The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility

Nicky Yazbeck
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 12/18/2025

    Tantra Beyond Sex: Awakening Energy, Sovereignty, and Ecstatic Aliveness

    In this episode of The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Christine Renee, founder of Moon Rising Shamanic Institute, for a deeply grounded conversation on Tantra, shamanic spirituality, energy awareness, and embodied awakening. With over two decades of experience in the spiritual and healing arts, Christine serves as a bridge between worlds, guiding seekers toward remembrance, sovereignty, and ecstatic aliveness.   This episode explores Tantra beyond its common misconceptions, reframing it as a powerful spiritual practice rooted in presence, breath, sound, movement, and conscious energy cultivation rather than sexuality alone. Christine unpacks how Tantra supports emotional release, nervous system regulation, chakra alignment, and authentic self-expression, offering a path toward living fully embodied and energetically alive.   Together, Nicky and Christine discuss the importance of creating safe, intentional spaces for transformation, emphasizing consent, boundaries, and personal sovereignty as foundational elements of any intimate or energetic practice. The conversation weaves through shamanic principles, Reiki, sacred embodiment, and Tantra as a way of awakening dormant life force energy and reconnecting with the soul’s deepest truth.   Listeners are invited into a broader understanding of what it means to live an ecstatic life, not as constant pleasure, but as full-spectrum aliveness. Christine speaks to embracing the totality of the human emotional experience, allowing grief, joy, desire, stillness, and power to coexist as part of spiritual maturation. Through breathwork, sound, movement, and energy awareness, Tantra becomes a tool for self-discovery, emotional integration, and conscious connection, whether practiced solo or in relationship.     Takeaways: Christine Renee has over 20 years in the spiritual industry. She emphasizes the importance of energy awareness in personal growth. Tantra is often misunderstood as solely sexual; it encompasses much more. Personal practice in Tantra can lead to profound self-discovery. Breath, sound, and movement are key components of Tantra. Emotional release is a natural part of the Tantra experience. Setting boundaries is crucial in any intimate practice. Tantra can be practiced alone or with partners, focusing on connection. Creating safe spaces is essential for exploring Tantra. Living an ecstatic life involves embracing all emotions.     Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Christine: mystics@moonrisinginstitute.com moonrisinginstitute.com www.youtube.com/@moonrisinginstitute.com IG: @moonrising.institute www.facebook.com/moonrisinginstitute https://moonrisinginstitute.circle.so/c/she-who-rises/     Keywords: Tantra, energy awareness, personal sovereignty, emotional release, breath work, intimacy, sexuality, spiritual practices, self-love, ecstatic living, orgasm, eroticism

    59 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    Conscious Grieving: Healing Pain After Loss

    In this episode of the Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck and Shantel Ochoa delve into the profound topic of conscious grieving. Shantel is a conscious grieving guide and the facilitator of a weekly support community dedicated to healing through loss with intention, presence, and spiritual awareness. Her work was born from the profound spiritual downloads she received following the passing of her son 12 years ago—an experience that initiated her own dark night of the soul and ultimately transformed her understanding of grief. During her deepest moments of mourning, Shantel received a life-altering message that reshaped her perspective on death, the soul’s journey, and the sacred process of healing. She discovered that as we move through grief, we also move through the primary chakras, with each one offering insight, grounding, and an opportunity to reclaim our inner power, especially through the solar plexus. Though the chakra process is fluid and unique for every individual, Shantel teaches that its core purpose is to honor the soul journey of our loved ones while also honoring our own.   Early in her healing, Shantel was introduced to the concept of soul contracts. This understanding opened space for deeper acceptance, helping her recognize the cyclical nature of life and death - and the belief that our soul families, including the timing of our transition, are part of a greater spiritual agreement. Through her podcast Whispers of Wisdom and community work with Reiki 7 Point Healing, Shantel offers compassionate wisdom, intuitive guidance, and a roadmap for conscious grieving—inviting others to heal not by forgetting their loved ones, but by walking with them in a new, empowered way.     Takeaways: Conscious grieving is an intentional process of moving through grief. Everyone's experience of grief is unique and influenced by their relationship with the deceased. Avoiding grief can make the process harder; facing it is essential. Grief can lead to a re-identification of self and a new truth. The chakras can be used as a framework to process grief. Forgiveness is a crucial part of healing from grief. Community support is vital during the grieving process. Cultural perspectives on grief vary widely and can influence how we cope. It's important to allow oneself to feel all emotions during grief, including joy. Finding purpose after loss can be a transformative experience.   Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Shantel: reiki7pointhealing@gmail.com  http://reiki7poinhealing.com/ https://www.instagram.com/reiki7pointhealing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr  https://www.facebook.com/groups/993297424086856 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlVGoIuFhfLLIAFCu839qut8IFFoaxdLA     Keywords: grief, grieving, conscious grieving, loss, healing, energy centers, forgiveness, cultural perspectives, death, chakras, dark night of the soul

    56 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    How Psychedelics Heal: Science and Effects on the Brain

