From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

Today’s episode brings us another segment of Ask Rachel! Rachel answers four questions from listeners and they were all very deep and thoughtful. First she takes a question on how to slow down time as parents. Is that possible? And if so, what does it look like? Next, Rachel answers a question on the intention setting ceremony we do every year. How can we make our intentions stick throughout the year - or how can we give ourselves space to mourn if they are no longer relevant? Going deeper, Rachel answers a question about influencers who remain quiet on important social issues and injustices in the world - and what we can do about it. Finally, to end the episode, Rachel answers a lighthearted question on the story of her tattoos and what each one means. It’s a rollercoaster of an episode that will bring you through so many different emotions and back. Tune in for the conversation! If you have the ability to help those in Palestine, please visit here, here or here for the fundraisers that mean a lot to Rachel.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel shares a very difficult, dark and vulnerable story of what happened to her in a plant medicine ceremony she did once. Before getting into it, she opens up about an ayahuasca ceremony from her early twenties and how that changed her life. Then she dives into this ceremony and everything that happened.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How is it that we live in a world full of sunflowers, bumblebees, sunshine, toddlers, and delicious cups of coffee - that also has genocide, war, starvation and suffering? How can our minds handle switching between two extremes, holding many emotions at once, and feeling helpless through it all? Is there anything we can really do about it? On today’s episode, Rachel does her best to share how she is navigating the bizarre reality of the world right now. She opens up about how she has been able to find new avenues to be of greater service to those in Gaza, and how it brings all the emotions at once: from heartbreak, loss and grief, to hope, compassion and gratitude. There are things we can do. This episode will help you hold everything at once. After all, it’s all we can do.   To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How is it possible to manage our anxiety when everything feels like it’s on fire? In today’s episode, Rachel talks about two separate worlds: Gaza, and where she is in Sweden, making red currant jam. How can these two worlds exist simultaneously? She shares more about a family she has been helping in Gaza, and how sometimes experiencing that anxiety and letting ourselves marinate in the suffering of the world can actually propel us into taking more action. On the other hand though, Rachel goes deeper on how we have to keep our feet planted on the ground at the same time. We have to continue to immerse ourselves in the little things that make life feel good and remind ourselves that beautiful things do still exist. We have to make the red currant jam. Tune in for an insightful episode that will remind you of your duty to this world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life is full of so many contrasts, and one scroll down your Instagram feed will show you that easily. This summer, you have probably seen your friends and families enjoying their lives, celebrities living lavishly and taking exciting trips… and then you have probably also seen a genocide happening - the worst suffering that children have experienced in recent times. How can we live our lives when faced with such contrasts?  In today’s episode, Rachel shares her feelings and thoughts about the current state of the world. She opens up about whether or not she feels hopeful or hopeless when it comes to the future, and how it is so important for us to never take our situation for granted. If you have  the privilege and luxury of a safe life, then you have the duty to not just make the most of your life, but to also stand up for those not as fortunate. There is still hope for the world if we can come together and work for something better. Tune in for an episode that will leave you with a little bit more hope in this hopeless world.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel is talking to you from Greece as she visits on a family vacation. Greece holds a special place in Rachel’s heart, as this was a country she visited with her mom when she was little, but also on her first solo trips without parents, and even on her honeymoon. Reminiscing on all the trips in the past leads Rachel to today - now on a trip with her little family. She talks about the magic of summer, of playing in the water with her children, of visiting ancient temples and legendary trees, and of really good food and really good wine.  But even surrounded by all this beauty, it can be hard to slow down if life back home is still busy. Do you have trouble slowing down in the summer? Are you savoring these moments as much as you could be? And how can you support yourself and your nervous system so you can take it all in and enjoy exactly where you are? Today’s episode is full of storytelling, pondering, and a beautiful reminder to appreciate this moment - it’s all you’ve got. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for Ask Rachel on the show! In today’s episode, Rachel takes four beautiful questions from listeners - and each one followed themes of how to move forward, how to anchor into what is happening now, and how to accept change. One listener asked about the farm store, how to get started on doing something similar, and what the timeline should be. Another listener asked how to get out of a slump when you feel stuck. Then the conversation shifted into deeper topics, such as how to transition from early, new love into long-term partnership and the scary decision to shed an old identity and move forward with something new. It’s a meaningful episode that will remind you that life happens in seasons and you’re always on the right track as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel is navigating the uncharted territory of making a big project happen while avoiding burnout. She has been tweaking her current routine and realizing, certain things make her feel better even when her to-do list is full of tasks. It’s those things that need to be prioritized. But as women, prioritizing ourselves can feel so challenging. Everything we do is for others - even self-care! We practice self-care to be better moms or kinder neighbors. What do we really do for ourselves? This episode will help you ask some really important questions, like what would happen if you allowed yourself to be a little bit more selfish? What would happen if you did things just because they brought you joy, not because they were useful or served the world? What if the point isn’t the doing, but it’s taking the time to pour presence and love into yourself? We may not have all the answers, but asking these questions can bring us one step closer to healing. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt burnt out? What caused that feeling? And what happens when it’s caused by something that you love? In today’s episode, Rachel takes a walk down memory lane, connecting the dots on all the different moments where she pushed herself to the point of depletion in order to create something. And the truth is - it has been happening throughout her entire life. She shares very honestly that she is struggling to find the balance between creation and depletion, and worrying about a very scary question: what if this is just how her personality works?  Life asks so much from all of us. We have to balance our dreams and goals with our families and all the logistical things that keep everything flowing. Maybe it’s all too much. And maybe time isn’t moving too fast - it’s just our stress taking us out of the present moment. Tune in for a story about burnout, not having all the answers, but preserving on when there is nothing left to do. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode of the podcast, Rachel has lost her voice! She shares some lessons she has learned through that, including the dynamic she has with her family, with herself, and what really changes when you can’t communicate well. But her voice was lost for a magical reason: she spent all day working at her farm store, meeting new people, and creating community.  Rachel opens up about the joy and magic of watching your dreams come together in front of your eyes, sharing that dream with others, and how, sometimes even losing your voice can be because you arrived somewhere beautiful. Tune in for an uplifting episode after an eye-opening week. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Things have finally relaxed for Rachel after launching her family’s farm store and cafe. In today’s episode, she steps into summer and shares her life over the past week, from work she’s done, to celebrating her son’s second birthday, and now preparing for a beautiful midsommar celebration. But with the balance of happiness there is also some sadness to be found. Rachel opens up about recent heartbreaks she has experienced on the farm and everything that comes along with having a homestead. As usual, this episode is a balance of joy and sadness, life and death, and where to find yourself in the middle of it all.  At the end of the episode, Rachel shares her favorite elder flower dessert recipe - it’s a must try! Happy Midsommar and don’t forget to put joy at the top of your to-do list - don’t leave it for if there is time to spare. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manifesting the life of your dreams takes hard work - there’s no denying that. And with that can come stress, anxiety, a feeling of overwhelm, and many struggles along the way. In today’s episode, Rachel shares everything that is unfolding in her life right now, from the happenings at her own homestead (where the bees may have swarmed at a neighbor’s house), to how things are going on the family farm as they open the farm store and cafe. With so much happening at the same time, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Is there a way to appreciate stressful moments if they are bringing you somewhere beautiful? How can we do everything and keep our feet planted on the ground at the same time? Today’s episode will remind you to be proud of yourself through the busy seasons - you are creating something magical. At the end of the day, staying anchored in your reason why will carry you through to the end.  P.S. Rachel’s farm store and cafe at Ala Gård are now officially open for business! Follow them on Instagram at @ala_farms for more, or visit them at Vassunda-Örby 41 in Knivsta, Sweden. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This show is usually full of big epiphanies, realizations, and moments of healing, with Rachel sharing the whole story and how she made her way to the final result. But today’s episode… is not one of those episodes. Rachel shares in real time everything she is struggling with right now. Over the past few weeks, she has been overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, and she can’t seem to find a balance or a middle ground with everything on her plate.  Is it possible to create the life of our dreams and not burn ourselves out along the way? Should we deprive ourselves of the things we want to create if we can’t find balance? Is there a way to heal from perfectionism? This episode is a vulnerable and honest moment of storytelling as Rachel sits with a lot of questions and not many answers. Tune in if you relate. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode begins with a garden update before Rachel dives into another segment of Ask Rachel, where she answers three beautiful questions from listeners. The first question is about negativity. How can we deal with negative people? How do we know the difference between toxicity and constructive feedback? And how can we make sure we are not constantly brought down by this energy in our lives? The second question asks about intuition, and specifically intuition throughout motherhood. Rachel shares her point of view - that intuition is a muscle that you constantly need to flex. She shares how you can practice this and why it’s so important to be able to look inward before you bounce everything off the outside world. The final question is about soulmates. Are they real? Should we move through life looking for our missing piece? What if we lose them or can’t find them? Tune in for an insightful episode that feels like going for a coffee with friends. If you have a question for Rachel, you can call her at +1 720 443 1771. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, Rachel is still deep in an anxiety spiral and she opens up about one of the reasons why that is: online hate. She talks about wearing her heart on her sleeve and feeling really vulnerable to the world - and how sometimes, actually, it’s our inner voice that is our own worst critic. Can we learn to tune out the noise coming from all directions? With some feel-good stories mixed in about Lea and life on the farm, Rachel shares how to soothe yourself when the world is loud and cruel, and what to do when an anxious season arrives. This episode is sure to get you in your feels - tune in! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode is a very vulnerable share from the heart. Rachel tells the story of clay - how it came into her life, how it feels when she’s working on the pottery wheel, and the doors that have been opened because of it. Have you ever tried something new that you knew innately was meant for you? Has working with your hands ever brought you a deep sense of peace that you can’t quite explain? Rachel opens up about the revelation she has had lately. There are some experiences we come across that have the ability to not only heal our inner child and what came before, but also all the generations that will come after us. Tune in for a beautiful piece of storytelling that will remind you that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode begins with a grounding and a moment to anchor into your body - exactly what you may need if you’ve been feeling stressed or overwhelmed. This is how Rachel has been feeling lately. She discusses her new accelerated work day; the first time she has been working at this pace since her burnout. Old patterns have been cropping up, she’s had trouble sleeping, but it’s all for a beautiful reason: she is opening an exciting new venture with her brother, Ala Farms. She shares the whole story of Ala Farms, from how this land came to be owned by Rachel’s ancestors, to what the property is now, and the vision she has for it. Sometimes big steps can throw us off balance, but maybe it’s all part of the balance of life - and beginning something that makes your heart soar. Tune in to hear the high highs, the low lows, and the journey in between.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here’s a staggering fact: approximately 75% of homes harbor mold or bacteria, often lurking unseen by the people living in them. But what can we do about it? In today’s episode, Rachel is joined by Michael Rubino to put your mind at ease. Michael is a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse (https://homecleanse.com/), a revolutionary company with the vision to end the worldwide health epidemic, caused by poor air quality and toxic indoor environments. He is also the Host of Never Been Sicker podcast and Chair of Change the Air Foundation. Michael joins the show to break it all down. What is mold? Is it always bad? Is it in your home? And what can you do if it’s making you sick? Today’s show will help you keep your home healthy with actionable advice. And if you have been wondering if you have a mold problem in your home but you aren’t sure where to go from there, Michael’s team offers The Dust Test, an easy test that will detect hidden molds in your home and correlate them to the mycotoxins that may be found in your body. To check that out, visit the link below and use code RACHEL15 for 15% off.  Get answers from The Dust Test here: https://thedusttest.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=2&affid=370 For more from Michael, visit his website (https://www.themichaelrubino.com/) or follow him on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/themichaelrubino/). To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are some memories that imprint themselves on our bodies. When we think about them again, those same feelings still linger and make themselves known. And when the time is right, we get presented with opportunities to heal in ways that we couldn’t in the past.  In today’s episode, Rachel is four year post mold - and still processing and healing from this very difficult chapter of her life. She goes on a walk down memory lane and shares some stories she hasn’t before, including the full story of Bear, Lea’s stuffed animal. It all leads to where she is right now, feeling sad and grateful at the same time. Tune in for the journey. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you live in tune with your monthly cycle? Do you rest when your body is calling you to rest? Do you stand in your power when you have more energy? In today’s episode, Rachel has just started her period. She shares how she has been feeling this time around, from her philosophical ponderings, to struggling with feeling small, and a funny story involving Dennis. Our cycles can often determine what we need in a day: how much rest we should get, how creative we feel, how we should nourish ourselves. But we don’t always listen to it. This episode will inspire you to get to know your cycle intimately. Being on your period can be a time of true connection and lead to a deeper understanding of yourself, but we are taught to pretend nothing is different. Tune in to change how you move through your day and listen to what your body is telling you. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices