The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility

Nicky Yazbeck
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The Connected Community is a place to explore possibility through mindfulness, movement, and self discovery. Our intention is to deliver inspiration, insight, and authenticity, while fostering conversations that are genuine, unfiltered, and deeply human.

  1. MAR 19

    Meet the Host: Nicky Yazbeck's Healing Journey

    In this special episode of The Connected Community Podcast: Exploring Possibility, the microphone turns toward host Nicky Yazbeck as she is interviewed by Bethany Shipley. The conversation offers listeners a deeper look into Nicky’s personal and professional journey, from her decades of work as a licensed clinical social worker and yoga teacher to her exploration of holistic and alternative healing practices. This episode invites listeners to see another side of Nicky: the healer, the learner, the question-asker, and the human being continually walking her own path of growth.   Bethany Shipley is a writer, speaker, and podcast host who helps people reconnect with themselves and create lives that actually feel meaningful. She’s known for reframing the idea of “personal brand” away from marketing and toward presence, integrity, and the way we live our everyday lives. Through her podcast, Your Personal Brand with Bethany Shipley, Bethany explores what it looks like to romanticize real life realistically, trust your inner cues, and stop treating personal growth like a performance. Her work is grounded, honest, and focused on helping people feel oriented rather than optimized. Bethany believes you don’t need a different life. You just need a deeper relationship with the one you’re already living.     Bethany guides the conversation as Nicky reflects on what inspired her to create the podcast and her desire to move beyond surface-level conversations into meaningful dialogue about healing, personal growth, and the human experience. Nicky shares how her professional training, life experiences, and deep curiosity have shaped the way she approaches therapy and space-holding. She discusses the importance of meeting clients where they are, helping people understand their pain, and creating environments where acceptance can soften defenses and allow genuine healing to begin.   The episode also explores Nicky’s evolving perspective on mental health treatment. She speaks about the balance between Western psychological approaches and alternative modalities, emphasizing that healing is not one-size-fits-all. The conversation touches on the role of medication, the difference between depression rooted in life circumstances versus biological factors, and the importance of considering the whole person when supporting mental health.   Bethany and Nicky also discuss transformative experiences that helped shape Nicky’s path, including travel, personal exploration, and her openness to learning from diverse healing traditions. Nicky shares her thoughts on plant medicine and amphibian medicine, discussing both the potential benefits and the ethical responsibilities involved in these practices. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that powerful healing modalities require discernment, preparation, and integration.   At its core, this episode is about curiosity, self-discovery, and the courage to question societal expectations. Nicky reflects on breaking free from the “shoulds” that often shape our lives and embracing a path that aligns with personal truth. She also shares her vision for the future, which encompasses continuing to integrate different healing modalities and helping people reconnect with themselves.     Takeaways The podcast allows Nicky to connect with experts and share their wisdom with the audience. Nicky emphasizes the importance of personal experience in understanding pain and healing Acceptance is crucial in therapy, allowing clients to lower their defenses. Nicky's curiosity drives her to continuously learn and explore new ideas. Breaking free from societal expectations is essential for fulfillment. Transformative experiences often lead to significant life changes. Combining Eastern and Western healing modalities can be beneficial. Medication can be necessary, but it's not a cure-all. Plant medicine offers unique healing opportunities but requires careful consideration. Mental health treatment should be individualized and holistic. Ethics in alternative healing practices are crucial for client safety. Self-acceptance is a continuous journey that requires effort.     Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Journey 02:59 The Intersection of Personal and Professional 05:49 Understanding Pain and Healing 08:59 The Role of Acceptance in Therapy 11:52 Curiosity and Lifelong Learning 14:44 Breaking Free from the 'Shoulds' 17:39 Transformational Experiences and Self-Discovery 20:32 Integrating Eastern and Western Practices 24:26 Navigating Beliefs and Mental Health 25:39 Understanding Depression: Circumstances vs. Chemical Imbalance 29:27 Exploring Frog Medicine: A Unique Healing Approach 36:50 The Journey of Healing: Personal Growth and Transformation 45:36 OUTRO   Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Bethany: www.bethanyshipley.com www.instagram.com/bethanyjshipley   Keywords: podcast, healing, therapy, personal growth, mental health, mindfulness, self-discovery, holistic health, Eastern medicine, Western medicine, mental health, depression,kambo frog medicine, emotional well-being, self-acceptance, holistic health, alternative therapies

