The Shadow Side with Safrianna

Safrianna Lughna
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Hey there, I'm Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS, aka the Queer-Spirit Guide, and I've created this podcast for those of you brave enough to walk in the shadows with me. In my travels through spiritual and self-improvement spaces, I've found too many personal development spaces are drowning in toxic positivity. They'll tell you to "just think positive" and "focus on gratitude" while completely ignoring the shadows that are actually running the show beneath the surface. I'm here to offer something different. As a public school educator and trauma therapist turned transformational mentor, I've witnessed firsthand how true healing happens not by avoiding our shadows, but by turning toward them with curiosity and compassion. The Shadow Side is where we dive into all those uncomfortable, messy parts of our existence that most people are too afraid to talk about – generational trauma, social justice, spiritual awakening, authentic relationships, and collective consciousness, for example. Each episode offers a judgment-free space to explore these shadows through either my solo reflections or conversations with guests who aren't afraid to get real. You'll hear from disruptive leaders, healers, and visionaries who are challenging the status quo and creating authentic paths forward. Together, we'll unpack the toxic systems we live within while discovering how to liberate ourselves and support collective healing. I don't offer quick fixes or simplified solutions. I acknowledge the complexity of being human while providing practical insights for navigating it all. Whether I'm examining current events through a shadow work lens, breaking down spiritual concepts without the bypassing, or interviewing guests about their personal journeys through darkness to light, you'll find discussions that validate your experiences while expanding your perspective. Some episodes feature deep dives into specific topics like cultural appropriation, religious trauma, or the shadow side of wellness culture. Others explore personal practices for shadow integration, helping you develop your own relationship with your darker aspects. I occasionally pull cards from intuitive decks to provide insight for the collective energy we're moving through, and I'm always transparent about my own ongoing journey. This podcast is for you if: You're tired of surface-level spiritual content that avoids the hard stuff You want to explore the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and social justice You're navigating your own healing journey and need guidance without toxic positivity You're seeking authentic community that embraces both shadow and light You believe personal transformation and collective liberation are interconnected New episodes drop biweekly, with special bonus content for those who support the show. You can connect with me on socials by visiting https://livinglunas.com/socials, or join the conversation on YouTube where you'll find the video versions of these episodes and more in-depth resources. Visit Safrianna.com or LivingLUNAs.com to learn about working with me directly through mentorship programs, courses, and community offerings designed to support your journey through the shadows to authentic wholeness. The shadows aren't something to fear—they're portals to our most profound healing, our deepest wisdom, and our most authentic self-expression. I believe you're here because some part of you knows this truth already. Together, we'll navigate the darkness, find the gems hidden within it, and emerge more whole than we've ever been. Are you ready to illuminate what others keep hidden in the dark? Subscribe now and join me on this journey into The Shadow Side.

  1. 1d ago

    Recovery as a Redesign with Jeanne Foot

    Guest: Jeanne Foote, Founder & Director, The Recovery Concierge Website: https://therecoveryconcierge.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therecoveryconcierge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenity_gal/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jeanne_foot Email: info@therecoveryconcierge.com Jeanne's podcast: Naturally High Host contact: Website: https://Safrianna.com Email: Guide@Safrianna.com --- In this episode of The Shadow Side, Safrianna Lughna sits down with Jeanne Foote — an internationally certified addiction counsellor, founder and director of The Recovery Concierge, and host of the Naturally High podcast — for a conversation about what recovery looks like when it's treated not as a return to normal, but as a full redesign of life. Jeanne has walked her own recovery path for 35 years. She opens up about a hard truth many people in recovery know intimately: you can hit every marker of "success" — stay abstinent, look put together, keep functioning — and still be quietly unraveling underneath. For Jeanne, that meant years of feeling frozen in her own body, unable to look at herself in the mirror, while her life looked picture-perfect from the outside. Together, Safrianna and Jeanne unpack addiction as a coping mechanism rather than a character flaw — one shaped by nervous system dysregulation, early attachment wounds, and the pressure to trade authenticity for connection. They talk about why shame so often backfires, deepening the very cycles it's meant to interrupt, and why talk therapy alone often isn't enough for those carrying complex trauma. Listeners will also hear Jeanne's concept of "floors and ceilings" — a practical, compassionate approach to staying consistent without needing to be perfect — along with why nutrition, sleep, and somatic awareness are foundational (not optional) parts of healing. This episode is an invitation to stop white-knuckling your way through recovery and start asking a bigger question: not just how do I stop, but what am I building instead?

    Recovery as a Redesign with Jeanne Foot

  2. Jul 9

    Extractive Empowerment with Kim Romain

    Connect with Kim Romain at: https://KimRomain.com Connect with Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS: https://Safrianna.com --- In Episode 28 of The Shadow Side with Safrianna, host Safrianna Lughna is joined by Kim Romain — life and business alchemist and former host of The Empowered and Embodied Show — for a candid conversation about extractive empowerment: the ways self-development and personal growth work can quietly become another form of avoidance, consumerism, or spiritual bypassing. Together they explore what it looks like to get stuck in an endless loop of self-knowledge without integration — the Dunning-Kruger trap of mistaking cognitive insight for actual embodied change. They unpack the difference between healing that moves us forward and healing that becomes a way to escape collective responsibility, examine "good vibes culture" and spiritual bypassing as forms of disconnection from real justice work, and name how consumerism can masquerade as empowerment when self-development starts requiring more buying rather than more integration. The conversation also touches on core wounds, the concept of being "healed and healing" rather than fully done with our work, and the idea that true empowerment is reciprocal and collaborative rather than hierarchical or extractive. Kim and Safrianna close with a shared call to listen to your own truth, stay in real conversation with other humans, and resist the pressure to constantly chase the next goalpost of self-improvement.

    Extractive Empowerment with Kim Romain

  3. Jun 25

    Becoming Who You Really Are with Deb Porter

    Guest Deb Porter — Founder, HOLD Website: https://www.hearingoutlifedrama.comCollaborative Resource Becoming Who I Really Am — A free identity exploration guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals navigating identity change. No email required. https://www.hearingoutlifedrama.com/identity-exploration-guideHost Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS — The Queer-Spirit Guide Website: https://Safrianna.com Email: Guide@Safrianna.com Podcast hub: https://the-shadow-side-with-safrianna.captivate.fm/listen --- In this episode of The Shadow Side with Safrianna, Safrianna sits down with Deb Porter, founder of HOLD — a confidential, judgment-free listening service — to explore what it really means to become who you are. Deb brings a unique perspective to the conversation: a former United Methodist pastor who walked away from her ministry when a family member came out, unwilling to stay in a role that would have required her to say no to love. Together, Safrianna and Deb unpack the layered process of identity exploration, with a particular focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences. They discuss the courage it takes to come out in today's world, the particular grief that can accompany later-in-life identity shifts, and the exhausting weight of masking and code-switching. The conversation moves through what it means to truly listen — and why most of us were never actually taught how — and into the nuances of allyship: knowing when you don't have the lived experience, and going to find people who do. Deb and Safrianna also share vulnerably from their own lives — Safrianna on coming out as polyamorous and the spectrum of family responses, Deb on challenging her own father's harmful words and the grief of a family member never feeling safe enough to bring their partner to gatherings. The episode closes with an invitation toward permission — permission to evolve, to keep questioning, to stop explaining yourself to people who haven't done their own self-love work yet. Safrianna and Deb also introduce their collaborative free resource, Becoming Who I Really Am, an identity exploration guide created specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ people navigating identity change.

    Becoming Who You Really Are with Deb Porter

  4. Jun 11

    Illness as a Portal with Whitney Shook

    Illness as a Portal features a conversation between Safrianna and Whitney Shook, holistic nutritionist specializing in Hashimoto's and complex chronic illness, about what it means to approach health and healing with softness rather than rigidity. This episode explores why strict, protocol-heavy approaches to healing often backfire — creating stress, shame, and orthorexic patterns that compound the very symptoms people are trying to resolve. Whitney and Safrianna examine the energetic and emotional roots of autoimmune disease, tracing much of it back to unmet needs for love, safety, and self-worth — while being careful not to place blame on people for conditions that often originate in childhood trauma and systemic neglect. They discuss the medical system's history of dismissing chronic illness, particularly for women and those with complex presentations, and how that dismissal mirrors earlier experiences of being unseen or unheard. The conversation moves through the concept of illness as identity, the grief cycle that often mirrors the chronic illness experience, and the ways perfectionism around healing can become its own trap. Safrianna shares her own fibromyalgia diagnosis and her practice of reading body sensations as messages — symptoms as portals into what parts of herself need attention. Whitney introduces her "zoom in, zoom out" framework as a tool for releasing hyper-fixation and returning to a broader, more compassionate view of the healing timeline. Both affirm that healing is non-linear, multimodal, and deeply personal — and that the most powerful shift available is turning inward with gentleness rather than chasing external fixes. Learn more about Whitney and her work at: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyshook/

    Illness as a Portal with Whitney Shook

  5. May 28

    The Addiction to Struggle with Jennifer Urezzio

    In this episode of The Shadow Side with Safrianna, host Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS sits down with Jennifer Urezzio, intuitive strategist and soul language practitioner, to explore one of the most pervasive and culturally conditioned patterns in human behavior: the addiction to struggle. Jennifer unpacks how many people are wired — through cultural conditioning, unresolved trauma, and Protestant work ethic — to equate struggle with progress. Together, she and Safrianna examine how struggle functions as a distraction from deeper shadow work, how it masquerades as a false zone of safety, and how the highs and lows of chronic striving become a mechanism for avoiding what actually needs attention. The conversation weaves together Soul Language, Human Design, spiritual bypassing, and somatic awareness to offer a fuller picture of what it means to release the struggle identity. Jennifer shares tangible tools — including how to create a conscious connection with the soul and how to use the body's "divine intelligence" to establish a new set point of safety. Safrianna reflects on her own Collaborator Soul Language and the practice of pivoting out of misalignment in real time. The episode closes with Jennifer's reminder that returning to one's essential nature and allowing something new to be created from a place of wholeness and completion is the work. Guest: Jennifer Urezzio — Soul Language practitioner and intuitive strategist, founder of Soul Language. https://soullanguage.us/

    The Addiction to Struggle with Jennifer Urezzio

  6. May 14

    Make America Sick Again with Dr. Matt Van Auken

    Guest — Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH The Buddha's Medicine: thebuddhasmedicine.com Living Seasons Project: thebuddhasmedicine.com/offerings-events/the-living-seasons-project --- In this episode of The Shadow Side with Safrianna, host Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS, welcomes back returning guest Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH — triple board-certified physician and director of The Buddha's Medicine clinic in SE Portland, Oregon, with more than 15 years of Ayurvedic study and practice — for a frank, wide-ranging conversation about the intersection of U.S. policy, environmental health, and individual wellbeing. Recorded in mid-March 2026, the episode takes a clear-eyed look at the wave of regulatory rollbacks affecting air quality, water safety, pesticide protections, and healthcare access — and asks the pointed question: what does all of this mean for our bodies? Dr. Matt brings both clinical expertise and Ayurvedic wisdom to the conversation, grounding the discussion in the foundational importance of clean air and breath, and tracing very real health consequences — from respiratory disease to endocrine disruption — when environmental protections are stripped away. Together, Safrianna and Dr. Matt examine the impact of PFAS (forever chemicals), glyphosate and pesticide deregulation, cuts to federal health agencies, and the ongoing erosion of healthcare affordability. They also address the outsized influence of industry lobbying on public health policy and nutritional guidelines, and what it means for ordinary people when those structures operate without accountability. The conversation doesn't stop at the problem. Safrianna and Dr. Matt close with grounded, accessible guidance for navigating these challenges: building community and mutual aid networks, eating seasonally and simply, voting with your spending, reducing plastic and chemical exposure at home, and bringing mindful, energetic intention to how we nourish ourselves. Dr. Matt also shares details about his newly launched Living Seasons Project — an Ayurvedic seasonal preventive health program available through The Buddha's Medicine. The episode ends with a call to collective resilience: we are still here, we still have each other, and that is where hope lives.

    Make America Sick Again with Dr. Matt Van Auken

  7. Apr 30

    Rebels By Design with Adriana Keefe

    In this episode of The Shadow Side, Safrianna sits down with Adriana Keefe — the Human Design Priestess — for a rich, wide-ranging conversation about what it means to be wired for rebellion, and how the wounds that shape us can become the very source of our power. Adriana opens up about her history of surviving sexual and physical abuse, and the long arc of her healing journey — from a young woman who kept moving forward without fully understanding why, to a mother whose daughter's birth became the catalyst for finally speaking out. Together, Safrianna and Adriana explore how generational trauma, the wound of receiving, and disconnection from the womb and sacral center intersect with both personal healing and collective transformation. The conversation weaves through human design — particularly the sacral center as the seat of joy, creativity, passion, and life force — and what happens when survivors are cut off from that space. Adriana speaks candidly about the layers of her own money journey, her experience as a mixed-race (half Puerto Rican) white-presenting woman navigating identity and belonging, and how she is learning to trust herself as a voice in the world — cautiously, deliberately, and authentically. Safrianna and Adriana also reflect on the shadow side of self-development culture: the trap of constant healing work as a substitute for actually living, and the radical act of letting life be easy. The episode closes with an invitation to approach shadow work with curiosity and play rather than a fixing mindset — and a reminder that the power to rebel already lives inside you. CONNECT WITH ADRIANA Adriana Keefe — Website: https://adrianakeefe.com The Magnetic Rebellion Community: https://themagneticrebellion.com Podcast: The No BS Human Design Podcast — available on major platforms Instagram: https://instagram.com/adrikeefe CONNECT WITH SAFRIANNA Website: https://Safrianna.com Substack: https://Safrianna.substack.com Email: Guide@Safrianna.com Podcast Hub: https://the-shadow-side-with-safrianna.captivate.fm/listen

