The Loving Challenger

Anita Dickinson is a lifelong Meditation/Yoga/Primal Movement Practicer and Teacher as well as a Criminal Justice and Family Law Attorney. She's interested in nothing less than systemic, wondrous world-wide change, currently focusing on guiding safe and immersive Nature-Meditation retreats for “Westerner’s.” And, when not practicing law/meditation, you’ll find her endeavoring to be a conscientious farmer and land steward in rural Utah with her fabulous domestic-partner & hubby of 30yrs. Anita has been a close friend of mine for the last few years and I've learned SO MUCH from her about meditation and I'm beyond excited to share this conversation with you! Major themes: (approx min markers) 4 - Micro-hit practices: Taking meditation off the mat 10 - Metabolizing the Present moment: The power of awareness 19 - The limitation of the Guru model in Meditation 23 - Practical techniques for meditating in different situations 32 - Finding your own path in meditation 34 - Incorporating Movement and self-love in meditation 38 - Breaking free from Traditional meditation models 41 - Bringing Present moment awareness to daily life 45 - The importance of self-compassion and self-awareness in daily life 57 - Awakening your inner Buddha: Everyone has the capacity Connect with Anita here to learn about her retreats and meditation classes here: www.enterzenhere.com or IG - @enter_zen_here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Lea Dawn is an attachment and relationship "thera-coach", international speaker, writer, and workshop facilitator, who specializes in anxious attachment relationship issues, attachment theory, relational trauma, and complex PTSD. She is certified in Neuro-Fit and a graduate of the IFS Circle, Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy (RLT Level 1), and ISTA Level 1. Lea’s ultimate mission is to compassionately help people learn the skills they were never taught by parents or schools to create and sustain securely attached, fulfilling, and empowered relationships. This was such a fun, inspiring and informational conversation and I'm so excited to share it with you! 4:20 Lea’s Journey and Mission 10:50 - Understanding the Nervous system 24:00 - Victim Consciousness and Power Literacy 30:25 - Taking Accountability and Healing 36:00 - The Healing Power of Holding Space 43:20 - Understanding and Navigating Inner Conflict 50:00 - Reclaiming Personal Power Secure Love Atlas visual Connect with Lea here: www.LeaDawnLove.com IG: @lea.dawn.love ---------------- The Loving Challengers podcast is dedicated to bringing you new tools and frameworks to challenge the status quo so you can create your own way of relating, loving, working and living. @lovingchallengers FREE 20 minute call with Megan Bhatia - click here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Learn how to step out of drama, and truly empower yourself, using Karpman's Drama Triangle Framework. From victim to creator, persecutor to challenger and hero to coach...there is always a way to transform powerlessness into empowerment. I have used this tool almost every day since I learned it, and my clients end up saying the same thing. It does take a while to master the role switches, so feel free to reach out for additional support! Here's the link to schedule a free 20 minute connection call with Megan! More about how to master the role changes with these short episodes: Victim to Creator Villain to Challenger Hero to Coach Connect with Megan on IG - @LovingChallengers @TheLovingChallenger --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Tonya Webster (www.establishingher.com) shares her wisdom about the 4 archetypes of the menstrual cycle: Maiden, Mother, Enchantress & Crone...and how to go with your flow, literally! Some of the topics we cover are: - The Crone: Grounded in Body, Connected in Spirit - The Maiden: Empowered and Energized - The Mother: Nurturing and Collaborating - The Enchantress: Subconscious Reflection & Shadow Work - Supporting Girls in this Rite of Passage - Grieving & Embracing the Aging Process - The Establishing Her Program & Community - The Power of the Crone - a New Paradigm of Aging You can learn more about Tonya's Establishing Her program at www.establishingher.com and IG: @establishing_her ******************************** The Loving Challengers Community is for women who are disrupting the status quo in the way they live, love, work, relate, parent, and more! Set up a free 20 minute call to learn more about the community and see if it's a good fit for you! IG @lovingchallengers "I started working with Megan a couple of months ago with the initial intention of wanting guidance, coaching, and support as I seek to start my own business. Shortly after, I joined the Loving Challengers women’s group and these two offerings combined have given me more than I ever knew I needed. Through 1:1 coaching, I am gaining valuable and embodied insights to trust myself and take the steps necessary to start my own business, but even more to create a more liberated life. The group is a container that helps me feel deeply seen and held and brave. The two combined are allowing me to take risks, trust my intuition, and know in my bones that the life I want to create is possible." - Alice K. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

If you do not make room in yourself or your relationships for "no", you can't trust the "yes" to be authentic. Are you listening to your "no" or are you running over it? How can you make room and listen to your "no"...and then speak it? ******************************** The Loving Challengers Community is for women who are disrupting the status quo in the way they live, love, work, relate, parent, and more! Set up a ⁠free 20 minute call⁠ to learn more about the community and see if it's a good fit for you! IG @lovingchallengers "I started working with Megan a couple of months ago with the initial intention of wanting guidance, coaching, and support as I seek to start my own business. Shortly after, I joined the Loving Challengers women’s group and these two offerings combined have given me more than I ever knew I needed. Through 1:1 coaching, I am gaining valuable and embodied insights to trust myself and take the steps necessary to start my own business, but even more to create a more liberated life. The group is a container that helps me feel deeply seen and held and brave. The two combined are allowing me to take risks, trust my intuition, and know in my bones that the life I want to create is possible." - Alice K. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Hello Loving Challengers! I'm so excited to introduce you to Niki Corocan...a true phoenix, uncaged! Niki shares so openly and authentically from her own personal experiences, and has bravely walked her own path. Some of the topics we cover: - Religious Indoctrination - Learning to grieve & making peace her own way - Relationship with her own body & sexuality (purity culture) - Monogamy to open relating - Healing by accepting and loving previous versions of herself If you want to hear more from Niki, check out her podcast: Tales of a Trailblazer: Uncaaged and find her on IG @phoenix_uncaged - set up a call with her to connect! And, if you're interested in learning more about custom retreats with Megan in Costa Rica, set up an exploration call here. IG - @lovingchallengers --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Every living thing needs resources to survive...and even more to thrive. In this episode, Megan share what it means to be resourced, why it matters, and how to identify the unique resources YOU need to thrive! If you have been feeling alone and depleted by living outside of the status quo...consider Resourcing yourself with the Loving Challengers Community! The Loving Challengers Community is for women who are disrupting the status quo in the way they live, love, work, relate, parent, and more! Set up a ⁠free 20 minute call⁠ to learn more about the community and see if it's a good fit for you! IG @lovingchallengers "I started working with Megan a couple of months ago with the initial intention of wanting guidance, coaching, and support as I seek to start my own business. Shortly after, I joined the Loving Challengers women’s group and these two offerings combined have given me more than I ever knew I needed. Through 1:1 coaching, I am gaining valuable and embodied insights to trust myself and take the steps necessary to start my own business, but even more to create a more liberated life. The group is a container that helps me feel deeply seen and held and brave. The two combined are allowing me to take risks, trust my intuition, and know in my bones that the life I want to create is possible." - Alice K. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Fear - we all feel it. It's a human experience. The biggest factor around fear is how you relate to it. This TLC short, I share a bit of my own experience around fear and self-doubt. What is YOUR relationship to fear? The Loving Challengers Community is for women who are disrupting the status quo in the way they live, love, work, relate, parent, and more! Set up a ⁠free 20 minute call⁠ to learn more about the community and see if it's a good fit for you! IG @lovingchallengers "I started working with Megan a couple of months ago with the initial intention of wanting guidance, coaching, and support as I seek to start my own business. Shortly after, I joined the Loving Challengers women’s group and these two offerings combined have given me more than I ever knew I needed. Through 1:1 coaching, I am gaining valuable and embodied insights to trust myself and take the steps necessary to start my own business, but even more to create a more liberated life. The group is a container that helps me feel deeply seen and held and brave. The two combined are allowing me to take risks, trust my intuition, and know in my bones that the life I want to create is possible." - Alice K. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Loving Challenger (definition): Someone who is deeply connected to their inner knowing, who challenges the status quo by embodying a new way of living, loving, relating, working, parenting & being in the the world. Synonym: System Changer, Paradigm Breaker Step 1: Align your mind, body, heart and spirit to connect to your deep inner knowing (Self-Love Journey) Step 2: Share your wisdom with the world and inspire others to do the same! ******************************** The Loving Challengers Community is for women who are disrupting the status quo in the way they live, love, work, relate, parent, and more! Set up a ⁠free 20 minute call⁠ to learn more about the community and see if it's a good fit for you! IG @lovingchallengers "I started working with Megan a couple of months ago with the initial intention of wanting guidance, coaching, and support as I seek to start my own business. Shortly after, I joined the Loving Challengers women’s group and these two offerings combined have given me more than I ever knew I needed. Through 1:1 coaching, I am gaining valuable and embodied insights to trust myself and take the steps necessary to start my own business, but even more to create a more liberated life. The group is a container that helps me feel deeply seen and held and brave. The two combined are allowing me to take risks, trust my intuition, and know in my bones that the life I want to create is possible." - Alice K. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Yes, this is the last Amory podcast. But...there's something new coming too! Marty, Kyle and I started this podcast in August of 2019. That was almost 4 years ago. A lot has changed in those four years. I am beyond grateful for what we created here, and for all of you who have connected with us here. I am completing Amory podcast, but opening up a larger conversation. I'm looking to connect with even more people who are challenging the status quo and breaking out of the normative paradigm of the systems undergoing major change right now. Stay tuned for The Loving Challenger, and in the meantime, feel free to share any comments, questions, feedback or anything that you've gained from Amory. The new IG handle is @lovingchallenger (main) or @thelovingchallenger (personal). If YOU are a Loving Challenger and want to join the community, send a DM on IG and I'll share more information. Thanks! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Hello friends! There is going to be SO MUCH to take from this conversation with Shai Fishman and Lea Dawn from Leveled Up Love. They not only share their own personal experience in non-monogamy, they have amazing frameworks to support you in your journey no matter where you are at. They have a holistic team approach to open relationship Thera-coaching and I'm personally so thrilled to be a part of their amazing network! Watch their FREE WEBINAR - From PolyAgony To PolySecurity Shai Fishman is the founder of Leveled Up Love, an international CNM/ENM community and education platform. His programs have supported thousands worldwide to thrive, not just survive, in more secure open relationships. He is the creator of live events such as The Open Love Experience and RelateFest. He also developed S.P.A.R.C. a simple step-by-step process, for expressing, examining, and resolving open relationship conflicts faster. Shai struggled through decades of monogamy. After the standard guilt, shame, and stagnation, he had to give open relating a try. But opening up his marriage had its unique challenges and he was far from prepared, so he struggled needlessly! After 13 years, some hard-won lessons, and advice from top experts, he became passionate about sharing all of his knowledge with those who need it. Shai is the creator of The Secure Poly Protocol, a transformative, holistic team approach to open relationship Thera-coaching! Lea Dawn is an attachment and relationship "thera-coach", international speaker, writer, and workshop facilitator, who specializes in anxious attachment and “poly-anxious” relationship issues. intersections of alternative and open relationships, attachment theory, relational trauma, and complex PTSD. She draws upon her rich 7-year journey through consensual non-monogamy and living in an expanded family to share the robust toolbox she gained throughout her own experience of poly panic. Lea uses her deeply self-studied lenses of parts work (Internal Family Systems or IFS), inner child work, attachment theory, nervous system regulation, neuroscience, Non-Violent Communication (NVC), boundaries work, shamanism, and therapeutic plant medicine to help coaching clients become aware of, explore, and heal their relational wounds and overcome challenging behavioral patterns. She is an advocate of the poly-anxious and HSPs overwhelmed by the challenges of open relating. Lea’s ultimate mission is to compassionately help people learn the skills they were never taught by parents or schools to create and sustain securely attached, fulfilling, and empowered relationships. She is certified in Neuro-Fit and a graduate of the IFS Circle, Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy (RLT Level 1), and ISTA Level 1. www.amorypodcast.com IG @amorypodcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Jackie Titus shares her polyamorous journey over the last few years, with the main focus of how she and her 2 partners sought 3-way legal custody of their baby boy. Jackie also shares about her challenging coming out process as both bi-sexual and polyamorous, coming from a religious background that does not support either of these. I'm sure you'll see why I asked Jackie to share her story...she's a wonderful example of what can happen when you believe something's possible AND take action to make it so! She and her partners are stepping into new legal territory as trailblazers and I'm sure there will be many to follow. If you want to reach Jackie directly (with questions or as a professional voice coach): IG: @genuinelyjackied LA-based Birthing center: IG: @gracefullbirth She recommended listening to a previous Amory podcast - here are the additional show notes from that show with Dr. Heath Schechinger. Here's the link to that episode. If you're looking for support in your poly journey, please reach out on IG @amorypodcast or @thelovingchallenger --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Jessica Fern's first book, PolySecure, rocked my world and started me down my path of Self-Love. Her 2nd book, Polywise, authored with David Cooley is just as revolutionary - right in the sweet spot of polyamory and personal growth. I appreciate both Jessica and David's candid honesty regarding their own personal life paths and how they have gained the knowledge they included in the book. What a conversation! FYI - part of the episode we had to cut because we lost connection with Jessica. In my edits, I accidentally cut out the part where David says how you can find him. Please find him directly at www.resortativerelationship.com Jessica Fern is a Psychotherapist, Coach, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Jessica is the author of Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and NonMonomgamy, The Polyseucre Workbook: Healing Your Attachment and Creating Security in Loving Relationships, and Polywise: A Deeper Dive Into Navigating Open Relationships. In her international private practice, Jessica works with individuals, couples, and people in multiple-partner relationships who no longer want to be limited by their reactive patterns, cultural conditioning, insecure attachment styles, and past traumas, helping them to embody new possibilities in life and love. Learn more at JessicaFern.com. (IG @Jessicafern411) David Cooley is a professional Restorative Justice facilitator, diversity and privilege awareness trainer, and bilingual cultural broker. He is the creator of the Restorative Relationship Conversations model, a process that transforms interpersonal conflict into deeper connection, intimacy and repair. In his private practice, David specializes in working with non-monogamous and LGBTQ partnerships, incorporating a variety of modalities including trauma-informed care, attachment theory, somatic practices, narrative theory, and mindfulness-based techniques. ⁠www.resortativerelationship.com Looking for more love in your life? Start with yourself? The next Self-Love Journey starts in January 2024! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

As more and more of us share our stories and begin to normalize polyamory, we need people like Heath Schechinger to work systemically to shift policies, laws and societal structures to support the NEW modern family. I was lit up after this conversation with Heath, and share the vision he described at the end of the podcast! Please take a few minutes to check out some of the advocacy work he is doing, and see if you are called to jump on board any of the initiatives! Dr. Heath Schechinger is an internationally recognized therapist, researcher, and consultant, known for his groundbreaking work within the realm of family and relationship diversity. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Modern Family Institute, and Founding Co-Chair of the Committee on Consensual Non-monogamy housed in the LGBTQ Division of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Schechinger has dedicated over a decade to studying the dynamics of both monogamous and non-monogamous relationship dynamics. He is also Co-Founder of the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition and Affiliate Faculty at the renowned Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Dr. Schechinger's work serves as a catalyst for both academic discourse and practical support, with his initiatives paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of what constitutes a healthy, fulfilling relationship in contemporary society. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

OMG, I LOVED this conversation with Melanie Curtin...and for men who have sex with women, this will be paradigm shifting for you! Ladies - you're also going to be soooooo validated listening to Melanie's sex research findings! In this podcast you'll hear Melanie share about: - The important information that women are NOT telling men about sex...and why! - What women are craving from men (inside and outside the bedroom) - And...the Heart/C0ck Matrix - what it is and how men can cultivate heart AND power. Melanie is a sex researcher and men’s coach with a Master’s in Communication from Stanford University.She is a columnist at Inc. magazine, and has been published or seen on TODAY, Huffington Post, Forbes, Business Insider, The New York Observer, and more.She has been coaching men for over six years, and specializes in bringing a woman’s perspective to men, so they can connect and succeed with women in fun, inviting, and meaningful ways that lead to fulfilling sex and relationships. www.melaniecurtin.com www.pleaseherinbed.com spotify podcast - Dear Men: How to Rock Sex, Dating and Relationships with Women Thanks for listening to Amory Podcast! www.amorypodcast.com Self-Love & CNM Relationship Support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

