The Awakening Woman

Florence Ukpabi explores what it means for women to live and create from truth beyond burnout, performance, and the systems that keep us small.
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semimonthly

The Awakening Woman is a podcast hosted by Florence Ukpabi, mother, writer and creatrix, exploring what it means to live, create and lead from increasing coherence rather than self-abandonment. This isn’t a podcast about doing more. It’s a reclamation of sovereignty through truth — a remembering that your voice, your body, and your desires are holy. Whether you're unravelling hustle culture, waking up to how far denominator culture extends, navigating conscious mothering in the system, or questioning spirituality and healing narratives — you are not alone. florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com

  1. Returning to Yourself: Spirituality Without Escaping Life

    May 23

    Returning to Yourself: Spirituality Without Escaping Life

    You’re reading Towards Embodied Living — a Substack exploring what becomes possible when we stop abandoning ourselves in order to live, lead and create. What does spirituality look like when your life is actually happening — when there are children, noise, cities, and real stakes? In this episode, I speak with Jennifer Cerero, creator of The Spiritual Lounge, about practical, embodied spirituality for women who refuse to choose between depth and full aliveness. Jen has lived across nine countries, practised Buddhism for over a decade, and spent years in the manifestation world before finding her way back to something more honest. Together, we explore the aesthetics of subversion, the God Jen actually believes in, why New Age spirituality can become another way of outsourcing responsibility, and what silence makes possible that nothing else can. A conversation about inner authority, self-contact, surrender, and what it means to be both spiritual and fully, unapologetically human. We hope you enjoy it. Florence U. x Reflection Questions * What does your spirituality look like when your real life is happening? * Where in your life are you currently looking outside yourself for permission, direction or validation — and what might change if you trusted your own knowing instead? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. About Jennifer Cerero Jennifer Cerero is an actress, writer, filmmaker and creator of The Spiritual Lounge — a Substack publication and community for people who are serious about their spiritual path and equally serious about their real, full, complicated lives. Born in Colombia and shaped by nearly a decade of living across nine countries, Jen writes and creates from her own journey: peeling back layers, questioning inherited beliefs, and finding what it actually means to trust yourself. She is working on her first book. Hi, I’m Florence — mother, writer and creatrix exploring what it means to live, create and lead from increasing coherence rather than self-abandonment. Through my writing, podcast, 1:1 threshold work, Human-Centred Experience Design and the Embodied Living Circle, I create spaces that invite honesty, embodiment and deeper self-trust. My work supports women returning to themselves through lived experience — learning to trust what they notice, remain in relationship with themselves while becoming, and create from a place that feels inhabitable from the inside. Alongside threshold support for women navigating visibility, transition and identity shifts, I also support women in creating containers, learning spaces and experiences that feel like an extension of who they actually are. If something in this work resonates deeply, you’re welcome to explore my Work With Me page or reach out directly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min

  2. May 6 ·  Bonus

    And You

    What comes through when the mind finds nothing to do but notice? A poem noticing connectivity with voice-over. For the original post, visit: https://florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/p/and-you-poem-noticing-connectivity A bit about me... Hi, I’m Florence. Mother, writer, voice and visibility midwife, and Embodied Experience Designer for women returning to themselves and their creative expression. I work with women—particularly mothers—who sense there is more truth, more life, and more of their voice waiting to be lived and expressed. Through my writing, podcast, 1:1 Threshold support, and the Embodied Living Circle, I hold spaces that invite honesty, embodiment, and self-trust—so women can move at the speed of their own truth and create from a place that feels more deeply aligned. You can visit my Work With Me page or message me directly to explore alignment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    2 min
  3. The Reluctant Capitalist: Women, Wealth & Responsibility