    Rebels By Design with Adriana Keefe

  8. Apr 16

    Imagining Our Way Through with Dr. Melissa Bird

    Dr. Melissa Bird — lay preacher, public speaker, author, podcaster, and congressional candidate https://drmelissabird.com --- Season 2, Episode 1 | “Imagining Our Way Through” | Guest: Dr. Melissa Bird In the first episode of Season 2, Safrianna Lughna welcomes back Dr. Melissa Bird — returning guest, dear friend, and fellow disruptor — for a wide-ranging conversation about imagination and creativity as radical, healing acts for turbulent times. Drawing on Dr. Bird’s concept of the “creativity timeline” and Safrianna’s own journey toward writing her second novel, the two dig into why adults are conditioned to abandon creative play — and how that conditioning is rooted in white supremacist, patriarchal systems that reserve artistic freedom for a narrow class of people. They explore how reclaiming imagination isn’t escapism; it’s resistance. It’s alchemy. It’s what keeps us from taking our darkness out on each other. The conversation moves through shadow work, the soul’s calling, the seduction of overconsumption, the “s****y shoulds,” self-made prisons (hello, Devil card), and the both/and nature of being human in a turbulent moment. Dr. Bird reflects on running for Congress, needle felting as stress relief, and meditating to Metallica. Safrianna reflects on unhooking from the American Dream and the urgent, tearful realization that now is the time to write. They close with card pulls from their respective decks — Transformation (Living Altar Oracle) and the Sword of Light (Gateway of Light Activation Oracle) — both pointing toward the fire of this moment and what it’s asking of us. A joyful, grounded, and fiercely honest Season 2 opener about why your creative expression matters — not just for you, but for the collective.

    Imagining Our Way Through with Dr. Melissa Bird
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Hey there, I'm Safrianna Lughna, LCPC, MS, aka the Queer-Spirit Guide, and I've created this podcast for those of you brave enough to walk in the shadows with me. In my travels through spiritual and self-improvement spaces, I've found too many personal development spaces are drowning in toxic positivity. They'll tell you to "just think positive" and "focus on gratitude" while completely ignoring the shadows that are actually running the show beneath the surface. I'm here to offer something different. As a public school educator and trauma therapist turned transformational mentor, I've witnessed firsthand how true healing happens not by avoiding our shadows, but by turning toward them with curiosity and compassion. The Shadow Side is where we dive into all those uncomfortable, messy parts of our existence that most people are too afraid to talk about – generational trauma, social justice, spiritual awakening, authentic relationships, and collective consciousness, for example. Each episode offers a judgment-free space to explore these shadows through either my solo reflections or conversations with guests who aren't afraid to get real. You'll hear from disruptive leaders, healers, and visionaries who are challenging the status quo and creating authentic paths forward. Together, we'll unpack the toxic systems we live within while discovering how to liberate ourselves and support collective healing. I don't offer quick fixes or simplified solutions. I acknowledge the complexity of being human while providing practical insights for navigating it all. Whether I'm examining current events through a shadow work lens, breaking down spiritual concepts without the bypassing, or interviewing guests about their personal journeys through darkness to light, you'll find discussions that validate your experiences while expanding your perspective. Some episodes feature deep dives into specific topics like cultural appropriation, religious trauma, or the shadow side of wellness culture. Others explore personal practices for shadow integration, helping you develop your own relationship with your darker aspects. I occasionally pull cards from intuitive decks to provide insight for the collective energy we're moving through, and I'm always transparent about my own ongoing journey. This podcast is for you if: You're tired of surface-level spiritual content that avoids the hard stuff You want to explore the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and social justice You're navigating your own healing journey and need guidance without toxic positivity You're seeking authentic community that embraces both shadow and light You believe personal transformation and collective liberation are interconnected New episodes drop biweekly, with special bonus content for those who support the show. You can connect with me on socials by visiting https://livinglunas.com/socials, or join the conversation on YouTube where you'll find the video versions of these episodes and more in-depth resources. Visit Safrianna.com or LivingLUNAs.com to learn about working with me directly through mentorship programs, courses, and community offerings designed to support your journey through the shadows to authentic wholeness. The shadows aren't something to fear—they're portals to our most profound healing, our deepest wisdom, and our most authentic self-expression. I believe you're here because some part of you knows this truth already. Together, we'll navigate the darkness, find the gems hidden within it, and emerge more whole than we've ever been. Are you ready to illuminate what others keep hidden in the dark? Subscribe now and join me on this journey into The Shadow Side.

Information

  • Creator
    Safrianna Lughna
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Safrianna Lughna
  • Show Website
    The Shadow Side with Safrianna