Thoughtful Wellness Revolution

About Zai: Zai, a 18 year old activist from Orlando, Florida has been protesting since the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. They are the president of their high school's (Dr. Phillips High School) Gender Sexuality Alliance. http://instagram.com/Bye._.Zai About Nichole: Hi I'm Nichole and I'm an activist in ocps. I spend my days with my friends and my community who have become my family just spreading peace and love and turning this world into a place of acceptance.  My Instagram is http://instagram.com/xx_gr1m_ho3_xx and you can always reach to me for support or a friend. Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

Tia is a writer, healer, and truth dealer who has worked for the top publishers in the spiritual publishing industry. Her calling is to work with those who are in major life transitions, need change, feel stuck, keep repeating patterns, or need help accessing their authenticity. Either through her energy work in Transference Healing or through writing, Tia helps others find their way through to their next chapter. She is currently a digital nomad and offers remote sessions as she travels with her husband and pug. https://TiaMeredith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/TiaMeredithWriter/ Courage Unknown Podcast Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution

Alysha is Zahra's long long time best friend. She is currently a Postdoc research fellow at the University of Nottingham. Last year she got her PhD in Business and Human Rights from the University of Manchester. Her research and life interests include workers' rights, corporate accountability, decolonial studies, surfing, ice cream, the sun and dogs. Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution

SexySoupDumplings (they/them) is a chef, content creator, and sex worker based in what is colonially known as Philadelphia. After graduating from Emerson, SexySoupDumplings dabbled in marketing and public relations. In 2020 amidst the beginning of the pandemic, they found their passion for sex education, healing work, and storytelling. SexySoupDumplings is a proud third generation Chinese-American non-binary femme relearning their roots in food history, culture, and exploring pleasure through food. https://www.instagram.com/sexysoupdumplings/ https://twitter.com/sexydumplings Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

In this bittersweet episode, we talk about breaking up with the podcast. Hien shares about the original goal of the podcast to showcase people who were doing things differently. We go on to talk about how much bullshit the wellness industry is under capitalism and how it feels like we're a drop in the ocean. Zahra talks about the attention economy and how a lot of well-intentional wellness influencers end up playing within the system. Furthermore, we discuss how wellness is presented as another thing you can consume. Lastly, we passionately share about what we are wanting to do moving forward which includes getting involved with mutual aid and asking ourselves the guiding questions: How can you get away from capitalism? And how can you get a little bit closer to community? Most importantly, we encourage our listeners to know that they are smart enough to do the right thing during the crises we are living through. Even though the podcast is ending, the Thoughtful Wellness Revolution umbrella is still available for us to use. See what we're up to at www.ThoughtfulwellnessRevolution.substack.com Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

This week we have some very important guests, Izaiyah (Zai) Ares Riveiro and Nichole Nina Lopez, a couple of student activists located in Orlando Florida! Zahra met these two awesome humans at a school board meeting in their city, following the school board's decision to cancel an afterschool Drag event, hosted through the Gender Sexuality Alliance, GSA, (in the episode you'll hear Zahra refer to it as the “Gay-Straight Alliance”, an outdated name used when she was in high school). Zai and Nichole talk to us a bit about their experiences throughout their high school experience. Plus, they share with us more of what is currently going on in the schoolboard, and in the state of Florida at large. Zai and Nichole talk to us a bit about Moms for Liberty, and their influence on this issue. We finish up by hearing a bit about their hopes and dreams for the next chapter in their lives. In this episode, we also discuss the influence Christian values have on our current education system, Zahra and Hien discuss this and Moms for Liberty more in the post interview. This is such an important episode because you can learn about how students are impacted by the current climate in Florida, through their own words, as well as get some insight on their actual needs and worries. Zai, a 18 year old activist from Orlando, Florida has been protesting since the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. They are the president of their high school's (Dr. Phillips High School) Gender Sexuality Alliance. http://instagram.com/Bye._.Zai Check out our Substack for transcripts and bonus content! Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

This week we're talking to Tia Meredith, a writer, healer, and truth dealer, who's currently in Croatia. If you like fire signs, you'll love this episode because together we complete the fire sign trio! We start by discussing Tia's interesting life, her travels to Greece, how she ended up in Croatia, and the year-long journey that led up to finally settling into her current home. Tia does a great job of teaching us about Transference Healing. We get into her journey of discovering this healing art form, plus we talk about the spiritual bypassing that often takes place in healing or wellness communities. In the second part of our interview, Tia gives us her insights of working in the spiritual publishing world that you won't want to miss! (We get into this more in our Bonus episode, which you can check out on our Substack for just $5 a month!). Hien and Zahra end the episode by talking about travel and serendipity, plus, we dive into our thoughts on Marianne Williamson and her desire to run for president. Tia is a writer, healer, and truth dealer who has worked for the top publishers in the spiritual publishing industry. Her calling is to work with those who are in major life transitions, need change, feel stuck, keep repeating patterns, or need help accessing their authenticity. Either through her energy work in Transference Healing or through writing, Tia helps others find their way through to their next chapter. She is currently a digital nomad and offers remote sessions as she travels with her husband and pug. https://TiaMeredith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/TiaMeredithWriter/ Courage Unknown Podcast Check out our Substack for transcripts and bonus content! Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

