Spaces Between Gina Minardi

I’ve been thinking a lot about individual and collective shadow. How do we keep our hearts open during dark times? We all must become closely acquainted with our shadow or dark side. 
Each of us has a dual nature: we are light (conscious) and dark (unconscious). The dark side of our personality—the “other,” the shadow side—is made up of what we think is our primitive, primal, negative impulses—our “existential kink.” Our existential kink also drives the dark or negative repeating patterns in our life: always choosing the abusive partner or boss, settling for less, thinking that we’re undeserving, not worthy. But it also is the source of our greatest power.
I do a deep dive into Carolyn Elliot’s book, Existential Kink, which offers a truth-telling guide for bringing our shadow into the light. Inviting us to make conscious the unconscious, Elliott asks us to own the subconscious pleasure we get from the stuck, painful patterns of our existence.

The predominant theme for me in 2023 was transitioning to becoming a mother and how that impacted all areas of my life. The most profound initiation, unraveling of my old self, and opening to the fiercest love that I’ve ever experienced. The deep vulnerability in that. The expansion and contraction of my heart from current world affairs and the climate crisis. To a deep commitment to keeping my heart open to all of it. 

“Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of. And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake.
Human kindness can be found in all groups, even those which as a whole it would be easy to condemn.” 

The salvation of man is through love and in love.”
-Viktor E. Frankl  

Humanity feels like it is on a precipice and that we are in the eye of the storm collectively.  I understand that humanity has experienced 200,000+ years of war, but these times feel particularly charged right now.  In this episode I talk about:
Whether or not humanity can ever live in a peaceful way, or if it is naive to even ask that question? Is part of being human, being violent on some level?  Whether that means violence with our thoughts, speech, energy, and behaviors? My thoughts on "evil" and I discuss my feelings on darkness in the individual and collective.   The need for each of us to heal our own inner wars which become outer wars. How can we all soften and live more from our hearts versus ego righteousness, pain, and reactivity Love is the answer to our evolution I believe the alternative is going to be catastrophic globally

I sit down with Psychotherapist and Journey Clinical KAP provider, Holly Forman. We discuss Holly’s decision to have a home birth, the balance of preparation and surrender, and ultimately birthing a new version of yourself. 
 
We discuss: 
 
The similarities of psychedelic journeys and birth Women advocating for themselves, gaining knowledge about the birthing process, and not feeling like you have to give your power away The balance of preparation and complete surrender to the unknown Humans fear what they don’t know Birthing yourself How as humans we often want to avoid the wild, raw, messy, and painful sides of life How important integration is after birth and a psychedelic journey Ketamine therapy Internal Family Systems 

In this episode back, after an almost 9 month hiatus from podcasting, I explore my experience birthing a human. The big tears of overwhelm and joy shed in the postpartum period, as well as my feelings around the often b******t narratives around motherhood.
 
In this episode I explore:
The humility and surrender that I experienced both with birth and new motherhood Embracing the total unknown and liminal spaces between Women stepping fully into their power and not overriding their deep intuitive knowing The deep feminine wounding that still continues to play out amongst mothers
(Insert judgment and shaming) Gifting yourself compassion and forgiveness as a new mom The death of self and your old identity and how it's not linear My big feelings on privilege and resources in this country for new parents The desperate need for more postpartum care for families The overwhelming amount of opinions when you become pregnant and then have the child The impact of having a baby on your relationship A deep and wild connection to the life cycle

I decided to write this episode on the very last leg of my third trimester in pregnancy . I have had the most illuminating experience of what living in the “Spaces Between” in life really means.
It is a potent energetic space which is both awe inspiring and completely overwhelming.
To fully surrender to the unknown or attempt to control how you think life is going to unfold.
The only life experience that I can compare it to - is the passing of my mother at 17 years old. It is impossible to know or intellectually understand the full magnitude of a major life transition. All of us humans have gone through them in birth, death, marriage, divorce, illness, etc.
It is my intention in this episode to open up a conversation of how to approach these life situations with more presence, mindfulness, and ability to feel into these spaces. Versus our society which tends to shy away and avoid the large tidal waves of emotions that come with them.