Soft Human Voice by Jessica Shepherd

What if manifestation isn’t something you do, but a way of being you return to—over and over again? In this practical and soulful conversation, Jessica is joined by award-winning author and life expert Alice Inoue to explore the mature art of co-creation. Alice and Jessica discuss why relaxing into your path matters more than forcing outcomes, the importance of soul-aligned timing, and how seemingly small, intuitive actions can lead to surprising breakthroughs.Together, they reflect on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, trusting the vision before the results show up, and what it really means to manifest without attachment. A grounding episode for anyone navigating a dream that hasn’t arrived yet—and wondering how to stay open, centered, and clear in the meantime.*Relax into the flow. Manifestation is already happening.*Alice Inoue is a nationally award-winning author and life expert, as well as the founder of Happiness U, a business dedicated to personal growth and workplace well-being. For over two decades, she has helped individuals and organizations move toward positive change.Alice is also the creator of the Master Your Superpowers personality assessment, used by companies like McDonald's, Walmart, and Gap to strengthen leadership and team communication.As the author of ten books, Alice is committed to helping people navigate life and business challenges with renewed insight. Find Alice at: aliceinoue.comJessica Shepherd is an author, astrologer, healer, intuitive, and teacher of energy awareness. In addition to Soft Human Words and the podcast Soft Human Voice, she shares energy tips, wellness insights, astrology guidance, quotes and art from her books and divination deck on IG and Facebook. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

In this heartfelt and luminous conversation, Jessica welcomes Veronika Robinson — funeral celebrant, astrologer, and author — for a deep, compassionate dialogue on death, grief, and the power of honoring life transitions with presence and care. Together, they explore:• what it means to be a celebrant• the emotional and energetic intricacies of holding space for grieving families• astrology’s role in understanding death and loss• their personal experiences of losing their mothers• and how to stay connected — to the earth, to loved ones, and to ourselves — in the wake of profound change.With tenderness, humor, and intuitive wisdom, Jessica and Veronika open up a rarely shared space for soulful conversation around mortality, spiritual connection, and the beautiful, often mysterious ways our ancestors continue to speak to us.Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone through loss, or simply curious about the deeper meaning of death, this episode offers both comfort and insight.✨ Includes a guided grounding practice to begin.ABOUT US:Veronika Robinson is a second-generation astrologer, author, celebrant, celebrant trainer and founder of Penrith’s first Death Café. Veronika is the author of Write That Eulogy and Funerals for Children. You can explore Veronika’s writings and work at www.veronikarobinson.com.Jessica Shepherd is an author, astrologer, healer, intuitive, and teacher of energy awareness. In addition to Soft Human Words and the podcast Soft Human Voice, she shares energy tips, wellness insights, astrology guidance, quotes and art from her books and divination deck on IG and Facebook. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

What if you stopped settling—not just in love, but in every energetic exchange in your life? In this raw and radiant conversation with intuitive coach Courtney Sprung and writer Hermione Flavia, we unpack what it means to alchemize your patterns, call off the search, and become a vibrational match for what you truly want.From dating apps and soulmates to shadow work, self-worth, and the energetic long game, this episode is a love letter to anyone tired of swiping and ready to feel the yes in their bones.Together, we talk about:* What it really means to define your cheese (yes, we go there)* The shadow work behind soulmate-level love* Why your vibe—not your city or app—shapes your romantic reality* How to stop settling, start alchemizing, and become your own best friend* And the feminine wisdom hidden in cycles of death, rebirth, and real healingWhether you’re single, partnered, healing, or reimagining what love could look like—you’re not alone. This episode is a reminder of your co-creative power, your worth, and the beauty of being in process.ABOUT US:Courtney Sprung is a seasoned tarot reader and intuitive guide who’s spent nearly a decade helping women come home to themselves. Her grounded, soulful sessions dissolve old blocks and awaken the deep knowing within. Find Courtney on IG @goodwitchxbadbitch and quartzdream.com.Hermione Flavia is a writer, cinema historian, and award-winning screenwriter. She shares her love of storytelling on her YouTube channels, WildfireMovies and CravenWild—where classic films, new releases, and bookish gems all find a home. Find Hermione on IG @hermioneflavia .Jessica Shepherd is an author, intuitive, and chi ball whose work centers on sensitivity, energy mastery, and inner wisdom. She’s the author of A Love Alchemist’s Notebook, a beloved guide to soulful relationships and self-worth, and the host of Soft Human Voice—a podcast devoted to the tender art of being human. Find Jessica on IG jessica.shepherd.author.healer and Facebook. P.S. Please forgive the initial echo. Still learning ‘how-to’ podcast. Mahalo! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to a special expanded edition of Soft Human Voice!I’m thrilled to introduce my co-host for this episode, Courtney Sprung—a gifted psychic and intuitive reader with a passion for co-creation. I absolutely adore her, and I know you will too.It feels especially fitting that we connected through A Love Alchemist’s Notebook on this love-centered day. (Courtney currently hosts a LAN book club!) She first discovered my book over a decade ago and has been using its techniques ever since. Then, during October’s Libra Eclipse—a particularly challenging time for relationships—she felt called to reach out, declaring, “The Love Alchemist will save us all!”We had so much fun sharing the story of our friendship and diving into some of our favorite topics: connection, self-love, life purpose (a question Courtney is often asked), and our first experiences with co-creating.We close with a special Valentine’s Day invitation for you:What self-loving and self-caring thing can I do for myself, right now?I also guide you through an embodied energy practice—because energy management and self-care are essential for tuning into your inner wisdom.We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! Let us know in the comments.With love,Jessica & CourtneyP.S. This was our first time recording in this format, and we’re still fine-tuning the quality—thanks for sticking with us! Mahalo. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit jessicashepherd.substack.comAloha Friends,Today’s weather was a sampler of all that’s wonderful about Hawaii, light showers -and the sun peaked out, too. Join me for this gentle and restorative holiday weekend Qigong session, where we will:* Warm up our joints and muscles, from the ground up* Connect to the joy of our hearts through our hands* Nourish the nervous system with soothing re…