On this week's episode, we talk to Alysha Shivji, a postdoc researcher, who got her PhD in Business and Human Rights, located in Nottingham, UK. We learn about the worker-driven social responsibility model and what led Alysha to get her PhD in human rights. Alysha talks a bit about her PhD research where we learn about the Coalition of the Immokalee Workers, and how Taco Bell fits into this discussion on human rights. Alysha also shares with us an interesting approach to discovering human rights issues within corporate supply chains. We get to hear a little bit about Alysha's work as a Teaching Assistant at her University and she gives us hope for the students entering into business PhD programs. She also teaches us a little bit about the ideas around decolonizing business school, what that means and who's leading that charge. This is an amazing episode full of academic information shared in an accessible context, that will leave you feeling hopeful and informed! Alysha is Zahra's long long time best friend. She is currently a Postdoc research fellow at the University of Nottingham. Last year she got her PhD in Business and Human Rights from the University of Manchester. Her research and life interests include workers' rights, corporate accountability, decolonial studies, surfing, ice cream, the sun and dogs. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers https://ciw-online.org/  The Decolonizing Business School Manifesto https://www.bayes.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/656110/manifesto-for-decolonizing-the-business-school-curriculum.pdf  Tony's Chocolate (100% slave free chocolate) - https://tonyschocolonely.com/us/en  Check out our Substack for transcripts and bonus content! Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

This week on Thoughtful Wellness Revolution, we interview SexySoupDumplings (SSD), a chef, content creator, and sex worker from Philadelphia. We start off the episode discussing the movie, The Menu (2022), but don't worry there are no spoilers here as Hien hadn't seen the movie yet! Then, they tell us a little about their background as a chef and touch on their work in mutual aid kitchens. We get into a conversation about the coaching industry where SSD shares their experiences and insights from working with and as a coach. SSD also talks about their current work with peer support and how they're continuing to grow their business to provide sensual and dining experiences for their clients. This brings us back around to fine dining and The Menu (light spoilers around the themes of the movie). This episode is brimming with sensuality, honesty, and authenticity, so you won't want to miss out! https://www.instagram.com/sexysoupdumplings/ https://onlyfans.com/smexysoupdumplings https://twitter.com/sexydumplings Check out our Substack for transcripts and bonus content! Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Email us at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com Theme song: Katy Pearson

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser In this episode, Zahra and Hien catch up and share a bit about how their 2023 is going. Hien shares about her work life, Zahra gets vulnerable, and they discuss how inner work doesn't always show on the outside. They also share about guests to expect for the beginning of Season 4. Lastly, Zahra and Hien wholeheartedly endorse Jamika Scott for Tacoma City Council. http://jamikafortacoma.com/ For bonus episodes, subscribe to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Born and raised in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Jamika Scott is a writer, filmmaker, and advocate. As a founding member of the Tacoma Action Collective, she works toward building an equitable Tacoma and often incorporates her love of film into her social justice work. An active member of the community with a commitment to volunteerism, Jamika also serves on a number of local boards, commissions, and committees. Website: https://jamikascott.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ohdamn_jam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohdamn_jam/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ohdamnjam/ Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

Happy Black History Month! In this special bonus episode, we speak to Ben Jealous, Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania and former National President and CEO of the NAACP about his new book Never Forget Our People Were Always Free: A Parable of American Healing. If you are an organizer or someone who aspires to make the world a better place, we highly recommend you listen to this episode. 0:00 Zahra & Hien catch up and recap the episode 3:46 Ben talks about the book and his inspiration for writing it 8:46 Ben shares about his parents' interracial marriage in 1966 11:32 How Ben takes care of himself while doing this work, including wisdom from a yogi and his grandmother 16:49 Keeping nihilism at bay and what progressives can learn from the neighborly ways of the Evangelicals 21:14 Our need for a spiritual reckoning and revitalization and Ben's hopes for the Democratic Party 36:16 Ben shares advice for young Millennials & Gen Z who want to make an impact, including stories about Stacey Abrams 54:32 Zahra & Hien share their reflections and admiration for Ben Ben Jealous, scholar, journalist, civil rights leader, and philanthropist, was recently appointed as the first person of color to serve Executive Director of the Sierra Club. From 2008 to 2013, Ben led the NAACP as the youngest-ever president and CEO of the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization with more than 2,400 chapters. Currently, he is a Professor of the Practice, University of Pennsylvania, where Jealous teaches a course on Leadership and Racial Justice and works with students in mentorship settings. He was formerly Director of the Human Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, and Executive Director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of REACH: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding. A Rhodes Scholar and a past Democratic nominee for Governor of Maryland, he lives on the Chesapeake Bay with his children, Morgan and Jack, and their dog, Charlie. Get the book here https://benjealous.com/ For more bonus episodes, subscribe to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Olivia is a Magdalene Priestess and Psychic Intuitive. She queer and Afro Latina, and has spent the past decade of her life devoted to supporting spiritual, mental, and emotional healing of others. She has trained under such mentors as Gieselle Allen, Rebecca Ann, Andee Love, and Marcia Hoffheins, and has served hundreds of women and femmes in their healing journeys. A true Scorpio, Olivia's facilitation is deeply rooted in alchemy -- she helps you make sense of divine + esoteric guidance in your human body. Olivia has a Master's Degree in English Literature from NYU, is an RYT-200, a Reiki energy healer, avid bookworm and general human lover. IG: https://www.instagram.com/_oliviamagdalena/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@_oliviamagdalena/ Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson  

