<![CDATA[How to Be Human]]>ae55db54-c996-52c9-9606-9fa2422c8da9Sat, 31 May 2025 18:42:45 +0000Captivate.fmAnna Toonkhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/b2c4a3d1-9b67-428c-a429-b79768521ece/42beovUmSqS44WS6EkkZ88NF.pngHow to Be HumanAnna ToonkAnna ToonkHow to Be Human is a guide to exploring the common and often confusing themes of humanness including spirituality, connection, wellness, self-acceptance, and more. Host, Anna Toonk, uses humor, honesty, and intuition to discuss the unanswerable questions we all share. Join Anna as she searches for clarity in the most human way possible; together.https://annatoonk.comtrueepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/how-to-be-human/nopodcastHi, remember me?Hi, remember me?It’s been a minute ya’ll! The winds of change are blowing. There is a lot to reflect on right now, and Anna is here to be your mirror. In this ep, she gives us a tarot reading to check in on where we are at and how to get to where we are going as we drop into a new year. But before that, Anna is going to take some time to tell us where SHE is going, where she has been and what we can expect from her as she taps deeper into creativity and transformation herself. 

Over the last few years, we’ve all been digging around, tilling soil and trying to plant new things. Have you been feeling like it’s time to turn a new page? We have! With so much going on in the world, it can be hard to get real with yourself about what you want, what is working or even what your motivations are for the things you dedicate your time to. Let’s take a minute to sort ourselves out and see what the next chapter looks like.

Resources :


Write or Die

Kate Devine

Sarah McColl

Tell Me Why You Love It Submissions

Channeling the Magician A Creative Cohort with Anna

Book a Session with Anna

Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack

]]>It’s been a minute ya’ll! The winds of change are blowing. There is a lot to reflect on right now, and Anna is here to be your mirror. In this ep, she gives us a tarot reading to check in on where we are at and how to get to where we are going as we drop into a new year. But before that, Anna is going to take some time to tell us where SHE is going, where she has been and what we can expect from her as she taps deeper into creativity and transformation herself. 

Over the last few years, we’ve all been digging around, tilling soil and trying to plant new things. Have you been feeling like it’s time to turn a new page? We have! With so much going on in the world, it can be hard to get real with yourself about what you want, what is working or even what your motivations are for the things you dedicate your time to. Let’s take a minute to sort ourselves out and see what the next chapter looks like.

Resources :


Write or Die

Kate Devine

Sarah McColl

Tell Me Why You Love It Submissions

Channeling the Magician A Creative Cohort with Anna

Book a Session with Anna

Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack

]]>889df212-4df6-4266-9512-1cd3904dc5c8Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -040022:30truefull9191Anna ToonkMeditation with Vanessa The AquareanMeditation with Vanessa The AquareanWe know you know that you should probably start meditating again. But what many of us don’t know is exactly what it really is or if we are doing it right. There are different types, different reasons to try it, and many excuses for not ; so we asked Vanessa the Aquarean to talk to us all about it.

Vanessa is a psychic, tarot reader, medium, occult enthusiast and astrologer. Her podcast, The Aquarean, deep dives all these themes and more with a grounded yet magical point of view. She knows what’s up and is down to experiment with the unknown. On this episode, she shares what meditating can feel like for folks with trauma or mental health issues, why it is important to quiet the mind, and other very fun takes about our intuition overall. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode + Where to Find us

The Aquarean

The Aquarean on Instagram

The Aquarean Podcast

Discount Code for The Aquarean 30 Day Meditation Journey - THEAQUAREAN25


Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>We know you know that you should probably start meditating again. But what many of us don’t know is exactly what it really is or if we are doing it right. There are different types, different reasons to try it, and many excuses for not ; so we asked Vanessa the Aquarean to talk to us all about it.

Vanessa is a psychic, tarot reader, medium, occult enthusiast and astrologer. Her podcast, The Aquarean, deep dives all these themes and more with a grounded yet magical point of view. She knows what’s up and is down to experiment with the unknown. On this episode, she shares what meditating can feel like for folks with trauma or mental health issues, why it is important to quiet the mind, and other very fun takes about our intuition overall. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode + Where to Find us

The Aquarean

The Aquarean on Instagram

The Aquarean Podcast

Discount Code for The Aquarean 30 Day Meditation Journey - THEAQUAREAN25


Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>18aeeaf7-19dd-4759-a1c1-249eba141834Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -040001:03:26truefull9090Anna ToonkA Tarot Reading for GriefA Tarot Reading for GriefIt’s Halloween people, and boy are things a little scary. The veils are thin, but the vibes are heavy. This time of year is always both a reality check and a point of surrender, but this go round is especially penetrating.

Scorpio season is deep fall. It refuses to look away. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed right now, you are not alone. One of our favorite tools to walk us out of a stuck point is our bestie, the tarot. In this mini episode, Anna gives us a reading on grief that holds us and helps us take a breath and get clearer on what the best way to be engaged during this spooky, spooky season.

Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>It’s Halloween people, and boy are things a little scary. The veils are thin, but the vibes are heavy. This time of year is always both a reality check and a point of surrender, but this go round is especially penetrating.

Scorpio season is deep fall. It refuses to look away. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed right now, you are not alone. One of our favorite tools to walk us out of a stuck point is our bestie, the tarot. In this mini episode, Anna gives us a reading on grief that holds us and helps us take a breath and get clearer on what the best way to be engaged during this spooky, spooky season.

Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>9d8fd858-0970-4a53-b837-e8b5ffea16e7Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:01:00 -040022:25truefull8989Anna ToonkBeing Online with Lee TilghmanBeing Online with Lee TilghmanAs much as we fight it, social media has become a marketplace for us all. We are constantly on our devices, our algorithms telling us what to eat and buy and our parasocial relationships edging closer and closer to replacing our real ones.

Lee Tilghman was at the height of her influencer game when she had a sharp realization that the cost of living under a lens was higher than the checks her sponsored content was bringing in. After building Lee from America, her online wellness persona that garnered over 300k followers, she realized that she had been housing her own pain in the identity she crafted. This life changing revelation rocked her finances and her life in Los Angeles. She talks to Anna about how she came to realize she was in over her head and how she found her authentic voice once she set the Lee from America brand down. 

Where to find us:

Lee's Website

Lee on Substack

Lee in the New York Times


Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>As much as we fight it, social media has become a marketplace for us all. We are constantly on our devices, our algorithms telling us what to eat and buy and our parasocial relationships edging closer and closer to replacing our real ones.

Lee Tilghman was at the height of her influencer game when she had a sharp realization that the cost of living under a lens was higher than the checks her sponsored content was bringing in. After building Lee from America, her online wellness persona that garnered over 300k followers, she realized that she had been housing her own pain in the identity she crafted. This life changing revelation rocked her finances and her life in Los Angeles. She talks to Anna about how she came to realize she was in over her head and how she found her authentic voice once she set the Lee from America brand down. 

Where to find us:

Lee's Website

Lee on Substack

Lee in the New York Times


Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com


Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack


HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

]]>728f5c2c-e0c7-41d5-921f-1a6cae9e6d2fTue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -040043:59truefull8888Anna ToonkArt Making, Creativity and How We Keep Going with Sarah McCollArt Making, Creativity and How We Keep Going with Sarah McCollWe all have a story. We are born into family legacies, we develop personalities, we meet people and see ourselves in each other. Who we are finds its way into both the mundane and the expansive throughout our lives, usually in a variety of modalities or forms of expression.

Sarah McColl is a writer who shares her curiosities and her point of view in a beautiful way. Her honest and tender memoir, Joy Enough, chronicles her mother’s death and the divorce Sarah went through concurrently. It left us stunned. Anna and Sarah go deep on all of the things that come up in every stage of clarifying your own story, the ebb and flow of creativity and productivity, and tons more food for thought about living life and feeling feels. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Beth Pickens - Make Your Art No Matter What

Off the Grid Podcast

Making a Life As An Artist - Andrew Simonet

Marlee Grace


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>We all have a story. We are born into family legacies, we develop personalities, we meet people and see ourselves in each other. Who we are finds its way into both the mundane and the expansive throughout our lives, usually in a variety of modalities or forms of expression.

Sarah McColl is a writer who shares her curiosities and her point of view in a beautiful way. Her honest and tender memoir, Joy Enough, chronicles her mother’s death and the divorce Sarah went through concurrently. It left us stunned. Anna and Sarah go deep on all of the things that come up in every stage of clarifying your own story, the ebb and flow of creativity and productivity, and tons more food for thought about living life and feeling feels. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Beth Pickens - Make Your Art No Matter What

Off the Grid Podcast

Making a Life As An Artist - Andrew Simonet

Marlee Grace


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>badbe5a0-af07-48cc-8ff2-d2f38cd71e23Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -040001:08:38truefull8787Anna ToonkBoundaries with Dr. Josh MirmelliBoundaries with Dr. Josh MirmelliConnection is one of the most essential, yet sometimes precarious of human needs. We have never been more connected or more isolated, and over the last few years boundary discourse has loomed large online. It seems everyone is working on theirs, or at least reading about them, and sometimes it feels like we are getting it wrong. 

Enter Dr. Josh Mirmelli, Licensed Psychotherapist and round two How to Be Human guest. He is back with us to answer our questions about all of that and more. There are many common misconceptions about what a healthy boundary is and how to communicate them safely. Dr. Josh will walk Anna through some possible ways we misinterpret them, and give us tips on how to set some that work.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

“Is Therapy Peak Making Us Selfish” Bustle April 2023

Jessica Lanyadoo

Ghost of a Podcast 234 ‘How to Have Boundaries with Family”

Ghost of a Podcast 260 “Boundaries for Introverts

Where to find us:




Episode credits:


]]>Connection is one of the most essential, yet sometimes precarious of human needs. We have never been more connected or more isolated, and over the last few years boundary discourse has loomed large online. It seems everyone is working on theirs, or at least reading about them, and sometimes it feels like we are getting it wrong. 

Enter Dr. Josh Mirmelli, Licensed Psychotherapist and round two How to Be Human guest. He is back with us to answer our questions about all of that and more. There are many common misconceptions about what a healthy boundary is and how to communicate them safely. Dr. Josh will walk Anna through some possible ways we misinterpret them, and give us tips on how to set some that work.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

“Is Therapy Peak Making Us Selfish” Bustle April 2023

Jessica Lanyadoo

Ghost of a Podcast 234 ‘How to Have Boundaries with Family”

Ghost of a Podcast 260 “Boundaries for Introverts

Where to find us:




Episode credits:


]]>ec2fa83d-2111-4520-b66a-c52ecb69ff04Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -040050:48truefull8686Anna ToonkTarot Reading for FallTarot Reading for FallWe’re back! It is fall!  Part of us is raring to go commune with leaves and pumpkins, part of us wants to crack books and learn something new, and then there is the (not so) secret third thing of the season that involves magic, spirituality, grieving and self inquiry before the winter ahead. 

One of the best ways to come back to yourself and the magic inside is with tarot! Anna gives us a fantastic reading of the energies that lie ahead that is validating, yet not sugar coated. We are taking responsibility for our lives through strengthening our intuition and being real with ourselves and others. Whatever is coming up, we can handle. Feel it all and keep it moving, night awaits.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Ryan Marquardt Astrology

Clairannoyance with Ryan Marquardt + Megan Lund

WTF is Tarot and How Do I Do It - Book - Bakara Wintner

Bakara’s New Class - WTF is Tarot Intensive

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>We’re back! It is fall!  Part of us is raring to go commune with leaves and pumpkins, part of us wants to crack books and learn something new, and then there is the (not so) secret third thing of the season that involves magic, spirituality, grieving and self inquiry before the winter ahead. 

One of the best ways to come back to yourself and the magic inside is with tarot! Anna gives us a fantastic reading of the energies that lie ahead that is validating, yet not sugar coated. We are taking responsibility for our lives through strengthening our intuition and being real with ourselves and others. Whatever is coming up, we can handle. Feel it all and keep it moving, night awaits.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Ryan Marquardt Astrology

Clairannoyance with Ryan Marquardt + Megan Lund

WTF is Tarot and How Do I Do It - Book - Bakara Wintner

Bakara’s New Class - WTF is Tarot Intensive

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>87b434c7-7baf-425c-8812-596d18a65fe7Tue, 26 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -040025:47truefull8585Anna ToonkCosmic Counsel with Vanessa HardyCosmic Counsel with Vanessa HardyVanessa Hardy is back for a little astrology jam! Venus is already halfway through her retrograde #venusday, and now Mercury is getting ready to park it for a retrograde that begins August 23rd. This has been a summer of many astrological shifts, and we talk a lot about how to honor the changes while also keeping our own good sense intact. 

We also answered some listener questions! We cover creativity and pregnancy, a listener with a natal Venus retrograde who deserves more than a fairweather lover, Sabian Symbols, and memorable blows to our ego. We close this episode out with some thoughts about addiction, and if you are struggling we encourage you to stay the course and use some of our resources below for help. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements Stephen Arroyo

Sabian Symbols

Visionary Activist Astrology

https://dopeisdeath.com/     Podcast and Film on the use of Acupuncture in Harm Reduction

https://harmreduction.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alanon

SLAA

Codependents Anonymous


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>Vanessa Hardy is back for a little astrology jam! Venus is already halfway through her retrograde #venusday, and now Mercury is getting ready to park it for a retrograde that begins August 23rd. This has been a summer of many astrological shifts, and we talk a lot about how to honor the changes while also keeping our own good sense intact. 

We also answered some listener questions! We cover creativity and pregnancy, a listener with a natal Venus retrograde who deserves more than a fairweather lover, Sabian Symbols, and memorable blows to our ego. We close this episode out with some thoughts about addiction, and if you are struggling we encourage you to stay the course and use some of our resources below for help. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements Stephen Arroyo

Sabian Symbols

Visionary Activist Astrology

https://dopeisdeath.com/     Podcast and Film on the use of Acupuncture in Harm Reduction

https://harmreduction.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alanon

SLAA

Codependents Anonymous


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>f5f506fa-ccef-4b2b-98fb-c0494f88e504Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:01:00 -040001:19:00truefull8484Anna ToonkEmpathy MinisodeEmpathy MinisodeEmpathy has exploded in mentions in the past few years but do we actually get it? Anna's asking questions and curious about are we nailing empathy or have we gone somewhere else?

Anna and astrologer Vanessa are also working on a cosmic advice episode! Plz submit your questions about Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, your own chart, running a spiritual business, tarot, whatever you plz and we'll take a stab at answering using are most magical of skills. You can submit your question via email, IG or the speakpipe.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Brene Brown empathy video

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>Empathy has exploded in mentions in the past few years but do we actually get it? Anna's asking questions and curious about are we nailing empathy or have we gone somewhere else?

Anna and astrologer Vanessa are also working on a cosmic advice episode! Plz submit your questions about Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, your own chart, running a spiritual business, tarot, whatever you plz and we'll take a stab at answering using are most magical of skills. You can submit your question via email, IG or the speakpipe.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Brene Brown empathy video

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>417954d8-bd89-4247-b79b-71aea9a250a2Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:25:00 -040021:17truefull8383Anna ToonkArrogance MinisodeArrogance MinisodeIf you are a fan of this podcast, there is a good chance you are someone who deserves to take up more space. But listener, we will bet that your own self awareness, compassion and perhaps even naivete has led you to confuse confidence in others with arrogance. We all want to find the right mix of proudly being who you are and knowing when you are the expert in the room, but the fear that we are being rude or selfish often makes doing that very difficult for folks who care about other people.

In this mini episode, Anna jumps in to share her experience with clocking arrogance in people, and she shares some great musings from the How to Be Human community. Pro tip here, if you are concerned with sounding arrogant, you are likely on the right side of the coin and deserve a little brag sesh. It’s Leo season!


Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Nimity Online

The Subtle Difference Between Arrogance and Confidence

This American Life Episode

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>If you are a fan of this podcast, there is a good chance you are someone who deserves to take up more space. But listener, we will bet that your own self awareness, compassion and perhaps even naivete has led you to confuse confidence in others with arrogance. We all want to find the right mix of proudly being who you are and knowing when you are the expert in the room, but the fear that we are being rude or selfish often makes doing that very difficult for folks who care about other people.

In this mini episode, Anna jumps in to share her experience with clocking arrogance in people, and she shares some great musings from the How to Be Human community. Pro tip here, if you are concerned with sounding arrogant, you are likely on the right side of the coin and deserve a little brag sesh. It’s Leo season!


Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Nimity Online

The Subtle Difference Between Arrogance and Confidence

This American Life Episode

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>24d10f77-9d28-41f3-96bf-a3d6a505f7fbTue, 25 Jul 2023 00:01:00 -040011:02truefull8282Anna ToonkMe Too Mom - The Compulsive Storyteller with Greg LeFevreMe Too Mom - The Compulsive Storyteller with Greg LeFevreThis week an episode of the The Compulsive Storyteller as a treat.

Cancer is the sign associated with the mother, and today we are swapping podcasts with The Compulsive Storyteller to tell the story of a remarkable Mom. As the one of the first female pilots in the US Airforce, Betty LeFevre traveled around the country as one of ten applicants selected to take part in the Womens’ Air Force Service Pilots, aka the WASPS. 

Betty was a remarkable woman, talented and dynamic. Despite her courage and strength; she dealt with sexism and exploitation as she served.  In this podcast, host Gregg LeFevre shares his perspective on her life both as a WASP and the years that followed once the war concluded.

https://www.thecompulsivestoryteller.com/

National Women’s History Museum-WASPS


]]>This week an episode of the The Compulsive Storyteller as a treat.

Cancer is the sign associated with the mother, and today we are swapping podcasts with The Compulsive Storyteller to tell the story of a remarkable Mom. As the one of the first female pilots in the US Airforce, Betty LeFevre traveled around the country as one of ten applicants selected to take part in the Womens’ Air Force Service Pilots, aka the WASPS. 

Betty was a remarkable woman, talented and dynamic. Despite her courage and strength; she dealt with sexism and exploitation as she served.  In this podcast, host Gregg LeFevre shares his perspective on her life both as a WASP and the years that followed once the war concluded.

https://www.thecompulsivestoryteller.com/

National Women’s History Museum-WASPS


]]>e5e1c767-aa78-41a8-8b29-730535faf0efTue, 18 Jul 2023 00:01:00 -040019:33truefull8181Anna ToonkA Tarot Reading for SummerA Tarot Reading for SummerSplish, splash- it’s Cancer Season ya’ll. The Moon’s in charge now, and so are the feels. But, while summer famously tempts us all to check out, Cancer season is also about slowly starting to make moves. In this episode, Anna breaks out the cards to give us a collective vibe check on where we are at now, and where our hearts may lead us.

If you are a tarot newbie, she’s got you covered. Anna touches on the Major and Minor Arcana, Suits and Elements, and we get to go on a side quest with Lilith, the original baddest bitch. Anna has some gentle suggestions on how we can juggle the desire to become beach bums, the buzz of overactive minds, and how to handle the boxes we have to check on the way to our big goals. 


Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Spirit Speak Apparition Deck

Black Moon Lilith in Leo, Explained-NYLON

Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>Splish, splash- it’s Cancer Season ya’ll. The Moon’s in charge now, and so are the feels. But, while summer famously tempts us all to check out, Cancer season is also about slowly starting to make moves. In this episode, Anna breaks out the cards to give us a collective vibe check on where we are at now, and where our hearts may lead us.

If you are a tarot newbie, she’s got you covered. Anna touches on the Major and Minor Arcana, Suits and Elements, and we get to go on a side quest with Lilith, the original baddest bitch. Anna has some gentle suggestions on how we can juggle the desire to become beach bums, the buzz of overactive minds, and how to handle the boxes we have to check on the way to our big goals. 


Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Spirit Speak Apparition Deck

Black Moon Lilith in Leo, Explained-NYLON

Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>e1c4d7eb-21e0-4a8c-a815-149414d3fe26Tue, 04 Jul 2023 00:01:00 -040027:15truefull8080Anna ToonkAnna UpdateAnna Update**Trigger/Content Warning discussions of medical procedures, dieting, weight loss**

Anna is a Southern gal who will never stop being polite, but she is getting very real in this solo ep. Join Anna as she clues us in on her weight loss surgery, and her medical journey leading up to making that decision. She covers hard facts and logistics, dealing with pandemic related fat phobia, Ozempic, Metformin and helps us apply a more nuanced perspective on body positivity and health. 

If you are working on your relationship with your body at any weight, Anna’s candor will offer you space to examine your motivations and perhaps open a door to some new ways of moving forward. If you want to be a better, more inclusive human, this episode is the one to listen to. 

Resources Mentioned in the episode:

Anna speaks on Ozempic in The Cut- November 2022

Emily McCombs - "I Gained 70 Pounds During COVID. Here's What Happened On My First Day Back In The Office"

Lily Feeds You - Nutrition and Holistic Health Practitioner

NYU Weight Management Center

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>**Trigger/Content Warning discussions of medical procedures, dieting, weight loss**

Anna is a Southern gal who will never stop being polite, but she is getting very real in this solo ep. Join Anna as she clues us in on her weight loss surgery, and her medical journey leading up to making that decision. She covers hard facts and logistics, dealing with pandemic related fat phobia, Ozempic, Metformin and helps us apply a more nuanced perspective on body positivity and health. 

If you are working on your relationship with your body at any weight, Anna’s candor will offer you space to examine your motivations and perhaps open a door to some new ways of moving forward. If you want to be a better, more inclusive human, this episode is the one to listen to. 

Resources Mentioned in the episode:

Anna speaks on Ozempic in The Cut- November 2022

Emily McCombs - "I Gained 70 Pounds During COVID. Here's What Happened On My First Day Back In The Office"

Lily Feeds You - Nutrition and Holistic Health Practitioner

NYU Weight Management Center

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>c64b12a0-d59c-4d83-97cf-eac6cb86c1a4Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:01:00 -040027:31truefull7979Anna ToonkMoney (and it's feels) with Stella GoldMoney (and it's feels) with Stella GoldMoney. We need it. You know it, we know it, but many of us have a hard time facing it. When we get into healing, we hear a lot about scarcity and gratitude, but those are big picture concepts that unfortunately just don’t cut it when the bills are due. 

Underneath those ideas are many other complicated feelings and traumas that need to be named and integrated in order for us to build a secure money foundation. Money is a part of life, death and everything in between and the financial decisions we make can cause a ripple of impact. It is a topic that must be embraced with care. 


In this episode, Stella Gold, of My Gold Standard, talks to us about how to address the emotional side of money while being realistic about it. Stella is a certified Trauma of Money facilitator with over 7 years in fintech and wealth advocacy under their belt. In this grounded, informative episode, they share their personal story around financial literacy, ancestral healing, and gently walks us through a validating wake up call to the necessary facts about money management.


