The Shadow Work Workbook Celebrates 6 Months in Stores
My first book, The Shadow Work Workbook, celebrates over 6 month since publication!
As I’m writing this post, my first book The Shadow Work Workbook celebrates over 6 month since publication!
Writing a book is an extremely vulnerable position to put yourself in whether you’re in the business of sharing personal stories via memoir or guiding people through the self-help and nonfiction genres. While these formats aren’t created equal in this respect (memoirs are among the most vulnerable, no doubt) sharing your thoughts via permanent, written word means getting a lot of feedback on your tone, style and message. It’s probably the single most terrifying part about the writing and publishing experience, at least to me. I’ve heard, and read, of many other authors who share this feeling.
To be more than 6 months out from publication is a gift. One of the things that I’ve been a bit surprised, and delighted, by is hearing from a few people that they’ve gifted a copy of my book to someone they know. I don’t think there’s any bigger praise for an author, irrespective of genre.
I was at a personal event recently and got to catch up with some folks I consider extended family who I haven’t seen in years. One of the things I heard was how they were experiencing the book and sharing it with other people in their lives. To have that kind of affirmation is moving, and I know that I’ll continue to absorb this feedback and support as times goes on. Right now, I’m swimming in tears of gratitude.
If you’re also in the process of writing then you know how vulnerable the process can make you feel. The good news is that if you work alongside that fear, and write from your heart, your work will touch people. They won’t forget how you’ve made them feel, whether that’s 25 people or 25,000.
I’m starting to appreciate this idea much more these days.
Liquid Courage and 'Hooking up' in SELF Magazine
In what feels like a lifetime ago, I was a national educator on sexual assault prevention. As a young man just out of college it was an incredibly challenging and rewarding job. I was able to speak to survivors, college students, military personnel and participate in research that helped reduce myths men have about sexual assault. I still think about the good work we did with the job. I’ve also given presentations and workshops on healthy consent in local high schools so these ideas and concepts are still very much important to me. Unfortunately, as a society we still have so much work to do in this area to help reduce sex-based violence.
Now as a full time mental health provider I continue to support people in their process of healing within my work even though it’s not an area of focus in my practice. I’m still passionate about the topics of sexual health, relational safety and gender based violence and advocate for survivors and healthy relationships.
One of the themes that often comes up within this kind of work is the connection between alcohol, consent and hooking up. Alcohol, while normalized culturally, complicates dynamics around consent, and how we come to understand how to have more enjoyable, satisfying romantic lives.
Recently, I was invited to add my thoughts on relational health, hooking up and alcohol for SELF magazine. If these topics are of interest to you, you can check out the article at the following link:
Enjoy!
Exploring The Shadow and Mystery on the Gratitude Blooming Podcast
In this interview therapist and author of The Shadow Work Workbook talks exploring mystery, the shadow and embracing the permission to grow.
Getting to do podcast interviews where I talk about my work, mental health and shadow integration is always a pleasure and even more so when I get to talk with people like Omar and Belinda from the Gratitude Blooming podcast.
In this episode we were able to talk about my experiences with mystery, sensitivity and creativity (as well as what kind of flower I might be).
Enjoy the episode below!
The Shadow Work Workbook on Book Riot
The Shadow Work Workbook was included on Book Riot’s list titled “The Shadow Knows: 8 Books About Shadow Work.” Click the link below for more information.
Shadow Work on the Black Moon Lilith Rising Podcast
Recently, I was able to join my friend Adama on her podcast, The Black Moon Lilith Rising Podcast. In our episode we were able to talk about shadow work and how Jung unifies the worlds of psychology, spirituality and astrology. I had a lot of fun in this episode and hope that you enjoy listening!Listen to the episode at the link below:
https://www.lilithastrology.com/podcasts/black-moon-lilith-rising/episodes/2147824170
You can also learn more about Lilith Astrology and Adama's work at LilithAstrology.com and on Instagram @lilithastrology.