Let's Have A Chat!
Kids & Family Podcasts
Your dog has separation anxiety. Whines, and cries every time you pick up your keys. Your new cat is fighting with your older cat, and one of them is not using the litter box. Your horse is shying at the mounting block when she used to stand like a statue. Living with animals enriches our lives in so many ways, yet when they are confused or unwell, their behaviors become our concern. The truth is, in order to make themselves known, our animals express themselves through quirky, and sometimes undesired behaviors. When their communications fail to reach us they have to resort to demonstrative behaviors. When our animals “speak” to us we are given a choice: we can dismiss them as silly and goofy or we can choose to stop… and listen. By knowing how to listen to your pet, you will solve problems and be shown a world that is nothing short of miraculous. In this podcast, "Let's have a Chat," you will discover the secret to communicating with animals successfully. If your animal is your soul-mate, then listen in as Nicole Birkholzer, animal communication expert, author, and storyteller provides you with ideas to have a mindful and meaningful chat with your own animal to resolve quirky and undesired behaviors. Connect with Nicole at mindful-connections.com
Location:
United States
Genres:
Kids & Family Podcasts
Description:
Your dog has separation anxiety. Whines, and cries every time you pick up your keys. Your new cat is fighting with your older cat, and one of them is not using the litter box. Your horse is shying at the mounting block when she used to stand like a statue. Living with animals enriches our lives in so many ways, yet when they are confused or unwell, their behaviors become our concern. The truth is, in order to make themselves known, our animals express themselves through quirky, and sometimes undesired behaviors. When their communications fail to reach us they have to resort to demonstrative behaviors. When our animals “speak” to us we are given a choice: we can dismiss them as silly and goofy or we can choose to stop… and listen. By knowing how to listen to your pet, you will solve problems and be shown a world that is nothing short of miraculous. In this podcast, "Let's have a Chat," you will discover the secret to communicating with animals successfully. If your animal is your soul-mate, then listen in as Nicole Birkholzer, animal communication expert, author, and storyteller provides you with ideas to have a mindful and meaningful chat with your own animal to resolve quirky and undesired behaviors. Connect with Nicole at mindful-connections.com
Language:
English
Episodes
#86 Collaboration Matters
12/6/2023
As a relationship coach for animals and their people, I am about improving or fine-tuning your relationship with your animal.
If you have communication issues, I can help.
If you want to know what your animal thinks, I can help.
If your animal is sick, lame, or despondent, I can help determine what is happening and provide a prescription or plan.
Now, the stakes are usually higher when the animal is a horse. Most horses live on borrowed time. You might wonder what that means … well, horses; unlike cats, dogs, birds, and turtles, horses are often a commodity. Horses get traded up or down. Horses are moneymakers or ribbon winners. Horses need to perform in a certain way to earn their keep. Not all, but many. Do you see how that raises the stakes?
Ok, it's time to push play on this episode to jump with me into the story.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/collaboration-matters
Duration:00:17:36
#85 Ask For What You Need
11/30/2023
There is no need to wait another second to tell you another secret to communicating with animals successfully. Ask for what you need. It is so simple and effective … it airs on ridiculous that we don’t use it ALL THE TIME!
Ask for what you need!
When you express what you need, the chances of getting what you need increase tremendously. By verbally asking for what you need, you set a clear intention that the animal can follow. Remember, just thinking it in your head is less clear than saying directly what you need. You have tons of competing thoughts in your mind, and your animal has a hard time deciphering and distinguishing them all. But if you say it out loud, the message is clear.
Join me as we explore what’s possible when we ask for what you need.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/85-ask-for-what-you-need
Duration:00:16:32
#84 Can Animals Manifest Their Destiny?
11/22/2023
Tune in to this episode to see animal manifesters at work.
This horse is a master manifester. He shifted the outcome once he knew what he could be destined for. In our phone call, the humans were able to provide him with the big picture and plan of what his life could look like. Animals don’t witness themselves; they don’t usually see the bird's eye view on their own. But when we explained it, he could see and feel himself in that life and step into it to make it happen.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/can-animals-manifest-their-destiny
Duration:00:18:04
#83 Mare Power!
11/15/2023
Mares are incredibly smart, loyal, and good for you if you like a partner with ideas and suggestions. I remember someone referring to Shana, saying, “She is too smart for her own good.” To which I said, am I smart enough for her? A mare will always want to teach you something. And mares remind us every day how clever, loyal, and strong they are.
A great mirror for us to look at. 🙂There is so much more about mare power in this podcast. You just have to listen!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/mare-power
Duration:00:19:54
#82 In-Tune!
11/8/2023
There is one behavioral pattern, a quirky one, that annoyed me about our dog Scout: staring up at my plate the moment I want to dive into dinner.
Then, the other night, Scout told me why he behaved that way.
