Have you ever considered that your anxiety isn't trying to hurt you, but actually trying to save you? This perspective-shifting conversation with author and pastor Cody Deese challenges everything we've been taught about anxiety and offers a revolutionary approach to healing.

Cody shares his remarkable 40-year journey with debilitating anxiety that began in childhood. From unexplained retching episodes at football games to panic attacks during everyday conversations, his condition remained misdiagnosed until age 40 when a therapist finally identified it as a panic disorder. This revelation marked the beginning of his healing journey and led to the insights he shares in his new book, "Discover Your Internal Universe."

The core message is both counterintuitive and liberating: anxiety is not our enemy. Rather than battling against anxiety or trying to eliminate it, Cody advocates for integration. "Anxiety can be a part of you without being all of you," he explains. By learning to observe our anxiety without identifying with it, we create space between who we are and what we're experiencing.

Throughout our conversation, Cody offers practical wisdom for those struggling with anxiety. Cody's contact details

https://www.codydeese.com

Ready to transform your relationship with anxiety? Listen now and discover how the path to healing might be found within anxiety itself.

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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When tiredness hits – not the everyday kind, but the bone-deep exhaustion that occasionally visits – it's often a message worth listening to. I share my recent experience of honouring these signals instead of pushing through them. There's profound wisdom in distinguishing between procrastination and genuine self-care, between "should do" and "need to be." This isn't about abandoning responsibilities, but approaching them with greater attunement to our authentic needs.

Nature offers us the perfect model for this balanced approach. Just as trees release their leaves in autumn—not as failure but as strategic conservation of energy—we too can learn when to release certain activities or expectations. The natural world demonstrates that periods of apparent dormancy are actually essential preparation for future growth. Through practices like mindful breathing, time in nature, and the guided visualization meditation included in this episode, we can develop greater self-awareness and reconnect with our deeper wisdom.

Whether you're experiencing autumn's arrival or spring's emergence on your side of the world, this episode invites you to find small moments of gratitude and presence, even during challenging times. Join me in exploring how embracing both the yin of being and the yang of doing can lead to a more sustainable, joyful way of living.

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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The paradox of modern life is that we've never been more connected yet never felt more disconnected. This profound tension sits at the heart of our latest episode, "To Be or Not To Be," where we explore how reclaiming the lost art of simply being might be our most revolutionary act.

Have you noticed how the world seems to be contracting rather than expanding? From political systems that appear misaligned with public welfare to the tangible decline in biodiversity (remember when country drives meant insect-splattered windshields?), something essential feels like it's slipping away. What's being lost is our capacity to fully inhabit our humanity—to learn life's lessons while simultaneously experiencing beauty, joy, and magic.

The culprit isn't just external circumstances but our relationship with technology and constant stimulation. When we endlessly scroll through social media, remain perpetually available through our devices, or fill every moment with content consumption, we sacrifice the sovereignty of our souls.

Ready to reclaim your capacity for being? Join us for this transformative conversation, complete with a guided visualisation meditation designed to help you walk the path from where you are to where your dreams await. .

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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What does it mean to maintain the sovereignty of your soul in an increasingly digital world? Celebrating five years of the Awakened Conscious Conversations podcast, this episode delves into the complex relationship between modern pressures, technological advancement, and our authentic selves.

Many of us feel crushed beneath societal expectations to achieve specific milestones by certain ages. When life doesn't unfold according to plan, we're left feeling like failures. Financial strains only compound this pressure, making spiritual practices feel impossible during difficult periods. As shared by wise 80-year-olds, perhaps our greatest illusion is believing life should follow a predictable timeline when it rarely does.

The episode concludes with a powerful guided meditation helping listeners visualise themselves flying above their problems, gaining much-needed perspective on life's challenges. Ready to reconnect with your soul? Listen now, and don't forget to share your experiences with our community!

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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Remember the last time you were supposed to be relaxing but couldn't shake that nagging feeling you should be doing something "productive" instead? That's exactly what this bite-sized episode tackles – our complicated relationship with true rest in a world obsessed with achievement.

Drawing from personal experience, I share how I once couldn't fully enjoy beautiful vacations because I was mentally trapped in what I "should" be accomplishing. Whether sitting on an Italian beach feeling guilty for not writing enough words toward my book, or returning from holidays feeling like I needed another break just to recover, I've learned that our approach to relaxation profoundly impacts our wellbeing. The good news? There's a better way.

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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What if the clutter in your home is actually blocking the flow of energy in your life? Welcome back to the podcast after a brief hiatus due to illness, as I share my personal philosophy on creating a more peaceful living environment through mindful decluttering.

Contrary to being just about tidying up, this episode reveals how letting go of physical possessions we no longer need creates space for positive energy, clarity, and spiritual wellbeing. Drawing from both practical experience and spiritual understanding, I guide you through a compassionate approach to decluttering that acknowledges the emotional attachments we form with our possessions while offering practical solutions for moving forward.

You'll discover manageable strategies for tackling different areas of your home—from the wardrobe (the easiest starting point) to kitchen cupboards, children's toys, and even digital files. Learn why organizing clothes by color creates visual harmony, how proper food storage prevents waste, and why your bedroom should remain a sanctuary rather than a laundry processing center. I also address the environmental aspects of decluttering, suggesting thoughtful ways to donate, recycle, or repurpose items rather than contributing to landfill.

The episode culminates in a loving-kindness meditation designed to complement your decluttering journey. This practice helps expand your capacity to give and receive love—mirroring the expansive energy that naturally flows through a decluttered home. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by possessions or simply seeking to create more intentional living spaces, this episode offers both the practical guidance and spiritual encouragement to transform your home into what I call "a warm hug"—a place of true peace and sanctuary in an often chaotic world. Take the first small step today; your future self will thank you.

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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What do rock legends like Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, and Mick Jagger have in common with your journey toward self-fulfillment? Find out more with this week's special guest Dr. Glenn Berger, who draws powerful life lessons from his extraordinary career path spanning from recording studio engineer to psychotherapist.

Berger's transformational story begins at age 17, working alongside music icons. Despite the glamour, the "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll" lifestyle eventually led to personal destruction. His pivotal moment came at Ellis Island, where his immigrant grandfather's sacrifice inspired him to completely reinvent himself. This radical shift launched his 25-year career helping others overcome their own stuckness.

Through his work with clients and his personal journey, Berger identified six key characteristics that keep people trapped and offers practical, evidence-based approaches to overcome each obstacle.

Ready to break free from stuckness?

Dr. Glenn Berger's website

Dr. Glenn Berger's book

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

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Have you ever achieved something you thought you wanted, only to feel strangely empty? This profound conversation with CBT therapist Ludovica Colella uncovers the hidden cost of living by other people's rules and the liberating journey toward authentic self-expression.

Ludovica shares her personal awakening after realizing her impressive achievements as a therapist in London weren't bringing the fulfillment she expected. The breakthrough came when she recognised she was living according to an inherited timeline and expectations. This revelation sparked her transformation from people-pleaser to empowered coach helping others break free from similar patterns.

We dive deep into what Ludovica calls the "Good Girl Syndrome"—the societal conditioning that teaches women to be accommodating, non-confrontational, and self-sacrificing at the expense of their authentic needs. She explains how people-pleasing is essentially a form of self-abandonment that often begins as a survival mechanism in childhood but continues shaping our adult relationships in harmful ways.

Whether you're struggling with perfectionism, feeling disconnected from your desires, or simply exhausted from trying to make everyone else happy, this conversation offers a compassionate roadmap to reclaiming your authentic voice and living from a place of genuine self-worth.

Ready to break free from people-pleasing patterns? Subscribe to Awakened Conscious Conversations for more transformative discussions that will help you live with greater authenticity and purpose.

Ludovica's contact details

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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.

Want to be a guest on Awakened Conscious Conversations? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here: