Think Out Loud With Me Natalie P.

I woke up with drinking on my mind. Not in the ‘I need a drink’ kind of way, but in the ‘wow, who was I when I drank, what was I hiding from, how did I survive myself, where did alcoholism start in my family…’ you know, the thoughts a lot of sober people have who are still shaking their heads, even after years of not drinking. When I talk about drinking, I talk about my own experience. I talk about my parents and their parents and how alcoholism ran on both sides of my family. I talk about how drinking was a severe problem for me, how I used it to deal with anxiety, how it fueled my anxiety, how it created anxiety in others…though I spent the first year or so of sobriety wondering how ANYONE in their right mind would ever drink, I’ve since concerned myself less with other people’s use of alcohol and concentrated on my own. 

I don’t stand in judgment of people who drink. Have I wondered if people have a problem with drinking? Sure. Do I continue to process my parents’ relationship with alcohol and how it affected me and my family? Yes. Does society’s obsession with alcohol concern me? Absolutely. But I choose to share my story and thoughts around drinking and addiction and related topics with others as a method of connection, not condemnation. 
I speak up for my own mental health with the hope that just one person will hear that they are worth every bit of strength they have to muster to not pick up the bottle.

So, I hollered at someone I trust to shoot the sh*t straight with me, to talk sobriety without a filter. Andrea Dratch is an actor, producer, model, performer, muse, and, though she doesn’t list this in her bio, incredible influence as a woman stepping into her voice, her body, and her power. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and her remarkable talents can be seen in Tina Tina Bo Bina, Small Town Remedies, Reed Gig, Womanhood The Series, Saturn Rising, and Crash and Burn Stories. Here in Colorado, we see her gorgeous face as the spokeswoman for Woodley’s Fine Furniture, her family’s business since 1979. She’s raw, she’s authentic, and she’s a serious badass.

Listen in for an extended episode of conversation. We spend a chunk on being sober in a world of glorified drinking, and we also spend time exploring Andrea's close relationship with her artist sister, Jacquelynn Perkins, who is hosting a solo show beginning April 12 at Artworks Center for Contemporary Art in Loveland and sharing with the world for the first time her Animal Bodies, which includes Self Portraits of My Sisters, as well as a live performance by Andrea as she introduces her own latest work, Shame on Me, a short film done in collaboration with Andy Carrasco.

More on Andrea: IMDb, Instagram, Facebook


Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!

I have much to unravel in my journey of spirituality, and it’s only been in the last few years that I have begun to soften and open and become genuinely available to the possibility that I can have my own relationship with Spirit, Source, possibly even, God.

This lessening in resistance has come about as I have deliberately engaged myself in reading, conversations, and experiences with others who offer me alternate views and connections with a higher power, the greater universe, the miracle of energy, soul, and divinity. Indeed, this chat cast has become my medicine.

Living a life marinated in Eastern and Western ideologies, Rev. Dr. Ahriana Platten is an evolutionary force in spiritual transformation. She bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary teachings, empowering people to use sacred ceremony to address life challenges. As a revered mystic and visionary, Ahriana is the compass for spiritual leaders aiming to reshape the world. Her influence resonates across a global community in 50+ countries. She’s an ordained Unity minister, a formidable high priestess in two esoteric traditions, and a mentor for spiritual entrepreneurs. A former Ambassador for the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Ahriana is the bestselling author of “Rites and Rituals, Harnessing the Power of Sacred Ceremony,” and “The Changing Story,” a children’s book.

And in this episode, she’s thinking out loud with ME. I spent a beautiful hour listening to her voice, stories, and wisdom. Amidst tales of her own spiritual path, she weaves in gentle teaching moments and takeaways we can implement on our own terms. She reminds me of my worth and interconnection with humanity, each of us whole and holy in our beautiful ways.

Please also consider A Soulfull World, and the many opportunities to experience Ahriana as a Priestess, Pastor, and Peacemaker. In addition to her Website, there is Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I'm particularly interested in the upcoming Interfaith Mystery School and the chance to expand my understanding and cross a new threshold into spirituality. You can also purchase a copy of Ahriana's bestselling book, Rites & Rituals.
Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!

I’ve invited my guest, Jeremy Pajer, to think out loud with me about the deep and often polarizing topic of Masculine and Feminine Energy. I met Jeremy in his role as co-founder of Freedom Folk and Soul as he and his wife and co-founder, Stephanie, led a group of us through the Toltec Medicine Wheel of Transformation. I joined him, Stephanie, and several others on a journey of self-discovery to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico, and his teachings, touch, and genuine energy so greatly impacted me that I have journeyed two more times to Teo and spent countless hours with him in ceremony and discussion online and in person.
Jeremy loves to share his wisdom, creativity, and playfulness as an Ordained Minister of the Healing Arts, Transformation and Master Breathwork Facilitator, Toltec Teacher, and Personal Freedom Coach. He brings his love and knowledge of firewalking, sweat lodges, Native American ceremony, Toltec wisdom, 12-Step traditions, and shamanic practices to people all over the world. 
Jeremy is MOST passionate about teaching people how to find their OWN wisdom and embrace their OWN humanity. He is practical and purposeful, yet gentle, kind, and authentic. He is a leader, teacher, and healer, yet he is forever a student, vulnerable, curious, and always evolving.
Jeremy embraces both the Sacred Masculine and Sacred Feminine. I have witnessed him as both stable and free-flowing. He is determined and protective, and agile and nurturing. 
After setting up with some perspective of my own, I dive right into this cast and ask Jeremy to give us a little commentary on his understanding of masculine-feminine energies. A thought-provoking conversation blossoms from there, and I'm honored to let you hear.