Resources Mentioned:

The Law of Divine Compensation - Marianne Wiliamson

Trauma of Money Method

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>Money. We need it. You know it, we know it, but many of us have a hard time facing it. When we get into healing, we hear a lot about scarcity and gratitude, but those are big picture concepts that unfortunately just don’t cut it when the bills are due. 

Underneath those ideas are many other complicated feelings and traumas that need to be named and integrated in order for us to build a secure money foundation. Money is a part of life, death and everything in between and the financial decisions we make can cause a ripple of impact. It is a topic that must be embraced with care. 


In this episode, Stella Gold, of My Gold Standard, talks to us about how to address the emotional side of money while being realistic about it. Stella is a certified Trauma of Money facilitator with over 7 years in fintech and wealth advocacy under their belt. In this grounded, informative episode, they share their personal story around financial literacy, ancestral healing, and gently walks us through a validating wake up call to the necessary facts about money management.


Resources Mentioned:

The Law of Divine Compensation - Marianne Wiliamson

Trauma of Money Method

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>3428864f-4b26-402b-82e0-fa72f50cd4efTue, 13 Jun 2023 00:01:00 -040001:10:55truefull7878Anna ToonkQ3 Astrology with Vanessa HardyQ3 Astrology with Vanessa HardyBig business on the docket for this astrology episode with Vanessa Hardy. Q3 has arrived and it is time to talk about Venus, Mars, the Nodes and how the personal and political intersect. It’s a summer of love- but that doesn’t just mean romance, it’s deeper than that. It’s the juice, the joy, and the reason why we fight for better worlds. Leo is not only the drama, but the generous Queen who is happiest when everyone is pleased. 

Anna and Vanessa both reflect on the last time Venus went retrograde in Leo, summer 2015. They also touch on Nodal shifts, the Nodal return that occurs around age 36, and ride a few astrologically inspired tangents. Get ready to wing it a little this summer, it’s going to be a hot one. 

Resources Mentioned

Alice Sparkly Kat

Well and Good - Discover Your North Node To Learn Your Cosmic Destiny and True Calling

The Nap Ministry Rest Deck

Refinery 29 Is Therapy Speak Ruining Our Relationships

Decolonizing Non Violent Communication

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>Big business on the docket for this astrology episode with Vanessa Hardy. Q3 has arrived and it is time to talk about Venus, Mars, the Nodes and how the personal and political intersect. It’s a summer of love- but that doesn’t just mean romance, it’s deeper than that. It’s the juice, the joy, and the reason why we fight for better worlds. Leo is not only the drama, but the generous Queen who is happiest when everyone is pleased. 

Anna and Vanessa both reflect on the last time Venus went retrograde in Leo, summer 2015. They also touch on Nodal shifts, the Nodal return that occurs around age 36, and ride a few astrologically inspired tangents. Get ready to wing it a little this summer, it’s going to be a hot one. 

Resources Mentioned

Alice Sparkly Kat

Well and Good - Discover Your North Node To Learn Your Cosmic Destiny and True Calling

The Nap Ministry Rest Deck

Refinery 29 Is Therapy Speak Ruining Our Relationships

Decolonizing Non Violent Communication

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>6595a59b-8242-42bb-9110-d6ed0bdfa869Tue, 06 Jun 2023 00:01:00 -040001:35:29truefull7777Anna ToonkMe Talking Tarot on ClairannoyanceMe Talking Tarot on ClairannoyanceI mentioned in the last episode I've got some health stuff going on which is making my schedule a little bonkers. It's made recording and getting to the podcast a bit difficult. Today I feel like is a clever solve, rather then leave you hanging I asked Ryan if he would share the episode of Clairannoyance I was on to share with ya'll. Thanks to Ryan and Megan being true gems they were down so please enjoy the episode. Below are the original show notes from the episode because they didn't do all that work for me NOT to share them :)

n our first (of many!) guest interview episodes, co-hosts Megan Lund and Ryan Marquardt sit down with one of the most multifaceted, wildly talented and unendingly knowledgable spiritual badasses in the game: Anna Toonk. 

Anna guides us into the world of tarot, dancing between topics including the history of tarot, why it's appealing to clients, the importance of understanding the traditional meaning of the cards, finding your own interpretative style as a reader, whether astrology and tarot should be as interconnected as they've become, and much more. We discuss some of our annoyances about tarot and the larger spiritual community as well, from receiving requests for free readings to the horrors of dating as a spiritual professional.

Based in New York City, Anna has been a professional tarot reader for many years, but her prowess transcends the boundaries of most tarot practitioners. She's an intuitive healer, Akashic records reader, and a resilient entrepreneur. Anna is carving an evolving legacy for herself, currently broadcasting her distinct voce and curious mind via her illustrious podcast, "How to Be Human." (Not Sponsored: Anna legitimately runs one of the best podcasts available right now.) Every week, "How to Be Human" explores the common and often confusing themes of humanness including spirituality, connection, wellness, self-acceptance, and more. Anna uses her humor, honesty and intuition to discuss unanswerable questions we all share. She speaks with many brilliant guests as she searches for clarity in the most human way possible; together. 

As our first guest, Anna sets the bar high. Stay tuned for many more guest episodes coming soon with fascinating, well-vetted people who help us shed light on all corners of the spiritual world, from tarot to human design, past lives to the paranormal, and beyond.

Key Takeaways in this Episode

• Meet Anna, who transitioned from a successful 15+ year career in television to spiritual work

• Acquire seasoned advice and insights about what tarot is (and isn't!), how it's used, why it's appealing, plus some tarot tips and tricks

• Hear our unfiltered annoyances, hilarious tangents and overdue vents about tarot and spirituality

Connect with Anna Toonk

• Website: annatoonk.com

• Anna's Instagram: @annatoonk

• "How to Be Human" Instagram: @howtobehumanpod

• "How to Be Human" on Apple Podcasts

• "How to Be Human" on Spotify

• "How to Be Human" Substack

Additional Resources

• Clairannoyance Instagram

• Clairannoyance TikTok...]]>I mentioned in the last episode I've got some health stuff going on which is making my schedule a little bonkers. It's made recording and getting to the podcast a bit difficult. Today I feel like is a clever solve, rather then leave you hanging I asked Ryan if he would share the episode of Clairannoyance I was on to share with ya'll. Thanks to Ryan and Megan being true gems they were down so please enjoy the episode. Below are the original show notes from the episode because they didn't do all that work for me NOT to share them :)

n our first (of many!) guest interview episodes, co-hosts Megan Lund and Ryan Marquardt sit down with one of the most multifaceted, wildly talented and unendingly knowledgable spiritual badasses in the game: Anna Toonk. 

Anna guides us into the world of tarot, dancing between topics including the history of tarot, why it's appealing to clients, the importance of understanding the traditional meaning of the cards, finding your own interpretative style as a reader, whether astrology and tarot should be as interconnected as they've become, and much more. We discuss some of our annoyances about tarot and the larger spiritual community as well, from receiving requests for free readings to the horrors of dating as a spiritual professional.

Based in New York City, Anna has been a professional tarot reader for many years, but her prowess transcends the boundaries of most tarot practitioners. She's an intuitive healer, Akashic records reader, and a resilient entrepreneur. Anna is carving an evolving legacy for herself, currently broadcasting her distinct voce and curious mind via her illustrious podcast, "How to Be Human." (Not Sponsored: Anna legitimately runs one of the best podcasts available right now.) Every week, "How to Be Human" explores the common and often confusing themes of humanness including spirituality, connection, wellness, self-acceptance, and more. Anna uses her humor, honesty and intuition to discuss unanswerable questions we all share. She speaks with many brilliant guests as she searches for clarity in the most human way possible; together. 

As our first guest, Anna sets the bar high. Stay tuned for many more guest episodes coming soon with fascinating, well-vetted people who help us shed light on all corners of the spiritual world, from tarot to human design, past lives to the paranormal, and beyond.

Key Takeaways in this Episode

• Meet Anna, who transitioned from a successful 15+ year career in television to spiritual work

• Acquire seasoned advice and insights about what tarot is (and isn't!), how it's used, why it's appealing, plus some tarot tips and tricks

• Hear our unfiltered annoyances, hilarious tangents and overdue vents about tarot and spirituality

Connect with Anna Toonk

• Website: annatoonk.com

• Anna's Instagram: @annatoonk

• "How to Be Human" Instagram: @howtobehumanpod

• "How to Be Human" on Apple Podcasts

• "How to Be Human" on Spotify

• "How to Be Human" Substack

Additional Resources

• Clairannoyance Instagram

• Clairannoyance TikTok (follow now - launching soon!)

• Clairannoyance Website

• Megan's Instagram

• Megan's TikTok

• Megan's Website

• Ryan's Instagram

• Ryan's TikTok

• Ryan's Website

]]>5c115944-134c-4b91-90fc-cdbd09c80f76Tue, 30 May 2023 00:01:00 -040001:10:46truefull7676Anna ToonkAdviceAdviceAnna is thinking about the future! Specifically the future of the pod, which has been evolving and growing over the years. In this solo episode, she took it to Speakpipe to respond to some listener's takes on advice. The best of it, the worst of it and where it can go awry when unsolicited.  

Whenever we are in brainstorming mode, there is more room for what other people have to say about our situation-for better or for worse. Moving through lifes’ mile markers requires clarity, flexibility and support. Advice can be helpful, but it’s an art like anything else. Let’s learn how to craft better guidance.


Resources mentioned:

“Helped, Heard, or Hugged? When someone you love is upset, ask this one question”- NY TIMES “


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>Anna is thinking about the future! Specifically the future of the pod, which has been evolving and growing over the years. In this solo episode, she took it to Speakpipe to respond to some listener's takes on advice. The best of it, the worst of it and where it can go awry when unsolicited.  

Whenever we are in brainstorming mode, there is more room for what other people have to say about our situation-for better or for worse. Moving through lifes’ mile markers requires clarity, flexibility and support. Advice can be helpful, but it’s an art like anything else. Let’s learn how to craft better guidance.


Resources mentioned:

“Helped, Heard, or Hugged? When someone you love is upset, ask this one question”- NY TIMES “


Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>2dc13933-2ef5-4913-b23b-2ccb53dadc88Tue, 23 May 2023 00:01:00 -040029:57truefull7575Anna ToonkBeing Adopted with Casey Kahn Pt. 2Being Adopted with Casey Kahn Pt. 2In part two of her story, Casey talks us through so many complex facets of being a human- siblings, mental health, privilege- and she lands the plane on a great story combining a little super sleuthing and unlikely friendships. Casey starts to piece together more clues and finds a new sense of confidence through taking control of her story.  Come for the info, stay for the great cast of characters doing their best to find their footing with each other.

Resources mentioned:

The Primal Wound

Seven Cores Issues in Adoption and Permanency

Free Time Media

Free Time Media on IG

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>In part two of her story, Casey talks us through so many complex facets of being a human- siblings, mental health, privilege- and she lands the plane on a great story combining a little super sleuthing and unlikely friendships. Casey starts to piece together more clues and finds a new sense of confidence through taking control of her story.  Come for the info, stay for the great cast of characters doing their best to find their footing with each other.

Resources mentioned:

The Primal Wound

Seven Cores Issues in Adoption and Permanency

Free Time Media

Free Time Media on IG

Where to find us:


Episode credits:


]]>15551dd3-ae68-49f2-8716-cbca16a2dc19Wed, 17 May 2023 00:01:00 -040001:04:54truefull7474Anna ToonkBeing Adopted with Casey Kahn Pt. 1Being Adopted with Casey Kahn Pt. 1Casey Kahn spends her time helping people and brands tell their stories as Co Founder of Free Time Media, so it was our pleasure to turn the mic towards her and give her a chance to share hers. In this episode, Casey looks back on her childhood and teen years through the lens of her adoption story, and shares her realizations around how being an adoptee may have impacted her social life in subtle but significant ways. She also covers the very important journey of finding out whether or not she was a Scorpio or a Sagittarius! Crucial info!

According to The Adoption Network, while 2-4% of Americans have adopted, more than ⅓ of Americans have thought about it, so if you’ve been curious this episode might be a great place to start. 

Resources mentioned:

The Primal Wound

Seven Cores Issues in Adoption and Permanency

NY Times Article-New York Adoptees Fight for Access to Birth Certificates

Wall Street Journal-Bill Would Grant New York Adoptees Access to Birth Certificates for First Time in Decades

Free Time Media

Free Time Media on IG

Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>Casey Kahn spends her time helping people and brands tell their stories as Co Founder of Free Time Media, so it was our pleasure to turn the mic towards her and give her a chance to share hers. In this episode, Casey looks back on her childhood and teen years through the lens of her adoption story, and shares her realizations around how being an adoptee may have impacted her social life in subtle but significant ways. She also covers the very important journey of finding out whether or not she was a Scorpio or a Sagittarius! Crucial info!

According to The Adoption Network, while 2-4% of Americans have adopted, more than ⅓ of Americans have thought about it, so if you’ve been curious this episode might be a great place to start. 

Resources mentioned:

The Primal Wound

Seven Cores Issues in Adoption and Permanency

NY Times Article-New York Adoptees Fight for Access to Birth Certificates

Wall Street Journal-Bill Would Grant New York Adoptees Access to Birth Certificates for First Time in Decades

Free Time Media

Free Time Media on IG

Where to find us:


Episode credits:



]]>bb16e753-7174-4883-a20a-2fb607efb177Tue, 16 May 2023 00:01:00 -040048:55truefull7474Anna ToonkHypnosis with Shauna CumminsHypnosis with Shauna CumminsI definitely remember being intimidated by Shauna when I first met her. Was it the perfect red lip, the quiet confidence or the smooth voice for meditation? Who can say but thanks to Maha Rose I got to experience her work. I was not only intimidated by Shauna but hypnosis as well and she couldn't be a better ambassador for the process. We discuss how Shauna got into hypnosis, what it actually is versus the cluck like a chicken reputation, whether or not Shauna uses hypnosis to make people bring her snacks and more. We also touch upon Shauna's art and book Wishcraft built off wishing well traditions, and hypnosis for crafting a better world for yourself and the collective. Shauna is a super skilled practitioner and just all around cool person I feel lucky to know and have benefited from her expertise. It's possible this podcast exists because of her work and her help getting me out of my own creative way.

Where to find us:


]]>I definitely remember being intimidated by Shauna when I first met her. Was it the perfect red lip, the quiet confidence or the smooth voice for meditation? Who can say but thanks to Maha Rose I got to experience her work. I was not only intimidated by Shauna but hypnosis as well and she couldn't be a better ambassador for the process. We discuss how Shauna got into hypnosis, what it actually is versus the cluck like a chicken reputation, whether or not Shauna uses hypnosis to make people bring her snacks and more. We also touch upon Shauna's art and book Wishcraft built off wishing well traditions, and hypnosis for crafting a better world for yourself and the collective. Shauna is a super skilled practitioner and just all around cool person I feel lucky to know and have benefited from her expertise. It's possible this podcast exists because of her work and her help getting me out of my own creative way.

Where to find us:


]]>30cc464b-dfd4-42c5-9342-5a8e38fb0affTue, 09 May 2023 00:01:00 -040001:03:18truefull7373Anna ToonkOrganization with Effy TerryOrganization with Effy TerryOrganizational expert and founder of Organize That Effy Terry and I talk organizing. Effy is not only super organized but she's done a lot of educating about neurodiversity and how different brains need different systems. She is a big believer in finding a system that works for you versus one size fits all. One of the most refreshing things she offers is that being organized doesn't make you a better person, however it can aid your mental health. She blows my mind mentioning techniques such as body doubling and more. As someone who organization and tidying is not a strength I loved hearing Effy's take and how much compassion she approaches the work she does. Now if she would come organize my apartment.

Resources mentioned:

KonMari Method

Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Hoarders (Canadian version if you want to spot Effy :)

Where to find us:


]]>Organizational expert and founder of Organize That Effy Terry and I talk organizing. Effy is not only super organized but she's done a lot of educating about neurodiversity and how different brains need different systems. She is a big believer in finding a system that works for you versus one size fits all. One of the most refreshing things she offers is that being organized doesn't make you a better person, however it can aid your mental health. She blows my mind mentioning techniques such as body doubling and more. As someone who organization and tidying is not a strength I loved hearing Effy's take and how much compassion she approaches the work she does. Now if she would come organize my apartment.

Resources mentioned:

KonMari Method

Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Hoarders (Canadian version if you want to spot Effy :)

Where to find us:


]]>6312f931-6651-4dad-b5a5-ad4c2894c88aTue, 02 May 2023 00:01:00 -040001:15:12truefull7272Anna ToonkConsumption, Fashion and Sustainability Pt. 2 with Aja BarberConsumption, Fashion and Sustainability Pt. 2 with Aja BarberAja and I are back with Pt. 2 today!

I hope you are already familiar with Aja Barber and her work but if you're not buckle up. I was prepared for Aja to be unfathomably smart, and informative but she's also very funny and easy to talk to. Her book Consumed is a super informative, surprisingly easy read for such dense material and the planets aligned to let Aja and I have a conversation during Earth Month. We cover a lot of ground today discussing fast fashion, ways to challenge our consumption and some of the more insidious aspects of the fashion industry and how it relates back to colonialism. Thanks to Aja being so generous with her time and mind.

Resources mentioned:

Nooworks

Big Bud Press

Lora Gene

Céline Semaan and The Slow Factory

Where to find us:


]]>Aja and I are back with Pt. 2 today!

I hope you are already familiar with Aja Barber and her work but if you're not buckle up. I was prepared for Aja to be unfathomably smart, and informative but she's also very funny and easy to talk to. Her book Consumed is a super informative, surprisingly easy read for such dense material and the planets aligned to let Aja and I have a conversation during Earth Month. We cover a lot of ground today discussing fast fashion, ways to challenge our consumption and some of the more insidious aspects of the fashion industry and how it relates back to colonialism. Thanks to Aja being so generous with her time and mind.

Resources mentioned:

Nooworks

Big Bud Press

Lora Gene

Céline Semaan and The Slow Factory

Where to find us:


]]>9aef4aeb-dfd4-4abc-a2ad-3c1ffbb12837Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:01:00 -040055:57truefull7171Anna ToonkConsumption, Fashion and Sustainability Pt. 1 with Aja BarberConsumption, Fashion and Sustainability Pt. 1 with Aja BarberI hope you are already familiar with Aja Barber and her work but if you're not buckle up. I was prepared for Aja to be unfathomably smart, and informative but she's also very funny and easy to talk to. Her book Consumed is a super informative, surprisingly easy read for such dense material and the planets aligned to let Aja and I have a conversation during Earth Month. We cover a lot of ground today discussing fast fashion, ways to challenge our consumption and some of the more insidious aspects of the fashion industry and how it relates back to colonialism. Thanks to Aja being so generous with her time we chatted it UP so I broke our recording into two episodes because I didn't want you to miss anything and wanted to keep it digestible. (Control freak? Moi? Neverrrrrrr.) I hope you enjoy Part 1 this week and rethink any future Shein purchases moving ahead :)

Resources mentioned:

Nooworks

Big Bud Press

Lora Gene

Céline Semaan and The Slow Factory

Where to find us:


]]>I hope you are already familiar with Aja Barber and her work but if you're not buckle up. I was prepared for Aja to be unfathomably smart, and informative but she's also very funny and easy to talk to. Her book Consumed is a super informative, surprisingly easy read for such dense material and the planets aligned to let Aja and I have a conversation during Earth Month. We cover a lot of ground today discussing fast fashion, ways to challenge our consumption and some of the more insidious aspects of the fashion industry and how it relates back to colonialism. Thanks to Aja being so generous with her time we chatted it UP so I broke our recording into two episodes because I didn't want you to miss anything and wanted to keep it digestible. (Control freak? Moi? Neverrrrrrr.) I hope you enjoy Part 1 this week and rethink any future Shein purchases moving ahead :)

Resources mentioned:

Nooworks

Big Bud Press

Lora Gene

Céline Semaan and The Slow Factory

Where to find us:


]]>d27e7c5b-f5b2-4d1a-ada8-4c6fa35f803aTue, 18 Apr 2023 00:01:00 -040046:37truefull7070Anna ToonkWriting and Personal Narrative with Kate DevineWriting and Personal Narrative with Kate DevineFounder of Mood Barre, writer, and my beloved writing teacher Kate Devine is today's guest. We discuss the benefits of investigating your personal narrative, the connections between movement and writing, and the different ways self expression serves us. Kate is in deep service of creativity and how to foster it and believes in developing self awareness that allows you to express yourself more clearly and feel more expressed. Luckily she shared some of these helpful and thought provoking ideas and processes with me. We talk a little about how writing is it's own form of spirituality and she even agreed to read work in progress for us. What's better than story time?

Where to find us:



]]>Founder of Mood Barre, writer, and my beloved writing teacher Kate Devine is today's guest. We discuss the benefits of investigating your personal narrative, the connections between movement and writing, and the different ways self expression serves us. Kate is in deep service of creativity and how to foster it and believes in developing self awareness that allows you to express yourself more clearly and feel more expressed. Luckily she shared some of these helpful and thought provoking ideas and processes with me. We talk a little about how writing is it's own form of spirituality and she even agreed to read work in progress for us. What's better than story time?

Where to find us:



]]>4503abc2-3535-4368-8217-1d5b83fee349Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:01:00 -040001:20:22truefull6969Anna ToonkEnchantment with Katherine MayEnchantment with Katherine MayNew York Times bestseller, and author of the very popular Wintering Katherine May joins me today to discuss her third book Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age . We discuss what lead her to see she needed enchantment in her life, the benefits of living in the mystery and how exhausting the dystopian future rhetoric is. I felt like her book Enchantment really summed up a lot of things I had been feeling and was thrilled to get to discuss them with Katherine.

Where to find us:


]]>New York Times bestseller, and author of the very popular Wintering Katherine May joins me today to discuss her third book Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age . We discuss what lead her to see she needed enchantment in her life, the benefits of living in the mystery and how exhausting the dystopian future rhetoric is. I felt like her book Enchantment really summed up a lot of things I had been feeling and was thrilled to get to discuss them with Katherine.

Where to find us:


]]>a884c765-8eb2-4876-8a83-1e1163fd684bTue, 04 Apr 2023 00:01:00 -040051:47truefull6868Anna ToonkEmbodiment with Mari OrkenyiEmbodiment with Mari OrkenyiI deeply appreciate the pragmatism Mari possesses. It feels like a refreshing and compassionate balm in a time when people are very quick with answers and solutions. The word embodiment has lost meaning for me at times because it was being so overused in the wellness community, and being weaponized. Good people are embodied! When in doubt moralize it right? But what actually is embodiment, what does it mean? It means in simplest terms to give shape or form to something, to make something tangible. Spoiler but something I really appreciate that Mari brings up and discusses is that embodiment isn't so much a destination we arrive at but a reminder of all that we possess within.

Where to find us:


]]>I deeply appreciate the pragmatism Mari possesses. It feels like a refreshing and compassionate balm in a time when people are very quick with answers and solutions. The word embodiment has lost meaning for me at times because it was being so overused in the wellness community, and being weaponized. Good people are embodied! When in doubt moralize it right? But what actually is embodiment, what does it mean? It means in simplest terms to give shape or form to something, to make something tangible. Spoiler but something I really appreciate that Mari brings up and discusses is that embodiment isn't so much a destination we arrive at but a reminder of all that we possess within.

Where to find us:


]]>c23f0df0-6565-4028-a888-e18d63a12f93Tue, 28 Mar 2023 00:01:00 -040001:00:20truefull6767Anna ToonkThe Meanings of Flowers with Karen AzoulayThe Meanings of Flowers with Karen AzoulayArtist and Author of the book Flowers and Their Meanings Karen Azoulay joins me today to talk flowers. We've been giving flowers meaning and using them in rituals since the beginning of time and I appreciate Karen's deep interest in that. I also love that she decided the 19th century book about flowers meanings needed an update. Karen's instagram is one of my faves where she is illustrating through the ages how we've used flowers in rituals and assigned meanings to them across the globe and time. It's also a feast for the eyes besides being fascinating. This conversation felt like a fresh breeze to welcome spring with and think about what's growing in my own life and what floral messages I want to send. Karen graciously decoded the meaning of the flowers I bought for the episode (I declared love for myself via tulip) and we hopefully will be starting a trend of sending your friends funny messages via bouquet.

Where to find us:


]]>Artist and Author of the book Flowers and Their Meanings Karen Azoulay joins me today to talk flowers. We've been giving flowers meaning and using them in rituals since the beginning of time and I appreciate Karen's deep interest in that. I also love that she decided the 19th century book about flowers meanings needed an update. Karen's instagram is one of my faves where she is illustrating through the ages how we've used flowers in rituals and assigned meanings to them across the globe and time. It's also a feast for the eyes besides being fascinating. This conversation felt like a fresh breeze to welcome spring with and think about what's growing in my own life and what floral messages I want to send. Karen graciously decoded the meaning of the flowers I bought for the episode (I declared love for myself via tulip) and we hopefully will be starting a trend of sending your friends funny messages via bouquet.

Where to find us:


]]>bdac08c6-4eea-4aa8-98cb-77699306fbbfTue, 21 Mar 2023 00:05:00 -040001:11:54truefull6666Anna ToonkThe Business of Dying with Heather HoganThe Business of Dying with Heather HoganHeather Hogan's magic is difficult to fully encapsulate. She has a fierce courage that allows her to embrace life and death with eyes wide open and with so much compassion. She's a life coach, tarot reader, Buddhist meditation teacher and a death doula. We discuss her experiences with death that lead to her embracing life and discovering death doula work. Heather believes passionately that most people's relationship with death could be more positive but we have to talk about it in order for that to happen so we do just that.

If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

Resources mentioned:

Hospice care

Support Death Differently

Where to find us:


]]>Heather Hogan's magic is difficult to fully encapsulate. She has a fierce courage that allows her to embrace life and death with eyes wide open and with so much compassion. She's a life coach, tarot reader, Buddhist meditation teacher and a death doula. We discuss her experiences with death that lead to her embracing life and discovering death doula work. Heather believes passionately that most people's relationship with death could be more positive but we have to talk about it in order for that to happen so we do just that.

If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

Resources mentioned:

Hospice care

Support Death Differently

Where to find us:


]]>436e475c-55f3-4fa8-bfb7-1d1bb8df86aaTue, 14 Mar 2023 00:10:00 -040001:30:33truefull6565Anna ToonkQ2 Astrology with Vanessa HardyQ2 Astrology with Vanessa HardyVanessa Hardy is back and we're not just doing a business ladies parody talking quarterly reports we're delving back into the astrology that lies ahead. Vanessa tells us what Spring's astrology has in store for us in Q2. Who this quarter's heavy hitters are and what kind of vibes lie ahead. Vanessa breaks down what Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter have in store for us and who this may impact the most. Get clued into how this will affect your chart and...you know everyone else around us.

If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

Resources mentioned:

Bad Pastor

Where to find us:


]]>Vanessa Hardy is back and we're not just doing a business ladies parody talking quarterly reports we're delving back into the astrology that lies ahead. Vanessa tells us what Spring's astrology has in store for us in Q2. Who this quarter's heavy hitters are and what kind of vibes lie ahead. Vanessa breaks down what Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter have in store for us and who this may impact the most. Get clued into how this will affect your chart and...you know everyone else around us.

If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

Resources mentioned:

Bad Pastor

Where to find us:


]]>9d6a3ad2-9652-478a-b6ce-ade12cef34baTue, 07 Mar 2023 00:30:00 -040001:24:08truefull6464Anna ToonkSelf AbandonmentSelf AbandonmentWhen you are going to talk staying with yourself seems like you should do that by yourself. I'm solo today discussing a topic close to my heart because I can't stop dancing with it. Self abandonment! How can we leave ourselves when we're always with ourselves? I get it into it. Chatting what it is, what makes me do it and how I'm learning to stay.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Dear Chelsea episode with Lori Gottlieb

Melissa Febos Abandon Me

Peter Matthiessen Snow Leopard

Mari's Newsletter

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

]]>When you are going to talk staying with yourself seems like you should do that by yourself. I'm solo today discussing a topic close to my heart because I can't stop dancing with it. Self abandonment! How can we leave ourselves when we're always with ourselves? I get it into it. Chatting what it is, what makes me do it and how I'm learning to stay.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Dear Chelsea episode with Lori Gottlieb

Melissa Febos Abandon Me

Peter Matthiessen Snow Leopard

Mari's Newsletter

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

]]>27c441b1-0edb-4b27-a356-0192c842e29dTue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -040029:10truefull6363Anna ToonkDream Interpretations with Autumn FourkillerDream Interpretations with Autumn FourkillerDream Queen Autumn Fourkiller is back! We chat about some common dream themes, death, pregnancy, and recurrent locations. Then Autumn interprets some listener's dreams giving a little peek into her reading style and ways to think about interpreting dreams.

Where to find us:



]]>Dream Queen Autumn Fourkiller is back! We chat about some common dream themes, death, pregnancy, and recurrent locations. Then Autumn interprets some listener's dreams giving a little peek into her reading style and ways to think about interpreting dreams.

Where to find us:



]]>a96daa31-2c71-424a-bd58-eb5359e82af3Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -040001:13:05truefull6262Anna ToonkCo-Dependency with Heidi Smith and Deborah BaggCo-Dependency with Heidi Smith and Deborah BaggWhat happens when a psychosomatic therapist and a somatic psychotherapist team up? They do incredible work about topics like co-dependency that you and I get to benefit from. Today's episode with Heidi Smith of Moon and Bloom, and Deborah Bagg of Love is Juniper is filled with helpful information.

What is co-dependency? How can we know it when we feel it? What's a caring relationship versus controlling one? Both Heidi and Deborah give some tools to navigating the topic for as Deborah put it "optimal relationships," which I am stealing and love. Optimal seems like a great goal.

Where to find us:



]]>What happens when a psychosomatic therapist and a somatic psychotherapist team up? They do incredible work about topics like co-dependency that you and I get to benefit from. Today's episode with Heidi Smith of Moon and Bloom, and Deborah Bagg of Love is Juniper is filled with helpful information.

What is co-dependency? How can we know it when we feel it? What's a caring relationship versus controlling one? Both Heidi and Deborah give some tools to navigating the topic for as Deborah put it "optimal relationships," which I am stealing and love. Optimal seems like a great goal.

Where to find us:



]]>c8c3dd12-bca4-4da6-a34d-88c793c35f35Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -040059:48truefull6161Anna ToonkMen's Mental Health with Dr. Josh MirmelliMen's Mental Health with Dr. Josh Mirmelli*Content | Trigger Warning* There are brief mentions of suicide. If you or someone you love needs help please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/ for resources.

Men have never been worse. Noooooo, I don't mean toxic masculinity. Dr. Josh joins me to discuss the crisis that is men's mental health. The stats in the US are alarming with more men losing their battle with mental health then ever before. Dr. Josh shares what men uniquely grapple with, how they can better access support and the importance of that support. He also gives a great answer as to why men participate in toxic masculinity which I will forever be grateful to him for giving language to.

Where to find us:


]]>*Content | Trigger Warning* There are brief mentions of suicide. If you or someone you love needs help please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/ for resources.

Men have never been worse. Noooooo, I don't mean toxic masculinity. Dr. Josh joins me to discuss the crisis that is men's mental health. The stats in the US are alarming with more men losing their battle with mental health then ever before. Dr. Josh shares what men uniquely grapple with, how they can better access support and the importance of that support. He also gives a great answer as to why men participate in toxic masculinity which I will forever be grateful to him for giving language to.

Where to find us:


]]>7ff3c1cf-90a6-4a1d-bca3-0d2241ae80feTue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -040054:45truefull6060Anna ToonkJoy with Katherine Morgan SchaflerJoy with Katherine Morgan SchaflerShe's back! You loved her first episode on perfectionism and today we are talking joy. Today's guest psychotherapist, and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power Katherine Morgan Schafler really knows the value of allowing ourselves more joy in our lives. Most of us want a more joyful life but why does it seem hard? Or does joy seem scary sometimes? We get into it today. Katherine talks about different ways we can invite more joy into our lives or look at where the resistance is. Enjoy!

Where to find us:


]]>She's back! You loved her first episode on perfectionism and today we are talking joy. Today's guest psychotherapist, and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power Katherine Morgan Schafler really knows the value of allowing ourselves more joy in our lives. Most of us want a more joyful life but why does it seem hard? Or does joy seem scary sometimes? We get into it today. Katherine talks about different ways we can invite more joy into our lives or look at where the resistance is. Enjoy!

Where to find us:


]]>34daf0e7-8f6b-44b4-8ff8-4560784bca15Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -040048:50truefull5959Anna ToonkHerbalism, Magic and Liz from Sister SpinsterHerbalism, Magic and Liz from Sister SpinsterThrilled for one of my favorite people to be on today's episode. Liz Migliorelli belongs to a lineage of bee maidens, apple romancers and herb cunning-folk. She is a clinical herbalist, animist and educator who roots her work in the stories and practices of her ancestors. She lives on unceded Munsee-Lenape-Esopus lands (also known as the Hudson River Valley in New York), at the foot of the Catskill Mountains where she tends to a big garden. Some of her favorite divination tools are beeswax, murky waters and chickens. Liz weaves together and facilitates classes on plant medicine, ancestral remembrance, earth rhythms, folk magic, hearth culture, poetry and social justice movements. You can learn more about her work at www.sisterspinster.net

In this episode I ask her does magic help the mundane? How do you wade into the wild world of herbs? And lots more she graciously answers.

Where to find us:


]]>Thrilled for one of my favorite people to be on today's episode. Liz Migliorelli belongs to a lineage of bee maidens, apple romancers and herb cunning-folk. She is a clinical herbalist, animist and educator who roots her work in the stories and practices of her ancestors. She lives on unceded Munsee-Lenape-Esopus lands (also known as the Hudson River Valley in New York), at the foot of the Catskill Mountains where she tends to a big garden. Some of her favorite divination tools are beeswax, murky waters and chickens. Liz weaves together and facilitates classes on plant medicine, ancestral remembrance, earth rhythms, folk magic, hearth culture, poetry and social justice movements. You can learn more about her work at www.sisterspinster.net

In this episode I ask her does magic help the mundane? How do you wade into the wild world of herbs? And lots more she graciously answers.

Where to find us:


]]>f7fa0e70-f9fb-4f3f-868d-8dd9a645d66eTue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -040001:01:00truefull5858Anna ToonkPerfectionism with Katherine Morgan SchaflerPerfectionism with Katherine Morgan SchaflerHow many of you have been startled to find out you're a perfectionist? Raises my own hand. Even today's guest psychotherapist, and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power Katherine Morgan Schafler was when she discovered she had perfectionistic tendencies. Katherine joins me today to talk perfectionism! I have been talking about Katherine for multiple episodes so now you finally get to meet her and hear why I have been hyping her so hard. She explains the 5 different kinds of perfectionist personalities, why trying eradicate parts of yourself isn't the move and how joy and pleasure is the antidote to what ails a lot of us. I love her thoughts on how we often misunderstand presence and the myth of a balanced life wellness sells to women. She is so kind and smart I could talk to her for days and hope everyone benefits from her wise words whether on the pod or in her book.

Where to find us:


]]>How many of you have been startled to find out you're a perfectionist? Raises my own hand. Even today's guest psychotherapist, and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power Katherine Morgan Schafler was when she discovered she had perfectionistic tendencies. Katherine joins me today to talk perfectionism! I have been talking about Katherine for multiple episodes so now you finally get to meet her and hear why I have been hyping her so hard. She explains the 5 different kinds of perfectionist personalities, why trying eradicate parts of yourself isn't the move and how joy and pleasure is the antidote to what ails a lot of us. I love her thoughts on how we often misunderstand presence and the myth of a balanced life wellness sells to women. She is so kind and smart I could talk to her for days and hope everyone benefits from her wise words whether on the pod or in her book.

Where to find us:


]]>a5900b74-68a4-4ce3-8c66-4a18abcebaefTue, 17 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -040001:05:12truefull5757Anna ToonkAstrology with Vanessa HardyAstrology with Vanessa HardyVanessa Hardy is back and she is sharing with us what Astrology of 2022 still might be significant for us, and tells us what lies ahead in Q1 of 2023. We cover some basic astrology terms (what's a conjunction? A transit) best practices and our mutual love of Anne Ortelee. Vanessa shares some themes to think on and places we can look in our own birth chart for what stories are playing out for us.

Resources mentioned:

Anne Ortelee's Weekly Weather report

Mystic Medusa

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>Vanessa Hardy is back and she is sharing with us what Astrology of 2022 still might be significant for us, and tells us what lies ahead in Q1 of 2023. We cover some basic astrology terms (what's a conjunction? A transit) best practices and our mutual love of Anne Ortelee. Vanessa shares some themes to think on and places we can look in our own birth chart for what stories are playing out for us.

Resources mentioned:

Anne Ortelee's Weekly Weather report

Mystic Medusa

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>8ab899f9-74b8-430e-bbde-f3d9745a86e4Tue, 10 Jan 2023 00:01:00 -040001:21:52truefull5656Anna Toonk2022 Lessons & 2023 Intentions2022 Lessons & 2023 IntentionsA little check in, a little recap and a little teary at the end to know it's the most tender part of the year. Endings and beginnings. What did I learn in 2022? How is that informing 2023? Do New Years resolutions work? I talk about why I set intentions instead.

Resources mentioned:

Take Kate Devine's Lyric Essay course

Get to know Katherine, and pre-order her book.

Melissa Febos' Work

Love Jillian Turecki's work around self abandonment

We the Urban

Where to find me:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>A little check in, a little recap and a little teary at the end to know it's the most tender part of the year. Endings and beginnings. What did I learn in 2022? How is that informing 2023? Do New Years resolutions work? I talk about why I set intentions instead.

Resources mentioned:

Take Kate Devine's Lyric Essay course

Get to know Katherine, and pre-order her book.

Melissa Febos' Work

Love Jillian Turecki's work around self abandonment

We the Urban

Where to find me:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>d746596e-80ad-4410-b5d8-80fa97083c3fTue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -040030:45truefull5555Anna ToonkMindfulness, Meditation and MariMindfulness, Meditation and MariI knew I liked Mari immediately when I met her. We met in Fariha Roisin's Writing with Vulnerability in Mind and as soon as Mari started talking I thought that woman knows some things. Turns out she really really does. Mari Orkenyi is a Contemplative Educator, Psychoanalyst Candidate and Writer. Her work lives in the space where Contemplative Practices, Buddhist Psychology and Psychoanalysis intersect. Mari holds a Masters in Arts, is Certified in Contemplative Psychotherapy and is Certified Meditation Teacher. She supports individuals, corporate teams and groups with Contemplative Practices guiding them on a journey of self awareness, exploration and integration. Mari has collaborated with Moca, The Marciano Foundation, Loom, Apple, DoorDash, LA Dance Project and more. As a native Brazilian immigrant with Hungarian roots, living in Los Angeles by way of Spain and Mexico, her multicultural perspectives and backgrounds are continuously informing her work.

She's not just accomplished, and accredited she's an incredibly warm accessible person which feels like a tricky balance she pulls off effortlessly. Please enjoy our conversation on what mindfulness is and isn't, why Mari's approach feels radically permissive and why to meditate at all.

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>I knew I liked Mari immediately when I met her. We met in Fariha Roisin's Writing with Vulnerability in Mind and as soon as Mari started talking I thought that woman knows some things. Turns out she really really does. Mari Orkenyi is a Contemplative Educator, Psychoanalyst Candidate and Writer. Her work lives in the space where Contemplative Practices, Buddhist Psychology and Psychoanalysis intersect. Mari holds a Masters in Arts, is Certified in Contemplative Psychotherapy and is Certified Meditation Teacher. She supports individuals, corporate teams and groups with Contemplative Practices guiding them on a journey of self awareness, exploration and integration. Mari has collaborated with Moca, The Marciano Foundation, Loom, Apple, DoorDash, LA Dance Project and more. As a native Brazilian immigrant with Hungarian roots, living in Los Angeles by way of Spain and Mexico, her multicultural perspectives and backgrounds are continuously informing her work.

She's not just accomplished, and accredited she's an incredibly warm accessible person which feels like a tricky balance she pulls off effortlessly. Please enjoy our conversation on what mindfulness is and isn't, why Mari's approach feels radically permissive and why to meditate at all.

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>eefa16ca-558a-4fee-9ef5-6bf1dc8c731cTue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -040057:29truefull5454Anna ToonkCareer Changes with Vanessa HardyCareer Changes with Vanessa HardyAnna met casting agent, astrologer, and energy healer Vanessa Hardy at Maha Rose years ago and chats having an evolving career life with her in this episode. They initially connected over balancing careers in production and wellness but really it's a shared belief in self-knowledge being reflected in career decisions as well. Vanessa shares how awareness of an early ability to see what people were uniquely good at has shaped her career decisions and how she explores that gift. Vanessa also shares what it's been like to return to school as an adult and continue to show up for herself differently in her professional life.

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>Anna met casting agent, astrologer, and energy healer Vanessa Hardy at Maha Rose years ago and chats having an evolving career life with her in this episode. They initially connected over balancing careers in production and wellness but really it's a shared belief in self-knowledge being reflected in career decisions as well. Vanessa shares how awareness of an early ability to see what people were uniquely good at has shaped her career decisions and how she explores that gift. Vanessa also shares what it's been like to return to school as an adult and continue to show up for herself differently in her professional life.

Where to find us:


If you like the podcast please rate, review and subscribe. It truly means the world.

]]>01e8b575-b213-47e0-8b09-68de60a5cdafTue, 13 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -040001:03:29truefull5353Anna ToonkDeservedness with Kendra AustinDeservedness with Kendra AustinContent creator, writer, model, and author of forthcoming The Realest Oracle deck Kendra Austin joins Anna today in conversation about deservedness. Anna and Kendra discuss the difficulty of defining an internal value that the outside world has a lot to say about and ways they've gone about it. Kendra shares how she's learned to investigate her motives for what she's seeking in her life how she to checks in around it. Kendra also shares how her story with deservedness has changed how she shows up in community.

Where to find us:


]]>Content creator, writer, model, and author of forthcoming The Realest Oracle deck Kendra Austin joins Anna today in conversation about deservedness. Anna and Kendra discuss the difficulty of defining an internal value that the outside world has a lot to say about and ways they've gone about it. Kendra shares how she's learned to investigate her motives for what she's seeking in her life how she to checks in around it. Kendra also shares how her story with deservedness has changed how she shows up in community.

Where to find us:


]]>976db4aa-d641-4002-ad0c-d689a28e74c4Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -040057:15truefull5252Anna ToonkMolly Wizenberg Answers A LOT of QuestionsMolly Wizenberg Answers A LOT of QuestionsAnna re-read Molly’s book The Fixed Stars on her way to Italy and it hit deeper. A story of having the courage to transform your life out of a desire to be true to yourself. Swoon. Also tons of themes around love, sexuality, and figuring out what kind of life you want. For real read it. Thanks to this digital age, her wish to talk to Molly about the process of writing such an incredible book about your lived experience was able to be realized by sending a simple email. Writer, podcaster and lovely person Molly Wizenberg was gracious enough to say yes and join Anna for a lively conversation about trusting your memory, ways to write about your own life that don’t have to always be mining the sad memories and the commitment to forever seeking!  

Where to find us:


]]>Anna re-read Molly’s book The Fixed Stars on her way to Italy and it hit deeper. A story of having the courage to transform your life out of a desire to be true to yourself. Swoon. Also tons of themes around love, sexuality, and figuring out what kind of life you want. For real read it. Thanks to this digital age, her wish to talk to Molly about the process of writing such an incredible book about your lived experience was able to be realized by sending a simple email. Writer, podcaster and lovely person Molly Wizenberg was gracious enough to say yes and join Anna for a lively conversation about trusting your memory, ways to write about your own life that don’t have to always be mining the sad memories and the commitment to forever seeking!  

Where to find us:


]]>e64a5b36-1646-406a-81c0-504a07131dc0Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -040057:22truefull5151Anna ToonkBreak Ups with Erica WeinerBreak Ups with Erica WeinerIn the wake of Nina’s departure from the pod Anna is exploring break ups today. Break ups, they suck but offer new beginnings with all of their confusing feelings. Anna shares some of the ones that have stuck with her and then chats with guest jewelry designer Erica Weiner about a break up that was equal parts dramatic and intuitive. What does that mean? Listen and find out!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

Resources Mentioned:


Get in Touch:


]]>In the wake of Nina’s departure from the pod Anna is exploring break ups today. Break ups, they suck but offer new beginnings with all of their confusing feelings. Anna shares some of the ones that have stuck with her and then chats with guest jewelry designer Erica Weiner about a break up that was equal parts dramatic and intuitive. What does that mean? Listen and find out!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

Resources Mentioned:


Get in Touch:


]]>dbd73471-e742-4e66-badc-d9f4786e7befTue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -040001:12:17truefull5050Anna ToonkNina's Last EpisodeFinal Nina + Anna EpisodeAnna and Nina have an important update for the show and discuss what it’s been like to get clarity about their priorities, especially when it comes to their careers. For Nina, she wants to be more present with her one-on-one clients, classes, and family, so she’s taking a step back from the podcast. Anna is going to continue as a solo host and is playing around with some ideas for the next iteration of How to Be Human, so stay tuned. 

