Lean into Love

Gina Velez
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Spirituality

Welcome to the "Lean into Love" podcast where we delve deep into the heart, exploring the dynamic interplay between love and fear and the transformative journey of self-compassion. Join me, your devoted host Gina Velez, as we embark on a quest to understand how choosing love over fear and practicing self-compassion can lead to profound personal and collective change.

  1. 4d ago

    LiL: 28 | Finding Home w/ Yvonne Hsiung

    What does it mean to feel truly at home—in our spaces, our bodies, our relationships, and our lives? In this episode of Lean Into Love, Gina sits down with Yvonne Hsiung, a licensed real estate agent and business development professional, to explore career transitions, family, faith, community, and the surprising ways our physical spaces can shape our internal worlds. Yvonne shares her journey from 14 years in her family’s manufacturing business to building a new career in real estate, and how the threads of hospitality, service, feng shui, and her relationship with home have followed her throughout her life. Together, they explore what it means to choose love over fear, create spaces that support the lives we want, feel at home in our bodies, cultivate meaningful community, and practice discernment in our relationships. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful question: Where can we choose connection today? In this episode: Navigating career transitions and new seasons of lifeFamily, communication, and choosing love through conflictFeng shui and the energy of our spacesFeeling at home in our bodiesThe healing power of movement and communityDiscernment, intuition, and self-trustFaith, hope, and finding meaning in life's difficult seasonsChoosing connection in everyday momentsConnect with Yvonne: 📧 yvonne@delrayresidential.io Ready to lean into your own next chapter? If you're feeling called to rewrite your story, reconnect with yourself, or explore your life from a deeper spiritual perspective, I’d love to support you. Work with Gina: Explore therapy or spiritual coaching to help you move through life transitions, deepen self-trust, and create a life that feels more aligned with who you are becoming. www.ginavelezwellness.com

    LiL: 28 | Finding Home w/ Yvonne Hsiung

  2. Sep 3

    LiL: 27 | The Creative Journey w/ Scott Barnhardt

    This episode features Scott Barnhardt, an actor-writer and independent education consultant (college coach) who guides creative students through goal-setting, applications, and college decisions. Scott shares his path from a theater-loving childhood and professional acting career to earning an MFA in playwriting at UCLA, discovering a passion for teaching, leading as director of the Musical Theater Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts, and launching his own consulting business. Scott reflects on performing in the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon, using that period to transition careers, and explains he is finishing a book, The Creative College Journey. He also speaks about caregiving, grief after losing his mother and best friend, choosing love over fear through acts of service, and how self-compassion and service define a life leaning into love. 00:00 Meet Scott 00:15 What Scott Does 01:21 From Theater to Consulting 04:19 Building a Values Business 06:48 Entrepreneur Advice 09:51 Artists and Money 12:38 College Costs and ROI 15:06 Early Theater Roots 17:33 Finding Safety in Art 20:07 Supportive Stage Parents 22:52 Original Book of Mormon 28:21 Eight Shows a Week 29:35 Broadway Mental Grind 31:03 Choosing Grad School Exit 32:19 Aging In Entertainment 34:58 Teaching Sparks New Path 37:05 Pandemic Theater Leadership 38:30 New Business And Book 39:53 Grief Choosing Love 45:32 Boundaries In Caregiving 48:05 Living With Grief 51:38 Afterlife And Synchronicity 53:46 Numbing Versus Rest 56:27 Leading With Love 57:51 Where To Find Scott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottbarnhardt Website: https://www.creativecollegejourney.com/ If this conversation resonated with you: 💛 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their pain—physical or emotional—is interconnected and worthy of care. 💛 Leave a review to help more listeners find conversations like this. 💛 Visit www.ginavelezwellness.com to begin working together! Therapy in CA, Coaching everywhere.

