"Life has a way of throwing things at us that causes us to turn away from our own body wisdom." Wondering what that means? Listen to this episode to learn what those "things" are and how to connect with your bodies wisdom. Todays guest, Laura Rowe is Ambers friend, colleague, member of The HealingWaze Team (Ambers holistic wellness company) and her personal energy healer. Laura's definition of embodiment is the act of connecting your consciousness to your body. Very interesting topic! And, if th...
Dec 08, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 1
"Listening became my modality" That's one of Ambers favorite quotes from her guest, Daniel Bruce Levin. The other is posted on her Instagram page . Daniel is a visionary, activist, speaker, and storyteller. He has a very interesting life story with many twists and turns, but the one that stands out the most may have been when he walked away from an opportunity to run a billion dollar business. BILLION!!! He chose to hitchhike around the world to find happiness and inner peace instead. Daniels tr...
Dec 01, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 2
It's time to put on your big girl panties and live your life to the fullest! If you need a little encouragement, this episode may help. Ambers guest on this episode is Theresa Tirk, The Ritual Queen. Theresa is a Published Author, Speaker, Certified Spiritual Life Coach, Reiki II Energy Worker, and Certified Aromatherapist. She is also a mom, wife, and recovering people-pleaser who is dedicated to helping women everywhere awaken to their own validation and strength so they can learn to prioritiz...
Nov 24, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this solo episode, Amber talks about her Mother Wound and how it's had an impact on her life; along with a description of the "Sandbox" photo posted to her Instagram and Facebook pages recently. She shares ways to identify your Mother Wounds and most importantly, ways to heal those wounds so you can life a healthy, full, successful life. At the end, you'll get a glimpse into Season three, coming out in November 2021. Stay connected to Amber on social media or her website. DragonflyMomma.com I...
Sep 24, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Chrissy Rapp has survived many challenges in her life which started at a very young age. Her mother had her at 14, leading her to be raised by her grandmother and a step (grandfather) who had his own mental health challenges. Chrissy grew up struggling with anxiety and addiction; which led her to eventually doing some time in prison - losing her kids and herself. But, in an unexpected turn of events, her time in prison not only healed her; it saved her. And, now she uses the tools and techniques...
Sep 15, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 32
If you're looking for some advice to cope with the stress of juggling a family along with a career, this is the episode for you! Ambers guest, and colleague in the wellness industry, Gael Wood has learned a lot about this subject and is joining The Dragonfly Connection to share her wisdom. This episode was recorded at the end of the school year so that little part of the conversation is a outdated, but the rest is totally relevant no matter where you are in life....and this pandemic. Seven years...
Sep 08, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 31
"It's just a moment in time and it will pass." Don't let the title fool you, today's episode is a little lighter than the last couple. Ambers friend and colleague, Constance Ao, chat about self-love, relationship challenges, soul mates and life on the road. When the pandemic hit, Constance Ao and her husband did what many of us have done and continue to do during this time....reevaluate our lives and careers. They, along with their daughter Anastasia, bought an RV and took to the road for advent...
Sep 01, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Ambers guest, Tracie Root, is a coach, a speaker, an educator, and founder of Gather - a community building space located in Santa Cruz...and now also online to serve everyone no matter where there at in the world. Her story is one of loss, love, rebuilding, courage and finding ways to thrive in the midst of all kinds of adversity. Tracie ended her career in corporate America and found her new calling after her partner of almost 20 years passed away. Tracie and her two toddlers were left with no...
Aug 25, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 29
This episodes guest, Alison Pena, calls herself The Bad Widow and in her conversation with Amber she dropped tons of wisdom about grief, healing, self-care, resilience and even dating. She even shares an original poem she wrote about her experience with online dating! For anyone who's done the online dating thing, or planning to (or not planning to)....it's very relatable. Alison says that the time from her husbands cancer diagnosis, through the progression of his illness which ended in his deat...
Aug 18, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Help us celebrate six months of weekly podcast episodes full of inspirational content on The Dragonfly Connection with a compilation of clips from the top 10 most popular podcast episodes hosted by Amber. This episode includes five clips from The Dragonfly Connection episodes and five from The Holistic Healing Connection (discontinued in 2020, but still available under "The Dragonfly Connection"). Here are direct links to the full episodes (in no particular order). Healing Journey with Natasha N...
Aug 04, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Ambers guest, Susan De Lorenzo says, "You live you life by either design or default". And, there's a lot of truth in that! In this episode we start out talking about Susan's "dark night of the soul"...or dark nights; and how she used hers to help her live a more joy filled, authentic life. You can do the same whether you're in your dark night or already through it even! Susan is an Author, Speaker and Certified Transformational Life Coach who focuses on helping other women who are emerging from ...
Jul 28, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 26
"The stories we can tell ourselves are way worse than what's actually happening..." Heather Phillips is a long time friend of Ambers. They're friendship blossomed through shared struggle starting almost 10 years ago...and lasting up until just a couple years ago. They endured major momma heartache together on an almost daily basis, while watching their two teenage sons go down some very bad paths together...and separately. During that time, they learned a lot about each other and themselves as m...
Jul 21, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 25
"I'm all about removing barriers!" Rachel S. Heslin Today's guest Rachel S. Heslin, learned the hard way that asking for help is essential to a successful life and career. In this episode she shares that experience with us, and all the lessons learned from it. Lessons like, why is it so important to forgive ourselves first?..and learning to ignore "shoulds" and other peoples goals for us. This is something many of us struggle with, and in this episode, she shares ways to be more accepting of our...
Jul 14, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 24
"Happiness is the driver to what's going to get you to your goal." That's just one of the many words of wisdom uttered from this episodes guest, Penny Hill. Penny is a helper and healer to her core, and has been on this path most of her life. Through her own life challenges, including a health challenge that changed her life....she's learned a lot of different ways to true health and happiness. Penny hits us with some straight up facts about pain and suffering. And, like she says, "suffering is ...
Jul 07, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 23
"Love your life no matter what it is; the good, the bad, the ugly. Just love your life. Because when you come from that place of love from your heart, it opens up a lot of doors...." The collective fear is raging again...fears of wildfires on the west coast, strange weather patterns, and we're also in the midst of a nationwide reopening that definitely has many of us on edge, for all kinds of different reasons. No matter where you are in the world this is a great episode to listen to right now. ...
Jun 30, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 22
You're in for a treat, with this unique episode! Normally Ambers guests are sharing the details of painful or challenging things that have happened to them in the past. Then we get to hear them talk about triumph, lessons learned, and how it has changed them....how much they've grown. Todays guest, Lesley Tesh agreed to have a conversation with Amber while currently going through a divorce, and the pandemic. Talk about vulnerability! She said this phase she's currently in the middle of is extrem...
Jun 23, 2021•39 min•Ep. 40
As far as the pandemic goes, things are starting to look up. People are coming back out into the light...with longer hair, and the Covid 15. People seem more hopeful and excited for the future, but at the same time, we're shell shocked. It feels a little like what I would imagine coming out of a bomb shelter after a war would feel like. We've got a lot of healing to do! Everyone's level of hard was different this last year plus, but we've all been through some hard stuff. Even if it was just hav...
Jun 16, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Starr Sheppard Decker says, "I love showing people what is possible when they stop trying to be someone else and align everything they do with who they really are." Starr is a mom, wife, professional vocalist, life-long rebel/leader/activist. When she's not creating new ways to help others navigate life and business; she loves reading self-help books, playing Nintendo & playing board games. According to Amber, Starr is a firecracker who shines bright like her name. She also exudes love for e...
Jun 09, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Rachel West said something during this conversation that we know will resonate with many of you. She said, "The #1 person we lie to the most is ourselves, so just be honest with yourself!". Sounds easy, right!?!? But for many people it's not. Lies to stay in relationships, whether friends, romantic or even family. Lies about choices that are bad for your health...one more cupcake isn't gonna hurt?!?! Have you told yourself and others that you're "OK" when you're really NOT "OK"? We don't know wh...
Jun 02, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 17
"I need to be me. This is my life." Ambers guest Lori Anne Rising grew up in an emotionally and psychologically abusive home. And, as what is common, she entered a marriage that was similar. It took her 49-year-old mother having a brain aneurysm, to wake her up; beginning her journey of healing and putting the pieces of herself back together. The journey continued after her divorce through the use of EMDR therapy . And, Lori Anne said it's what really made the most impact in her healing! Through...
