sea becomes my place of refuge, accessible by bike. Coming of age in the LA suburbs, I sensed my FBI agent father's fear escalate as he watched an emboldened free spirit take hold of me. When I began to write at age 14, I felt the primal energy of motion, like flowing water, awaken in me as a reassurance. The ocean became a mirror to my soul. After sharing my story, I welcome Dr. Easkey Britton who explores her through-threads of elemental healing, the spiritual intelligence of water, and restoring a sense of belonging. We discuss Easkey's family connection to the sea in Ireland, her coming-of-age years as a champion surfer, her blue heritage, and her ongoing work in ocean therapy. Easkey's creativity has a deep connection with the ocean. Her work in art, marine science, and social ecology focuses on the health of water as a mirror of the health of society. Water is wise; it is the ultimate life source as it moves through all our bodies. The planet's health depends on it. If we care for the ocean with reverence, we begin to restore that which has been lost. Topics Covered:(04:21) My life is a love story for the sea(08:51) The ocean as wisdom's metaphor (24:41) Easkey Britton joins me in conversation(36:59) Oceanic belonging (43:08) Irish mythology's connection to land and language(49:14) From surfer to artist to marine scientist (57:49) Role of ocean therapy in the healing journey(1:04:03) Ecologies of careResources Mentioned:Pauline BewickWomen Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola EstesManchán MaganRobin Wall KimmererThe Red SchoolDr. Easkey BrittonDr. Easkey Britton | websiteDr. Easkey Britton | InstagramFinisterre | InstagramEbb and Flow | bookSaltwater in the Blood | book50 Things to Do by the Sea | bookSurfboard portrait credit: Will...

In episode four, I reflect on my coming-of-age encounters with that powerful force field of creative energy. As a teen in the 1970s, sewing ushered in an enchanted sense of feminine sovereignty. I'm delighted then to share in conversation with award-winning author and story alchemist, Kristin Kaye, about the sacred avenues of creativity and immersive exploration in nature.Our first experience with creativity influences how we dream ourselves into the world, which for me began with a love of sports and feeling a sense of play. I recall when my mother gave me “the talk” about menstruation and other activities associated with “young womanhood.” I funneled my desire for independent thinking into sewing, which became an unexpected ticket to liberation, evocative of the era's feminist movement and the power to design one's own life. When I began to work more “serious” career jobs, moving around the country, I lost my early connection to that creative spark. I became an “adult.” Creativity and play felt devalued. During a big life transition decades later, I signed up for a life-changing course, re-igniting the spark around the sovereign expression I had lost. In my conversation with award-winning author and meditation teacher, Kristin Kaye, we pick up the thread regarding creative play and discovery. Her childhood memories of playing by a creek in her suburban Maryland informed an early sense of freedom and wonder. This combined with memories of a step-grandfather's nature-immersed, playful poetry and storytelling gifts, inspired her later work in theater and also as an author exploring the ancient secrets of trees and our deepest longings for connection. Moving to the Pacific Northwest, Kristin shares her grief as a witness to clear-cut forests. This awareness leads to actions of caring stewardship, including organizing community dinners situated in nature and later climbs and sleeps atop a redwood tree for days. We speak about the courage required to belong to the world as a creatively-expressed person and the power of choice to honor nature, wisdom and ancestry.Topics Covered:(03:46) Becoming a woman(13:43) Feminism in the sewing room(19:40) Rediscovering feminine energy through drawing(26:05) Play is pure creativity (32:21) Kristin Kaye joins me in conversation(33:25) Freedom to play and the wonder of nature(41:44) Storytelling runs in the family(46:19) A woman's connection to her voice(58:02) Bringing Tree Dreams to life(1:04:12) Lessons from a redwood treeKristin KayeKristin Kaye | websiteKristin Kaye | InstagramStory Alchemy | websiteStay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on Facebook Credit:Podcast series production by Media Midwife Ahri GoldenPodcast series launch by The Wave PodcastingAbout: In...

