Belonging: Conversations about rites of passage, meaningful community, and seasonal living

Becca Piastrelli
  • 4.9 (18)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Belonging, a podcast that explores being alive in the age of loneliness. Becca Piastrelli is your host and guide on a journey of courageous reconnection as we explore topics like rites of passage, cultivating meaningful community, seasonal and cyclical living, and what it means to be a good ancestor in these times. She has thought provoking conversations with friends, teachers, elders, and ancestral medicine keepers to help support you in bringing more meaning and connection to your life. She also pops in here and there to share updates and learnings from her own story because we were meant to do this together - cosmically holding hands as we walk the spiral of life. You can expect to be challenged by new (or old) ideas, face your beliefs and what systems informed them, get curious and brave to tell the truth about the deeper, harder things, and feel comforted in the knowing that you don’t have to navigate it all alone.

  1. AUG 14

    How I Marked My 40th as a Rite of Passage with Mara Glatzel

    How can we add meaning and ritual to growing older? For my 40th birthday, I hosted and experienced a Threshold Crossing: an embodied and community-led ritual that initiated me into my next decade. In today’s episode, I sit down with my dear friend Mara Glatzel, who designed and led part of the ritual with and for me. With her, I share about how my desire to claim this threshold saw me move past feelings of cringe and embarrassment and embrace the process of creating something meaningful, incorporating others in it and feeling witnessed in the process. Tune in to hear more from me on: What it means to ritualize a threshold crossing and the transformational power it holdsHow I designed the celebration and what factors were involvedThe vulnerability I had to lean into throughout the whole experienceWhat it looked like and meant to me to leap across the thresholdHow I have been integrating the experience and the importance of the pause of becomingThe power of being witnessed and witnessing transformationHow Mara celebrated her own 40s threshold crossing and how it differed to mineWhat it means to us to grow older and different ways we’re embracing thatResources + Links Rooted Magic, my October 2025 retreat at the Kripalu CenterPrevious podcast episode #66 and episode #112 with Mara GlatzelFind Mara on Instagram @maraglatzel, her website MaraGlatzel.com and her book, NeedyMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] Introducing Mara and the Threshold Crossing Ritual [8:21] Claiming and Witnessing the Threshold of Turning 40 [19:20] The Vision and Process of the Ritual [29:30] Leaping over the Threshold [44:55] The Transformational Power of Ritual [48:39] Embodying and Integrating a Threshold Ritual Experience [52:00] Different Ways of Experiencing the 40s Threshold [59:27] Experiencing the Joy of Being Alive and Growing Older

    1h 5m

  2. JUN 17

    The Sweet Satisfiability of Operating a Farm Stand

    In this episode, I reflect on the significance of my roadside honor system farm stand on a personal, communal and environmental level. This small physical, and seasonal, structure is a prayer for community, an altar to trust, and a quiet form of resistance to disconnection and urgency. Join me in this musing on how meaning isn’t created from scale, but from depth. Tune in to hear more from me on: The embodiment of rightsizing and experiencing more tactile, IRL livingWhere my love for farmstands originatesReclaiming a sense of enoughness and building resilienceThe farmstand as an altar for people to feel nourished and connectedReconnecting with the earth and local communityThe joy of simple, sacred interactionsThe farmstand as a place of reciprocity and regenerationResources + Links Episode #133 with Stevie Storck on Rightsizing Life and the Sharing TableEpisode #136 with Carmen Spagnola on Satisfiability as a Collapse SkillMy Substack piece on ‘The Community Economics of a Roadside Farmstand’My book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] Introduction to my Farm Stand Journey [4:26] The Origin Story of my Love for Farm Stands [9:30] Rightsizing: The Intention behind my Own Farm Stand [13:52] The Embodiment of Satisfiability [20:10] The Farm Stand as a Sacred and Regenerative Tool of Exchange [27:15] Community Identity and Neighbourliness [30:25] The Farm Stand as a Place of Reciprocity

    32 min

  3. MAY 13

    “How do you choose?” Human Design Deep Dive with Erin Claire Jones

    Today I am joined by my dear friend Erin Claire Jones, one of the world’s leading experts on Human Design and founder of Human Design Blueprint. Through her coaching content and digital products, Erin has empowered hundreds of thousands of people to overcome their biggest obstacles and find their flow in life, love and work. And she now has a gorgeous book out: How Do You choose? A Human Design Guide to What’s Best for You at Work, in Love and in Life. Personally, I love Human Design as a tool to understanding myself and the people around me. In this episode, Erin and I dive deep into my own blueprint as well as my family’s to illustrate how knowing one’s Human Design can empower your relationship with yourself, as well as with your partner, children and anyone else you are close to and/or care about. Tune in to hear more from us on: My family’s Human Design charts and what they meanUnderstanding the gifts and challenges of each of our designs (including my 4 year old’s)Being seen and recognized for your soul’s unique blueprintThe Types and Authorities in Human DesignHow your blueprint can define your relationships and ways to navigate thatResources + Links Order Erin’s book How Do You Choose? A Human Design Guide to What’s Best for You at Work, in Love and in LifeLook up your own design on Human Design Blueprint and use code ‘BELONGING’ for a 10% discount on your guideStudy Human Design with Erin: humandesignblueprint.comFind Erin on Instagram @erinclairejones and @humandesignblueprintListen to my first podcast episode with Erin, #105: Human Design for Parents and PartnersMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] Introduction and Celebrating the Book Launch: Making Human Design Practical [13:12] Understanding People’s Human Design [16:46] Finding Recognition in Relationships [20:17] Navigating Family Dynamics and Parenting through the Lens of Human Design [33:32] A Partnership between Two Sacral Authorities and Making Gut Decisions [41:32] Observing People as a Human Design Expert [45:53] Growing Up in a Family with Projectors and Manifestors [48:58] The Main Types and Authorities within Human Design

    1h 1m

  4. APR 23

    Bioregioning & Belonging to Place with Julia Plevin Oliansky

    In today’s episode, I am joined by Julia Plevan Olianksy. Julia is the author of The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing and founder of The Forest Bathing Club. She guides nature-based healing experiences and runs Organism Thinking, a consultancy bringing ecological intelligence to brands. She recently launched placebased.org to support bioregional initiatives. Our paths first crossed in a women’s circle in 2019 and recently intertwined again through the algorithm of Substack. Julia writes the Substack The Earth Has a Mother about mothering through climate change and her essay on bioregioning nudged me to invite her on the podcast for this wonderful conversation. We talk about the practice of reorienting one’s life personally, culturally, economically, and politically around the natural characteristics of a specific bioregion, meaning rooting deeply in place and aligning with the rhythms, ecosystems and stories of the land you inhabit. Tune in to hear more from us on: Finding belonging to a place through understanding its bioregion and ecosystemLiving more locally and regenerativelyThe cultural significance of soil in shaping community and identityObserving, witness and partaking in the natural cycles around youThe homogenisation of culture because of the internetThe impact of technology on personal connectionsTransitioning from a tech career to a more localised, nature-connected lifestyleEmbracing the healing power of nature and community engagement in a tech-driven worldWriting as a creative process and outsourcing it to AIResources + Links Julia’s Substack The Earth Has A Mother and her essay Becoming BioregionalJulia’s Book The Healing Magic of Forest BathingFind Julia online through The Forest Bathing Club and her bioregioning initiative Place Based ProjectsMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] Introduction to Julia Plevin Oliansky[10:19] The Meaning of Bioregioning[15:57] How to Become More Bioregional[20:20] Finding Identity in a Tech Driven World[29:21] The Cultural Significance of Soil[38:22] Human Connection and the Role of AI[51:57] Signs of Spring and Witnessing Natural Cycles

    59 min

  5. MAR 13

    Seasons of Joy & Challenge: Listener Q&A on Homesteading, Motherhood & Community Dynamics

    In today’s solo episode, I answer listener questions. We dive into themes of joy and challenges in seasonal living, the intricacies of rural homesteading and navigating community dynamics. I share my personal experiences of farming, motherhood, navigating eco-anxiety, land stewardship and the impact of climate change. Tune in to hear more from me on: Making a joy list and how this can help during tough seasonsWhat’s been challenging on the farm this WinterHow community dynamics play a crucial role in homesteadingWhat to consider and ask yourself before buying a farm or move to a rural areaNavigating eco-anxiety and the current political climate as a parent and as a human beingHow to stay connected to oneself and the land in these times of ego-collapseResources + Links Julia Plevin Oliansky’s Substack ‘Can we make bioregioning work?’Pro Publica climate change mapsMy Substack, Root Shock: Micro Farmoir TalesMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] Introduction [2:46] What is currently bringing you great joy? [15:56] What is currently bringing you challenge? [21:20] What are the hardest parts about rural/homestead living? Are you happy with the decision? [28:26] What’s been the most surprising thing about your transition to farm life? [29:50] What questions to ask myself about buying land? [37:28] How are you managing eco-anxiety as a parent these days?

    43 min

  6. FEB 6

    Practical Magic for Turbulent Times With Carmen Spagnola

    In today’s episode, I am joined by Carmen Spagnola - a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef turned trauma recovery practitioner, clinical hypnotherapist, and kitchen witch. She first appeared on the Belonging podcast two years ago for the release of her first book. Now, she’s back to celebrate her second book coming out: ‘Spells for the Apocalypse: Practical Magic for Turbulent Times’, which offers practical tools for navigating turbulent times and emphasizes the importance of community and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges. As a chef, author, and facilitator, Carmen holds space for renewal amidst turmoil. Her work is an invitation to re-enchantment, soul nourishment, and a deeper and more animistic relationship to the natural world. In our conversation, we reflect on the significant life changes we both have experienced in this past two years. We re-explore the concept of collapse and its emotional and psychological impacts on individuals and communities. We discuss the importance of surrendering to change, cultivating satisfaction in the present and the art of navigating grief and beauty in life’s challenges. Tune in to hear more from us on: How dealing with collapse and trauma recovery is both an individual and a communal journeyPractical tools for navigating collapse, change and crisesThe challenges of communal living and regenerative farmingHow poignance blends pain and beauty together, and enriches our livesDystopian narratives and media and what they can teach us about our current societal structuresReimagining our relationship with plastics and sustainabilityGardening as a reflection of empire and reciprocityViewing aging as a beautiful process instead of a lossResources + Links Carmen Spagnola’s new book ‘ Spells for the Apocalypse: Practical Magic for Turbulent Times’Episode #107 of the Belonging podcast with Carmen, ‘Feeding & Healing Ourselves Amidst Collapse’Carmen’s first book ‘The Spirited Kitchen: Recipes & Rituals for the Wheel of the Year’Carmen’s podcast The Numinous Podcast, and her platform The Numinous NetworkMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [00:00] Introduction: Life Changes and New Beginnings  [20:29] Understanding Collapse and Its Impacts  [24:36] Navigating the Apocalypse: Tools and Practices  [37:48] Surrendering to Change: Cultivating Resilience [40:25] Acknowledging Poignance: Between Pain and Beauty  [42:44] Dystopian Narratives: Reflections on Society and Collapse  [48:22] Reimagining the Future: Plastics and Sustainability  [50:06] Regenerative Farming in the Eye of Collapse and Gardening as a Reflection of Empire

