In this solo episode, Amber talks about her Mother Wound and how it's had an impact on her life; along with a description of the "Sandbox" photo posted to her Instagram and Facebook pages recently.  She shares ways to identify your Mother Wounds and most importantly, ways to heal those wounds so you can life a healthy, full, successful life.  At the end, you'll get a glimpse into Season three, coming out in November 2021.  Stay connected to Amber on social media or her website.  DragonflyMomma.com Instagram Facebook  

Holistic Healing Connection

The Mother Wound with Amber Cook

Chrissy Rapp has survived many challenges in her life which started at a very young age. Her mother had her at 14, leading her to be raised by her grandmother and a step (grandfather) who had his own mental health challenges. Chrissy grew up struggling with anxiety and addiction; which led her to eventually doing some time in prison - losing her kids and herself.  But, in an unexpected turn of events, her time in prison not only healed her; it saved her. And, now she uses the tools and techniques that helped her on her healing journey to help others - specifically those who are or have been in jail themselves.  This is a very inspirational story and one you need to share with anyone who is struggling with addiction or recovery. Chrissy is proof that anyone can heal with the right support and healing tools.  Chrissy is open to anyone reaching out through her email rapppatterson83@icloud.com  

Letting Go with Chrissy Rapp

If you're looking for some advice to cope with the stress of juggling a family along with a career, this is the episode for you!  Ambers guest, and colleague in the wellness industry, Gael Wood has learned a lot about this subject and is joining The Dragonfly Connection to share her wisdom. This episode was recorded at the end of the school year so that little part of the conversation is a outdated, but the rest is totally relevant no matter where you are in life....and this pandemic.  Seven years ago Gael started a journey to makeover her life! She said she was burned out, in debt, unwell, and needed to find another way before she ended up sicker or even divorced. Today, she lives in her dream house, has location and time freedom, does the work she loves, and feels amazing.  She started out her career life as a housekeeper, then became an overworked massage therapist. But, she kept trying new things and taking chances and now she is a successful entrepreneur...helping others live there most fulfilling lives and careers.  She's been on the cover of a well known Massage Magazine, inducted into the World Massage Hall of Fame, and worked with entrepreneurs from all over the world. Most recently she has published two self-improvement books - "The Gratitude Habit" and "Designing Your Dream Life".  Connect with Gael on social media or shoot her an email at gael@elevatewithgael.com

Perception Is Your Reality with Gael Wood

"It's just a moment in time and it will pass." Don't let the title fool you, today's episode is a little lighter than the last couple. Ambers friend and colleague, Constance Ao, chat about self-love, relationship challenges, soul mates and life on the road.  When the pandemic hit, Constance Ao and her husband did what many of us have done and continue to do during this time....reevaluate our lives and careers. They, along with their daughter Anastasia, bought an RV and took to the road for adventure and peace from all the chaos happening around them.  And, as you can imagine living in an RV with a family comes with it's own challenges. This episode was recorded in May of 2021, and in that time, Constance's life has changed even more....and in ways totally unexpected. Follow her on Facebook to find out more.  Constance's unconventional love story and words of wisdom are sure to warm your heart.  ---------------------------- Are you looking for a relationship like the one Constance and I talked about during our chat? Well, Constance may be able to help! Constance Ao, is a psychic, healer, helper and relationship coach. She works with women who are seeking to heal their hearts and wounds so they can connect deeper into self love and then eventually their soulmate.  Is this you?...or someone you care about? Find out more at ConstanceAo.com or find her on Instagram and Facebook. 

A Moment In Time with Constance Ao

Ambers guest, Tracie Root, is a coach, a speaker, an educator, and founder of Gather -  a community building space located in Santa Cruz...and now also online to serve everyone no matter where there at in the world.  Her story is one of loss, love, rebuilding, courage and finding ways to thrive in the midst of all kinds of adversity.  Tracie ended her career in corporate America and found her new calling after her partner of almost 20 years passed away. Tracie and her two toddlers were left with no family nearby, a house “underwater” from the housing crisis of 2008, and she just couldn’t see how anything was going to change. Then, years later, through an unexpected avenue, she was able to find her way back to her former self...one step at a time. She shifted her career to one of helping others at a deeper level while making more time for her own fulfillment, adventure, and joy. In this conversation she and Amber chat about wellness, goal-setting, entrepreneurship, overcoming tragedy and loss, and of course; this last 18 months of pandemic life.  This episode was recorded in May, and unfortunately, now at the end of August, not much has changed...except kids are going back to school in most areas. But, otherwise, we're still in a place of confusion and uncertainty.  Hope this episode helps inspire you and bring you hope. Because, we will get through this; and if we let this challenging time strengthen and change us, we'll be better for it. Like Tracie says, "everything that happens in life is so we can be ready for what's next".   You can connect with Tracie by email at Tracie@TracieRoot.com