Jeremy is wonderfully busy with a calendar of experiences, breathwork, journeys, and points of connection. You can find him online at https://www.freedomfolkandsoul.org. You can find the beginning of the Shaman Heart series he is co-leading with his wife, Stephanie, at https://www.shamanheart.org.

Also, note mentions of David Deida and The Mask You Live In.
Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!

Think Out Loud With Me is my medicine, and every episode is a dose of love that heals me, empowers me, and makes me a better version of myself. Visiting with Thais Harris, my guest today who brings her magic as a board-certified holistic nutritionist to help women love themselves into their ideal body, vibrant health, and an outstanding life, is no exception to the power of connection and community.

I met Thais as a part of the author group that helped our soul sister, Tina Green, bring The Life-Changing Power of Self Love to life this past November. We reached bestselling status together and now get an opportunity to share extended space learning more about one another’s gifts and stories.

Gathering evidence of our glorious selves, if even in the smallest ways, balancing values, the D.I.E.T. we practice, discovering self-reliance and self-healing, and the simple act of looking in the mirror and telling ourselves, "I love you," are all sweet, easy topics we touch. Thais is a beautiful, intelligent, welcoming human I am happy to introduce to my listeners.

Thais Harris, BCHN, can be found online in several ways. Write her at thais@nourishtogether.com or visit her Website, Instagram, and Facebook. She even gives you a taste of her healing touch with a free PDF download: 3 Mindset Shifts to Love Yourself Into Better Health.

She wrote Chapter 19, "No More Cringing in the Mirror: What Skin Cancer Taught Me About Self-Love," in The Life-Changing Power of Self Love. She is also the author of a children's book, Little Red. Both books can be purchased on her website's media page.

#thinkoutloudwithme #selflove #iloveyou #worthy #evidence #cancer #healing #selfreliance #bodymindgut #spirit


Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!

It was a perfect day to ponder. Single digits outside, warm and safe inside. Both my home and my heart were quiet, settled. That I got to plug in and connect with a soul sister to think out loud together in this state was especially sweet. I’ve been waiting for the stars to align so that we could spend this time in our own sort of ceremony, sharing and wondering out loud about our journeys. 


Stephanie Urbina Jones is a singer, teacher, best-selling author, sister, friend, mother, wife, and lover of life who brings her passion and experience of living a life of creative freedom to people all over the world.


This rockstar shamama has a passion for transformation and is a living example of not only dreaming but bringing those dreams to life. She recently released a fantastic album, Manuel’s Destiny, and is touring with her Honky Tonk Mariachi spreading her spicy love across Texas, Tennessee, Mexico and everywhere in between. You'll find her and her Honky Tonk Mariachi next on January 23rd live at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville!

Whether she is writing a song, writing a best-selling book, performing, or leading sacred journeys of transformation as co-founder of Freedom Folk and Soul where I was blessed to meet her, Stephanie is following her heart and chiseling out her soul.


Since meeting one another in the fall of 2022, Stephanie and I have grown a connection and trust that has been critical to my healing and mental health. You'll hear firsthand how readily she shares her heart's story and life's journey and creates a safe space for others to do the same. I treasure time with her, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share our conversation with listeners.

If you are motivated to reach out to SUJ, you've many ways to do so. She has classes and experiences on the near horizon, music to enjoy, and books to read. 


Journeys, classes, connection at Freedom Folk and Soul - Website, Facebook, InstagramMusic and more at Stephanie Urbina Jones - Website, Facebook, InstagramBooks, cards, inspiration at ShamanHeart.orgShaman Heart: Turning Pain Into Passion and PurposeShaman Heart: Sacred RebelThe Life-Changing Power of Self-Love with Tina GreenYou can even dabble in Stephanie's fantastic fashion in Frida's Closet. Take a moment and connect. 3
Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!

The morning’s routine of coffee and reading while the sun broke through was as peaceful and contemplative as usual. I have a carefully curated selection of newsletters and subscriptions that fill my inbox most days keeping me updated with headlines and inspiration. On this day, I found my guest’s latest post, and as I read it, I began buzzing. Like I could literally feel vibrations running through my body. So I pinged her. 

Oh my gosh, can we chat?!? She said yes, she'd love to.
Kimberly Millstone is a writer, artist, and 5D astrologer. She pens Relevance of a Crone on Substack, and to begin our cast, I read to you what she shared that morning that sat me up and had me hungry to chat.
The post is titled ‘WHO’S YOUR DADDY?’ and it serves as a beautiful sounding-off point for connection that I feel sure will resonate, especially around the topics of sourcing security in ourselves and choosing faith over fear.

As the calendar turns to 2024, these are simple and powerful intentions we can set that have unbelievable implications for ourselves and the world. I hope you'll find a few minutes to listen in and hear for yourself.

In addition to her enlightened writing on Substack, Kimberly connects with clients around the globe to offer natal chart readings, astrocoaching, solar return readings, and intuitive channel readings. I’ve personally experienced her magic and encourage you to be in touch for a taste of your own by visiting https://www.lunamatri.com.
Happy New Year, friends.
Support the showLike you, I'm a beautiful work in progress! WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN Get in touch!