Awakening Conversations

In this episode, we have an open, honest, and candid conversation about the challenges of the awakening process. We share our personal experiences of navigating a world filled with fear and how to be with what is while keeping our hearts open to the full potential that challenging times truly offer and the power that we have to effect that change.

We dive into understanding consciousness and the ascension process and how we can use what triggers us to help us transform and heal.

We also explore the themes of moving from victimization to freedom, reclaiming our power, seeing the truth in others, and the importance of love, compassion, and self-discovery in our awakening journey.

In this special episode of Awakening Conversations, Kate and Amanda welcome mindfulness expert, coach, and author Melli O’Brien. With nearly two decades in mental health education, Melli has helped over a million people worldwide—but even with all her training and experience, she found herself facing a period of overwhelming adversity that her existing tools couldn’t fully address.

This led her to develop the Deep Resilience Method—a revolutionary psycho-spiritual framework designed to cultivate true, lasting inner strength. In this heart-opening conversation, Melli and Kate explore the transformative power of mindfulness, the importance of understanding the ego, and how to navigate life's inevitable challenges with clarity, self-compassion, and empowered action.

They dive into Melli’s newly released book, Deep Resilience, which offers a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck in fear, overwhelm, or the cycles of negative thinking. Whether you’re on the path of spiritual awakening, seeking mental and emotional stability, or simply looking for ways to feel more empowered in uncertain times, this episode is filled with wisdom, practical tools, and deep, soul-nourishing insights.

Listen in as Melli shares the RISE Method, her approach to breaking free from the mind’s conditioning, and why she believes mental health and spirituality are inseparable. Plus, don’t miss the exclusive details on her book launch and how you can access this life-changing resource.

Tune in now and discover how to shift from struggle to strength, reconnect with your values, and rise to life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.

Takeaways:

• Traditional mental health approaches often fail to address the root causes of suffering. Melli’s Deep Resilience Method integrates mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to create lasting inner resilience.
• The ego isn’t something to fight—it’s a protective mechanism shaped by past conditioning. By working with it through mindfulness and self-awareness, we can free ourselves from limiting narratives.
• Trying to eliminate negative thoughts only strengthens them. Instead, recognizing thoughts as mental events rather than absolute truths helps us create space and regain clarity.
• Meeting fear and self-doubt with kindness neutralizes their power. When we embrace our inner struggles with understanding rather than resistance, transformation becomes possible.
• Mental health isn’t just about managing emotions—it requires wisdom and deeper self-knowledge. When we integrate both, we cultivate true inner stability and peace.
• Fear is a natural part of being human, but it doesn’t have to define our choices. By acknowledging fear with compassion, we can move forward with courage and clarity.
• When life feels chaotic, reconnecting with our values provides direction. Living in alignment with them brings a deeper sense of fulfillment, authenticity, and inner strength.
• Intelligence alone isn’t enough; wisdom, mindfulness, and compassionate action are essential for real change. By developing resilience, we contribute to a more peaceful and conscious world.
• Growth doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from aligned action. Small, intentional steps taken from a place of awareness allow us to shift our reality and reclaim our power.

In this episode, Kate and Amanda dive deep into the journey of transformation exploring how intentional reflection, consistency, and embracing challenges shape our personal growth.

Together, they unpack the dance between fear and courage, and how staying committed to aligned paths can open doors to creativity, clarity, and purpose.

They discuss the importance of pausing to celebrate growth, even in subtle ways, how stepping into creative endeavors helps dismantle self-limiting beliefs, how to navigate the discomfort of uncertainty while staying true to one’s calling and the value of supportive communities, like mastermind groups, in fostering growth and accountability.

Kate and Amanda also reflect on the unexpected ways their podcast has shaped their lives, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of staying committed to a creative project.

Whether you’re navigating your own creative journey, working toward personal goals, or stepping into a new phase of life, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration to keep you moving forward.

Takeaways:

• Growth happens step by step. Celebrate small wins and recognize your progress, no matter how subtle.
• Staying committed to your goals, even when it’s hard, leads to profound transformation over time.
• Regular self-reflection helps you see your progress, refine your goals, and stay aligned with your authentic path.
• Unlock your natural creativity by stepping into challenges and breaking free from limiting beliefs.
• Acknowledge your fears, but let your courage guide you forward as you grow and transform.
• Surrounding yourself with like-minded people provides accountability, fresh perspectives, and encouragement.
• Trust your journey, knowing there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to your authenticity.
• Focus on who you want to become and take small, intentional actions to move closer to your goals.
• Transformation is a lifelong process, so be patient and embrace the journey.
• Practice gratitude for all experiences, as they’re essential to your growth and evolution.

In this episode Kate shares her awakening journey, which began with the realization of her ego and its unhealthy impact on her life. She shares with us how the events that followed sparked an intense ego death and dark night of the soul that completely transformed her life.

In this conversation we explore the healing power of nature, how awakenings deepen our connection with our authentic selves and the importance of trusting, surrendering, and embracing the human experience.

We reflect on our own journeys of awakening and how every moment of our lives, is leading us to lessons, growth edges and experiences our soul wants us to have so that we can live into our full potential.

And finally we delve into understanding how to heal the unhealthy ego, our limiting beliefs and stories by cultivating compassion for it, so that we can live our lives as our authentic, soul selves.

Takeaways

• Recognizing and taking responsibility for our unhealthy ego expression is a crucial step in personal growth and self-discovery.
• Nature can be a powerful healer and teacher, reminding us of our connection to the world and the truth of who we are.
• A deep sense of presence, inner peace, and connectedness are some of the gifts of the awakening experience.
• Learning to trust and surrender to the force of life that is guiding and supporting us is made easier through our awakening
• Developing compassion for the ego and approaching it with love can allows us the fully understand and heal our limiting beliefs and stories

In this episode, Amanda shares her personal journey with awakening, which was triggered by her mother's passing. She reflects on the impact of her mother's death and the questions it raised about the purpose of life and her own existence.

Amanda discusses the process of recognizing that she has had many awakening experiences and the importance of seeking guidance to navigate awakening and our own self-exploration.

She shares the various modalities she has explored, including energy medicine, sound healing, plant medicine, meditation, and tarot, and how they have supported her personal growth and understanding of herself.

Amanda also reflects on how her awakening journey has changed the trajectory of her life, bringing her more peace and acceptance.

She emphasizes the importance of trust and being open to new experiences as guiding lights for those who are beginning to awaken.

Takeaways

• Awakening experiences can be triggered by significant life events, such as the death of a loved one.
• Recognizing and understanding awakening experiences can lead to self-acceptance and self-responsibility.
• Seeking guidance and exploring various modalities can support personal growth and healing.
• Embodiment practices, such as meditation and energy work, can help individuals connect with their intuition and inner truth. Consistency in meditation practice can provide a foundation for personal growth and transformation.
• Awakening can bring more peace and acceptance into one's life.
• Trust and openness to new experiences are essential for those on the awakening journey.
• Synchronistic experiences can deepen our connection to the present moment and provide guidance.
• Life is constantly speaking to us, and being present allows us to listen and receive its messages.