Thriving In The Midst Of Adversity with Tracie Root

This episodes guest, Alison Pena, calls herself The Bad Widow and in her conversation with Amber she dropped tons of wisdom about grief, healing, self-care, resilience and even dating. She even shares an original poem she wrote about her experience with online dating! For anyone who's done the online dating thing, or planning to (or not planning to)....it's very relatable.  Alison says that the time from her husbands cancer diagnosis, through the progression of his illness which ended in his death; was "the most heartbreaking and transformational time" of her life.  And, right now, many of us are going through our own heartbreaking and  transformational times of our lives. We may not all be dealing with the death of a loved one, but there's a collective grief running rampant right now...in the world. Because of that, you're gonna get a ton of value from this episode.  Her three step approach to reclaiming your life after loss is straightforward and very uncomplicated. When you're ready, give it a try! Contact Alison if you need some help at alison@badwidow.com And, stick around all the way to the end to hear about her first book, which should be coming out in September 2021! You'll be able to find it at BadWidow.com

Reclaiming Your Life with Alison Pena

Help us celebrate six months of weekly podcast episodes full of inspirational content on The Dragonfly Connection with a compilation of clips from the top 10 most popular podcast episodes hosted by Amber. This episode includes five clips from The Dragonfly Connection episodes and five from The Holistic Healing Connection (discontinued in 2020, but still available under "The Dragonfly Connection").  Here are direct links to the full episodes (in no particular order).  Healing Journey with Natasha Nirvana Expansive Life with Kristine Rosenquist Die Hard For Your Dreams with Russ McGarry Going With The Flow with Victor Barreda-Pazos Purpose Quest with Vanessa Couto Bodytalk And Weight Loss with Lyn Delmastro Thomson Yes...And! with Starr Sheppard-Decker Stop Doubting Yourself with Ashley Rainsbarger Transitions And Change with Gail Serna Thriving As An Empath with Laura Rowe  

6 Month Compilation Celebration with The Top 10

Ambers guest, Susan De Lorenzo says, "You live you life by either design or default". And, there's a lot of truth in that!  In this episode we start out talking about Susan's "dark night of the soul"...or dark nights; and how she used hers to help her live a more joy filled, authentic life. You can do the same whether you're in your dark night or already through it even! Susan is an Author, Speaker and Certified Transformational Life Coach who focuses on helping other women who are emerging from life-altering adversities themselves and guides them to evaluate the insights and wisdom that such times hold (like living through a global pandemic).  In this conversation you'll hear about how after a year of fighting and surviving invasive breast cancer, Susan was dealt another life altering blow when her husband at the time, told her he wanted to leave the marriage. Then she shares some of the wisdom she's gathered through this experience, along with a little bit about some other personal challenges she's overcome...with advice on how you can overcome your own challenges, big or small...and get in the drivers seat of your life.  Shoot Susan an email at susan@susandelorenzo.com so you can stay connected to her and get notified about the release of her upcoming book, "Pulling the Gems from Adversity". 

The Light of Awareness with Susan De Lorenzo

"The stories we can tell ourselves are way worse than what's actually happening..." Heather Phillips is a long time friend of Ambers. They're friendship blossomed through shared struggle starting almost 10 years ago...and lasting up until just a couple years ago. They endured major momma heartache together on an almost daily basis, while watching their two teenage sons go down some very bad paths together...and separately. During that time, they learned a lot about each other and themselves as mothers and helpers.  Heather is recently an empty nester trying to figure out her own "new normal". In this episode you get to listen in on them picking up where they left off before everything was shut down in March of 2020. Heather was the last person Amber had a coffee date with before all our lives changed in an instant.  Over this last 18 months, like many of us, Heather has made some huge changes in her life...with weight loss surgery top of the list. She has struggled with her weight most of her life, but in spite of her size, she continued to pursue her love of fitness. She even created a platform for showing bigger bodies that they belong in the fitness world! Heather has been an inspiration to Amber and so many others over the years...even when she wasn't feeling inspiring. In fact, in this episode you'll learn a little bit about her mental health challenges and how she's working to overcome them. And, now she says, she does truly love herself...and her life.  Can you say that about you and your life?  After listening, we highly recommend you follow Heather on Instagram @fitnessinthebigworld. 

Live Out Loud with Heather Phillips

"I'm all about removing barriers!" Rachel S. Heslin Today's guest Rachel S. Heslin, learned the hard way that asking for help is essential to a successful life and career. In this episode she shares that experience with us, and all the lessons learned from it.  Lessons like, why is it so important to forgive ourselves first?..and learning to ignore "shoulds" and other peoples goals for us. This is something many of us struggle with, and in this episode, she shares ways to be more accepting of ourselves and how to develop a growth mindset.  Rachel has been immersed in the study of psychology for over 40 years. Her father, a clinical psychologist, taught his children his craft and Rachel was first introduced to Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) when she was only 9 years old. Rachel is the author of two books: "Navigating Life: 8 Different Strategies to Guide Your Way", and "Rituals of Release: How to Make Room for Your New Life". She is also the founder of The Fullness of Your Power, helping people embrace all parts of their true selves so they can live happier, more successful, and more deeply fulfilling lives. In this conversation, Rachel so generously breaks down the 8 strategies from her book along with her idea of rituals.  It's a great conversation, one that will leave you with some serious tools to guide YOUR way.  You can email Rachel for more info at rachel@thefullnessofyourpower.com.  And you can purchase her books at the links below: Navigating Life: 8 Different Strategies to Guide Your Way Rituals of Release: How to Make Room for Your New Life  

You Have Value with Rachel S. Heslin

"Happiness is the driver to what's going to get you to your goal." That's just one of the many words of wisdom uttered from this episodes guest, Penny Hill. Penny is a helper and healer to her core, and has been on this path most of her life. Through her own life challenges, including a health challenge that changed her life....she's learned a lot of different ways to true health and happiness.  Penny hits us with some straight up facts about pain and suffering. And, like she says, "suffering is not required". You're sure to be smiling while you listen, and at the end of this episode you'll understand why smiling is so important to your health and wellbeing.  Are you ready to make happiness a habit?  Stick around all the way to the end to hear Penny's philosophy. It's a good one! So, good in fact that Amber posted it on her Instagram account @the_dragonfly_momma in case you want to share it with your people.  Speaking of sharing, help Amber spread the inspiration by sharing this podcast with your friends.  It's easy to share...just text them the link to this podcast (copy and paste), hit the share button, or post it on social media. It's all about connection! ...And happiness.  Happiness. It's not just for some people. It's for all of us. It's for you!  Imagine yourself healthier with more vitality and bounce in all areas of your life.... better rested, fitter, sparkling.  Imagine yourself more creative...bringing solutions to work problems, getting better results for clients, helping your kids flourish...finding better ways to manage conflict...just being less bothered with life's annoyances no matter how big or small.  Imagine yourself speaking up at work more...standing in your space with confidence and knowing your worth. Imagine yourself at ease with people - no matter the setting. You radiate a calm, helpful, even loving presence that allows people to be at ease around you. You genuinely care for them and they can feel that and they trust you. And, now you don't have to just imagine. You can be this and more through cultivating your own happiness!  Penny Hill will help you realize that happiness is not the end goal, it is the path. It is the power to lift you up and propel you forward in all areas of your life. Visit calmhealthease.com to learn more about Penny's "Habits of Happiness" program, along with all her wellness services to help you no matter where you are on your wellness/life journey.  You can also connect with Penny via email at pheft22@gmail.com. Find her on HealingWaze at https://healingwaze.com/practitioners/penny-hill-eft-tapping-for-stress-relief-rising-sun-massage/

Habits of Happiness with Penny Hill

"Love your life no matter what it is; the good, the bad, the ugly. Just love your life. Because when you come from that place of love from your heart, it opens up a lot of doors...." The collective fear is raging again...fears of wildfires on the west coast, strange weather patterns, and we're also in the midst of a nationwide reopening that definitely has many of us on edge, for all kinds of different reasons.  No matter where you are in the world this is a great episode to listen to right now. Dr Jacquilen Tomas Ali, is one of the most courageous, resilient people you'll meet. In this conversation she talks about fear and how to replace it with love, your health, and lets just say...."listening".  Jacquilen also shares a little bit about what it was like growing up as a black woman in the 50's and 60's, the loss of her husband, going with the ups and downs of life; and the wisdom she's learned along the way.  Not only does she have alot of wisdom and humor to share; she is a Naturopathic Physician, BodyTalk Access Trainer, BodyTalk Practitioner, a Board Member of the BodyTalk MidAtlantic Association, and a Nutritional Counselor and Master Herbalist.  Learn more about Dr. Jacquilen's work at dralind.com or at https://www.wissahickonwellness.com/mission-and-vision On Facebook And, check out her listing on HealingWaze at https://healingwaze.com/practitioners/earthly-essence/