In this series, I explore how the significant influences and archetypal events experienced in our first 14 years of life set the stage for what is most meaningful throughout our adult years. In times of transition, a voice wonders: who am I at the soul level, at my essence? Our earliest resonant moments of awe–what lit us up–offer direct access into the root system of our original belonging.In episode three, I share my story of learning the meaning of love as I grew up alongside my brother Joe Jr., who was born with Down syndrome in the 1960s, and how our relationship has evolved over the years. I am joined in conversation with Molly Nocon, CEO of Noah Homes, a groundbreaking residential community in San Diego that provides exceptional care and choices for adults with developmental disabilities, the home where my brother Joe resides today.In the 1960s, a movement swept the nation challenging the stigma around so-called “mental retardation.” For decades, parents were guided to place their children with special needs in institutions–but no more! I discuss how my mother found her voice in advocating for those born with intellectual disabilities as did my otherwise stoic father, a special agent for the FBI. Joe Jr. held the magic key to open peoples' hearts. He exemplified an unfettered sense of joy. Witnessing his love, yet knowing he was deemed “the other,” I felt compelled to share Joe's story. My brother, who loved to sing but could not speak, taught me that we communicate in many ways. He inspired my coming-of-age memoir FBI Girl, a love story about family that felt like a part of my personal, divine contract. In this episode, I also speak with Molly Nocon, CEO of Noah Homes in San Diego, California. Molly is also a sister to a brother born with Down syndrome. She shares stories of her early years and family dynamics and how these through-threads inspire her work today. Noah Homes, set on a beautiful, peaceful campus, exemplifies leadership and caring. It is also groundbreaking in its visionary role around memory care, as many adults living with Down syndrome are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in their later years. Molly speaks to the importance of family and community support and advocacy at the governmental level to maintain the commitment to caring for an exceptional population. With continued heart-centered advocacy, this episode is an inspiration to how we all can contribute to a more loving future for all citizens. Topics Covered:(03:38) Growing up with Joe, my brilliant teacher(10:17) Removing the shame around special needs (17:45) Embracing my divine contract (27:19) Caring like we're all connected(31:18) Molly Nocon joins me in conversation(40:13) Advocacy challenges and combatting “institution” stigmas (50:49) Going from no knowledge to special needs expert(58:45) Teaching an ethics of care and involvementMolly NoconNoah Homes | websiteNoah Homes | InstagramStay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on Facebook Credit:Podcast series production by Media Midwife...

In this series, I explore how the significant influences and archetypal events experienced in our first 14 years of life set the stage for what is most meaningful throughout our adult years. In times of transition, a voice wonders: who am I at the soul level, at my essence? Our earliest resonant moments of awe–what lit us up–offer direct access into the root system of our original belonging.In episode two, I explore my sense of place and of home, searching for lost stories of my ancestors, and uncovering secrets that contributed to the shaping of my sense of identity. After sharing my story, I am honored to be in conversation with social impact leader and global women's silence breaker, Jensine Larsen, Founder of World Pulse, as we explore the power of unleashed stories.Growing up in southern California with an Irish name, I was inspired to know more about my family roots but confused by the lack of stories handed down. Surrounded by Disneyland and Hollywood as cultural icons, I intuited instead a hidden reality that fueled my quest to uncover my true ground of being. My grandmother, born in Ireland and who emigrated to New York, only offered silence when I asked about her homeland. This whetted my curiosity!Visiting my ancestral homeland in my late teenage years, I lit up as I heard my Irish relatives proclaim: “Welcome Home!” From the green landscape to the storytelling culture, I felt a sense of belonging. I share excerpts from my journal written on that fateful trip as my early love for writing poetry continues to blossom. I discovered that the way I see the world is Irish, rooted in nature's beauty and spirituality, connected to a deep, ancient, soulful essence.After sharing my story, I welcome Jensine Larsen who shares through-threads from her childhood shaped by the blissful, natural world and an imaginative sense of play. She details the journey of finding her voice, eventually becoming an international journalist and founder of World Pulse, a digital platform connecting women's voices worldwide. Once a shy, misunderstood girl with a unique name, she depicts how she learned to challenge the status quo after experiencing loss and witnessing inequalities. As a young journalist in the Amazon, Jensine shares the discovery of her calling to be a conduit for other women's stories, where formerly unheard voices can be witnessed, leading to connection, empowerment, and new leadership frameworks around gender and media. Topics Covered:(03:39) Exile in LA among a silent family history (12:30) Honoring ancestry through searching out stories (16:18) Visiting Ireland and feeling at home (23:59) Journal excerpts from that fateful first trip(27:39) Jensine Larsen joins me in conversation (40:10) Listening so other womens' voices can be heard(49:34) Vision for World Pulse and global changeJensine LarsenJensine Larsen | websiteJensine Larsen | InstagramWorld Pulse | websiteWorld Pulse | InstagramStay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on...