Aloha, Friends.I just returned from a long weekend in LA, and yet I took Hawaii with me :-) In this guided session you will learn how to:* invite a beach in Hawaii into your practice -and your practice space* receive what you specifically need from Mother Earth* feel ease of Connection (perhaps more than you have in many Moons)…Plus you accrue the wellness benefits -clarity, relaxation, feeling good, enhanced inner Connection, increased immunity- of an energy practice.Join me! Then let me know your experience in the comments below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

A new season is upon us. As we collectively observe the majesty and the wonder of the Sun and the life-giving light that it offers us why not connect with your own Light? In this practice, we will:* move our energy from effort and force into co-creative flow* invite and allow golden honeyed light to drip from crown, down* engage the energies of Solstice so we can radiate from the inside-outIf you’d like to do this in tune with the Solstice, this year it occurs (the Sun enters Cancer) on 6/20/24 at exactly 10:50 AM HAST.p.s.: the practice -without intro and outro- begins at 4 mins. and ends at 26:30p.p.s.: this is unedited. You may hear me cough, make minor mistakes, breathe heavy, etc. This is by design. Please contact me if there are glaring errors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Dear Gods and Goddesses,What are you trying to get more of? Growth? Success? Are you being “told and sold” what it is you want and need? Likely. It’s the paradigm we live in!We are being told and sold so darn much. It gets into our heads. Maybe this is why we start to believe it.Ever wonder what could happen if you stopped trying to change anything?That’s a question I explored in my spiritual practice when I was diligently “trying” to go deeper… and gee, that wasn’t working. :-) What I discovered was this: When I stopped trying, and instead allowed what wanted to happen to emerge, it did. I experienced spontaneous healing- a freedom that I’d been wanting for myself for several years but hadn’t consciously realized was “up” for release. Not until it happened, anyhow.It was so effortless, easy and so friggin’ natural…that it took me a couple of days to realize what had actually occurred. That’s some real MAGIC at work. No smoke and mirrors. No flying unicorns (though I love those, too). No psychedelics, or meditating for hours or lifetimes (I don’t even meditate).This is the kind of Magic I frequently experience: magic so ordinary that you blink and go “wait…did that really just happen?” YES. Yes it just did. Magic that is so… safe. Easy. Natural. Soft as a summer’s breeze.(I often wonder this: would we experience the MAGIC we are capable of if we stopped believing that it should look different than it actually does???)This is the origin story of this experimental practice I’m offering you today. I didn’t share this on the podcast because I wanted to give you the opportunity to experience your own practice. Now without further ado…In this guided energy practice, let’s allow the breath to show us what it feels like to finally stop trying to change anything -breath, self, life. You will also learn: * the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic breathing* that striving aka trying to do a thing often sets you up for a struggle* how intentionality (vs. effort) is a choice * how natural breathing opens you up to spontaneous release and healingP.S.- This is unedited. As with any live session, you will hear sounds- my breathing, dogs, the postman. Contact me if there are glaring errors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Being overly caught up in thought is a common complaint for those attempting any mindfulness practice. It can be challenging to simply arrive! But when your embodied awareness is central to your practice, you discover amazing resources in: Sensation, feeling, and the physical body, generally. This is so very helpful when having an “in my head” kind of day.In this guided energy session you will:* learn 3 techniques for refocusing from mind into body* use your intentionality and breath to soften* anchor into the pleasurable results you’ve gainedP.S.- This is unedited. As with any live session, in this podcast you will hear the sounds of real life. Contact me if there are glaring errors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Astrological New Year! Welcome the new season with your healthfulness, and energy intact. I created this practice to counterbalance expansive energy of this new (yang!) season with restorative (yin) energy.This session features:* Embodied energy clearing, and reconnection into your Divinity.* Guided breathwork/belly breathing specifically to: release excess energy (also helpful for releasing anxiety, panic) and discover your ease.* Also: Grounding with the earth, a jellyfish, and a playful kitten.P.S.