wounds to wisdom

tina melendez

A raw journey of self-discovery, transforming life's challenges into profound wisdom and personal growth.

  1. when grief becomes an awakening: tracy laskos on coming home to yourself

    12/04/2025

    when grief becomes an awakening: tracy laskos on coming home to yourself

    What happens when life doesn't follow the script you were handed? When loss cracks you open and forces you to ask: who am I without all these roles, all these expectations, all these stories I've been told about who I'm supposed to be? In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Laskos, author, conscious leadership advisor, and founder of Wings of Truth, to talk about the seasons of unraveling we all go through, and what it means to come home to yourself when everything else falls away. Tracy shares her journey through profound loss, including losing her mom while she was a new mother herself. She talks about how grief became an awakening rather than something to overcome, and how that loss pulled back the veil and opened her to a deeper spiritual path. We dive into shadow work and what it really means to integrate rather than eliminate parts of ourselves. Tracy offers this beautiful reframe: the darkness is required for the light to be seen. We also explore leadership through vulnerability, the metamorphosis process, and what it means to witness transformation—both in ourselves and in the people we love. This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply moving. If you're in a season of unraveling, if you've ever felt like life was asking you to let go of who you thought you were so you could become who you actually are, this episode is for you. Tracy recently published her first book, The Spark Within: An Authentic Journey Home, which weaves her personal story with journal prompts and reflection points to support your own healing journey. Connect with Tracy:Instagram: @tracylaskosWebsite: https://www.wingsoftruth.co/Book: Purchase Now Follow me on Instagram @iamtinamelendez Come sit with me in meditation. See my upcoming events Join my mailing list: https://www.intuitive-soulutions.com/shadow-meditation Stock Media provided by HotZtudio / Pond5

    1h 3m
  2. 11/20/2025

    when small things feel like catastrophes

    Ever notice how something small can suddenly feel like the end of the world? And then you either go into full control mode trying to manage every detail, or you completely give your power away hoping someone else will fix it? In this episode, I break down three interconnected shadow archetypes that show up especially strong during stressful times (hello, holiday season): the catastrophizer, the micromanager, and the damsel. The catastrophizer is at the root - it's the part of us that blows things out of proportion, that pulls from our teenage energy of being overly dramatic and out of control of our emotions. From there, we typically split into one of two responses: we either become the micromanager who tries to control everyone and everything to feel safe, or we become the damsel who steps out of our power and looks to someone else to save us. I share how these shadows show up in my own life - with my kids, my partner, everyday situations that suddenly feel massive - and walk you through the RISE Method for working with them: Recognize the pattern, Inquire with compassion, Shift the relationship, and Embody the transformation. In this episode: How the catastrophizer pulls us into teenage drama energyWhy micromanaging actually pushes people away instead of keeping us safeWhat it means to "play damsel" and dim your power for othersWhy starting small (like with folding towels) is key to breaking these patternsHow these three shadows are actually trying to protect youKey insight: Control is an illusion. When you're micromanaging others or giving your power away, you're operating from the belief that you're not safe unless something outside you changes. The real work is coming back into your body and responding from your actual power, not your panic. Upcoming Events: Illuminate Your Shadows - November 21, 7pm, Groundswell Yoga, Annapolis, MD: Work with the Catastrophizer, Micromanager, and Damsel through guided meditation and energy work. In-person and virtual options available. Reserve your mat or join us virtuallySacred Space Annapolis Women's Circle - November 23, 3pm, Groundswell Yoga, Annapolis, MD: Our inaugural gathering where women come together for community, healing, and authentic connection. Sliding scale pricing. Join usFollow me on Instagram @iamtinamelendez Come sit with me in meditation. See my upcoming events Join my mailing list: https://www.intuitive-soulutions.com/shadow-meditation Stock Media provided by HotzTudio / Pond5

    29 min
  3. from gold stars to soul work: creating spaces that honor your true self with lynne niehaus

    11/13/2025

    from gold stars to soul work: creating spaces that honor your true self with lynne niehaus

