In this round table episode, three Jaguar course alumni speak about their unique experiences participating in this deep and transformative course. As Kimberly and her team prepare for the next round of the course, these testimonies speak beautifully to the type of experience you might find in the upcoming: Jaguar Wholeness in Fractured Times: A Real World Understanding of the Nervous System and Feminine Sexuality.

MagaMama with Kimberly Ann Johnson: Sex, Birth and Motherhood

EP 143: Jaguar Round Table

In this episode, Kimberly and Richard discuss yoga, spiritual teachings, finding balance within, honoring lineages and history, and community-focused practices versus individualized ones. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on various communities such as the yoga community, acknowledging our shadow selves, and turning our individual yoga and spiritual practices to tangible ways to support and better communities and our world. This episode is rich with Richard’s wisdom and understandings of various yogic, Hindu, and Buddhist teachings and principles, his experiences traveling and learning about these lineages, and philosophies for balancing our inner and outer selves to ultimately benefit others.   Bio Richard Freeman has been practicing yoga since 1968. He has taught yoga and trained yogas all over the world. His work joins together a vast array of teachings and perspectives, in keeping with the richness of this ancient tradition. You can find more information on Richard’s teachings on his website.   What He Shares:  --Impact of pandemic --Fracturing in yoga communities --Acknowledging and finding balance between our shadow and light selves --Understanding histories and lineages in ancient traditions and practices --Teacher/student power-issues in yoga --Contributing to social good through individual practice   What You’ll Hear: --Fracturing in yoga community over pandemic --Predispositions toward polarity and fundamentalism --Opposing groups coming together over common enemy --Dealing with unknown and uncomfortable not knowing regarding pandemic --Finding common ground when understand the “other” --Pratipaksha the other wing, bhavana (contemplate the other wing) --Different obstacles where one wing is associated with heavy emotions and cause suffering, contemplate opposite wing of emotion --Practice which visualizes the other in order to cultivate empathy and understanding --Applicable for serious and miniscule problems --Mind slips anything into ego-centered --Not hurting others or yourself --Shadow sides can be projected out or not recognized within oneself --Acknowledging not suppressing shadow potential of own minds --Many yoga/spiritual practices avoid this intellectual honesty --Feel negative emotions in context with other social support to hold and observe --Embody it in a way that doesn’t destroy you or others --Discerning intuition, multiple realities, and fundamentalism --Being open to feedback --Balancing and feeling the middle path physically and intellectually --Experimenting physical practice with intellectual/interior life --Impact of social media on brain/mind/energetic system overall --Some social media beneficial in yoga world  --Ego/mind are creative and can be used for good or destruction --Social media fast-paced, scary, and mind-blowing --Done in context of ancient historical traditions of insight done slowly over thousands of years --Benefits of social media for community --Convenience and pace of convenience are part of issues regarding community, climate, etc. --Describes time in India through Middle East and Europe during 1970s --Similarities in people of different religions and traditions --Importance of understanding history in religious traditions around the world --Appropriation versus appreciation through understanding history, honoring lineage, and humility --Dynamic of teacher/student relationship in yoga --Discerning teachers, practices, and other aspects of yoga within commodification --Finding the true Teacher (Beloved) in the heart --Many teachers are attracted to power of being the expert --Good teacher encourages you to stay open minded --Epidemic of problem teachers in yoga and spiritual traditions --Hindu teachings on discernment principles --Two-wing image, supportive of each-other, because of intelligence as one --Patterns of immediate sensation giving birth to story lines and labels --Under-pinnings of practice individual work not necessarily impacting the collective --Practicing for self-improvement or for community improvement --Conceding comfort for tangible benefit of other people --Individual practice branching out to ever-expanding environments --Chant together    Resources Website: https://www.richardfreemanyoga.com/

EP 142: Yoga, Power and Fundamentalism - Finding Humility and Balance with Richard Freeman

