Open To Happiness

In this episode Nicoleta explores sexuality and happiness with the author of EXODAI Elizabeth Hendrick, British national living in Tokyo. Happiness as the 100% contentment with who you areStarting life in a happy loving family Discovering interest in girls at pubertyFantasies of bondage at the age of 10Identified as a lesbian at 13Discomfort within due ingrained religious conditioningFeeling miserable with own sexualityUnconsciously attracting dysfunctional relationship Hitting the rock bottom at 357 years of seeking and self-discoveryHow religion and politics shapes our perception of sexual fluidityThe myth that being gay is an abomination before GodWhy is BDSM still stigmatised and misunderstood?How 50 Shades of Grey is not a real representation of BDSMTheories linking birthing process and BDSMBDSM as an innate experienceThe euphoria in the addiction to torturePain as a strong source of arousal in sadomasochismSexual (dis)harmony between a BDSM and not non BDSM partnersFulfilling unmet needs outside of the relationshipThe codependency in bending to please the BDSM partner In love and tortured by a sadistic Japanese dominatrixHardcore BDSM torture to bruises and cutsThe delusion of saving the dominatrix from her demonsThe unconscious guilt and shame fuelling self-loathingWhen BDSM becomes a vehicle to therapy and healingSelf-awareness that the disconnect over the sexuality led to self-punishmentThe symbolism and hidden message of dreamingPast live regression as a channel to relieve burdening emotionsComing out from darkness into self-love, gratitude and mindfulnessSharing the experience in the memoir book EXODAI Find out more about Elizabeth here: https://exodai.co.uk/Order the EXODAI book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDKPZMT

In this episode Nicoleta talks about dating and happiness with Ruth Schwartz, the founder of the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, from California USA. Exploring the many flavours of happinessHappiness as joy and satisfactionHappiness as a feeling of alivenessHappiness in living your purposeHappiness in sharing the message with the worldChildhood happiness in the relationship with the universeDrawing happiness in adolescence from romantic relationshipsWhen as an adult you remain a student of the mysteries of lifeThe longing for romantic connectionBetween romantic attraction and sustainable loveInfatuation, limerance and delusion in datingAbusive relationships and shattering breakupsInsight into the particularities of lesbian datingRapid bonding and premature commitment in lesbian datingHealing childhood trauma to create conscious relationshipsHomophobia and claiming the gay identityThe need for a conscious girlfriend schoolRetraumatization and relational trauma in romantic relationshipsHealing through compassion, awareness and toleranceHealing through non-violent communication Healing through the openness to learn and growThe levels of compatibility: commonalities, chemistry and vision Find more about Ruth here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/about

In this episode Nicoleta talks about hardship and happiness with Elaine Glass, intuitive coach, speaker and author from Arizona USA. When happiness is living your soul’s person.The gift of a blessed happy childhood.Moving through hardship in the 20s.Surviving as a single mom with 2 children.Offering emotional support to patients as a hygienist.Training in coaching and coming back “home”.When the quietness is not silence.Overcoming a stress related autoimmune disease.From re-embodiment to cleaning the environment.Mental landscaping and embracing resting and receiving.Healing the relationship with ourselves.The power of surrendering.Remember your beginnings. Trust that you are not alone.Playfulness is your true nature. Connect with Elaine here: https://dankuschell.clickfunnels.com/eg-home  

In this episode Nicoleta talks about relationship and happiness with the founders of The Hendricks Institute, Katie and Gay Hendricks from California, USA. Celebrating 44 years of marriage and over 40 books.The relationship is about two people telling the truth to each other.Adversities are our best teacher. Creating a healthy relationship out of tiny choices.Take responsibility and understand how you contribute to conflict.When you eliminate blame and criticise.Reclaim your ability to interact consciously.Being who you are in the relationship.Solve the problems with the incredible power of commitment. Why fear stops us from creating healthy relationships.Guy’s incredible story of weight loss. When Gay learned to love himself.Katie is sharing her traumatic past.How Katie used dance and movement in therapy.The power of sharing our immediate internal experience.When happiness is openness to live and internal peace.There is hurt in the betrayal and the emotional divorce. 3 types of relationships: learning, celebratory and toxic. We repeat our traumas in our relationships.Wounded relationships can be saved through commitment. How to nurture a conscious loving attitude.Attend yourself, speak the truth and be committed to your creative genius.Be authentic, responsible and appreciate life. Connect with Katie and Gay here: https://hendricks.com/.

