This week on the Embracing Intensity podcast, host Aurora discusses the transformative power of music with guest Princess Fortier. Princess shares her personal journey of using singing to alleviate her chronic migraines, which began at the age of 13. Despite initially pursuing neuroscience to find a medical cure, she discovered that singing provided significant relief from her symptoms. Aurora and Princess delve into how music can relax, heal, and foster emotional well-being, particularly for those with neurodivergent traits like ADHD and autism. They also explore the importance of community in musical healing practices and offer practical advice for using music and singing as therapeutic tools. Tips for finding and creating musical communities are discussed, along with the benefits of engaging in sound baths and circle singing.

About Princess:

Princess Fortier is a dynamic musician, speaker, and advocate for mental health and neurodivergence. With a rich background in using music as a therapeutic tool, she has dedicated her career to helping others find healing and self-expression through creative outlets. Princess's work emphasizes the emotional and psychological benefits of music, drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise to inspire and empower her audience. She is known for her engaging and heartfelt presentations, making complex topics accessible and relatable to diverse audiences.

In this Episode:

• Princess shares how music has helped her understand and process emotions, learn about love, and find healing.
• Aurora introduces the "Embracing Intensity" podcast, aimed at gifted, creative, twice-exceptional individuals.
• Moving to a single monthly episode improved downloads.
• Princess discusses her journey studying neuroscience to find a cure for her migraines.
• Singing during a migraine attack unexpectedly relieved her symptoms.
• Aurora opens up Q&A, asking Princess about factors contributing to music helping with migraines.
• Princess explains the potential of music to relax and align with one's purpose, influencing mental and physical well-being.
• Community involvement in singing and music is encouraged for healing and creativity.
• Practical suggestions for engaging in music, such as joining choirs or attending sound bowl classes.
• Discussion on how specific songs and types of music can be personalized for therapeutic benefit.
• Auroras' philosophy: using her platform to allow others to share their voices.
• Princess's invitation to explore creating and experiencing music for personal therapy.
• Closing remarks emphasize continuing conversation and participating in the Embracing Intensity community.
• Aurora concludes with invitations to join the community for support and access to tools for self-regulation.

Princess on Instagram

Princess’ Website

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In this solo episode, I delve into my personal journey of overcoming a prolonged burnout to explore the concept of truly restful rest. I discuss the five areas of energy balance—physical, emotional, mental, social, and connection—from my 'Balancing Your Time and Energy' workbook. Through my experience, including the importance of joy-driven activities, social connections, and the INCUP (Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Urgency, and Passion) framework, I provide practical advice on how to replenish energy reserves effectively. Also, discover the value of doing an energy audit to identify draining versus energizing activities. Learn more about my strategies for achieving genuine rest and explore my workbook collection for further guidance.

In this Episode:

• Experiencing burnout and the importance of restful rest.

• Five Areas of Energy Balance: Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social, and Connection.

• Physical Rest: Emphasizes the importance of activities that truly relax the nervous system, like going for walks.

• Mental Rest: Stresses shifting focus to activities driven by joy rather than duty to avoid energy drain.

• Emotional Rest: Highlights the significance of assertive actions over anxiety-driven actions.

• Social Rest: Explains how spending time with comfortable social connections can be energizing.

• Connection: Discusses the importance of feeling connected to oneself, others, and the world.

• Motivation Factors: INCUP - Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Urgency, and Passion - as motivational strategies.

• Urgency: Talks about creating a sense of urgency through public accountability to stay motivated.

• Challenge: Transforming tasks into challenges to stay engaged and motivated.

• Interest: Recommends revisiting previous interests to reignite passion.

• Novelty and Passion: Encourages switching things up to maintain novelty and passion in tasks.

• Join our upcoming community call on the healing power of music!

Resources:

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In this episode of the Embracing Intensity podcast, host Aurora Remember Holtzman interviews Bob Yamtich about his journey with intensity, nonviolent communication (NVC), and self-connection. Bob shares his personal experiences with bipolar disorder and hypomania, the importance of shared reality, and his passion for self-connection. He discusses his work, including his self-connection coloring book, and provides insights into the practice of NVC for both self-awareness and enhancing interpersonal communication. Aurora and Bob also delve into the challenges and rewards of forming in-person connections and the role of intensity in their lives. The episode concludes with Bob's emphasis on the foundational role of self-connection in his approach to NVC and a preview of his upcoming live discussion on the topic.

About Bob:

Bob Yamtich is a therapist and Nonviolent Communication trainer. He completed his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering in 2003, the BayNVC Nonviolent Communication Leadership Program in 2007 (assisting in LP08), and his Master’s in Counseling Psychology in 2011. He earned his Marriage and Family Therapist license in California in 2014. He was a founding member of the Da Vinci Center for Gifted Children in Alameda, CA, and Genesis Innovation Academy in Atlanta, GA. Bob currently lives in Indiana and offers phone coaching and in-person training. He can be followed on Twitter @BobYamtich.

In this episode:

• Introduction by Bob about trusting intensity based on shared reality and positive contributions.

• Aurora introduces Bob Yamtich, mentioning his upcoming talk on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and their mutual appreciation for NVC.

• Bob expresses gratitude for being on the podcast.

• Aurora asks Bob about what he is intensely passionate about; Bob mentions his role as a dad and his professional passion for developing self-connection, highlighting his self-connection coloring book.

• Discussion on how NVC helps both with self-connection and interpersonal communication.

• Bob speaks about overcoming hypomania and psychosis, emphasizing the need for stability and shared reality.

• Bob shares his journey with bipolar disorder and the importance of medication alongside therapeutic practices.

• Aurora asks about the impact of intensity during Bob's upbringing; Bob shares how his extreme passion led to feelings of guilt and loneliness.

• Bob mentions his gifted program experience and the importance of having passionate friends.

• Bob discusses how nonviolent communication helped him rebuild his life and manage his intensity.

• Aurora and Bob talk about the challenges and benefits of connecting with others in person versus online.

• Bob reflects on the shadow side of his intensity, including an episode where he buried treasure and was not in touch with shared reality.

• Emphasis on the importance of self-connection in managing intensity and understanding one's needs.

• Bob shares a final blessing of self-connection and invites listeners to explore this concept along with empathy and honesty in nonviolent communication.

Bob’s Website

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