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Harpinder Mann (she/her) is a Sikh-Buddhist Punjabi-American yoga asana and meditation teacher currently living on Tongva Land. Her childhood consisted of trauma from domestic violence, sexual abuse, and bullying which set her on a journey of healing through yoga, meditation, activism, and brave community. Now she aims to move through the world with compassion and joy. This led her to create Harpinder Mann Yoga in 2018, where Harpinder now works with womxn of color 1:1 on reclaiming their power & intuition to be free through yoga asana, meditation, breathwork, and spiritual connection. She has over 800 hours of yogic training within the traditions of Raja, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Prenatal Yoga from respected teachers across the globe. Without her teachers, ancestors, and women before her, none of this would be possible. She is also actively working to decolonize wellness by creating community and providing real accessibility to her ancestral practices for BIPOC as the co-founder of the Womxn of Color Summit, an equitable community organization focused on creating brave and inclusionary spaces for womxn and non-binary people of color to share stories and knowledge as well as make impactful change. https://www.harpindermann.com/  https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga/  https://www.tiktok.com/@harpindermannyoga/  Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser About Sunaina: Sunaina Madhav Dasi (they/them) is a multidimensional human that holds many identities. They immigrated from Bangalore, India to the States in 1996 and are currently settled on the ancestral lands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Nations. Sunaina is a mixed race person (Indo-Aryan and Dravidian) and speaks Tamil as their mother-tongue. Their yoga practice is deeply rooted in Hinduism, Bhakti and social justice. They follow the lineage and teachings of their ancestors and Sri Paramahamsa Vishwananda as they took initiation into Hari Bhakta Sampradaya. Sunaina uses their neurodivergent superpowers to create a more community-centered world that focuses on individual healing by embracing one's unique purpose. They believe that the answer is already within us when we choose self-love, accountability and awareness. With their unique lens of the yogic path, Sunaina creates spaces to reclaim traditional practices, decolonize minds and abolish oppressive systems that affect us at an energetic and societal level. Outside of their practice they enjoy modeling, photography, dancing and directing photo shoots. Sunaina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/su9nah/ Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

About Dinh: Growing up, I was told my voice didn't matter. However, the call to serve during the beginning of the pandemic was stronger than my chains of silence. Now as a mental health facilitator and advocate I'm helping others raise their voices together as a form of bonding and healing at my BIPOC* Community Care events (*Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Utilizing intentional themes and guest speakers, folks come together virtually in a safer space where everyone can feel seen, heard, and validated. I also proudly co-created the Uplift Asian Women Retreat in Dec 2020 and Nov 2021 to center Asian voices and wellness. Be on the lookout for my next retreat in the next couple of months. Ever since, I've been doing everything I can to uplift and connect BIPOC folks and have not looked back! I love talking about: LGBTQ+ Asian experience, inclusivity, self care, yoga, plants, creativity, food (especially SWEETS)! Dinh's Instagram: http://Instagram.com/DepVietGurl Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Trigger warning: suicide | Please be aware that this content may be triggering. If it's not for you to consume at the moment or ever, that's alright. We send you so much love. Zahra and Hien recorded this episode on Zahra's birthday on December 19. In this bonus episode, we talk about the sad news of Stephen “tWitch“ Boss's death and had a very candid conversation about suicide. From the reactions we saw on the suicides of public figures like Boss to our personal experiences with depression and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, we discussed mental health and trauma in communities of color. Lastly, we emphasized the importance of folks who have suffered from depression and suicide ideation to share their voices in the conversation. Because as Zahra says, “You being here is a goddamn miracle.“ 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/ Please rate us 5 stars and leave a review :) For more bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

It's the Season 3 finale already! Zahra and Hien recap our guests and conversations, talk about events they're doing, and share more about guests they may like to have in the future. We'd love to talk to guests about gentle parenting, the healthcare system in the United States, and labor/union rights in general. If anyone is interested or you know anyone who would be a good fit, reach out at ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution@gmail.com or fill out this form. And all we want for the holidays is a 5 star rating + review. Sign up for co-work hours in January. Sign up for Meditation + Chill in January. For bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

Introducing our last guest of the season, the phenomenal, Jamika Scott, a writer and filmmaker from Tacoma, Washington. This is such a special interview because not only is Jamika an artist and activist, she's also a bundle of knowledge, wisdom, and kindness that exudes through this conversation. In this episode, we ask Jamika to tell us about her work as a writer and filmmaker, and how she's inspired to tell the stories of folks existing on the margins of society. We hear about Jamika's current fascinations as a storyteller and hear a bit about her views on the roles of family dynamics. Plus, we learn about why Jamika ran for mayor of Tacoma in 2021, and how she integrates her art, activism, and love of the community into her politics. Hien and Zahra are enlightened to the ways in which certain city councils are run and Jamika also teaches us about ‘pilot programs' and how they're harmful to local communities. Throughout this episode, we are in awe of the work and insights of Jamika, which is what Hien and Zahra talk about while wrapping up the episode. If you're interested in local politics, art, filmmaking, and community, be sure to listen now! Born and raised in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Jamika Scott is a writer, filmmaker, and advocate. As a founding member of the Tacoma Action Collective, she works toward building an equitable Tacoma and often incorporates her love of film into her social justice work. An active member of the community with a commitment to volunteerism, Jamika also serves on a number of local boards, commissions, and committees. Website: https://jamikascott.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ohdamn_jam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohdamn_jam/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ohdamnjam/ Please rate us 5 stars and leave a review :) For bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

We're excited to introduce you to our next guest, the electrifying Olivia Howard! She is a Magdalene priestess and psychic intuitive, located in Northern Virginia, and in our episode we learn what that means and what she does. We get into a religious and spiritual conversation that touches on the foundations of Christianity and how the Catholic and Christian institutions developed. Olivia teaches us a bit more about Mary Magdalene and her work as a Magdalene priestess. We learn more about the imbalance of power in the Church and the impacts of that on modern Christianity. Olivia shares a bit about her work with us, and how she helps others tap into their own spiritual authority. We talk about what it looks like to deconstruct and decolonize Christianity, plus Olivia shares with us some of her own journey. She also gets into what it's like to own a spiritually-based business. Olivia also talks about toxic shame and its relationship to the institutions of Christianity. We discuss the distinctions and complexities of individuals versus institutions, and the interdependence of the two. Zahra and Hien wrap up the episode by further discussing the idea of institutions versus individuals and rave about their conversation with Olivia. Olivia is a Magdalene Priestess and Psychic Intuitive. She queer and Afro Latina, and has spent the past decade of her life devoted to supporting spiritual, mental, and emotional healing of others. She has trained under such mentors as Gieselle Allen, Rebecca Ann, Andee Love, and Marcia Hoffheins, and has served hundreds of women and femmes in their healing journeys. A true Scorpio, Olivia's facilitation is deeply rooted in alchemy -- she helps you make sense of divine + esoteric guidance in your human body. Olivia has a Master's Degree in English Literature from NYU, is an RYT-200, a Reiki energy healer, avid bookworm and general human lover. IG: https://www.instagram.com/_oliviamagdalena/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@_oliviamagdalena/ Please rate us 5 stars and leave a review :) For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