In this episode Nicoleta explores parenting and happiness with Kara Hoppe, psychotherapist from California USA The impact of a baby on marriage.When the couple relationships gets stuck.When childhood trauma robs us from happiness.About the capacity for joy and sadness.When leaning into sorrow opens the door for happiness.The joy in the small moments of life.Joy is connection, suffering is isolation.Trauma in adolescence during the parents’ divorce. The markers of relational trauma. How having children shifts the intimacy in the couple.Principles for parents to centre the couple relationship.Handling conflict, communication and connection.How to deal with the betrayal of trust.Understanding the attachment wounds and our nervous system.Naming the relational trauma in order to heal it. Growing together through the birth of a child.Show up, live in the now and stay connected. Connect with Kara here: https://www.karahoppe.com/

In this episode Nicoleta is talking about labels, social identity and happiness with Jaï Bristow, an international diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) coach and consultant.Humans as complex multidimensional beings.Life growing up in a meditation centre.Depression and anxiety from the age of 10.Living with chronic health conditions and disability.Coming out as trans and non-binary.When gender becomes a limitation of freedom.Happiness as the feeling of joyful freedom.Insight into social justice and its healing power.The importance of internal and external healing.When we go “beyond boxes”.Labels, intersectionality, mirrors and windows.How the concept of diversity is misused these days.The importance of equitable equality and inclusion.Understanding power, privilege and prejudice.Authenticity, acceptance and curiosity to live a happy life.Jaï BristowJaï Bristow is a multiethnic queer disabled content creator, group facilitator and public speaker. They are a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) coach & consultant and offer in person and online workshops on power, privilege and prejudice, with the objective of raising awareness of and finding freedom from oppressive outer and inner structures. They host a number of online summits and are the creator of Beyond Boxes with Jaï Bristow, a podcast and youtube channel exploring labels and identity.Jaï has been working in events and media production since 2010 and hosting groups around social identity since 2016, focusing on gender, race, sexuality, class and disability. Their work is inspired by their own life experiences as well as mindfulness, inquiry and NVC tools. They have been practicing meditation since childhood, been a student of the Diamond Approach since 2016, which brings together ancient spiritual practices with modern psychology and inquiry methods, and been training in nonviolent communication (NVC) since 2018.Connect with Jaï here:  jaibristow.comInstagram @beyond_boxes

In this episode Nicoleta chats about mental health and happiness with Matt Hussey, Journalist, Therapist  and Educator  from London. When happiness feels like a Hollywood story.From the pursuit of happiness to our agency to tap into joy.The happiness as an internal dialogue.Watching divorcing parents fight in the court.From failed therapy sessions to training as a therapist.The journey of becoming a therapist.About the messiness of relationships. Insight into human suffering and modern mental health.When suffering provides meaning in life.The source of our mental health challenges.When relational trauma knocks on the door.Why therapy is still a luxury for many.Healing our wounds in the therapeutic relationship.When acceptance invites this “visitor” called happiness.Why we need to look to the darkness within us.Invest in quality personal relationships. The route to a better world is through each other.  Find more about Matt here: https://www.thebrink.me/about/  

In this episode Nicoleta explores relational trauma and happiness with Jacquie Burgwin-Turner, psychotherapist from England.From clinical and forensic social worker to psychotherapy.Insights after 32 years in the service of others.Life as a mother of seven children.Life as a foster mom for 44 children.The pain of living with a cruel mother.Leaving home at adolescence. From loneliness and confusion to clarity and connection.Happy despite adversity and pain.When happiness arise from healing people.You control your feelings.Mid-life crisis and walking out from the job.Searching within to find the true self.From self-love to healing trauma. Seek support, find meaning and embrace gratitude.Connect with Jacquie here: https://www.aubreysangelstransforminglives.com/.

In this episode Nicoleta explores relational trauma and happiness with Trevor Rocca, Polyvagal and Trauma Informed Coach from Gibraltar. Inside the mind and life of a Gibraltarian.When personal training becomes thea path for self-soothing.How understanding dissolves the self-blame and shaming.The lack of parental affection and trauma injuries. Insight into relational trauma. Why each relationship carries relational trauma.How the polyvagal theory helps healing trauma.The power of compassion in trauma work.Learning to self-regulating the nervous system.Meditation, yoga and other mindful practises in trauma healing.The importance of co-regulation.Replacing the concept of “stress” with “dysregulation”.The act of gentle reflection.Take action to boost your confidence.And never forget you are a human being. Connect with Trevor Rocca here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-rocca-016216173/  

In this episode Nicoleta explores relational trauma and happiness with Mieke Vander Heyden psychotherapist and coach from Brussels, Belgium. Happiness in the contentment and acceptance of where we are in life.From angry child to adult travelling freedom.We have the choice and we are in charge of our happiness. How our relationship with our parents shape our relational style.Insight into the fascinating journey of healing.How relational trauma shows up in the therapy practice.The impact of past on our present being.Our expectations are the source of relational trauma. Awareness and consciousness can prevent relational trauma.The importance of self-reflection in our relational life. Between the longing to heal and the fear of going inside. The power of healing in the community of a group. Change perspective, take responsibility, remain curious. Connect with Mieke here: https://movingheartstherapy.com/