May 26, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 14
"Your body will lead you to health and wellbeing" For three decades, Ilene struggled with Body image, weight, and her relationship with food. During a big chunk of that time, she also practiced as a clinical social worker, working primarily with women who were struggling with issues similar to hers. They came to her with feelings of depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and unresolved traumas. They hoped that if they could change their bodies, all of these things would magically disappea...
May 19, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 15
“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” In this episode, The Dragonfly Connection host, Amber Cook, begins by sharing a story of forgiveness that, in an instant, healed 25+ years of confusion and hurt. She then ponders how the events of her life; if played out differently could have prevented her from experiencing some of the most traumatic events in her life...and then as a result, also...
May 12, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 14
"Our time of birth was an answer to the question of the time." ~ Vanessa Couto Michelle Lasley's interpretation is, "I believe we all have a purpose to be here, and part of our life's path is to unlock what that is, the exploration." And, she is living her purpose! Michelle is a mom, social justice advocate, artist, coach, educator and a sustainability guru. At the age of 11, she learned that our world needed saving and from that moment on, creating a sustainable world became her mission. In thi...
May 05, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 13
As is the case with many of Amber guests, Wendy Bjork stepped up to be the support she wished she had had when she was first diagnosed with MS (and for those that don't know much about MS or multiple sclerosis; Wendy is happy to be a resource). Her favorite quote is "I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions", by Stephen Covey. And, man does she live by that quote! MS is a confusing disease with many different symptoms...all of which could really mess your life up! A...
Apr 28, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 12
"Just put your heart into it and just keep trying, and you'll be absolutely blown away with what you can accomplish." Russ McGarry This was one of the last things Russ said before saying goodbye and it really does embody his attitude towards life. He continues to be blown away by his accomplishments and gifts that life continues to bring him - because he chooses to follow his dreams. Russ McGarry is a former stand up comedian. amongst many other titles he's held in his first 50 years. He has liv...
Apr 21, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all that's going on in the world? Do all the changes and unknowns have you feeling rundown? Take a 5 minute timeout and escape to a warm, relaxing natural hot spring with Amber in this special meditation episode. Amber guides you into a deep relaxation that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. It truly takes just 5 minutes! Get yourself into a comfortable quiet space, sitting or lying down to listen (you can't listen to this one while driving or walkin...
Apr 14, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 10
"Life is what happens while you are making other plans." Boy, ain't that the truth! If we could all live by that philosophy and go with the flow, life would feel a lot lighter. This is one of Victor Barreda-Pazos' favorite quotes, and after listening to our conversation, you'll understand why. This was actually the second time doing this podcast, as the first one just went 'poof' into some cloud somewhere. But, rather than get upset; Victor said "I am sure there is a reason why I didn't get reco...
Apr 07, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 9
You know when you have to make a decision and your inner voice is saying, "Yeah, this is right for me!"; But, everyone else is saying, "What the hell are you doing?!"? This is a dilemma very familiar to Kristine Rosenquist. But, Kristine is really good at saying she's going to do something - such as making a move, changing careers, starting a business, finding a soulmate partner...then actually doing it. And, to those watching; it may seem to happen very quickly. Like one of her favorite quotes ...
Mar 31, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Have you ever done something, that although it may have seemed crazy to some, you just knew you had to do it? This is something Amber and her guest, Vanessa Couto are very familiar with - in different ways. Vanessa immigrated to the US from Brazil when she was just 10 years old. Her lifelong quest to bridge what she loves, her interests, and her livelihood has driven her to follow her dreams no matter where they may take her...and no matter how scary they may seem. She now lives in Portland Oreg...
Mar 24, 2021•2 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 7
According to Ambers guest Natasha Nirvana, "There's nothing more dangerous than a wounded healer who's not willing to do the work." The work she's talking about is the healing work, or healing journey. This applies to all professions, not just those in the wellness industry. Unfortunately there are a bunch of professionals, many in services fields, walking around with open psychological wounds, bleeding all over people. Our unhealed trauma does effect other people, professionally and personally....
Mar 17, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 6
