There are a lot of things wrong with the way we live our lives. While the average American spends 90 percent of their day indoors, we continue to feel completely disconnected from our food sources, and are lonelier than ever, especially in light of this pandemic. My guest Becca Piastrelli, author of a new book Root & Ritual, believes we can offset some of this modern angst by “rewilding” and reclaiming the natural part of ourselves. Becca is a friend, writer, speaker, ancestral folk medicine keeper, and women’s group facilitator. I’m thrilled to share her journey and work with you!In this episode, Becca describes how she grew up with an ache of unbelonging, and an inner knowledge that there had to be more to life than what she was taught by her family and the patriarchal, convenience-driven society within which she was raised. Acknowledging that change is very difficult, she shares her thoughts on connecting with our ancestry, navigating the pandemic, and handling grief. Her book Root & Ritual which I highly recommend offers practical wisdom, processes, and recipes for reconnecting with land, lineage, and community. Tune in today to learn more about her work that embracing old ways can make our modern lives feel significantly better.• Becca shares the anxiety she experienced growing up, and why she developed impostor syndrome at a young age.• The four parts which make up Becca’s book, Root and Ritual.• How Becca’s relationship with nature has evolved over time.• Different meanings that rewilding can hold.• Obstacles to rewilding that exist in our society. • The value that Becca believes lies in embracing ancestral ways of living. • Everyday experiences which highlight how disconnected we are from nature.• What Becca’s life currently looks like, and how she plans to change it.• The importance of human connection, which we are losing.• Becca shares her thoughts on navigating different opinions about the COVID-19 vaccine. • Our “great severing” from our ancestors.• A process Becca went through to rebuild lost ties to her ancestry.• Personal challenges that Becca has gone through, and her method of dealing with them.• Becca’s relationship with shame.• The long journey that is rewilding.• What Becca is currently reclaiming. ReferencesBecca Piastrelli - https://beccapiastrelli.com/Root and Ritual - https://beccapiastrelli.com/book/Break the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/bookHEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

Root and Ritual — Becca Piastrelli

Writing a debut novel that becomes a New York Times bestseller is an impressive feat. Doing it over 10 years while raising children and working a full-time job is simply awe-inspiring. Angeline Boulley is the author of Firekeeper's Daughter, a layered Native American thriller. She is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and writes about her Ojibwe community. In today's episode, we learn more about Daunis Fountaine, the book's main character, and her distinctive character traits. While there are similarities between Angeline and Daunis, the teen character blossomed into something unique and fierce. We hear some moving excerpts from the book, and Angeline talks about the gravity of the regalia and elder scenes in the work. Our conversation also touches on the complexity of strong women, why the book is not a trauma story, and we also find out more about what Angeline's fascinating writing process was like. This moving dialogue around the power of women creators and the role they play in shaping their cultural stories will lift your spirits and potentially change your life.  • Hear about what Angeline was like as a little girl. • Where Angeline grew up and insights into her cultural background. • Hear about what Firekeeper's Daughter's main character, Daunis Fountaine, is like. • How similar and different Daunis is from Angeline. • What Daunis's greatest virtue and greatest flaw are. • The tension that Daunis feels struggling with different aspects of her identity. • Why it was so important for Angeline to convey the significance of Daunis's regalia. • The role that elders play in the book and how Angeline views elders in all of our lives. • Why it was so important for Angeline to include the complex Aunty character in her book. • We do strong women an injustice when we place them on pedestals. • How the word "resilient” is often misused to justify suffering. • The balance Angeline had to find between telling the truth and overloading Daunis with tragedy. • How Angeline found time to write the book while raising children and having a job. • What Angeline has learned about being kinder to herself from having children. • The impact that having teenagers had on Angeline's ability to write a teen character. • Why Angeline decided to make her first book the epic work it is. • How Angeline learned the craft of fiction, given that she did not study creative writing. • The support that Angeline had during her writing journey. • Angeline's tips for aspiring writers: find what works for you. • What Angeline, as a heroine, feels she is reclaiming for herself.ReferencesAngeline Boulley - https://angelineboulley.com/Angeline Boulley on Twitter - https://twitter.com/FineAngeline?ref_src=twsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp%255Eserp%257Ctwgr%255EauthorFirekeeper's Daughter - https://www.amazon.com/Firekeepers-Daughter-Angeline-Boulley/dp/1250766567We Need Diverse Books - https://diversebooks.org/Brea

Writing Our Stories into Being — Angeline Boulley

How do you relate to the country of your birth, if it’s a place you’ve never visited? And when does nostalgia go from being something beautiful to an illness that keeps you from living in the present moment? Our guest today, Safia Elhillo is a Sudanese American poet whose strikingly beautiful debut novel Home Is Not a Country is deeply informed by these questions of belonging, nostalgia, and identity. Her book is written entirely in poetic verse and follows the story of Nima, a 15-year-old girl who longs to escape the racism and bullying she experiences daily in America and become someone else. Safia shares how she was first drawn to poetry because of the sense of community she saw amongst poets at open mic night and how she steadily honed her craft. We discuss the challenges immigrant parents face in imparting their culture to their children and how nostalgia can deprive you of appreciating the richness of your present circumstances. Join us today for an insightful and meaningful conversation on what it means to straddle two worlds and the power of community.• Introducing today’s guest Safia Elhillo• Safia shares what she was like as a child and how she discovered her talent for poetry. • Safia’s experiences moving around a lot as a child and insights into her cultural background. • How Safia was first drawn to the sense of community among the poets she saw.• Hear about Home Is Not a Country’s main character Nima and how Safia created her.• How nostalgia and its effects inform the topic of Safia’s book.• How Nima is driven by a desire to return to the country her parents came from.• Nima’s experiences of racism, rejection, and loneliness in the US.• The extent to which Home Is Not a Country is autobiographical.• How Home Is Not a Country explores the confusion of growing up in America while straddling two cultures.• Safia shares her experiences of belonging and how her perspective has changed.• The significance of a chosen community.• Safia explains the concept of nostalgia as an illness.• The challenges that immigrant parents face in raising their children to care about a culture they are not immersed in.• The use of magical realism and Islamic mythology in Home Is Not a Country.• The logistical challenges Safia faced in using time travel in her novel.• How Safia chose to write the entire novel in poetic verse.• Why it’s important to allow yourself to write a bad first draft.• The value of community and outside input for revising your work.ReferencesSafia Elhillo on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mafiasafiaSafia Elhillo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/safiamafia/Home Is Not a Country - https://www.amazon.com/Home-Not-Country-Safia-Elhillo/dp/0593177053Break the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/bookMajo Molfino - https://majomolfino.com/HEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

Home Is Not A Country — Safia Elhillo

Continuing with our series on women in the literary arts, today’s guest is Mary H.K. Choi, a Korean-American New York Times best-selling author. Mary has written three young adult novels and has been published in The Atlantic, New York Times, and GQ. Her latest book, Yolk, is the story of two estranged sisters who slowly heal their relationship after one of them is diagnosed with cancer. In our wide-ranging conversation today, we talk about Mary’s journey to becoming a writer and some of the beliefs she had to let go of to get to where she is. We then dive into Yolk, where Mary talks about the similarities between her and one of the main characters, Jane. Mary unpacks why it was important for her to write about an eating disorder and having a fraught relationship with your body. Not only does this reflect Mary’s personal experience, but it also comments on the broader pressures within east Asian communities regarding physical appearance. We also touch on intergenerational trauma and why Mary thinks it’s an inevitable outcome of the immigrant experience, race, and the power of sibling hood as an immigrant. To hear all this and more, tune in today!• Hear what Mary was like as a little girl and her naturally inquisitive, scrappy nature. • When Mary realized that she wanted to be a writer and the pain that came with this realization. • The difficulty Mary faced trying to break into mainstream media. • For many years, Mary waited for permission, or for a break based on her merit. • A synopsis of Mary’s latest book, Yolk, and the similarities between her and the main character, Jane. • The struggles Mary has had with eating disorders throughout her life. • Why it was so important for Mary to talk about bulimia in her book. • How Jane’s low self-worth and insecurity reflect what happens to many women of color. • The different yolk signifiers and why Mary chose this as the name of the book. • Why Mary chose to explore sisterhood in Yolk, despite not having sisters herself. • Mary’s fraught relationship with America and how she thinks about her identity. • Having a brother gave Mary someone to talk to about their unique immigrant experience. • Representations of East Asian men in the media and how this differs from representations of East Asian women. • How Mary chose to bring up the issue of race in a non-prescriptive way. • What Mary has learned from her characters about what it means to break free.ReferencesMary H.K. Choi - http://www.choitotheworld.com/Mary H.K. Choi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/choitotheworld/?hl=enMary H.K. Choi on Twitter - https://twitter.com/choitotheworld?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorYolk - https://www.amazon.com/Yolk-Mary-H-K-Choi/dp/1534446001Emergency Contact - https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Contact-Mary-H-Choi/dp/1534408967Permanent Record - https://www.amazon.com/Permanent-Record-Mary-H-Choi/dp/1534445978‎Hey, Cool Life! - https://podcasts.