    In this episode, host Nicky Yazbeck welcomes expert guest Adam Yazbeck, a nurse practitioner with a unique background spanning pediatric emergency medicine, intensive care, trauma work, and holistic mental health. Adam breaks down the science of psychedelics, explaining their etymology, how they affect brain function, and why they can enhance neuroplasticity, support trauma processing, and expand consciousness when used responsibly.   Together, they explore the differences between therapeutic and recreational use, the importance of set and setting, and why integration is essential for long-term healing. Adam emphasizes the role of community support and embodied practices in trauma recovery, while Nicky highlights the growing future of psychedelics in mental health treatment and the need for a grounded, science-based approach.   Drawing from 13+ years in pediatric medicine and his work as a psychiatric mental health NP, Adam shares how he blends spirituality, deep psychological work, and neurophysiology to help individuals, especially healthcare workers and trauma survivors, heal in a more holistic way.     Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Psychedelics and Their Impact 02:54 Understanding Psychedelics: Definitions and Etymology 05:51 The Neuroscience of Psychedelics: Brain Activity and Connectivity 08:45 Psychedelics vs. Traditional Therapy: A Comparative Analysis 11:59 The Role of Intention in Psychedelic Experiences 14:50 Integration: Making Sense of Psychedelic Experiences 17:48 The Science of Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics 20:36 The Balance: Using Psychedelics Responsibly 23:08 The Importance of Integration After Psychedelic Journeys 26:00 The Mechanisms of Neuroplasticity in Psychedelic Experiences 31:02 Reconnecting with Childhood Memories through Trauma Healing 32:41 Understanding Trauma's Impact on the Brain 35:07 The Role of Psychedelics in Trauma Processing 38:21 The Importance of Somatic Experience in Healing 42:27 Integration: The Key to Lasting Change 47:14 The Necessity of Support Systems in Psychedelic Experiences 50:51 The Interconnectedness of Community and Healing 53:02 Psychedelics vs. Traditional Medications: A New Approach 57:29 The Future of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment     Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com     Keywords: psychedelics, psychedelic therapy, trauma healing, psychedelic integration, neuroplasticity, consciousness, mental health, brain function, Adam Yazbeck, Nicky Yazbeck, healing journey, therapeutic psychedelics, trauma recovery, holistic therapy, community support, trauma, integration, MDMA, psilocybin, Ayahuasca

    1h 2m

  8. 11/06/2025

    Archetypes: Victim, Child, Prostitute and Saboteur and Their Effect on Our Relationships

    In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck welcomes Shantel Ochoa, a Shamanic Reiki Practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, Ceremonialist, and intuitive Oracle and Tarot Reader, for a deeply transformative conversation on archetypes, shadow work, and spiritual healing. Shantel bridges ancient shamanic wisdom with modern energy medicine, helping others awaken to their soul’s purpose and embody a greater sense of inner peace, empowerment, and divine alignment.   Together, Nicky and Shantel explore the four core archetypes that shape every human experience, the Victim, Saboteur, Prostitute, and Child, and how understanding these energetic patterns can reveal hidden aspects of the subconscious mind. Through the lens of shamanic healing, Reiki energy work, and Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT), they discuss how to transmute limiting beliefs, reclaim personal power, and cultivate emotional and energetic balance.   This episode invites listeners into a journey of self-awareness, shadow integration, and soul evolution. Shantel shares how archetypes act as mirrors for growth and transformation, guiding us to release old stories and reconnect to our higher consciousness. Blending insights from archetypal psychology, soul contracts, and energy centers (chakras), she illuminates the sacred relationship between trauma healing, intuition, and spiritual awakening.   If you’re drawn to energy healing, Reiki, spiritual self-discovery, or understanding the deeper forces that influence your relationships and personal journey, this episode offers wisdom to help you alchemize pain into purpose and walk your path with clarity, compassion, and courage.   Takeaways: Everyone has four main archetypes: the victim, saboteur, prostitute, and child. Understanding archetypes can facilitate personal growth and enhance relationships. The victim archetype often leads to a mindset of helplessness. The saboteur archetype can cause self-sabotage in various aspects of life. The prostitute archetype relates to negotiating personal power and boundaries. The child archetype encompasses various aspects of our inner child, including the wounded child. Transmuting negative archetypes into positive ones is essential for healing. Self-awareness is key to recognizing and working with archetypes. Setting boundaries is crucial for personal empowerment. Compassion for oneself and others is important when dealing with archetypes.     Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Archetypes 03:02 Understanding Archetypes and Their Origins 04:05 The Four Core Archetypes 08:50 The Victim Archetype 19:56 The Saboteur Archetype 31:00 The Prostitute Archetype 33:27 The Wounded Child Archetype 35:07 Nurturing Self-Love and Expansion 36:35 Understanding the Divine Child Archetype 38:40 Exploring the Nature and Magical Child Archetypes 41:06 The Eternal Child and Its Shadows 42:53 Transmuting the Victim to the Warrior 44:16 The Role of the Saboteur and the Magician 46:07 Catching Negative Thoughts and Shifting Energy 48:17 The Prostitute Archetype and Setting Boundaries 52:22 Healing Family Dynamics and Generational Trauma 54:15 Connecting with Your Inner Child     Connect with me: https://nickyYyoga.com https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity nickynamaste@gmail.com   Connect with Shantel: reiki7pointhealing@gmail.com  https://www.instagram.com/reiki7pointhealing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr  https://www.instagram.com/reiki7pointhealing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr     Keywords: archetypes, personal growth, shadow work, victim, saboteur, prostitute, child, spiritual journey, self-awareness, healing, Caroline Myss

    56 min
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out of 5
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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