    45 min

  2. MAR 5

    Shadow Work: Healing the Parts You Were Taught to Hide

    Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity       Keywords: Shadow work, inner work, self discovery, transformation, inner healing, deep healing authentic self, self awareness, integration

    2 min

  3. FEB 26

    The Future of Humanity: Human Design Insights

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Human Design analyst and guide Ellen M. Laura for a conversation about the future of humanity, the significance of the year 2027, and how to stay centered in times of collective uncertainty. Trained directly by Human Design founder Ra Uru Hu, Ellen brings decades of experience translating complex systems into practical, usable guidance for everyday life.   Together, Nicky and Ellen explore the widely discussed Human Design prediction that 2027 marks a major evolutionary shift in human consciousness, including the emergence of what are often called “Rave Children”, which a generation believed to carry new forms of awareness and connection. Rather than leaning into fear or sensationalism, the conversation focuses on how to approach these ideas with discernment, curiosity, and emotional maturity.   A central theme of the episode is reframing fear, not as something to eliminate, but as a signal that invites awareness and wise action. Ellen shares how to distinguish between personal fear and collective fear, and how understanding that difference can help people stay grounded instead of overwhelmed. The discussion emphasizes that while global narratives can feel destabilizing, individuals still have agency in how they respond, prepare, and relate to change.   Nicky and Ellen also dive into the importance of emotional regulation, gratitude, and self-care as stabilizing forces during uncertain times. They highlight how community and meaningful relationships become even more essential when navigating large-scale shifts, and how cultivating inner steadiness allows people to show up with greater clarity and compassion. Rather than predicting doom or utopia, the episode invites listeners into a more nuanced perspective, one rooted in awareness, connection, and personal responsibility.   Ultimately, this conversation offers a balanced look at Human Design’s future-oriented ideas while staying grounded in practical tools for living well now. It’s an invitation to move beyond fear-based narratives and into a more empowered relationship with uncertainty…one where discernment replaces panic, gratitude anchors the present, and growth is seen as a shared human journey.     Human Design offers insights into our evolution and future. The year 2027 is seen as a pivotal moment for humanity. Rave Children will possess unique abilities and consciousness. Fear can serve as a signal for awareness and action. Community and relationships are essential for navigating change. Gratitude helps ground us in the present moment. Self-care is crucial in managing stress and fear. Understanding personal fears can help distinguish them from collective fears. Preparation for the future can be practical and empowering. We are all interconnected in our journeys towards growth.   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Human Design and 2027 02:24 The Rave Children and Their Evolution 06:21 Understanding the Rave Child Phenomenon 11:33 Navigating the Future: Predictions for 2027 14:21 Fear and Collective Consciousness 23:16 Purpose and Community in the Face of Change 26:06 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth 27:48 Understanding Fear and Its Impact 30:28 The Role of Human Design in Fear Management 30:59 Preparing for Uncertainty with Gratitude 33:15 The Importance of Emotional Regulation 35:26 Finding Balance Amidst Chaos 37:45 Activism and Personal Responsibility 39:29 The Power of Words and Their Frequencies 41:18 Embracing Uncertainty and Living Fully 42:32 Final Thoughts on Navigating the Future 46:48 OUTRO    Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Ellen: https://ellenmlaura.substack.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ellen.laura.58/  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ellen-M.-Laura/author/B001K8IJZO https://ellenmlaura.com/     Keywords: Human Design, 2027, Rave Children, Fear, Community, Self-Care, Awareness, Evolution, Spirituality, Personal Growth, Ra uru Hu