    Apr 18

    The Reluctant Capitalist: Women, Wealth & Responsibility

    Back in February, I had the pleasure of interviewing business coach and author Marisa Guthrie for the first episode of Season Two of The Awakening Woman Podcast. Marisa describes herself as a “reluctant capitalist” — someone who recognises the realities of the economic systems we live within while also questioning the extractive values they often promote. Her work explores the complex relationship between women, wealth and capitalism, and in this episode, we talk through the tension many purpose-led women feel between profit and purpose, and what it might look like to build wealth without replicating systems of harm. This conversation touches on themes of responsibility, sovereignty, burnout and the ways women are often conditioned to extract from themselves in order to succeed. We also explore how alternative approaches — rooted in community, ecosystems and collaboration — might offer a different path forward. This is a rich and reflective conversation about the deeper questions surrounding money, work and what it means to create sustainable change in the world. In This Episode We Speak About: * Why many women feel conflicted about wealth and profit * The concept of “self-extraction” and why it leads to burnout * How capitalism shapes the way we think about success and work * The myth of bootstrapping and the power of networks and relationships * Why building wealth comes with responsibility * The importance of caring for ourselves before trying to change the world * Rethinking individual success through an ecosystem lens Just below, you’ll find a handy crib sheet of the key people, terms and ideas mentioned in this episode (thanks, Claude). About Marisa Guthrie Marisa Guthrie is a business coach and author of The Reluctant Capitalist. With over 30 years at the sharp edge of ethical enterprise as a serial founder, CEO, Managing Director of a cross-party think tank, and advisor to an All-Party Parliamentary Group on micro business, she has seen what purpose-driven business looks like when it works, and when it quietly collapses under the weight of a misaligned model. She now supports solo and micro entrepreneurs in navigating the space between profit and purpose as they build businesses aligned with their values. She brings a systemic lens to business, helping them generate wealth ethically and sustainably without replicating the extractive patterns often embedded in modern entrepreneurship. You can find Marisa on Substack. The Reluctant Capitalist Book and October Summit Marisa will be hosting her Make Money, Make Change summit in October, which will go deeper into the ideas behind the book, in conversation with others who are also building differently. Marisa is offering a free summit ticket to those who purchase a copy of her book. You can find the full details for the book and the summit on Marisa’s Substack. About The Awakening Woman Podcast The Awakening Woman Podcast is a monthly podcast focusing on what it means for women to live, create and build in deeper alignment with themselves and the world around them. Through conversations with writers, thinkers and practitioners, we will explore themes of: * embodiment, healing and spirituality * systems and society * creativity and sovereignty * wealth, work and liberation If something in this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. You can join the conversation by sharing your reflections in the comments. A bit about me... Hi, I’m Florence. Mother, writer, and voice and visibility midwife for women returning to themselves and their creative expression. I work with women—particularly mothers—who sense there is more truth, more life, and more of their voice waiting to be lived and expressed. Through my writing, podcast, 1:1 Threshold support, and the Embodied Living Circle, I hold spaces that invite honesty, embodiment, and self-trust—so women can move at the speed of their own truth and create from a place that feels deeply aligned. For women ready to birth their medicine into the world, I offer Creatrix-level support rooted in psychology-informed learning and content design—supporting embodied transformation and work that creates lasting, meaningful impact. Visit my Work With Me page or message me directly to explore alignment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min

  4. 08/17/2025

    The Rising of the Creatrix (Finale)

    The Rising of the Creatrix — the final episode of The Awakening Woman: Ready to Thrive. After seven episodes of truth-telling and system-calling, we arrive here: the moment of rising. This isn’t about self-care tweaks or better boundaries for the same broken arena. It’s about walking out of the arena altogether and birthing something new — success on your terms, rooted in truth, frequency, and soul. We talk about voice, resonance, AI as an accomplice, and why waiting is over. The time to rise is now. 🎧 Listen in + enter the giveaway to win a spot in one of my sacred containers: The Awakening Path or Creatrix Rising. Visit my Substack, Towards Embodied Living, for more details. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min

  5. 08/09/2025

    EP07: Success Isn't Neutral - The Truth About Awakening as a Black Woman

    What if success wasn’t something to chase — something you were never meant to inherit? In this raw, revelatory episode, I share the truth behind what it really means to awaken and succeed as a Black woman in systems never built for us. This is my most personal transmission yet — a reflection shaped by my recent fall, my daughter’s terrified eyes, and the deeper fire that has been rising in me ever since. We talk about: 🔥 The pain, grief and bloodiness of real transformation (not just the buzzword kind)🪨 Why success is not neutral — and what we must leave behind to redefine it🧬 How religious colonisation shapes generational trauma and keeps Black women stuck🌀 Moving mountains as a lived daily reality — not a metaphor🌸 What it really means to mother a liberated lineage⚡ Reclaiming power as a post-Christian woman who is done waiting for salvation This episode is a sacred call — to anyone holding the vision for a life beyond silence, obedience, and survival. If you’ve been feeling the stirrings of your own awakening and you’re ready to move your own mountains… this one is for you. 🎧 Listen in + enter the giveaway to win a spot in one of my sacred containers: The Awakening Path or Creatrix Rising. Visit my Substack, Towards Embodied Living, for more details. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min