0:00 Greetings 1:02 Elon Musk and Twitter 8:01 PR, Pseudo-realities, and fascism 18:08 The paradox of tolerance 24:42 Living with integrity and ethical dilemmas 29:02 What happened to our Twitter page Resource on understanding pseudo-reality Paradox of Tolerance For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Join us for Co-working Hours (November 15 & 29) or Meditation + Chill (November 17) Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

We're back with our third interview of the season and excited to introduce you to Hapinder Kaur Mann, a yoga and mindfulness educator and the co-founder of the Womxn of Color Summit. On this week's episode, we get into Harpinder's story and journey, personally and professionally, with wellness and yoga. She shares some of her wisdom with us that leaves both Hien and Zahra, and hopefully yourselves, some space for reflection about our reactions. Then Harpinder gets into her journey with yoga in white-led spaces and how she reconciled that journey with her personal experiences as a Punjabi Sikh, and finally what led her to working more specifically with folks of color. Harpinder is kind enough to share with us how the Womxn of Color Summit began and the revelations that brought her there. We get into a conversation about certifications and the commodification of wellness practices. Harpinder also shares with us some of her own process for decolonizing and fighting against the engrained capitalistic standards imposed on us. Additionally, we hear about Harpinder's own journey of decolonization in terms of her yoga practice and education. Zahra and Hien wrap up by gushing about Harpinder's vision and work. Plus, they get into more talk about religious influences and spiritual practices. Harpinder Mann (she/her) is a Sikh-Buddhist Punjabi-American yoga asana and meditation teacher currently living on Tongva Land. Her childhood consisted of trauma from domestic violence, sexual abuse, and bullying which set her on a journey of healing through yoga, meditation, activism, and brave community. Now she aims to move through the world with compassion and joy. This led her to create Harpinder Mann Yoga in 2018, where Harpinder now works with womxn of color 1:1 on reclaiming their power & intuition to be free through yoga asana, meditation, breathwork, and spiritual connection. She has over 800 hours of yogic training within the traditions of Raja, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Prenatal Yoga from respected teachers across the globe. Without her teachers, ancestors, and women before her, none of this would be possible. She is also actively working to decolonize wellness by creating community and providing real accessibility to her ancestral practices for BIPOC as the co-founder of the Womxn of Color Summit, an equitable community organization focused on creating brave and inclusionary spaces for womxn and non-binary people of color to share stories and knowledge as well as make impactful change. https://www.harpindermann.com/  https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga/  https://www.tiktok.com/@harpindermannyoga/  For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

We're back with Season 3 Episode 2, welcome our next guest Sunaina Madhav Dasi, a multidimensional yoga teacher, model, and artivist. You won't want to miss this rich conversation because Sunaina, a dedicated lineage follower, talks about their experience with yoga and spirituality. Zahra and Hien ask some questions about the process for initiation, ritual, practices, and more. Sunaina tells us their firsthand experience entering a lineage, as well as the mysical and synchonisitic experiences that led them on their path. We learn more about specific to Sunaina's lineage as well as their thoughts on traditonalism versus modernism, when it comes to carrying on these practices. Sunaina tells us about their mission to make these practices accessible for the people who've been barred from learning their ancestral traditions. Sunaina talks to us about the 3 S's that guide their path, which you can learn more about in this episode. And the grace we must have for ourselves throughout our journey. We talk what it mean to bring a child into the world in 2022 as Sunaina prepares to do so themselves. And Hien and Zahra wrap up by sharing their awe for Sunaina after their conversation. If you're into yoga and spirituality, it's an episode you won't want to miss! About Sunaina: Sunaina Madhav Dasi (they/them) is a multidimensional human that holds many identities. They immigrated from Bangalore, India to the States in 1996 and are currently settled on the ancestral lands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Nations. Sunaina is a mixed race person (Indo-Aryan and Dravidian) and speaks Tamil as their mother-tongue. Their yoga practice is deeply rooted in Hinduism, Bhakti and social justice. They follow the lineage and teachings of their ancestors and Sri Paramahamsa Vishwananda as they took initiation into Hari Bhakta Sampradaya. Sunaina uses their neurodivergent superpowers to create a more community-centered world that focuses on individual healing by embracing one's unique purpose. They believe that the answer is already within us when we choose self-love, accountability and awareness. With their unique lens of the yogic path, Sunaina creates spaces to reclaim traditional practices, decolonize minds and abolish oppressive systems that affect us at an energetic and societal level. Outside of their practice they enjoy modeling, photography, dancing and directing photo shoots. Sunaina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/su9nah/ For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson  