In this episode, Kimberly and Jayson discuss solving relationship conflict through tools and practices Jayson has developed through his work. They talk about healthy relationships maintaining a comfortable baseline where all issues are addressed and resolved. Jayson describes practical ways that include listening, validating, and taking ownership of issues as skills to create long-lasting and satisfying relationships both romantic and platonic, as well as the difference between healthy relationships and codependent ones. Through using the skills Jayson describes, we can shift culture in how we relate to and validate each other.   Bio Jayson Gaddis is a relationship expert, coach, founder of the Relationship School, host of The Relationship School podcast, has an M.A. in psychology, and is a dad of two. His work includes effective coaching and provides practical tools and skills that everyone can use to impact their relationships. Jayson’s new book “Getting to Zero” can be pre-ordered through his website linked below.   What They Share  --Finding a partner willing to grow and be mutually invested --Healthy versus codependent relationships --Tools for solving heated conflicts from “Getting to Zero” --Addressing uncomfortable conversations   What You’ll Hear --Monogamy as a spiritual path for personal growth --Ask what you believe you’re wired for (one intimate partner or more) --Stereotypes of non-commital hetero men --Identify who you are and what you really want deeply --Two types of people (willing and unwilling) --Willingness is a spectrum, identify a willing person --Usually pain inspires movement and growth --Misinterpreting others’ attachment styles causes conflict --Two willing people understand attachment styles of other as a journey --Codependency doesn’t have mutual exchange --Healthy attachment is mutual effort and engagement --Many relationships have codependent element where only one person does emotional labor --New book “Getting To Zero” highlights method of working and repairing through conflict in relationship --Failed attempts of conflict resolution dealt with quick apologies and time without meaningful repair --Creating a clear, clean vibe within relationship leaving nothing unaddressed --Created School and goes into schools to work with adolescents in relational literacy --LUFU (Listening to the other Until you Feel Understood) --Validate partner’s feelings, claim ownership in partner’s issue --”That makes sense” as a validating response --One at a time, most resourced person listens first, if partner feels heard --Conflict resolution is a practice which takes time and effort --Need to relearn how to listen and speak to others while under stress --Nester-meditation (Number, Emotion, Sensation, Thought, Resource) during stress --Discomfort threshold and being okay with discomfort, shame, guilt, anger, etc. --Overly bearing emotional work for relationship undermines partner’s growth and enables them to stay stuck --Resentment signals going past responsibility in emotional work of relationship --Community to help us see our patterns --Identify healthy discomfort versus unhealthy discomfort --Understanding inner conflict and outer conflict and how they impact each other --Knowing when to bring up unresolved issues with friends and romantic relationships --High-stakes relationships with mutual investment needs truth-telling --Lead with vulnerability in difficult conversations --Becoming a competent relational leader with time and practice to handle adversity and discomfort --”Stand for three” (self, partner, and relationship) necessary for lasting relationships   Resources Website: jaysongaddis.com IG: @therelationshipschool 

EP 141: Getting to Zero - Resolving Conflict and Practicing Vulnerability in Relationships with Jayson Gaddis

In this episode, Kimberly and John discuss his newest book “The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit” which explains the differences between bullshitting, lying, and deciphering the truth. John explains many different facets of how humans are susceptible to bullshit and lying, especially from someone close or familiar to us, as well as how to have a productive conversation with someone who makes biased claims posing as truth.    Bio John V. Petrocelli is an experimental social psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University. His research examines the causes and consequences of BS and BSing in the way of better understanding and improving BS detection and disposal. Petrocelli’s research contributions also include attitudes and persuasion and the intersections of counterfactual thinking with learning, memory and decision making. His research has appeared in the top journals of his field including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Petrocelli also serves an Associate Editor of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.   What He Shares: —Difference between bullshitting and lying —How cross-field research is most credible —Questions to ask when someone makes a claim —Humility in seeking the truth —Seeking truth amid echo chambers and polarization    What You’ll Hear: —Difference between bullshit and lying —Liar interested in truth in order to tell a successful lie —BSer doesn’t care about truth, could state truth but BSer wouldn’t know it —Liar doesn’t believe what they’re communicating and knows they’re lying —BSer does believe in what they say —We assume BS has no harm or effects and that we cant detect it (false) --Those most confident in detecting BS are most duped by it (research shows) —Those who have strongest beliefs about something can be often most clueless about the evidence & truth --Research behind MMR vaccine and debunked link to autism —Cross-discipline agreements trend as most credible —Confirmation bias is only caring about what appears to be evidence or explanation that confirms our pre-existing beliefs or hypothesis —Preferences va attitudes —Own personal/professional experiences inform our beliefs —Data collection regarding experiences is messy and random --Information we get from personal and professional experience is often counterintuitive and not necessarily data we want to count —When people obtain good information, research shows tends to suggest people are pretty reasonable in inferences they make from information presented —-Major problem treating anecdotal, small data points of interest as much weight as we would give data on a mass scale —How do we know when something is credible? How do we tell inside of ourselves? How do we tell outside of ourselves? —Data shows only need to hear BS one time, mind tends to signal truth i —Mind signals truth is felt familiar (heard before) easily confuse familiarity with truth —Interpersonal BS (people we care about, communicate with frequently) is most potent --People we don’t communicate with is somewhat potent —Who are they? What do they know? How do they know that claim? What is their agenda? —Calling BS and being challenged on our beliefs is rare to occur especially when it’s easy to be locked into our echo chambers —Living in era where vehicles for expression, making recordings and content leads us exposed to many things an equalizer and messiness of truth and reality —Cultural ideas coming to forefront of there is no truth, everything is relative —“Gullability” (when are cues that suggest person isn’t interested in truth) —We feel obligated to have opinions on things at an expanded magnitude from previous times —Passively receiving information vs. actively sorting through information for truth —BSers use abstract explanations/heady values and reasons and less hardcore genuine evidence —HOW do you know this is true? HOW do you think this claim might be wrong? —Listening and communicating to win or prove we’re right doesn’t get us as far  —Having intellectual humility  —Tribalism we see today resembles cults —Spade for other ways of knowing, mystery, and magic —What can’t be studied or measured (“love”)   Resources Website: https://psychology.wfu.edu/about-the-department/faculty-and-staff/john-petrocelli/

