Conditioning to Consciousness

Jess Callahan
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Conditioning to Consciousness explores the journey from inherited conditioning to embodied awareness — honoring personal healing as a catalyst for collective transformation. It’s for those peeling back layers of stress, people-pleasing, burnout, and self-silencing — and learning how to reclaim autonomy, self-trust, and purpose in a world shaped by systems that keep us disconnected from our bodies and intuition. Hosted by Jess Callahan, this podcast blends thoughtful conversations with experts and change-makers alongside solo episodes informed by personal healing, post-graduate studies in transpersonal psychology and consciousness, and years of study in nervous system regulation, intuition, astrology, and somatic awareness. Each episode connects back to five core pillars of healing and awakening: Nervous system regulationDeconditioning the mindReconnecting with intuitionSelf-discoveryIntegration and embodimentRather than bypassing hard truths, Conditioning to Consciousness approaches healing through compassion, curiosity, and grounded awareness — recognizing that personal healing ripples outward into collective change. When even a small percentage of people elevate their consciousness, the world around them begins to shift. This podcast is for cycle-breakers, system-seers, creatives, and deep feelers who are doing the real work — not to fix themselves, but to remember who they are beneath everything they learned to survive. Just because the systems are broken doesn’t mean we have to be. ------------------ This podcast has evolved and was formerly published under the name The Becoming You Project. 

  1. 19H AGO

    35. Naming White Supremacy (and Staying Present Through the Discomfort) with Amy McDonald

    Send a text This episode is about choosing curiosity over comfort.  In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Amy McDonald to name the system of white supremacy directly, explore how it was built and maintained through U.S. history, and talk about what it looks like to begin deconstructing it in ourselves and our communities. The opening acknowledges an important truth: this is a conversation between two white women, speaking from one perspective. That’s not a disclaimer to dilute the topic — it’s a reminder to widen the lens. This episode is an invitation to stay curious, resist shutdown, and keep expanding the voices you learn from, listen to, and follow. Amy shares how relearning U.S. history — especially the Reconstruction era and its aftermath — became a turning point. Together, we explore how identity, belonging, “comfort,” and community have been shaped by white supremacy for generations; how empathy can be conditioned out of communities; and why many people resist naming the system even when they can feel the consequences of it. We also discuss how algorithms reward division, why in-person conversations still matter, and what actionable steps white women can take to disrupt inherited patterns — not through guilt or performance, but through honest reflection, education, and community-building. In This Episode, We Explore Why the phrase “white supremacy” triggers shutdown — and why staying present mattersWhat Amy discovered when she began relearning U.S. history through firsthand accountsAmy’s framing: white narcissism vs. white supremacyHow belonging and identity can be weaponized (and why “community” can become a trap)The role of empathy erosion in white America (and why it matters right now)Why “comfort” is a pillar of white supremacy — and how discomfort becomes the doorwayThe algorithm problem: why social media platforms reward division and outrageWhy movements historically relied on in-person organizing and relationship-buildingPractical steps for white women: books, diverse spaces, and learning to leverage power responsiblyAmy McDonald is a podcast host and political organizer-minded educator who uses historical research and systems thinking to help people understand how we got here — and what it will take to shift what comes next. She hosts The Foolish Optimist, featuring interviews with emerging candidates running for office outside the traditional political machine. Resources & People Mentioned (as referenced in the conversation) Books The Empathy Gap: It’s Black and White — Tammy TrioloBlood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy — Heather Ann ThompsonCreators / Accounts Amy Shout-Outs (verify handles/spelling before publishing) Tammy Triolo (also known online as “Delusional Influencer”)The White Woman WhispererPortia NoirAmy’s work Podcast: The Foolish OptimistSocial: @amymaccc (Amy MIf this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    47 min

  2. 3D AGO

    34. A Cosmic Weather Report: Why Everything Feels So Intense with Danielle Polgar

    Send a text In this episode of Conditioning to Consciousness, Jess is joined by returning guest Danielle Polgar, an astrological advisor with over 20 years of study and 13 years of therapeutic client work, to break down the major astrology transits happening right now — and why so many of us feel like we’re living inside a collective “system upgrade.” While natal chart astrology can help you understand your personal patterns and soul curriculum, this conversation focuses on current transits, including concentrated Aquarius energy, a solar eclipse in Aquarius (Feb 17), Saturn completing a karmic chapter at the final degree of Pisces, and the profound Saturn–Neptune reset at 0° Aries (Feb 20). Together, Jess and Danielle explore how these transits reflect what’s unfolding in the collective psyche: disruption, awakening, destabilization of old structures, and the invitation to reclaim self-agency. This isn’t astrology as prediction — it’s astrology as pattern recognition, nervous-system awareness, and a grounded tool for navigating chaos with clarity. Danielle offers practical ways to work with the energy — especially through embodiment, discernment, and reconnecting with the present moment — so you can respond rather than react. What You’ll Hear in This Episode • Why astrology can be understood as a kind of cosmic weather report • The archetype of Aquarius: disruption, innovation, collective consciousness, and the individual’s role within the group • Why “organized chaos” can be a doorway to death and rebirth • Locating Aquarius in your chart — and what it may be inviting you to shift • Why this moment can feel like a Tower moment (and what comes after) • How nervous system regulation supports self-agency during intense collective change • Practical grounding tools: embodiment, nature, and returning to the present moment • Why “no one is coming to save us” is not despair — it’s empowerment • The difference between reacting from fear vs. responding from awareness • How to “dream and do”: moving from imagination into aligned action Key Themes + Takeaways 1) You’re not imagining it — this is big energy 2) Aquarius invites a new perspective — and a new role 3) Grounding is not avoidance — it’s the foundation for effective action 4) The future isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we participate in Connect with Danielle Polgar Danielle Polgar is an astrological advisor who has studied astrology for over 20 years and has worked with clients therapeutically for 13 years. Her approach uses astrology as a framework for understanding purpose, growth, and the soul’s curriculum — offering practical insight into both the natal chart and current transits to support empowered, conscious living. Connect with Danielle Website: https://www.daniellepolgar.com/ Substack Instagram: @danielle_polgar If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    49 min

  3. FEB 4

    33. Patriarchy: The Hidden Script That Holds Us Back with Dr. Anne Whitehouse

    Send us a text In this episode of Conditioning to Consciousness, we explore patriarchy not as a political talking point or a blame narrative, but as a hidden operating system or a script running beneath the surface of our lives that shapes how safe we feel to speak, lead, rest, succeed, and be seen. This conversation is an invitation to look more deeply at how systemic conditioning lives not just "out there" — but inside the nervous system, the subconscious, and the body.  I’m joined by Dr. Anne Whitehouse, PhD, former Cambridge scientist, author, and subconscious empowerment expert, whose own journey through extreme burnout and chronic illness led her to uncover how deeply inherited power structures affect our health, confidence, and sense of safety. Together, we unpack how patriarchy operates beneath conscious belief — showing up as fear of visibility, chronic self-doubt, people-pleasing, overworking, and the persistent feeling of being “too much” or “not enough.” We explore how these patterns impact everyone — both women and men alike — by suppressing balance, intuition, emotional expression, and embodied power. This episode bridges science and spirituality, weaving together nervous system regulation, subconscious programming, ancestral and collective patterns, and consciousness work. Rather than asking who to blame, we focus on what it looks like to see the script clearly, interrupt it with compassion, and begin building something new, something more whole — internally and collectively. If you’re interested in healing burnout, reclaiming your voice, understanding why speaking up can feel unsafe, or engaging in conscious change without bypassing the body, this conversation offers both clarity and grounding. To connect with Dr. Anne Whitehouse, visit:  www.drannewhitehouse.com or find her on Substack at: https://drannewhitehouse.substack.com/  If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    56 min

  4. JAN 29

    32. Reclaiming Your Right to Be Creative with Allegra Chapman

    Send us a text Creativity is something we often see "reserved" for the talented. Otherwise it's seen as indulgent, frivolous, even wasted time. In this episode, we gently dismantle that myth.  I’m joined by writer and creative guide Allegra Chapman for a rich, grounding conversation about creativity as a nervous-system practice, a form of self-care, and a path back to self-connection. We explore why so many people believe they’re “not creative,” how early experiences — especially in the early school years — can create lasting creativity wounds, and why our culture actively discourages imagination, play, and rest. Together, we talk about creativity as embodiment: using the hands, the senses, and the body to regulate the nervous system, quiet mental noise, and access intuition. We discuss creative practices as a kind of moving meditation — especially for neurodivergent minds — and why making something doesn’t need to result in a masterpiece to be meaningful. The process itself is where healing, insight, and clarity live. This episode also touches on the deeper layers of creativity: how productivity culture, burnout, and constant output disconnect us from our inner worlds; how creative expression can restore a sense of agency and purpose; and why reclaiming imagination is quietly radical in a system that benefits from exhaustion and compliance. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your creativity, stuck in freeze, overwhelmed by productivity pressure, or unsure how to rest without guilt, this conversation offers a softer way back. Creativity here isn’t about talent or outcome — it’s about permission, presence, and remembering that expression is part of being human. Topics we explore include: creative self-care, nervous system regulation, embodiment, creativity wounds, neurodivergence and creativity, creative meditation, burnout recovery, intuition, and reclaiming imagination as a form of healing and resistance. This episode is an invitation to play, to listen inward, and to reconnect with yourself — one small creative act at a time. About Allegra Allegra Chapman is an author, columnist and creative therapy practitioner. As an AuDHD mother, she is passionate about supporting creatives who don't fit into society's boxes to claim and embody their creative power. Allegra's latest book, Creativity Is Your Self-Care, is out now.  Allegra is graciously offering listeners a 20% discount on her membership. Follow this link:   https://yourcreativefix.substack.com/becoming Contact Allegra at any of these links:  Website: https://creativefix.net/ Substack: https://yourcreativefix.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allegra_chapman/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@allegra_chapman And for more guidance on building a creative practice, her book, Creativity Is Your Self-Care, has 52 simple, low-deman If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    55 min

  5. JAN 26

    31. Speaking Up - And the Hidden Cost of Silence

    Send us a text It's all just heavy right now. And unstable. Chaotic. Overwhelming.  It's hard to keep up with everything that's happening. For a lot of people, the easiest response is to shut down -- not because we don't care, but because caring feels like too much.  But that's the point -- the shut down, the apathy. When we check out, harmful systems advance.  This episode takes a grounded approach to the hidden cost of not speaking up -- what it does to the body and nervous system when we repeatedly override our truth, suppress our voice, or disconnect from what we know deep down is not okay. We'll also cover how to break the cycle and start (or continue) speaking up. If you've felt overwhelmed, confused, numb, angry, or frozen - these are normal responses to prolonged uncertainty and collective stress.  But the way through this is by going through it. Not around it.  This isn’t a call to panic or perform. It’s an invitation to slow down, get regulated, and reconnect with what you stand for. To remember that using your voice doesn’t have to look loud or confrontational -- it can look grounded, intentional, and rooted in love. We talk about practical, sustainable ways to engage: speaking up in small moments, modeling values for our kids, building community, and choosing participation over apathy. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that you are not weak for feeling this. You are not broken for needing rest. And you are not alone in the tension between wanting to stay safe and wanting to stay true. When we tend to our nervous systems and align with our values, using our voice becomes less about fear -- and more about integrity, care, and connection. If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world and wondering what to do with it, this conversation is for you. If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    44 min

