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  • Trauma, Oppression & Self-Trust: How Mindfulness Helps Us Reclaim Our Inner Wisdom With Dr. Nicole Wordlaw

    Trauma, Oppression & Self-Trust: How Mindfulness Helps Us Reclaim Our Inner Wisdom With Dr. Nicole Wordlaw
    2026/10/06
    Dr. Nicole on abuse and trauma: "Can you imagine if the people who harmed us said - 'I'm harming you? This is not about you. This is about me. I have a significant problem that I'm unable to handle. And so it's landing on you. I should get help, but I don't want to. So I'm going to keep abusing you'-But let me tell you, the fact that you feel scared and overwhelmed is because you're healthy and normal, and that's what a body does when it's being abused."In this episode, award-winning author Jenney Clark, sits down with Dr. Nicole Wordlaw—Stanford honors graduate, UC Berkeley clinical psychologist, Buddhist meditation practitioner, and author of Waking Up Alone. Dr Nicole talks about Trauma, Oppression, and Self-Trust. What if the fear and hypervigilance you felt after trauma weren't signs that you were broken—but proof that your body was healthy and functioning exactly as it should?In this deeply moving and intellectually rigorous conversation, Dr. Nicole unpacks how trauma and inherited oppression shape human identity, why compliance becomes a generational survival pattern, and how to spot the crucial difference between harmful authority and true inner guidance. Drawing from both clinical practice and her own lived experience, she reveals how healing begins not with self-blame, but with clear seeing, body awareness, and radical self-compassion.In this episode, we explore:Dr. Nicole Wordlaw’s background as a clinical psychologist, Buddhist practitioner, and author of Waking Up AloneHow childhood sexual abuse created a before and after in her life and shaped her healing pathWhy being Black, female, biracial, and raised in a white family deepened her awareness of othernessHow trauma lives in the nervous system as sensation, hypervigilance, and survival patternsWhy survival strategies like compliance and invisibility can get passed down across generationsThe idea that the voice you can trust always sounds like love inside your headWhy privilege does not equal wellness, and how oppression can produce trauma symptomsHow power and vulnerability intersect in abuse, exploitation, and predator behaviorWhat mindfulness retreat practice taught her about thoughts as noise rather than truthWhy pain can be treated as a door toward what needs care, compassion, and attentionHow self-trust develops by noticing whether your actions toward yourself are honest and non-harmingWhy community helps, but why self-support matters when safe community is unavailableStart with tiny mindfulness practices, not long intense sessionsChoose trauma-sensitive teachers who understand flashbacks and dissociationIf a practice feels overwhelming, stop and trust your bodyUse body-based grounding like feeling your feet, breath, or a body scanTreat self-doubt as a cue to listen for the voice that sounds like care, not fearNotable quotes by Dr. Nicole Wordlaw “The voice you can trust always sounds like love inside your head.”“Pain is a door.”“There is nothing wrong with you, who you essentially are.”Action items* Start with tiny mindfulness practices, not long intense sessions* Choose trauma-sensitive teachers who understand flashbacks and dissociation* If a practice feels overwhelming, stop and trust your body* Use body-based grounding like feeling your feet, breath, or a body scan* Treat self-doubt as a cue to listen for the voice that sounds like care, not fearLinks and Resources to follow:🌐 Connect with Nicole Wordlaw & join her community: ⁠https://www.nicolewordlaw.com⁠Dr. Nicole Wordlaw on Substack: ⁠https://nicolewordlaw.substack.com/p/when-our-teachers-need-us-to-stay⁠🎙️ Buy Dr Nicole Wordlaw’s Book here: Book: ⁠https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Waking-Up-Alone/Nicole-Wordlaw/9781591813736⁠📚 Jenney Clark’s Website & Books: ⁠jenneyclark.com⁠🎧 Subscribe to Awakened Souls: Available on ⁠Spotify⁠,⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, and ⁠Audible
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    1 時間
  • 7 Years in a Cult: Mind Control, Coercion & Free Will. Guest: Star Spider

    7 Years in a Cult: Mind Control, Coercion & Free Will. Guest: Star Spider
    2026/09/30

    Star Spider is the Founder and Executive Director of Counter—a Canadian non-profit dedicated to helping individuals and families recognize, resist, and recover from coercive influence. In this episode award-winning Host of Awakened Souls Podcast Author Jenney Clark sits down with Star to talk about Star 's background in philosophy and seven years of lived experience within a high-control group. Star dismantles the dangerous myth that manipulation only happens to gullible or naive people. This conversation explores how coercive control relies on ordinary human psychology, how subtle conditioning erodes autonomy over time, and what it truly takes to rebuild identity and self-sovereignty after leaving.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Ordinary Vulnerability: Why manipulation targets fundamental human social needs rather than intellect or gullibility.
    • The Architecture of Control: How coercive influence operates gradually and relationally from the inside out.
    • Autonomy & Free Will: Philosophical perspectives on agency, belief, and loss of self.
    • Effective Support: How to maintain connection with a loved one in a high-control group without provoking defensive retreat.