EP 140: Bullshit, Lying, and the Truth with John V. Petrocelli

In this episode, Kimberly and Stan discuss attachment theory, styles of learned attachment, and ways to maintain healthy relationships. They discuss attachment theory regarding parent-child relationships as well as romantic partners, differences between codependence and interdependent relationships, and how to work towards mutually beneficial relationships even during conflict. Tatkin believes that with proper understanding and/or coaching, all humans can sustain loving and beneficial relationships despite conflict.   Bio Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, is a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy®. Tatkin has written many books based on his attachment and relationship work such as Wired for Love and most recently Baby Bomb. Tatkin created the PACT Institute in 2010 with his wife, Tracey Boldemann-Tatkin, PhD, to train mental health professionals to think and work through a psychobiological lens in their clinical practice.   What He Shares:  --Definition of Attachment theory --Attachment styles (Islands, Waves, and Anchors) --Co-Dependence vs. Interdependence --Single and step parenting --Handling conflict   What You’ll Hear: --Attachment theory is felt sense of safety and security of infant and primary caregiver --Secure and insecure reactions of infant, child, adult --Island, Wave, and Anchors as learned attachment behaviors --Island preoccupied with independence and autonomy --Wave encouraged to stay dependent --Co-dependence as one-way street --Interdependence as two autonomous beings in agreement of stakeholders in relationship --Healthy relationships always being two-person system, not individual  --Couples as co-architects creating culture around them --Thinking big picture in a relationship --Importance of vetting before a relationship --Focus on perfect relationship: safety & security, love & affection, admiration & growth --Relationship/children hierarchy --Single parents moving to relationships --Evolution of pair-bonding in herds --Interrupting stress patterns during conflict to remember benefits of other person --Put something in place to remind each other to keep from harming each other --Humans wired for threat, have to work through emphasizing love and benefits for individuals involved Resources website www.thepactinstitute.com IG: @drstantatkin

EP 139: Attachment Theory, Interdependence, and Rewiring from Threat to Love with Dr. Stan Tatkin

In this episode, Kimberly and Amanda discuss language, cultism, and community. Amanda explains aspects of her book “Cultish” to describe how religious principles still permeate much of our secular culture, how groups such as fitness brands and start-ups use language similar to cults, and how we can give ourselves and each other more flexibility in how we use language, identify with groups, and hold disagreements. Ultimately, they discuss how language is based on context, evolves over time, and requires a genuine understanding as we use it to communicate with each other.   Bio Amanda Montell is a writer, language scholar, and podcast host from Baltimore. She is the author of two critically acclaimed books: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, an indie bestseller about the language of "cults" from Scientology to SoulCycle and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language. Amanda's books have earned praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Time Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Kirkus Reviews, among others, and Amanda is currently developing Wordslut for television with FX Studios, serving as creator, writer, and executive producer. Amanda is also the creator and co-host of the comedy-cult podcast, Sounds Like A Cult. As a reporter and essayist, Amanda's writing has been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, DAME Magazine, The Rumpus, and Who What Wear, where she formerly served as the Features & Beauty Editor. She holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles with her partner, plants, and pets.   What She Shares: --How religious principles still exist in secular culture --Aspects of cults that can be harmless and harmful --How social media is cultish --Finding space in the grey areas    What You’ll Hea:r --American protestant principles infiltrates culture through finding meaning, community, transformation --Fitness brands like SoulCycle and CrossFit act as religions in a secular society --Cult definitions vary despite sensationalized media portrayals --Most cults have not been linked to criminal activity --Everyone is susceptible to cultish influence --Language clues us to cultish groups or communities --Protestant ethic deeply embedded in ideas of meritocracy and cleansing self of badness found in culture --Many cults of 60s and 70s use Evangelical concepts appropriated with Eastern religious language --Obsession with word art is similar to Protestant shift from images to text  --Buzz words from psychology, feminist politics, etc. used as codes in various communities --”Thought terminating cliches” as expressions that are easily remembered and shut down any questioning --Semantic stop-signs in conspiritualist circles --Intuition vs. facts --Admitting when we’re wrong and overwhelmed by information --No spaces culturally exist for grey areas of life --Evolving language and incredibly challenging time of reckoning what language feels inclusive and accurate --Cults aren’t always necessarily as extreme as Jonestown but can be exploitative, abusive, and trauma-inducing --Mainstream groups that function as certain dangers and exploitation --”Cult” definition is varied and nuanced --Language is dependent on context --Social media cultivating cultism in ourselves, our interests, our beliefs, etc. --Being able to recognize our full humanity outside of groups and communities   Resources Website: http://amandamontell.com/ IG: @amanda_montell