  6. JAN 22

    30. Spiritual Activism and What We Can Actually Do with Kelly Stegman

    Send us a text In a world that feels heavy, chaotic, and — at times — genuinely unreal, it’s easy to swing between two extremes: doom-spiraling until your nervous system shuts down… or trying to “love-and-light” your way through realities your body knows are not okay. This episode lives in the middle path. I sat down with Kelly Stegman (aka The Boho Witchery) for a conversation about spiritual activism — the meeting place between inner work and real-world change. Kelly’s approach to witchcraft is one of the most grounded, accessible, and empowering perspectives I’ve heard in a long time. Here she reminds us of something we’ve been conditioned to forget: You already have what you need. Witchcraft, in Kelly’s world, isn’t reserved for the “gifted,” the initiated, or the people with a perfectly curated altar. It's intention. It’s sovereignty. It’s the quiet power of choosing what you believe, what you’ll protect, what you’ll build — and then taking steps that move the needle. Sometimes it looks like lighting a candle or setting a simple intention. Sometimes it looks like putting that intention behind a donation, a conversation, a boundary, or a decision. Sometimes it looks like saying: I refuse to stay numb. Through this conversation, we explore ideas like: If we can manifest safety, love, and expansion for ourselves… why wouldn’t we include our neighbors? If we’re brave enough to ask the universe for guidance… why wouldn’t we also ask for justice, truth, and protection — collectively? This is where Kelly’s work becomes powerful in a way that feels radically human: she’s building community-based spirituality through monthly community circles (free to attend) and her Patreon — spaces where people gather to set shared intentions, co-create energetic momentum, and then pair it with real-world action. Because intention without action can become performance. And action without intention can become burnout. The medicine is in holding both. In this episode, we talk about: Signs and intuition (and why specificity matters when you’re asking for guidance)How to tell the difference between intuition and fear in the bodyWhy “spirituality” that ignores reality isn’t spirituality — it’s avoidanceHow community circles work, and why shared intention is a form of collective powerThe simplest way to start practicing: intention as everyday magicWhy witchcraft is, at its core, about self-empowerment + sovereigntyAnd why every person has gifts — we’ve just been trained to doubt themMore than anything, Kelly offers this reminder - The first step to getting started happens exactly where you are — with what you have — when you choose connection over collapse. Because the truth is: we shift the world the same way we shift anything — one coherent choice at a time. Connect with Kelly https://www.threads.com/@thebohowitchery https://www.instagram.com/thebohowitchery  Patreon is Witchery13 If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    45 min

  7. JAN 15

    29. Feminine Rage: How We Release What We Carry with Simone Sylvester

    Send us a text In this episode of Conditioning to Consciousness, we’re talking about something a lot of women feel… but rarely say out loud: rage—the kind that builds quietly under “I’m fine,” behind the smile, and beneath years of self-betrayal, suppression, and over-functioning. The episode starts with a quiet reflection on the importance of feeling it all at a time when there's a lot of unrest and discontent building across the U.S. Then, I’m joined by Simone Sylvester, a practitioner and writer in the space of the dark feminine, where we explore the parts of ourselves that have been shunned, softened, or silenced in the name of being “good,” “easy,” or “palatable.” What I love about this conversation is how grounded it is—this isn’t rage as drama or chaos. It’s rage as information. Rage as truth. Rage as a signal that something in us has been overridden for too long. Simone shares the story behind Rage Pages—a simple, powerful practice for releasing anger safely through writing (and then letting it go—rip it up, burn it, throw it away). We also talk about why so many spiritual spaces can feel bypassy, why “good vibes only” can become its own kind of cage, and how movement, ritual, nervous system awareness, and honest self-expression can help us process what we’ve been carrying—without turning it inward and letting it become anxiety, burnout, or dis-ease in the body. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not an angry person,” or “Rage isn’t really me,” this episode is a gentle invitation to look again. Because for so many women, rage isn’t the problem—it’s the accumulation. And when it finally rises, it’s often because something deeper is ready to be reclaimed. In this episode, we explore: • What “the dark feminine” really means (and what it doesn’t) • Why feminine rage is often delayed self-respect • How suppression shows up in the body over time • The practice of Rage Pages (and how to use it safely) • Why movement, dancing, and even screaming can be medicine • How to deprogram “good girl” conditioning and return to truth If this conversation resonates, share it with a friend who’s been holding it together for too long—and if you’re ready to experiment, try Rage Pages this week and notice what shifts. Visit Simone on Substack.  If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    44 min