Healing Intergenerational Trauma Through Story — Mary H.K. Choi

The conversation around identity has evolved greatly in recent years, and this progress has been so important for many people. However there is still a long way to go to a more inclusive and accepting world, and we are joined today by someone who is adding a beautiful and complex voice to the discussion! Meredith Talusan is a transgendered woman, born with albinism in the Philippines, and who later immigrated to the US. Her relationship to acceptance and belonging has always been a complex one, a relationship she explores in her book, Fairest, and in today's episode! We get to dive deep into her journey, talking about external perceptions and inner realities, her writing for many prominent publications, and her current role as contributing editor at Them, Conde Nast's LGBTQ online platform. We look closely at her move to the US and time at Harvard, and how this influenced her life's trajectory and her professional and personal decisions. Meredith also talks about the art and literature that played a huge role for her, and how she tries to avoid too many comparisons and stark binaries. This is a beautiful and nuanced conversation from someone with an amazing story and the ability to unpack it honestly and insightfully, so make sure to join us!• Meredith's curious early years, growing up in the cultural melting pot of the Philippines. • How being born with albinism impacted Meredith's feeling of never fully belonging.• Meredith's work on a sitcom and soap opera, and the dynamic this created with her mother. • Feelings around being treated a certain way due to appearance; Meredith's mixed emotions.• Meredith's experiences and reflections on leaving the Philippines as a teenager. • The constant process of learning and growing; navigating life with fewer examples to follow. • Literature and stories that impacted Meredith and how these aided her on her journey.• The evolution of the academic approach to 'minority literature' over the last few decades.• How Meredith came to terms with and appreciated her particular experiences. • The influence that Meredith's life story had on her success and publication as a writer.• Uncertainty and complexity within the transgender experience; adding nuance to the discourse. • Meredith's gender identity and her hope for a different world. • Considering the possibility of a space beyond identity and Meredith's perspectives on spirituality.ReferencesIgnite Leadership Program - https://majo-molfino.mykajabi.com/igniteMeredith Talusan - http://mtalusan.com/Fairest - https://www.amazon.com/Fairest-Memoir-Meredith-Talusan/dp/0525561307Meredith Talusan on Twitter - https://twitter.com/1demerithThem - https://www.them.us/Jane Austen - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-AustenGeorge Eliot - https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-EliotVirginia Woolf - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Virginia-WoolfJames Baldwin - https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-BaldwinLangston Hughes - https:

Exploring All Your Identities — Meredith Talusan

The heroine’s journey has historically been ignored, cast aside, and devalued, which has lead most of us to idolize and play out the hero’s journey in our own lives. On today’s episode, Gail Carriger, author of The Heroine’s Journey: For Writers, Readers, and Fans of Pop Fiction, breaks down why and how we can begin to reclaim the heroine’s journey for ourselves. You’ll hear about the biggest differences in motivation between the hero’s journey and heroine’s journey, as well as the best and worst parts of being a writer and how her writing genre facilitates a greater feeling of connection with readers. We explore the impact of culture on storytelling and narrative, how the hero narrative can feed into the development of toxic masculinity, and the history of how romance writing is critiqued and defined. If you’re a heroine on the journey who wants to have more self-trust and confidence, this episode is for you.• What Gail was like as a child: a bossy, self-motivated old soul who knew her own mind. •  How Gail realized she was a storyteller; rewriting the end of stories her mom read to her.• The kind of stories Gail tells about heroine’s stories, connection, and happy endings.• Her primary motivation as a writer: found family and how that has played out in her life.• What she considers the best part of being a writer: providing comfort and connection.• Why the hardest part of being a writer is the illusion of extreme intimacy and being known. • How the genre of fiction Gail writes leads the audience to feel connected to her.• Why it is important for young people to have adult perspectives outside of their parents.• The distinction between the motivations of the hero’s journey and heroine’s journey. • The Wonder Woman journey as an example of the hero’s journey.• The heroine’s motivation to reconnect and her position of strength in asking for help.• Why a hero operates in isolation, but a heroine is most powerful in community.• The impact of culture on storytelling and narrative and their core mythos.• How the hero narrative can feed into the development of toxic masculinity.• What Break of the Good Girl Myth is about.• The history of romance writing and how it is defined and critiqued.• The harmful trope of “Pussy Salvation” in romance writing. •The prevailing American myth is that you have to do everything by yourself.•TJ Klune’s book on connection and found family, The House in the Cerulean Sea.•Gail’s realization that she is a communal writer and writes best around people.•How Gail’s confidence in herself and trust in her audience has grown over time. •How authors are driven to write non-fiction when they have identified a problem.•Break of the Good Girl Myth by Majo Molfino and where to get it.ReferencesGail Carriger - https://gailcarriger.com/Gail Carriger on Twitter - https://twitter.com/gailcarrigerThe Heroine’s Journey - https://www.amazon.com/Heroines-Jou

The Heroine's Journey — Gail Carriger

Alongside raising three children, working as an editor, and practicing as a spiritual psychologist, Anita Kopacz spent seven years creating the magnificent work of art that is Shallow Waters, her debut novel. Part historical fiction and part parable, Shallow Waters deals with deep ancestral trauma through ritual storytelling. The heroine of the book is a Black mermaid, Yemaya, and you’ll hear Anita’s reasoning for centering her story around this mythical deity, and what she thinks is the most valuable lesson that readers can learn from her. In today’s episode, we cover how Anita heals her own generational wounds by writing this story, a gift which she hopes it will also give to others. • Anita shares the quirks that make her describe her younger self as strange.• Where Anita’s family is from.• A description of the deity, Yemaya, that is the protagonist of Anita’s book, Shallow Waters, andwhat the story is about.• The connection that Anita feels to Yemaya. • How the process of writing Shallow Waters was healing for Anita.• Unexpected feedback that Anita has received from readers of her book.• Why Anita chose to write a work of fiction. • A novel that Anita read in high school which had a profound impact on her.• How the Yemaya in Anita’s book differs from the mythical deity that she is based on.• Reasons that Anita decided not to include any sexual trauma in the book.• The target audience that the book was originally intended for, and why that changed.• An important lesson that readers can learn from Yemaya.• Anita’s love for ritual storytelling and her plans for the future in this realm.• Advice from Anita on transitioning from non-fiction to fiction writing.• Fears that Anita has managed to overcome.• The process Anita went through to get Shallow Waters out into the world.• A valuable lesson Anita learned about how to deal with writer’s block.• Anita’s request to buy the book from independent outlets. ReferencesAnita Kopacz on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anitakopacz/?hl=enShallow Waters - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56180285-shallow-watersHEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

The Power of Ritual Storytelling — Anita Kopacz

Hi heroine,We are starting the new HEROINE season on Thursday, August 12th. Today I’m releasing the teaser and announcing the line-up of a badass guests. We are going to be focusing on the heroines at the center of these women’s books. As you can see, it’s going to get very literary and very nerdy!The questions we get to explore: Can we learn from these heroines? Are they mirrors for ourselves? How can we apply the learnings from these characters into our own lives? See the full-line up below, along with the books (and the heroines) we will be talking about.Anita Kopacz, author of adult “fairytale”/historical fiction novel Shallow Waters Gail Carriger, author of The Heroine’s Journey: For Writers, Readers, and Fans of Pop Culture Mary H.K. Choi, author of novel Yolk Meredith Talusan, author of memoir FairestSafia Elhillo, author of novel-in-verse Home is Not a CountryAngeline Boulley, author of the YA thriller Firekeeper’s DaughterI don’t say this lightly, when I say I have one of the most interesting and creative HEROINE seasons in store for you.These are deep, authentic, meaningful conversations here to help you make connections in your brain about your own creative work and the heroine’s journey. Get ready to be inspired. Interviews will begin airing on August 12th and will run until mid-September. It’ll be a short and sweet season of about 6-8 episodes so please devour them all, re-listen to them, and share them widely as they are all gifts for creative women everywhere. Can’t wait to share these amazing interviews with you,Talk soon!

HEROINE is back!

In her new book, Comparisonitis, Melissa Ambrosini talks to Majo about the very commondisease of comparisonitis and offers actionable tips and strategies to heal yourself from it. • What Melissa was like as a little girl; she was outgoing, bubbly, and confident. • Melissa’s experience of being 12, losing her self-assurance, and comparing herself to other  girls. • Why Melissa loved competitive dancing and the freedom it gave her. • How being involved in dance fed into Melissa’s self-doubt and “inner mean girl.” • The story of how Melissa emerged from her substance abuse and an eating disorder. • The catalytic moment in Melissa’s life that caused her to re-evaluate everything. • Where comparison stems from, according to Melissa. • Distinguishing between healthy comparison and toxic comparison. • Why it is so important that we heal our relationship with comparison now. • The difference between the way men and women compare themselves. • How our childhoods and caregivers shape the way we view ourselves. • Melissa’s ACES technique that you can use if you are in a comparison spiral. • Dealing with the powerful emotion of envy and how we can transform it into inspiration. • Melissa’s relationship with social media and how time blocking helps her.• You have to find what works for you when it comes to developing a healthy relationship with  social media. • The amount of time the average person will spend on their phone and social media. • Strategies Melissa shares in her book to help you rethink your relationship with social media  and your phone. • The value of having physical boundaries around where to use your phone.• You have to remember that social media is just showing the best aspects of everyone’s life. • Why Melissa is reclaiming presence for herself.  ReferencesMelissa Ambrosini - https://melissaambrosini.com/Melissa Ambrosini - https://www.instagram.com/melissaambrosini/?hl=enMelissa Ambrosini on YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoUydVMx0tYz4NU5bx8ifXQMelissa Ambrosini on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mel_ambrosini?lang=enThe Melissa Ambrosini Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-melissa-ambrosini-show/id1196106699Comparisonitis - https://www.amazon.com/Comparisonitis-Comparing-Yourself-Others-Genuinely/dp/1950665860Ignite - https://majo-molfino.mykajabi.com/igniteTony Robbins - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/The Social Dilemma - https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Tristan Harris - https://www.tristanharris.com/Gretchen Rubin - https://gretchenrubin.com/Break the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/bookMajo Molfino - https://majomolfino.com/HEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

Curing Comparisonitis — Melissa Ambrosini

If you have ever disappointed a loved one by following your truth, you will know just how painful it is. And although it hurts, not living in alignment with your life’s purpose will ultimately cause you much more pain. Sahara Rose has been there, let down her parents, and now wants to help you overcome the fear of judgment and criticism in her new book, Discover Your Dharma. In this episode, Sahara opens up about her background and the expectations placed on her as the child of Iranian immigrants. We hear about the fight she had with them and why this resulted in her finally feeling free. Then, we get into what the meaning of dharma is and how we can think of it as the mission statement of our lives. It might seem like getting closer to your dharma is a journey of seeking, but, in fact, it is about remembering who you were always born to be. Sahara also walks us through the three ways we can discover our dharma along with the nine dharma archetypes. Although we will have three to five dominant dharmas, we need them all, which is why it is necessary to see how they can work together and enhance one another. The conversation wraps up with talking about embodiment, and the work Sahara is doing to get a place of less exertion for greater reward. If you feel stuck in any way or disconnected from a purpose you know is within you, this conversation is sure to spark some questions to get you on a journey of discovery and remembrance.- Hear more about what Sahara was like as a little girl and her innate drive to help people.- Sahara’s ethnic and cultural background; her Iranian and Indian roots.- The fight that Sahara had with her parents when she was following her dharma.- How not having her parents’ approval finally set Sahara free.- What dharma means; the overall mission statement of your life and the essence of your soul.- The core dharma we all share to raise consciousness, so we don’t have to compete with one another.- Why finding your dharma is more about remembrance than seeking.- Sahara’s journey of unfolding and getting closer to her dharma.- The link between dharma and career; how they can become more closely aligned.- The three pathways to get to your dharma Sahara outlines in her book.- A question to ask yourself about the dharma finding pathway that’s best for you.- Hear about the nine dharma archetypes and the ones Majo got when she took the quiz.- Our archetypes, particularly the artist, can get suppressed because of societal expectations.- You need all nine archetypes but you will resonate with them in different strengths.- The archetypes which are naturally more embodied- How discovering ecstatic dance led Sahara to deeper embodiment and closer to her dharma.- The ongoing process Sahara is going through to reclaim the way she works.ReferencesSahara Rose - iamsahararose.comSahara Rose on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamsahararose/?hl=enSahara Rose on Twitter - https://twitter.com/IAmSaharaRoseHighest Self Podcast Saha

Discovering Your Life’s Purpose — Sahara Rose

Majo joins Scout & Mady from the OkaySis Podcast to talk about how to break out of the good girl myths and design our purpose. Order the book at goodgirlmyth.com

Breaking Free From Self-Sabotaging Habits — Majo on OkaySis Podcast w/ Scout & Mady

Christine Gutierrez is a Latina licensed psychotherapist, life coach, and expert in love addiction, trauma, abuse, and self-esteem, and author of the book I Am Diosa: A Journey to Healing Deep, Loving Yourself, and Coming Back Home to Soul. She has a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in human behavior and development, and a master’s degree from City College of New York in mental health counseling with a focus on prevention and community. In this episode, Christine covers a lot of ground, including what the soul is, what the return to soul looks like, what the common soul traps are – including being a good girl, how to get back in touch with your intuition, and why it is vital for us Diosas to rise up now. If you are still stuck wondering what is next in your life, this episode is not to be missed. Show Notes- Christine describes being a sensitive young girl who had a heart for the suffering of others.- Hear about the dream analyses Christine’s mother and grandmother did with her as a girl.- Learn what Christine means when she talks about our souls and connecting to the soul voice.- Experiencing the sense that there is more to life than just what we see at the surface level.- The loneliness that comes from being unusually aware of the spiritual dimension as a child.- Christine talks about the childhood abuse and trauma that caused her ‘original wound’.- When the first major shift happened and what she discovered about repetition compulsion.- The importance of having compassion with yourself as you unpack the layers of trauma.- Find out how you can avoid the ‘counterfeit gold’ soul traps on your journey to healing.- How these counterfeits can function to sharpen our instincts and develop trust in ourselves.- The problem of compromising your voice and truth for the sake of acceptance and belonging.- Advice about beginning to come into alignment with yourself and what your gut is telling you.- How to deal with your tendency to want to avoid getting still and confronting your feelings.- The possibility of inhabiting both the mundane world and the realm of the soul as a creative.- Why it is high time for the rise of leaders who are grounded in spirituality and the real worldReferencesChristine Gutierrez - https://www.christineg.tv/Christine Gutierrez on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cosmicchristine/Christine Gutierrez on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CosmicChristineI am Diosa - https://www.christineg.tv/eventsandretreatsDr. Clarissa Pinkolo Estés - http://www.clarissapinkolaestes.com/Women Who Run with the Wolves - http://www.clarissapinkolaestes.com/women_who_run_with_the_wolves__myths_and_stories_of_the_wild_woman_archetype_101250.htmBreak the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/bookMajo Molfino - https://majomolfino.com/HEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

