Welcome back to Spiritual Fertility! In this heartfelt episode, Alison Bucklin sits down with Wendy Letow, founder and executive director of Respite Retreats, a nonprofit that provides comfort and support to those affected by cancer. As they dive into Wendy’s remarkable journey, you’ll hear how a single act of compassion as a massage therapist set her on a path to dedicate her life to helping the cancer community—not once, but twice, by founding two impactful nonprofits.

Wendy Letow opens up about her own cancer diagnosis, caring for her mother through a terminal illness, and the profound lessons these experiences brought. The conversation explores the ups and downs of personal transformation, the importance of listening to your own inner guidance, and the power of stepping away from life’s noise to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. Together, Alison and Wendy reflect on the magic that happens when you create space for healing, the courage it takes to live intentionally, and why sometimes, “enough” truly is enough.

Whether you’re on your own healing journey or supporting someone through theirs, this episode offers inspiration, hope, and a gentle reminder to honor your light—and let it shine. Join us for this intimate, soulful conversation on courage, self-awareness, and the beauty that emerges from vulnerability and connection.

(00:00) "Choosing Courage and Alignment"

(04:11) "Respite Retreats and Wende's Vision"

(07:50) "Founding Nonprofits for Cancer Support"

(10:36) "Doctor Suggests Skipping Exam"

(15:52) "Mentorship, Growth, and Nonprofit Evolution"

(19:42) "Refocusing to Serve Cancer Community"

(21:25) "Finding Purpose Behind Respite Retreats"

(25:15) "Reconnecting Beyond the Diagnosis"

(29:43) "Embracing Light and Purpose"

(31:22) "Creating and Expanding Supportive Spaces"

(37:50) "Rediscovering Spiritual Connection"

(39:25) "Trust the Unfolding Process"

(44:15) "Hello from the Past"

(46:54) "Spiritual Fertility Podcast Invite"

Connect with Wendy & Respite Retreats:

Respite Retreats is compassionate, understanding, and committed to those affected by cancer—all growing from deeply personal experiences.

Website: https://www.respiteretreats.org/

Wendy Letow - Founder & Executive Director

wletow@respiteretreats.org

LinkedIn

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Spiritual Fertility! This week, Alison Bucklin sits down with her long-time friend and guest, Louise Reid, for a candid conversation about life's major transitions. Louise, a seasoned HR and talent management expert turned transformational coach, shares her personal journey of overcoming toxic work environments, healing through adversity, and embracing change with courage.

Together, they explore the inner and outer shifts that accompany career transitions, relationships, and the evolving landscape of spirituality. From leaning into mindfulness and self-awareness to rediscovering community and connection, this episode is packed with empowering insights for anyone navigating their own season of transformation.

Whether you’re craving inspiration, practical tools, or just a reminder that you’re not alone, tune in for a heartfelt dialogue about rebirth, resilience, and the beauty of becoming.

(00:00) Embracing Life's Transitions

(05:40) "No Humanity in Human Resources"

(07:01) "Toxic Work and Personal Trauma"

(11:02) "Overcoming Challenges with Resilience"

(13:36) "Inner Transitions and Growth"

(17:06) "Exploring Spirituality and Wellness"

(22:19) "Humanizing Leadership: Building True Confidence"

(23:57) "Honoring Julia's Legacy"

(28:27) "Detaching Through Pure Intention"

(33:26) Mindful Leadership Integration

(34:37) "Gratitude and Collaboration Shared"

Louise H. Reid:

As founder and Chief Empowerment Officer at LHR Leadership Development & Coaching, Louise is on a mission to humanize leadership by helping leaders lead themselves first. She’s witnessed—and personally experienced—the cost of well-intentioned but ill-equipped leadership, and knows the power of self-awareness, mindfulness, and strengths-based growth to transform communication, relationships, and team culture.

With a heads-on, hearts-in approach grounded in her own journey—including yoga training and deepening mindfulness practice—Louise brings a unique blend of science and soul to her work, helping leaders cultivate presence, resilience, and authentic connection.

Based in the Toronto area, Louise draws on 20+ years of HR and leadership expertise across high-tech, aviation, utilities, and non-profit sectors.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo, is a Certified HR Leader and Certified Organizational Coach (UBC & ICF), and is a 3X #1 Amazon Bestselling Author. and proud mama to four boys.

Connect with Louise:

Website: https://www.humanizingleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisehreid/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanizing_leadership/

To get your copy of Humanizing Leadership, select where you’re located: United States, Canada ,

Welcome to a soulful new episode of Spiritual Fertility, hosted by Alison Bucklin—mother, intuitive teacher, and healer. In this beautifully personal solo session, Alison invites listeners into her world as she follows her intuition to pull a card from the "Work Your Light" Oracle deck by Rebecca Campbell. With heartfelt openness, Alison shares how oracle readings have shaped her wellness and spiritual practice, and she offers a live card reading—embracing vulnerability, validation, and release in real time.

This episode is all about crossing thresholds, embracing life’s more challenging moments, and discovering the sacredness in our personal journeys. Whether you’re a returning member of our supportive community or tuning in for the first time, Alison’s reflections and the powerful oracle message will inspire you to honor your emotions and trust your growth—no matter where you are on your path. Tune in for wisdom, empowerment, and a gentle reminder that the world needs your light.

(00:00) "Wellness Day: Oracle Card Reflection"

(06:04) "Timeless Message of Initiation"

(07:35) Sacred Initiation Journey

(10:16) Subscribe to Spiritual Fertility

Alison Bucklin - Short Bio

Alison Bucklin is the heart and voice behind the “Spiritual Fertility” podcast, a warm and welcoming space for those seeking connection, wisdom, and spiritual growth. By day, Alison is a devoted educator, teaching Pre-K and leading social-emotional learning in an after-school kindergarten program. Her passion for nurturing young minds is matched by her commitment to uplifting others on their spiritual paths.

Alison’s journey into spirituality blossomed in early 2020, guided and inspired by the teachings of Rebecca Campbell, whose books and oracle decks became cornerstones in Alison’s practice. Her intuitive connection—often expressed through pulling oracle cards and sharing reflective messages—forms the core of her podcast, where she invites listeners to join her in moments of vulnerability, growth, and healing. Whether navigating challenging emotions or celebrating personal breakthroughs, Alison encourages her community to honor their own rites of passage and trust their inner wisdom.

Through “Spiritual Fertility,” Alison shares not just guidance and inspiration, but also her own heartfelt experiences, reminding listeners that transformation often begins with courage and self-compassion. She sees each episode as a sacred opportunity to “crack open” and let her light shine—alongside her listeners—on the journey toward wholeness.

Connect With Alison:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.lorek.bucklin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alison_bucklin444/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonbucklin/

Email: alisonbucklin444@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiritualfertility444

• Worried about messing up your kids? You help them most by working on yourself. When you heal, you show up differently—more present, open, and supportive. It all starts within.
• Feeling afraid to be seen or share your gifts? The “witch wound” can trigger fear of judgment, but healing it lets your true self shine in the world. Owning your story is powerful.
• Our relationship with our mothers often shapes how we see ourselves, set boundaries, and build self-worth. Exploring the “mother wound” can reveal powerful paths to healing and transformation.

Welcome to another transformative episode of the Spiritual Fertility podcast! This week, host Alison Bucklin sits down with the insightful Alyse Bacine—a breathwork facilitator, trauma healing expert, and creator of the Metamorphosis Method. Alison and Alyse dive deep into the mother wound, discussing how our earliest relationships shape our sense of self, our boundaries, and even how we show up with our own children. Alyse shares her personal journey from struggling with anxiety and an eating disorder to discovering the power of breathwork at nineteen, and how her decade-long career as a school counselor informed the healing work she does today.

Together, they unpack why doing our own inner work is the most powerful gift we can offer our children and future generations, and Alyse offers practical tools for recognizing and dissolving subconscious patterns inherited from our mothers and family lineages. They also touch on the impact of ancestral wounds, the importance of boundaries, and shed light on the collective “witch wound” that keeps many of us hiding from our authentic gifts.

Whether you're deep into your healing journey or just beginning to explore these transformational spaces, this conversation is full of wisdom, real-life stories, and actionable insights to help you reclaim your voice and reconnect with your highest self. Tune in to be inspired, supported, and reminded that your path to self-discovery not only changes you, but ripples out to everyone you love.