 In this episode Nicoleta talks about relational trauma and happiness with Dr. Maureen Petersen from North Carolina, USA.Happiness is embracing the successes and failures in life.Why life is a teacher.When you become a doctor out of love for people and love for science.How a paediatric doctor has dealt with her child’s cancer and type 1 diabetes.The importance of gratitude when faced with hardship. Why sitting with discomfort helps us grow.How adversities lead to relational trauma. Support for parents of chronically ill children. Why to prioritise self-care.The essential role of a community. Connect with Maureen here: https://maureenmichelemd.com/

 In this episode Nicoleta chats about relationships and happiness with Tripp Lanier, professional coach and author from North Carolina, USA Why we should not chase or pursue happiness.Happiness in laughing with friends and writing music.When your mother takes her life at 13. Expressing anger and finding relief in music.How using the voice leads to healing.When humour helps us move through hardship.Why coaching is an extension of art.Getting out of the high achiever/competitive mindset.Never forget you are mortal. The need for playfulness in life. When you are in touch with your inner experience.Who is the new man (podcast)?The gift of being imperfect.Why we cannot escape pain and uncertainty.Don’t take yourself so seriously.  Connect with Tripp here: https://www.tripplanier.com/

In this solo episode Nicoleta explores what lying is, why do we lie, what is the impact of lying and what can we do about it?There’s nothing good coming out of lying, only pain and destruction.

In this solo episode Nicoleta explores life when  partners are on different levels of consciousness.What can you do when your realise you are awakening and your partner is still stuck in their tunnel mind?Can the relationship survive?

In this solo episode Nicoleta explored "the best version of yourself".Do you feel good enough or you feel rather inadequate and insufficient?Is there a best version of yourself and if there is how do you find it?Let's explore how the humanistic psychology inspired the empowerment culture and changed the way we think about ourselves as human beings.Most inportantly, let's guide you find your best version of self.

In this episode Nicoleta talks about relational trauma and happiness with Stephenie Zamora, coach and author of Unravel, from New Mexico, USA. When depression is your companion through life.Struggling to feel you belong. Navigating manipulative relationships.When your ex commits suicide after breakup.How you can lose your business and direction in life overnight.When bereavement leads to PTSD.In relationship with a drug addict.How childhood trauma shapes us in life. From neglect to low self-worth and bad choices in life.How do you turn your life and start healing.  Leanings from the dark night of the soul.Why sharing stories is part of the healing journey.What is at the core of the book Unravel.  Find more about Stephenie here: https://www.stepheniezamora.com/.

In this solo episode Nicoleta continues the Self-discovery series and is helping you to integrate your learnings in life and open the door to inner transformation.  

In this episode Nicoleta explores relationships and happiness with John Gray, the author of the best seller book Men are from Mars, women are from Venus.  Learning about life from Maharishi.From meditation teacher to author and relationship counsellor.How misinterpreting reality creates relational struggles.The role of biology in the dynamic between men and women.Exploring masculinity and femininity.Why men need a cave and impersonal time.How men get feminised. Why gender equality does not mean sameness.Why woman love to talk and release tension at the time.How you can make a woman happy.The impact of the absent mother and father.What your mother could not tell you.What your father did not know. How do women provoke violence in men.How men provoke rejection and negative in women. The good and dark side of feminism.How to have great sex at any age.What is beyond Mars and Venus.  Learn more about John and his book and teachings here: https://www.marsvenus.com/

In this solo episode Nicoleta continues the Self-discovery series and is guiding you to explore your gifts, telents and purpose in life.  

In this episode Nicoleta talks about monogamy and happiness with Kevin Patterson, educator and author of the award winning book “Love's Not Colour Blind”, from Philadelphia USA.  Why is the world favouring monogamous relationships?Starting dating in monogamous relationshipsWhen you feel that something is missing in a relationship.Why some are unhappy in monogamy?Is exclusivity important?How you open up a relationship.Open relationships in marriage.What is different in an open relationship.Honesty, respect, communication, emotional literacy in polyamory.What is ethical non-monogamy.Talking about jealousy and possessiveness. Managing calendars with multiple partners.Insecurity in polyamory.The rules in the polyamory communities.Parenting in polyamorous relationships.Children’s questions for polyamorous parents.Is there a link between polyamory and childhood trauma?Explore cheating and betrayal in monogamous relationships.The relationship between polyamory and happiness.   Find out more about Kevin and his work here: https://www.kevinapatterson.com/.