Gun violence content warning at 1:55-2:11 This week we are back with the first of our lovely guests for the season, Dinh Do, a mental health facilitator and advocate from New York City! Dinh's warmth radiates through this episode as we talk about her journey with mental health and her work as an advocate for mental health. We get into the pandemic and how that impacted our mental health and how Dinh found power through connection and care circles during that time. We really get into what it means to hold space and support others, something Dinh does through her BIPOC community spaces. We learn about what motivated her to start this work and hear about what the future may hold for her work. We get into our need for rest and Dinh shares with us rest as one of her practices. Plus, we get to hear from Dinh more about her own experiences throughout the last few years that led her down this path of a career change. You all know we love having our friends on these podcasts and as a dear friend of Hien's, you won't want to miss the joy, equanimity, and coziness of this episode. About Dinh: Growing up, I was told my voice didn't matter. However, the call to serve during the beginning of the pandemic was stronger than my chains of silence. Now as a mental health facilitator and advocate I'm helping others raise their voices together as a form of bonding and healing at my BIPOC* Community Care events (*Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Utilizing intentional themes and guest speakers, folks come together virtually in a safer space where everyone can feel seen, heard, and validated. I also proudly co-created the Uplift Asian Women Retreat in Dec 2020 and Nov 2021 to center Asian voices and wellness. Be on the lookout for my next retreat in the next couple of months. Ever since, I've been doing everything I can to uplift and connect BIPOC folks and have not looked back! I love talking about: LGBTQ+ Asian experience, inclusivity, self care, yoga, plants, creativity, food (especially SWEETS)! Dinh's Instagram: http://Instagram.com/DepVietGurl For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

In this episode, Zahra and Hien welcome you into Season 3 by sharing our reflections of the podcast on our 1 year anniversary. We also share where we think the podcast is going. Thank you so much to all our listeners! Subscribe to our Substack for bonus episodes and events. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support. Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering readily-accessible, patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to women in areas that she terms 'materno-toxic zones'. Her focus and drive is to ensure that Black women and other marginalized people remain safe and empowered inside broken and inequitable maternity health systems that have become dangerous and all too often, lethal. She is the Executive Director of her own non-profit corporation Commonsense Childbirth Inc. which operates a training institute, health clinics and a birthing center in Orlando, Florida, and is also the founder of the National Perinatal Task Force, a grassroots organization whose mission is the elimination of racial disparities in maternal child health in the USA. In July 2020 her school, Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery became the first and only privately-owned, nationally accredited midwifery school owned by a Black woman in the United States. Jennie is the founder and a proud member of The Council of Midwifery Elders, she serves on the Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus, is a Fellow of The Aspen Institute, and has been recognized as a TIME Woman of The Year 2022 for her work in promoting perinatal equity. Website: https://commonsensechildbirth.org/ Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her) is a cisgender, able-bodied, Nehiyaw (Cree) member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, registered psychologist, and assistant professor at Athabasca University. She uses her privilege to pave paths towards trauma-informed, socially just, anti-oppressive support by integrating ancient wisdom traditions and psychology. As the current Indigenous Director for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, she is grateful to walk alongside Indigenous kin, across Turtle Island. Melissa is also director of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, dedicated to her own healing journey and lifelong studentship. She lives in Chuwapchipchiyan Kude Bi (Canmore, AB) with her spouse and rescue dog, Lulu. Website: https://www.canmorecounselling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canmorecounselling/ Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Surprise! It's another pop culture episode. This time Zahra and Hien talk about Bennifer and their wedding and individual controversies. We also talk about their astrology and enneagram. This episode was recorded on August 22, 2022. We promise Season 3 and more interviews with our guests are coming soon. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck wed at ‘imitation plantation' in Georgia Ben Affleck's response to Finding Your Roots controversy Subscribe to our Substack for $5 a month for more bonus content. Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson  

Inara (she/her) is a 1st year Master of Public Health candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Inara became passionate about public health after witnessing and experiencing the chronic effects that health disparities pose on the well-being of communities, specifically on people with marginalized identities. She has spent a significant portion of her academic career studying health equity, substance use prevention, and adverse childhood experiences. She currently serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center supporting junior faculty and BIPOC staff on grant writing mechanisms. Additionally, she works with Planned Parenthood's Muslim Organizing Program in the South Atlantic Region, where she supports community mobilization efforts through coalition building, facilitates meaningful conversations about sexual and reproductive health, and empowers fellow Muslim Americans in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area. In her free time, you can usually find Inara listening to music or going to concerts. A typical conversation with her will likely include anecdotes about her hometown Atlanta, her love of Dunkin Donuts, and her extensive sneaker collection. Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

In this extra bonus episode, Zahra and Hien talk about celebrity/influencer culture, the social contract, and how we're all mining our lives for content in 2022. Subscribe for $5 a month to listen to the full 50 minute episode. Social Contract Theory The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by 14th Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

Denise (they/she) is a somatic trauma resolution practitioner, steward of consensual culture, abolition feminist, writer and dancer. Their work focuses on creating spaces for the embodiment of self-worth, sovereignty and sexuality for melanated people on the feminine spectrum through their extensive training in somatic trauma resolution, erotic movement arts, spiritual consciousness and ancestral power. Denise offers 1:1 sessions, immersive group experiences and healing circles as an intuitive space holder. They are a queer, nonbinary Malaysian Chinese immigrant femme of Daoist descent. Websites:  https://denisedimensional.com https://consensualculture.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/denisedimensional Listen to the full bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Chichi Agorom is a lifelong student of what it means to be fully human. She is a Certified Enneagram Teacher & Adjunct Faculty with The Narrative Enneagram and holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Post-Master's Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the author of the book, The Enneagram for Black Liberation. https://www.chichiagorom.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheEnneagramForBlackLiberation/ Listen to the full 19 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Lena Soo Hee Wood (she/her) is a midwife, mindfulness teacher, Zen Kitchen witch, aspiring herbalist, mama, and forever student. Her practice, Revolutions Midwifery, focuses on general sexual and reproductive health, fertility and home IUI services, medication abortion, as well as perinatal mental health care, childbirth education, and lactation support. Revolutions Midwifery is a feminist, BIPOC-owned, queer and trans-inclusive, pro-choice midwifery practice rooted in the framework and practices of reproductive justice. Lena is also currently a student at Frontier Nursing University, studying to add certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse-practitioner to her clinical offerings. In her play time, she enjoys garment sewing and hand quilting, watercolors, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.  You can find more of her work here at her website: https://revolutionsmidwifery.com or IG: @RevolutionsMidwifery Listen to the full 22 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

