Episode Title: Finding Healing and Light in Divorce with Suzy Schaak

Host: Melissa Wheeler Farag, Attorney-Mediator and Recovering Divorce Litigator

Introduction: Welcome to the High Vibe Divorce podcast! I'm your host, Melissa Wheeler Farag. Here, we believe that divorce isn't a failure and your life isn't over. In fact, it's just beginning and the divorce process is an incredible vehicle for transformation if you're willing to do the work. So keep an open mind and let me be your guide. This is High Vibe Divorce.

Guest: Suzy Schaak - Acclaimed Healer, Yogini, Artist, and Author

Guest Bio: Suzy Schaak is a renowned healer based near the St. Croix River in Minnesota. After a successful career as a fashion stylist, Suzy transitioned to focus on healing, yoga, and spirituality. She founded Pure Yoga in Stillwater, which was celebrated as St. Croix Valley's best yoga studio for a decade. Suzy is known for her clairvoyant healing sessions and her book "Stand in Your Truth: Seven Sacred Truths to Living a Divinely Guided Life." Suzy's work emphasizes the power of vibration and light, aiming to foster love, healing, and transformation.

Episode Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Suzy Schaak to explore her journey from fashion stylist to spiritual healer. Suzy shares her personal experiences with grief and transformation, which led her to a path of healing and helping others. We discuss her book, "Stand in Your Truth," and the seven sacred truths that guide her teachings. Suzy also shares practical advice for those new to spirituality and how to use these truths to navigate difficult life transitions, such as divorce.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Suzy’s background and transition from fashion to healing
• The founding and impact of Pure Yoga in Stillwater
• Suzy’s clairvoyant healing sessions and spiritual experiences
• The inspiration and content of her book "Stand in Your Truth"
• Practical advice for those going through divorce and other transitions
• The importance of grounding, self-compassion, and unconditional love
• Guided grounding and presence exercises led by Suzy

Quotes:

• "Stand in your truth and you'll find your alignment; when you find your alignment, you'll find your healing." - Suzy Schaak
• "Offer yourself grace as you're walking through a really bad situation, and if you can find grace for that other person, you've set yourself free." - Suzy Schaak

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: "Stand in Your Truth: Seven Sacred Truths to Living a Divinely Guided Life" by Suzy Schaak
• Suzy’s website: Suzy Schaak Yoga
• Suzy’s upcoming workbook and online workshop details (check her website for updates)

Connect with Us:

• Melissa Wheeler Farag: High Vibe Mediation
• Instagram: @highvibemediation (professional) and @highvibedivorce

Call to Action: If you enjoyed today’s episode or found it helpful, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Also, don't hesitate to share this with a friend. Divorce can be stressful and isolating, so keep the conversation going and stay in touch with your divorcing loved ones.

Closing: Until next time, keep the vibes high and the conflict low.

Host: Melissa Wheeler Farag, Esq.

Guest: Darby Jackson, somatic practitioner and nervous system expert

Episode Summary: In this continuation of the interview with Darby Jackson, Melissa and Darby delve into practical tools and techniques for nervous system regulation, especially beneficial during stressful experiences like divorce. Darby provides insights into somatic practices, the importance of co-regulation, and ways to create a sense of safety in the body.

Key Points:

1. Starting Nervous System Regulation:

   • Awareness: Recognizing signs of dysregulation in your body (e.g., heart racing, stomach clenching) and anchoring feelings of both activation and relaxation.
   • Practical Techniques: Slow hand movements, deep breathing, orienting by looking around the space, and the VU breath (inhale through the nose, exhale with a VU sound for 6-10 seconds).

2. Discharging Activation:

   • Healthy Release: Creating a space to release built-up emotions through screaming into a pillow, twisting a towel, or shaking hands and arms.
   • Darby's Online Class: "Body Language" class that combines music and somatic movements to access and release stored emotions.

3. Regulation Techniques for Stressful Situations:

   • Before and During Stressful Events: Practice regulation techniques like deep breathing, VU breath, and spatial orienting before entering high-stress environments such as courtrooms or mediation sessions.
   • Minimizing Screen Time: Reduce screen time and social media use before stressful events to avoid additional dysregulation.