EP 138: Cultish - The Language of Fanaticism with Amanda Montell

In this episode, Kimberly and Eliza discuss intergenerational relationships, mother-daughter healing, and navigating parent-child dynamics during the preteen and teenage years in order to cultivate more conscious, self-loving, and resilient children. Eliza discusses how she began this work, alongside her mother, Sil Reynolds, as a teenager. They discuss the need for parents to have intergenerational support while parenting and for teens, holding space for rapid developmental changes and intensity through the teen years, and pushing back on negative cultural stereotypes of preteens and teens in order to raise more empowered youth.   Bio Eliza Reynolds is a best-selling author, speaker, and professional mentor. She’s the coauthor, with her mom, Sil, of Mothering and Daughtering: Keeping Your Bond Strong Through the Teen Years. For almost 15 years, Eliza has been facilitating sold-out workshops for thousands of mothers and their preteen and teen daughters, and now offers online and in-person mentorship programs teaching emotional intelligence, embodiment, body literacy, and more for big-hearted preteen and teen girls at Badass Girls. What They Share  --Need for intergenerational support for parents and children --How cultural stereotypes of teen girls impact them --Commonalities between teens and toddlers development --Mature mentorship --Healthy resistance and how to hold space for it from preteens and teens   What You’ll Hear --Describes writing book and teaching with mother at 15 --”Full body yes” to teach and facilitate --Dominant culture “mom bashing” from teens and culture --Sil always looking for mentors, intergenerational village for Eliza --Cultural degradation of teenage girls --Not normalizing parents feeling overwhelmed and isolated --False, harmful narrative that teen parenting is only hardship --Preteens and teens need intergenerational village of support --Parents can’t bridge intergenerational gap with teens without the village --Underestimate fracturing of extended family, place, and impact on parent-child --Healthy mentorship and positive power dynamics --”Daughtering” as being active in relationship with your parent --Growing between healthy independence and healthy dependence --Negative stories/stereotypes we tell teen girls about themselves often come true --Sil would never trash talk Eliza to other people --Teenage girls as fiercely loyal, loving, kind, radically inclusive with support --Mothers need other mother/mentor support in community raising preteens and teens together --Children surrounded by peers in toxic mom-bashing culture  --Dual shift parents getting parenting in community and mentorship and daughter getting healthy peer community and mentorship --Teens starve for mentorship and want to be in stable and grounded community mirrors back their magic --Badass Girls Academy supports parents and daughters --Pushing through the resistance as parents --Commonalities in parenting, attachment, and rapid development in toddlers and teens --Preteen and teen “tantrums” because of brain development, psyche, hormones, etc. remembering they are not adults yet --Being safe harbor and adult through teen tantrums --Empowering young people to have more conscious relationships to make home easier and less conflict --Building skill-set to consciously communicate through practicing with mentors, scripts, body-centering techniques, etc. --Holding boundaries and containment around preteens and teens --Safety still really important with this age group --Working with healthy resistance as parents, pushing up ways against similarities and differences as parent --Feel safety with parents to express themselves and not taking it personally as parents --Helping teens navigate resistance and intensity --Holding true space for their ‘no’ in order to hold true space for their ‘yes’ --Badass Academy is program private app and community curated by professional mentors all online, monthly themes, being more invested in radical responsibility of respecting and loving yourself   Resources Website: https://badassgirls.me/ IG: @eliza.feelings

EP 137: Mothering Teens and Pre-teens, Intergenerational Healing, and Badass Girls with Eliza Reynolds

In the second of two episodes, Kimberly and Stephen discuss the roles of parents, grandparents and godparents in raising children. They attend to what might be some of the consequence of this gross fracturing of a sense of commons in the surge of conspiracy theories. And they wander through the territory of elderhood, grief, and awakening in a hope-free world.      What You'll Here: —The role of parenting —Grandparenting is not elder hood —Elderhood or grandparenting or godparenting —Opioids- the longing after beauty- “anesthetic” —Seeking not after approval but for blessing —If you choose to choose the world or you, give them to the world —Parents are in charge of custodial duties- the janitors —Closeness and intimacy belies the suspicion of distance —What was everyone on about before there was a vaccine —Euthanasia is consistent with death-phobia  —A personal truth? and the I-focus —Conception of God, the serenity prayer —Crisis- the imagined possibilities are frayed and are no more —There’s a clarity comes with crisis that obliges you that’s not available when you are feeling fine —Grief and brokenheartedness in a culture that believes in wholeness only —Fundamental addiction to self-determination —Consequence of this gross fracturing of a sense of commons will last far longer than the conspiracy itself —Heartbreak is how you cleanse yourself of prejudices, you do not rid yourself of them —Origin of our capacity for gratitude —Labor on behalf of a better day without hope —We don’t need people who have an answer for everything —A healthy respect for the unknown  —Meaning of the word “Awake”- of the web of consequence that fanned out from everything you did and did not do, and you did and did not say —What is the sound upon awakening that we make? 