    We highly recommend you 🌐 Connect with Star Spider & Access Free Resources on the thecounterproject.org

    • 🎙️ Star Spider's Story Feature: Listen to her dedicated episode on This Is Actually Happening


    • 📚 Jenney Clark’s Website & Books: jenneyclark.com
    • 🎧 Subscribe to Awakened Souls: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audible


    Episode Transcript:0:19 — Introduction: Counter and its mission
    1:24 — Star’s experience and why she started the organization
    3:13 — Why anyone can be vulnerable to manipulation
    5:36 — Early warning signs and coercive control
    7:26 — Love bombing, exploitation, and relationship control
    9:29 — Isolation: physical, ideological, and online
    12:42 — Bullying, family dynamics, and group exclusion
    13:43 — Star’s personal story and path to recovery
    17:39 — Why leaving high-control groups is so difficult
    21:23 — What recovery can look like
    24:39 — How to support a loved one without pushing them away
    28:22 — Philosophy, free will, and compassion
    33:49 — Healing tools, therapy, and rebuilding connection
    36:37 — Misconceptions about cult recovery and intervention
    40:33 — Coercive relationships: signs to watch for
    43:21 — Online recruitment, AI, and modern forms of control
    45:01 — Writing, current work, and future projects
    46:42 — Resources from Counter
    47:49 — Closing advice: stay connected and trust your instincts
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    49 分
  • Bonus Episode: Unlocking the Relics: Ancient Alchemy, Heka, & The Fool’s Journey

    Bonus Episode: Unlocking the Relics: Ancient Alchemy, Heka, & The Fool’s Journey
    2026/09/02

    Welcome to this exclusive bonus episode of Awakened Souls. In this special inner-circle commentary, host and author Jenney Clark pulls back the curtain on the hidden lore, ancient philosophy, and temporal mechanics powering her novel Cryptid: Falling into Time.

    Step into the secret vault to explore:

    • The Esoteric Core: How ancient Egyptian cosmology (Ma'at), Heka energy, and 3,000-year-old secret orders fuel the temporal fractures in the Relics of Eternity universe.

    • The Fool’s Journey Archetype: Why stepping off the cliff into the unknown is the ultimate leap of faith for both story protagonists and real-life survivors breaking inherited trauma scripts.

    • Your Reader Toolkit: How to navigate the prequel short story, Character Lore Guide, and full novel for maximum immersion.

    Whether you're a reader preparing to start Cryptid or a truth-seeker exploring ancient mysteries and personal autonomy, this commentary sets the stage for reclaiming your narrative against the chaos.

    Enjoying Awakened Souls?

    Tap Follow on Spotify/Apple Podcasts and leave a 5-star rating to support independent storytelling and unfiltered conversations. Share this episode with a fellow truth-seeker walking their own path.

    https://www.amazon.com/CRYPTID-FALLING-INTO-Relics-Eternity-ebook/dp/B0HG3QWTK2https://www.amazon.com/CRYPTID-FALLING-INTO-Relics-Eternity-ebook/dp/B0HG3QWTK2

    Show Notes Blurb (To feature in Awakened Souls episode descriptions)

    • Listen to the Companion Soundtrack: Experience Cryptid: Falling into Time through sound. This curated Spotify playlist aligns track-by-track with the chapters of the novel, weaving cinematic atmosphere and esoteric weight into every scene.

    • Official Playlist Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5HSMgWYONuWm3sJIWSD943



    Keywords & Topics:

    #AwakenedSouls #JenneyClark #CryptidFallingIntoTime #RelicsOfEternity #EgyptianAlchemy #Heka #EsotericPhilosophy #FoolsJourney #Tarot #SurvivorResilience #DualTimelineThriller #AncientHistory #TraumaHealing #Archetypes #DarkAcademia

    • Website: https://jenneyclark.com/

    • Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jenneyclark

    • Cryptid on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HG3QZW72

    • Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jenney_clark

    • Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/awakenedsouls/
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    5 分
  • Breaking Silos With Hip Hop Star Ciph Boogie