- This is unedited. As with any live energy session, you will hear sounds- a cough, minor mistakes, breathing, kitten. Contact me if there are glaring errors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Dear Friends,This practice is perfect for gliding into the weekend by letting all of the past week’s tension gooooo. If you have about thirty minutes, you will:* Soften and release tension in your energy body, and your physical body.* Receive a mini alignment lesson, mid-way, thank you very much (yes, that was a surprise for me, too! But it was exactly on point).* Drop underneath the mind (which *thinks* it knows this already… hahaaaa) to find out what you actually need and want, right now.Enjoy!Jessicap.s.: this is not edited. You may hear me cough, make minor mistakes, breathe heavily, etc. This is by design. Please contact me if there are glaring errors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Virgo-Pisces Full Moon, Friends.Well, I recorded a lovely practice for this Expansive Wood Dragon Year and when I went to share it with you…Oops! I think I co-magically began a podcast! I didn’t consciously decide this, though it’s been suggested to me multiple times over the years. Clearly, it was Divinely Orchestrated. This easy and effortless manifestation is very much in alignment with how I choose to live now. Sure, certain things take effort to make “work” - like learning platforms to share my voice and perspective with you (mastering the constant learning curves of technology takes soooo much self-gentleness, self-patience, and the ongoing adjustments of expectations!). No, not everything is easy. Clearly, we decide what’s worth working hard for. But when even the work we do feels Right, there is ease within, joy, and also contentment. This is what I’m speaking to. So that when magic happens, it feels pretty ordinary. Oops. I just started a podcast. Interesting! ***If you think I’m just another person telling you how to “manifest,” Noooooo! Whether doing a creative work, a reconnection practice, or staring at the butterflies: I feel the same no matter what I’m “doing”. It’s ALL GOOD. Being in the I AM, listening inward and being guided, is my version of: “I’ve made it”.It’s my North Star.This is soooo different from: Striving; or, being the hungry ghost looking for *the thing* - the template, cure, or formula for success; or, constantly looking outside yourself for “the Answer” you seek. These are tempting Ego constructs, and unhealed wounds, designed to distract you from your Light.***Here are some full moon questions for you to contemplate:…What if you are ALREADY RIGHT HERE? …What if the only intention you ever need hold is to deeply know this?…When you really sink into this ownership…ALL naturally flows to you. It will!***Trust me, friends, you are ALREADY RIGHT HERE. YOU ARE ALREADY GOOD. This fact is so damn ordinary that you’ll miss it if you’re not looking, or have forgotten how. Me, this morning? I read my husband’s mind (Me: Were you just thinking of X? He: Yes. Me: Huh. I wondered why I had that thought.)- and I energetically cleared an ailment. Both felt as easy as breathing.It can happen in the most ordinary blink of an eye. Maybe you don’t think this kind of magic is a big deal. But maybe you do. Maybe you are the kind of person who cherishes the small knowings that arrive in waves of goosebumps, chicken skin, bliss, nudges. Perhaps you treasure: Receiving psychic insight, “hearing” and acting on your intuition, receiving winks from Spirit, messages from creatures, rediscovering your ability to self-heal, or realizing you have the ability to receive Vision. Perhaps your definition of a success is feeling empowered, freed from your wounds, and liberated from all those constructs of success that don’t fit you.If so, you are a lot like me. And I’m really, really, glad you are here.Because in this age of making everything into a public and royal visit… Following the call to listen inward, and quietly allowing your life to flow organically from right here, *IS a rare and beautiful magic*.***I teach my intuitive students that in order to be consistently intuitively led, we begin with setting the space for it to occur. It’s a bit like selecting the right venue, menu, guests, etc. for a dinner party; you don’t know exactly what will happen, but you do have a higher likelihood for *good stuff* when you do this.The above, very cute, energy practice I’m sharing with you sets the space for the arrival of who you already are. I know it’s a busy full moon weekend, but you’ve gotten to the end of this read… why not try it? Then, let me know how you feel, after. Different? Lighter? More connected? I’d love to know.3 WAYS TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY of A LOVE ALCHEMIST’S NOTEBOOK:Want a copy of my book? I have the following promotions running.* I’m giving away 10 paperback copies on GoodReads.* I will give you a free e-book in exchange for a review.* I have 10 free Audible audiobooks. Enter on Instagram or Facebook.Reader reviews can make or break a book — so I am sending you a heartfelt THANK YOU for supporting me with your readership & your review! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jessicashepherd.substack.com/subscribe