4. Parenting and Co-Regulation:

   • Impact on Children: The importance of a parent’s regulation on a child’s nervous system and recognizing signs of dysregulation in children (e.g., extended tantrums, picky eating, frequent illness).
   • Teaching Emotional Awareness: Helping children identify and express their emotions to foster long-term emotional health.

5. Somatic Therapy Trends:

   • Future Focus: Teaching children to manage big feelings and the importance of developing intuition and self-awareness through somatic practices.

Affirmation: "I reflect deeply with gentle curiosity and compassion."

Call to Action:

• Connect with Darby: Visit Darby's website darbyjackson.com and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyjackson_/
  • Free Nervous System Webinar: https://www.darbyjackson.com/free-guide
  • Register for Body Language Somatics Class: https://www.darbyjackson.com/body-language
• Listen to More Episodes: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Share with Friends: Divorce can be stressful and isolating; sharing this podcast can support others going through similar experiences.

Connect with Melissa:

• Downloadable Resource: Listeners are invited to download the emotional guidance scale PDF from the High Vibe Mediation website for ongoing reference.
• Follow HVD on Instagram: High Vibe Divorce can be found on Instagram @highvibedivorce and Melissa can be found on her professional Instagram page @highvibemediation.

Closing: "Keep the vibes high and the conflict low."

Host: Melissa Wheeler Farag, Esq.

Guest: Darby Jackson, somatic experience practitioner-in-training, nervous system specialist, Safe and Sound Protocol provider, coach, and Reiki master.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Melissa interviews Darby Jackson, discussing the importance of nervous system regulation and somatic experiencing, especially during challenging times like divorce. Darby shares her journey from entrepreneur to somatic practitioner and provides valuable insights into managing nervous system dysregulation, trauma, and chronic stress.

Key Points:

1. Introduction to Darby Jackson:

   • Background: Darby’s transition from building a multimillion-dollar business to experiencing burnout and discovering somatic experiencing.
   • Expertise: Darby supports adults with nervous system dysregulation, burnout, postpartum issues, chronic stress, trauma, anxiety, chronic illness, and low self-worth.

2. Understanding the Nervous System:

   • States of the Nervous System: Rest and digest, fight or flight, freeze, and fawn.
   • Neuroception: The subconscious process of assessing safety, danger, or life-threatening situations based on previous experiences and trauma.
   • Importance of Regulation: Moving up and down the nervous system states smoothly is crucial for overall health and well-being.

3. Somatic Experiencing:

   • Definition: A body-based approach to healing trauma and regulating the nervous system.
   • Practices: Creating safety in the body, feeling and releasing stored trauma, and using somatic tools for self-regulation.

4. Common Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation:

   • Physical Symptoms: Digestive issues, brain fog, immune system problems, and sleep disruptions.
   • Emotional Symptoms: Anxiety, depression, and difficulty processing emotions.

5. Practical Tips for Regulation:

   • Daily Practices: Grounding exercises like walking barefoot, managing caffeine intake, eating whole foods, and getting sunlight.
   • Somatic Movements: Self-touch techniques such as rubbing earlobes and crossing arms over the chest to mimic a hug and promote self-regulation.

6. Challenges in Somatic Work:

   • Facing Trauma: The difficulty of acknowledging and feeling stored trauma.
   • Self-Resource Building: Developing internal resources to manage intense emotions and situations independently.

Affirmation: "I reflect deeply with gentle curiosity and compassion."

Call to Action:

• Listen to Part Two: More practical tips and exercises from Darby Jackson will be shared in the next episode.
• Connect with Darby:
  • Website at https://www.darbyjackson.com/

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyjackson_/

  • Free Nervous System Webinar: https://www.darbyjackson.com/free-guide

  • Register for Body Language Somatics Class: https://www.darbyjackson.com/body-language

Connect with Melissa:

• Downloadable Resource: Listeners are invited to download the emotional guidance scale PDF from the High Vibe Mediation website for ongoing reference.
• Follow HVD on Instagram: High Vibe Divorce can be found on Instagram @highvibedivorce and Melissa can be found on her professional Instagram page @highvibemediation.

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share with friends and keep the conversation going to support those going through divorce.

Closing: "Keep the vibes high and the conflict low."