EP 136: Spirit Work, Conspiracies, Elderhood and Grief with Stephen Jenkinson, Part Two

In this first of two episodes, Kimberly and Stephen look at what happens when we normalize these uniquely troubled times, as well as how we got here. Together they wonder about grief, parenting, elderhood, me-first culture and conspiracies in times of crisis. Stephen places emphasis on how relationship to history informs our present circumstance and meaning making. What do we gain by normalizing times such as these? Where does health come from? How do we reckon with our me-first world in a time so desperate for community and culture?   What You’ll Hear --Plague is not an easy thing to normalize, 1919 is the last time --Spirit work is a response to troubles of the times, not freedom from the troubles of the times --How wisdom is distinguished from prejudice --Our spirit work is our response to the world, not our feeling tone about the world --A puritan about your own fundamentalism --The last thing a conspiracy theorist does is imagine that their conspiracy is conspiratorial --Mania of challenging everything rarely gets challenged --Culture orchestrated around appealing to and buying and selling to 17 year olds- inherited from the 60s --What do our kids do with what we’ve given to them --Etymology of the word Fate- from the Latin word from the verb “to speak” What the Gods had said.” --Now that the Gods have spoken, what shall you do- what are the obligations? --Origin of the concept of “bucket list” --Skillfulness or ability to be good, “good” is not a temperature of your character or indwelling possession  --Where does your health come from? --What happens if we imagine that the differences between us are problems to solve? --You are incapable of generating the meaning of your life --The meaning of your life is assembled when you die, what a village minded person owns their neighbors --You don’t get to know your legacy, it’s not yours, it’s the consequence of your death --Your act of dying is your last act of citizenship --The word “therapeo” to cure, you require a malady --Preoccupation with self is the principle malady of the times --What’s the source of the enthronement of the self and social media --Elderhood as a check-and-balance on the regime of self-absorption --What will happen if you don’t know how to die? --Death as a great act of humanity and its fullest incarnation or an insult to humanity --Willingness to work is a casualty of the “me first” movement --The moral quandary of having children --Inclusivity is a blowing apart of the capacity to distinguish, inclusivity shames discernment --Culture work versus personal work --Dominant culture of North American founded by flight risks, people on the run, casualties --"The world" doesn't exist, place does Resources Website: www.orphanwisdom.com

EP 135: Spirit Work, Conspiracies, Elderhood and Grief with Stephen Jenkinson, Part One

In this episode, Kimberly and Gay discuss his revolutionary term “upper limit problem,” which describes when a person’s capacity for feeling positive emotions is immediately followed by conflict or a dip. They also discuss how Gay discovered this phenomena and his life’s work regarding relationship building, aligning oneself with pure consciousness, and his passion for helping people discover their “genius” or true creativity. Gay discusses his experience being a thought leader of transformational psychology early in academia and mainstream culture and his thoughts on being an elder in today’s society.     Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, author of forty books (including “The Big Leap” and “Conscious Loving”), teacher, and therapist on all things regarding relationships and body-mind transformation. He received his PhD from Stanford University in Counseling Psychology and taught for twenty years at University of Colorado. With his wife, Dr. Kathleen Hendricks, he founded The Hendricks Institute where they coach teachers and conduct workshops on relationships and wellness. They have been featured in a number of radio and television shows as well as many conferences and seminars.     What He Shares: --Gay’s personal awakening in mid 20s --The Upper Limit Problem --The Genius Zone --Embracing all emotions and opening towards pure consciousness --Relationships for mutual healing --Discovering your true genius and creativity     What You’ll Hear: --Describes beginning of academic career from PhD studies to professorship --Negative fantasy that caused worry despite feeling good and being successful --Growing up overweight and body image issues with dieting --Turning point moment of pure consciousness recognized blocking of negative emotions with food --Opening significant new territory within ourselves is major life event --Upper limit problem occurs when intense feelings of goodness are followed by intense feelings of not feeling good (reached upper limit) --Upper limit problem in relationship --Societal upper limit problem from 60s-70s --Expanding with fear instead of contracting with it --Pay-off is living in peaceful flow of positive energy within relationships --Steady relationship, not a lot of ups and downs --Zero-criticism relationships --Criticism as attack on your being instead of actions --Become masters of fear and moving through waves of fear --Staying open to the collective with hearts open not closed towards others’ suffering --Sitting in pleasure without spiritual by-passing, using pleasure to heal trauma --New book describing extension of upper limit problem --How to feel flow and connection all the time --Creativity important in relationships for individuals to grow “your genius” --Everybody has same desire inside to bring forth their “genius,” their true creativity --Finding genius in relationship --Pre-order copy of upcoming book --Being an elder in our culture --Planning for what you want in older age --Choosing creativity instead of stagnation; Choosing integrity instead of despair --Experience being a thought leader and academic in New Age time from 1960s-70s to now --Leaving his legacy Resources Website https://hendricks.com/ IG: @hendricks.gay