Though it’s a bittersweet end of an era, Nina explains how she came to the conclusion that she can no longer show up for the HTBH community in the way that she wants to. She and Anna talk about what it’s like to grow out of decisions and reframe the idea of quitting. They also touch on how they communicated about Nina’s departure from the show and the peace that comes from accepting things for what they are instead of personalizing other people’s actions. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

Topics Covered:

  • Finding alignment with your intentions and actions 
  • Allowing yourself to explore and expand 
  • The consequences of ignoring the energetics of a situation 
  • Practicing neutrality instead of trying to control, deny, or avoid feelings
  • Unapologetically owning your happiness 
  • Ideas for the future of this show 

Get in Touch:


]]>Anna and Nina have an important update for the show and discuss what it’s been like to get clarity about their priorities, especially when it comes to their careers. For Nina, she wants to be more present with her one-on-one clients, classes, and family, so she’s taking a step back from the podcast. Anna is going to continue as a solo host and is playing around with some ideas for the next iteration of How to Be Human, so stay tuned. 

Though it’s a bittersweet end of an era, Nina explains how she came to the conclusion that she can no longer show up for the HTBH community in the way that she wants to. She and Anna talk about what it’s like to grow out of decisions and reframe the idea of quitting. They also touch on how they communicated about Nina’s departure from the show and the peace that comes from accepting things for what they are instead of personalizing other people’s actions. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

Topics Covered:

  • Finding alignment with your intentions and actions 
  • Allowing yourself to explore and expand 
  • The consequences of ignoring the energetics of a situation 
  • Practicing neutrality instead of trying to control, deny, or avoid feelings
  • Unapologetically owning your happiness 
  • Ideas for the future of this show 

Get in Touch:


]]>3e4fa8d2-a518-489a-9106-f3bf004a4ee4Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -040052:51truefull4949Anna and Nina have an important update for the show and discuss what it’s been like to get clarity about their priorities, especially when it comes to their careers. For Nina, she wants to be more present with her one-on-one clients, classes, and family, so she’s taking a step back from the podcast. Anna is going to continue as a solo host and is playing around with some ideas for the next iteration of How to Be Human, so stay tuned.Anna ToonkLifestyles + HabitsLifestyles + HabitsYour habits create your life and determine your lifestyle. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss why it’s crucial to cultivate habits that serve you and help you reach your goals. They dig into the science behind habits, how to figure out what type of structure works best for you, and the framework for creating positive habits. 

Where in your life have you enforced arbitrary rules for yourself that aren’t actually in alignment with how you want to live?  In order to create new habits, we have to first understand what our current patterns are and where they come from. From there, we can start to explore what we want to accomplish during the day from a happiness standpoint instead of looking at everything through the lens of productivity. 

Anna and Nina talk about how they’ve learned to work with their natural lifestyle rhythms and create habits around that. They touch on how their morning and nighttime routines have changed since tuning out what society deems as acceptable and plugging into what helps them thrive. Plus, they talk about ways to effectively break habits and replace them with new ones. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform


Topics Covered:

  • Giving yourself permission to live the lifestyle that you desire 
  • The four parts of a habit loop 
  • What intuitive eating is and the benefits of practicing it 
  • Examples of building habits slowly and sustainably 
  • The profound effect of saying your goals and affirmations out loud 
  • Giving yourself positive reinforcement when you create new habit channels 


Resources Mentioned:


Get in Touch:

  • How to Be Human
  • How to Be Human Instagram
  • Anna's Instagram
  • Nina's Instagram
  • Book a session with Anna
  • Your habits create your life and determine your lifestyle. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss why it’s crucial to cultivate habits that serve you and help you reach your goals. They dig into the science behind habits, how to figure out what type of structure works best for you, and the framework for creating positive habits. 

    Where in your life have you enforced arbitrary rules for yourself that aren’t actually in alignment with how you want to live?  In order to create new habits, we have to first understand what our current patterns are and where they come from. From there, we can start to explore what we want to accomplish during the day from a happiness standpoint instead of looking at everything through the lens of productivity. 

    Anna and Nina talk about how they’ve learned to work with their natural lifestyle rhythms and create habits around that. They touch on how their morning and nighttime routines have changed since tuning out what society deems as acceptable and plugging into what helps them thrive. Plus, they talk about ways to effectively break habits and replace them with new ones. 

    Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform


    Topics Covered:

    • Giving yourself permission to live the lifestyle that you desire 
    • The four parts of a habit loop 
    • What intuitive eating is and the benefits of practicing it 
    • Examples of building habits slowly and sustainably 
    • The profound effect of saying your goals and affirmations out loud 
    • Giving yourself positive reinforcement when you create new habit channels 


    Resources Mentioned:


    Get in Touch:


    ]]>1a96e776-8c3c-4d7b-83be-47c707cc58b1Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -040001:00:48truefull4848Your habits create your life and determine your lifestyle. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss why it’s crucial to cultivate habits that serve you and help you reach your goals. They dig into the science behind habits, how to figure out what type of structure works best for you, and the framework for creating positive habits.Anna ToonkAnna + Nina Check inAnna + Nina Check inAnna and Nina are taking time to unpack some things that they’ve been working through, particularly in their friendships and careers. 

    They discuss their recent experiences of feeling left out and reflect on relationships that fell apart when they asked the other person to take responsibility for careless behavior. Nina has been feeling empowered in her sense of self and ability to let go of people who aren’t in alignment anymore, even if they’ve been in her life for a while. Anna admits that she has a harder time getting to that place and has been confronting her fear of loss and emotional hoarding since she got back from her month abroad. 

    Both Anna and Nina are experiencing a sense of restlessness in their careers, and Anna announces that she’s going to be retiring from one-on-ones and readings in 2023. They talk about burnout in the Tarot industry and how they’re trying to find solutions that work for their businesses. Nina has also been focusing on creating an offering that blends her practical and mystical sides in an authentic and not-cheesy way. 

    Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

    Topics Covered:

    • Conditional relationships and feeling discarded 
    • Why you don’t have to be digestible to be interesting 
    • Being aware of where you’re settling and selling yourself short 
    • The importance of validation in friendships 
    • Finding clarity around the next chapter of your career  


    Resources Mentioned:



    Get in Touch:


    ]]>    Anna and Nina are taking time to unpack some things that they’ve been working through, particularly in their friendships and careers. 

    They discuss their recent experiences of feeling left out and reflect on relationships that fell apart when they asked the other person to take responsibility for careless behavior. Nina has been feeling empowered in her sense of self and ability to let go of people who aren’t in alignment anymore, even if they’ve been in her life for a while. Anna admits that she has a harder time getting to that place and has been confronting her fear of loss and emotional hoarding since she got back from her month abroad. 

    Both Anna and Nina are experiencing a sense of restlessness in their careers, and Anna announces that she’s going to be retiring from one-on-ones and readings in 2023. They talk about burnout in the Tarot industry and how they’re trying to find solutions that work for their businesses. Nina has also been focusing on creating an offering that blends her practical and mystical sides in an authentic and not-cheesy way. 

    Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

    Topics Covered:

    • Conditional relationships and feeling discarded 
    • Why you don’t have to be digestible to be interesting 
    • Being aware of where you’re settling and selling yourself short 
    • The importance of validation in friendships 
    • Finding clarity around the next chapter of your career  


    Resources Mentioned:



    Get in Touch:


    ]]>    0623fdaa-8d5a-4472-aec8-6f48409dff83Tue, 18 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -040001:04:11truefull4747Anna Toonk    IdentityIdentityWho am I? What am I? What is my purpose? These are the kinds of questions that Nina and Anna’s clients often come to them with. So many of us get caught up in our own conditioning and other people’s identities that it becomes difficult to decipher who we really are. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss their thoughts and experiences with personal and social identity. 

    One of the greatest factors that muddles our relationship with identity is social media. Nina notes that there’s a huge business of selling an image and use of façade marketing, especially in the world of fitness influencers. Anna and Nina talk about the importance of allowing yourself to experiment and honor what feels good without getting caught up in the ego or ideas of who you should be. 

    They also touch on the consequences of having a lack of coherent sense of identity. It usually results in a lack of compassion and acceptance of others, which creates an environment where people are afraid to affirm themselves and live freely. Anna and Nina round out their conversation by describing what they identify as and how that shapes their everyday lives. 

    Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

    Topics Covered:

    • The struggles of working with different identities as a Tarot reader 
    • The obsession with being a social media star and selling an image
    • Getting more comfortable with calling out people who create unsafe and exclusive environments 
    • The problem with choosing your identity instead of internalizing your own values
    • Discovering one’s personal potential 


    Resources Mentioned:



    Get in Touch:

    • How to Be Human
    • Who am I? What am I? What is my purpose? These are the kinds of questions that Nina and Anna’s clients often come to them with. So many of us get caught up in our own conditioning and other people’s identities that it becomes difficult to decipher who we really are. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss their thoughts and experiences with personal and social identity. 

      One of the greatest factors that muddles our relationship with identity is social media. Nina notes that there’s a huge business of selling an image and use of façade marketing, especially in the world of fitness influencers. Anna and Nina talk about the importance of allowing yourself to experiment and honor what feels good without getting caught up in the ego or ideas of who you should be. 

      They also touch on the consequences of having a lack of coherent sense of identity. It usually results in a lack of compassion and acceptance of others, which creates an environment where people are afraid to affirm themselves and live freely. Anna and Nina round out their conversation by describing what they identify as and how that shapes their everyday lives. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • The struggles of working with different identities as a Tarot reader 
      • The obsession with being a social media star and selling an image
      • Getting more comfortable with calling out people who create unsafe and exclusive environments 
      • The problem with choosing your identity instead of internalizing your own values
      • Discovering one’s personal potential 


      Resources Mentioned:



      Get in Touch:


      ]]>      a194eac6-9481-4b55-800f-4f4a5110b41dTue, 11 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -040001:08:19truefull4646Who am I? What am I? What is my purpose? These are the kinds of questions that Nina and Anna’s clients often come to them with. So many of us get caught up in our own conditioning and other people’s identities that it becomes difficult to decipher who we really are. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss their thoughts and experiences with personal and social identity.Anna ToonkArt & CreativityArt & CreativityThe spectrum of art and creativity reaches every corner of our lives. The music that we listen to, the shows that we watch, and the way we decorate our spaces are all forms of artistic expression. So, why is there so much pressure to abandon your creative side and return to ‘the real world’? 

      There’s often an immense push to grow out of creativity in order to make money. Anna and Nina challenge the idea that if you choose a creative career or lifestyle that you're destined to struggle financially. Nina explores how this concept has shown up in her marriage, as Huê is a working artist. She emphasizes how important it is to honor what’s going to help you show up as a full person. 

      Anna and Nina also dig into their experiences with fine art. They talk about the expectation that exists to feel or react a certain way to fine art. They also talk about gatekeeping in the industry and where that might come from. Plus, they touch on why it’s important to protect the sacredness of sharing your art and emotions with others, especially online. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • The relationship between art, creativity, and Tarot
      • Discovering healthy ways to access and express emotions 
      • Understanding that everything you create doesn’t have to be monetized and marketed 
      • Allowing yourself to be a beginner 
      • The discipline, vulnerability, and work ethic that’s required of artists 
      • Recognizing that once you share your work with the world, it isn't just yours anymore

      Get in Touch:


      ]]>      The spectrum of art and creativity reaches every corner of our lives. The music that we listen to, the shows that we watch, and the way we decorate our spaces are all forms of artistic expression. So, why is there so much pressure to abandon your creative side and return to ‘the real world’? 

      There’s often an immense push to grow out of creativity in order to make money. Anna and Nina challenge the idea that if you choose a creative career or lifestyle that you're destined to struggle financially. Nina explores how this concept has shown up in her marriage, as Huê is a working artist. She emphasizes how important it is to honor what’s going to help you show up as a full person. 

      Anna and Nina also dig into their experiences with fine art. They talk about the expectation that exists to feel or react a certain way to fine art. They also talk about gatekeeping in the industry and where that might come from. Plus, they touch on why it’s important to protect the sacredness of sharing your art and emotions with others, especially online. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • The relationship between art, creativity, and Tarot
      • Discovering healthy ways to access and express emotions 
      • Understanding that everything you create doesn’t have to be monetized and marketed 
      • Allowing yourself to be a beginner 
      • The discipline, vulnerability, and work ethic that’s required of artists 
      • Recognizing that once you share your work with the world, it isn't just yours anymore

      Get in Touch:


      ]]>      8cce2eb5-bbeb-449e-969f-8a144b3c6625Tue, 04 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -040001:02:17truefull4545The spectrum of art and creativity reaches every corner of our lives. The music that we listen to, the shows that we watch, and the way we decorate our spaces are all forms of artistic expression. So, why is there so much pressure to abandon your creative side and return to ‘the real world’?Anna Toonk      AttachmentAttachmentPerhaps the only silver lining of learning about your attachment style is realizing that it can be healed and repaired, or at least that’s how Anna sees it. On today’s episode, Nina and Anna unpack their results from the Attachment Style Quiz and discuss the current research behind how attachment styles are formed. They reflect on familial and biological factors that they believe have influenced their attachment styles and the work that they continue to do to become more secure individuals. 

      There are four main attachment styles: anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and secure. They start to develop in utero, are put into place by 18 months old, and firmly developed by the age of four. Anna explores how her anxious attachment most likely came from experiencing emotional neglect as a child and not getting the comfort that she needed. She illustrates how this has affected her as an adult and how she’s working on cultivating safe connections. 

      On the other end of the spectrum, Nina’s test result revealed that she has secure attachment. She admits that if she had answered the questions 10 years earlier, the results might’ve been different, but she’s learned to openly express her emotions and depend on her husband. She shares her perspective on attachment styles as a mother and ways that she sees it showing up in her four-year-old son. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • Psychologist John Bowlby‘s work on attachment theory
      • How your early relationship with your caregivers influences how you build relationships as an adult
      • Looking at the relationship between intergenerational trauma and attachment styles
      • When the workload of motherhood starts to overshadow the emotional and physical needs of a child 
      • The body and intuition component of attachment styles 

      Resources Mentioned:


      Get in...]]>Perhaps the only silver lining of learning about your attachment style is realizing that it can be healed and repaired, or at least that’s how Anna sees it. On today’s episode, Nina and Anna unpack their results from the Attachment Style Quiz and discuss the current research behind how attachment styles are formed. They reflect on familial and biological factors that they believe have influenced their attachment styles and the work that they continue to do to become more secure individuals. 

      There are four main attachment styles: anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and secure. They start to develop in utero, are put into place by 18 months old, and firmly developed by the age of four. Anna explores how her anxious attachment most likely came from experiencing emotional neglect as a child and not getting the comfort that she needed. She illustrates how this has affected her as an adult and how she’s working on cultivating safe connections. 

      On the other end of the spectrum, Nina’s test result revealed that she has secure attachment. She admits that if she had answered the questions 10 years earlier, the results might’ve been different, but she’s learned to openly express her emotions and depend on her husband. She shares her perspective on attachment styles as a mother and ways that she sees it showing up in her four-year-old son. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • Psychologist John Bowlby‘s work on attachment theory
      • How your early relationship with your caregivers influences how you build relationships as an adult
      • Looking at the relationship between intergenerational trauma and attachment styles
      • When the workload of motherhood starts to overshadow the emotional and physical needs of a child 
      • The body and intuition component of attachment styles 

      Resources Mentioned:


      Get in Touch:


      ]]>02bacb15-d6f3-47cc-b876-fdec21a6f91eTue, 20 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -040001:06:58truefull4343On today’s episode, Nina and Anna unpack their results from the Attachment Style Quiz and discuss the current research behind how attachment styles are formed. They reflect on familial and biological factors that they believe have influenced their attachment styles and the work that they continue to do to show up as secure individuals.Anna Toonk      BlameBlameNobody likes to be blamed for anything, yet so many of us are quick to dump responsibility on someone else or shift away from accountability. It makes it hard to learn from mistakes and see opportunities for empathy. So if no one likes being on the receiving end, why do we do it? 

      Anna and Nina explore why people resort to blame and how it often comes from being scolded for errors or misunderstandings. In their experience, the constant reach for perfection can cloud your judgment and make you second guess your intuition. Anna and Nina discuss how the blame cycle showed up in their professional lives and the lessons they learned from working in environments where blaming was the norm.

      Nina digs into how her relationship with blame has changed a lot over the years and how she’s learned how to flip the narrative and take ownership over her life. A lot of that is due to practicing sitting in discomfort and embracing emotions head-on. Anna and Nina also share examples from their personal lives where they’ve been blamed or done the blaming, and what they’ve taken away from those situations. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • The relationship between shame and blame 
      • Where compassion ends and accountability begins 
      • Developing coping skills and upholding professional boundaries 
      • The difference between confidence and experience 
      • Finding ways to tolerate and move through discomfort 

      Resources Mentioned:



      Get in Touch:


      ]]>      Nobody likes to be blamed for anything, yet so many of us are quick to dump responsibility on someone else or shift away from accountability. It makes it hard to learn from mistakes and see opportunities for empathy. So if no one likes being on the receiving end, why do we do it? 

      Anna and Nina explore why people resort to blame and how it often comes from being scolded for errors or misunderstandings. In their experience, the constant reach for perfection can cloud your judgment and make you second guess your intuition. Anna and Nina discuss how the blame cycle showed up in their professional lives and the lessons they learned from working in environments where blaming was the norm.

      Nina digs into how her relationship with blame has changed a lot over the years and how she’s learned how to flip the narrative and take ownership over her life. A lot of that is due to practicing sitting in discomfort and embracing emotions head-on. Anna and Nina also share examples from their personal lives where they’ve been blamed or done the blaming, and what they’ve taken away from those situations. 

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • The relationship between shame and blame 
      • Where compassion ends and accountability begins 
      • Developing coping skills and upholding professional boundaries 
      • The difference between confidence and experience 
      • Finding ways to tolerate and move through discomfort 

      Resources Mentioned:



      Get in Touch:


      ]]>      900bfec0-1d72-4446-8c8e-8324741196b1Tue, 13 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -040001:01:34truefull4242Nobody likes to be blamed for anything, yet so many of us are quick to dump responsibility on someone else or shift away from accountability. It makes it hard to learn from mistakes and see opportunities for empathy. So if no one likes being on the receiving end, why do we do it?Anna Toonk      AngerAngerAnger is often seen as a volatile, intense reaction, but it’s crucial to let yourself feel the full range of emotions. Unfortunately, women are held to a different standard when it comes to expressing anger and are often made to feel like their experience is invalid. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss their relationship with anger and how they work to channel that energy into a positive, actionable behavior. 

      As a collective, we’ve become so desensitized to men’s anger and have thousands of ways to deflect women’s anger. Even when a woman feels impassioned about something, she’s labeled as ‘dramatic’ (or worse), and told to just chill. Nina notes that if a woman expresses her anger in a professional environment, she’ll be put in a dangerous situation. As a result, women usually mask their emotions until something tips them over the edge. 

      So when does anger become a problem? Anna and Nina chat about how they practice sitting with anger and finding ways to process their emotions. They also touch on the possibility of anger as a secondary emotion一it makes feel like we're doing something, but it can sometimes hold us back from addressing what we’re actually feeling. Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation about embracing anger and finding the lessons in it.  

      Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

      Topics Covered:

      • What it feels like to be gaslit about your anger 
      • Growing up with parents who had a temper 
      • Rethinking frustration, irritation, and annoyance as unprocessed rage
      • The biological response behind anger 
      • Deciphering collective versus personal anger 
      • Validating and moving through your emotions


      Resources Mentioned:


      Get in Touch:

      • How to Be Human
      • How to Be Human Instagram
      • Anna's Instagram
      • Nina's Instagram
      • Book a...]]>Anger is often seen as a volatile, intense reaction, but it’s crucial to let yourself feel the full range of emotions. Unfortunately, women are held to a different standard when it comes to expressing anger and are often made to feel like their experience is invalid. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina discuss their relationship with anger and how they work to channel that energy into a positive, actionable behavior. 

        As a collective, we’ve become so desensitized to men’s anger and have thousands of ways to deflect women’s anger. Even when a woman feels impassioned about something, she’s labeled as ‘dramatic’ (or worse), and told to just chill. Nina notes that if a woman expresses her anger in a professional environment, she’ll be put in a dangerous situation. As a result, women usually mask their emotions until something tips them over the edge. 

        So when does anger become a problem? Anna and Nina chat about how they practice sitting with anger and finding ways to process their emotions. They also touch on the possibility of anger as a secondary emotion一it makes feel like we're doing something, but it can sometimes hold us back from addressing what we’re actually feeling. Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation about embracing anger and finding the lessons in it.  

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • What it feels like to be gaslit about your anger 
        • Growing up with parents who had a temper 
        • Rethinking frustration, irritation, and annoyance as unprocessed rage
        • The biological response behind anger 
        • Deciphering collective versus personal anger 
        • Validating and moving through your emotions


        Resources Mentioned:


        Get in Touch:


        ]]>dcc9a0cc-2a45-4c19-9efd-a1e4d865fb17Tue, 06 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -040001:01:11truefull4141Anger is often seen as a volatile, intense reaction, but it’s crucial to let yourself feel the full range of emotions. Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation about embracing anger and finding the lessons in it.Anna ToonkHope and PurposeHope and PurposeAnna and Nina have realized that they tend to attract clients that want answers about their purpose in life, or are looking to generate hope around things that feel impossibly hard. 

        So many of us go about seeking purpose backwards and struggle with feeling like we need to be good enough for our destiny, rather than accepting that purpose is neutral and exists in many containers. Anna and Nina discuss the expansiveness of purpose and how to look within in order to embody it. Nina also shares her message to any parents out there who struggle with finding purpose in their parenting and touches on the damaging nature of perfectionism, especially when it comes to raising children. 

        Part of tapping into your purpose requires a sense of hope, but also a stripped down version of your expectations and an honest look at reality. Anna and Nina chat about how hope can sometimes feel like a delusion, but it’s important to not overindulge in your own angst and get bogged down by negativity. They bring up how they work on hopefulness with clients who are struggling with particularly tender difficulties, including infertility and heartbreak. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • Why it’s important to remove all of the things that make us doubt our innate purpose 
        • The misconception that purpose is a single thing 
        • A reflection exercise for anyone who feels like they don’t know where to start looking for their purpose 
        • Having the courage to take action and learn from failure  
        • What it feels like to be out of sync with your desire
        • Producing genuine hope and belief, not toxic positivity 


        Resources Mentioned:



        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        Anna and Nina have realized that they tend to attract clients that want answers about their purpose in life, or are looking to generate hope around things that feel impossibly hard. 