    54 min

  7. 2024-12-04

    Re-Release: The Meaning of Time With Becca Rich

    Today’s episode is a rerelease of the beautiful conversation I had earlier this year with Becca Rich, in celebration of her hosting the 2025 ‘Living in Sync Roundtable’, during which I will be a guest speaker. You can find more details below. Becca Rich is a trauma-sensitive, certified holistic coach with a background in engineering and mindfulness, who teaches Holistic Time Management. In this episode, she shares with us her wisdom on the meaning of time, the role of control, how we can honor the cyclical nature of our bodies within our digital calendars and so much more. She also coaches me on the part that grief plays in experiencing loss of time and freedom, especially with having a child. Tune in to hear more from us on: The perspective on time that it is everything and that it is short but it is longTime anxiety and feelings of grief at the loss of time freedom with having childrenFinding satisfaction at the end of the day and embracing a digital calendar liberation practiceHow to deal with overcommitment and overwhelmThe importance of respecting our natural cycles and working with our bodies, minds, and spirits instead of forcing them into a rigid structureResources + Links 2025 Living in Sync Round Table by Becca Rich (with me as a guest speaker!)Becca Rich’s podcast Not Too Productive + website TheHolisticTimeCoach.com + Instagram @theholistictimecoachBecca’s Course: Digital Calendars for HumansBlogpost: A practical guide to applying your human design type to your scheduleBlogpost: Top 10 ADHD Time Management ToolsStephanie Burg’s episode on the Belonging Podcast #21 ‘Opting out of Linear Time’ and the book It’s About Time by Leslie KeenanEpisode #132 of the Belonging Podcast: ‘I Became Allergic To My Computer’Nick North’s Instagram @wethenorthsMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [00:00] Introducing Becca Rich and her work [10:56] Understanding & shifting our relationship with the concept of time [15:10] Navigating time in different life seasons [22:24] Finding satisfaction at the end of the day [24:06] Chasing productivity and overcoming disappointment [32:04] Embracing a digital calendar liberation practice [39:00] Creating a weekly template [41:01] Calibrating the calendar with menstrual cycle [46:01] Dealing with overcommitment and overwhelm [48:11] Respecting the cycle [49:09] Different Levels of time privilege [49:39] Divesting from productivity hustle culture [50:26] Healing ancestral stories for the future [52:53] Life is short, but life is also long [53:16] The spiritual component of time [53:35] The simplicity of taking a breath

    57 min

  8. 2024-11-12

    Reclaiming Motherhood As A Rite Of Passage With Jessie Harrold

    In today’s episode, I am joined by Jessie Harrold, a coach, doula and author of ‘Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage’. A couple of years ago, I followed Jessie’s course by the same name and it held me deeply in the depths of my postpartum identity shift. This conversation dives deep in the process of matrescence, the part community plays in this and how, as mothers, we can learn to become recipients of care in ways we don’t always see portrayed online. Tune in to hear more from us on: The concept of Mothershift and how to navigate this identity shift postpartumCommunity as the mother power and how motherhood is shifting people away from hyper individualismWhat it means for us to be reproductively hyperburdened as humansMenopause and the grandmother hypothesisPostpartum depression and experiencing maternal rageExperiencing a nourishment barrier in receiving care and support and the myth of being perfectly resourcedPerforming vulnerability on social mediaThe impact of having a baby on relationships and how heteronormativity plays a role in thisResources + Links Episode 78 of the Belonging podcast with Jessie Harold on Non-Linear ReciprocityJessie’s book ‘Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage’Jessie’s podcast Becoming, season 6 episode 7, with Mara Glatzel and myself on MothershiftMara Glatzel’s book ‘Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty’Episode 101 of the Belonging podcast on Delayed Postpartum Depression + RageEpisode 127 of the Beloning podcast with Amelia Hruby on Social Media for the Anxiously AttachedMy book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the SelfConnect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelliTimestamps [0:00] The Mothershift and Matrescence [16:14] Navigating Postpartum Emotions: Rage and Acceptance [19:10] Social Media's Role in Motherhood Narratives [20:11] Cultural Expectations and the Reality of Motherhood [30:37] The Importance of Community in Motherhood [44:42] Navigating Under-Resourced Care & The Nourishment Barrier [50:10] The Impact of Parenthood on Relationships

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to Belonging, a podcast that explores being alive in the age of loneliness. Becca Piastrelli is your host and guide on a journey of courageous reconnection as we explore topics like rites of passage, cultivating meaningful community, seasonal and cyclical living, and what it means to be a good ancestor in these times. She has thought provoking conversations with friends, teachers, elders, and ancestral medicine keepers to help support you in bringing more meaning and connection to your life. She also pops in here and there to share updates and learnings from her own story because we were meant to do this together - cosmically holding hands as we walk the spiral of life. You can expect to be challenged by new (or old) ideas, face your beliefs and what systems informed them, get curious and brave to tell the truth about the deeper, harder things, and feel comforted in the knowing that you don’t have to navigate it all alone.

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