You might think it is simply about begging. It isn’t. Listen in as Scout helps me get the most out of our relationship and gives you a tip on communicating successfully with your animals.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/in-tune
Duration:00:15:54
#81 Setting Puppy Up For Success
11/2/2023
Teach your puppy what you want. So often, we try to teach our animals what we don't want. Don't jump on the sofa, don't jump up on people, don't surf the counter, don't bark. Don't, don't, don't …
Don’t is not a word that translates into a picture. All your dog sees is dogs on sofas, dogs counter surfing, and dogs barking.
Instead, acknowledge the things your puppy does right and create a template of what you want.
Listen in! I share ways to set your pup, kitten, horse, or bird (and you) up for success!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/81-setting-puppy-up-for-success
Duration:00:14:22
#80 Animals Want To Be Seen + Heard
10/25/2023
Author David Brooks, a journalist, talks about how he often leaves a party or some gathering to realize that nobody ever asked him a single question. He estimates that only 30 percent of the people in the world are good question-askers.
Many animals feel that way, too. They want to be asked questions so they can express themselves. Hence my tagline: animals just like us want to be seen and heard. In this episode, follow me as I ask one important question to help Slick, a rust-colored Mule, shift from confused and uncertain to becoming his sweet and personable self again.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animal-want-to-be-heard-and-seen
Duration:00:16:28
#79 Leadership or Conscious Connection?
10/18/2023
When horse people talk about being the horse’s leader, I joke that a horse lives 22 hours without us, and in the two hours we see the horse, we expect it to hand over the power to us? Distracted pea brains like us? You have seen the visual I use to make the point: a person walking next to animals with a thought bubble above the head, mind full.
For a horse to accept us as a leader like another horse, we must get present enough to direct their feet consistently.
With humans, it's always a guessing game. Sometimes, we are in charge, for example, walking down the aisle and not letting the horse sniff the other horses in the barn. But the next moment, we wrestle the sliding door and leave the horse in charge of himself without direction.
That's why human leadership is a gamble for the horse. When we lead or direct, we are a leader, but when we drop our attention and intention, we leave our horse leaderless.
What if we leave the word leadership behind and find a new way to describe an ideal relationship with our horse? Join me. This episode wrote itself and clarified our relationship with hoses and dogs.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/leadership-or-conscious-connection
Duration:00:16:27
#78 Spraying & Other Out Of The Box Issues
10/11/2023
Spraying, peeing, pooping out of the box? There is a reason for it.
Any unexpected or undesired behavior from your animal is a cry for help. How do you prevent or change litterbox issues?
By having a chat.
I'll chat about it in this episode.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/78-spraying-other-out-of-the-box-issues
Duration:00:13:37
#77 Receiving Animal Healing
10/4/2023
Do you know those moments when it feels like life is running you instead of you running your life? When that happens, our animals often step in ... literally ... to help us.
One night, Shana, my mare, took me aside. I was mucking the run-in shed, chop-chop-chop, when Shana stepped between me and the pitchfork. She brought her face close to my chest, lifted her head high, and then moved her head sideways from above the left shoulder over the crown to my right shoulder. She stepped back and took a breath. After another breath or two, she again brought her nose to my solar plexus area. I sensed she was working on my breath, opening the channels so I could breathe more deeply.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/77-receiving-animal-healing
Duration:00:19:05
#76 Getting A Natural Alignment
9/20/2023
I let the beautiful gleaming sunlight shine upon me as I took in the truly magical cloud formation.
And right then, a shiver ran through my body. From the top of my head down to my tail. I was realigning. Do you know that feeling? When your body does a little shiver? When energy runs up or down your spine?
And then came the crazy bit. As I oscillated between "I feel balanced" and "kind of am ready to go back to my book," I got a message. “We do not have to make those moments so sacred that we don't feel they're part of our normal world.” Whaaaaat?
Listen to this episode to understand how you can get daily alignments of your nervous system.
By following love and joy.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/76-getting-a-natural-alignment
Duration:00:13:44
#75 Is Stress Stacking Up?
9/13/2023
Like many older dogs I communicate with, why is our dog Scout suddenly more sensitive and reactive to energies?
When I asked Scout, he told me, "Because our bodies are hurting."
He explained that when their body hurts, everything else becomes ‘another thing’ that needs to be dealt with. If one has chronic pain, any little thing stacks on top of the stress caused by it.
So, what can we do for our animals?
We can look at the five areas that make up our life and reduce the stress and overwhelm. Listen in to learn more about how you can help your furry companions.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/75-is-stress-stacking-up
Duration:00:16:32
#74 My Dog Has The Shakes And Other Notes
9/6/2023
When I see Rollie shake, I make eye contact, and with that, I say, I see you. If he does not reach out, I will offer him my hand so he can communicate with me. If he gives me a lick, I know he knows I know. If he is motionless aside from the shakes, I will put my hand on his neck and stroke slooowly down the spine. A beautiful way to remind him of his body.
This podcast is less about the shakes and anxiety for Rollie or my dad but an insight into seeing and hearing others. Being seen and heard is the most powerful gift we can give.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/my-dog-has-the-shakes-and-other-notes
Duration:00:11:30
#73 We Have A Herd Schedule
8/30/2023
Due to popular demand … another pearl of wisdom from Bennett.
In one of my conversations with Kathy, it was now mid-summer, she told me that Bennett had gotten very assertive around the hand grazing. On the way to the barn, he pulled her toward the grass. Kathy's pulling back resulted in the classic push-pull situation in which no one wins. It was unusual how much effort he suddenly put into it.
When Bennett did it again the next day, Kathy got mad. What was up with this horse? Why was he suddenly so forceful? Kathy, who has also re-learned to communicate telepathically with animals, finally asked Bennett what was happening with him. And she was as surprised about the answer as I was. Listen in to hear Bennett’s explanation.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/we-have-a-herd-schedule
Duration:00:13:41
#72 More Details, Please
8/23/2023
My friend Kathy and her horse Bennett rode up to the pole and parked parallel. Bennett came to a stop but got antsy the minute Kathy leaned over to get the jacket. He jigged in place, and nothing Kathy tried made him come to a quiet halt.
I told Kathy, "You know what, I don't think he knows why you lean off to the side. Have you told him?"
Kathy said, well, I always have the obstacle course in my mind, and sent him pictures of it. And I tell him before the ride what we do, like today we're doing obstacles."
I felt Bennett was more particular. He needed details so he could be part of the exercise.
So I said to Kathy, "You got to give him specifics. Like, Hey Bennett, for us to get good scores at this obstacle, you have to stand still while I get the jacket."
There is a place between "good boy, good boy, good boy" and a mile-long ramble.
Find the golden middle. Did it work out for Kathy and Bennett? Listen to this episode.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/more-details-please
Duration:00:11:52
#71 Your Body Your Gateway To Intuition
8/9/2023
Sometimes, a podcast just comes to me. I record, and then during the edit, I realize the power of the words behind it.
This podcast, #71, tells you everything you need to know to start utilizing everything you have ... your Body, your Mind, and your Intuition. It's all here in a nutshell. If you are ready to live your best life yet, listen in!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-body-your-gateway-to-intuition
Duration:00:15:18
#70 Half In, Half Out
8/2/2023
Mr. Willoughby, the handsome Golden Retriever, sat up again, scooted himself over to the right to be near his person, and put his face into the man's hand. "Now he is concerned about you," I said. He wants to know how you will deal with losing him. He says that his leaving marks the end of an era. He had hoped to be part of the next move but realized it was time for him to move on, more precisely, out of his body.
I asked Mr. Willoughby if he wanted to share anything with his person to ease the pain of losing him.
"If I release you, you can release me," the dog expressed.
"That is my gift to you. Mr. Willoughby continued. "You took great care of me and my sister. This is my gift to you, please accept it."
Well, bring on the tissues as you listen to this episode.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/half-in-half-out
Duration:00:18:35
#69 Who Knows You Best?
7/26/2023
Who knows you Best? You might have expected the answer … your animals know you best.
I went out to feed the horses the morning of my leaving for a three-day trip to visit clients. I didn't like going away for more than one night, but ... two nights it was. When Shana turned her head toward me, showing me her left eye, I stopped. It was not only swollen shut, but it was the size of a golf ball. On my drive to Massachusetts, Shana popped into my awareness. With her came the words: "You can zip this whole trip up in two days." She showed me a visual of the map and the location of two clients I could cancel and, with that, shorten my trip. Listen to how the story unfolded and how our animals not only know us best but want the best for us.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/who-knows-you-best
Duration:00:12:17
#68 Teaming Up
7/19/2023
No matter if you are a horse person or prefer smaller animals. This episode is for everyone who wants a peek into what it means to be a team player. Here are some gems from the episode.x
Steam took me back to the jumping arena, where he had refused to ride with the young girl. He said, "I want to make the rider look good. That is part of my job. And I can't do that in that environment with tight turns and little time to gather myself up between jumps."
Steam's person also mentioned that he had a little fit at a recent outdoor show while ridden by the pro. Steam immediately replied, "Yes, she was getting too serious." He showed me that he was sometimes a goofball. And that he sometimes had to let off some steam. So if his rider got too serious and held her breath too much in her chest, he helped her blow off steam by changing the energy with shenanigans.
Listen to the episode to immerse yourself with me in more shenanigans.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/teaming-up
Duration:00:14:05
#67 Synching Up
7/12/2023
And suddenly, I saw a dolphin, swimming along in the slipstream of the boat. Then a second dolphin popped up and jumped over the white-crested waves, the boat was creating. The first dolphin now arched over a wave and dove down on the other side, while the other sped up from his lagging position to catch the next wave. I was mesmerized. These two beautiful beings, one with the water. Arching over it, dropping into it, gliding through it.
For a split second, I thought to grab my phone but didn’t. It’s always a choice in those moments. Do I want to be fully in the experience or do I want to capture it to experience it later on second hand?
Listen to this episode and sync up with dolphin energy!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/synching-up
Duration:00:16:50