        So many of us go about seeking purpose backwards and struggle with feeling like we need to be good enough for our destiny, rather than accepting that purpose is neutral and exists in many containers. Anna and Nina discuss the expansiveness of purpose and how to look within in order to embody it. Nina also shares her message to any parents out there who struggle with finding purpose in their parenting and touches on the damaging nature of perfectionism, especially when it comes to raising children. 

        Part of tapping into your purpose requires a sense of hope, but also a stripped down version of your expectations and an honest look at reality. Anna and Nina chat about how hope can sometimes feel like a delusion, but it’s important to not overindulge in your own angst and get bogged down by negativity. They bring up how they work on hopefulness with clients who are struggling with particularly tender difficulties, including infertility and heartbreak. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • Why it’s important to remove all of the things that make us doubt our innate purpose 
        • The misconception that purpose is a single thing 
        • A reflection exercise for anyone who feels like they don’t know where to start looking for their purpose 
        • Having the courage to take action and learn from failure  
        • What it feels like to be out of sync with your desire
        • Producing genuine hope and belief, not toxic positivity 


        Resources Mentioned:



        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        72150962-5db2-4cc3-8881-c93a2963b260Tue, 30 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -040054:08truefull4040Anna and Nina have realized that they tend to attract clients that want answers about their purpose in life, or are looking to generate hope around things that feel impossibly hard. Listen to today’s episode to hear how they approach this topic both professionally and personally.Anna Toonk        Jealousy and CompetitionJealousy and CompetitionWe know that if we want to go far, we need to go together, and yet many of us struggle with feelings of jealousy, rivalry, and competition. 

        Anna has a relatively healthy relationship with jealousy in that she can admit when she feels it, but she doesn't personalize it. Same goes for when other people are jealous of her一she’s become more aware of it, but simultaneously more open to understanding where their emotions stem from. When it comes to competition, though, Anna has noticed that she can lead herself astray because she was so focused on winning. 

        Nina has a pretty similar experience with jealousy and competition. When those feelings come up, she tries to dig deeper on what she actually wants and how she can make it happen in her life. She and Anna agree that social media has completely changed the nature of competition. All of the sudden, we’re up against people who we don’t know, and so much of our brain space is consumed by people who don’t even know we exist. 

        Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation unpacking the spectrum of jealousy and competition. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform


        Topics Covered:

        • How Anna and Nina work through feelings of jealousy and competition 
        • Learning to define and measure success for yourself 
        • The toxic nature of gossiping and shit-talking 
        • Confronting the fear of being perceived as too much, but also not enough 
        • The lack of celebration for uniqueness
        • Recognizing when your desire to win takes over your current peace and happiness 

        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        We know that if we want to go far, we need to go together, and yet many of us struggle with feelings of jealousy, rivalry, and competition. 

        Anna has a relatively healthy relationship with jealousy in that she can admit when she feels it, but she doesn't personalize it. Same goes for when other people are jealous of her一she’s become more aware of it, but simultaneously more open to understanding where their emotions stem from. When it comes to competition, though, Anna has noticed that she can lead herself astray because she was so focused on winning. 

        Nina has a pretty similar experience with jealousy and competition. When those feelings come up, she tries to dig deeper on what she actually wants and how she can make it happen in her life. She and Anna agree that social media has completely changed the nature of competition. All of the sudden, we’re up against people who we don’t know, and so much of our brain space is consumed by people who don’t even know we exist. 

        Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation unpacking the spectrum of jealousy and competition. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform


        Topics Covered:

        • How Anna and Nina work through feelings of jealousy and competition 
        • Learning to define and measure success for yourself 
        • The toxic nature of gossiping and shit-talking 
        • Confronting the fear of being perceived as too much, but also not enough 
        • The lack of celebration for uniqueness
        • Recognizing when your desire to win takes over your current peace and happiness 

        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        2084f408-fc7f-4557-93f3-2f0938fe369eTue, 23 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -040056:53truefull3939We know that if we want to go far, we need to go together, and yet so many of us struggle with feelings of jealousy, rivalry, and competition. Listen in to hear Anna and Nina’s conversation unpacking these feelings and discussing how they show up in their lives.Anna Toonk        Learning LessonsLearning LessonsApplying life lessons sounds so clear and easy, but actually embodying what you know and putting it into practice can be challenging. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina talk about some of the major things that they’ve had to learn the hard way, and what sort of lessons they’re currently working through. 

        One of the most transformative lessons that Anna has learned is that she doesn't have to take everything so personally一sometimes things just happen. She’s also become a fan of approaching self-care with the 80/20 mindset and has realized the importance of keeping her tools and routines updated. 

        Nina shares how she applies the lesson of not taking on other people’s emotions, especially in heated situations. She’s learned that when you match someone's energy, then you become it. When it comes to motherhood, she’s been demonstrating to her son that it's okay to take breaks and honor what your body is telling you. 

        Anna and Nina discuss moments of young naivatee, including Anna realizing that you can be open to connecting with new people, but also have consideration for their feelings and vulnerability. Nina looks back on her trip to Tanzania and how that opened her eyes to ways that we make assumptions about other cultures, and also how much you can understand someone who has a very different lived experience than you. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • Effectively managing your emotions through self-regulation 
        • Learning to treat yourself kindly and softly when you need it 
        • Finding the happy medium between not abandoning yourself, but also allowing yourself flexibility 
        • Dismantling the illusion of security that back-or-white thinking provides 
        • Working to address your internal biases 

        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        Applying life lessons sounds so clear and easy, but actually embodying what you know and putting it into practice can be challenging. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina talk about some of the major things that they’ve had to learn the hard way, and what sort of lessons they’re currently working through. 

        One of the most transformative lessons that Anna has learned is that she doesn't have to take everything so personally一sometimes things just happen. She’s also become a fan of approaching self-care with the 80/20 mindset and has realized the importance of keeping her tools and routines updated. 

        Nina shares how she applies the lesson of not taking on other people’s emotions, especially in heated situations. She’s learned that when you match someone's energy, then you become it. When it comes to motherhood, she’s been demonstrating to her son that it's okay to take breaks and honor what your body is telling you. 

        Anna and Nina discuss moments of young naivatee, including Anna realizing that you can be open to connecting with new people, but also have consideration for their feelings and vulnerability. Nina looks back on her trip to Tanzania and how that opened her eyes to ways that we make assumptions about other cultures, and also how much you can understand someone who has a very different lived experience than you. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • Effectively managing your emotions through self-regulation 
        • Learning to treat yourself kindly and softly when you need it 
        • Finding the happy medium between not abandoning yourself, but also allowing yourself flexibility 
        • Dismantling the illusion of security that back-or-white thinking provides 
        • Working to address your internal biases 

        Get in Touch:


        ]]>        4548e49a-555c-4826-bb4f-727acb46ae6fTue, 16 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -040053:28truefull3838Applying life lessons sounds so clear and easy, but actually embodying what you know and putting it into practice can be challenging. On today’s episode, Anna and Nina talk about some of the major things that they’ve had to learn the hard way, and what sort of lessons they’re currently working through.Anna Toonk        TarotTarotOn today’s episode, Anna and Nina do a deep dive on the origins of Tarot, explain their approach to reading, and address some of the common misconceptions about the practice. 

        Traditionally, Tarot is a pack of 78 cards with five suits, but there have been endless variations since the original Italian Visconti-Sforza deck debuted around the year 1450. At its core, Tarot is used as a way to gain insight into one's life and tap into the past, present, and future. But, as Anna and Nina discuss in the episode, some practitioners deviate from that and engage in harmful or manipulative tactics. 

        Anna and Nina share how they were first introduced to Tarot and what inspired them to pursue it further. They break down some of the key processes involved with reading, including keeping objectivity in check and honoring humility. They also touch on what Tarot has taught them about themselves, humanity, and the freedom of interpretation. 

        Listen to hear more about Anna and Nina’s approach and experience with Tarot. 

        Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

        Topics Covered:

        • A brief overview of the history of Tarot card reading 
        • How Tarot challenges the binary 
        • Anna and Nina’s perspectives on the role of Spirit in Tarot reading 
        • Mainstream fear and apprehension surrounding Tarot 
        • What concerns Anna and Nina about certain modern psychic trainings 
        • Success stories and challenges from client sessions 
        • The importance of defining and protecting your boundaries as a Tarot reader 
        • Advice for people who are thinking about getting a reading done or want to buy their first Tarot deck 

        Resources Mentioned:


        Get in Touch:

        • How to Be Human
        • How to Be Human Instagram
        • Anna's Instagram
        • Nina's Instagram
        • Book a session with...]]>On today’s episode, Anna and Nina do a deep dive on the origins of Tarot, explain their approach to reading, and address some of the common misconceptions about the practice. 

          Traditionally, Tarot is a pack of 78 cards with five suits, but there have been endless variations since the original Italian Visconti-Sforza deck debuted around the year 1450. At its core, Tarot is used as a way to gain insight into one's life and tap into the past, present, and future. But, as Anna and Nina discuss in the episode, some practitioners deviate from that and engage in harmful or manipulative tactics. 

          Anna and Nina share how they were first introduced to Tarot and what inspired them to pursue it further. They break down some of the key processes involved with reading, including keeping objectivity in check and honoring humility. They also touch on what Tarot has taught them about themselves, humanity, and the freedom of interpretation. 

          Listen to hear more about Anna and Nina’s approach and experience with Tarot. 

          Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

          Topics Covered:

          • A brief overview of the history of Tarot card reading 
          • How Tarot challenges the binary 
          • Anna and Nina’s perspectives on the role of Spirit in Tarot reading 
          • Mainstream fear and apprehension surrounding Tarot 
          • What concerns Anna and Nina about certain modern psychic trainings 
          • Success stories and challenges from client sessions 
          • The importance of defining and protecting your boundaries as a Tarot reader 
          • Advice for people who are thinking about getting a reading done or want to buy their first Tarot deck 

          Resources Mentioned:


          Get in Touch:


          ]]>cfeb5083-7601-4954-90d9-97ebd102cd31Tue, 09 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -040001:07:28truefull3737On today’s episode, Anna and Nina do a deep dive on the origins of Tarot, explain their approach to reading, and address some of the common misconceptions about the practice.Anna ToonkLove LanguagesLove LanguagesExpressing and receiving love is something that seems universal, but communication styles, especially when it comes to romantic relationships, are highly individualized and nuanced. On today’s episode, Nina and Anna use Dr. Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages as a jumping off point to reflect on their current and previous partnerships and discuss how their perspectives on love and marriage have changed throughout the years. 

          From Anna’s POV, Nina’s marriage seems effortless and intuitive. Nina describes how she and Huê have non-negotiables that they don’t need to talk about, but there have definitely been changes in their relationship after having a child. She illustrates her marriage as two vines that sometimes grow apart, but always grow together, which is something that Nina wants and isn’t willing to give up on. They emphasize how important it is to let go of the patriarchal message that a successful partnership requires major compromise, even at the cost of your identity. 

          For so many people looking for love, it's hard to imagine something different than what they’ve always experienced. Anna expresses her desire for a partner who has a strong sense of self, but finds that hetero men are so often threatened by her strength and independence. Nina encourages her to hold out for someone who not only accepts Anna for who she fully is, but also lifts her up and enriches her life. 

          Join Anna and Nina as they unpack how their love language styles have played a role in their approach to love, partnership, and marriage. 

          Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

          Topics Covered:

          • Nina and Anna’s thoughts on the concept of love languages and what their experience was like taking the quiz 
          • The importance of taking responsibility for letting your partner know what you need and want 
          • How Nina’s husband has demonstrated gentleness, sensitivity, and love
          • Anna’s reflections on things that are holding her back from seeking and receiving love right now 
          • Examining internalized patriarchal and misogynist belief systems about marriage 

          Resources Mentioned:


          Get in Touch:

          • How to Be Human
          • How to Be Human Instagram
          • Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Nina and Anna’s thoughts on the concept of love languages and what their experience was like taking the quiz 
            • The importance of taking responsibility for letting your partner know what you need and want 
            • How Nina’s husband has demonstrated gentleness, sensitivity, and love
            • Anna’s reflections on things that are holding her back from seeking and receiving love right now 
            • Examining internalized patriarchal and misogynist belief systems about marriage 

            Resources Mentioned:


            Get in Touch:


            ]]>e90cac05-c16f-489d-b656-fe0edb3c2b11Tue, 02 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -040001:12:53truefull3636Expressing and receiving love is something that seems universal, but communication styles, especially when it comes to romantic relationships, are highly individualized and nuanced. On today’s episode, Nina and Anna use Dr. Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages as a jumping off point to reflect on their current and previous partnerships and discuss how their perspectives on love and marriage have changed throughout the years.Anna ToonkForgivenessForgivenessForgiving others is a difficult emotional process. For Nina, it presents itself as anger; for Anna, it’s triggering. We all carry it with us and over time it can lead to physical ailments as much as burnout or resentment. Only you can give yourself closure and only you can do the work, however far back it may go.

            It’s not about the other person or the apology you most likely will not receive. It’s about giving yourself space to understand where your feelings originate and how you can best navigate the moment(s). You may find yourself where Anna did at Delphi, forgiving others means first, forgiving herself–and that’s even more difficult. 

            Join Nina and Anna as they unpack the grievances they live with and the healing they’ve experienced in choosing to forgive those who have harmed them. Call back your energy and let’s do some “real-life meditation.”

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • What is forgiveness
            • Forgiveness and the health benefits that come from it
            • Repairing emotional fractures
            • The feeling of total, full body forgiveness
            • The difficulty in forgiving others and forgiving yourself

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            Forgiving others is a difficult emotional process. For Nina, it presents itself as anger; for Anna, it’s triggering. We all carry it with us and over time it can lead to physical ailments as much as burnout or resentment. Only you can give yourself closure and only you can do the work, however far back it may go.

            It’s not about the other person or the apology you most likely will not receive. It’s about giving yourself space to understand where your feelings originate and how you can best navigate the moment(s). You may find yourself where Anna did at Delphi, forgiving others means first, forgiving herself–and that’s even more difficult. 

            Join Nina and Anna as they unpack the grievances they live with and the healing they’ve experienced in choosing to forgive those who have harmed them. Call back your energy and let’s do some “real-life meditation.”

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • What is forgiveness
            • Forgiveness and the health benefits that come from it
            • Repairing emotional fractures
            • The feeling of total, full body forgiveness
            • The difficulty in forgiving others and forgiving yourself

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            3ffd2afa-34c5-4c8b-9890-013e3a21448dTue, 26 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -040001:00:51truefull3535Forgiving others is a difficult emotional process. For Nina, it presents itself as anger; for Anna, it’s triggering. We all carry it with us and over time it can lead to physical ailments as much as burnout or resentment. Only you can give yourself closure and only you can do the work, however far back it may go. Join Nina and Anna as they unpack the grievances they live with and the healing they’ve experienced in choosing to forgive those who have harmed them.Anna Toonk            BurnoutBurnoutWe live in a culture where burnout is the norm. Depression, aggression, and fear are all symptoms of burnout, and oftentimes these lead to physical symptoms–headaches, stomachaches, intestinal issues, etc. So what do you do when experiencing burnout?

            The secret is to do something. For some, it may be to acknowledge you’re in burnout and talk to someone about it. For others, it may be to go on a walk. The point is to do something different with your routine, maybe even find a different hobby. But Nina takes it one step further, what if you’re a parent in burnout?

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they describe what you may be going through with a roadmap to lead you in the right direction.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Parents in burnout
            • Living in a culture that promotes burnout
            • Ways to relieve burnout
            • Emotional and physical symptoms of burnout
            • Difference between burnout and depression

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            We live in a culture where burnout is the norm. Depression, aggression, and fear are all symptoms of burnout, and oftentimes these lead to physical symptoms–headaches, stomachaches, intestinal issues, etc. So what do you do when experiencing burnout?

            The secret is to do something. For some, it may be to acknowledge you’re in burnout and talk to someone about it. For others, it may be to go on a walk. The point is to do something different with your routine, maybe even find a different hobby. But Nina takes it one step further, what if you’re a parent in burnout?

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they describe what you may be going through with a roadmap to lead you in the right direction.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Parents in burnout
            • Living in a culture that promotes burnout
            • Ways to relieve burnout
            • Emotional and physical symptoms of burnout
            • Difference between burnout and depression

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            92b03604-d9ca-4270-b785-80ad7069b941Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -040001:02:34truefull3434We live in a culture where burnout is the norm. Depression, aggression, and fear are all symptoms of burnout, and oftentimes these lead to physical symptoms. So what do you do when experiencing burnout? It could be professional or personal, but how do we remember what our options are to relieve the burnout? Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they describe what you may be going through with a roadmap to lead you in the right direction.Anna Toonk            ResentmentResentmentResentments run deep. Some therapists could even refer to it as a mood.

            What are we truly feeling? Let’s first acknowledge the resentment and sit with it. Where does it go from there? Are we jealous or are we angry? What part are we playing in these feelings? What if we step in the other person’s shoes and explore their perspective?

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they pull back the layers on what resentment is and the hurdle that stands in our way of forgiveness and peace.  

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • What is resentment
            • How do you define friendship
            • Having empathy for others
            • Knowing your triggers and acknowledging your emotions
            • Holding space for yourself to make room for others
            • Knowing when to cut ties with the emotional turmoil

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            Resentments run deep. Some therapists could even refer to it as a mood.

            What are we truly feeling? Let’s first acknowledge the resentment and sit with it. Where does it go from there? Are we jealous or are we angry? What part are we playing in these feelings? What if we step in the other person’s shoes and explore their perspective?

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they pull back the layers on what resentment is and the hurdle that stands in our way of forgiveness and peace.  

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • What is resentment
            • How do you define friendship
            • Having empathy for others
            • Knowing your triggers and acknowledging your emotions
            • Holding space for yourself to make room for others
            • Knowing when to cut ties with the emotional turmoil

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            89e09337-0952-4b06-8a9a-b04919420cbbTue, 12 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -040001:01:53truefull3333Resentments run deep. Some therapists could even refer to it as a mood. Some describe it as swallowing poison and killing someone else. It’s a dark monster in all of us that leads our behaviors in the wrong direction, away from people we love. Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they pull back the layers on what resentment is and the hurdle that stands in our way of forgiveness and peace.Anna Toonk            SpiritualitySpiritualitySpirituality means feeling, seeing, believing something bigger than ourselves - often an awareness outside of religion, tradition, or intellectual understanding.

            Our energy can be transformed throughout the day through this awareness and intentional connection between our mind, body, and soul. Anna + Nina believe anything can be spiritual including practicing gratitude for every day things and circumstances.

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they walk you through how to step into your truth and move past what is tethering you to a frayed rope.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Spiritualism versus Spirituality 
            • Digging deeper to better know yourself
            • Feeling connected to something larger than yourself
            • Stepping outside of the box of organized religion
            • Alternative medicines
            • Listening to your intuition on your spiritual journey 

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            Spirituality means feeling, seeing, believing something bigger than ourselves - often an awareness outside of religion, tradition, or intellectual understanding.

            Our energy can be transformed throughout the day through this awareness and intentional connection between our mind, body, and soul. Anna + Nina believe anything can be spiritual including practicing gratitude for every day things and circumstances.

            Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they walk you through how to step into your truth and move past what is tethering you to a frayed rope.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Spiritualism versus Spirituality 
            • Digging deeper to better know yourself
            • Feeling connected to something larger than yourself
            • Stepping outside of the box of organized religion
            • Alternative medicines
            • Listening to your intuition on your spiritual journey 

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            eca026f2-39f3-4d72-959c-30d7ba1c2669Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -040057:14truefull3232Spirituality has the power to mean more than its Oxford Dictionary listing. It’s an awareness of something outside the box of yourself, religion, tradition, and even medicine. Nina & Anna start today’s episode with their own spiritual practices and the journey that led them to a higher power.Anna Toonk            ControlControlControl doesn’t run by itself. It has two buddies and runs in a pack with fear and anxiety. This leads us to ask, is all control negative? When is it appropriate to take control? How do you know when you’re in the thralls of someone controlling?

            When you’ve grown up in an environment with a controlling family member, it’s familiar and comforting to find those characteristics in someone as an adult. It can get murky and confusing deciphering between control and care, many may have heard of Stockholm Syndrome.

            Nina & Anna give us the wisdom to hold tight to our truth. On today’s episode, we learn how to use control in a positive way, stand up for ourselves, and stay true to who we are. When we can’t control our surroundings, let’s explore how we can control our own actions and behaviors and find our flow. 

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Why do we desire control? Where does it come from?
            • Differentiating between love and control
            • The need for adhering to your boundaries and staying loyal to yourself
            • Control can be positive when you can apply it to your own life
            • Always meet control with curiosity

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            Control doesn’t run by itself. It has two buddies and runs in a pack with fear and anxiety. This leads us to ask, is all control negative? When is it appropriate to take control? How do you know when you’re in the thralls of someone controlling?

            When you’ve grown up in an environment with a controlling family member, it’s familiar and comforting to find those characteristics in someone as an adult. It can get murky and confusing deciphering between control and care, many may have heard of Stockholm Syndrome.

            Nina & Anna give us the wisdom to hold tight to our truth. On today’s episode, we learn how to use control in a positive way, stand up for ourselves, and stay true to who we are. When we can’t control our surroundings, let’s explore how we can control our own actions and behaviors and find our flow. 

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Why do we desire control? Where does it come from?
            • Differentiating between love and control
            • The need for adhering to your boundaries and staying loyal to yourself
            • Control can be positive when you can apply it to your own life
            • Always meet control with curiosity

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            462bb2c0-b055-41de-9568-9d539232650fTue, 28 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -040001:01:52truefull3131Control doesn’t run by itself. It has two buddies and runs in a pack with fear and anxiety. This leads us to ask, is all control negative? When is it appropriate to take control? How do you know when you’re in the thralls of someone controlling? Is control a form of love and care? Join Nina and Anna on today’s episode as they explore all of these answers and take it one step further answering, what do we do next?Anna Toonk            FearFearLet’s talk about fear. Nine times out of ten it is often about your past. And in the present day, anxiety and fear can be best buds. Worry is not love and being afraid of something feeds negative energy. What happens if we give into fear?

            What are we actually afraid of? If we say it out loud, is it possible it won’t be scary anymore? What if we are scared of the evil of the world? How do we cope with that? Let’s walk ourselves to the edge of the cliff, then what?

            Nina & Anna tackle all of these difficult questions and walk us through what happens when you feel your feelings, face your fears, and let them exist for what they are.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • The relationship between anxiety and fear
            • What happens when we feel are feelings
            • Having the courage to face your fears
            • Coping mechanisms for dealing with your fears
            • Giving yourself the opportunity to challenge your fears
            • The difference between anxiety and fear

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            Let’s talk about fear. Nine times out of ten it is often about your past. And in the present day, anxiety and fear can be best buds. Worry is not love and being afraid of something feeds negative energy. What happens if we give into fear?