    Breaking Silos With Hip Hop Star Ciph Boogie
    2026/05/17
    Today on Awakened Souls, I’m excited to welcome Award-winning Hip Hop Musical Genius Ciph Boogie, a Brooklyn-based music singer, producer, and songwriter who won "Songwriter of the Year" at the Wavy Awards. He is also a prominent figure in hip hop events through initiatives like the ⁠Certified Hip Hop Independent Music Awards⁠, which celebrate pioneering artists in the Mid-Atlantic. Raised in the legendary Marcy Projects, Ciph’s life has been a masterclass in resilience. From earning placements with ESPN and the NBA to his award-nominated tribute "Stars in the Sky," Ciph’s work transcends the genre. He doesn’t just rap; he speaks life into memory, prioritizing legacy over hype and soul over algorithms. Having navigated the profound grief of losing both parents, he has transformed his personal pain into a "living archive" of truth. Ciph Boogie is known for his "cinematic" storytelling that blends raw New York grit with deep emotional vulnerability. You can stream his catalog and keep up with his releases on major platforms:Chapters: Show Notes 00:55 Introduction to Ciph Boogie 01:48 Growing Up in Brooklyn 02:50 Influence of Hip-Hop Royalty 04:05 The Journey of Writing 05:37 Cultural Heritage and Identity 07:03 Lessons from Family 09:03 Childhood Memories and Reality 09:58 Navigating Grief and Loss 10:22 The Impact of Losing Parents 14:37 Coping with Grief 16:00 Overcoming Rejection in Music 19:32 Balancing Grief and Creativity 21:50 Building Confidence as an Artist 23:09 The Meaning Behind the Name 24:51 Musical Influences and Inspirations 25:32 Creative Process and Songwriting 26:45 The Creative Process and Inspiration 28:28 Evolution as an Artist 31:21 Cinematic Hip-Hop and Its Impact 34:10 Behind the Scenes with Combat Jack36:29 Authenticity in Today's Music Industry 37:46 Musical Aspirations and New Releases 39:44 Vulnerability in Songwriting 42:12 Listener Impact and Feedback 43:40 Mental Health Advocacy 46:48 Spiritual Reflections and Gratitude 48:20 Future Projects and Vision 49:46 Final Words of Wisdom Where you can listen and follow Ciph Boogie:Streaming: Listen to his tracks on ⁠Apple Music⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠.Updates: Follow his journey and watch his music videos on his ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠ channels.Official Hub: Visit ⁠Ciph Boogie's Website⁠ for merch, news, and project details.Other Links:⁠Certified Hip Hop Independent Music Awards⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ciphboogie24/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wavyawards/⁠⁠https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ciph-boogie/418632083⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/5slc5e4hHRcpRUHbZsdp3c⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/user/ciphboogieInternational Support for CPTSD, Bullying, Trauma & depression:For Trauma, Depression, and Mental Health Advice and Support : https://cptsdfoundation.org/Befrienders Worldwide — Emotional support and listening services in over 90 countries (find local helplines): https://befrienders.org/International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA) — Global resources for bullying prevention and intervention: https://ibpaworld.org/International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) — Resources, fact sheets, and therapist locator for complex trauma: https://www.isst-d.org/Blue Knot Foundation (Australia-focused but useful internationally for complex trauma survivors): https://blueknot.org.au/ (Helpline: 1300 657 380)My Journey: Awakened Souls Podcast | www.jenneyclark.comhttps://jenneyclark.com/
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    51 分
  • Talking Sex, Lies and Tacos With Resilience & Reinvention Coach & Motivational Speaker Aly Rice

    Talking Sex, Lies and Tacos With Resilience & Reinvention Coach & Motivational Speaker Aly Rice
    2026/03/27

    Today 's podcast is an interview with Aly Rice — certified resilience and reinvention coach, motivational speaker, and the bold voice behind the podcasts Sex, Lies & Tacos and This Could Get Messy. After navigating profound personal challenges, including non-consensual recording, revenge porn, sexual abuse, betrayal, grief, and starting over from zero, Aly turned her raw experiences into powerful tools for transformation. Through her honest storytelling and coaching, she helps women reclaim their voices, rebuild their identities, and rise stronger, unapologetically embracing the messy, beautiful truth of being fully alive. Get ready for a real, raw, and awakening conversation with Aly Rice.