  8. JAN 8

    28. From Amish Cult to Energetic Leader: Emily Adams on Human Design and Rebuilding Your Life

    Send us a text What happens when you walk away from everything you’ve ever known - your family, your culture, your religion - and have to rebuild your life… twice? In this episode, I sit down with Emily Adams, a speaker, coach, and creator of a new human design for leadership platform, to talk about her extraordinary journey from growing up in the Amish community to becoming a powerful, grounded leader in the worlds of business, energy, and self-trust. Emily shares how leaving the Amish at 17 - literally climbing out of a second-story window in the middle of the night - threw her into a full identity crisis and culture shock. We walk through her climb into the corporate automotive world, her spiritual awakening after a painful divorce, and the deep trauma work (EMDR, inner child work, plant medicine) that eventually led her to astrology and human design. Today, she uses human design to help leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs align how they work with their innate energy, instead of continuing to burn out in hustle culture. In this conversation, we explore: What it was like to escape the Amish culture and start over with a sixth-grade educationThe realities of unprocessed trauma and the catalyst that led to her spiritual awakeningHow human design became a tool for healing, deconditioning, and reclaiming her voiceWhat it means to be a Manifestor 4/6 and how understanding her design changed how she works, parents, and leadsPractical, accessible ways to start using human design: type, authority, and profileHow she uses human design as a parent to better understand and support her two sonsWhy purpose isn’t a fixed destination, but something that evolves as you doThe story behind her new tech platform that blends human design, coaching, and leadership developmentIf you’ve ever felt out of place in your own life, questioned the systems you were raised in, or wondered how to build a life that actually fits your energy, this episode will speak directly to you. Connect with Emily Human Design + Leadership Platform: https://leadingwithhumandesign.com/  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@emilyadams_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmilyAdams_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyadams8/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyadamm/ If this episode spoke to you, it would mean the world if you took a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who needs it. And make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode of Conditioning to Consciousness. You can connect with me on Instagram @jesscallahan_, join my Substack community at conditioningtoconsciousness.substack.com, or explore more of my work at jesscallahan.com. My Back in the Body Nervous System Healing course is now available! Find it here. Thanks for listening — I’m so grateful you’re here.

    49 min
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About

Conditioning to Consciousness explores the journey from inherited conditioning to embodied awareness — honoring personal healing as a catalyst for collective transformation. It’s for those peeling back layers of stress, people-pleasing, burnout, and self-silencing — and learning how to reclaim autonomy, self-trust, and purpose in a world shaped by systems that keep us disconnected from our bodies and intuition. Hosted by Jess Callahan, this podcast blends thoughtful conversations with experts and change-makers alongside solo episodes informed by personal healing, post-graduate studies in transpersonal psychology and consciousness, and years of study in nervous system regulation, intuition, astrology, and somatic awareness. Each episode connects back to five core pillars of healing and awakening: Nervous system regulationDeconditioning the mindReconnecting with intuitionSelf-discoveryIntegration and embodimentRather than bypassing hard truths, Conditioning to Consciousness approaches healing through compassion, curiosity, and grounded awareness — recognizing that personal healing ripples outward into collective change. When even a small percentage of people elevate their consciousness, the world around them begins to shift. This podcast is for cycle-breakers, system-seers, creatives, and deep feelers who are doing the real work — not to fix themselves, but to remember who they are beneath everything they learned to survive. Just because the systems are broken doesn’t mean we have to be. ------------------ This podcast has evolved and was formerly published under the name The Becoming You Project. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Callahan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Conditioning to Consciousness
  • Show Website
    Conditioning to Consciousness