It's a wild one… 0:00 Heat 1:31 Rage and Roe v. Wade being overturned thoughts 06:45 Season 2 Recap 14:12 What's next 19:55 Pop culture - Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Beyoncé mentions 35:33 Hopes 45:05 More pop culture featuring Umbrella Academy spoilers, royals, and Kardashians https://abortionfunds.org/    https://keepourclinics.org/  For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

On this episode we are delighted to introduce you to our last guest of the season, Jennie Joseph, a British-trained midwife, advocate, teacher, and business-owner. We start our conversation off by talking about the history of midwifery and the difference between the fields of obstetrics and midwifery. We hear some specifics surrounding the birth mortality rate in the US compared to other countries, as well as why Black women (and Black folks with uteruses) are the ones most impacted. Jennie shares with us her experience as a British-trained midwife in the US, and her work with marginalized populations. We are also fortunate enough to hear Jennie share the 4 tenets of The JJ Way®, which are the foundational teachings in her midwifery school, Common Sense Childbirth. Jennie shares how the JJ Way is working to revolutionize birthing for women in communities of high need. We finish up our interview by asking Jennie about what she'd like to see more of in the birthing and wellness world. During the post-interview conversation, Zahra and Hien talk about how amazing Jennie is, and how much we love to see advocates in action. Plus we get into our feelings about children, talk about the weather (and maybe climate change?), and of course, dive into some Enneagram conversation. Website: https://commonsensechildbirth.org/ Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support. Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering readily-accessible, patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to women in areas that she terms 'materno-toxic zones'. Her focus and drive is to ensure that Black women and other marginalized people remain safe and empowered inside broken and inequitable maternity health systems that have become dangerous and all too often, lethal. She is the Executive Director of her own non-profit corporation Commonsense Childbirth Inc. which operates a training institute, health clinics and a birthing center in Orlando, Florida, and is also the founder of the National Perinatal Task Force, a grassroots organization whose mission is the elimination of racial disparities in maternal child health in the USA. In July 2020 her school, Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery became the first and only privately-owned, nationally accredited midwifery school owned by a Black woman in the United States. For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson  

*At 46:19-47:25 in the post-interview, Zahra and Hien discuss Riverdale spoilers This week we have the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Jay, a registered psychologist and the lead instructor with Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. She starts our episode with a grounding practice and then we talk about what it means to be honest with ourselves about our needs around grief and work. Melissa shares with us some of her back story, including what is offered through her Canmore Counselling practice. She breaks down what her “holistic approach” is and we discuss the ways those buzzwords can be confusing. Melissa shares some wisdom from one of her teachers, Dr. Albert Marshall, called “two-eyed seeing”, which centers on bridging Western Psychology and trauma theory with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Zahra and Hien wrap up the episode by gushing about Melissa and talk more about the blending of Indigenous knowledge with Western theory. Email: welcome@canmorecounselling.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/canmorecounselling Website: http://canmorecounselling.com Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her) is a cisgender, able-bodied, Nehiyaw (Cree) member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, registered psychologist, and assistant professor at Athabasca University. She uses her privilege to pave paths towards trauma-informed, socially just, anti-oppressive support by integrating ancient wisdom traditions and psychology. As the current Indigenous Director for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, she is grateful to walk alongside Indigenous kin, across Turtle Island. Melissa is also director of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, dedicated to her own healing journey and lifelong studentship. She lives in Chuwapchipchiyan Kude Bi (Canmore, AB) with her spouse and rescue dog, Lulu. For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Theme song: Katy Pearson

This week we have the pleasure of speaking with Inara Valliani, a Public Health Candidate in Health Behavior at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She talks about her background and journey into the field. Inara “geeks out” and blesses us all with her knowledge on health as a social model of how we live, play, and work, not just a medical model of illness or wellness. We get into the social determinants of health, the various factors that make up our individual and societal health. Plus, Inara introduces us to the concept of “positionality”. Hien and Zahra wrap up with their thoughts on the episode and a heated conversation about the relationship to the coaching industry and neoliberalism. Inara's email: Inara.Valliana@gmail.com Inara (she/her) is a 1st year Master of Public Health candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Inara became passionate about public health after witnessing and experiencing the chronic effects that health disparities pose on the well-being of communities, specifically on people with marginalized identities. She has spent a significant portion of her academic career studying health equity, substance use prevention, and adverse childhood experiences. She currently serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center supporting junior faculty and BIPOC staff on grant writing mechanisms. Additionally, she works with Planned Parenthood's Muslim Organizing Program in the South Atlantic Region, where she supports community mobilization efforts through coalition building, facilitates meaningful conversations about sexual and reproductive health, and empowers fellow Muslim Americans in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area. In her free time, you can usually find Inara listening to music or going to concerts. A typical conversation with her will likely include anecdotes about her hometown Atlanta, her love of Dunkin Donuts, and her extensive sneaker collection. Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Theme song: Katy Pearson

0:00 Greetings 3:24 Roe v. Wade, abortion rights 17:40 Future plans 32:31 Recap of season 2 so far + the upcoming episode CJ (@LoveBroccoli) Sign up for Meditation + Chill on May 19 Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution For bonus content, subscribe to our Substack for $5 a month. You can also subscribe for free to get updates! Theme song: Katy Pearson

This week we are joined by our lovely guest Denise Chang, a somatic trauma resolution practitioner, located on Kumeyaay land. We start off with Denise's story and how they got into the somatic work. We learn about the field of trauma resolution and what Denise does as a practitioner. Plus, you'll get a more clear definition of ‘somatics' and some helpful advice for finding and creating a relationship with a somatic practitioner. Denise shares their work with Consensual Culture, a framework they developed/uses in their work. We get real about the heaviness of the last few years and Denise shares some ways to practice embodiment when life is hard. Zahra and Hien end with a conversation discussing their frustrations, hope, and potential for the people/systems in this country. Denise (they/she) is a somatic trauma resolution practitioner, steward of consensual culture, abolition feminist, writer and dancer. Their work focuses on creating spaces for the embodiment of self-worth, sovereignty and sexuality for melanated people on the feminine spectrum through their extensive training in somatic trauma resolution, erotic movement arts, spiritual consciousness and ancestral power. Denise offers 1:1 sessions, immersive group experiences and healing circles as an intuitive space holder. They are a queer, nonbinary Malaysian Chinese immigrant femme of Daoist descent. https://denisedimensional.com https://consensualculture.com https://instagram.com/denisedimensional "The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible." ~Toni Cade Bambara “The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.” ~Dalai Lama Image of leader vs. manager/boss https://www.modernservantleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/boss-vs-leader-800x800.png Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Theme song: Katy Pearson

On this week's episode we have the pleasure of speaking to Chichi Agorom, a writer and Enneagram teacher, located in Los Angeles, CA. Chichi is the author of the book “The Enneagram for Black Liberation: Return to Who You Are Beneath the Armor You Carry”, which is out now. We talk about her new book, the first book written by and FOR Black folks, and we find out a little about what she means when she describes Enneagram types as armor. Chichi so kindly shares with us how she brought more joy into her life and the challenges of personal and collective grief of the last few years. Plus, Chichi tells us why 11 seconds is such an important amount of time. Hien and Zahra end the episode gushing over their love of Chichi and get a bit vulnerable about their lives at the time of this interview. Chichi's Instagram: @TheEnneagramForBlackLiberation Chichi's website: ChichiAgorom.com Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Theme song: Katy Pearson

We're back for Season 2 with our first guest, Lena Wood, a certified nurse-midwife located in Tacoma Washington! In this episode, we get into, and go beyond, birthing babies to understand what it means to be a full-spectrum midwife. We learn about other services provided for us by midwives and talk about the various stages of care for people with uteruses. Lena tells us about her midwife origin story and some insight as to what it means to provide a trauma-informed healthcare experience. We also talk about diversity in midwifery. Plus, in a new segment this season, Zahra and Hien wrap up the episode by sharing their thoughts on midwifery and their conversation with Lena. Lena's website: https://revolutionsmidwifery.com/ Lena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revolutionsmidwifery/ Follow us on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution For transcripts and bonus content, check out our Substack https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Theme song: Katy Pearson

0:00 Greetings and check-ins 6:24 What to expect from Season 2 and the guests we'll have on 18:50 Upcoming plans Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Episode transcript For bonus content, subscribe to our Substack for $5 a month. You can also subscribe for free to get updates! Theme song: Katy Pearson

Jessica's favourite saying is that she's 'finding her way back home'. As a movement teacher who is trained in yoga and dance, she uses trauma-informed practices to help people connect and find agency for their own bodies. She hosts public and private movement classes and is the creator of Meaningful Movement, a training workshop focusing on accessibility and community within 'wellness'. Jessica creates programming and classes centralizing BIPOC communities and bigger bodies. She believes that exclusive spaces are necessary for healing and creating a greater sense of safety. Jessica also advocates for BIPOC teachers within the wellness industry. Listen to the full 41 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-jessica-young Jess's website: https://www.jess-be.com/ Jess's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbe__/ Follow us on social media Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoughtfulwrpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution/ If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Sophia Ellis is a Trinidadian-American artist, educator, curator, and cultural critic. She is a Master's Student in Public Humanities at Brown University and studies public art, informal learning, and visual and material culture in the digital age. Her focuses center colonization and its afterlives in the art world and beyond. Sophia is interested in community learning spaces and arts-based education as practices of care. Listen to the full 35 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-sophia-ellis Follow us on social media Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoughtfulwrpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution/ If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Because we love you, here's a bonus Valentine's Day episode! 0:29 Zahra and Hien answer questions from the unCURATED card game and "The Chakra Game" also known as the Mind, Body, and Soul game. 31:23 Season 2 updates and release date Join our Substack for $5 a month for bonus episodes https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/ Unedited transcript of the episode here. Follow us on social media + share your answers to the questions Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoughtfulwrpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution/ If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

With over 14 years of experience, Brittini Carter is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher in Central Florida. It is her passion to heal minds and souls concurrently in the black community and with marginalized populations. She is recognized for providing a safe environment while teaching individuals and couples how to manage their responses to life events and occurrences. Brittini is the owner of Carter Therapy, LLC which integrates Therapy, Yoga and Guided Meditation for a holistic wellness experience.   Brittini graduated from Troy University with her Masters in Counseling Psychology, is a Certified Yoga Teacher, Qualified Supervision, Certified Couples Counselor, and Certified Parent Trainer. Therapy Specialties are: Women's Issues, Anxiety, Coping Skills, Depression, Grief, Body Image, Life Transitions, Family Issues, Anger Management, Self Esteem, Marginalized Populations, Parenting, Codependency, Stress Management   In addition to the services mentioned above Brittini is also the Author of the self-paced E-course More Than A Mother, a guide to rediscovering yourself. This course gives mothers at any stage the opportunity to find balance in motherhood and live a more fulfilling life. Listen to the full 55 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. https://thoughtfulwellnessrevolution.substack.com/p/bonus-content-brittini-carter Brittini's Website: https://cartertherapyllc.com/ Brittini's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cartertherapy/ Follow us on social media Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoughtfulwrpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution/ If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Milton C. Stewart, MBA is a certified Enneagram and Career Coach. He is the founder of Kaizen Careers, Coaching, and Consulting LLC; where he teaches, coaches, facilitates and consults using the Enneagram. He has learned the Enneagram from a variety of different schools. These schools include the Enneagram in Business programs, Narrative Tradition, CP Enneagram, Spectrum Enneagram, and Enneagram + Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Anti-Racism program. Milton is also an Associate Member of the Enneagram in Business Network. Milton is the host of Do It For The Gram: An Enneagram Podcast. Prior to Milton's Enneagram work, he worked in the education sector in adult and elementary education. Milton feels compelled to mentor youth and to teach the Enneagram to underserved communities in hopes of healing them. Milton's Website: https://www.kaizencareers.com/ Milton's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaizencareers/ Do It For The Gram Podcast https://www.instagram.com/doitforthegrampodcast/ Listen to the full hour plus bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

