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What happens when the veil between worlds grows thin? Both birth and death represent profound thresholds where we're asked to surrender while somehow maintaining our power. After returning from maternity leave, host Elena Box welcomes her birth doula Alexandra Monahan for a raw, intimate conversation about resilience during life's most challenging transitions.

Alexandra shares her journey of walking her mother through end-of-life care after a long battle with cancer and addiction. This profound experience directly influenced her approach to supporting birthing families, especially in creating sacred space during transformative moments. The conversation reveals why Elena specifically sought a doula who understood death transitions to guide her through birth—recognizing the spiritual connection between these universal human experiences.

Then Elena opens up about her own dramatic birth experience—a placental abruption that forced her to abandon her carefully crafted home birth plans. With continuous bleeding, medical interventions, and moment-by-moment life-or-death decisions, Elena faced her greatest fear while still maintaining agency in her care. Through their shared recollections, we witness how resilience manifests not in controlling circumstances but in how we respond when plans crumble.

The most powerful revelation? Surrender does not mean giving up bodily autonomy. Even in the most challenging circumstances where options seem limited, we always retain the choice of how to meet the moment. Both women emphasize that difficult experiences don't diminish the beauty of life's transitions but highlight our capacity to find strength in unexpected places. Their wisdom extends far beyond birth and death, offering profound insights for navigating any of life's challenges with grace, presence, and what Elena calls being "badass about it."

Ready to build your resilience for life's transformative moments? Listen now and discover how to hold sacred space even when everything goes differently than planned. Then follow Alexandra @moonandSundoula to learn about her upcoming village-building workshops.

Listen to my birth playlist: PORTAL

Shout out to Gaia Midwives for their impeccable care!

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Buy your copy of Elena's book "Grieve Outside the Box"
Follow on IG @elenabox

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What happens when childhood dreams and a love for glittery My Little Pony watches collide with the world of professional music? This week on the Ode to Joy podcast, Sammi Garett, my dear friend and an exceptionally talented musician, joins us for a heartwarming and hilarious chat. From our shared memories in Port Washington to her captivating journey from a high school drummer to a celebrated performer, we recollect the joyful and funny moments that have shaped her path. Sammi also reveals a surprising hobby—archery—that adds another layer to her creative and multifaceted life.

Sammi shares her love for percussion, the thrill of her first lead role in a middle school musical, and the undeniable energy exchange with audiences that has fueled her career. Our conversation covers the serendipitous moments that led her to join the funk band Turkuaz, and the resilience required to thrive as an artist amidst the inevitable challenges and criticisms. Sammi’s heartfelt insights into maintaining a positive mental attitude and staying true to oneself are both inspiring and relatable, especially for anyone navigating the pressures of performing and social anxiety.

Wrapping up this episode, we celebrate the joy of music touring and express our gratitude to our listeners. Sammi gives us a sneak peek into her exciting upcoming projects with her band Cool Cool Cool, including new music releases and tour dates. Don’t miss the chance to follow her journey on social media and catch her live for an unforgettable experience. Tune in for a delightful ride filled with laughter, music, and a touch of nostalgia.


Follow Sammi:
IG @sammigarett
https://sammigarett.com/
Join Cool Cool Cool on Tour https://wearecoolcoolcool.com/tour


Follow Elena:
@elenabox

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Buy your copy of Elena's book "Grieve Outside the Box"
Follow on IG @elenabox

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Have you ever witnessed the transformative magic of movement, or felt the intricate connection between your creative spirit and the ancient practice of yoga? Sondra Loring, our esteemed guest, embodies this synergy as a queer witch, interdisciplinary artist, and the Director of Sadhana Center for Yoga and Meditation. Her life's work weaves a stunning narrative that connects the fluidity of dance with the grounding practice of meditation, offering a revitalizing perspective on trauma-informed yoga through her impactful program, Moving Potential.

This episode is an intimate exploration of the threads that bind yoga, creativity, and the joys of living a mindful life. Sondra's candid recollections—from her early days as a ballet dancer to a beacon of hope for those dealing with the repercussions of incarceration and addiction—paint a vivid picture of a journey rich with learning and humility. Her stories serve as a guide, revealing how we too can integrate movement and meditation into our daily rituals, fostering spaces where sorrow is met with gratitude and personal growth is achieved through the mentorship of brilliant minds from diverse disciplines.

As we bid adieu to Sondra, we find ourselves wrapped in the warmth of community and self-care, embracing the simple pleasures of vibrant attire, morning candle rituals, and the comfort of our shared human experiences. It's a heartfelt reminder of the resilience found in the fabric of our collective narratives and the beauty that arises when we honor our individuality within the tapestry of life. Stay with us as we continue to bring forward voices that resonate with the soul's longing for connection, creativity, and, of course, a dash of joy.

Get in touch with Sondra:
Visit Sadhana Center for Yoga and Meditation
Moving Potential
Follow on IG: @sadhanacenter

Support the show

Buy your copy of Elena's book "Grieve Outside the Box"
Follow on IG @elenabox