EP 134: Discovering Your True Genius, Embracing All Emotions, and The Upper Limit Problem with Gay Hendricks

Summary In this episode, Kimberly and Lisa discuss the lymph system and all its facets. Lisa describes what the lymph system is, what lymph drainage massage is and feels like, and the benefits of lymph massage for total well-being. They also discuss the importance of communication and safety in bodywork and how to perform self-massage on your lymph system. Kimberly and Lisa are going to host an upcoming workshop on lymph massage and listeners can check out Lisa’s “The Lymphatic Message” and website below for more resources.    Bio Lisa Levitt Gainsley is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Manual Lymphatic Drainage practitioner, Author, Educator, and Speaker. Her work has appeared in GOOP, ELLE, The Hollywood Reporter, Healthline and more. She has worked at UCLA Medical Center and been in private practice for 20 years. She holds a double certification in Lymphedema Therapy and is a member of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) and National Lymphedema Network (NLN). Lisa leads workshops across the country and has pioneered the field of Lymphatic self-massage and just published her book “The Lymphatic Message.” What They Share --What is the lymph system --Lymph drainage massage --Health benefits of lymph massage --Importance of communication in bodywork   What You’ll Hear --Lymphatic system is circulatory system, part of immune system --Role picks up waste products of body and absorbs waste --Lymph hard to see and dissect making it slow to scientific discourse --Improve lymphatic health to quell inflammation and affect mood and nervous system --Understanding lymph system can unlock cures possibly to certain diseases such as MS, cancer, etc. --Lymph system moves 6-12x per minute, slow rhythm and layers of lymph --Lymph massage changes lymph system and nervous system --Lymphatic massage is highlighted for different benefits around the world (aesthetic, immune-boosting, etc.) --Pregnancy causes inflammation and swelling but natural process of body --Shift from mindset of weight-gain during pregnancy to natural, intrinsic movement and clearing of waste in support of body --Lymph has patterns of drainage, understand locations of lymph nodes for self-massage --Self-care as self-massage rooted in physiology and clearing waste --Book contains 3-5 minute self-care practices  --Different approaches for self-touch --Laying hands flat to grab fluid and move up and let go --Lymph stroke similar to how one touches baby for nourishing touch --Negotiating how and where we accept or request touch --Body-workers needing to communicate type of treatment and touch --Three-layer touch (motherly, gripping, lightly) for lymphatic massage similar to baby sleep training --Communicating through touch what feels safe and secure --Importance of interpersonal communication during bodywork --Importance of relationship with practitioner and client --Proactive towards health with lymphatic massage --Lymphatic massage as community engagement and ways of connecting --Digital course, pre-recorded tutorials and monthly lives to practice on own and in community --Kimberly and Lisa to have workshop together --Cancer and lymph massage --Palliative care and lymph massage   Resources Website: https://www.thelymphaticmessage.com/ IG: @thelymphaticmessage 

EP 133: Lymph & the Nervous System - Massage as Nourishing Touch for Health with Lisa Levitt Gainsley