    LiL: 27 | The Creative Journey w/ Scott Barnhardt

  3. Jun 28

    LiL: 26 | Embracing the Gray w/ Francisco Ortega

    Today’s guest is Francisco Ortega, who reflects on migration, identity, vulnerability, and the lost art of deep conversation. He shares how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can fuel humility and growth, and opens up about the shame that once led him to fabricate parts of his story in order to belong. Francisco recounts immigrating from Jalisco, Mexico, living in Tijuana apart from his parents, and arriving in the U.S. in 1978 — experiences that shaped his sense of dual identity. He also discusses his men’s group, his work around dialogue, and how writing an autobiographical-fictional book led to deeper conversations with his family and daughters. Together, we explore performativity, certainty, yoga, religion, impermanence, and what it truly means to “lean into love” through vulnerability, curiosity, and connection. 00:00 Why Conversation Matters 01:23 Imposter Syndrome Talk 02:42 Doubt as Fuel 04:04 Men’s Group and Honest Mirrors 06:20 Immigrant Roots and Identity 10:41 Shame and Reinventing Yourself 14:36 Authenticity and the Self 16:16 Happiness Culture and Isolation 19:28 Seeing Family with New Questions 23:59 Parenting Power and Indoctrination 27:58 Seminary Years and Service 33:41 Religion, Control, and Kindness 39:57 Living Beyond Binary Labels 41:58 Beyond Gender Binaries 45:43 Certainty as Violence 47:45 Living in the Gray 50:11 Rage and Hard Questions 52:20 Yoga Leadership Impermanence 54:43 Performative Culture Anger Economy 01:03:25 Eternal Return Gender Roles 01:08:52 Leaning Into Love If this conversation resonated with you: 💛 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their pain—physical or emotional—is interconnected and worthy of care. 💛 Leave a review to help more listeners find conversations like this. 💛 Visit www.ginavelezwellness.com to begin working together! Therapy in CA, Coaching everywhere.

    LiL: 26 | Embracing the Gray w/ Francisco Ortega

  4. Jun 7

    LiL: 25 | Creating From Authenticity w/ Jade Gutierrez

    In this grounding and inspiring conversation, Gina sits down with Jade Gutierrez, founder of The Skin Lab, to talk about intuition, entrepreneurship, healing through touch, and building a life rooted in authenticity. Jade shares her journey from juggling multiple jobs while raising two children to creating a thriving buccal massage business in Huntington Beach, CA — one built through intuition, consistency, and a powerful mindset shift: “Everything always works out for me.” Together, Gina and Jade explore: What buccal massage actually is — and why it’s transforming people’s livesThe healing power of touch and energetic connectionBurnout, entrepreneurship, and learning sustainable growthGoing viral on TikTok and building an authentic social media presenceWhy “crappy videos” are necessary for creativity and confidenceThe subtle ways intuition and energy show up during bodywork sessionsFreedom, play, and learning to stop living from fearJade also opens up about sensing emotions and grief in clients during treatments, her curiosity around Reiki and energetic work, and the emotional process of finally building a career that truly feels aligned with who she is. This conversation is equal parts practical, spiritual, emotional, and empowering — especially for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to build a life that feels more like themselves. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.skinn.lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.skinn.lab/ Website: https://www.theskinnlab.com/ If this conversation resonated with you: 💛 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their pain—physical or emotional—is interconnected and worthy of care. 💛 Leave a review to help more listeners find conversations like this. 💛 Visit www.ginavelezwellness.com to begin working together! Therapy in CA, Coaching everywhere.

    LiL: 25 | Creating From Authenticity w/ Jade Gutierrez

  5. May 19

    LiL: 24 | A Physical Therapist's Journey w/ Alicia Wagner Kaplan

    Episode Summary In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, Alicia Wagner Kaplan shares how her sister’s stroke at age 26 changed the trajectory of her life - and ultimately led her to become a physical therapist. Watching her sister relearn how to walk, talk, and reclaim her independence opened Alicia’s eyes to the transformative power of rehabilitation. Now five years into her career, Alicia works in outpatient physical therapy, where she helps patients return not just to sport - but to life. But this episode goes far beyond biomechanics. Together, we explore: The interconnected nature of mind, body, and spiritWhy pain often flares during stress (even when nothing “physical” changed)The concept of allostatic load and how chronic stress lowers our pain thresholdWhy society more easily validates physical pain than mental health strugglesThe overlap between occupational therapy and mental health careWhether trauma is “stored” in the body—and how to think about that question with nuanceThe role of healthcare professionals in advocacy and social justiceEmpathy, boundaries, and not taking your patients’ pain home with youChoosing love over fear in relationships, faith, and identityIf this conversation resonated with you: 💛 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their pain—physical or emotional—is interconnected and worthy of care. 💛 Leave a review to help more listeners find conversations like this. 💛 Visit www.ginavelezwellness.com to begin working together! Therapy in CA, Coaching everywhere.

