Gutted [weekly Stories Of Reclaiming Your Instinct]

This week on Episode 046 of Gutted, your host Allie Stark shares with her audience that she will be taking a two to three-month hiatus from the podcast and how her gut and intuition have led her towards that decision. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 045 of Gutted, I interview Dr. Jennifer R. Cohen, former Director of the SMASH (Summer Math and Science Honors Academy) for the Level Playing Field Institute in Oakland, California. In our conversation, Jennifer shares how her role as an educator and student navigator for underrepresented people of color in science, technology, engineering, and math, has been an opportunity for her to heal old wounds by facing her own adversities, struggles, and lack of mentorship and role modeling that she received as a young woman of color. Jennifer describes how she has chosen to use words of her tormentors as opportunities to guide her more fully back to herself. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 044 of Gutted, I interview Phillip Van Nostrand, a bi-coastal wedding and lifestyle photographer. In our conversation, Phillip shares his experience with Christianity and the many-layered intricacies that came with his involvement in his church. Phillip talks about the battle between flesh and spirit and how he often felt at war with himself when trying to reconcile his own truths and what he wanted in his life in relationship to the truths of the bible. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 043 of Gutted, I interview Julie Zelig, a licensed psychologist living in Sarasota Florida. In our conversation, Julie and I discuss the similarities and differences between therapy and coaching, claiming one’s feelings as an act of self-care, and the art of deciphering the difference between fear and intuition. Julie shares how important mindfulness and the practice of slowing down is to align with one’s truth. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 042 of Gutted, I interview Shan Boodram (@shanboody), the Internet’s most sought-after, certified sex educator, dating expert and lifestyle personality. Known by her community as “Shan Boody”, Shan is currently the host of Facebook’s new expansion into original content with her show, Make Up or Break Up—a weekly, life relationship series where she interviews a couple on the brink of splitting in front of a studio audience that votes if the couple should remain together or, indeed, separate. In our conversation, we talk about sexuality, relationships, and finding one’s truth by looking back at what felt alive in childhood. Shan shares openly about her relationship to her own sensuality and how she supports other’s in stepping into the fullest expression of their unique sexual being. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 041 of Gutted, I interview Devin Walker, a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at Austin. Devin studies the intersection of race, sports, and education and is writing his thesis on international education as a form of black student-athlete development. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of pushing yourself and taking advantage of opportunities in order to learn new truths about yourself and the world around you. Devin shares how his many experiences with travel and seeing the world through new eyes have influenced the happiness that he feels with where he is at on a day-to-day basis. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 040 of Gutted, I interview Molly Peckler of Highly Devoted, the world’s first cannabis-friendly matchmaking service. Molly is also a lifestyle consultant and career coach who dedicates a lot of her time and energy towards redefining the traditional stoner stigma. In our conversation, Molly and I discuss the cornerstones of successful partnerships, understanding your value, and opening yourself up to unexpected opportunities. Molly shares how cannabis has been a tool for her to connect with her intuition and amplify her inner-voice. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 039 of Gutted, I interview Sachi Doctor of @elemental_alchemy, a holistic health educator and tea maker in Oakland, CA. Sachi comes from a lineage of Indian healers and doctors and has used the wisdom of her ancestors in both Eastern and Western medicine to shape her understanding of health. In our conversation, we explore the different stories and frameworks that we—as human beings—create, often leaving us to feel stuck and out-of-balance. Sachi shares the three-step system she created, 'The Trinity of Self-Awareness', which empowers her clients to reclaim their own wisdom through Knowing Thyself, Atoning Thyself and Entrusting Thyself. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 038 of Gutted, I interview Adam Poswolsky @whatsupsmiley, a millennial workplace expert, international keynote speaker, and author of The Quarter-Life Breakthrough: Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work, and Build a Life That Matters. He helps companies attract, retain, and empower millennial talent, and he's inspired thousands of professionals to be more engaged at work. In our conversation, Adam and I talk about online dating and the power of boundaries and learning to say no. Adam shares the impact that the late thought-leader Levi Felix had on him in choosing the type of adult that he wants to be while being kind to himself in his process and on his personal path. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 037 of Gutted, I interview Kendall Kridner-Protzmann, an interfaith hospital Chaplain and licensed local pastor for the United Methodist Church in Southern California. As a queer-identified woman, Kendall is situated in both the religious and LGBTQ communities, communities that have historically felt betrayed by one another. In our conversation, Kendall and I speak about life, death, and the transition space that happens inbetween. As an LGBTQ hospice chaplain Kendall makes astute observations about authenticity, vulnerability, and the constant balance that humans have in claiming their whole selves. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 036 of Gutted, I interview Ricky Fishman, a San Francisco based chiropractor since 1987 as well as a professor of Humanities at both the New College of California and the California Institute of Integral Studies. In our conversation, Ricky and I discuss the many facets that make up one’s health: individual, cultural, global, ecological, and environmental. Ricky shares how he dropped out of law school to become a punk rock musician and eventually a chiropractor. We explore the importance of how creativity and creative expression support humans in getting out of their own egoic ways. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 035 of Gutted, I interview Erin Levine of Hello Divorce. Erin is the founder and CEO of Levine Family Law Group and Hello Divorce, a “modern break up service”. Hello Divorce empowers individuals to navigate the divorce process on their own with easy to follow, step-by-step guidance. In our conversation, Erin and I discuss the power of using one’s voice and speaking one’s truth as a revolutionary act of self-care. As a survivor of years of mental, emotional, and sexual abuse from her gymnastics coach, Erin is committed to creating opportunities for other’s to face adversity with an empowered and informed sense of being. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 034 of Gutted, I interview Adrian Elliot, a director, writer, photographer, and creative director with an interdisciplinary creative background. In our conversation, Adrian and I discuss the importance of creating change in one’s life in order to discover blind spots and what is no longer serving you. We chat about the fine balance between carelessness and being carefree, as well as the importance of always listening to your first instinct. Adrian shares wisdom and experience in knowing that the voice inside of your heart will never betray you. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 033 of Gutted, I interview Saeeda Hafiz, a yoga instructor, author, and wellness educator for the San Francisco Unified School District. In our conversation, Saeeda shares how she has used yoga and cooking as tools to chart a personal path towards self-healing. Saeeda reflects on her family history of domestic violence as an opportunity to build resiliency and listen to her gut even when it leads her to unexpected places. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 032 of Gutted, I interview Lauralynn Balcerzak, a performance artist, sound healer, and body tuner from Lake Tahoe, California. In our conversation, Lauralynn and I discuss our body’s innate wisdom in guiding us towards freedom and the power of choice. Lauralynn shares how she left a career in chemistry to pursue a path of fitness, Kung Fu, and pole dancing. She now uses movement as an act of radical expression and an opportunity to share her truth while encouraging others to do the same. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 031 of Gutted, I interview Joel Carlovsky, a Kindergarten Spanish immersion teacher in Fridley, Minnesota. Joel lives in Minneapolis with his husband and very recently launched a website and YouTube channel called the Super Brave Teacher. His intention in creating these platforms is to spark bravery in others, bringing to visibility and voice to the story of those that are LGBTQ teachers, students, and fellow accomplices. In our conversation, Joel shares his story of coming out to his family and his community—an act of ultimate bravery as he was choosing himself above all else. Joel and I discuss key concepts around loyalty, disappointing the people that we love, and what it means to lose everything as an act of aligning with one’s truth. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 030 of Gutted, I interview Zoe Mendelson, an interdisciplinary creative who lives in Mexico City researching, talking, and writing about cities, emojis, tech, language, data, maps, mushrooms, and other semi-related topics. In our conversation, Zoe shares a story of holding tightly to an old narrative of playing the victim, and the pain and dis-ease that was experienced before she was willing to let-go. We talk about resilience and rising up when you have fallen down. Zoe expresses her newfound celebration in learning how to dance while watching all of the tiny lies she has told to herself burn down—over and over again—in order to learn and keep growing. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 029 of Gutted, I interview Bill Protzmann, a man on a mission: to raise awareness of the power of music as a tool for self-care. Bill has been a musician for his entire life and shares how music has served as a tool for him to vibrantly express his feelings from a young age. In our conversation, Bill and I discuss thinking versus feeling and how to help bridge the gap and integrate the two as a way of reclaiming our humanness. Bill vulnerably shares the many roadblocks he has come across in his life and how the only way forward is by the path of the heart. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 028 of Gutted I interview Saskia Griffiths, a yoga and mindfulness instructor and nomadic world traveler. In our conversation, Saskia shares how the seemingly unstable waters of on-going wanderlust, support her in staying connected to herself. Saskia tells a story of love and illusion that eventually led to a deep unraveling for her. We explore the topic of making mistakes and that falling down is always worth the climb. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!

This week on Episode 027 of Gutted I interview Joshua Caldwell, a director, writer, producer, and MTV Movie Award Winner. His debut feature film LAYOVER was made for $6000 and had its World Premiere to sold out crowds at the 2014 Seattle International Film Festival where it was nominated for the prestigious FIPRESCI New American Cinema Award. In our conversation, Joshua and I discuss the meaning of success and the ever-fleeting feelings of happiness that come from extrinsic rewards. Joshua shares how he has used large professional obstacles and failures as a path to self-actualization and prioritizing what is most important to him. Never miss an episode: search and stalk us! Follow us on Instagram! Check out the show notes!