    00:00 Introduction and Background

    01:19 Childhood Influences and Resilience

    03:48 Corporate Life and Red Flags

    06:30 Life Changes and Personal Challenges

    08:49 Loss and Identity Crisis

    11:39 Romantic Relationships and Betrayal

    14:15 The Impact of Revenge Porn

    16:48 Navigating Grief and Support

    19:32 Career Changes and Manifestation

    22:05 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

    27:28 The Impact of Love Bombing in Relationships

    28:55 Navigating Dark Thoughts and Finding Strength

    33:55 Creating the Survival to Thriving Guide

    36:03 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    39:06 The Birth of Sex, Lies, and Tacos Podcast

    43:31 Transformative Stories and Client Successes

    47:40 Reclaiming Identity and Voice

    52:02 Mantras for Transformation and Healing

    56:17 Creating a Safe Space for Healing

    57:41 Overcoming Life's Challenges

    59:05 The Importance of Authenticity

    59:51 Empowering Women Through Connection

    01:00:50 Navigating Relationships and Betrayal

    Learn more about Aly on the links and handles below:

    Website: https://alyrice.com/

    Substack: https://substack.com/@alyspeaksup

    Insta: https://www.instagram.com/alyspeaksup

    Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/show/4s0xfzjl3wBfE9pNqckNmi

    For crisis resources and help go to :

    https://cptsdfoundation.org/help-me-find-a-therapist/

    https://988lifeline.org/https://rainn.org/

    https://cptsdfoundation.org/trauma-informed-blog/

    https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/initiative/ncw-womens-helpline/

    1in6.org

    https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/national-global-organizations/international-organizations

    https://www.samaritans.org/https://www.crisistextline.org/https://www.unwomen.org/en



    ***Trigger Warning***: This episode may contain adult themes, abuse, and trauma, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and feel free to pause or skip if needed. Resources for survivors are linked in our show notes.
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    1 時間 3 分
  • Sole Survivor of the Notorious Railroad Serial Killer - Holly K. Dunn

    Sole Survivor of the Notorious Railroad Serial Killer - Holly K. Dunn
    2025/08/09

    Join the Awakened Souls Podcast as we share Holly K. Dunn’s inspiring story of survival and healing. The sole survivor of the notorious Railroad Killer, Angel Maturino Resendiz, Holly recounts her 1997 ordeal in her memoir, Sole Survivor. As a motivational speaker and co-founder of Holly’s House, a haven for victims of intimate crimes in Evansville, Indiana, she advocates for survivors, speaks at schools and judicial panels, and trains the Evansville Police Department. Honored with the 2006 Jefferson Award and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award, Holly’s story is featured in People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer, I Survived a Serial Killer, 48 Hours, and Unseen: The Case of Holly K. Dunn (IMDb). Tune in to hear her resilient journey.



    Show notes:

    00:00 Introduction to Holly K Dunn's Journey

    06:55 The Fateful Night: Encounter with Evil

    22:29 Surviving the Attack and Aftermath

    27:25 Facing the Attacker: Survivor's Guilt and Fear

    32:31 Grieving and Remembering Chris: An Unconventional Journey

    38:25 Inspiring Others: The Role of Advocacy and Speaking


    Links:

    http://www.hollykdunn.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/hollykdunn/

    https://x.com/hollykdunn

    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6532343/

    https://www.facebook.com/hollykdunn


    Trauma Resources:

    rainn.org

    cptsdfoundation.org

    sidran.org

    thehotline.org

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    49 分
  • Danielle Leukam: Author, Rape Survivor, Activist, Anomaly

    Danielle Leukam: Author, Rape Survivor, Activist, Anomaly
    2025/07/01

    **Trigger Warning:** This episode contains uncensored discussions regarding sensitive subjects such as sexual assault, rape, home invasion, and trauma. It includes explicit details that may be distressing for certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised; feel free to pause or skip sections as necessary. Additionally, resources for survivors are provided in the show notes for further support.

    At the Awakened Souls Podcast, we share inspiring stories that stir the soul, heal the spirit, and illuminate the path through darkness. Today, we speak with Danielle Leukam, a powerful voice in the fight against sexual violence. A registered nurse, mother, and rape survivor, Danielle transformed her trauma into triumph with her memoir, Four Pounds of Pressure: A Memoir of Rape, Survival, and Taking Back My Power. As an author, advocate, and founder of WISH: We Inspire Survivor Healing, INC., she empowers survivors and educates communities. Through her work with End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) and as a member of the Survivor Advisory Group to the Governor of Minnesota, Danielle’s journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the fight to reclaim one’s power.


