“The goddess is not a myth of the past, but a living presence within us, reminding us to honor our wildness, wisdom, and endurance in everyday life.” Welcome to Awakening Aphrodite — the podcast that helps you reconnect with your feminine energy and power, reclaim your vitality, and live in harmony with your body, mind, and spirit. In each episode, holistic health expert Amy Fournier shares inspiring conversations with expert guests, blending ancient wisdom and modern science to offer practical tools that help you thrive in today’s fast-paced world. Featured Guest: Dr. Carla Ionescu Dr. Carla Ionescu is an ancient historian and leading authority on the goddess Artemis, known for her deep, interdisciplinary research on sacred feminine archetypes and their place in both myth and lived history. She is the founder of The Artemis Center and host of The Goddess Project, where she explores how ancient goddesses continue to shape modern spiritual and psychological life. She is also the author of works examining Artemis, temple cultures, and the enduring power of goddess traditions in contemporary times.Dr. Carla is not only a scholar but also a passionate storyteller and bridge-builder between academia and embodied spirituality. Born in Romania and later educated in North America, her personal journey of migration, identity, and belonging informs her devotion to recovering the lost voices of women and the divine feminine in history. Through her lectures, writings, and workshops, she helps women reclaim their wild, instinctual wisdom and reconnect with the sacred cycles of nature. She currently splits her time between teaching, research, and guiding seekers who feel called to walk with Artemis and the living goddess within. Be sure to hop on Amy’s email list to be notified when her online course and membership community, Goddess Rising, Thriving Through the 4 Stages of Womanhood is open for enrollment: https://amyfournier.com/ebooks-shop Check out Amy’s newest product: Heart & Sacral Guided Meditation: https://amyfournier.com/heart-sacral-meditation/For All Amy's Approved Products: https://amyfournier.com/recommended-products/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 16:21 Reading History 26:17 Faith To Artemis 30:37 Sacred Feminine 38:47 Ancient Rituals Today 44:20 Gods & Zeus Debate 58:28 Academic Bias 01:03:22 Rethinking Artemis 01:09:45 Artemis & Mary 01:20:12 Signs & Stags 01:29:01 Artemis Energy 01:39:22 Resources & Close If you enjoyed this episode be sure to check out: 176. Fast Friday: Messages from the Divine Feminine Oracle of Sekhmet and Diana/Artemis, Part III 244. How Venus, Vestia, Persephone & Other Mythological Archetypes Can Help Us Today with Letao Wang 260. Exploring Female Archetypes with Barbara McNally 83. Awakening Aphrodite With Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, Author Of Goddesses In Everywoman 229. The Wild Woman: Nourishing your Goddess Instincts, Passion and Beauty with Dr. Stacey Shelby Stay Connected & Support the Show If this episode inspired or helped you, it would mean the world to us if you would leave a 5-star rating and review — it really helps us and thank you! Join Amy’s Email List for holistic health tips, updates & exclusive content: https://amyfournier.com/contact/Be the first to hear when Amy’s upcoming online course & community, Goddess Rising: Thriving In The 4 Stages of Womanhood is open for applications: https://amyfournier.com/contact/ Connect With Amy Website: https://amyfournier.comYouTube: Awakening Aphrodite Podcast / FitAmyTVInstagram: @fitamytvFacebook: Amy FournierEmail: amy@amyfournier.com Contact Carla Website: www.artemisresearchcentre.com Instagram & TikTok: @artemisexpert YouTube: The Goddess Project New Book: She Who Endures: The Cult and Iconography of Artemis of Ephesus