Pillow Talk: Real People. Real Stories. Real Awkward. (an awfully hilarious anthology) is available now! The audiobook is available on February 18th (on sale), get your copy and let’s heal together.

In this episode, we explore themes of sex, intimacy, and empowerment while celebrating our shared journey of writing and community building. Heather shares insights into the collaborative process of creating the book, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and the significance of laughter and vulnerability in storytelling. We also delve into the healing power of self-exploration, connection, and community. Anastasia reflects on the experience of becoming a published author through the project. The episode emphasizes the joy of authentic connections and the therapeutic potential of sharing personal stories.

What is Pillow Talk? It's smashing stigma with story, eighteen writers share frank and funny stories of their intimate experiences—celebrating moments of passion, and laying bare others they’d rather forget. Disappointing and humiliating encounters are interlaced with instances of joy and self-discovery in a book that validates all manifestations of desire.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

05:12 Discussing 'Pillow Talk' and 'Foreplay'

17:28 Community and Connection

31:22 The Importance of Foreplay

40:06 The Power of the Erotic

44:13 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Approaches

47:35 Building Community and Support

49:41 Upcoming Projects and Initiatives

56:06 The Power of Community and Connection

01:09:33 Final Thoughts and Resources

Welcome back to the ‘Insights with Us’ podcast! My mission is to build a community rooted in acceptance and authenticity. In this episode, I want to reflect on the podcast’s journey over the past two years and share exciting plans for 2026 before we dive into the idea of shadow work, which involves confronting and understanding the parts of ourselves that we typically avoid so we can break old patterns and heal. Let’s get vulnerable and build insight together.

00:17 Reflecting on the Journey and 2026 Plans

01:43 Gratitude and Guest Highlights

04:55 Shadow Work and Personal Growth

09:15 Understanding and Embracing Shadow Selves

19:00 Setting Boundaries and Authenticity

32:43 Questions for Self-Reflection

37:34 Conclusion

In this episode, we join Brittaney Latta, a queer trauma therapist, as she shares her personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma and finding safety in adulthood. She shares the challenges and triumphs of starting her own private practice and her commitment to creating safe and affirming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Brittaney also introduces her innovative project—the Queer Rebels Box—a curated set of sensory coping tools designed for neurodivergent queer individuals. The discussion touches on the importance of boundaries, the complexities of queer identity, and actionable steps allies can take to support and protect the LGBTQ+ community.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming

00:14 Brittaney's Background and Upbringing

07:25 Building a Safe and Sober Life

14:31 Building a Practice and Boundaries

33:10 Acceptance

37:07 The Importance of Safe Spaces

45:52 The Role of Allies

59:50 The Beauty of Non-Conformity

01:03:53 Final Thoughts and Intentions

What makes you feel free? How do you know what is authentic for you? In this episode, Maria Scarpello dives into alignment she has found with her true self, the significance of play and exploration in life, and the importance of authenticity and self-love. We talk about being a nomad, grounding practices, and genuineness and inner child work.

We show up together as our authentic selves, accept our differences, and share excitement for life’s endless possibilities.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Maria

03:28 The Great Life Experimenter

05:58 Living a Nomadic Life

15:30 Grounding Practices and Tools

21:09 Exploring Ancient Sites and Spiritual Journeys

26:46 Envisioning a New Earth

35:18 Embracing Uncertainty and Flexibility

46:19 Connecting with the Inner Child

53:36 Authenticity and Community Building

59:58 Final Thoughts and Intentions

https://transformationalshifts.com/

@transformationalshifts

What are your boundaries? How do you enforce them? What does it look like when your boundaries change? In this episode we talk about the steps to setting boundaries, enforcing them, the intensity of boundaries, and the different types of boundaries to look out for in your life.

You don’t just need to respect other’s boundaries, you need to respect your own. Let’s build insight together.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:34 Understanding Boundaries

05:50 Types of Boundaries

19:17 Personal Story: Navigating Boundaries in Relationships

28:57 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Join Stefani and I as we explore the process of self-discovery and embracing authenticity. We explore the challenges of getting stuck in survival patterns, shedding societal and familial expectations, and the importance of setting personal boundaries. We open up about the different parts of ourselves we’ve discovered and discuss the process of replacing self-criticism with self-compassion. This work is challenging, but it can lead to a more authentic and joyful way of living. It is worth it, and I hope you join us on the journey.

What to expect in this episode:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:29 Diving into Personal Stories

04:22 The Journey of Self-Discovery

06:28 Embracing Authenticity and Boundaries

27:20 The Challenge of Setting Boundaries

42:21 Types of Boundaries and Their Importance

47:27 The Journey of Authenticity

01:04:11 The Healing Power of Crying

01:06:15 Embracing Your Unique Self

01:09:07 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Join Anastasia as she explores the concept of 'it takes a village,' emphasizing the importance of community and authentic connections. We are more isolated than we have ever been, and feeling seen and supported is imperative to our health. She discusses barriers to connection, how to build insight into how you’re showing up, and being curious about your capacity and efforts. The episode also highlights the importance of mutual support, setting boundaries, and balancing self-care with being there for others.

Build insight into your roles within your communities and take small, actionable steps towards fostering genuine connections. Additional insights on contributing to broader community support and navigating complex social dynamics are provided.

Sponsors include

Occupied Mind: INSIGHTSWITHUS15

The Pelvic People: INSIGHTSWITHUS7

00:18 The Concept of 'It Takes a Village'

01:57 Understanding the Need for Community

05:14 The Negative Lens and How it Affects Connection

10:40 Showing Up for Others

20:43 Balancing Personal Boundaries and Community Support

31:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

This episode Clayton Jay Reeves tells his inspiring life story. A trans man, athlete and advocate shares his experiences growing up in a small Iowa town, navigating the challenges of his identity, and ultimately finding community and resilience through American Ninja Warrior. Clayton discusses his difficult upbringing, the process of coming out, and his journey towards self-acceptance and advocacy. Clayton Jay Reeves appeared on seasons 17 and (soon to be) 18 of American Ninja Warrior. The episode is a testament to perseverance, the importance of representation, and the power of community support.

In this episode:

00:17 Meet Clayton Jay Reeves

02:06 Clayton's Ninja Warrior Journey

03:47 Challenges and Resilience

06:43 Coming Out and Family Dynamics

19:35 High School and Identity

30:18 Turning Pain into Motivation

39:17 Spreading Love and Acceptance

41:59 Confronting Misgendering and Leaving for Good

48:07 Building a New Life and Online Presence

01:01:31 Facing Discrimination and Finding My Voice

01:16:49 Discovering Ninja Warrior

01:21:08 Challenges and Triumphs in the Ninja Community

01:35:20 Manifesting Future Goals

01:39:19 Final Thoughts and Gratitude