In this series, I explore how the significant influences and archetypal events experienced in our first 14 years of life set the stage for what is most meaningful throughout our adult years. In times of transition, a voice wonders: who am I at the soul level, at my essence? Our earliest resonant moments of awe–what lit us up–offer direct access into the root system of our original belonging.In episode one, I share the journey of how I found my true voice. Long-suffering from shyness, I connect with my life force at age 14, discovering inner gifts of poetic observation as I learn to dream anew. I am also honored to be in conversation with Chloë Goodchild, vocalist, singing philosopher, sound pioneer, recording artist, and founder of The Naked Voice, to deepen this exploration around authentic voice expression. My story begins with life in the ‘70s L.A. suburbs, searching for roots, forging a relationship with a stoic FBI agent father, beguiled by family silence while inspired by my youngest brother, Joe, born with Down syndrome. The tragic loss of a family member as I came of age became my portal into adulthood. I witnessed major, unexpressed grief, wondering why people bury traumas in their hearts. Thanks to a teacher who challenged the status quo, I learned to trust my self-expression and life path.After sharing my story, I welcome Chloë Goodchild who describes the through-threads from her childhood landscape where she experienced partial deafness and how this stoked her curiosity about aspects of sound we normally don't consider. Nature was her teacher, connecting Chloe to rhythm and vibration, ultimately leading to a lifelong study of silence, song, and sound–our voice as a soulful instrument. A beloved teacher, she guides her listeners to explore the “naked voice” as our natural birthright. This approach contrasts with the “performing voice” we learned in school, one that shielded true expression. Having studied sound globally, Chloë speaks to voice as a gateway into our deep interconnection. Her contributions in the field of sound healing inspires liberation in an increasingly complex world. Topics Covered:(03:59) Growing up quiet, imaginative, and curious(08:49) Creative expression through poetry and song(12:19) Entering adulthood through grief(20:45) Experiencing belonging for the first time(29:41) Chloë Goodchild joins me in conversation(41:36) Nature reminds us that we belong to the world (47:42) Connecting to wisdom of the mother lines(51:13) The truths of a vocal self-portrait(1:01:35) Resurrecting the singing field (1:07:03) Resonance of the naked voice Resources Mentioned:The Singing Revolution | documentaryChloë Goodchild:The Naked Voice | websiteThe Naked Voice | bookVOCE Dialogues | podcastStay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on...

Welcome to Original Belonging, a six-part narrative podcast series hosted by bestselling author Maura Conlon, PhD. In this groundbreaking exploration, Maura poses this question: What made you come alive in your first 14 years that reveals the essence of who you are? Trained in Jungian-oriented Depth Psychology, Maura opens up a treasure trove of discovery, inspiring listeners to remember their life's soulful through-threads, the unique gifts with which they arrived to the world as the very seeds to be cultivated throughout one's life.Rising from a period of personal loss, Maura shares tender stories from her early life– the agony, ecstasy, and wisdom of coming-of-age-years. Here the personal anecdote unites with universal wisdom as Maura then interviews gifted creatives, leaders, and visionaries who reveal how pivotal early experiences shaped their lives. This podcast is a call for us to remember the power of our original belonging as the foundation of embracing our soul's true calling. Don't miss "Original Belonging" wherever you get your podcasts. Let's rediscover the places that made us come alive in our youth–they hold the key to opening our hearts and inspiring how we embrace our unique destiny today.Stay Connected:mauraconlon.com @orginalbeloning on Instagram Maura Conlon on Facebook Credit:Podcast series production by Media Midwife Ahri GoldenPodcast series launch by The Wave Podcasting