(00:00) "Introducing Elise Bassine on Spiritual Fertility"

(04:47) "Integrating Breathwork with Counseling"

(08:40) Passion for Counseling Middle School Students

(12:42) The Mother Wound's Impact

(14:08) Subconscious Influences from Maternal Relationships

(18:17) Mother Wound Impacts Adult Relationships

(21:53) "Unlocking Subconscious with Breathwork"

(27:11) Parenting Transformation Through Self-Work

(29:20) Absent Parenting and Behavioral Issues

(31:12) Healing Enhances Parenting Approach

(35:32) Fear of Sharing Spiritual Gifts

(38:15) "Reclaim Consciousness: Exiting the Matrix"

(42:51) Human Design Insights

(46:06) "Tools for Inner Child Healing"

(47:44) Free Downloads and Podcast Offer

Connect with Alyse:

Alyse Bacine is a renowned breathwork practitioner, transformational coach, and trauma healing expert. With a background as a school counselor for over a decade, Alyse has dedicated her career to helping individuals heal from childhood, relational, and ancestral trauma. She is the creator of the Metamorphosis Method, a unique process that helps clients clear deep-rooted patterns and empower themselves through breathwork and subconscious healing. Alyse hosts the "Reclaiming Consciousness" podcast, where she explores topics such as exiting the matrix, spiritual growth, and personal transformation. Her work is particularly informed by her understanding of the mother wound, emotional enmeshment, and the power of breathwork to access and heal the subconscious. Alyse is widely recognized for her compassionate, insightful approach, and her commitment to helping others evolve, awaken, and reclaim their true selves.

Website:

Welcome to another episode of Spiritual Fertility! This week, host Alison Bucklin welcomes the luminous Andrea Donnelly—a multidimensional healer, intuitive, and creator of “future medicine.” Together, they dive into Andrea's lifelong journey with her psychic gifts, the wisdom of reconnecting with nature, and how ancient truths—not “new” age ideas—hold the key to awakening, healing, and reclaiming our personal power.

Andrea shares candid stories of growing up in a highly intuitive family, navigating disabling chronic pain, and using her unique healing modality to transform her own life and the lives of others. The conversation weaves through honoring mystical gifts, unpacking societal programming, the role of environmental choices in our wellbeing, and the liberating self-awareness that comes with understanding your own energetic blueprint.

Get ready for a heart-centered, high-vibe exploration of spiritual awakening, the magic of intuition, and practical tools for reconnection—plus a dose of hope, humor, and reminders of your innate miracles. Whether you’re deep on your path or just awakening, this episode offers empowering inspiration to help you return home to yourself.

(00:00) "Spiritual Fertility with Andrea Donnelly"

(03:46) "Future Medicine: Awakening Psychic Gifts"

(07:52) Cultivating Intuition and Psychic Gifts

(11:17) Intuitive Perception and Social Disconnect

(15:02) "Planet's Paradox: Miracles Amid Chaos"

(17:40) Impact of Awareness on Health Choices

(20:59) "Truth Challenges Established Systems"

(24:52) Gifted Healer's Realization

(27:29) Energy Work and Personal Transformation

(31:37) Embracing Growth and Connection

(35:35) Nature's Healing: Disconnect to Reconnect

(38:56) "Challenges of Being a Projector"

(40:47) Projectors, Health, and Reclamation

(45:16) "Urgent Need for Deconditioning"

(49:38) "Heartfelt Wisdom and Reconnection"

(50:12) "Connecting with Andrea: Spiritual Journey"

Connect With Andrea:

Andrea Donnelly is a Shaman, Spiritual Advisor, and Creator of the Future Medicine Healing Modality. She supports people from all walks of life by attuning them to their highest frequency, restoring their innate healing abilities, and ultimately reconnect them to their psychic gifts, spiritual intelligence and soul blueprint; which is my sweet spot! Her mentorship process combines her background in finance and entrepreneurship, as well as her one-of-a-kind intuitive gifts and spiritual IQ to guide her clients into their highest (and desired) timeline.

Website: https://www.wearehere2remember.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@birdtvdotcom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seawitchery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/champagnewishesandcaviardreams

Linktree

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Spiritual Fertility with your host, Alison Bucklin. This week, Alison welcomes Chantel Soumis—a resilient mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for those living with chronic illness. Chantel shares her powerful journey from receiving a life-altering diagnosis of multiple sclerosis shortly after her miracle son's birth to redefining what it means to be "differently abled." Together, Alison and Chantel dive deep into the importance of self-awareness, maintaining a positive attitude through life’s peaks and valleys, and embracing spiritual transformation in the face of adversity.

Chantel opens up about her challenges and the vital role family support, mindset shifts, and neuroplasticity played in her healing and resilience. She also explores her spiritual awakening, shedding light on surrender, purpose, and the power of human design in understanding herself—and her relationships with others—on a deeper level. As a working mom raising a uniquely gifted son, Chantel’s story is a heartfelt reminder of the strength, vulnerability, and courage it takes to move forward, trust the process, and inspire others along the way.

Tune in for an honest conversation about transforming the darkest moments into sources of clarity, hope, and authentic power. Whether you're navigating your own life transitions or seeking fresh inspiration, this episode is filled with practical wisdom, warmth, and an invitation to honor your own path of spiritual growth.

00:00 "Awareness and Connection Journey"

04:10 "Sharing My MS Journey on LinkedIn"

06:44 Embracing "Differently Abled" Identity

09:46 Mindset's Role in Health Transformation

12:53 "Surrender and Spiritual Awakening"

18:27 Awakening Beyond Taught Beliefs

21:38 Empathy and Advocacy for My Son

23:14 Empowering Children Through Parenting

28:35 Trust the Process, Share Your Light

30:35 Embrace Awareness and Trust Process

34:24 "Embrace the Journey Ahead"

Connect with Chantel:

Chantel Soumis’s journey took an unexpected turn ten years ago, right after the birth of her “miracle baby” son. Just as she was starting a new job—which suddenly fell through—Chantel was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a challenge that affected her vision and mobility so severely that her husband became both a new dad and her caregiver overnight. While those early days were daunting, Chantel discovered unexpected blessings in her struggle, finding empowerment and purpose in sharing her story.

Choosing LinkedIn as her platform, Chantel opened up about the realities of working with a chronic illness, inspiring countless others by turning vulnerability into strength. Today, she is a successful fractional Chief Marketing Officer and respected speaker, known for her courageous leadership and dedication to supporting fellow working parents and adults with disabilities. Through every challenge, Chantel continues to advocate for safe, honest conversations where others feel seen, heard, and motivated to press forward.

Chantel Soumis LinkedIn

Chantel Soumis Email

Welcome to a powerful solo episode of Spiritual Fertility, hosted by Alison Bucklin. In this heartfelt and deeply personal installment, Alison steps behind the mic to share her transformational journey of becoming a living kidney donor for her friend Lori. With her signature warmth and vulnerability, Alison takes us through the intuitive calling she felt, the challenges and fears she overcame, and the profound moments of courage, connection, and spiritual growth experienced along the way.

From the initial spark of intuition to the rigorous medical process, heartfelt family conversations, and the spiritual practices—including Reiki and the Emotion Code—that supported her through surgery, Alison offers a candid look at the emotional and physical realities of organ donation. She reflects on the meaning of living in alignment with her core values and embracing "courage" as her word of the year.

Whether you’re on your own journey of healing, transformation, or looking for inspiration to listen to your inner guidance, this episode is sure to ignite hope, self-reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Join Alison as she lights the way for others, encouraging us all to embrace our paths with compassion, faith, and authentic action.

00:00 "Podcast Editing and Spiritual Journey Update"

05:21 "Finding Comfort in Signs"

07:22 Healthy Lifestyle Enables Organ Donation

13:07 Successful Kidney Transplant Update

16:32 Prayer, Healing, and Gratitude

19:09 "Embracing Contribution and Spiritual Growth"

20:41 Farewell with Love

Links:

The Baltimore Banner Article

University of Maryland Transplant Center At Baltimore

Better Call Daddy Podcast on Spotify

Dive into the fascinating world of Human Design with Alison Bucklin and Sandi Freschi. Sandy, a seasoned human design guide, shares her transformative journey and gives an insightful overview of this powerful tool. This episode illuminates the mind-body-spirit connection and invites us to explore our unique energetic blueprints. Perfect for anyone on a quest for self-awareness and growth!

Key Points:

• Human Design as a transformative tool

• Projectors’ strategy: wait for invitations

• Confronting limitations through Human Design

• Impact of trauma on Human Design readings

• Mindful art and meditation as healing practices

Quote from Sandi: "Our energy is, is sort of hardwired to resonate with certain people, and we can get right into the heart of who they are and know them very deeply."

Sandy Freschi is a Human Design guide and energy healer who helps creatives and seekers unlock their brilliance by understanding their unique energy blueprint and expressing their authenticity. Sandy has over 30 years of experience in the healing and helping professions and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in clinical mental health counseling.

You can find out more about Sandy at her website: www.sandyfreschi.com

Or subscribe to her Substack publication: https://creativeoasis.substack.com/

For more information about Human Design, check out Sandy's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@humandesignexperiment