In Harmony with the Soul  —  Christine Gutierrez

This week I’m thrilled to speak with a woman whose work I’ve followed for years.Martha Beck, PhD, is a New York Times bestselling author, life coach, speaker, and holds three degrees from Harvard University. Oprah calls her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha walked away from the religious Mormon community she was raised in, exposed her father, and wrote about the dark secrets and hypocrisy of the Mormon church in her book Leaving the Saints. She received backlash from the church, but in the process, found her true, whole self.In this episode, Martha and I discuss why the intellect is important, but a deeper connection to nature and with our own souls is what the world truly needs. You’ll learn how breaking away from cultural rules brings us into alignment with our true selves, and we become whole, healthy, connected individuals full of integrity. This is a beautiful conversation heroine, one of the top interviews in all my years of doing the show. Show Notes- Martha on being raised as Mormon royalty due to his father’s “scholarly” work.- Discovering the hypocrisy surrounding certain religious people, including her father.- The intense experience of leaving the church and, with that, her family, friends, and culture.- How she got the courage to confront the deep religious conditioning she grew up in.- The crossroads experience of her pregnancy with her Down’s syndrome boy, Adam.- Hear why Martha felt like she needed to unlearn everything that she was taught at Harvard.- Why caring for a fragile life is the most-needed skill in the world right now.- The restrictive good girl archetype as a socially constructed self for many women.- Distinguishing between the essential self that is natural and the social self that is cultural.- The split that happens when people believe things that are contrary to their essential self.- Understanding that finding and claiming your true nature does not come without opposition.- Withstanding backlash, the role of shame, and grieving the loss of cultural connection.- Why, for Martha, life coaching is such a powerful, necessary tool for society.- What the flip side of the Drama Triangle means for persecutors, victims, and rescuers.- How wayfinding can help us discover our deeper purpose and navigate through the chaos.- Find out how existing in alignment with your true nature brings you closer to the supernatural. - The magic of the written word when we write from a powerful connection to truth.ReferencesMartha Beck - https://marthabeck.com/Martha Beck on Twitter - https://twitter.com/marthabeck/Diana, Herself: An Allegory of Awakening - https://www.amazon.com/Diana-Herself-Awakening-Bewilderment-Chronicles/dp/1944264000Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith USA Today - https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Saints-Mormons-Found-Faith/dp/0307335992NPR - https://www.npr.org/Oprah - http://www.oprah.com/index.htmlEsther Perel - https://www.estherperel.com/David Emerald - https://pow

Why Unlearning is the Key to Becoming - Martha Beck

Do you wrestle with the power your thoughts have over your beliefs about yourself and your life? This episode is for you, heroine.Bestselling author and founder of The Work, my guest Byron Katie shares her experience waking up in a state of joy after a decade-long spiral into depression, rage, and self-loathing. This state of joy hasn’t left her since, and Byron has shared this transformational practice with others for over 30 years. The Work is a simple, yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches us to identify and question the thoughts that cause us suffering.In this episode, Byron and I discuss her battle with depression, and the moment of her awakening (which she credits to a cockroach). She explains the principles of The Work, and the four key questions we need to ask in order to change our beliefs. This episode is filled with practical, simple steps to help you become more conscious of your thoughts and free yourself from suffering. If you feel stuck in your beliefs – about your identity, your work, or your relationships – by the end of this episode, you’ll see a way out by going inward.Show Notes- Byron’s childhood as a quiet, solitary young girl- Her decade-long experience with depression in her thirties- Byron re-lives the moment of awakening that pivoted her entire life trajectory- How The Work was born- Find out why Byron gives all the credit for her moment of awakening to a cockroach- The types of thoughts that hold us back and the four questions we need to ask them- The importance of uncovering the cause and the reaction to the thoughts we believe- Why intelligence is questioning and freedom is choosing the thoughts we believe- The difference between sitting in the “I know” mind as apposed the “curious” mindReferencesByron Katie - The Work - https://thework.com/Byron Katie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ByronKatieByron Katie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/byron.katie/Byron Katie on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theworkofbyronkatieA Mind at Home with Itself - https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Home-Itself-Asking-Questions/dp/0062651609Loving What Is - Four Questions That Can Change Your Life - https://www.amazon.com/Loving-What-Four-Questions-Change/dp/1400045371/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=loving+what+is&qid=1598781393&sr=8-1A Thousand Names for Joy - https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Names-Joy-Living-Harmony/dp/0307339246

The 4 Questions That Can Change Your Life and Mind - Byron Katie

In the world of productivity hacking and self-help, Gretchen Rubin needs little introduction. She’s a nationally acclaimed author who writes popular books about habit change and happiness. In fact, her books have sold millions and have been on the New York Times best seller list numerous times.Gretchen draws from cutting edge research, tried and true wisdom and her own life experience, but she also isn’t afraid to admit that she herself is not an expert. She’s not a scientist, but she writes about topics that have a scientific edge. She has become one of the country’s top thinkers on happiness and human nature. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, and talk discuss her framework The Four Tendencies because of how much it impacted me. It’s about how people respond to expectations. In this episode, you’ll learn why self-knowledge is the key to a better life, and how knowing your tendency can revolutionize the way you work and live.You’ll love this episode, heroine, it’s a great one.

