Note: the connection was poor, so the sound suffered a little.

In this episode, I sit down with herbalist, author, and modern-day curandera Josie Castañeda Morales to discuss the world of ancestral healing—exploring how herbalism, ceremony, and connecting with your heart can help you return to your roots and bring more balance, intuition, and peace into your modern life.

Josie shares her journey from the fast-paced fashion world in NYC to becoming a yerbera (herbalist) and healer in Miami—blending traditional curanderismo with modern wellness. We talk about sun and moon energies, the role of ritual, and why meditation and listening to the heart are essential in a world that often pulls us away from ourselves.

If you're curious about herbalism, decolonizing your wellness practice, or simply longing to reconnect with your roots, this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen inward, and honor the wisdom of your lineage.

Episode Highlights:

• Josie's path from fashion designer to healer—and choosing a "spiral life" over a "linear life"
• Meditation as the gateway to intuition, clarity, and daily alignment
• What curanderismo and modern Latine herbalism look like today
• Heart connection, boundaries, and trusting our inner knowing
• Sun vs. Moon energy: supporting digestion (Sun) and the nervous system (Moon)
• Rituals as a bridge between the physical and subtle body
• Decolonizing wellness by honoring abuela wisdom and family recipes
• Gentle first steps to reconnect with your ancestral healing
• Following your heart to leave an unfulfilling job and create a purpose-driven business or healing practice
  
  

Books Mentioned in the Episode:

• Josie's book: Latin Herbalism: A Beginner's Guide to Modern Curanderismo, Healing Plants, and Folk Traditions of the Americas
  
  
• CURANDERO HISPANIC ETHNO-PSYCHOTHERAPY & CURANDERISMO: TREATING HISPANIC MENTAL HEALTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY by Antonio Noe Zavaleta Ph.D
  

Connect with Josie:

Website: https://www.curanderaremedies.com/

And @curanderaremedies on Instagram

Call to Action:
If this episode resonated, share it with a sister, your mom, or an amiga who's craving a deeper connection to her roots. And let me know your favorite takeaway—I love hearing how these conversations land for you.

Enroll Now or Join the Waitlist:
Start a Soulful Business: a 90 Day Coaching Experience to Build a Heart-Centered Business Aligned with Your Purpose

Where To Find Me:

Instagram: @modernlatinainmidlife

Email: sonia@soniasdesk.com

bluechakrastudio.com

This is a conversation where I was interviewed on Intuition Activation podcast by the host and my mentor, Jessica Rachel. She is a spiritual medium and intuition coach who mentored me to help me trust the intuitive downloads I was receiving, and connect others to their spirit guides.

If you've been feeling the nudge that there's more for you than the 9–5 grind, this episode is your sign. We talk about following the breadcrumbs from your spirit guides, getting unstuck with simple, aligned action, and building a soul-led business that lights you up.

Episode highlights:

• Clarity from action: why you can't wait to be "sure" and how tiny inspired steps unlock your path

• Breadcrumbs & play: using creativity and joy (yes, even roller skates!) to hear your intuition more clearly

• If you have a million ideas: how to choose one lovingly (and why it's never wasted time)

• Tools that work: guided meditation, automatic writing, skills inventory, Human Design + astrology, and past-life regression for purpose clarity

• Imposter syndrome is normal: parts work, energy clearing, and nervous system support to move through "who am I to do this?"

• Divine feminine → divine masculine: balancing inner guidance with simple systems, offers, messaging, and next right steps

• Keep it simple: test a lightweight offer, no need for a full website or fancy funnels to start

• Accountability & momentum: why group coaching accelerates results (and how intention + community amplifies everything)

• Sonia's 90-day program: weekly teachings + live calls, HD/astrology session, messaging, offers, simple biz setup, soulful client attraction, and social strategy

• Listener bonuses: exclusive savings and extras for Intuition Activation listeners—details in the show notes

If this episode sparked something in you, pick one takeaway and act on it today. Your next breadcrumb is already waiting.

Resources & links

My program: Start a Soulful Business: https://www.bluechakrastudio.com/

Feeling the call to do work that feels meaningful but unsure how to turn that passion into profit?

In this episode of Modern Latina in Midlife, I walk you through a grounded, soulful roadmap to help you start a purpose-driven business without the overwhelm. Whether you're craving more freedom, ready to leave a draining 9–5, or simply want to get paid for the gifts you already have… this episode is for you.

These 5 steps are pulled from my free guide, The Soulpreneur Starter Path a simple, step-by-step roadmap for turning your gifts into profit with a soul aligned business you love.

You'll walk away with clarity, confidence, and your next aligned action. No hours of Googling how-tos. No more hustling your way to burnout. Just the soul-aligned truth of how to begin.

📩 Download the free guide here for all the prompts and steps mentioned in this episode: bluechakrastudio.com/starter

💫 Want deeper support to start your soul-based business? Join the waitlist for my 90-day group program here: bluechakrastudio.com/soul-business

Show Highlights:

• How to connect with your deeper "why" and why it's your business anchor
• Ways to uncover your innate gifts (even the ones you've overlooked)
• How to identify who you're meant to serve without forcing a niche
• Ideas for creating your very first offer (no tech or pressure required)
• Gentle ways to share your work, even if visibility feels scary
• Journal prompts, grounding reframes, and real-life examples throughout

This episode is for you if:

• You feel called to do purposeful work but don't know where to start
• You've downloaded the freebies, taken the courses and still feel stuck
• You're craving a simpler, more soul-aligned way to start a business
• You want to create an additional stream of income, or exit your 9–5

Links Mentioned:

🌀 The Soulpreneur Starter Path (free guide)

💫 Start a Soulful Business (90-day program)

Enjoyed this episode?

Share it with an amiga who's dreaming of starting something aligned and ready to stop day-dreaming of a better way.

Where To Find Me:

Instagram: @bluechakrastudio
Email: sonia@sonia-flores.com
bluechakrastudio.com