    47 min

  4. FEB 12

    Unlocking Your Money Mindset: Creating Abundance

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck meets with Shaneh Woods, founder of Prosperity First, CFO, and author of the upcoming book Profit Is Protest. Together, they explore a radically reimagined relationship with money; one that blends strategy and soul, numbers and nervous systems, spreadsheets and self-trust.   Shaneh invites listeners to move beyond traditional ideas of success and wealth, reframing prosperity as financial agency, overflow, and choice rather than hustle, burnout, or scarcity. The conversation dives deep into the energetic and emotional blocks that keep people from receiving, and how inherited money stories, fear-based systems, and internalized scarcity shape our relationship with income, worth, and power. Shaneh shares grounded, practical tools for shifting these patterns, emphasizing that true prosperity requires both inner work and outer structure.   This episode also explores the idea of profit as protest, which is using money consciously as a tool for liberation, values-based decision-making, and systemic change. Shaneh explains how reclaiming profit can be an act of resistance against scarcity-driven systems and a pathway toward businesses rooted in integrity, joy, and sustainability. The conversation touches on human design and self-awareness as tools for understanding how we earn, spend, save, and receive money in alignment with who we truly are.   This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, healers, creatives, and anyone ready to dismantle old money narratives and step into a more empowered, ethical, and expansive relationship with wealth. If you’re ready to see money not just as numbers, but as power, possibility, and protest, this conversation will change the way you think about profit forever.     Takeaways Prosperity is a personal definition that goes beyond money. Many people feel they can't be good and wealthy at the same time. Receiving money is tied to how we receive compliments and support. Changing your viewpoint on money can shift your financial situation. Money can be viewed as a friend or a lover, not a villain. Celebrating small financial wins can enhance your relationship with money. Understanding your numbers can bring calm to your financial anxiety. Healing money blockages can impact your lineage and future generations. Crafting new stories around money can help release old beliefs. Profit is a form of protest that can align with personal values.       Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Prosperity Coaching 03:16 Defining Prosperity Beyond Money 07:06 The Blockages to Prosperity 10:43 Energetics of Money and Receiving 14:30 Unpacking Personal Money Mindsets 18:16 Transforming Your Relationship with Money 26:43 The Healing Journey: Understanding Emotional Patterns 29:02 Raising Children with Healthy Money Mindsets 29:09 Tools for Overcoming Financial Blockages 31:52 The Relationship Between Purpose and Prosperity 36:14 Profit as Protest: The Power of Money 36:29 Transforming Money Mindset: Practical Exercises 46:11 OUTRO         Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Shaneh: https://prosperityfirst.com/ https://www.facebook.com/shanehsworld/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanehfwoods/   Keywords: money mindset, prosperity, energy, abundance, financial freedom, self-worth, EFT, personal growth, spiritual coaching, wealth consciousness

    47 min

  5. FEB 5

    Spiritual Bypassing: Ignoring Emotions Keeps You Stuck

    Two weeks ago, I realized I was doing exactly that. I was smiling through upset, pretending I was okay. My husband gently called it out: spiritual bypassing. It’s when we wear a mask of happiness, even when we’re struggling inside. We avoid emotions like anger or sadness because we’ve been told they’re 'not spiritual enough.' But here’s the truth: real healing happens when we feel, not when we suppress or fake it. The key? Notice your emotions, give them space, and they’ll transform naturally. It’s simple, but powerful. What emotion are you avoiding right now? Share below, let's talk about it.    Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   #SpiritualGrowth #EmotionalHealing #SelfAwareness #MindsetShift #InnerWork #spiritualbypassing #healing