The Tendencies that Make You Happier & More Effective —  Gretchen Rubin

My guest on this week’s episode, Shan Boodram, isn’t afraid to talk about sex. Shan’s a Canadian born, LA based dating coach, author and certified sex educator. Her first book was a bestseller and her new book, “The Game Of Desire: 5 Surprising Secrets to Dating with Dominance and Getting What You Want” is even more popular.She’s the most sought-after sex educator online today, educating you about sex toys on Playboy’s Instagram, and also on the reality TV show Too Hot to Handle, where she teaches contestants a yoni puja – a sacred ritual which involves worshipping your own pussy. Go Shan.With her down-to-earth style and openness, Shan discusses the importance of engaging with your own sexuality. She shares how focusing on this intimate part of yourself leads to more joy, purpose, and pleasure in all areas of your life.   Show Notes- Shan’s fascination with the human body from a young age- How our family’s perspectives inform how we learn about sex- How Shan realized what she really wanted to do- Laid, her first book, published in 2009, when she was 24 years old- Shan’s philosophy on sex education- Shan turns the tables on Majo, asking about her experiences- The reality check Shan experienced after the release of her first book- The opportunity that prompted her decision to move to the US- Low lights and high lights from her experience in LA- The wager she made with herself that changed her course- Her journey of healing after ending her toxic relationship- How engaging in sexuality can engage your whole selfReferencesShan Boodram - https://www.shanboodram.com/Shan Boodram on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shanboodyShan Boodram on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1aFO8kPS2WgdOfvU0zpagShan Boodram on Quibi - https://quibi.com/shows/sexology-with-shan-593/Laid: Young People's Experiences with Sex in an Easy-Access Culture - https://www.amazon.com/Laid-Peoples-Experiences-Easy-Access-Culture-ebook/dp/B0097CYXT6The Game Of Desire: 5 Surprising Secrets to Dating with Dominance and Getting What You Want - https://thegameofdesire.com/Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality - http://www.iasscs.org/Majo Molfino - https://majomolfino.com/Break the Good Girl Myth - http://goodgirlmyth.com/

The Secrets to Connecting in Relationships & Sex — Shan Boodram

On this week’s episode, I talk with fellow recovering good girl, Monica Padman.  Monica, an actress and podcast producer, hustled her way into acting and co-leading one of the most downloaded podcasts today, Armchair Expert. She double majored in theatre and PR at the University of Georgia and then moved to LA to pursue her dreams of acting. She’s appeared in several TV shows, such as The Good Place, and Drop Dead Diva, and performed a role specifically written for her in the 2017 movie, CHIPS. Armchair Expert, the podcast she co-hosts with Dax Shepard, started off as something they did for fun, and has now exploded into one of the most downloaded podcasts. The duo have interviewed musicians, entertainers, writers, doctors, and psychologists including Alicia Keys, Brené Brown, Monica Lewinsky, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Emilia Clarke.In this episode, Monica shares how she met Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell. She talks about the familial relationship she’s built with them, and how that relationship influenced her path. You’ll also hear about the parts of herself she kept hidden in order to fit in as a good girl, which are now the parts she’s reclaiming for herself. Monica’s story shows that you can do whatever it takes to create your dreams, while staying authentic.Show Notes- Monica’s childhood as a careful, shy, rule follower- The early influences that fueled her love for acting- Her experience with being a good girl and her need to fit in during school- Monica’s relationship to her Indian culture growing up in the South- How she dealt with the uncertainty of making the leap into a full-time acting career- The importance of community and relationship- Ensuring she built out other areas of her life so that acting wasn’t the only focus for her- How she built a close, family type relationship with Kristin Bell and Dax Shepard- The inspiration for the Armchair Expert podcast- The role Monica plays with Armchair Expert, and how she feels about itReferencesMonica Padman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mlpadmanArmchair Expert podcast - https://armchairexpertpod.com/Armchair Expert on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/armchairexppod/The Best Little Boy in the World - https://www.amazon.com/Best-Little-Boy-World-Anniversary-ebook/dp/B0042JSNYUSerial podcast - https://serialpodcast.org/CHIPS - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493405/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_smMaking Sense podcast - https://samharris.org/podcast/

How to Undo the Idea That You’re Not Enough — Monica Padman

Do you ever feel like you don’t fit in, that you’re somehow different from everyone else, or maybe even, that you don’t belong? This week I sit down with Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, the co-founders of Almost 30, the top-rated LA-based lifestyle podcast. After meeting in SoulCycle, the two became best friends and soon realized they shared a desire to explore the theme of belonging, both to yourself and others. Almost 30 was born out of these conversations, and while not their original intention, it’s now grown into a full-time business, brand, and community.In our conversation, Krista and Lindsey discuss creating for the pure love of creating, and how money, validation, and recognition fall into line once you’re doing what you love. They share what they’ve discovered about themselves and their relationships as they turned their podcast into a business. Krista and Lindsey show us how to speak your truth with compassion and trust yourself as you pursue what you love.Show Notes- A glimpse into Krista’s wild and rebellious and Lindsey’s eccentric childhood days.- Krista’s departure from her Catholic roots and why she sees the church as oppressive.- Discovering spirituality and the love of the true source that she felt was “hidden” from her.- Why Catholic school was confusing for Lindsey and how she is revisiting the idea of God.- A word of wisdom about navigating your difference and individuality in the context of a group.- The distinction between fitting in and belonging and how this sentiment is expressed in Almost 30.- How the two women met and the mutual interests that ignited their podcasting journey.- Hear about their creative collaboration, the growth of the business, and the intricacy of the co-founder relationship.- The significant learning opportunities presented by our closest relationships with people.- Female friendships and the importance of responding to others from a place of awareness.- Asking yourself the hard question: do I truly want to create or am I looking for validation?- How social media can hamper your creativity and perpetuate inauthenticity.- From side hustle to booming business and learning that you can make money from doing what you love.- The lessons Almost 30 is teaching them about their relationship with money and boundaries.- How they are reclaiming their gut instinct and speaking their truth with love.ReferencesKrista Williams - http://itskrista.co/Krista Williams on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itskrista/Krista Williams on Twitter - https://twitter.com/itskrista?lang=enLindsey Simcik on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindseysimcik/?hl=enLindsey Simcik on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lindsimss?lang=enAlmost 30 Podcast - https://almost30podcast.com/Brené Brown - https://brenebrown.com/SoulCycle - https://soul-cycle.com/Break the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/bookMajo Molfino - https://majomolfino.com/HEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

The Power of Creative, Female Collaboration — Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik

What is your relationship to failure?My guest this week, Sophia Amoruso, believes that, as long as you’re learning from your experiences, there’s no such thing as failure. The founder of Girlboss Media and author of #GIRLBOSS, Sophia watched her first business, online fashion retailer Nasty Gal, go bankrupt after a successful run. Rather than hide or quit when the challenges came, she chose instead to learn from the experience her first business gave her.Sophia started her new venture, Girlboss Media, in 2017, with a fresh perspective on what success really means and a healthy relationship to failure. In this interview, you’ll hear how Sophia emerged from the challenges of losing her first business and the way these trials shaped who she is today. Even when the darkest days come and life puts obstacles in your path, there’s always something you can be grateful for.Show Notes- Growing up a troublemaker who had a distaste for authority and convention.- Hear about Sophia’s high school years with ADHD and mental health struggles.- A few compelling reasons why the traditional education system fails many people.- Leaving home at 17 to live in the city in a purple “closet” with a bunch of musicians.- How Sophia's teenage anti-establishment phase spilled over into her mischievous life in Portland.- Find out why Sophia describes her time as a stripper as a positive experience.- How privilege and special treatment made her feel entitled to indulge in delinquent behavior.- The lessons in social engineering and acting that help Sophia to combat imposter syndrome.- Learn about Sophia's journey to starting Nasty Gal and its exponential growth.- 2016: the year her husband left her, her company went bankrupt, and Trump was elected.- Breaking free from the binary concepts of success and failure.- Seeing the good things in life amid the difficulty and embracing the mystery of our existence.- The wonderful hindsight that comes with being a second-time entrepreneur.ReferencesSophia Amoruso on Twitter - https://twitter.com/sophiaamorusoSophia Amoruso on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiaamorusoGirlboss - https://www.girlboss.comGirlboss on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/girlboss#GIRLBOSS - https://www.amazon.com/GIRLBOSS-Sophia-Amoruso/dp/039916927XNasty Gal - https://www.nastygal.comIsabel Allende - https://www.isabelallende.comMajo Molfino - https://majomolfino.comHEROINE (Podcast) - https://majomolfino.com/podcast

Sophia Amoruso on Why Failing Forward is the Key to Designing Your Path

Majo shares the three year process of writing Break the Good Girl Myth (which is now available at http://goodgirlmyth.com, yay!). If you want to write a book, or birth any creative project into the world, this episode shares the resilience, commitment, and perseverance you need to stay the course. And heroine, it’s worth it to stay the course. Follow Majo on Instagram @majomolfino and sign up for my newsletter to hear about all the upcoming book launch events.Show notes:    - How Majo refined my idea early on    - The difference between your “why” and your “how”    - How Majo sought to understand the book publishing landscape early on    - The importance of a book proposal     - The importance of surrounding yourself by people who are standing where you want to go    - How Majo got in touch with literary agents and landed on the one she wanted     - The way publishing works     - THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT SELLS BOOKS (the answer is not having a big platform)    - The heroine’s journey of the book writing process including the dark cocoon phase     - How Majo landed the book deal       - How Majo dealt with self-doubts    - The top 5 lessons and things about from the whole journey

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