Let’s talk about long-term goals: how to identify them, start them, and endure the frustration of slow progress without giving up. Long-term goals require flexible cycles of progress and rest, and today we talk about what that might look like. This episode ends with a guided thought experiment about what future you are working towards.

02:34 Pick Your Goal

04:25 When Motivation Fades

10:09 Rest Without Guilt

15:09 Avoid Short Term Traps

17:33 Guided Thought Experiment

Pillow Talk: Real People. Real Stories. Real Awkward. (an awfully hilarious anthology) is available now! The audiobook is available on February 18th (on sale), get your copy and let’s heal together.

In this episode, we explore themes of sex, intimacy, and empowerment while celebrating our shared journey of writing and community building. Heather shares insights into the collaborative process of creating the book, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and the significance of laughter and vulnerability in storytelling. We also delve into the healing power of self-exploration, connection, and community. Anastasia reflects on the experience of becoming a published author through the project. The episode emphasizes the joy of authentic connections and the therapeutic potential of sharing personal stories.

What is Pillow Talk? It's smashing stigma with story, eighteen writers share frank and funny stories of their intimate experiences—celebrating moments of passion, and laying bare others they’d rather forget. Disappointing and humiliating encounters are interlaced with instances of joy and self-discovery in a book that validates all manifestations of desire.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

05:12 Discussing 'Pillow Talk' and 'Foreplay'

17:28 Community and Connection

31:22 The Importance of Foreplay

40:06 The Power of the Erotic

44:13 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Approaches

47:35 Building Community and Support

49:41 Upcoming Projects and Initiatives

56:06 The Power of Community and Connection

01:09:33 Final Thoughts and Resources

Welcome back to the ‘Insights with Us’ podcast! My mission is to build a community rooted in acceptance and authenticity. In this episode, I want to reflect on the podcast’s journey over the past two years and share exciting plans for 2026 before we dive into the idea of shadow work, which involves confronting and understanding the parts of ourselves that we typically avoid so we can break old patterns and heal. Let’s get vulnerable and build insight together.

00:17 Reflecting on the Journey and 2026 Plans

01:43 Gratitude and Guest Highlights

04:55 Shadow Work and Personal Growth

09:15 Understanding and Embracing Shadow Selves

19:00 Setting Boundaries and Authenticity

32:43 Questions for Self-Reflection

37:34 Conclusion