    What happens when you spend years chasing gold stars and external validation, only to realize you've lost yourself completely in the process? In this deeply honest conversation, intuitive color and interior design specialist Lynne Niehaus shares her journey from molecular biologist to soul-aligned space creator - and how dismantling her "perfect life" became her greatest breakthrough. Lynne Niehaus is an artist and medium with a degree in Molecular Biology who now guides clients through the energetic properties of color, organization, and layout to transform the way they feel and function in their homes. Her design firm, Lynne Niehaus Interiors, blends science, design aesthetics, and ancient traditions with a touch of spirituality to help clients thrive in their home landscapes. In this conversation, Lynne opens up about recognizing the emotional abuse she'd normalized, the moment her coworkers' shock became a mirror she couldn't ignore, and the courage it took to leave for the sake of her daughters. We explore how her background in molecular biology informs her design work, why she sees color as both mathematics and medicine, and what it means to create spaces that reflect your soul rather than impress others. This conversation goes beautifully woo - from Mayan galactic timekeeping to painting a child's soul after a dream visit - while staying grounded in practical wisdom about pattern recognition, shadow work, and the healing power of sitting with the mess before rushing to clean it up. In this episode: How chasing gold stars keeps us trapped in patterns that don't serve usRecognizing emotional abuse when you're so deep inside itThe connection between our external spaces and internal landscapesWhy color affects us on a cellular levelWhat it means to create from authenticity instead of aestheticsHow to work with shadow patterns in our physical environmentsThe importance of sitting with the mess before finding the beauty Connect with Lynne: Instagram: @lynne_niehaus1Website: www.lynneniehaus.comFree download: Color Demystified guide Upcoming Events: Illuminate Your Shadows - November 21, 7pm, Annapolis, MD: Work with the Catastrophizer, Micromanager, and Damsel shadow archetypes in a guided meditation circle. Reserve your Mat Sacred Space Annapolis Women's Circle - November 23, 3pm, Groundswell Yoga Studio, Annapolis, MD: Our inaugural gathering where women come to share their truth, witness each other's journeys, and remember they're not walking alone. Sliding scale pricing available. Register here Follow me on Instagram @iamtinamelendez Come sit with me in meditation. See my upcoming events Join my mailing list: https://www.intuitive-soulutions.com/shadow-meditation Stock Media provided by HotzTudio / Pond5

    1h 7m
  4. 11/06/2025

    when democracy triggers your shadows: collective healing in crisis

    In this raw and unfiltered episode, I'm doing something different. I'm sharing my real-time processing of the November 4, 2025 election results - not as political commentary, but as an example of shadow work in action during collective crisis. This episode explores what happens when we get triggered by current events, how we "other" people whose beliefs threaten us, and why the only path forward requires us to turn inward and examine our own fears, resistance, and patterns. You'll hear me grapple with: The challenge of seeing humanity in those who celebrate harm to marginalized communitiesHow fear-based beliefs drive division and hoarding of powerWhy our tendency to "other" people is a shadow pattern that perpetuates the very systems we're trying to changeThe invitation to get curious about our triggers instead of being controlled by themHow individual inner work is the foundation for collective transformation This isn't easy listening. It's uncomfortable. It's political. And it's exactly the kind of shadow work our world needs right now. If you're ready to examine your own reactions to the chaos around us, this episode is your invitation to turn inward and begin the work of transforming yourself - which is the only way we transform the collective. Follow me on Instagram @iamtinamelendez Ready to step into the shadows? Come sit with me in meditation. See my upcoming events. The next Illuminate your Shadows meditation circle is happening on November 21st. Join my mailing list: https://www.intuitive-soulutions.com/shadow-meditation Stock Media provided by HotzTudio / Pond5

    23 min
  5. 10/31/2025

    samhain: what's dying + what's wanting to be birthed?

    This weekend marks Samhain—also known as Halloween or Día de los Muertos—the sacred threshold between the light and dark halves of the year, when the veil between worlds is thinnest. This isn't just about costumes and candy. This is the moment when we honor our ancestors, acknowledge what's ready to die within us, and make space for what wants to be born. In this episode, I share what Samhain actually is, why you might be feeling more emotional or having old patterns surface intensely right now (it's by design), and how to work with this threshold energy rather than resist it. You'll discover: What Samhain asks of us: the death question and the birth questionWhy old patterns are bubbling up right now—and what they're showing youA simple ritual practice for releasing what's ready to die and making space for what wants to emergeWhy winter is for gestation, not forcing growth (and why capitalism wants you to forget this)How to trust the darkness instead of fearing it If you've been feeling patterns resurface that you thought you'd healed, if you're exhausted trying to force growth when you need rest, or if you're ready to work WITH the season instead of against it—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: Illuminate Your Shadows meditation circle (Nov 21): Register here If you're affected by the government shutdown and need support accessing this event, reach out to me directly at tina@intuitive-soulutions.com Follow me on Instagram @iamtinamelendez Come sit with me in meditation. See my upcoming events Join my mailing list: https://www.intuitive-soulutions.com/shadow-meditation Stock Media provided by HotzTudio / Pond5

    16 min
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A raw journey of self-discovery, transforming life's challenges into profound wisdom and personal growth.