Love Your Life with Dr. Jacquilen Tomas, Ali

You're in for a treat, with this unique episode! Normally Ambers guests are sharing the details of painful or challenging things that have happened to them in the past. Then we get to hear them talk about triumph, lessons learned, and how it has changed them....how much they've grown. Todays guest, Lesley Tesh agreed to have a conversation with Amber while currently going through a divorce, and the pandemic. Talk about vulnerability! She said this phase she's currently in the middle of is extremely hard, but that she knows, she will be "transformed" on the other side.  With that attitude, she's perfect for this podcast!  Lesley, who is embracing the wisdom that comes with turning fifty; is a mom, an actress (one from one of Ambers favorite shows), and most recently; the creator of 'Your Badass Story'. Even in the midst of her own pain, she was able to create something that is helping inspire and motivate others.  She says, "We're all on a journey and we all have a badass story, whether we realize it or not".  After listening to this episode, you should definitely join Lesley and Amber on Instagram at Your Badass Story.       

Own It! with Lesley Tesh

As far as the pandemic goes, things are starting to look up. People are coming back out into the light...with longer hair, and the Covid 15. People seem more hopeful and excited for the future, but at the same time, we're shell shocked. It feels a little like what I would imagine coming out of a bomb shelter after a war would feel like. We've got a lot of healing to do!  Everyone's level of hard was different this last year plus, but we've all been through some hard stuff. Even if it was just having to watch other peoples suffering. There is a level of trauma we've all experienced in one way or another.  So, it's fitting to bring back an episode titled Healing Trauma, from Ambers old podcast The Holistic Healing Connection. Before she rebranded and changed the focus.  Her guest, Tabatha Bird Weaver blends talk therapy methods, energy healing and chakra work for a total holistic healthcare experience. Tabatha is a dually licensed psychotherapist. Tabatha has earned memberships & awards, spoken nationally, lobbied for families and therapists in Washington D.C. and created several programs for the State of Oregon agencies. She has worked in the foster system and in family/marriage counseling. She's trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders and is also trained in multiple energetic healing methods. Her passion is helping adults heal from trauma, particularly from childhood or narcissistic abuse, and helping overwhelmed empaths and those experiencing codependency behaviors. In this episode you'll learn how trauma manifests itself in your mind and body, learn ways to heal, get some tips on boundary setting, and even get a guided meditation to use in those moments when you're feeling frazzled and need to strengthen your boundaries. This episode first aired October 12, 2019, but it's still relevant today. Connect with Tabatha at www.karmicalchemist.com Tabatha recommends this website for self help: http://www.sfhelp.org/ By listening to this podcast you agree that this is not a replacement for medical services and are encouraged to seek immediate medical care if needed. Read the full disclaimer here. https://healingwaze.com/healingwaze-disclaimer/

Healing Trauma with Tabatha Bird Weaver

Starr Sheppard Decker says, "I love showing people what is possible when they stop trying to be someone else and align everything they do with who they really are." Starr is a mom, wife, professional vocalist, life-long rebel/leader/activist. When she's not creating new ways to help others navigate life and business; she loves reading self-help books, playing Nintendo & playing board games.  According to Amber, Starr is a firecracker who shines bright like her name. She also exudes love for everything and everyone!  She is open and honest about her past - a multitude of traumatic experiences, abuse, toxic relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, narcissism, and cycles of rejection and abandonment. In this conversation they'll touch on those parts of her story and she shares how she moved through those adversities and healed her wounds.  Through lots of trial and error, Starr learned to stop the push/force/shove/shame method of motivation and productivity, and find what she calls her "FLOW"....rippling out into all aspects of her life. She now uses her knowledge and personal experiences to help others find their "FLOW" too.  Starr offers up lots of great wisdom and advice in this episode....including her description of "YES...And".  Connect with Starr at starr@radicalrevelations.com or on HealingWaze If you're a Coach, Healer, or another type of Visionary Entrepreneurs feeling confused or frustrated around what to focus on or how to set up your business in a way that feels good AND is profitable; Starr can help you get organized, prioritize, and find your flow so you can make progress, make money, and make a difference. Starr is the founder of Radical Revelations, the Rad Connections Online Luncheon Experience, and the new Flow & Grow Collective which just launched this year.  Learn all about her offerings at https://radicalrevelations.com/  Connect with Starr on social media: Facebook  Instagram    

Yes...And with Starr Sheppard-Decker

Helping you succeed on your path to wellness with real life tips and insight from Amber and other holistic healing professionals.

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Holistic Healing Connection

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