    2 min

  6. JAN 29

    Intuitive Eating: Learning to Listen to Your Body's Wisdom

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Erica Ballard, women’s wellness coach, intuitive eating guide, and self-described lover of both science and woo, for an expansive conversation about intuitive eating, body wisdom, and the path toward true self-acceptance. With a Master of Science from Tufts University School of Medicine, certifications in integrative nutrition, NLP, and Reiki, and over a decade of experience in public health and wellness, Erica brings a rare blend of evidence-based insight and intuitive knowing to the conversation. Together, Nicky and Erica explore how many women become disconnected from their bodies through diet culture, restriction, intermittent fasting, and the pursuit of “doing health right,” and how intuitive eating offers a way back home to the body. Erica shares her own journey from rigid food rules and calorie control to learning how to listen to hunger cues, fullness signals, and the body’s changing needs across hormonal cycles, stress levels, and different seasons of life. She reframes food not as something to manage or fear, but as information, nourishment, pleasure, and connection, emphasizing that women’s nutritional needs are not static and must be honored in alignment with the menstrual cycle, hormones, perimenopause, and nervous system regulation. The conversation also dives deeply into body image, self-worth, and the subconscious beliefs many women carry about their bodies, highlighting how chronic under-fueling and self-criticism keep the body in survival mode and disconnect women from their innate wisdom. Erica offers compassionate, practical guidance for beginning an intuitive eating journey, including gently re-establishing hunger cues, releasing shame around food, and shifting from restriction to nourishment in a way that supports both physical and emotional health. This episode is a powerful invitation for women to step out of diet culture and into a more sustainable, embodied, and soulful approach to wellness—one that integrates women’s health, intuitive eating, mindful nutrition, body acceptance, and self-trust. Erica Ballard has been featured in Forbes, Women’s Health, and on CBS and WTHR, and currently lives in Denver with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. This conversation is a must-listen for women seeking a more compassionate, intuitive, and aligned relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves.       Takeaways Intuitive eating is about listening to your body's signals. Food should be viewed as information, not just calories. Acceptance of body image is a journey that takes time. Understanding hunger cues is crucial for healthy eating. Eating should be done in a calm environment without distractions. It's important to eat what your body craves, but also to understand why those cravings exist. Eating until satisfied is key to a healthy relationship with food. Enjoyment in eating is essential for a fulfilling life. Intermittent fasting can have benefits, but women need to approach it differently from men.       Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Intuitive Eating and Wellness Coaching 03:34 The Journey to Understanding Body Signals 06:06 Body Image and Societal Pressures on Women 11:34 Starting the Intuitive Eating Journey 13:17 Understanding Hunger and Satiety Cues 17:23 The Impact of Parenting on Eating Habits 19:24 Exploring 'If Love Could Speak' by Janine Roth 29:39 Transforming Diet: The Power of Whole Foods 32:18 Mindful Eating: Understanding Satisfaction 35:13 Eating in Public: The Psychology of Food Choices 39:20 The Importance of Pleasure in Eating 46:21 Intermittent Fasting: Benefits and Considerations 55:33 OUTRO     Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Erica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaballard/ https://www.ericaballard.co/     Keywords:women's wellness, intuitive eating, body image, hunger cues, mindful eating, intermittent fasting, self-acceptance, nutrition, health coaching, women's health, intermittent fasting, health coaching