  6. 08/02/2025

    EP06: Joy Is a Revolutionary Frequency

    What if joy wasn’t a luxury — but a lifeline? In this soul-nourishing episode, I’m joined by intuitive coach, speaker, and joy weaver AJ Smit, whose vibrant presence and lived wisdom light up every corner of this conversation. Together, we explore what it really means to awaken — not just spiritually, but viscerally, relationally, and creatively. We talk about: ✨ How joy becomes a sacred signal on the awakening path🌊 What it means to deconstruct your faith and still stay spiritually rooted🌿 The quiet “hum” that calls you toward more — even when life looks good on the outside🔥 Reclaiming beauty, visibility, and self-expression as a form of liberation🌀 Why awakening can feel lonely — and how to find women walking the same path🌈 The nervous system realities of expansion, embodiment, and soul-level permission AJ brings honesty, laughter, and depth to this conversation — and reminds us that awakening isn’t always clean, but it is always sacred. 🎧 Listen in + enter the giveaway to win a spot in one of my sacred containers: The Awakening Path or Creatrix Rising. Aj Smit is an intuitive energy worker, speaker, henna artist, and the author of the book Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy. She is a hot chocolate connoisseur, a glitter enthusiast, and a military spouse in Mississippi, with two pups and a plethora of houseplants. Aj has led various Red Tents, retreats, and workshops internationally over the last 15 years to help others discover how to weave creativity, joy, and wonder into their lives. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @TheJoyWeaver and on her website, The Joy Weaver. Visit my Substack, Towards Embodied Living for more details This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min

  7. 07/19/2025

    Ep5: For You, By You, Because of You

    What if midlife wasn’t a crisis — but a calling? In this heart-opening episode, I’m joined by educator, speaker, and midlife mentor Denise Drinkwalter, who brings over 30 years of lived and professional wisdom to the conversation. Together, we explore what it means to stop waiting for permission and finally choose yourself — not just in theory, but in practice. We talk about: Why women feel rage in midlife (and how to honour it) The invisible labour of motherhood and caregiving The power of embodied decisions: “for you, by you, because of you” Redefining happiness beyond external approval How to model joy and sovereignty for the next generation Denise’s energy is warm, wise, and radically empowering — and this episode is an invitation to re-meet yourself with grace, softness, and truth. 🎧 Listen in + enter the giveaway to win a spot in one of my sacred containers: The Awakening Path or Creatrix Rising.Visit my Substack, Towards Embodied Living for more details This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min

  8. 07/12/2025

    EP04: Women Are The Medicine

    What does it mean to awaken — not just spiritually, but politically, emotionally, and bodily? In this bold and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with Rachel and Nasreen, the co-creators of Women Are the Medicine, to explore what happens when women begin to listen to the wisdom of their bodies and refuse to keep playing by the rules of systems that were never made for us. Together, we talk about: Awakening from patriarchy, burnout, and people-pleasing Learning to trust the body — cycles, triggers, truth-telling Plant medicine, nervous system healing, and soul-aligned risk Rebellion, rupture, and returning to joy The vision for a new way of living, loving, and leading This is the kind of conversation that moves like fire and lands like medicine. ✨ For the woman who knows: she is no longer available for self-abandonment. 🎧 Listen in + enter the giveaway to win a spot in one of my sacred containers: The Awakening Path or Creatrix Rising.(More details on episode page show notes) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Awakening Woman is a podcast hosted by Florence Ukpabi, mother, writer and creatrix, exploring what it means to live, create and lead from increasing coherence rather than self-abandonment. This isn’t a podcast about doing more. It’s a reclamation of sovereignty through truth — a remembering that your voice, your body, and your desires are holy. Whether you're unravelling hustle culture, waking up to how far denominator culture extends, navigating conscious mothering in the system, or questioning spirituality and healing narratives — you are not alone. florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Florence Ukpabi explores what it means for women to live and create from truth beyond burnout, performance, and the systems that keep us small.
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Florence Ukpabi
  • Show Website
    The Awakening Woman