Summary In this episode, Kimberly and Joanna discuss Joanna’s upbringing and personal history that ultimately birthed the artwork of The Fourth Trimester Journal. Joanna describes her experience as a Black adolescent growing up in Sweden, her identity as a mother and artist, her participation in Mother Jaguar and MotherCircle, and how she processes experience through her artwork. In addition to Joanna’s insights learned from Mother Circle, they discuss the racial politics of Sweden, performative anti-racism, and making meaningful change on individual and structural levels. They also discuss the importance of Black art, its contributions to the world, and how that influenced the creation and publishing of The Fourth Trimester Journal.   Bio Joanna Johnson is a self-taught artist and illustrator, social worker by trade and single mom from Sweden with roots from both Sweden and Sierra Leone, West Africa. She is also a beloved member of the Jaguar community and the featured artist and illustrator for the newly released The Fourth Trimester Journal. This summer, Joanna was one of only 12 students to be selected the first time she applied for the highly competitive art school, Östra Grevie. She hopes to move into freelance work and can be supported for her art school tuition in the link provided below.    What Joanna Shares: --Growing up Black in Sweden and history father’s place of origin, Sierra Leone --Brief history of recent racism in Sweden and impact on Joanna --Using art to process personal transformation through motherhood and postpartum --Birth of the art in The Fourth Trimester Journal --Support Joanna’s art school tuition   What You’ll Hear --Joanna describes journey joining Kimberly’s MotherCircle course and community --Journaled through Images --Artistic style of drawing and upbringing --Discusses African diaspora in relation to upbringing and parents --History of Freetown in Sierra Leone, father’s hometown, and Creole heritage --Awakening process during adolescence reading Black history --Sweden’s history and participation in Slave Trade --Identifying as Black, political choice of choosing identity --Experiencing racism being Black in Sweden --Rise of Neo-Nazis in Swedens in 1990s, murders of people of color and effect on Joanna --Blackness as joy, whiteness as violence --Unique experiences of being biracial and disconnection from ancestral countries --Beginning of The Fourth Trimester Journal and Joanna’s artwork --Joanna’s birth experience and finding MotherCircle --Using artwork to process fourth trimester after actual postpartum period with child --Importance of rest and nourishment --Integration of postpartum processing --Joanna’s experience with MotherCircle that provided safety and nourishment to process difficult birth and postpartum --The Fourth Trimester Journal publishing behind the scenes and negotiations --Performativity of anti-racism while racist disceprancies in culture remain unchanged --Politics of art in relation to imperialism, colonization, and cultural values --Art as essential --Examining predominantly white spaces in “white bubbles” to interrogate racism --Examining whiteness broadly as set standard of norms, expectations, aesthetics, etc. --Tokenization of Black people in various spaces without real change and as an artist --The Fourth Trimester Journal as anti-racist work as gaze of a Black woman --Creating a new vision of motherhood as a Black woman as a political act --Crowd-sourcing Joanna’s art school tuition as recognition of Black art’s contribution to the world --Appropriation of Black art, styles as modern colonization, symbolic of actual mining from Africa   Resources Website https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-joy-resilience-send-joanna-to-design-sc   https://www.shambhala.com/the-fourth-trimester-journal.html   IG: @joannajohnson_art

EP 132: Arts, Activism, and Motherhood with Joanna Johnson, the Artist of The Fourth Trimester Journal

Summary In this episode, Kimberly and Kathleen discuss branding, identity, entrepreneurship, and privilege. Kathleen explains how her branding business came to be and her philosophy for how to brand oneself authentically. Kathleen describes her business, Braid Creative, and the Braid Method. Kimberly and Kathleen also discuss how to have difficult conversations around race, privilege, and capitalism as white women and entrepreneurs. Kathleen shares her expertise around branding and marketing to discuss tips of branding authentically as well as her perspective of recent politics through a marketing lens.    Bio Kathleen Shannon is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Braid Creative, a branding agency for entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations. She is the author of “Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work and Live Life On Your Own Terms” and created the Braid Method, a formula for personal business branding.   What They Share  —The branding Braid Method —How to brand authentically —Navigating work and parenting responsibilities during COVID-19 —Interrogating privilege as a white woman entrepreneur    What You’ll Hear —Describes founding branding agency with sister —Started blogging about life as freelancer —Forms repeatable methods for branding —Articulating preferred forms of working style —Branding for Kimberly’s work —Creative processes in the in-between moments —Trusting in collaboration with others during creative process —Being vulnerable to criticism and feedback —Became life-coach certified to be a entrepreneur —Branding authentically to self —Presenting aspirational self to dream clients —Cohesiveness and authenticity in branding —Working and schooling from home during COVID-19 —Running business with working mothers —Navigating daily life with work schedules, school, and other responsibilities —Money narratives in relation to white and class privilege —Dismantling capitalism within places of power —Anti-racism and branding work —Marketing and politics —White women holding unpolished conversations together regarding power and racism —Lifetime commitment to equity and progress as white women —Imperfection and discomfort in difficult conversations regarding power and privilege   Resources website: braidcreative.com IG: @andkathleen 