    56 min

  7. JAN 15

    NLP and Somatics: Rewriting Your Reality

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with KerryAnne “Ray” Kelley for a thoughtful conversation on trauma, embodiment, and the deeper mechanics of change. Ray shares her lived and professional experience as a trauma-informed, nervous-system-informed practitioner and the creator of the Blueprint Breakthrough, which is a framework designed to reveal how early imprints, belief systems, and adaptive survival strategies shape identity, behavior, and capacity.   Together, Nicky and Ray explore how the subconscious mind influences the majority of our daily choices and reactions, often long after the original experiences that shaped them. Rather than approaching healing through self-improvement or force, Ray emphasizes understanding how patterns formed in the first place and how they continue to live in the body, nervous system, and psyche.   The conversation weaves through NLP, somatic coaching, visualization, and sound-based regulation, highlighting how present-time tools can be used to work with trauma without reliving it. Ray explains how dissociation, often pathologized, can actually serve as an intelligent survival response and how, when approached skillfully, it can become a doorway back to safety and self-trust.   A central theme of the episode is identity: who we believe ourselves to be in relation to our trauma, and what becomes possible when healing is no longer about fixing what’s “wrong,” but about restoring clarity and choice at the root level. Ray offers practical insights into daily practices, belief systems, and somatic awareness that support lasting change, especially for high-capacity individuals who are ready to move beyond collecting frameworks and into embodied integration.   This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen more closely to the body, and reconnect with the intelligence already present within the nervous system without performance, bypassing, or self-blame.   Takeaways: NLP helps in understanding and communicating with the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind influences 80% of our lives. Experiences can be rewritten through NLP techniques. Childhood experiences can create lasting imprints on self-esteem. Gathering insights from past experiences can lead to personal growth. Visualization techniques empower clients to reclaim their narratives. Dissociation can be a helpful tool in trauma recovery. Healing is often layered, like an iceberg melting. Belief in the process is crucial for effective healing. Identity can be intertwined with trauma, affecting healing. Each person has a unique subconscious map influencing their healing. Somatic experiences play a key role in emotional healing. A blueprint breakthrough can clarify how trauma impacts the body. Induction techniques can help achieve relaxation and resourcefulness. Self-exploration is essential for empowerment and healing.   00:00 Introduction to NLP and Somatics 04:21 KerryAnne's Journey into Trauma Healing 07:26 Understanding the Subconscious Mind 10:09 NLP Techniques and Client Sessions 13:26 Exploring Self-Esteem Issues 16:19 Reclaiming Personal Power 19:26 Finding Lessons in Painful Experiences 22:16 Strategies for Unlocking Creativity 24:34 Transforming Perspectives on Trauma 29:33 Empowerment Through Creative Visualization 31:30 The Process of Healing Trauma 33:24 Navigating Identity and Change 35:26 Integrating Somatics with NLP 38:41 Induction Techniques for Healing 53:09 Empowerment Through Self-Exploration 57:51 OUTRO    Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Kerry Anne: https://www.kakelley.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kerryloveannelight/?hl=en linkedin.com/in/misskerryannek https://www.youtube.com/@KAKelley?app=desktop https://www.facebook.com/kerry.kelley1     Keywords: NLP, somatics, trauma healing, subconscious mind, self-esteem, empowerment, visualization, personal growth, hypnosis, KerryAnne Kelley, trauma healing, emotional responses, identity change, belief systems, self-exploration, empowerment, healing techniques, personal growth, neuro linguistic programming

    58 min

  8. JAN 1

    Darkness Retreats: The Journey of Solitude and Self-Discovery

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Scott Berman, founder of SkyCave Retreats, the first darkness retreat center in the United States. Scott spent nearly a decade living in solitude across the remote wilderness of Mount Shasta, California, and Southern Baja, Mexico, fasting, meditating, and immersing himself in the stillness of nature. These years of self-guided solo retreat work, combined with time spent at Goenka Vipassana centers and with teachers across multiple traditions, eventually inspired the creation of a sanctuary for others on a sincere spiritual path.   Scott reflects on his own evolution through more than 70 days in solo darkness retreats, and how, over the past six years, he has supported more than 600 retreatants through their journeys. He speaks to the profound impact of darkness and how it brings vulnerability, nervous system activation, unexpected discomfort, emotional rawness, and ultimately, deep transformation. Together, Nicky and Scott explore the intersection of darkness retreats, nervous system awareness, and the importance of safety, support, and authenticity when stepping into the unknown.   This conversation is an invitation into the inner wilderness, one where silence, mystery, and darkness become catalysts for potential transformation and awakening.     Takeaways: Darkness retreats can be profoundly life-changing experiences. Many people are surprised by the discomfort they feel in the darkness. Spiritual practices can sometimes hinder true emotional processing. The pressure of darkness can reveal hidden vulnerabilities. Support during a retreat is crucial for navigating fear and anxiety. Authenticity is often sacrificed for the sake of belonging. Expectations can lead to disappointment in spiritual experiences. Simplicity in the dark can lead to profound insights. The nervous system's response is key to understanding one's experience. Connection with facilitators is essential for a safe retreat.   Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity support@nickyYyoga.com   Connect with Scott:  www.skycaveretreats.com http://www.instagram.com/skycaveretreats https://www.facebook.com/DarkRoomRetreats https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPXxOvnN3OmWWv3CRt5L2Q   Keywords: darkness retreats, retreats, transformation, meditation, solitude, spiritual journey, vulnerability, self-discovery, mental health, emotional healing, personal growth, nervous system

    1 hr
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3 Ratings

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The Connected Community is a place to explore possibility through mindfulness, movement, and self discovery. Our intention is to deliver inspiration, insight, and authenticity, while fostering conversations that are genuine, unfiltered, and deeply human.

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