We often treat “purpose” like a finish line, tied to productivity, careers, or achievements. In this episode of Playful Spirituality, Cara welcomes healer and author Amy J. Hellman to explore a more playful, embodied way of living with purpose.

Amy shares her practice of “following her smiles” — letting her body’s authentic responses point the way toward clarity, joy, and fulfillment. Together, she and Cara reimagine purpose as something we are always creating, an intersection of passion, service, and presence rather than a job title or outcome.

They talk about:

• The in-between phases of life — career shifts, parenthood, identity changes — as fertile ground for curiosity and creation

• How unlearning productivity culture makes room for purpose as presence, even in something as simple as a genuine smile

• Seeing the unknown as a buffer zone for observation and gentle redirection

• Amy’s origin story of sudden hearing loss, the letter that changed everything, and how it led her to Theta Healing

Cara also reflects on her own identity shifts through leaving a long-term job and becoming a mother, and how disorienting transitions can be deeply transformative.

Amy closes with what’s next: her upcoming book Dump Reflections: Essays on Breaking Up, Breaking Down, and Recycling Yourself, and a course on direct communication with self, others, and Source.

This conversation is an invitation to let go of striving, follow your smiles, and discover purpose in the spaces in between.

Amy's Bio:

Amy J. is an educator, author, mother, and healing facilitator for students of all ages world-wide. Author of "An Instructor's Guide to Educating with Kindness and Leading with Love," and others, she believes in our human potential for great change and growth. She currently lives with her son on Hawaii island. 

Amy's Links:

Email: amy@manna-healing.com

Insta: @mannahealingwithamyj

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mannahealing/

Website: www.mannahealing.com

Connect with Cara!

Website -⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.caraviana.com/

⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cara_viana/⁠

Facebook Page - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/caraviana⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/user/caraviana⁠

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Playful Spirituality

01:18 Special Guest Introduction: Meet Amy

02:55 Amy's Reflections on Emotions and Smiles

06:01 Exploring Purpose and Fulfillment

15:56 Navigating Identity Shifts and Transitions

24:18 Embracing the Unknown

24:54 The Power of Curiosity

28:12 Childhood and Sensitivity

30:22 The Journey to Healing

30:59 The Turning Point: Losing Hearing

32:50 Discovering Theta Healing

35:57 The Letter That Changed Everything

42:08 A New Path: Teaching and Healing

43:25 Current Projects and Future Plans

47:51 Upcoming Workshop on Happiness