            What are we actually afraid of? If we say it out loud, is it possible it won’t be scary anymore? What if we are scared of the evil of the world? How do we cope with that? Let’s walk ourselves to the edge of the cliff, then what?

            Nina & Anna tackle all of these difficult questions and walk us through what happens when you feel your feelings, face your fears, and let them exist for what they are.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • The relationship between anxiety and fear
            • What happens when we feel are feelings
            • Having the courage to face your fears
            • Coping mechanisms for dealing with your fears
            • Giving yourself the opportunity to challenge your fears
            • The difference between anxiety and fear

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            5606067d-b35e-43b6-af7e-6e26f8c08285Tue, 21 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -040054:30truefull3030Let’s talk about fear. Nine times out of ten it is often about your past. And in the present day, anxiety and fear can be best buds. Worry is not love and being afraid of something feeds negative energy. Nina & Anna walk us through what happens when you feel your feelings, face your fears, and let them exist for what they are.Anna Toonk            SexualitySexualityHow do we define sexuality?

            Our society taught us little about sex - maybe a banana in gym class or a book from a parent, but nothing we could actually understand or embody and take with us later.

            In today's episode we explore the evolution of sexuality and how we can better understand ourselves within it.

            In this episode of How To Be Human, Nina & Anna unravel their understanding of sexuality from childhood to college and explore the opportunities available when you put pleasure at the forefront.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Indulgence versus pleasure
            • The evolution of sexuality
            • How do we educate children about sexuality?
            • Exploring your sexuality
            • Learning what makes you feel sexy

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            How do we define sexuality?

            Our society taught us little about sex - maybe a banana in gym class or a book from a parent, but nothing we could actually understand or embody and take with us later.

            In today's episode we explore the evolution of sexuality and how we can better understand ourselves within it.

            In this episode of How To Be Human, Nina & Anna unravel their understanding of sexuality from childhood to college and explore the opportunities available when you put pleasure at the forefront.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Indulgence versus pleasure
            • The evolution of sexuality
            • How do we educate children about sexuality?
            • Exploring your sexuality
            • Learning what makes you feel sexy

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:


            ]]>            7e930a06-3198-4490-87b8-10b433979987Tue, 14 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -040056:46truefull2929How do we define sexuality in a culture that is constantly changing around it? What if sexuality was not defined by who you have sex with but when you feel your sexiest? Ding, ding, ding! In this episode of How To Be Human, Nina & Anna unravel their understanding of sexuality from childhood to college and explore the opportunities available when you put pleasure at the forefront.Anna Toonk            SelfishnessSelfishnessThere is no hard line for selfishness. If you take time for yourself, are you selfish? If you prefer water to sweet tea but they only have sweet tea, are you selfish? To have a wedding or not have a wedding, which is more selfish? Selfishness is complex with a lot of layers. Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they muddle through the negatives, the positives, and the boundaries everyone should have.

            Most selfishness is imposed on us early in life so now, how do you know when you’re being selfish? Some have to unlearn previous notions and undo their initial reaction. Being selfish, there is no other driver than, “I want this,” with total disregard for anyone else’s needs. Alone time often occurs after you’ve exerted yourself for other people; having boundaries, and saying, “No,” for your mental health leads to happiness you can then give back to others–the “economy of attention,” as Anna calls it. 

            Our society has morphed selfishness into every man for themselves as a product of the global pandemic. Gen Z has mastered the space of individualism and thrives off borderline narcissistic qualities, the peak of selfishness and egocentricity. 

            So if we navigate away from the cliff’s edge, let’s dismantle selfishness. Let’s celebrate healthy boundaries and protect our self-interests so we can then put our good energy into others and spread the word of a restored balance.

            Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

            Topics Covered:

            • Negative & positive connotations of selfishness
            • Everyone has a different version of selfishness
            • There is a balance for selfishness and selflessness, we can’t be one-sided
            • Selfish is being concerned excessively or exclusively for one’s own self, regardless of others
            • Not getting your way is not the same as selfishness

            Resources Mentioned:


             Get in Touch:

            • How to Be Human
            • How to Be Human Instagram
            • Anna's Instagram
            • Nina's Instagram
            • Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

              Topics Covered:

              • Negative & positive connotations of selfishness
              • Everyone has a different version of selfishness
              • There is a balance for selfishness and selflessness, we can’t be one-sided
              • Selfish is being concerned excessively or exclusively for one’s own self, regardless of others
              • Not getting your way is not the same as selfishness

              Resources Mentioned:


               Get in Touch:


              ]]>bebaff07-cb89-4f19-adf3-df9f9d4eee9fTue, 07 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -040057:11truefull2828There is no hard line for selfishness. If you take time for yourself, are you selfish? If you prefer water to sweet tea but they only have sweet tea, are you selfish? To have a wedding or not have a wedding, which is more selfish? Selfishness is complex with a lot of layers. Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they muddle through the negatives, the positives, and the boundaries everyone should have.Anna ToonkDeathDeathDeath is often a subject not talked about, even with our closest loved ones. Everybody has experienced death differently. The one thing we do know for sure in this world is we are all going to die. But, another thing we also know for sure is we are all going to live. Why are we so afraid of our timeline? What is it we’re actually afraid of? How often do you think about death?

              We often think what’s the worst that could happen? They can die. If that happens, then what do you do? There is a desire for control where there is no control. Let’s stop focusing on death and focus on living. We are powerless, so let’s change the conversation. 

              Let’s soak up every possible moment we have and live without intrusive thoughts. Life and death are equally beautiful. Even if we were given the answers to our questions, would we actually want to know?

              Join Nina & Anna on today's episode as they make space to change the conversation around death and encourage listeners to investigate the beauty that lies at the end of a lifetime.

              Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

              Topics Covered:

              • The beauty of life and death
              • How death early on affects the long term
              • When to write a will
              • Heather Hogan Wisdom and SageLogistics around a loss
              • The struggle of centering yourself in a loss
              • The reason behind our everyday anxiety
              • Having peace with being powerless

              Resources Mentioned:


               Get in Touch:

              • How to Be Human
              • How to Be Human Instagram
              • Anna's Instagram
              • Nina's Instagram
              • Book a session with Anna
              • Death is often a subject not talked about, even with our closest loved ones. Everybody has experienced death differently. The one thing we do know for sure in this world is we are all going to die. But, another thing we also know for sure is we are all going to live. Why are we so afraid of our timeline? What is it we’re actually afraid of? How often do you think about death?

                We often think what’s the worst that could happen? They can die. If that happens, then what do you do? There is a desire for control where there is no control. Let’s stop focusing on death and focus on living. We are powerless, so let’s change the conversation. 

                Let’s soak up every possible moment we have and live without intrusive thoughts. Life and death are equally beautiful. Even if we were given the answers to our questions, would we actually want to know?

                Join Nina & Anna on today's episode as they make space to change the conversation around death and encourage listeners to investigate the beauty that lies at the end of a lifetime.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • The beauty of life and death
                • How death early on affects the long term
                • When to write a will
                • Heather Hogan Wisdom and SageLogistics around a loss
                • The struggle of centering yourself in a loss
                • The reason behind our everyday anxiety
                • Having peace with being powerless

                Resources Mentioned:


                 Get in Touch:


                ]]>28baacb4-aeb5-47bf-9bb0-b91dca6a83caTue, 31 May 2022 05:00:00 -040058:55truefull2727Death is often a subject not talked about, even with our closest loved ones. Everybody has experienced death differently. The one thing we do know for sure in this world is we are all going to die. But, another thing we also know for sure is we are all going to live. Why are we so afraid of our timeline? What is it we’re actually afraid of? How often do you think about death? Join Nina & Anna on today’s episode as they discuss their curveballs with death, how it’s affected their long term, and how they want to change the narrative of how society interprets it.Anna ToonkVictimhoodVictimhoodIn today’s episode, we discuss the topic of victimhood, what that means and how it may be the result of painful ad traumatic experiences. More specifically, we dive into the topics of how to build a support system while struggling through a traumatic event, learning how to move forwards with our life, and how to transition into the healing process. It can be hard to move out of the vicious cycle of self-blame, pain, and trauma. However, if we are able to detach ourselves and our identity from one particular negative event and allow ourselves to receive help from our closest friends then we can move away from victimhood.

                Today, we discuss how this may lead to self-isolation, how victimhood may become a learned behaviour that feels as if it can not be changed, creates feelings of helplessness, and how we might need to separate a traumatic event from one’s identity. Being a victim can be used as a barrier to real growth or change, freezing us in a moment of time in our lives. As a result, victimhood may become a form of self-protection to prevent us from having to go through and process our emotions. 

                Join us on today’s episode as we discuss these topics and much more, including learning how to move on, allowing ourselves to build a support system and how to move into the healing process.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How victimhood may become a learned behaviour that feels as if it can not be changed
                • Allowing ourselves to build a support system while struggling through a traumatic event
                • Victimhood may become a form of self-protection 
                • How narcissism relates to the topic of victimhood
                • Learning how to move away from allowing a traumatic event from being a part of our identity

                Resources Mentioned:


                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of victimhood, what that means and how it may be the result of painful ad traumatic experiences. More specifically, we dive into the topics of how to build a support system while struggling through a traumatic event, learning how to move forwards with our life, and how to transition into the healing process. It can be hard to move out of the vicious cycle of self-blame, pain, and trauma. However, if we are able to detach ourselves and our identity from one particular negative event and allow ourselves to receive help from our closest friends then we can move away from victimhood.

                Today, we discuss how this may lead to self-isolation, how victimhood may become a learned behaviour that feels as if it can not be changed, creates feelings of helplessness, and how we might need to separate a traumatic event from one’s identity. Being a victim can be used as a barrier to real growth or change, freezing us in a moment of time in our lives. As a result, victimhood may become a form of self-protection to prevent us from having to go through and process our emotions. 

                Join us on today’s episode as we discuss these topics and much more, including learning how to move on, allowing ourselves to build a support system and how to move into the healing process.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How victimhood may become a learned behaviour that feels as if it can not be changed
                • Allowing ourselves to build a support system while struggling through a traumatic event
                • Victimhood may become a form of self-protection 
                • How narcissism relates to the topic of victimhood
                • Learning how to move away from allowing a traumatic event from being a part of our identity

                Resources Mentioned:


                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                76fb3593-5eb1-4aca-bd6f-aa2ceaabd676Tue, 24 May 2022 05:00:00 -040054:23truefull2626The experiences of being hurt, damaged, or made to suffer can lead to victimhood. Today, we discuss how this may lead to self-isolation, how victimhood may become a learned behaviour that feels as if it can not be changed, creates feelings of helplessness, and how we might need to separate a traumatic event from one’s identity. Being a victim can be used as a barrier to real growth or change, freezing us in a moment of time in our lives. As a result, victimhood may become a form of self-protection to prevent us from having to go through and process our emotions. Join us on today’s episode as we discuss these topics and much more, including learning how to move on, allowing ourselves to build a support system while struggling through a traumatic event, and how to move into the healing process.Anna Toonk                ClarityClarityIn today’s episode, we discuss the topic of clarity, what that means, and how it manifests in our everyday lives. More specifically, we dive into how to overcome that initial fear of improving clarity in a relationship, listening to others, and the importance of honesty in building a healthy relationship. 

                Today we also explore how clarity is the ability to be easily understood, think clearly, and be easily seen or heard. We also discuss how anger may be the most important reason why we are unable, to be honest, or truthful towards others. Drawing from our own experiences, we discuss how to deal with these issues and ways in which we can improve our clarity by not making assumptions and giving people the benefit of the doubt. 

                Join us as we discuss the resistance that we have to clearly communicate about a relationship, learn more about the intersection between clarity and communication, and improve our honesty. Stay tuned for these topics and much more!

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How to deal with resistance that we have about clarity in a relationship
                • Learning more about the intersect between clarity and communication 
                • How to be honest and reveal your true feelings with someone else 
                • How anger can lead to dishonesty or untruthfulness
                • Learning how to process and acknowledge conflict that arises from dishonesty

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of clarity, what that means, and how it manifests in our everyday lives. More specifically, we dive into how to overcome that initial fear of improving clarity in a relationship, listening to others, and the importance of honesty in building a healthy relationship. 

                Today we also explore how clarity is the ability to be easily understood, think clearly, and be easily seen or heard. We also discuss how anger may be the most important reason why we are unable, to be honest, or truthful towards others. Drawing from our own experiences, we discuss how to deal with these issues and ways in which we can improve our clarity by not making assumptions and giving people the benefit of the doubt. 

                Join us as we discuss the resistance that we have to clearly communicate about a relationship, learn more about the intersection between clarity and communication, and improve our honesty. Stay tuned for these topics and much more!

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How to deal with resistance that we have about clarity in a relationship
                • Learning more about the intersect between clarity and communication 
                • How to be honest and reveal your true feelings with someone else 
                • How anger can lead to dishonesty or untruthfulness
                • Learning how to process and acknowledge conflict that arises from dishonesty

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                28cddd52-f1fc-44ec-bb39-87814f450d61Tue, 17 May 2022 05:00:00 -040001:02:47truefull2525A lot of the time we do not want to be clear about our emotions and feelings in a relationship because it can be frightening. However, in today’s episode, we are getting down into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a clear and communicative person. More specifically, we discuss how this can help to improve the strength and quality of our relationships, as well as how it can be used as a form of self-protection. In today’s episode, we discuss how to deal with individuals who do not respect our boundaries or listen to us. We also dive into the importance of honesty in building a healthy relationship and not disengaging with others.Anna Toonk                SubconsciousSubconsciousWhat is the difference between the subconscious and conscious mind? In this week’s episode, we discuss the unique qualifiers of these two parts of our brain. As such, we talk about how one side allows us to rationalize our actions and think logically (the conscious mind,) whereas the subconscious mind is responsible for involuntary actions and instinct. Today, we also discuss how we can access these parts of the brain as well as how they may influence our everyday actions and behaviors.

                From our own experiences, we have had memories and dreams which link back to the subconscious mind. This is because dreams are a way of your subconscious mind to communicate with your conscious mind. We also dive into how dreams might reveal how we really feel and the ways in which they manifest as a trauma response. 

                Join us on this week’s episode as we discuss how memories are made, how we feed our subconscious mind, as well as how to access and tap into this resource.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • What is the difference between the conscious mind compared to the subconscious mind
                • How memories are made and information enters into the subconscious mind
                • How to access and tap into our subconscious mind, when we can use it, and how it may inform our everyday actions
                • How dreams might reveal how we really feel and what they may mean
                • How trauma is linked to our subconscious mind 

                Get in Touch:


                AsXkhmXa70BgwXFKD4R1

                ]]>                What is the difference between the subconscious and conscious mind? In this week’s episode, we discuss the unique qualifiers of these two parts of our brain. As such, we talk about how one side allows us to rationalize our actions and think logically (the conscious mind,) whereas the subconscious mind is responsible for involuntary actions and instinct. Today, we also discuss how we can access these parts of the brain as well as how they may influence our everyday actions and behaviors.

                From our own experiences, we have had memories and dreams which link back to the subconscious mind. This is because dreams are a way of your subconscious mind to communicate with your conscious mind. We also dive into how dreams might reveal how we really feel and the ways in which they manifest as a trauma response. 

                Join us on this week’s episode as we discuss how memories are made, how we feed our subconscious mind, as well as how to access and tap into this resource.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • What is the difference between the conscious mind compared to the subconscious mind
                • How memories are made and information enters into the subconscious mind
                • How to access and tap into our subconscious mind, when we can use it, and how it may inform our everyday actions
                • How dreams might reveal how we really feel and what they may mean
                • How trauma is linked to our subconscious mind 

                Get in Touch:


                AsXkhmXa70BgwXFKD4R1

                ]]>                9df4d0ca-e59c-40aa-8502-5a040a3abd96Tue, 10 May 2022 05:00:00 -040001:03:10truefull2424What is the difference between the subconscious and conscious mind? In this week’s episode, we discuss the unique qualifiers of these two parts of our brain. As such, we talk about how one side allows us to rationalize our actions and think logically (the conscious mind,) whereas the subconscious mind is responsible for involuntary actions and instinct. Join us on this week’s episode as we discuss how memories are made, how we feed our subconscious mind, as well as how to access and tap into this resource.Anna Toonk                BeginningsBeginningsIn today’s episode, we discuss the topic of beginnings, what that means and how it manifests in our everyday lives. More specifically, we dive into how to overcome that initial fear of trying something new, forming a deep bond with someone, or just allowing yourself to try a new hobby. It is important to move forward in life with a new story that conveys your authentic self, dreams, survival, and personal happiness.

                Today we also explore how letting go of the past, freeing yourself of failures and disappointments, and starting a new chapter can sometimes be beneficial for your mental and physical health. From our own experiences, it is sometimes necessary to start anew in order to gain a clearer perspective on what we want or desire from life. 

                Join us as we discuss some of our professional beginnings, such as using and creating a Squarespace website, as well as personal beginnings, such as having kids and starting new relationships. Stay tuned for these topics and much more!

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Being afraid of starting new relationships
                • Learning how to face fear and failure in a professional setting
                • Forming deeper connections in life 
                • Freeing yourself of failures and disappointments to create a new chapter in life
                • How beginnings can change our perspectives on who we allow into our lives

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of beginnings, what that means and how it manifests in our everyday lives. More specifically, we dive into how to overcome that initial fear of trying something new, forming a deep bond with someone, or just allowing yourself to try a new hobby. It is important to move forward in life with a new story that conveys your authentic self, dreams, survival, and personal happiness.

                Today we also explore how letting go of the past, freeing yourself of failures and disappointments, and starting a new chapter can sometimes be beneficial for your mental and physical health. From our own experiences, it is sometimes necessary to start anew in order to gain a clearer perspective on what we want or desire from life. 

                Join us as we discuss some of our professional beginnings, such as using and creating a Squarespace website, as well as personal beginnings, such as having kids and starting new relationships. Stay tuned for these topics and much more!

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Being afraid of starting new relationships
                • Learning how to face fear and failure in a professional setting
                • Forming deeper connections in life 
                • Freeing yourself of failures and disappointments to create a new chapter in life
                • How beginnings can change our perspectives on who we allow into our lives

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                36dabff0-9768-4dd1-b1be-6c76e32a62faTue, 03 May 2022 05:00:00 -040058:42truefull2323Beginnings can feel scary at the start, but have no fear! We are hear to provide some of our best tips and strategies as we divulge how we deal with new experiences, whether that be in our personal or professional lives. Today we explore how letting go of the past, freeing yourself of failures and disappointments, and starting a new chapter can sometimes be beneficial for your mental and physical health. We also dive into how overcoming that initial fear of trying something new, forming a deep bond with someone, or just allowing yourself to try a new hobby, is important step in life. It provides an opportunity to convey your authentic self, dreams, survival, and personal happiness. Listen in to this week’s episode to hear these episodes and much more!Anna Toonk                ProcessProcessWhat is your process? A lot of us have been using some sort of system to make goals and track progress since before we were in school. Processes can help us feel organized and accomplished, but they can also be a major source of tension, especially for people who crave instant gratification. Today, we discuss what processes can look like in terms of work, emotions, and relationships. We get into why we think people have such a hard time working through their thoughts, the role that therapy plays with healing, and why it’s not always a good thing to play your cards close to your chest. 

                One of the things that we’ve had to come to terms with is that we’re not always going to understand or agree with how other people make decisions or approach life. Nina shares a story of how a client broke a major boundary, and how that situation made her realize that she can’t be responsible for other people’s actions, but she can control how she processes it and responds. This memory sparks a conversation about the nuances between gossiping and sharing opinions, and how easy it is to get caught up in the stories that you have in your head. 

                We also touch on where to start when you’re trying to figure out what your process is. Nina suggests taking a look at your current sensitivities and developing language around that in order to communicate and perhaps collaborate, about your process. Join us as we explore these topics, including giving yourself permission to honor your process or recognizing how you can improve it.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Identifying your process
                • Learning how to process our emotions in the moment
                • Issues with gossip and how that manifests in toxic ways in professional and social relationships 
                • Challenging the rhetoric that some people aren’t emotional 
                • Processing emotions through art, writing, and other mediums

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                What is your process? A lot of us have been using some sort of system to make goals and track progress since before we were in school. Processes can help us feel organized and accomplished, but they can also be a major source of tension, especially for people who crave instant gratification. Today, we discuss what processes can look like in terms of work, emotions, and relationships. We get into why we think people have such a hard time working through their thoughts, the role that therapy plays with healing, and why it’s not always a good thing to play your cards close to your chest. 

                One of the things that we’ve had to come to terms with is that we’re not always going to understand or agree with how other people make decisions or approach life. Nina shares a story of how a client broke a major boundary, and how that situation made her realize that she can’t be responsible for other people’s actions, but she can control how she processes it and responds. This memory sparks a conversation about the nuances between gossiping and sharing opinions, and how easy it is to get caught up in the stories that you have in your head. 

                We also touch on where to start when you’re trying to figure out what your process is. Nina suggests taking a look at your current sensitivities and developing language around that in order to communicate and perhaps collaborate, about your process. Join us as we explore these topics, including giving yourself permission to honor your process or recognizing how you can improve it.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Identifying your process
                • Learning how to process our emotions in the moment
                • Issues with gossip and how that manifests in toxic ways in professional and social relationships 
                • Challenging the rhetoric that some people aren’t emotional 
                • Processing emotions through art, writing, and other mediums

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                2c099c42-a100-4a7c-9513-4290cc1d9ad6Tue, 26 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -040056:03falsefull2222What is your process? It can help us feel organized and accomplished, but it can also be a major source of tension, especially for people who crave instant gratification. Today, we discuss what processes can look like in terms of work, emotions, and relationships. We get into why we think people have such a hard time working through their thoughts, the role that therapy plays with healing, and why it’s not always a good thing to play your cards close to your chest.Anna Toonk                FailureFailureFailure is a necessary step to achieving success; however, too often we attach our own self-worth to the stumbles and falls we experience in life along the way. As a result, this ingrained fear of rejection causes us to hold back from achieving our full potential. This week, we discuss how we can re-channel our energy to view failure in a more positive and constructive light. 

                With so much pressure from one side and anxiety on the other, our failures can manifest toxic and unhelpful experiences. Rather than feeling caught up in these mishaps, we should think of ways to redefine our success. Sometimes, failure is needed to bring more clarity or help us reach our goals and objectives. 

                Join us on this week’s episode as we talk about how to cope with the feeling of rejection, explore new definitions of success, and how to re-envision our approach to coping with failure by viewing it in a positive light.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Learning how to overcome the feelings of rejection
                • How to redefine success and shift your mindset to avoid failure
                • Re-envisioning how we approach our failures in a positive light
                • Using failure as clarity or to help us reach our goals and objectives


                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                Failure is a necessary step to achieving success; however, too often we attach our own self-worth to the stumbles and falls we experience in life along the way. As a result, this ingrained fear of rejection causes us to hold back from achieving our full potential. This week, we discuss how we can re-channel our energy to view failure in a more positive and constructive light. 

                With so much pressure from one side and anxiety on the other, our failures can manifest toxic and unhelpful experiences. Rather than feeling caught up in these mishaps, we should think of ways to redefine our success. Sometimes, failure is needed to bring more clarity or help us reach our goals and objectives. 

                Join us on this week’s episode as we talk about how to cope with the feeling of rejection, explore new definitions of success, and how to re-envision our approach to coping with failure by viewing it in a positive light.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • Learning how to overcome the feelings of rejection
                • How to redefine success and shift your mindset to avoid failure
                • Re-envisioning how we approach our failures in a positive light
                • Using failure as clarity or to help us reach our goals and objectives


                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                b04f3f5f-3688-4b3a-b63e-cca1d06d7850Tue, 19 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -040051:36truefull2121Failure is a necessary step to achieving success; however, too often we attach our own self-worth to the stumbles and falls we experience along the way. As a result, this ingrained fear of rejection causes us to hold back from achieving our full potential. This week, we discuss how we can re-channel our energy to view failure in a more positive and constructive light. Join us on this week’s episode as we talk about how to cope with the feeling of rejection, explore new definitions of success, and how to re-envision our approach to coping with failure by viewing it in a positive light.Anna Toonk                Self-ConsciousnessSelf-ConsciousnessWe have all experienced it at one point or another in our lives, that feeling of others perceiving us in an extreme or negative light. It might happen when we interact with our friends, meet new strangers, or give a presentation to our coworkers. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of our best tips and strategies to feel less self-conscious in our everyday lives. 

                When we become overly self-aware in a social situation, our minds might jump to the worst possible conclusion. This causes feelings of anxiety or fear to make us feel insecure in ourselves. While this may seem negative, self-consciousness and self-awareness are sometimes healthy signs of emotional maturity. We need these emotions to help us understand when we should feel remorse to help us patch up a relationship or help us understand how to behave in a certain situation.

                Join us on this week’s episode as we talk about how to deal with feelings of fear about our bodies and family structure, learn how to not project negative emotions on other people, and balance self-awareness with self-consciousness. 

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How to deal with feelings of fear about our bodies and/or family structure
                • Self-awareness and its implications
                • How to be less self-conscious in social situations
                • Learning how to not project negative emotions on other people
                • Balancing self-awareness with self-consciousness

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                We have all experienced it at one point or another in our lives, that feeling of others perceiving us in an extreme or negative light. It might happen when we interact with our friends, meet new strangers, or give a presentation to our coworkers. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of our best tips and strategies to feel less self-conscious in our everyday lives. 

                When we become overly self-aware in a social situation, our minds might jump to the worst possible conclusion. This causes feelings of anxiety or fear to make us feel insecure in ourselves. While this may seem negative, self-consciousness and self-awareness are sometimes healthy signs of emotional maturity. We need these emotions to help us understand when we should feel remorse to help us patch up a relationship or help us understand how to behave in a certain situation.

                Join us on this week’s episode as we talk about how to deal with feelings of fear about our bodies and family structure, learn how to not project negative emotions on other people, and balance self-awareness with self-consciousness. 

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How to deal with feelings of fear about our bodies and/or family structure
                • Self-awareness and its implications
                • How to be less self-conscious in social situations
                • Learning how to not project negative emotions on other people
                • Balancing self-awareness with self-consciousness

                Get in Touch:


                ]]>                1dbcb8b9-d687-42db-88ac-4b2972b4e24eTue, 12 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -040001:01:08truefull2020We have all experienced it at one point or another in our lives, that feeling of others perceiving us in an extreme or negative light. It might happen when we interact with our friends, meet new strangers, or give a presentation to our coworkers and peers. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of our best tips and strategies to feel less self-conscious about ourselves. More specifically, we will talk about how to deal with feelings of fear about our bodies and family structure, learn how to avoid projecting negative emotions on other people and balance self-awareness with self-consciousness.Anna Toonk                DisciplineDisciplineDiscipline allows us to ensure that we are paving our way towards specific goals or healthy habits. That said, whatever it is that we decide to be disciplined in, it should stem from a place of entertainment and pleasure. More often than not, we correlate discipline with feelings of strong negative emotions. Rather than punishment, it is important to teach discipline in the form of habits. This creates an awareness of what is appropriate and what is not in society, especially for children who require some guidance. 

                Many equate discipline to living a life that abides by the rules or instructions we are given, rather than focusing on how we can use discipline to create structure in our lives. While discipline is necessary on many occasions, it is also important not to abuse this power. In the United States and throughout the world, the imposition of discipline sometimes results in reduced performance of individuals, teams, or departments. Therefore, how do we find a way to use discipline in a way that actually works? 

                Join us on this week’s episode as we dive deeper into the topics of using discipline in a positive and healthy way with children, using discipline as a form of organization rather than blind obedience, and how discipline creates structure in one’s life.

                Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                Topics Covered:

                • How to use discipline in a positive, healthy way with children
                • Using discipline as a form of organization rather than blind obedience
                • How do we succeed or fail as a society in teaching about discipline?
                • Moving away from this definition of having power over another human being to emphasizing the definition of creating structure in one’s life.
                • We still need to live in a society that has repercussions, but it is important to determine the line between harsh punishments and the need for accountability.

                Resources Mentioned:


                Get in Touch:

                • How to Be Human
                • How to Be Human Instagram
                • Anna's Instagram
                • Nina's Instagram
                • Book a session with Anna
                • Discipline allows us to ensure that we are paving our way towards specific goals or healthy habits. That said, whatever it is that we decide to be disciplined in, it should stem from a place of entertainment and pleasure. More often than not, we correlate discipline with feelings of strong negative emotions. Rather than punishment, it is important to teach discipline in the form of habits. This creates an awareness of what is appropriate and what is not in society, especially for children who require some guidance. 

                  Many equate discipline to living a life that abides by the rules or instructions we are given, rather than focusing on how we can use discipline to create structure in our lives. While discipline is necessary on many occasions, it is also important not to abuse this power. In the United States and throughout the world, the imposition of discipline sometimes results in reduced performance of individuals, teams, or departments. Therefore, how do we find a way to use discipline in a way that actually works? 

                  Join us on this week’s episode as we dive deeper into the topics of using discipline in a positive and healthy way with children, using discipline as a form of organization rather than blind obedience, and how discipline creates structure in one’s life.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • How to use discipline in a positive, healthy way with children
                  • Using discipline as a form of organization rather than blind obedience
                  • How do we succeed or fail as a society in teaching about discipline?
                  • Moving away from this definition of having power over another human being to emphasizing the definition of creating structure in one’s life.
                  • We still need to live in a society that has repercussions, but it is important to determine the line between harsh punishments and the need for accountability.

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Get in Touch:


                  ]]>9e957783-3e6f-4747-b5df-5b9ea0687704Tue, 05 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -040001:00:35truefull1919Discipline allows us to ensure that we are paving our way towards specific goals or healthy habits. In today’s episode, we explore the question of how we can use discipline in a way that actually works. Join us as we delve into the topics of using discipline in a positive and healthy way with children, how it can be used as a form of organization rather than blind obedience, and the ways in which discipline creates structure in one’s life.Anna ToonkBoundariesBoundariesIn this week’s episode, we explore the topic of boundaries — whether that may be physical or emotional. Sometimes setting boundaries is an important aspect of self-care that maintains our own safety and wellbeing. Too often, the fear of rejection prevents us from setting these boundaries. Instead, we might compromise our values or try to appease someone else to not feel like a bad person.

                  As we talk about in this episode, creating firm rules around bedtime routines or the amount of work that we take on may be harder to accomplish than we think. Most of the time, we become too rigid in these boundaries and this can lead to increased personal defences. As our personal walls grow, they become harder to penetrate and change.

                  When should we say ‘yes’, and when should we say ‘no’? Join us on this week’s episode as we discuss the topics of creating boundaries in the workspace, between friends, and how to stick with the lines that we draw by following through with them (no take-backs). Listen in as we explore these topics and much more if you want to learn more about boundaries.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • The difference between boundaries and personal defences
                  • How to create boundaries in our workspace
                  • Drinking culture and dealing with other peer pressures
                  • Learning how to ask for help while feeling overwhelmed with social interactions
                  • Gossiping and creating boundaries with friends

                  Get in Touch:


                  ]]>                  In this week’s episode, we explore the topic of boundaries — whether that may be physical or emotional. Sometimes setting boundaries is an important aspect of self-care that maintains our own safety and wellbeing. Too often, the fear of rejection prevents us from setting these boundaries. Instead, we might compromise our values or try to appease someone else to not feel like a bad person.

                  As we talk about in this episode, creating firm rules around bedtime routines or the amount of work that we take on may be harder to accomplish than we think. Most of the time, we become too rigid in these boundaries and this can lead to increased personal defences. As our personal walls grow, they become harder to penetrate and change.

                  When should we say ‘yes’, and when should we say ‘no’? Join us on this week’s episode as we discuss the topics of creating boundaries in the workspace, between friends, and how to stick with the lines that we draw by following through with them (no take-backs). Listen in as we explore these topics and much more if you want to learn more about boundaries.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • The difference between boundaries and personal defences
                  • How to create boundaries in our workspace
                  • Drinking culture and dealing with other peer pressures
                  • Learning how to ask for help while feeling overwhelmed with social interactions
                  • Gossiping and creating boundaries with friends

                  Get in Touch:


                  ]]>                  eb1477ea-02a0-4868-a4a6-a31c11e7e39bTue, 29 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -040056:41truefull1818In this week’s episode, we explore the topic of boundaries — whether that may be physical or emotional. Sometimes setting boundaries is an important aspect of self-care that needs to be maintained to ensure our own safety and wellbeing. Too often, the fear of rejection prevents us from setting these boundaries. Instead, we might compromise or try to appease someone else in order to not feel like a bad person.Anna Toonk                  ChoiceChoiceWhat is the psychology of choice? It explores why we subconsciously make the decisions that we do, what motivates those decisions, and what we need to do to make these choices work in our lives. Sometimes lack of information or decreased self-trust causes us to change these decisions. During this process, we lose sight of what is important to us and why we decided on a specific choice in the first place. 

                  Sometimes it might be hard to determine how our individual decisions will change our entire life course. We feel as if we are at war with ourselves, second-guessing the decisions we have made as new opportunities present themselves. However, the path of your life is not predetermined. It might feel like you have no control, but it is never too late to make the changes that you want to become the happiest version of yourself.

                  Today we discuss how the choices that we decide on determine who we meet, how we interact with the world, and the opportunities that we are given. No big deal, right? It’s okay, no sweat — we can help! Join us on this week’s episode if you are interested in learning more about how we can deal with indecisiveness, regret and, hopefully, celebrate the choices that we have made. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Learning about living with regret and strategies to 
                  • Finding ways to cope with indecisiveness and using Tarot cards 
                  • Learning how to celebrate the important choices in our lives
                  • Teaching ourselves how to trust in the process to reduce anxiety 
                  • Learning how to create choices with limited information or knowledge 

                  Get in Touch:


                  ]]>                  What is the psychology of choice? It explores why we subconsciously make the decisions that we do, what motivates those decisions, and what we need to do to make these choices work in our lives. Sometimes lack of information or decreased self-trust causes us to change these decisions. During this process, we lose sight of what is important to us and why we decided on a specific choice in the first place. 

                  Sometimes it might be hard to determine how our individual decisions will change our entire life course. We feel as if we are at war with ourselves, second-guessing the decisions we have made as new opportunities present themselves. However, the path of your life is not predetermined. It might feel like you have no control, but it is never too late to make the changes that you want to become the happiest version of yourself.

                  Today we discuss how the choices that we decide on determine who we meet, how we interact with the world, and the opportunities that we are given. No big deal, right? It’s okay, no sweat — we can help! Join us on this week’s episode if you are interested in learning more about how we can deal with indecisiveness, regret and, hopefully, celebrate the choices that we have made. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Learning about living with regret and strategies to 
                  • Finding ways to cope with indecisiveness and using Tarot cards 
                  • Learning how to celebrate the important choices in our lives
                  • Teaching ourselves how to trust in the process to reduce anxiety 
                  • Learning how to create choices with limited information or knowledge 

                  Get in Touch:


                  ]]>                  ddd06894-0e7d-41a7-a936-82fbfc98b780Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -040056:51truefull1717The decisions that we make in our lives determine who we meet, how we interact with the world, and the opportunities that we are given. No big deal, right? However, the path of your life is not predetermined. It might feel like you have no control, but it is never too late to make the changes that you want to become the happiest version of yourself. Join us on today’s episode as we explore the topic of choice and how it affects our physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.Anna Toonk                  AvoidanceAvoidanceWe are all guilty of avoiding difficult conversations with friends, finishing our household chores, or taking the initiative to complete a difficult work project that nobody wants to tackle — sounds familiar, right? As humans, we tend to adopt avoidant behaviors and tendencies in order to deal with an uncomfortable, unpleasant, or difficult situation. 

                  Psychologically, avoidance is a coping mechanism for indirectly dealing with chronic and acute life stressors. However, this may actually increase chronic and acute life stressors when we begin to adopt avoidant behaviors and tendencies in our everyday lives. It is important, therefore, that we distinguish between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. In today’s episode, we discuss how ruminations are examples of unhelpful coping mechanisms that we may consciously or unconsciously use to avoid tackling a tough issue. We also speak about procrastination as another form of avoidance. 

                  Interested in learning more? Join us as we discuss some of our personal favorite stories surrounding the topic of avoidance, including its psychological implications as a coping mechanism and how avoidant tendencies may advance both chronic and acute stressors. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Why avoidance is defined as a safety-seeking behavior in psychology
                  • How depression can be manifested from avoidant behaviors/tendencies
                  • Some of our personal experiences confronting a problem or dealing with a stressor
                  • The role of avoidance coping in generating both chronic and acute life stressors
                  • How distraction is considered to be a subtle form of an avoidant behavior

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  We are all guilty of avoiding difficult conversations with friends, finishing our household chores, or taking the initiative to complete a difficult work project that nobody wants to tackle — sounds familiar, right? As humans, we tend to adopt avoidant behaviors and tendencies in order to deal with an uncomfortable, unpleasant, or difficult situation. 

                  Psychologically, avoidance is a coping mechanism for indirectly dealing with chronic and acute life stressors. However, this may actually increase chronic and acute life stressors when we begin to adopt avoidant behaviors and tendencies in our everyday lives. It is important, therefore, that we distinguish between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. In today’s episode, we discuss how ruminations are examples of unhelpful coping mechanisms that we may consciously or unconsciously use to avoid tackling a tough issue. We also speak about procrastination as another form of avoidance. 

                  Interested in learning more? Join us as we discuss some of our personal favorite stories surrounding the topic of avoidance, including its psychological implications as a coping mechanism and how avoidant tendencies may advance both chronic and acute stressors. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Why avoidance is defined as a safety-seeking behavior in psychology
                  • How depression can be manifested from avoidant behaviors/tendencies
                  • Some of our personal experiences confronting a problem or dealing with a stressor
                  • The role of avoidance coping in generating both chronic and acute life stressors
                  • How distraction is considered to be a subtle form of an avoidant behavior

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  1f8f970b-67bd-4389-8671-d4247c8596fcTue, 15 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -040056:12truefull1616Avoidance is a natural coping mechanism that involves trying to avoid stressors instead of dealing with them directly. As a result, when people adopt avoidant tendencies to either consciously or unconsciously avoid a difficult situation, they may increase feelings of anxiety, stress, discomfort, or fear. In this week’s episode, we discuss some of our personal favourite stories, including the psychological implications of avoidance as a coping mechanism and its role in generating both chronic and acute stressors.Anna Toonk                  TrustTrustIf you are human, being able to trust another individual is tricky — not to mention, even trusting yourself can be hard at times. However, trust creates psychological safety, encourages questioning and risk-taking, and allows for more stable relationships. It is, therefore, important for us to learn how to rely on our friends, family, or significant other by believing in their integrity and strength. It might not be easy, but we have some tricks up ourselves which may help.

                  First of all, you need to ask yourself: Do I believe in the inherent goodness of people? Can I open myself up to others and fully trust them? For most, answering these questions can be scary because it requires us to choose to be vulnerable and courageous. In these moments, we need to allow ourselves to accept the help of others, and ensure that we trust ourselves enough to place ourselves into these vulnerable positions.

                  In this week’s episode, we will provide some of our favourite tips and tricks that will help you believe in the reliability, truth, ability, and strength of others. Join us on this week’s podcast as we discuss the various ways in which we can learn how to repair trust, dive into the nitty-gritty of some of our past relationships, and touch on the importance of accountability.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Some of the various definitions of the word “trust”
                  • How relationships are founded on mutual love and trust to an arrangement
                  • Ways in which we can learn to be more honest with ourselves and others
                  • As humans, how can we repair trust?
                  • The importance of accountability and how that pairs with trust

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  If you are human, being able to trust another individual is tricky — not to mention, even trusting yourself can be hard at times. However, trust creates psychological safety, encourages questioning and risk-taking, and allows for more stable relationships. It is, therefore, important for us to learn how to rely on our friends, family, or significant other by believing in their integrity and strength. It might not be easy, but we have some tricks up ourselves which may help.

                  First of all, you need to ask yourself: Do I believe in the inherent goodness of people? Can I open myself up to others and fully trust them? For most, answering these questions can be scary because it requires us to choose to be vulnerable and courageous. In these moments, we need to allow ourselves to accept the help of others, and ensure that we trust ourselves enough to place ourselves into these vulnerable positions.

                  In this week’s episode, we will provide some of our favourite tips and tricks that will help you believe in the reliability, truth, ability, and strength of others. Join us on this week’s podcast as we discuss the various ways in which we can learn how to repair trust, dive into the nitty-gritty of some of our past relationships, and touch on the importance of accountability.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Some of the various definitions of the word “trust”
                  • How relationships are founded on mutual love and trust to an arrangement
                  • Ways in which we can learn to be more honest with ourselves and others
                  • As humans, how can we repair trust?
                  • The importance of accountability and how that pairs with trust

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  ed62d82b-523d-4ad0-b0db-90fc2bbacf71Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -040054:22truefull1515Do you believe in the inherent goodness of people? Are you able to open yourself up to others and fully trust them? If you are human, being able to trust another individual is tricky — not to mention, trusting yourself can be hard at times. In this week’s episode, we will provide some of our favourite tips and tricks that will help you believe in the reliability, truth, ability, and strength of others. Join us on this week’s podcast as we discuss the various ways in which we can learn how to repair trust, dive into the nitty-gritty of some of our past relationships, and touch on the importance of accountability.Anna Toonk                  ShameShameShame can be defined as "a feeling of embarrassment or humiliation that arises in relation to the perception of having done something dishonorable and moral or improper". The feeling of shame typically becomes evident when we overanalyze and evaluate ourselves too harshly, often for things that are out of our control. As a result, many of us experience this low-grade feeling of embarrassment that arises from our previous traumas.

                  When does shame begin to become toxic to our overall health and wellbeing? From our personal experiences, we discuss how shame centers on your very identity as a person, and it becomes particularly toxic when it starts to impact your sense of self. Moreover, it creates an atmosphere of guilt and low-grade embarrassment. 

                  Join us in this week’s episode as we discuss this topic, exploring our own personal experiences and strategies to overcome these feelings in our everyday lives. Listen in as we discuss these topics and much more on today’s episode!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • How shame becomes internalized and may impact our overall health and wellbeing
                  • The influence of trauma on our internal feelings of self-worth
                  • Tips and strategies to overcome feelings of embarrassment or humiliation
                  • The overlapping dimensions of guilt and shame
                  • What our own personal experiences have taught us about shame

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  Shame can be defined as "a feeling of embarrassment or humiliation that arises in relation to the perception of having done something dishonorable and moral or improper". The feeling of shame typically becomes evident when we overanalyze and evaluate ourselves too harshly, often for things that are out of our control. As a result, many of us experience this low-grade feeling of embarrassment that arises from our previous traumas.

                  When does shame begin to become toxic to our overall health and wellbeing? From our personal experiences, we discuss how shame centers on your very identity as a person, and it becomes particularly toxic when it starts to impact your sense of self. Moreover, it creates an atmosphere of guilt and low-grade embarrassment. 

                  Join us in this week’s episode as we discuss this topic, exploring our own personal experiences and strategies to overcome these feelings in our everyday lives. Listen in as we discuss these topics and much more on today’s episode!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • How shame becomes internalized and may impact our overall health and wellbeing
                  • The influence of trauma on our internal feelings of self-worth
                  • Tips and strategies to overcome feelings of embarrassment or humiliation
                  • The overlapping dimensions of guilt and shame
                  • What our own personal experiences have taught us about shame

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  0affa754-63f6-4f1b-8eb0-81ee2422283aTue, 22 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -040052:37truefull1414The feeling of shame typically becomes evident when we overanalyze and evaluate ourselves too harshly, often for things that are out of our control. As a result, many of us experience this low-grade feeling of embarrassment that arises from our previous traumas. Join us in this week’s episode as we discuss the topics of guilt and embarrassment, exploring our own personal experiences and strategies to overcome these feelings in our everyday lives.Anna Toonk                  ProjectionProjectionBeing on the receiving end of someone’s projection of their own insecurities starts at a young age. Maybe your parents wanted you to be the star athlete or social butterfly that they never were. Or perhaps there was someone in your class who bullied you for your weight or hand-me-down clothes. Chances are, those criticisms and worries were core anxieties that others unconsciously projected onto you. 

                   

                  We may not be able to control how people project onto us, but we are able to choose how we react and internalize those judgements. As we grow older, we learn how to recognize when someone is speaking from a place of insecurity and when we’re doing the same right back. Creating boundaries and having honest conversations, regardless of how uncomfortable they may be, can help minimize the power of external projections. 

                   

                  On today’s episode, we talk about our journeys with projection and how we’ve learned to call it out. We also discuss how we’ve managed to limit our own projections on others and how Tarot has helped us see experiences from a different perspective without overstepping boundaries. 

                   

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                   

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Signs that you might be projecting or on the receiving end of someone’s projections
                  • The connection between cheating, jealousy, and projection in relationships
                  • How Tarot has helped us limit our projections and judgments
                  • Creating boundaries to respond to projections
                  • Confronting and calling out projection as it happens
                  • Catch phrases that we use when we feel like someone is projecting onto us

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  Being on the receiving end of someone’s projection of their own insecurities starts at a young age. Maybe your parents wanted you to be the star athlete or social butterfly that they never were. Or perhaps there was someone in your class who bullied you for your weight or hand-me-down clothes. Chances are, those criticisms and worries were core anxieties that others unconsciously projected onto you. 