    00:00: The Journey of Healing and Justice

    05:51: Empowerment Through Storytelling

    08:14: Navigating the Aftermath

    10:47: Facing the Perpetrator

    13:18: Understanding Grief and Support

    15:35: The Justice System Experience

    18:15: The Ripple Effect of Trauma

    21:27: Finding Strength as a Survivor

    24:07: Writing as a Tool for Empowerment

    26:51: Common Threads Among Survivors

    29:18: Shining a Light on Sexual Assault

    31:49: Balancing Diverse Writing Projects

    31:54: Finding Inspiration in Adversity

    33:07: Navigating Relationships After Trauma

    35:13: The Healing Power of Writing

    38:04: Creating Change Through Nonprofit Work

    39:32: Advocacy and Legislative Efforts

    42:49: Public Speaking and Survivor Empowerment

    45:46: Supporting Survivors in Our Communities

    48:17: Reclaiming Power: A New Memoir

    49:22: Words of Hope for Survivors

    50:42: Vision for the Future of Advocacy


    Danielle's Links:

    ⁠www.danielleleukam.com⁠

    ⁠www.instagram.com/danielleleukam⁠ or @danielleleukam

    ⁠www.facebook.com/daniellelouiseleukam⁠

    ⁠www.twitter.com/danielle_leukam⁠

    Resource for survivors: RAINN ( ⁠rainn.org⁠ ) EVAWI ( ⁠evawintl.org⁠ )

    Disclaimer: The information, statements, comments, and opinions provided in this podcast are general in nature, and the resources have been cited. None of the authors, contributors or anyone else connected with this podcast, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained herein. Any and all information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast, nor any content on Awakened Souls is a supplement for or supersedes the relationship and direction of your medical or mental health providers. Thoughts, ideas, or opinions expressed by this guest do not necessarily reflect those of our producers.

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    57 分
  • Raymond Bechard: A Fearless Voice Against Human Trafficking

    Raymond Bechard: A Fearless Voice Against Human Trafficking
    2025/06/15

    On the Awakened Souls Podcast, we celebrate Raymond Bechard, an award-winning author, speaker, and human rights advocate. Honored with the Spiritual Life Award for his global fight against human trafficking, Raymond spoke at the Vatican Conference 2019 and is endorsed by leaders like US Senator Richard Blumenthal. His work is cited by Harvard, the University of Toledo, and numerous NGOs. For over 20 years, he has battled modern slavery in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, producing the documentary "Honor Bound" to raise awareness. His books, "The Berlin Turnpike" and "Unspeakable", expose the dark underbelly of human trafficking while inspiring hope. A bold provocateur, Bechard is credited with writing multiple pieces of successful legislation focusing on human trafficking and has driven legislation that forced social media to enhance stronger child safety measures. He also shut down illicit media ads on a Tribune Media publication after it continued to run ads selling illegal "escort" services. He is well-known for generally making people in power uncomfortable whenever he focuses his resources, writing, and public speaking on them. Listen to his harrowing stories of saving victims, from children dying of HIV to teens rescued from brothels, as he challenges an indifferent system.


    00:00 Introduction

    00:32 Early Influences and Inspirations

    04:30 Pivotal Moments Leading to Advocacy

    09:26 Shocking Discoveries in Human Trafficking

    16:53 Stories of Resilience and Redemption

    20:03 Systemic Factors Fueling Human Trafficking

    23:34 Challenges in Advocacy and Resistance

    29:21 Moral Dilemmas in Advocacy

    30:47 Reflections on the Journey

    33:52 The Challenges of Recovery from Trafficking

    36:39 The Cost of Truth in Advocacy

    39:28 Personal Sacrifices in the Fight Against Trafficking

    42:52 Coping with Darkness: Humor and Nature

    46:42 Defining Success in the Fight for Justice

    48:58 Envisioning a World Without Trafficking

    53:26 Advice for Aspiring Activists

    56:24 intro.mp3


    Some gems from Raymond on the Podcast:


    " Don't follow the crowd."

    " It does not reduce us to lift other people up. It lifts us all up, it lifts the world up when we do that."


    " In a nation or society where girls are educated, all boats are lifted with that rising tide of education. Statistics and studies have shown for years that if you educate girls, it makes a culture better. It makes societies better. It makes businesses better."


    "What still shocks me is when you show people the crime, when you show people the human rights violation, so often, good people will do nothing and turn the other way because they are scared. That shocks me."


    "People can believe some awful things above what is obviously true and dismiss the truth to propagate their own motivations, as we see in politics." "Because if we face the truth about what's happening to other people, we have to do something about it."


    Learn more about Raymond on the links and handles below

    LinkedIn

    APB Speakers Bureau

    Youtube

    Instagram Handle

    Raymond Bechard imdb

    Goodreads Author Page

    Amazon Books link

    Tedx

    RaymondBechard@gmail.com

    LinkTree

    Threads
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    57 分