    LiL: 24 | A Physical Therapist's Journey w/ Alicia Wagner Kaplan

  6. Apr 27

    LiL: 23 | Gather Them: Building Community After Awakening w/ Angie Su

    In this expansive and deeply vulnerable conversation, Gina sits down with Angie Su, founder of Lightworks Wellness — a metaphysical studio in Fullerton dedicated to training and gathering intuitives (https://www.lightworkswellness.net/) Angie shares the raw and transformative story of her spiritual awakening — one that began after leaving conservative Christianity, deepened through yoga philosophy, and accelerated through a spontaneous experience of energy healing with her daughter. What followed was a complete unraveling and rebuilding of her life: A 25-year marriage endingThe passing of her fatherSelling her home and possessionsTraveling the world with only a carry-onAnd ultimately receiving the “download” to return to Fullerton and open a metaphysical portal for communityIn this episode, we explore: What a spiritual awakening can actually feel likeThe overlap (and tension) between mysticism and mental healthReiki as energy work and intuitive bridge-buildingPast life memories and somatic imprintsSoul contracts and collective evolutionWhy awareness itself can be healingThe courage it takes to follow an inner calling that makes no logical senseAngie speaks candidly about the fear of fully stepping into her intuitive gifts and the power of finding affirming spiritual community. She also shares her belief that some souls return lifetime after lifetime to help the collective evolve — and what it means to “remember who you are.” This is a conversation about deconstruction, devotion, intuition, grief, reinvention, and radical trust. If you’ve ever questioned your beliefs, felt called toward something you couldn’t explain, or sensed there was more happening beneath the surface of reality — this episode will meet you there. Follow Angie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightworks222 And if you’re navigating your own transition — spiritual, relational, or identity-shifting — and want support integrating it all, you can learn more about working with Gina through therapy or spiritual mentorship: www.ginavelezwellness.com

    LiL: 23 | Gather Them: Building Community After Awakening w/ Angie Su

  7. Apr 13

    LiL: 22 | Community, Courage, and the Long Run w/ Alex Roberts

    In this heartfelt and energizing conversation, Gina sits down with longtime yoga teacher and retreat leader Alex Roberts of Purple Yoga to explore what it truly means to choose love over fear: in relationships, in career pivots, in physical endurance, and in the face of profound uncertainty. Alex shares his unconventional path from collegiate soccer player at UC Santa Barbara to yoga teacher, and how a humbling first class reshaped his ego, his body, and ultimately his life. He reflects on the transformative power of community, mentorship, and why teacher training can be life-changing, even for those who never plan to teach. Together, Gina and Alex discuss: The magic and inclusivity of the Purple Yoga communityBuilding resilience through surfing, ultramarathons, and the metaphor of the “pain cave”Rituals for staying grounded and intentional as a teacher and healerNavigating empathy, boundaries, and caregiver fatigueChoosing love in marriage, family, and hard life decisionsFinding inspiration in his father’s courageous response to stage four cancerThe power of showing up - especially when fear would be easierAlex’s story reminds us that love isn’t passive. It’s a daily practice. It’s discipline. It’s devotion. And sometimes, it’s putting one foot in front of the other at mile 88. If you’ve ever stood at the edge of a hard decision, wondering whether to lean into fear or into love, this conversation is for you. And if you’re feeling called to deepen your own journey, whether through therapy, spiritual mentorship, or mindful movement, you can learn more about working with Gina in the links below. Keep leaning into love. 💛 www.ginavelezwellness.com Want to take class with Alex Roberts? Check him out over at www.purpleyoga.org or follow him on social media: https://www.instagram.com/alex_robertsyoga/

    LiL: 22 | Community, Courage, and the Long Run w/ Alex Roberts

  8. Mar 29

    LiL: 21 | Choosing Love in the Aftermath: A Conversation w/ Kristin Hennenfent

    Episode Description In this deeply moving episode of Lean into Love, Gina sits down with Kristin Hennenfent—a soon-to-be mama, radiant human, and powerful example of what it means to choose love in a world that often invites fear. Kristin has lived through profound and life-altering experiences, including surviving the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. Rather than allowing trauma to harden her heart, she has committed to living with intentional positivity, grounded perspective, and open-hearted courage. This conversation isn’t about bypassing pain. It’s about acknowledging darkness while refusing to let it define you. It’s about multiplicity—the grief and the gratitude, the fear and the faith, the heartbreak and the hope—coexisting in one human life. And now, as Kristin prepares to step into motherhood, she shares what it means to bring a child into the world with clarity, compassion, and a fierce commitment to love. In This Episode, We Explore: What it means to consciously choose love after traumaThe long arc of healing and perspectiveLiving with both grief and gratitudeHow motherhood deepens our commitment to hopeThe power of mindset—not as denial, but as devotionShowing up as love when fear would be easier Content Note This episode includes discussion of the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. Please listen with care and tend to yourself as needed. Work With Gina If this episode resonated and you’re seeking deeper support, Gina is currently accepting therapy clients in California as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and offers coaching for those outside the state. Please visit www.ginavelezwellness.com for more information.

    LiL: 21 | Choosing Love in the Aftermath: A Conversation w/ Kristin Hennenfent
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to the "Lean into Love" podcast where we delve deep into the heart, exploring the dynamic interplay between love and fear and the transformative journey of self-compassion. Join me, your devoted host Gina Velez, as we embark on a quest to understand how choosing love over fear and practicing self-compassion can lead to profound personal and collective change.

Information

  • Creator
    Gina Velez
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © LeanIntoLove2023
  • Show Website
    Lean into Love