Meesha (she/they) is a first generation desi (Punjabi and Kashmiri). She owns a virtual yoga studio called Alchemystic Studio that seeks to reclaim yoga back to the indigenous keepers of it's wisdom, decolonize the practice to promote inclusivity, and uplift all folks who are often left out of white-washed wellness spaces. Meesha teaches yoga as a holistic philosophy and lifestyle rather than a workout, and uses her voice to teach the origins of this ancient medicine. You can find more of her work here at her website: www.alchemysticstudio.com or IG: @alchemystic_studio Listen to the full 38 minute bonus episode by subscribing to our Substack for $5 a month. Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

In this week's episode, Zahra and Hien get together to reflect on their year and talk about the podcast's future. It gets passionate and political. Check out the timestamps below for the major talking points. 0:00 Greetings 0:50 What's been on Hien's mind 1:26 What's been on Zahra's mind 5:21 Zahra talks about her year including health conditions and Enneagram trainings 10:41 Hien talks about her year including yoga trainings, her enneagram type, and her personal life 15:33 Expectations vs. Reality, recapping the process of Season 1 22:39 Plans, hopes, and dreams for Season 2 27:07 Hien and Zahra discuss what decolonization in wellness means to them 35:37 Hien and Zahra talk about neoliberalism and wellness 42:47 How we can disrupt neoliberalism with wellness and self-compassion 49:08 Things to look forward to during our off season (Clubhouse!) and closing Landback https://landback.org/ Neoliberalism -- the ideology at the root of all our problems Hien's self-compassion course (general) Hien also has a free self-compassion course for POC, email her at Hien@HienHong.com to take it. Quote that inspired Hien when she talked about decolonization in wellness: “We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art, and very often in our art, the art of words.” ~Ursula K. Le Guin Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Episode transcript For bonus content, subscribe to our Substack. If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson  

In this week's episode we are joined by Jessica Young, an artist and movement facilitator located in the Toronto area. The energy Jess brings to this episode will encourage you to ask yourself some tough questions and simultaneously wrap you in self-compassion. To start, we recognize the beautiful friendship of Jess and Hien, sparked by a shared passion for advocacy and creating human-centered spaces. Plus, we learn about Jessica's relationship to movement and how she began teaching. She also gets into the specifics of what it looks like to create a “container of care” for students. Much of this episode centers around the various levels of privileges and barriers facilitators face in yoga (and movement) spaces. Jess brings up issues around labor and compensation in studios. From prep time to volunteer hours, we also get into the studio model that capitalizes on seva, or, “karma yoga.” Hien points out how mainstream studio culture commodifies teachers, especially BIPOC or marginalized folks. We share our experiences of teaching during a pandemic and how normalizing online classes is changing life for teachers and studios. Jess highlights the realities faced by many marginalized folks and shares the difficult conversations she had with herself about recognizing her value. She also walked us through an exercise ALL movement teachers should do. (And we don't use the word “should” lightly here at TWR). We divulge some of our own experiences with studio culture, and Jess makes some brilliant points about how we're taught to view our fellow teachers. Jessica champions the idea of community over competition and shares her ideas of how we can support fellow teachers. We end with insightful honesty from Jessica about owning your mistakes and acknowledging your privileges so you can use them as resources to learn, listen, and use your voice to ask difficult questions and advocate for others. Jessica's website: https://www.jess-be.com/ Jessica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbe__/ Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Episode transcript For bonus content, subscribe to our Substack. If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson

In this week's episode we welcome Sophia Ellis, an artist, educator, curator, and cultural critic. She is a current Public Humanities Master's student at Brown University and friend of Zahra from undergrad, so we get into a familiar yet insightful conversation about the reflections from our first experiences in the wellness world and Sophia explains how art serves as a form of resistance and wellness. Sophia also shares with us a bit of her personal story and what drew her, and like many others, to mainstream wellness practices in the first place. We discuss the binary that exists between mainstream wellness culture and its counterculture. Sophia and Hien point out the ways mainstream wellness culture benefits us by providing some relief but is also potentially dangerous by promoting utopic ideals while upholding oppressive or dehumanizing systems. Sophia tells us about her experiences living abroad, specifically about the division she saw between wellness practices held in communities for locals versus wellness opportunities marketed to travelers. Sophia and Zahra get into their experiences with wellness travel in Southeast Asia and reflect upon the industry's ties to imperialist and dehumanizing values. As an English teacher in Vietnam, Sophia tells us about the Western influence on these schools' curriculum and we get into a conversation on the “banking model of education.” As an artist and educator, Sophia talks to us about art as a facet of wellness. She educates us on the concept of “community art” with beautiful examples of how folks use it to resist colonial or oppressive structures. She also reminds us that art is the way we tell and process our stories, and collective art projects do so on a community scale. We all discuss our perspectives on how art and education play into our wellness. During this conversation, Sophia mentions an article by Shreena Gandhi and Lillie Wolff that is linked here: Yoga and the Roots of Cultural Appropriation article Follow us on social media Twitter: @ThoughtfulWRPod Instagram: @ThoughtfulWellnessRevolution Episode transcript For bonus content, subscribe to our Substack. If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate and review on Apple or Podchaser Theme song: Katy Pearson