EP 131: Branding, Authenticity, and Assessing Privilege with Kathleen Shannon

Summary In this episode, Kimberly and Lily discuss issues with conventional nutritional guidelines for pregnancy, which foods provide needed nutrients during pregnancy, and the importance of proper nourishment postpartum. Lily’s research on how food affects pregnancy culminates in her most recent book “Real Food for Pregnancy” which provides evidence-based data on best foods with the most health benefits, meal plans, and nutrient breakdowns for pregnancy and postpartum. Lily and Kimberly also discuss the commonalities between “Real Food for Pregnancy” and Kimberly’s “The Fourth Trimester” which both emphasize the importance of preparation and nourishment for postpartum.    Bio Lily Nicholas is a registered dietician and nutritionist, certified diabetes educator, and has built her career researching real food for pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Her work includes prenatal nutrition public policy, consulting, research, writing, and clinical practice. Her best-selling books “Real Food for Gestational Diabetes” and “Real Food for Pregnancy” combine evidence-based and traditional information regarding prenatal nutrition. She also offers nutritional trainings for professionals.   What They Share —Why mainstream dietary advice is misguided —Which foods and nutrients are essential for pregnancy  —Health issues with vegetarian and vegan diets during pregnancy  —Food preparation and cooking tips —Importance of nourishment postpartum   What You’ll Hear —Prenatal nutrition guidelines are outdated —Conventional nutrition advice for past forty years is unchanged —Conventional nutritional advice as dogma with consequences in practice and public policy —”Play it safe” approach for prenatal nutrition out of caution —Focus on what can’t eat versus what can eat to optimize baby’s health —Focus on macronutrients (fats, carbs, protein) and ratios is problematic —Guidelines create deficiency in micronutrients and minerals —Under-estimated amount of protein needed in pregnancy by 73% —Deprivation, rigidity, fear around weight gain is common because of conventional guidelines —Focus on taking away instead of making space for more (food, money, nutrients, etc.) —Carbs need fat and protein for balanced blood sugar levels —Unbalanced blood sugar extremes causes feeling out of willpower physiologically —Body tells this information very clearly —Kimberly describes deficiency from being vegetarian for years —Blood sugar management as vegetarian is challenging —More plant-based diets harder to manage and recover after pregnancy and birth —Postpartum challenges due to vegetarianism (pelvic floor health, breastmilk production, blood sugar levels) —Nutrients in animal foods easiest to get for optimal health —Research shows fully vegan diets create nutrient deficiencies without supplementation —Some nutrients may not be well-absorbed in vegan diet and create deficiency in baby’s health —Nutrients need to be present and in synergy for optimal health (DHA and choline, for example) that even supplementation can’t mimic —Recommends real whole food sources for optimal health in pregnancy and —Experiencing mental health challenges on a vegetarian diet —Shifting from cultural norms to making food preparation valuable —Finding ways to make food prep and cook less time consuming —”Real Food Instant Pot Recipes” —”Lazy Meal Planning” on Lily’s blog —Time for food prep and cooking for optimal health as self-care —Cook in bulk, use leftovers, repurpose leftovers, batch cooking —Differences in prenatal and postpartum —Emphasize protein, don’t fear fat, higher quality carbs, less white flour carbs, produce and vegetables —Greater emphasis on eating more and water intake during postpartum ——Mental health as addressing physiological needs especially postpartum —Preparation for postpartum essential to health —Ask for help postpartum —First book chapter available for free  —Trainings for professionals in nutrition   Resources Website: lilynicholdsrdn.com IG: @lilynicholsrdn

EP 130: Nurturing with Food for Optimal Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum with Lily Nichols

Summary In this episode, Kimberly and Hala discuss the nervous system’s role in self-regulation and social justice activism. Healing must happen individually and collectively by understanding and regulating the nervous system, establishing and maintaining heart-centered relationships, and working with each other towards liberation. They discuss how to move beyond one’s privilege towards discomfort in order to enact change for the greater good and why trauma-informed spaces are necessary for social justice activists and allies. Hala also describes the process of writing her book “Peace from Anxiety” and why it was written for this time.   Bio Hala is a yoga teacher, somatic counselor, trauma therapist, social justice activist, author, mother, and co-founder of Off the Mat and Collective Resilience Yoga. “Peace from Anxiety: Get Grounded, Build Resilience and Stay Connected Amidst Chaos” is Hala’s latest book which combines somatic experiencing with social justice through an intersectional lens of privilege and power-dynamics.     What They Share  —How and why “Peace from Anxiety” was written by Hala —Importance of Critical Consciousness in Somatic Experiencing and healing —Moving from fight-flight response to tend-befriend with social awareness and love for the other     What You’ll Hear —Inception of first book as culmination of Hala’s teachings from past twenty years —Book discusses anxiety and using somatic experiencing to cope —Critical consciousness as awareness of socio-political context  —Well-being includes equity and justice for everyone not just most privileged —Healing can be individualized but have to expand compassion for others —Move towards uncomfortable edges towards unfamiliar and discomfort —Use self-regulation and healing to move towards discomfort —Work is to turn towards one another —How to move towards discomfort for privileged people —Love people who are targeted in the world —Change happens relationally through love not intellectually —Change begins with heart and the body —Tending to recent cultural reckonings regarding racism —Creating trauma-informed spaces for healing and a bridge —Addressing nervous system in social justice activism —Understanding trauma and nervous system as we move towards liberation —Hala returns to process of writing book which includes tips, tools, and practices Resources Website: www.halakhouri.com IG: @halayoga, @offthemat, @collectiveresilienceyoga

EP 129: Healing Individually and Collectively - Nervous System Awareness in Social Justice Activism with Hala Khouri

Cutting-edge, pioneering conversations on holistic women's health, including sex, birth, motherhood, womanhood, intimacy and trauma with doula, certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, and author of The Fourth Trimester, Kimberly Ann Johnson.

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MagaMama with Kimberly Ann Johnson: Sex, Birth and Motherhoo...

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