In this solo episode, I not only give you a relationship update, but I also go deep into how to use boundaries to create a MORE loving relationship. If you resonate with this episode and want to work together: - Schedule a FREE 20 minute consultation call - click here. - Join the 6 month Self-Love Journey - Work one-on-one to transform the relationship with yourself and others - Grab a spot on the Costa Rica Retreat Nov 9th-14th!! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Melissa Stangl is a Founding Partner and COO for Soltara, a healing center in Costa Rica. She is passionate about using her technical, managerial, and problem-solving skills to help bridge the gap between the Western world and the incredible healing potential of plant medicines and holistic health. www.soltara.co for more information about upcoming plant medicine retreats! Use code 'AMORY' for $200 off of your retreat! www.themaloca.com to join a community of people all around the world who are interested in plant medicine, holistic wellness and spiritual growth. Curious about alternative relationship structures, and how they might catalyze personal growth and healing? Check out www.amorypodcast.com for self-love and relationship support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

"Everything you think you know about kink, throw it out the window!" - Sunny Megatron I am LOVING the conversation I had with Sunny Megatron, host of American Sex podcast, where we dig deep into the essence of kink. There are many overlaps with open relating as it relates to creating mutual agreements, seeking consent, communicating boundaries, intentionally exploring emotional states, and so much more! Sunny Megatron is an award-winning Clinical Sexologist, BDSM & Certified Sexuality Educator, and media personality. She’s the host & executive producer of the Showtime original series, Sex with Sunny Megatron, co-hosts AASECT Award-winning American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast, and was 2021's XBIZ Sexpert of the Year. Currently, she’s the Editor-in-Chief of kink-focused Zipper Magazine. Known for her one-of-a-kind, build-your-own-adventure approach to sex, kink & relationships, Sunny coined the BDSM community catch-phrase, Kink is Customizable™. In her sell-out workshops, her unique brand of “edutainment” seamlessly combines her humorous teaching style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny’s passion is helping others overcome shame and find their power through play and pleasure. She’s also working on her first book, “Customizable Kink: A Strategic Guide to Adult Play.” Want more? Find Sunny at... sunnymegatron.com tiktok.com/ @sunnymegatrontwitter.com/ sunnymegatroninstagram.com/ sunnymegatronfacebook.com/ sunnymegatronamericansexpodcast.compatreon.com/ americansexdirect.me/ sunnymegatron http://youtube.com/sunnymegatron Are you exploring ethical non-monogamy? Follow @amorypodcast on Instagram Looking for support in your unique journey of open relating? Contact megan@amorypodcast.com for one-on-one support or online self-love courses. www.amorypodcast.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

Kyle and I (Megan) share about the transformation of our relationship as Kyle moves to Oregon. Instead of closing our hearts, we are focusing consciously on building more secure attachment practices and new relationship agreements. For anyone in a long-distance relationship, or currently restructuring a relationship, this episode might provide you some context to see your relationship challenges in a new light. Special Invitation!!! One of our secure attachment practices is to create together...and you are invited into the process! We will be holding a 6 week group program "Secure Attachment Practices in Polyamory" where we build our skill sets and better relationships! Limited to a small number of participants so message megan@amorypodcast.com if you are interested. Starts July 19th. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support

This episode of Amory is very different! It's actually an exchange of WhatsApp messaging with a friend who was sharing a major breakthrough in his healing journey. He describes the moment he realized the pattern between his emotions, and his thoughts...not getting overly identified with them, nor denying them. The ability to "be with" both his emotions and thoughts is creating the space for him to see himself as the loving witness. From that place, he is free to act instead of react, and therefore create the life he truly desires. I am sharing this because his realization is raw and authentic and may support you on your journey of relating (with yourself and others). After I recorded the beginning and ending of this episode, my friend Dojo created an account so you can reach him on Instagram - @bustout_dojo. If you are called to send him a direct message - please do! If you are interested in the 6-month group program, please message megan@amorypodcast.com or DM @amorypodcast It starts June 12th and runs through mid-November with bi-weekly meetings, bi-weekly one-on-one's, weekly videos/exercises, group support and will catalyze your relating to the next level! There are a few spaces left so message ASAP to learn more! Resources mentioned: - The Unteathered Soul by Michael Singer - 'How do you Relate to Your Feelings?' - Self-Love Journey podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovingchallenger/support