                   

                  We may not be able to control how people project onto us, but we are able to choose how we react and internalize those judgements. As we grow older, we learn how to recognize when someone is speaking from a place of insecurity and when we’re doing the same right back. Creating boundaries and having honest conversations, regardless of how uncomfortable they may be, can help minimize the power of external projections. 

                   

                  On today’s episode, we talk about our journeys with projection and how we’ve learned to call it out. We also discuss how we’ve managed to limit our own projections on others and how Tarot has helped us see experiences from a different perspective without overstepping boundaries. 

                   

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                   

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Signs that you might be projecting or on the receiving end of someone’s projections
                  • The connection between cheating, jealousy, and projection in relationships
                  • How Tarot has helped us limit our projections and judgments
                  • Creating boundaries to respond to projections
                  • Confronting and calling out projection as it happens
                  • Catch phrases that we use when we feel like someone is projecting onto us

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  4fbebf29-3a1b-4a53-bafd-52b0b15b281eTue, 08 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -040043:02truefull1313I know you are, but what am I? The ultimate comeback on the playground, but it also shows how ingrained the displacement of one's own feelings onto others is in our society. On today’s episode, we discuss our experiences with projection, how our Tarot journeys tie into that, and ways that we try to minimize internalizing outward projections. Tune in to hear our conversation about noticing projection and tips for how to confront it.Anna Toonk                  FriendshipsFriendshipsThe past two years of the pandemic have brought to the forefront a lot of issues that have strained or even broken our friendships. As we emerge from months when you may have lost touch with friends and are eager to reconnect, it is important to think strategically about maintaining the level of connection you had before. In today’s episode, we re-examine some of our former friendships, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to overcome friendship break-ups.

                  What is it that makes our friendships such a unique relationship? Friendships aren’t driven by sexual attraction or a sense of duty, rather it is determined by choice. It is a state of affection that is recognized by both members of the relationship. In this way, it provides individuals with a sense of meaning, happiness and belonging that can penetrate every aspect of their lives. However, it is often taken for granted and may not be reciprocated by the other person — trust us, we’ve been there. 

                  Stay tuned as we divulge some of our best secrets on how you can create closer bonds with your friends and find like-minded individuals to navigate the world with. Additionally, we share some of our past experiences of friendships that did not go to plan, which we guarantee will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. Join us as we explore this topic and much more on today’s episode of How to Be Human!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • The importance of friendships and how they change our ability to connect with one another
                  • How to identify a false sense of loyalty
                  • What is it that makes friendships such unique relationships?
                  • The tension between judgment and acceptance
                  • Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of our former friendships

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  The past two years of the pandemic have brought to the forefront a lot of issues that have strained or even broken our friendships. As we emerge from months when you may have lost touch with friends and are eager to reconnect, it is important to think strategically about maintaining the level of connection you had before. In today’s episode, we re-examine some of our former friendships, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to overcome friendship break-ups.

                  What is it that makes our friendships such a unique relationship? Friendships aren’t driven by sexual attraction or a sense of duty, rather it is determined by choice. It is a state of affection that is recognized by both members of the relationship. In this way, it provides individuals with a sense of meaning, happiness and belonging that can penetrate every aspect of their lives. However, it is often taken for granted and may not be reciprocated by the other person — trust us, we’ve been there. 

                  Stay tuned as we divulge some of our best secrets on how you can create closer bonds with your friends and find like-minded individuals to navigate the world with. Additionally, we share some of our past experiences of friendships that did not go to plan, which we guarantee will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. Join us as we explore this topic and much more on today’s episode of How to Be Human!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • The importance of friendships and how they change our ability to connect with one another
                  • How to identify a false sense of loyalty
                  • What is it that makes friendships such unique relationships?
                  • The tension between judgment and acceptance
                  • Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of our former friendships

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  abe9a9f5-884a-4316-81d3-b24bab065afaTue, 25 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -040056:08falsefull1212The pandemic has had us re-evaluating almost every aspect of our lives — from where we work, to how we treat others, or even who we let into our lives — but above all, it has made us rethink our friendships. For some, we have come to realize that our former friends were based on convenience or habit and lacked true depth or commitment. In this week’s episode, we re-examine some of our former friendships, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to overcome friendship break-ups.Anna Toonk                  InsecuritiesInsecuritiesIn this week’s episode of How to Be Human, we will be taking a deep dive into the topic of insecurities. Many of us — at one point or another in our lives — have struggled with low self-esteem. Its constant presence can influence the way in which we live our lives. It can be caused by various factors such as past traumas, social anxiety, fear of rejection, and loneliness. However, once we realize our own strengths and importance, when we see the ways we’ve been hurt and can feel these issues on a deeper level, we can then break free from our insecurities. 

                  Therefore, changing our beliefs about the world, our perception of ourselves, and the ways in which we face adversity can help us feel more secure in ourselves. This allows us to build stronger connections with our friends, family, and strangers and permeates into other aspects of our life. The long-term solution to overcoming insecurity is self-acceptance. When we accept ourselves for who we are, we are able to shed our insecurities because we no longer care whether we are being judged. This, however, is a lot harder said than done. 

                  In today’s episode, we will be sharing some effective strategies and coping mechanisms to help you become the most secure version of yourself. We also touch on the topics of social media’s influence on our self-worth, how to feel more grounded in ourselves, and stories from our own experiences. Stay tuned as we explore this topic and divulge some of our best tips with you!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Defining insecurity and how it manifests in our lives
                  • Learning how to deal with low self-worth
                  • What is the difference between insecurity and sensitivity?
                  • How social media filters are impacting our sense of worth
                  • How do you feel grounded in yourself

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  In this week’s episode of How to Be Human, we will be taking a deep dive into the topic of insecurities. Many of us — at one point or another in our lives — have struggled with low self-esteem. Its constant presence can influence the way in which we live our lives. It can be caused by various factors such as past traumas, social anxiety, fear of rejection, and loneliness. However, once we realize our own strengths and importance, when we see the ways we’ve been hurt and can feel these issues on a deeper level, we can then break free from our insecurities. 

                  Therefore, changing our beliefs about the world, our perception of ourselves, and the ways in which we face adversity can help us feel more secure in ourselves. This allows us to build stronger connections with our friends, family, and strangers and permeates into other aspects of our life. The long-term solution to overcoming insecurity is self-acceptance. When we accept ourselves for who we are, we are able to shed our insecurities because we no longer care whether we are being judged. This, however, is a lot harder said than done. 

                  In today’s episode, we will be sharing some effective strategies and coping mechanisms to help you become the most secure version of yourself. We also touch on the topics of social media’s influence on our self-worth, how to feel more grounded in ourselves, and stories from our own experiences. Stay tuned as we explore this topic and divulge some of our best tips with you!

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Defining insecurity and how it manifests in our lives
                  • Learning how to deal with low self-worth
                  • What is the difference between insecurity and sensitivity?
                  • How social media filters are impacting our sense of worth
                  • How do you feel grounded in yourself

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  8739eee1-b5b6-4ac7-a072-e24265f27444Tue, 11 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -040046:19truefull1111In this week’s episode of How to Be Human, we will be taking a deep dive into the topic of insecurities. Many of us — at one point or another in our lives — have struggled with low self-esteem. Its constant presence can influence the way in which we live our lives, but why is that? In today’s episode, we'll be diving into the nitty-gritty of why we experience these issues and how we can better cope with these negative feelings.Anna Toonk                  BodiesBodiesThough it’s one of the greatest privileges in life to have a body, it can also be a difficult and complicated gift, especially for women. Many of us are in a constant battle of trying to understand and be kind to our bodies. In today’s episode, we discuss barriers and fears that hinder our relationship with our bodies, and how we’re working to heal those wounds. 

                  Can you remember a time when you felt neutral and carefree about your body? Anna discusses how her family’s constant commentary on each other's weight trickled down to her at a very young age and contributed to her eating disorders later in life. Though Nina made it out mostly unscathed from that kind of criticism, she remembers how her body development brought unwanted attention at a young age. 

                  In adulthood, factors like illness, abuse, sex, and relationships became crutial to how we took care of our bodies. Over time, we’ve learned to check in and treat it with the tenderness that it deserves. Mindful movement and self care aren’t just buzz words–they’re tools to help heal and develop your relationship with your body. Tune in to today’s episode to hear more about how we’re writing our own rules for our bodies. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Learning how to give yourself permission to take care of yourself
                  • How puberty, sex, and childbirth can change our connections to our bodies
                  • The role of diet culture in how we view and treat our bodies
                  • Movement as a form of gratification, not punishment
                  • Creating a nurturing and supportive relationship with your body

                  Resources Mentioned: 


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  Though it’s one of the greatest privileges in life to have a body, it can also be a difficult and complicated gift, especially for women. Many of us are in a constant battle of trying to understand and be kind to our bodies. In today’s episode, we discuss barriers and fears that hinder our relationship with our bodies, and how we’re working to heal those wounds. 

                  Can you remember a time when you felt neutral and carefree about your body? Anna discusses how her family’s constant commentary on each other's weight trickled down to her at a very young age and contributed to her eating disorders later in life. Though Nina made it out mostly unscathed from that kind of criticism, she remembers how her body development brought unwanted attention at a young age. 

                  In adulthood, factors like illness, abuse, sex, and relationships became crutial to how we took care of our bodies. Over time, we’ve learned to check in and treat it with the tenderness that it deserves. Mindful movement and self care aren’t just buzz words–they’re tools to help heal and develop your relationship with your body. Tune in to today’s episode to hear more about how we’re writing our own rules for our bodies. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Learning how to give yourself permission to take care of yourself
                  • How puberty, sex, and childbirth can change our connections to our bodies
                  • The role of diet culture in how we view and treat our bodies
                  • Movement as a form of gratification, not punishment
                  • Creating a nurturing and supportive relationship with your body

                  Resources Mentioned: 


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  52362733-fbdc-4890-9809-c147993df118Tue, 28 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -040051:45truefull1010We’re doing body rolls and singing Megan Thee Stallion’s “Body,” which can only mean one thing: it’s the body episode! We’re covering everything from chronic illness, weight, sex, relationships, movement, and more in today’s episode. For many of us, learning how to be comfortable in our bodies can be a life-long journey. We may not have it all figured out, but we share ways that you can support your body and feel a little safer in your own skin.Anna Toonk                  JudgmentJudgmentThere’s a difference between making a judgment and being judgemental. The former relies on intuition and the latter stems from a place of criticism. Judgment can be a way to maintain safety, but unhelpful and overly critical comments are usually a manifestation of our own insecurities. Not only that, but it can amplify those feelings of low self-esteem. 

                  As a culture, we've gotten so comfortable criticizing people. We pick apart celebrities’ fashion choices, we comment on a relative's weight gain, and our eyes widen when we see what’s inside a stranger’s shopping cart. Women especially are taught to connect through being judgmental of others and themselves. We’re working on ending that cycle for ourselves and the people that we surround ourselves with. 

                  On today’s episode, we unpack ways in which we’ve judged and been judged. We chat about our struggles with the judgment Tarot and understanding the energy of judgment. We also discuss practices and tools that have helped us work on becoming more compassionate and kind to ourselves and the people in our lives. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Judgment and reverse judgment in Tarot
                  • The nuances between judgment and being judgemental
                  • How our insecurities and self-doubt show up in our judgments
                  • What our judgemental triggers are
                  • The roots of our harshly critical culture, especially as it relates to women
                  • How we’re working on being less judgemental

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  There’s a difference between making a judgment and being judgemental. The former relies on intuition and the latter stems from a place of criticism. Judgment can be a way to maintain safety, but unhelpful and overly critical comments are usually a manifestation of our own insecurities. Not only that, but it can amplify those feelings of low self-esteem. 

                  As a culture, we've gotten so comfortable criticizing people. We pick apart celebrities’ fashion choices, we comment on a relative's weight gain, and our eyes widen when we see what’s inside a stranger’s shopping cart. Women especially are taught to connect through being judgmental of others and themselves. We’re working on ending that cycle for ourselves and the people that we surround ourselves with. 

                  On today’s episode, we unpack ways in which we’ve judged and been judged. We chat about our struggles with the judgment Tarot and understanding the energy of judgment. We also discuss practices and tools that have helped us work on becoming more compassionate and kind to ourselves and the people in our lives. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Judgment and reverse judgment in Tarot
                  • The nuances between judgment and being judgemental
                  • How our insecurities and self-doubt show up in our judgments
                  • What our judgemental triggers are
                  • The roots of our harshly critical culture, especially as it relates to women
                  • How we’re working on being less judgemental

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  fbaca7b3-1b3d-4485-b1b8-c11d1b9ba488Tue, 14 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -040045:45truefull99On this week’s episode of How To Be Human, we’re talking all about judgment. We work through the various definitions and confront the ways that we’ve been taught to judge others and ourselves. We break down where judgment comes from and how being judgmental is the number one way to negatively affect your self-esteem. As always, we leave you with some tips on how to get inquisitive about your thoughts and reactions in order to be a (slightly better) human.Anna Toonk                  Pessimism and OptimismPessimism and OptimismWhen it comes down to it, pessimism and optimism are protection methods. One lets us relish in negativity and victimhood, and the other leaves us soothed and hopeful. Somewhere between those two extremes exists realism, and the goal is to live in that gray space. Sounds simple, right? In today’s episode, we discuss how that’s not exactly the case. 

                  Women are really tapped into avoiding being labeled negative and difficult, so oftentimes we feel the need to be optimistic. But the truth is, women can find power in pessimism. We discuss examples of the pros and cons of optimism and pessimism, and we also talk about our pessimism for the patriarchy, but our optimism for acceptance of traditionally excluded marginalized communities. Tune in to hear more! 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Defining optimism and pessimism
                  • Where realism falls in the spectrum of pessimism and optimism
                  • How gender roles can impact our reactions
                  • The upsides and downsides of pessimism and optimism
                  • What we’re currently optimistic and pessimistic about

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  When it comes down to it, pessimism and optimism are protection methods. One lets us relish in negativity and victimhood, and the other leaves us soothed and hopeful. Somewhere between those two extremes exists realism, and the goal is to live in that gray space. Sounds simple, right? In today’s episode, we discuss how that’s not exactly the case. 

                  Women are really tapped into avoiding being labeled negative and difficult, so oftentimes we feel the need to be optimistic. But the truth is, women can find power in pessimism. We discuss examples of the pros and cons of optimism and pessimism, and we also talk about our pessimism for the patriarchy, but our optimism for acceptance of traditionally excluded marginalized communities. Tune in to hear more! 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Defining optimism and pessimism
                  • Where realism falls in the spectrum of pessimism and optimism
                  • How gender roles can impact our reactions
                  • The upsides and downsides of pessimism and optimism
                  • What we’re currently optimistic and pessimistic about

                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  22b79a05-91d5-4db6-9480-b891d9b9930bTue, 30 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -040041:51truefull88On this episode of How to Be Human, we discuss pessimism and optimism. We get into the nuances of what these philosophies mean and how we see them play out in our lives. We talk about the influence of gender roles and dig into what we’ve been feeling optimistic and pessimistic about lately. Join us as we define what pessimism and optimism mean for us and unpack where we fall on that spectrum.Anna Toonk                  KnowledgeKnowledgeThis week, we’re talking all about knowledge. We start off by comparing our upbringings and how our performances in school shaped how we saw ourselves. For Anna, being the only person in her overachieving family with a learning disability automatically made her ‘the dumb one,’ and Nina skated by with her memorization skills (but don’t ask her to do long division now. That’s why we have calculators on our phones). 

                  After college and throughout adulthood, we realized that knowledge is so much more than report cards and what novels are sitting on our bookshelves. In this episode, we dig into how fear of failure or coming across as unknowledgeable can hold us back from learning about the world and ourselves. We also discuss how alternative learning methods and schools are paving the way for people like little Anna and Nina to excel. 

                  If you’re struggling with the idea that you’re not smart, investigate where that feeling is coming from, and focus your attention on your natural talents and areas where you thrive. Self-knowledge requires constant updates, and there’s no pop quiz to determine if you’re passing or failing. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Overcoming fear and judgment when it comes to learning
                  • Disparities in the U.S. education system
                  • Learning disabilities in school and beyond
                  • Working through feelings of not being intelligent enough
                  • Seeking out teachers and learning styles that work for you
                  • The value of self-knowledge

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  This week, we’re talking all about knowledge. We start off by comparing our upbringings and how our performances in school shaped how we saw ourselves. For Anna, being the only person in her overachieving family with a learning disability automatically made her ‘the dumb one,’ and Nina skated by with her memorization skills (but don’t ask her to do long division now. That’s why we have calculators on our phones). 

                  After college and throughout adulthood, we realized that knowledge is so much more than report cards and what novels are sitting on our bookshelves. In this episode, we dig into how fear of failure or coming across as unknowledgeable can hold us back from learning about the world and ourselves. We also discuss how alternative learning methods and schools are paving the way for people like little Anna and Nina to excel. 

                  If you’re struggling with the idea that you’re not smart, investigate where that feeling is coming from, and focus your attention on your natural talents and areas where you thrive. Self-knowledge requires constant updates, and there’s no pop quiz to determine if you’re passing or failing. 

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • Overcoming fear and judgment when it comes to learning
                  • Disparities in the U.S. education system
                  • Learning disabilities in school and beyond
                  • Working through feelings of not being intelligent enough
                  • Seeking out teachers and learning styles that work for you
                  • The value of self-knowledge

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  8337a574-1115-49ff-abdb-8a3f4c536f3bTue, 16 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -040038:49truefull77In this week’s episode, we talk about how to be smart...kinda. We were never straight A students, but we found areas where we thrived. Unfortunately, they didn’t give out gold stars for emotional intelligence and creativity, and that can leave a child feeling lost and uninspired. We discuss how our families and school systems shaped our knowledge early on, and how we’ve redefined that throughout adulthood. We discuss how discovering our learning styles and experiencing life helped us break out of the linear education model. Listen in to hear more about building confidence, staying curious, and figuring out what knowledge means to you.Anna Toonk                  IntuitionIntuitionWhen Nina’s ex-boyfriend snarkily told her that he and his friends called her “Negative Nina,” she knew she should’ve run far away. Instead, she ignored every signal her mind and body were sending her, and ended up in a hellish apartment lease with “the king of all douchebags,” as she dubbed him. But as the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20, and Nina looks back on that time as a major turning point for her intuition development. Sometimes, you have to experience those painful moments to remind yourself of the power of your own intuition and what happens when you ignore it. 

                  On this week’s episode, we chat about how we’ve worked through times that we’ve been told we were wrong for simply being ourselves, starting all the way back in the sandbox days, and how healing that self-doubt has strengthened our intuition. Aligning your core being with how you present yourself to the world can bring subliminal inner peace, but it’s not without intense work and reflection. To learn more about how you can develop your intuition and what to look out for when starting that journey, listen to this week’s episode of How To Be Human.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • How the definition of intuition has changed throughout the years
                  • The role of Tarot in developing intuition
                  • Letting go of self-doubt and fears of outside perception
                  • Familiarizing yourself with how intuition shows up in your life
                  • Intuition reflection and journaling question prompts

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  When Nina’s ex-boyfriend snarkily told her that he and his friends called her “Negative Nina,” she knew she should’ve run far away. Instead, she ignored every signal her mind and body were sending her, and ended up in a hellish apartment lease with “the king of all douchebags,” as she dubbed him. But as the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20, and Nina looks back on that time as a major turning point for her intuition development. Sometimes, you have to experience those painful moments to remind yourself of the power of your own intuition and what happens when you ignore it. 

                  On this week’s episode, we chat about how we’ve worked through times that we’ve been told we were wrong for simply being ourselves, starting all the way back in the sandbox days, and how healing that self-doubt has strengthened our intuition. Aligning your core being with how you present yourself to the world can bring subliminal inner peace, but it’s not without intense work and reflection. To learn more about how you can develop your intuition and what to look out for when starting that journey, listen to this week’s episode of How To Be Human.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

                  Topics Covered:

                  • How the definition of intuition has changed throughout the years
                  • The role of Tarot in developing intuition
                  • Letting go of self-doubt and fears of outside perception
                  • Familiarizing yourself with how intuition shows up in your life
                  • Intuition reflection and journaling question prompts

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us:


                  ]]>                  89f64c42-0dc8-44be-914e-4adf5782ac15Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -040051:51truefull66On this week’s episode of How To Be Human, we discuss intuition. Both of us have been on an almost 10 year journey to honing in and learning how to trust that gut feeling, and we’re taking listeners through the ups and downs of that process. When your intuition is talking to you, it has no stake in what you do, and it's generally looking out for what's in your best interest. Until we both made sense of that wild and unpredictable part of our identity, we couldn’t make sense of ourselves. If you’re interested in learning more about what intuition looks and feels like, and tips for how to start becoming your own psychic detective, tune in to this week’s episode.Anna Toonk                  Self ExpressionSelf ExpressionWhat is the definition of self-expression? According to Lexico, self-expression is “the expression of one’s feelings, thoughts, or ideas, especially in writing, art, music, or dance”. It is an important aspect of mental health because self-expression is an excellent way to find the real version of oneself, become more balanced, and lead a happier life. Reconnecting with your inner child can help you rediscover what you love to do as a result.

                  We begin self-expressing in childhood but usually forget how freeing it is as we grow older. Caring too much about the result and acceptance by peers is to blame. Anna and Nina share some personal experiences from when they were little, and we learn that they have a creative background in dancing and singing, respectively. Both Anna and Nina still love to do intuitive movement between client sessions to release the tension and feel lighter. They discuss the misconception that you need to be good at something to fully enjoy it. 

                  Instead, focusing on getting the feelings out should be your goal. Being a little bit dramatic is also a form of self-expression, and these extreme emotions could be a way to open up a dialogue with people around you. Feeling all kinds of emotions is perfectly okay, and taking a day off to be sad might help you get better instead of keeping everything inside. Connecting with other creatives is a way to encourage you to accept self-expression as it is and do what you want in that particular moment. Just letting your feelings out without any objective in mind can be very freeing. You might feel a bit uncomfortable because, after all, you are creating something and might want to share it with the world later on. 

                  Honesty is the key here. Your work should reflect your intentions, and it will be evident if you created something to express your true feelings or made it for an audience. Anna and Nina firmly believe that every person has a creative streak, and chasing perfection could hinder your self-expression. Anna shares her experience on how self-expression helped her build her circle of friends who all share similar interests.

                  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

                  Topics Covered:

                  • The definition of self-expression
                  • Self-expression and mental health
                  • Narrow conceptions of creativity
                  • Being truthful and using it for self-expression
                  • Pushing past the fear and rediscovering self-expression

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Follow Us: