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Healing Begins with Belonging
The Inclusion Bites Podcast
Healing Begins with Belonging
TE
Speaker
Tenya Eickenberg
JL
Speaker
Joanne Lockwood
00:00 "Prioritising a Strong Marriage" 06:02 "Finding Home and Family Joy" 08:36 Smoking and Suppressing Stress 10:45 Meditation, Mental Health Journey 17:33 Healing Inherited Energies Naturally 18:39 Seeking Healing Through Energy Therapy 22:49 Shifting Mindsets and Energy Healing 26:16 "Reality Shaped by Consciousness" 31:44 Mastering Muscle Testing Basics 33:31 Body…
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“being able to empower others to release what no longer serves and step into their most authentic selves.”
“we always made it a point to, to put our relationship kind of the main focus of our foundation because we knew that one day our kids were going to move out and it was gonna be him and I that were gonna be left holding up the fort and we wanted to make sure that we had a good foundation for when we went into that, that space that we could support each other just as a couple.”
“It's a real strange feeling to go back to that time before children BC right when you used to lay in on a Saturday morning and go, well it's nothing to do today. We're just laze around. We could do whatever we want.”
“The Struggle to Cope with Stress and Suppressed Emotions: "I knew that things were getting bad when I would start driving home from work and I would imagine what would happen if I just let my van run into a telephone pole. How would that make me feel? Could I get a few days off?”
“And so I got to the point where I was like, I, I'm thinking about hurting myself. I need, I need help.”
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Full transcript
Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world? Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives. You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share stories that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in? Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.
So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites.
And today is episode 180 with the title Healing Begins with Belonging. And I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Tenya Eichenberg. Tenya is a mind, body, energy facilitator who helps people clear, emotional and energetic blocks to heal, transform and thrive. And when I asked Tina to describe her superpower, she said that it is being able to empower others to release what no longer serves and step into their most authentic selves. Hello, Tenya, welcome to the show.
Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited.
It's a pleasure. And I'm guessing from your accent, you're not in the uk?
I'm not. I'm in the. In the States, on the other side of the pond.
That side of the pond, yeah. Whereabouts?
I'm in Maryland, just outside of Washington, dc. Yep.
Been to New York? I've never made. I've never made Washington state or anywhere around there. So, yeah, one day. One day. Maybe in five years time. So it's coming up for Easter, you got anything planned?
My son is moving. My son is moving out of our home. My husband and I are going to become empty nesters.
Wow. Exciting.
Yeah, so that's happening. We're actually going to start moving him and his girlfriend in today and then they'll officially move everything in on Friday. So we're going to be helping them set up Friday and then we're just going to kind of enjoy the weekend with some Easter plans with where we get to meet my. Meet his girlfriend's family. So that's exciting. Yeah. And then probably on Easter, we're probably just going to chill out. We're going to stay at a campground and just enjoy each other's company for a day.
Reconnect to each other as, as life partners.
Yeah, that was, that's one thing that we've always strived to make consistent throughout our marriage. We'll be married 29 years this year together for 30. We have a 28 year old daughter and then our twins are 25 and we also have a granddaughter who's gonna be born within the next week or two. So lots of changes going on in this next week, next two weeks. But yeah, we always made it a point to, to put our relationship kind of the main focus of our foundation because we knew that one day our kids were going to move out and it was gonna be him and I that were gonna be left holding up the fort and we wanted to make sure that we had a good foundation for when we went into that, that space that we could support each other just as a couple.
Hmm. I mean you're probably say seven or eight years behind us. Our son was the final one to move out. Yeah, about seven or eight years ago. But yeah, our daughter's in her 30s, married our son's, he's in his 30s as well now and got a lot a long term partner which he's living with. So yeah, it's important to reconnect, isn't it? Because if you sit on the sofa looking at each other going, what are we worried about? What are we going to do now? It's a real strange feeling to go back to that time before children BC right when you used to lay in on a Saturday morning and go, well it's nothing to do today. We're just laze around. We could do whatever we want.
No one cares if we don't go out. Don't, don't, don't, don't put any clothes on today. No one's going to notice.
Right? Right. Yeah. Well, we didn't really have, have that couple time before we started dating. And then three months later I became pregnant and then a year later we got married. So our oldest was six weeks old when we got married. Lovely. So we've always had children during our marriage and we really only we have never lived together alone because we lived with roommates before I got pregnant. Well actually no, we lived with roommates when I found out I was pregnant.
So we've, you know, we've always had somebody else there during our relationship, whether it was in utero or, you know, as a big human. I mean we've gone on vacations just the two of us, but really never been longer than a week, maybe 10 days at most.
It's Quite exciting. Then it is really a new chapter in your life.
Yeah. Yeah, it's very exciting, but we're definitely very excited for it.
Yeah. My wife and I, we have. We love our time together.
Yeah.
And we love it when our children visit, and we love it when our parents come as well, because we're at that family generation. We've got responsibility for the elder generation as well as the. You can't get rid of responsibility no matter what age you are these days. So you talk about healing and helping others thrive. What got you into what you do and creating these sort of safe spaces for transformation within people.
I was looking for a safe space. In 2018, we had the most amazing year for our family until this point, where we are now extending our family into grandchildren. In 2018, both my husband and our oldest were graduating from college. Our twins were graduating from high school, and we were moving to our forever home right here, right off the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. And we have been wanting to move back to this place. And so I had this vision of what it was going to be like because in this community I have, My best friend was living here. Her family was living here. And this is the place I lived when I was 15 years old, when my dad got stationed in Maryland in the Air Force.
And so this is where I met my two best friends. And it was. It just had held a lot of memories and a lot of fun and a lot of love. And so I really wanted to move back here. And so we had the opportunity to do that when a friend told us that they were selling their house and would we like to buy it. And that was in. That was in, like, February or March of 2018. And we're like, well, you know, when you're ready, let us know.
And. And we'll. We'll start the ball rolling. And like, June, they were like, okay, so we're ready to. To get the ball rolling. Is this still something you want to do? And we said yes. And so within six months of saying yes, we had re. Re redone our townhome.
So put it on the market. We put it on the market in September, sold it in October, moved in in November. So incredibly quick. Which to me, knowing what I know now about the law of attraction and energy work, when you're in flow, things move quite quickly. And that moved quite quickly. Downside was we were moving to the beach in the winter, which totally sucks because you can't enjoy sitting on the beach and wading through the water. And mid November, it's. It's too cold and it's dreary and it's no fun.
So we were kind of secluded from everybody for like the first six months. We'd go over to people's houses, but it just was not what I had envisioned. And then summer hit and we were able to start getting outside. But prior to that I'd had a bit of a falling out with my mom. And it caused a lot of stress emotionally for me. And I started to self medicate. I started to drink and smoke. I hadn't smoked for like eight years.
And I started smoking again partially because I was around people who were smoking. It was easy access to this old drug that I used to use to hide my emotions to relax through traumatic events. I started smoking when I was 13, so it wasn't hard to pick back up and remember how good it made me feel when I was feeling extremely stressed and emotional. And then of course I added in the alcohol because we're sitting on the beach so you want to have your margaritas and, and all that stuff. And so I really suppressed a lot of things for about a year. And I knew that things were getting bad when I would start driving home from work and I would imagine what would happen if I just let my van run into a telephone pole. How would that make me feel? Could I get a few days off? Because I was under the mindset that I can't, I can't take vacation days because what if I get sick and I really need em, or actually on the flip side, I wanted to use them for vacations so then I couldn't use em for sick. That was probably more true than, than the other way.
Like I wanted to be able to take an entire week off and go someplace and relax with my husband. And I couldn't do that if I took mental health days. Cause I only had, at that time, I think I only had two weeks a year to take off, you know, and then your weekends are filled with, with stuff you can't get done during the week when you're working 40 hours a week. And I was working an hour from home. So I was out of the house for 10 hours a day, 11 hours a day, depending on what was going on that day. And so I got to the point where I was like, I, I'm thinking about hurting myself. I need, I need help. And at the time I only knew the traditional roots talk therapy and medication because I grew up with a mother who was diagnosed bipolar when I was 7 or 8 years old.
And that was the first time meditation was brought into my life, but it was never anything that was taught to me. It wasn't anything that was for an eight or nine year old to do so. And then after we, we actually, we were living in England at the time when my mom was diagnosed and she had to deal with her own mental illness and so she didn't have the capacity to, to teach us kids how to handle our own emotions, our own mental health. But I had seen her go to therapy and she had been on medication for as long as I can remember. So I went that route and was on it for about six to eight weeks. And both the doctor and the therapist, the doctor wanted to up my medication. When I said it wasn't working so well. And talk therapy, it just felt like I was talking about the same things I had talked about for years with other therapists.
Not saying that anything that they were doing was wrong. It just wasn't right for me. And I didn't feel like you asked about that safe space. I didn't feel safe enough with either of them to tell them that I had thought about hurting myself because I didn't know them. You know, sharing that you are thinking of hurting yourself or taking your own life with somebody you don't know if is hard. Sharing it with somebody you do know is even harder. So, so, you know, think about what it takes for somebody to take their own life. They think that, that, that is the easiest option to telling somebody that they're thinking about hurting themselves.
Because we have seen nothing. But in the movies, TV shows, whenever somebody has said that they, they feel crazy or they feel insane or they're feeling certain ways, certain feelings. Even if, if they're saying like I, I feel like I'm gonna hurt myself, the next scene is always them being in either a padded room or some, a room by themselves, sitting on a bed. There's there, there doesn't seem to be, at least in the past, that I have seen a good representation of what happens if you tell somebody I feel like I'm going to hurt myself. Have you seen anything, anything that would encourage people to be okay with saying I'm hurting and I feel like I don't want to be here anymore.
It's all caught up in stigma and shame, guilt, not being strong enough, not being capable enough. You know, I'm a strong woman. How can I be like this? I associate this, that feeling with other people, not with me. I don't want to be a failure. I don't want to admit I'm broken. That's Part of my. I think this is what you're saying to yourself, isn't it? Part of the problem here is that I'm failing. And that.
And to face up to it makes me feel more of a failure. Having to admit it, having.
Having emotions makes us feel broken. And I'll be the first to admit, because I'm still human, that there are times when I try to still hide me getting upset. Now my kids know that I'm a very easy crier. And when I'm watching movies that are very compassionate and heartfelt, they will be the first ones to look at me to see if I'm okay. And I'm always crying because it's just how I feel emotions. But when I'm out in public, I will still find myself trying to push those down because I don't want the attention of feeling my emotions. But we need to feel our emotions. So It's a catch 22.
It's like, how do you get comfortable with feeling your emotions when you're having them? It's really hard to do because you really do have to navigate how other people might react to you because they don't know how to deal with your emotions because they don't know how to deal with their own emotions.
When you are. When you were going down this. I don't know if this is a good metaphor or not going down this slope towards this, I suppose this mental anxiety you were facing or whatever, however you describe it, looking back on that time, can you see the triggers and the steps that were sucking you into that further and further? At the time you were looking for alcohol, nicotine, as ways of avoiding you dealing with the real problem? These were sort of. These were boosting brain chemicals that made you feel better about yourself or less worse.
Yes. Looking back, I can absolutely see how I was reaching for a cigarette first thing in the morning to help suppress what I knew would come up later in the day. I would, you know, I would sit out on our deck smoking a cigarette, scrolling through what, you know, TikTok and just mind numb. I couldn't. Every time my phone would ring and my mom would pop up on the screen, I could feel my body tense up. Anytime my dad would call, I would tense up because I'm sure it had something to do with my mom because my dad never calls. So it was, you know, it was always. And I would always wait for.
If it had been a couple of months since there had been eggs breaking, I would wait for. Wait for the. The call that would cause me to have to walk on eggshells.
Do you think some of this links back to your family history of bipolar?
Absolutely.
These are manic episodes. So people around you would have realised that Tina's having a manic episode here, not knowing what to do with it.
I think I was definitely afraid of that. Right. Because for as long as I could remember, my mom would always tell me that bipolar disorder runs in our family. You have a 50, 50 chance of getting it. But I always said, oh, no, whatever my mom gets starts with her and ends with her. And I think that is. And this is where, again, our belief systems come into play and intentions come into play because we don't have to inherit what our parent, who our parents are. My mom also has several illnesses that are hereditary, but nobody before her has them and nobody in my family is going to have it.
It's not being passed down through me. And I think that has really helped me in moving towards the energy healing aspect of it. Because through energy healing you can clear out those inherited energies, those, those things that are passed down from generation to generation to generation. And when I, when I, when I told myself I'm, I'm not gonna, I don't wanna be on medication. I think medication is great for short term and I know a lot of people are not going to agree with that because a lot of people have had much success being on medications for their anxiety and depression for, for decades. And congratulations. I am so glad that you found something that worked for you, but it doesn't work for everybody and it wasn't working for me. And so that's when I, I asked the universe, I asked God, whoever was listening, give me something that is going to get rid of this anxiety and depression, get me something that is going to cure it.
I was looking for a cure. I was not looking to manage my mental illnesses. I was not looking to survive through my mental illnesses. I wanted them gone. And that's when energy healing came into my awareness. And to be honest, I was sceptical at first because it was the emotion code that came into my awareness. And if you haven't heard of the emotion code, it's using muscle testing or kinesiology to test your body's muscular system for yes and no answers, for truth and false answers, for your subconscious, for your body, for you alone, not anybody else. And so I was like, do I drink this purple Kool Aid? Because I wasn't gonna be taking, I wasn't going to ingest anything because that was, that was the belief that I had had for so Long that I had to one, give my power away to somebody else to heal me.
And two, because my anxiety and depression have always, I've always been told it's a chemical imbalance. And so if it's a chemical imbalance, then you have to treat it with chemical to rebalance it. But the emotion code required no medications, it required not ingesting any chemicals, which was exactly what I was looking for.
So is, is it your belief or your theory that a lot of how the body reacts is fed from signals from the brain? So if you reprogram your brain in a more positive way, I'm not saying it will cure everything, but it will certainly influence how the body responds. Is that the basic theory?
Yeah. Although I don't think it's. I don't think it, I don't think that it is just about the brain. It is about every single organ in our body. When we don't feel emotions and we're. I'm going to use just this lifetime because I'm a believer that we don't only have one lifetime. I believe that we have, we live as a soul that has lived on different timelines, different lifetimes. And our soul brings that experience into wherever we are today.
With that, we bring whatever that soul is holding onto. So even though our soul is, is coming here to have a human experience, it's had many human experiences and it brings all of that knowledge. But with that knowledge comes any trauma that they may have attached themselves to in those other lifetimes or in those other timelines. Right. So, so it's very woo woo. You know, a lot of people are not on that same wavelength. They think that we, you know, our brains are what's controlling everything and once our bodies are dead, that's it, we're gone. But that's not my belief.
So I think that our bodies hold onto so much and from this lifetime we can have trapped emotions stuck in our shoulder, we can have them stuck in our hips, we can have it stuck in our bladder. So it's not just about the mind. And even though our mind has, has been tested to be controlling a lot of what we do as humans, I don't think science is gotten everything right, hasn't gotten everything to show us the big picture.
Yeah, I can relate to the concept that we don't know everything and what we do know is based on, largely on observation and there are things we can't observe that just happen and anything. I want to call that spirituality, want to call that bigger being, whatever. I don't have any proof either way? Not a, an overly, I'm not, I'm not a religious person at all. But I, I, I do have a, what I would call a spirituality, a Buddhism without the religion sort of thing. It's, it's about interconnection with the world and people and self, I guess, without any, any, without any definition of what that means. My life is better when I'm connected with myself and my environment.
Right? Right. And it's not just connecting with your, with your mind, it's connecting with your heart, it's connecting with your entire being. And with that being said, when we do the conscious work, when we do do mindset work, it does work. It does take quite a while though. I mean you, when you are retraining your brain, retraining, really looking at your belief systems and, and asking yourself, do I still want to believe this? Do I still want, you know, do I still want to believe that the sky is blue? Right? It then you have to say, okay, so if I don't want to believe that the sky is blue anymore, what colour do I want it to believe that it is? And how do I change my mindset around? Well, you've got all of these other people over here that are saying, oh no, but the sky is blue. And you've got yourself over here going, yeah, but, but is it really? Because some of it looks white, some of it looks purple. It all depends on when you're seeing it, what time of day are you seeing it? So it can take a long time to shift your mindset into whatever it is that your, your, your goal is, when will you bring energy healing into it to help to clear away those emotions or those stuck trauma energies. Just these balls of energy, you know, those little prickly things you get on your socks when you walk through a field.
So that's how I see energ the, these trauma energies, these, these stuck emotions, these negative energies that are impacting our physical body as well as our spirit and our souls. When we find those, we can pluck them out. Problem is sometimes they're so hidden, like they're so stuck down in your socks. You can feel it, but you can't find it. Right? So in a sense, you want to take your entire, you want to take your sock off and you want to start picking them out because they're hurting you. But you can't do that with your body. You can't just take your meat suit off and pick out all the trauma energies with muscle testing and charts. Right? Just, just there's an emotion code chart that has like 60 different emotions.
You can muscle test your body to find do you have a trapped emotion of anxiety? And if you get a yes, okay, you ask, can, can I release it? And you might get a no, because you might need to know more about it. You might need to know how old you were when you got the emotion. You might need to know if the emotion is inherited or did you absorb it from somebody else that you were standing next to. And if you need to know those kinds of things, your body will tell you. You find out what you need to know and, and then you ask, can I release it? And then you release it. With the emotion code, you swipe your governing meridian and this is where. This is where. Again, I was sceptical about using this energy work.
It had nothing to do with, is it the devil? Is it, is it entities, is it anything like that? Had nothing to do with that. It was just the, the newness of what this modality was and how easy, really, how easy it was to feel better and that I didn't have to wait six to eight weeks to see if I was feeling better. So, yeah, so, you know, once you're, you're able to release it, you get that, yes, I can release this. That's how easy it is to clear and release what's no longer serving you.
I suppose one of my core beliefs is that my entire reality is generated by my consciousness. Whatever my consciousness is, we call it my programme, my AI, my brain, whatever it is. So everything I look, feel, see, touch, experience has been generated from electrical stimulus into my consciousness. And that creates a pattern or a process. And I also have a belief that how I process things is unique to me. And when you say the sky is blue, how I define blue in my mind isn't necessarily how you define blue in your mind, red. We all interpret that wavelength of light in our own way, which is why some of us like these two colours together. And some of us don't like those two colours together because there's a clash or whatever it may be.
The taste. Everything we experience is all based on our brains taking stimulus and processing them. In fact, this entire conversation is made up in my own mind. I'm being told that you're there because I can see you through my eyes, I can hear you through my ears, but those are just senses and those electrical stimulus is going into my brain and the brain process them. So I can support the idea completely that our consciousness can override much of what we think, feel and believe. If we learn to train it and focus on it. So yeah, everything you're saying there, I could believe.
Yeah, yeah. And we start getting trained on what to believe the day we're born. Right. Because our parents start to instil their beliefs in us right from the beginning. And then our teachers start to instil in us the beliefs of the school system. It's not until we get to be 12 or 13 years old we start to question our own beliefs and they call it revival.
Why? Why?
The why? Yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, it's like, was it like 3 or 4 years old when they start asking why? Why? But, but then we become teenagers and we start to rebel against our belief systems.
Whatever. Yeah, that's right, right.
Whatever. Belief systems have been instilled in us. Our kids did it, we did it. It's just a part of, of being human is, is figuring out who you are. However, if you are in an environment where the belief systems of your parents are continually being instilled in you, it's very hard sometimes to change your belief system until you get out of the house. And once you do that, then you can really start to figure out who you are if you have the opportunity to, if you allow yourself to. Problem is, we hold so much judgement about ourselves when looking at other people that it's very hard to figure out who we are if we're not encouraged to do so.
Yeah. Because if we're not careful, we swap our parental models for other figures of authority in education, in our friend group, in government, in whatever it may be. And we can take this left hand fork and go one way or right hand fork and go bad. So we're all one decision, a left, right decision away from changing our lives for the better or for the worse.
Yeah. Yeah. So with these, with these. When you find these energies in our body, sometimes we have to know the exact location, sometimes we don't. But letting them go frees up that space in your energy, frees up that space in your physical body and allows your body to heal the way that it's meant to. Our bodies are incredibly restorative, but when they're holding onto so much trauma, and if you tell me that you don't have any trauma in your life, you're blinded. Everybody has trauma. Everybody has been affected by it in some way.
Whether it is watching your parents go through trauma, being bullied at school or told by a teacher that you're not good enough because you got to see on a paper, or, you know, going through high school and wanting to to date a particular person and that person not giving you the time of day. We all go through traumatic experiences. It's just a matter of whether our conscious mind remembers it or not. But your body is always going to remember.
So what's the process that I can start to connect these energy dots to either traumas, things, emotional baggage, stress, anxiety. Because presumably there are different techniques for different parts of the body, different situations. You can't just say with one, one formula, here's some energy you gotta tune in. Have you got to tune it and focus it.
Right? So first I would, I would suggest that you learn how to muscle test, because this is the easiest way, at least in my opinion. Cause it's how I. I learned. It's to get in touch with your intuition, to get in touch with your subconscious and start testing it with foods. So to do a sway test, you're just gonna hold the food against your body and you're going to ask either out loud or in your mind, does my body want this? And if you sway forward, typically that's a yes. If you sway backwards, typically it's a no. But your ego is going to get in the way in the beginning. So you have to practise it and you have to be, you have to be consistent.
When I started learning muscle testing, I was doing, with the sway test, I was probably doing 20 to 30 tests a day. And then when I wanted to switch to doing muscle testing with my fingers, I went to doing like a hundred questions a day. And it's just based, based off of the sensations in your body. So start with that just very simple test with food. And I will, I will tell you, I guarantee anything that comes out of your cabinet is going to be a no. Because our bodies don't like processed food, so, so do choose processed foods versus fruits and vegetables and kind of gauge it that way. Once you feel like you have that, you're confident in that. And this builds confidence in ourselves as well, because you really get to know what your.
What you want as a person, because you start to feel the sensations in your body. You can sit there, close your eyes and ask your body to show me a yes and, and you might get, excuse me, you might get goosebumps, you might yawn, you might have to take a deep breath, you might shiver a little bit, but your body will tell you yes or no. It's just a matter of tuning into.
That, some of this moving it from unconscious decision making to conscious decision making. So we're trying to get our prefrontal cortex Engaged here by saying, I want slowing down the thought process and leaning in or leaning away is all about being mindful about that decision we're making rather than just grabbing, going, yeah, yeah, I'll have that, whatever. And then regretting afterwards. Didn't really fancy that. Why did I eat that for? So it's having that conversation with yourself before you do something rather than living with a regret afterwards. Is that kind of the approach?
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. And you can always go against what your body's at, what your body wants too. I mean, there are times my body does not like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I guarantee every time, every time I ask, does my body want this? I get a no. But my mind still likes the taste of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, so I will still eat them because I'm human and I enjoy them. But once you, once you learn that process of understanding what your body wants, either through muscle testing or through your intuition, then you can start to ask, do I have a trapped emotion of loneliness? And if you sway forward or muscle test with your fingers and it, and it locks strong. So I use, I use the ring to ring method. So when I get a yes, it locks.
When I get a no, it releases. So you can do that as well. But when you get that, presumably you.
Can also evaluate the strength of that resistance as well. So I'm a little bit bothered. Oh, I'm a lot bothered.
Right, yeah, yeah, yeah. But you can, you can use muscle testing to ask, do I have a trapped emotion of loneliness? And if you get a yes, then you ask, can I let it go? Can I release it? Can I transmute it? Well, whatever words come to your mind and if you get a yes, then you say, okay, I release loneliness. Or if you're practising the emotion code, you can, if it helps, you can sway, you know, rub across your, your governing meridian. You can use a pendulum. Whatever. Whatever works for you is what's going to help you to heal. And that's what I want.
So you're trying to link a symbol, some symbolism to the event.
You can snap. You can snap if you want.
I'm letting it go. I mean, I often have a mythical piece of paper which I scrunch up into a ball and throw it in the bin. I don't need to be dealing with that. Goodbye. Yeah, so it's symbolic.
Exactly, exactly. Whatever you can, you know, you can take a deep breath and, and blow it out real hard. Whatever, whatever empowers you to let that stuff go. And, and this is What I stress to my clients is that we have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do. But the question is, how deeply ingrained is. Is whatever it is you're trying to heal, how deep does it go? How long might it take to heal? And is it in your highest and best to heal that? Because you may be trying to heal. Like right now, I'm working on healing my hypothyroidism. I'm working on healing my thyroid through energy work, because I don't.
Because when I take the medications, I don't feel. I don't feel better. I don't feel worse. I don't. But I don't feel better. My. My labs are better, but I don't feel better. And so it is in my highest and best to work on my thyroid energetically.
But it might not be my highest and best to address, say, my eyesight. It might be that that is just part of the human experience that I'm supposed to travel through by having to use readers or get glasses. And I may not be able to heal my eyesight right there. There is. There are things that we may, as human beings, are supposed to learn from through this human experience. I'm definitely not against medical intervention. I don't want that to come across as that. I don't think that doctors are valuable because I think they are incredibly valuable.
Problem is, one doctor does not know your whole body.
Yeah. I think you have to appreciate there are things that you have within your control and there are things you don't have in your control. And even when you're going to the doctor and getting medication or whatever it may be, you still have to take the medicine. Yes, I still have to put my glasses on. I can't expect my eyes to be fixed without putting my glasses. So I take some personal responsibility to take the tablet every day. If I don't, it doesn't work.
Right.
So, yeah, there's an agreement with myself and the person that's helping me to allow that to work. And I have to believe in it, because if I don't believe it's going to help, I won't take it. I won't do it. I won't get better.
Right. And that's the same thing with energy work, you know, to a degree, you have to believe in it. You really do. To a degree, you have to believe that what you're doing is helping you. And that's. That's why. That's why addicts have a hard time sometimes quitting, taking drugs because they truly believe that the cocaine is helping them. Right.
Well, it also applies, you know, if you have a strong faith, religion or belief, and that helps you and it's strong enough so that it manifests itself really to you, then why am I going to deny that that works for you? Because that's your way of processing your. Call it energy, call it whatever it is, the self healing, the self reflection is whatever works for you. But you're right, I gave up smoking 21 years ago. I gave up alcohol three and a half years ago. And I've cut back on eating a lot for the last two years. So, yeah, I was a lazy eater. I just eat what's ever in front of me. I'm the person who goes to the buffet and ends up with a plate that's like a mountain of all the food that comes back alcohol.
I had no stop button. I was drinking and drinking and drinking. And I was the one at the party who was the one who didn't want to invite at the end. I was always the embassy. And I had to look back at myself and say, who am I? Who do I want to be? Because if I just carry on not engaging in my life and just letting it run itself, I don't like it. I don't like that person. It's not me. I'm seeing a facsimile of me, not me.
I had to take a decision. Stop smoking, stop drinking, and think about my calorie intake. Because if I don't do it, no one's going to fix it for me.
Right? Right. Yeah. And to your point, you have to do what's right for you. Right. If I break my leg, I'm going to the doctor. I'm not going to try to heal it through energy work. I might write, use energy work to help reduce the pain and maybe speed up the healing process. But I'm still going to go to the doctor.
Right. Because that's, that's, that's a bone break. That. But there are some things like I don't feel like I need to take medications for my cholesterol that I can fix through energy work and through diet and through exercise and, and healing is not just one faceted like you were saying. You have to, you know, you are focusing on your physical health, right? The, the quitting smoking, the quitting drinking, the eating better. That's gonna be your physical health. But you also have your mental health, your emotional health, your spiritual health. You have these five pillars that you need to address to become the healthiest version of you, that you can become, you can't just focus on one.
And that's one thing I learned through this process when I got in, when I found energy healing, that that wasn't enough because I had. It took me about four months to, to heal my anxiety and depression about 80%. But I wasn't doing, I wasn't taking care of myself on those other levels. I wasn't setting boundaries. I was still a people pleaser. I wasn't trying to eat as healthy as I could. I wasn't, I was still smoking when I started on this healing journey. I, I only just quit smoking last July for good.
Okay, well done, well done, well done.
So, so I smoked for about five years after I started smoking again. Um, I just recently quit alcohol. I think December was the last time I had an alcoholic drink. So it's a process. We're not going to do it all at once. And, and you do have to want to, don't you? And you do. You people can tell you all the.
Time, you need to stop smoking, stop drinking. The government tell you there's labels on cigarette packets, labels on alcohol saying, it's going to kill you. Yeah, yeah, and yeah, kill me tomorrow, maybe not today. We don't believe. We're not going to. We're not going to change because someone tells us to. We've got to find that, that why their own. Why, why do I want to stop fall?
Yeah. Yeah. And all you can do is when, when somebody says that I'm ready, I'm ready to heal, then they will. You can support them, support them in their journey. And if they slip up, don't mention it. Like, why is it any business of ours to ask somebody?
They'll start bringing shame, start bringing pressure.
Just, just support them wherever they are. If they tell you that they're going to quit smoking, great. Six months goes by and they haven't quit smoking. It's none of your business why they're still smoking. It's your journey. It's your, you do the best that you can do and you do, you don't, don't let anybody influence you. And, and, and I'm at fault for that. Sometimes I'll have conversations with my husband because he'll mention his back hurts or he's feeling fat or he's gained weight.
And I have, I am, I am a Libra. I am a caregiver. And I am a person who loves to give unsolicited advice. That is, that is one of my toxic traits is giving unsolicited advice but it comes from. It comes from a place of love and caring and wanting to help.
Hey, but on the flip side of that, you now get paid to give solicitor advice, so you should balance it out, can't you?
Yeah, yeah, but. But I have. Have on occasion asked my husband, what are you gonna do about it? And I've had to stop myself. As soon as that enters, as soon as that comes out of my mouth, I turn right back around and go, I am so sorry. It is not. It is not up to me to ask you those questions.
Oh, but create space, it does, so that you can ask yourself that question.
Right, right. Because. Because they are. Everybody is a reflection of us and what we want to help other people with is often something that we need help with.
My wife, Marie and I, we've noticed over the last 18 to 24 months, since we've been very conscious about our food intake, trying to lose weight, that our. Our daughter and our son and our son's girlfriend and sex sent my mum, have all started embarking on a healthier or conscious mindset about what they're eating and also maybe drinking as well. And we haven't had to fat shame or point out the fat. They've got a few pounds because we were in that position. But I think they can now see a positive example of two people who have taken a choice, embarked on it, and they can visibly see the change in us and the progress we've made. So we haven't got to do anything other than be the best people we could be, exemplify good practise and let them absorb it. But whilst we had a gluttony problem, we were creating the environment in the family where it was okay to be gluttonous. And I think by saying, actually, we're not advocating for that anymore, it rubs off and people go, that's great.
You give me permission to do it to themselves. So I think you could become infectious in your.
Right.
You're better behaved as well, can't you?
Right. Because then your. Your outer world starts to look like your inner world. So you focus on you. You know, we are. Our first job. We are.
It's the old saying, isn't it? Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others. Yeah, it is.
We're our first job. Take care of you first so that you can be there for others.
But is that maybe the mistake you were falling into was trying to be the mom to everybody and fixing everybody else and letting yourself.
Yep, absolutely. Absolutely. It wasn't until. Until I realised that I really needed to look at myself and, and figure out how can I create a space where I am happy with what I have. And that's when energy healing came into my life. That's when self care really started to show up that it was something that was needed. And you know, my self care was relearning how to be, how to be a emotionally intelligent and healthy minded person. It wasn't, it wasn't about going for weekly massages or getting my nails done or even showering.
It wasn't even about that. It was more about allowing myself to worry sometimes or to be sad or to be mad. It was about learning how to set boundaries with people who continued to cross them. And I didn't even realise they were crossing boundaries that my subconscious had made until I started to really question what are my boundaries.
Yeah, I suppose unless we plot out where, where are those things are, what then we can just become uncomfortable when someone transgresses them without realising it.
Yeah, yeah. When, if somebody makes you frustrated and resentful, they're doing something that is pushing your buttons, they're crossing your boundaries and that's a good time for you to stop and go, what is it that they're actually, what are they doing? What, what boundary are they crossing for? A boundary that I set with my mom was, I had to send her, I sent her an email and told her that I was not going to respond to any emails, texts or phone calls where I was feeling manipulated, bullied or belittled because she would send emails in bright red capital letters like she was yelling at me. And I told her that if she did that I wasn't going to respond to anything in the email. She stopped emailing me, I guess, you know, for what reason. But she did not cross my boundaries, which was amazing. So people will not cross your boundaries if you set them, but if you do set them, make sure you have a consequence and uphold that consequence.
You say in the show notes that you said through about this light bulb moment where people realise they have the power to heal themselves. Surely there's a light bulb before that which is recognising that you need to heal or you need.
That's the first step.
Yeah, the first step. So people listening to this right now, our listener out there, how can they maybe self identify about this need to heal before we talk about how we get that? I have the power to do it.
So if you are feeling frustrated with life, you're feeling like life is always happening to you. You're always, you know, you're you're, you're running into the wall, right? Every time you try to do something, this wall gets put up. That is when you realise that there are things in you that probably need to be healed. And like I said, you may have had a wonderful childhood and you may be, you know, I don't know, 40 years old and in a very happy marriage and just think that life, life was actually really grand. But you keep hitting walls every time you try to move forward to do something. There's probably things in there that need to be healed that you don't remember. And again, that's where energy healing comes in and is so helpful because you don't have to remember, you don't have to relive what you've gone through. But if, yeah, if you're feeling frustrated with life, relationships aren't going well.
You know, just sit back and just, just, just think, is there something in me that I need to address on a deeper level? And your conscious mind will say, no there's not. Your ego will say, no there's not. But if you are human, there's something to, there's something to heal if you're feeling frustrated with life.
So obviously reaching out to you is a good option for the next stage. But how can we maybe think about our own first aid, our own triage to help us on this journey from realisation to taking, taking our own power. What can we do there?
Start with self care. Start with really looking at how are you taking care of yourself? Where on those five pillars are you not taking care of yourself? And pick one. Start with honestly I would start with emotional. Emotional or mental is where I would start because those are gonna help you move forward in that physical, spiritual or energetic, those energetic pillars. But start with one of those and figure out what self care you need to help with those pillars and start there. I would love to say start by calling me, but my, my goal as a, as a coach is to empower you to know that you can heal yourself. I'm just a guide. I, I can help you to release some of those energetic blocks.
I had energetic blocks to self care and so I had to work on myself energetically before I could do the self care work. But there are a lot of people who can do the self care work with little, with some ease and then you become consistent with it and then you can add in all the other stuff. So start with the self care. Start by putting you first so that you can take care of others. And I will tell you, I will be blunt if that means you have to get up an hour earlier and go to bed an hour earlier, then that's what you do. I love it when people tell me they don't have time for self care. Because I will find you the time.
Yeah, it's the old adage, isn't it? You've always got time for things you want to do. You never have time for the medicine, you never have time for the pain. So if it's important to you, you've realised the light bulbs come on. The first bulb, I need to do something. Second light bulb fires. I have the power to do it myself. And that is I have to take personal responsibility. Because no one's gonna do it for me.
Nope. No. No.
And until it's a priority, it will never happen.
Yep. And I call myself out all the time. I don't hold myself accountable for a lot of things. I'm still growing, I'm still learning, I'm still healing.
We shouldn't beat ourselves up.
No.
We should just recognise what's going on. Say, well, I made that choice today.
Yep.
If I don't want to make that choice tomorrow, that's within me. I can make a different choice tomorrow. But I made that choice today. As you said earlier. Am I leaning into that or am I leaning out from it? How am I feeling if I've lent into it? I can't beat myself up because it felt right. Exactly.
Exactly.
And the day you have that light bulb, it goes, actually, that's not me. Tomorrow, then you lean in. And tomorrow is different.
Yep. Yep. And just, just take each day as it's the first day. Really, don't worry about tomorrow. Cause that's where anxiety comes from. And don't worry about what you did yesterday because you can't change the past.
I've not been drinking alcohol for about 1200 days today. Each day. I don't drink alcohol. I have the choice tomorrow. I can. I can have the choice today if I want, but I've chosen today. I'm not going to. And I keep making that choice.
I'm not denying myself. I've just made that choice every day. And I actually make that affirmation with myself every morning when I wake up. No, I don't say, at the end of the day, have I drunk. I start the day by, I'm not gonna have a drink today.
Right? Yeah.
And you're gonna make that choice every day. I'm gonna be doing this today, not what did I do? Because it's too late to correct. So I made that positive start.
Yep, absolutely.
You know, it's been absolutely a wonderful conversation. It's been mind expanding. How can people get hold of you? So our fabulous listener, who's got a way to the end, how can they get ahold of you?
You can go to my website, designyourexistence.com you can also find me on Facebook and Instagram, designyourexistence and on all of your podcast platforms. I have my own podcast, the Metamorphosis Project.
Fascinating. Fascinating. I'm gonna have to tune into that. I'll put all the details in the show notes so we can find those. Thank you so much.
Thank you for having me. I've loved this conversation.
As we bring this conversation to a close, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you, our listener, for lending your ear and heart to the cause of inclusion. Today's discussion struck a chord. Consider subscribing to Inclusion Bites and become part of our ever about growing community driving real change. Share this journey with friends, family and colleagues. Let's amplify the voices that matter. Got thoughts, stories or a vision to share? I'm all ears. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk and let's make your voice heard. Until next time, this is Joanne Lockwood signing off with a promise to return with more enriching narratives that challenge, inspire and unite us all.
Here's to fostering a more inclusive world one episode at a time. Catch you on the next bite.
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Episode Category
Primary Category: Wellbeing
Secondary Category: Mental Health
🔖 Titles
Healing Through Belonging: Embracing Energy, Boundaries, and Self-Care for True Inclusion
The Power of Self-Healing: How Belonging and Energy Work Drive Transformation
Creating Safe Spaces: Emotional Self-Healing and the Journey to Authentic Belonging
Breaking Stigma: Personal Stories of Emotional Wellness, Boundaries, and Inclusion
Energy Healing Demystified: Unlocking Personal Power for Transformation and Belonging
Emotional Freedom Begins with Belonging: A Modern Approach to Inclusive Wellness
Empowering Authenticity: Self-Care, Boundaries, and Community for Transformative Healing
Releasing What No Longer Serves: The Intersection of Inclusion, Energy, and Self-Healing
Thriving Through Change: Belonging, Emotional Health, and Healing Community
Building Foundations of Belonging: Practices and Stories for Personal and Collective Healing
A Subtitle - A Single Sentence describing this episode
Tenya Eickenberg explores the profound journey from emotional self-care to energy healing, illuminating how personal boundaries, self-awareness, and authentic belonging serve as catalysts for holistic transformation and lasting inner healing.
Episode Tags
Healing Journeys, Emotional Wellbeing, Energy Healing, Personal Transformation, Safe Spaces, Mind Body Connection, Overcoming Trauma, Self Care Practices, Mental Health Awareness, Power of Belonging
Episode Summary with Intro, Key Points and a Takeaway
In episode 180 of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood is joined by Tenya Eickenberg to explore the critical link between healing and the sense of belonging. The conversation is deeply personal, with Tenya sharing her journey through emotional upheaval, self-medication, and eventual self-discovery through energy healing and self-care. Joanne and Tenya discuss how modern society still struggles with stigma around mental health, highlighting the importance of safe spaces and honest dialogue. They expertly weave in practical insights on how individuals can start to identify emotional blockages, connect with their bodies through muscle testing, and begin the journey of self-healing without judgement or shame. The episode emphasises the power of intentional self-care, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the value of leaning into personal responsibility when nurturing wellbeing and inclusion.
Tenya is a mind, body, and energy facilitator, renowned for empowering individuals to release what no longer serves them and step into their most authentic selves. With a background steeped in both traditional therapeutic approaches and a progressive embrace of energy healing, Tenya brings a unique perspective shaped by her lived experience and professional expertise. She shares how growing up with family mental health challenges—and witnessing the limitations of conventional talk therapy and medication—led her to seek alternative modalities, such as the emotion code and muscle testing. Tenya’s work focuses on guiding others to heal emotional and energetic blocks by employing tailored techniques that respect each person’s journey. Her commitment to fostering self-awareness and personal agency makes this episode particularly resonant for anyone seeking holistic transformation and sustainable wellbeing.
Throughout the discussion, Joanne and Tenya highlight that genuine healing begins with self-recognition and a willingness to embrace vulnerability. The key takeaway is that belonging is not simply about fitting in, but about honouring oneself, setting boundaries, and cultivating environments where emotional safety and authenticity can flourish. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own self-care practices and recognise the small steps that ignite meaningful personal change. This episode will leave you inspired to prioritise your own healing and help others do the same by amplifying compassion and inclusion within your circles.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 A couple married for nearly 29 years prioritised their relationship as the foundation, anticipating life post-children, with upcoming family changes including a granddaughter's birth.
06:02 A woman reflects on 2018 as the best year for her family, marking milestones and moving to their dream home near Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, rekindling memories and close friendships.
08:36 Started smoking and drinking again as a way to cope with stress and emotions, leading to suppression of feelings and thoughts of self-harm.
10:45 Meditation was introduced to me early, but I wasn't taught it. Living in England during my mum's mental health struggles, I lacked emotional guidance. Therapy and medication followed but proved unhelpful long-term.
17:33 Energy healing helped me overcome inherited energies and anxiety without reliance on long-term medication.
18:39 Seeking a cure for mental illness led to exploring energy healing, particularly the emotion code, despite initial scepticism.
22:49 Mindset shifts require conscious effort, energy healing, and time to reframe beliefs and emotions.
26:16 Reality is shaped by individual consciousness, with unique perceptions of experiences and interpretations of stimuli like colours.
31:44 Start muscle testing with simple sway tests, progressing to finger tests, focusing on body sensations and avoiding processed foods to build confidence and understand your body's responses.
33:31 Understanding and trusting your body's signals, despite personal desires, helps identify emotions like loneliness through intuitive or muscle testing.
38:32 Belief systems and self-discipline, including quitting smoking, alcohol, and overeating, aid personal growth and self-reflection.
40:13 Health requires addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects, not just one.
44:12 Leading by example, a couple’s healthier lifestyle positively influenced their family’s eating habits without pressure or shaming.
47:17 Set clear boundaries, enforce consequences, and others are less likely to violate them.
51:30 Prioritise self-care by addressing energetic blocks, becoming consistent, and making time, even if it requires adjusting your schedule.
54:51 Join Inclusion Bites, share impactful stories, and drive change. Contact Joanne Lockwood at lockwoodchangehappen.co.uk.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 "Prioritising a Strong Marriage"
06:02 "Finding Home and Family Joy"
08:36 Smoking and Suppressing Stress
10:45 Meditation, Mental Health Journey
17:33 Healing Inherited Energies Naturally
18:39 Seeking Healing Through Energy Therapy
22:49 Shifting Mindsets and Energy Healing
26:16 "Reality Shaped by Consciousness"
31:44 Mastering Muscle Testing Basics
33:31 Body Intuition and Emotional Testing
38:32 Personal Transformation and Belief
40:13 Holistic Health and Wellness Pillars
44:12 Leading by Example for Health
47:17 Setting Boundaries and Enforcing Consequences
51:30 Prioritising Self Care First
54:51 "Inclusion Bites: Join Us"
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💬 Is “belonging” the missing piece in your healing journey—or in your workplace? Hear a revelatory take in just 60 seconds! 💬
This week, I’m delighted to be joined by Tenya Eickenberg, a mind, body, and energy facilitator passionate about helping people clear emotional roadblocks and step into authenticity. Together, we dive into:
🔑 The real power of belonging – Why feeling included is fundamental to wellbeing and personal growth.
🔑 Breaking the stigma – Challenging the silence around mental health, and why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
🔑 Practical healing – How energy work and self-care can unlock your “inner lightbulb moment”, enabling lasting transformation.
Why Listen? "Inclusion is about understanding, and this episode is packed with insights to help you create more #PositivePeopleExperiences."
As the host of Inclusion Bites, I release new episodes every week to ignite, educate, and challenge the way we think about inclusion and belonging. This quick clip is a taster—our full chat is brimming with real talk, honest stories, and actionable ideas.
What’s your take? 💭 Share your thoughts below 👇 or tell us: what does “belonging” mean for your healing or your workplace?
🎧 Listen here: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
#PositivePeopleExperiences #SmileEngageEducate #InclusionBites #Podcasts #Shorts #EnergyHealing #WellbeingAtWork #MentalHealthAwareness #Belonging #SelfCare
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share—with anyone building a more inclusive world.
with SEE Change Happen and Tenya Eickenberg
TikTok/Reels/Shorts Video Summary
Focus Keyword: Culture Change
Video Title: Healing Begins with Culture Change | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags: culture change, inclusion, Positive People Experiences, healing, belonging, mental health, energy healing, trauma, personal transformation, self care, boundaries, emotional intelligence, empowerment, community, mindset, societal change, seechangehappen, well-being, family, self-discovery, diversity, change, podcast, UK, Joanne Lockwood
Killer Quote: "Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others." - Joanne Lockwood
Hashtags: #CultureChange, #PositivePeopleExperiences, #InclusionBitesPodcast, #Belonging, #MentalHealthMatters, #SelfCare, #Empowerment, #Transformation, #Wellbeing, #TraumaRecovery, #EnergyHealing, #SocietalChange, #Community, #PersonalGrowth, #DiversityAndInclusion, #MindsetShift, #Boundaries, #Inclusivity, #ChangeMakers, #SEEChangeHappen
Summary Description:
If you’re seeking transformative Culture Change, this episode of Inclusion Bites is your sanctuary. I, Joanne, invite you to explore how healing truly begins with belonging, both in our families and our wider communities. With Tenya, we delve deep into Positive People Experiences, learning why self-care, emotional boundaries, and energy healing are vital for authentic societal transformation. Discover why personal empowerment and self-reflection are the heart of inclusive culture—hear actionable insights and killer quotes that can spark real change in your environment and relationships. This conversation is essential listening for those who believe positive cultures drive wellbeing and want practical tools for making that vision a reality. Don’t miss out: subscribe, share, and become an agent for Culture Change today!
Outro:
Thank you, the listener, for joining me on this journey of inclusion. Please like and subscribe to this channel for more inspirational episodes and practical wisdom on creating Positive People Experiences and driving real Culture Change. For further insights, visit the SEE Change Happen website: https://seechangehappen.co.uk
Listen to the full episode here: "The Inclusion Bites Podcast"
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome to another compelling episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, where bold conversations ignite real change. In this episode titled "Healing Begins with Belonging," Joanne welcomes Tenya Eickenberg, a mind, body, energy facilitator dedicated to helping individuals release emotional and energetic blocks in their journey towards healing, transformation, and authentic living.
The conversation dives into Tenya’s personal and professional path—from navigating family transitions and the complexities of mental health, to the transformative power of energy healing and self-care. Together, Joanne and Tenya explore the nuanced interplay between belief systems, emotional resilience, and self-empowerment, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of wellbeing, emotional boundaries, and the myths that often surround healing.
Whether you're searching for practical strategies or simply seeking inspiring dialogue around belonging and societal transformation, this episode promises to challenge the status quo, encourage self-discovery, and empower you to take action. So settle in, adjust your earbuds, and join the Inclusion Bites community on a journey to foster a more inclusive world—one courageous conversation at a time.
💬 Keywords
Inclusion, Belonging, Societal Transformation, Emotional Blocks, Energetic Healing, Mind Body Energy, Authentic Self, Healing Journey, Self Care, Boundaries, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Stigma, Shame, Self-Empowerment, Energy Work, Personal Responsibility, Safe Spaces, Family Dynamics, Generational Trauma, Muscle Testing, Emotional Intelligence, Change Management, Self-Reflection, Mindfulness, Behaviour Change, Life Transitions, Holistic Wellbeing, Consciousness
About this Episode
About The Episode:
In this evocative discussion, Tenya Eickenberg explores how healing is intrinsically tied to our sense of belonging and emotional safety. Drawing on her expertise as a mind, body, energy facilitator, Tenya reveals the power we hold to overcome trauma, unpack energetic blocks, and foster transformation through self-connection. This episode offers practical wisdom on cultivating self-care, setting boundaries, and activating holistic wellbeing—ideal listening for those ready to reclaim agency over their own healing journey.
Today, we'll cover:
The process of recognising emotional and energetic blocks as the first step towards genuine healing.
Practical techniques for identifying and releasing negative patterns, including muscle testing and intuitive enquiry.
The influence of intergenerational trauma and inherited belief systems on personal wellbeing.
Why self-care—beyond physical acts—demands emotional intelligence, boundary-setting, and reflection.
The necessity of prioritising personal responsibility and choice in sustaining mental, emotional, and physical health.
Understanding how our lived example can quietly influence and inspire positive change in those around us.
Embracing a multidimensional approach to healing: integrating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pillars for authentic transformation.
💡 Speaker bios
Joanne Lockwood – Short Bio (British English, Summarised Story Format)
Joanne Lockwood reflects on the changing dynamics of family life, having reached a new chapter now that both her children are well into their 30s and living independently—her daughter is married, and her son has settled with a long-term partner. Some seven or eight years since her son moved out, Joanne and her partner have found themselves reconnecting after years devoted to parenthood. She describes the odd sensation of returning to a life reminiscent of 'BC'—before children—where leisurely Saturday mornings are hers once again, inviting a period of rediscovery and freedom. Embracing this transition, Joanne recognises the importance of rekindling the relationship and seeking new adventures together.
💡 Speaker bios
Certainly! Here’s a short bio for "Tenya Eickenberg" in a summarised story format, using the provided text as a template:
Tenya Eickenberg is your host at Inclusion Bites, a podcast dedicated to fostering bold conversations that ignite meaningful change. Guiding listeners through the intricate landscape of inclusion, belonging, and social transformation, Tenya creates a welcoming space for those seeking to build a world where everyone thrives. Through thought-provoking stories and deep reflections, Tenya challenges the status quo and invites listeners to connect, share, and inspire collective action. Whether you’re tuning in during your morning routine or at the end of the day, Tenya ensures you’re never alone on this journey. Join in, share your perspective, and become part of a community driven to make a real difference.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Certainly! Here’s a detailed sequence of the topics—and sub-topics—covered in the transcript from Inclusion Bites Podcast’s “Healing Begins with Belonging” episode.
1. Introduction to Inclusion Bites and Episode Framing
Welcoming listeners and framing the podcast’s purpose
Joanne Lockwood’s introduction as host, including invitation to engage with the show
Introduction of Tenya Eickenberg and her role as a mind, body, energy facilitator
2. Personal Background and Life Transitions
Tenya’s geographical location (Maryland, USA)
Family changes: transition to empty nesters as son moves out
Supporting a child’s move and meeting extended family
Embracing new chapter as a couple after decades of parenting
Reflections on marriage longevity and shared transitions
Parallel experiences of the host with similar family milestones
3. Foundations of Relationship and Self-Discovery
Importance of prioritising the couple’s relationship amid parenting
Adjusting to life as empty nesters
Reflections on past relationship stages, shared living arrangements, and personal growth
4. The Journey to Healing and Safe Spaces
Tenya’s personal experience seeking safe space for healing
Major family events and transitions in 2018
Moving to a cherished community
The significance of place and nostalgia
Challenges adjusting to new environments and expectations
5. Navigating Mental Health Struggles
Emotional distress linked to family conflict
Maladaptive coping: smoking and drinking as self-medication
Recognising harmful behaviour and thoughts
Barriers to accessing traditional mental health support
Experience with talk therapy and medication
Stigma, shame, and the difficulty of admitting vulnerability
The challenge of finding safe and accepting environments for honest conversation
6. Social and Cultural Constructs of Mental Health
Influence of media and societal stigma on help-seeking
The impact of inherited beliefs and family history (bipolar disorder)
Navigating intergenerational mental health narratives
Resistance to inherited health labels and patterns
7. Shift Towards Energy Healing Modalities
Introduction to energy healing and the emotion code
Skepticism and exploration of alternative approaches
Distinction from medical management and chemical models
Explanation of muscle testing and its applications
8. Belief Systems and Embodied Experience
How beliefs are shaped by parents, teachers, environment
The process of questioning and reshaping beliefs throughout life
The role of trauma and emotional experience stored in the body (not just the mind)
Holistic construct: interconnectedness of soul, body, and history
9. Consciousness, Subjectivity, and Self-Understanding
Philosophical orientation on reality perception and consciousness
Unique, subjective interpretation of experience and stimuli
The process and challenges of mindset work and changing perspectives
10. Energy Healing Practicalities
Identifying and releasing trapped emotions
Muscle testing methods (sway test, ring-to-ring method)
Linking emotions to physical sensations
Symbolic techniques for emotional release (breath, snapping, visualisation)
Limitations and boundaries of energy work vis-à-vis medical intervention
The importance of belief and intention in self-healing
11. Holistic Healing and the Five Pillars of Health
Five pillars: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic
Importance of addressing all facets for comprehensive wellbeing
The process and pace of personal change (quitting smoking, drinking, dietary adjustments)
12. Boundaries, Self-Care, and Personal Responsibility
Role of self-care in healing
Techniques for setting and upholding boundaries, especially in family dynamics
Impact of personal boundaries on relationships and wellbeing
13. Empowerment and Lightbulb Moments
Recognising the need for healing as the first step
The process of realising personal power to effect change
Guidance on self-identification and triage for those feeling stuck
14. Practical Guidance for Listeners
Self-care strategies: choosing starting points, consistency
Encouragement for incremental change and prioritising wellbeing
The importance of accepting the pace of personal growth and avoiding self-judgement
15. Information for Further Engagement
How to connect with Tenya Eickenberg (website, social media, podcast)
Invitation to subscribe, share, and be part of the Inclusion Bites community
This sequence maps the episode’s journey from personal narrative to broader guidance, integrating reflections on healing, inclusion, and personal empowerment throughout.
The Hook
Ever wondered why some people seem to thrive no matter how heavy life gets? Turns out, the secret isn’t grit. It’s BELONGING. Imagine unlocking healing that starts from the inside out—are you ready to challenge how you’ve always seen success?
What if the real transformation doesn’t begin with “fixing” yourself, but with finally feeling seen? Yes—healing is possible when you feel safe enough to drop the mask. Craving the courage to break the cycle? Keep reading…
Your emotional baggage isn’t just in your head—it’s in your body. Wild, right? There’s a science (and an art) to releasing the weight you can’t see. What would you let go of, if you had the tools?
“Life happens to me”—said EVERYONE, before they discovered the alternative. Is it possible to switch from survivor mode to THRIVING—just by rethinking what it means to belong? Oh yes. This changes everything.
Picture this: You’re the steady rock, the person everyone leans on… but who holds you up? Spoiler—healing and authentic success start with looking within. Why wait for permission, when you can create your OWN sanctuary?
🎬 Reel script
Are you ready to unlock your true potential and build a life where you genuinely belong? On this episode of Inclusion Bites, we explored how healing starts with belonging—inside and out. My guest Tenya Eickenberg shared her journey from overcoming emotional blocks to empowering others with energy healing, self-care, and the courage to set strong boundaries. If you’re seeking practical steps to reclaim your wellbeing and thrive, tune in now and ignite your spark of transformation. Let’s create a more inclusive, empowered world together—one bold conversation at a time.
🗞️ Newsletter
Subject: Healing Begins with Belonging — Rediscovering Empowerment on the Latest Inclusion Bites Podcast
Dear Inclusion Bites Community,
Welcome back to your regular update from Inclusion Bites — where bold conversations spark real change.
We’re thrilled to share our latest episode, “Healing Begins with Belonging,” featuring a deeply insightful conversation between our host, Joanne Lockwood, and special guest, Tenya Eickenberg, a mind, body, and energy facilitator. This episode delves beneath the surface of inclusion, exploring the profound intersections of personal healing, belonging, and the courage it takes to nurture authenticity in both ourselves and our communities.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The True Power of Belonging: Joanne and Tenya explore why genuine belonging is at the heart of both healing and thriving. How do we foster foundations of connection in our relationships, whether at home or in our wider circles?
Personal Journeys, Honest Reflections: Tenya bravely shares her experience navigating mental health challenges, generational trauma, and pivotal life transitions. Hear how her search for a safe space led her to energy healing — and why traditional paths aren’t always the right fit for everyone.
Breaking Down Stigma: There’s honest discussion about the taboos and shame surrounding mental health, and how breaking the silence can be the first step to self-empowerment. What does it really take to admit to ourselves, and to others, that it’s time to heal?
Tools for Self-Healing & Inclusion: Tenya introduces practical approaches — including muscle testing and emotional self-care — to unlock stuck energy and beliefs, making space for personal growth. Joanne contextualises these with her own journey, offering you fresh ways to put inclusion, self-care, and healthy boundaries into daily practice.
The Ripple Effect: By prioritising self-care, we not only transform ourselves but also positively influence those around us — family, friends, teams. Joanne and Tenya discuss why modelling change can be more powerful than giving advice, and how your journey might just spark new beginnings in others.
This episode is for you if:
You’re ready to move beyond talking about inclusion and want to live it, both inwardly and outwardly.
You’re curious about alternative approaches to well-being.
You need a reminder that healing and transformation are within reach, one conscious choice at a time.
🎧 Listen Now:
Inclusion Bites: Healing Begins with Belonging
Connect & Share:
If this conversation resonates, why not reach out? Share your own story or suggest ideas for upcoming episodes by emailing Joanne at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. We love hearing from listeners and welcoming new voices to the show.
A Call to Action:
Let’s move from ideas to action and create spaces—at home, at work, in our communities—where everyone can truly belong and thrive. Forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague who needs a dose of courage and hope today.
Until next time,
The Inclusion Bites Team
We foster inclusion, one authentic conversation at a time. Subscribe and journey with us as we continue to challenge, inspire, and unite.
#InclusionBites #HealingBeginsWithBelonging #PositivePeopleExperiences
🧵 Tweet thread
🧵1/ Healing Begins with Belonging – Lessons from Inclusion Bites #180
What does it really take to thrive in a world that too often teaches us to hide our pain? Latest #InclusionBites episode with Tina Eichenberg delivers profound insights on self-healing, safe spaces, and the true meaning of belonging.👇
2/ Tina Eichenberg, a mind-body-energy facilitator, shares her journey: from life’s bright moments to challenging lows, including self-medicating and confronting her own mental health struggles. Her story reminds us – “You’re not alone in your journey.”
3/ The STIGMA around mental health is still palpable. Tina opens up: the hardest part wasn’t hitting rock bottom; it was admitting her feelings. The fear of judgement and shame can feel stronger than the crisis itself. Real talk: How do we dismantle this?
4/ Healing isn’t a checklist. It’s layered: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Tina’s take? You can’t “just” think your way to wholeness. True self-care addresses ALL pillars—setting boundaries, feeling emotions, connecting within.
5/ Energy work was Tina’s turning point. Sceptical, she tried emotion code: tuning into the body’s signals, identifying trapped emotions, and gently releasing them. She says, “You must believe you have the power to heal yourself – I just help guide you.”
6/ The family patterns we inherit are deep and subtle. Tina’s story shows healing is not just about fixing yourself; it’s about rewriting limiting beliefs passed down through generations. Liberation starts with a single act of self-awareness.
7/ Not all healing happens in the therapist’s chair. Sometimes, it begins with simple acts: tuning into your body’s instinct, asking “What do I need today?” and holding yourself accountable – but never beating yourself up over choices made.
8/ Key takeaway: Belonging is the beginning of healing. Finding or creating spaces that accept us as we are—flaws, pain, and all—enables transformation. When you truly belong, you can truly heal.
9/ For those struggling: start with self-care, ONE pillar at a time. Embrace your emotions. Build boundaries. And when ready, seek guides (like Tina!). Healing is a process – you never have to rush.
10/ Listen to the full episode for practical tips and candid wisdom:
🔗 https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
Want to join the conversation or share your story? Reach out to host Joanne at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
#Inclusion #Belonging #MentalHealth #SelfCare #Healing #Podcast #EnergyWork #InclusionBites
🧵✨
Guest's content for their marketing
My Experience on the Inclusion Bites Podcast: Healing Begins with Belonging
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Joanne Lockwood on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, an experience that not only connected me with a new audience but also invited me to reflect and articulate my journey as a mind, body, and energy facilitator. For anyone invested in wellbeing, inclusion, and transforming lives through authentic self-care, I’d love to share what made my appearance on this platform so impactful—and why I believe the episode, “Healing Begins with Belonging,” can support others on their own journey.
Setting the Scene for Honest Dialogue
Joanne Lockwood’s approach as a host is both bold and compassionate. She creates a safe, stimulating space where tough topics around emotional healing, vulnerability, and societal transformation are not just discussed, but deeply explored. From the moment the conversation began, I felt encouraged to open up—not only about the principles of energy facilitation, but also about my very personal story.
As I shared, healing is an ongoing journey. Life’s transitions—such as becoming an empty nester and welcoming a grandchild—are filled with both celebration and challenge. It’s in these moments that true belonging and embracing our emotions become not just ideals, but lived experiences.
Connection, Trauma, and Self-Empowerment
The episode delved into the reality that healing begins with recognising one’s own needs and taking personal responsibility. I spoke honestly about my search for safety and transformation, tracing my turning points from self-medication to actively questioning emotional blocks and inherited patterns. Discussing these matters with Joanne allowed me to illustrate the power of self-care—not just as a sociocultural buzzword, but as a practical paradigm that promotes real change.
Listeners will hear about the value of energy work and mindset shifts. We explored how the body, beyond the brain alone, stores both trauma and opportunity for renewal. I explained the efficacy of muscle testing, intuitive decision-making, and the journey of bringing unconscious patterns into conscious awareness. Joanne’s keen questioning helped clarify that healing isn’t about adhering to a single method; it’s about finding what authentically resonates, whether that’s energy healing or a combination of medical, emotional, and spiritual practices.
Creating the Foundations for Inclusion
Perhaps the most profound aspect of the podcast was our dialogue on belonging. Healing is not a solitary pursuit—it’s woven through our relationships, families, and communities. Joanne and I reflected on the necessity of setting boundaries, the stages of realising when change is needed, and the role of fostering inclusive spaces both within ourselves and for those around us.
Listeners are invited to contemplate those cherished ‘light bulb moments’: recognising the need for healing and, importantly, realising our own power to enact change. We discussed practical pathways for triage and first aid, emphasising incremental, self-affirming choices and the importance of not beating oneself up for past actions.
Why Tune In?
If you seek conversations that challenge, inspire and unite, the Inclusion Bites Podcast is uniquely positioned to disrupt norms and amplify voices that matter. My episode, “Healing Begins with Belonging,” is ideal for people navigating life’s complexities who want to be empowered in their healing journey—rooted in real experience, sound methodology, and a vision of inclusive wellbeing.
You can listen to my conversation with Joanne Lockwood on Inclusion Bites via seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen, and I welcome you to connect with me directly at designyourexistence.com or via Facebook and Instagram at @designyourexistence.
Let’s keep igniting conversations that foster belonging and transformation—one episode at a time.
Pain Points and Challenges
Certainly! Drawing directly from the “Healing Begins with Belonging” episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, several pain points and challenges were discussed with honesty and nuance. Here’s a summary of the most resonant issues, alongside content aimed at addressing each:
Key Pain Points & Challenges from the Episode
Struggles with Empty Nesting and Identity Shift
Tenya Eickenberg spoke candidly about transitioning into an “empty nester,” revealing anxieties and excitement as family dynamics change and partners reconnect.
Challenge: Navigating the loss of daily parental identity and rediscovering personal and relationship purpose.
Personal Mental Health Crises and Stigma
Tenya described reaching a low point in her life, experiencing depressive thoughts, daily stress, and seeking unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking and drinking.
Challenge: Accessing safe spaces to admit vulnerability, and overcoming the stigma and shame attached to mental health struggles.
Inherited Trauma and Generational Beliefs
The episode discussed the influence of family history, particularly regarding bipolar disorder, and the pressure of “inheriting” negative mental patterns.
Challenge: Breaking free from generational trauma and developing self-defined wellbeing without solely relying on inherited narratives.
Exclusion from Belonging and Safe Spaces
Tenya emphasised that during periods of emotional turmoil, she lacked safe, non-judgmental environments to share her pain and seek help.
Challenge: Creating communities and relationships where everyone feels safe enough to be authentic, vulnerable, and supported.
Resistance to Help-Seeking due to Shame, Guilt, and Fear of Judgment
Both Tenya and Joanne noted the difficulty in seeking support due to internalised shame and external societal expectations (“strong women don’t admit weakness”).
Challenge: Redefining strength and building cultures of psychological safety within families, workplaces, and friendship circles.
Navigating Healing Modalities and Finding Effective Support
Tenya shared that conventional therapy and medication were not personally effective and discussed her discovery of energy healing and muscle testing.
Challenge: Overcoming scepticism of alternative healing methods and finding an individualised approach to mental and emotional wellbeing.
Setting and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
Establishing boundaries with family members, particularly around toxic communication patterns, was a key theme.
Challenge: Recognising, articulating, and defending personal boundaries without guilt or recrimination.
Self-Care, Accountability, and Sustaining Change
The conversation addressed how self-care is often neglected or misrepresented, and the ongoing difficulty in holding oneself accountable for healthier choices.
Challenge: Consistently prioritising self-care and incremental change without self-judgement, relapse shame, or external validation.
Content Addressing These Challenges
1. Rediscovering Identity Amidst Life Transitions
Create spaces for honest dialogue about changing roles at home and work. Organise peer support groups for empty nesters, and encourage reflection on personal goals and new adventures.
2. Destigmatising Mental Health Conversations
Promote storytelling and open conversations such as those modelled on this podcast. Foster environments where “not being okay” is normalised and asking for help is encouraged without fear of escalation or judgement.
3. Challenging the Legacy of Generational Trauma
Educate on intergenerational trauma and resilience. Share evidence-based resources and practices for rewriting family narratives, including mindfulness, journaling, and guided energy healing.
4. Building Authentic Belonging and Safe Spaces
Facilitate workshops and networks dedicated to cultivating inclusion. Provide training for leaders and family figures to recognise exclusion and offer genuine acceptance and support.
5. Redefining Strength and Vulnerability
Highlight stories of individuals overcoming shame and guilt. Campaign to redefine societal norms around strength, showing that vulnerability is a powerful form of courage and resilience.
6. Personalising Healing Journeys
Encourage exploration of multiple modalities, from talk therapy to energy work, making space for scepticism and choice. Curate resources that allow people to experiment and find what genuinely serves them, without shame for “trial and error.”
7. Empowering Boundary Setting
Offer guidance, scripts, and assertiveness training for setting and maintaining boundaries. Provide case studies and forum discussions to share successes and setbacks in real-life boundary-setting scenarios.
8. Making Self-care Practical and Sustainable
Develop accessible self-care routines that can fit into busy lives, demystifying what “self-care” looks like beyond consumer experiences. Share tools for tiny, daily affirmations, and support accountability through buddy schemes or online communities.
Conclusion and Ongoing Action
By tackling these challenges head-on, the Inclusion Bites Podcast continues to foster a more authentic, inclusive world—one where healing and belonging are celebrated as collective achievements, not individual struggles. Let these lessons inspire action in your life, your circles, and your workplaces; healing truly begins with belonging.
If you need further resources or support, connect with Joanne Lockwood via jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk and listen to future episodes at https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen.
Share the journey, amplify the voices, and start implementing inclusion—one bite at a time.
Questions Asked that were insightful
Certainly! Drawing upon the transcript of the “Healing Begins with Belonging” episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, several questions posed by Joanne Lockwood led to particularly insightful or thought-provoking responses from guest Tenya Eickenberg. These exchanges could indeed be distilled into a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) designed to engage and inform your audience. Below are some potential FAQs, each grounded in specific moments from the discussion and capturing the depth and nuance of the guest’s perspective:
Frequently Asked Questions Derived from the Episode
1. What motivated Tenya Eickenberg to start creating safe spaces for healing and transformation?
Tenya’s own search for a safe space during a period of emotional distress and transition—marked by family challenges, relocation, and significant life changes—was the catalyst. She openly discussed her experiences with emotional difficulty, self-medication, and the limitations of traditional mental health approaches, leading her to explore alternative modalities such as energy healing.
2. How does Tenya define and experience the concept of “belonging” in the healing process?
Tenya highlights that true healing begins when individuals feel safe to express their emotions without judgement, drawing a connection between belonging, authentic self-expression, and emotional wellbeing. She notes that societal stigma often inhibits individuals from seeking help or admitting vulnerability.
3. Are there practical techniques Tenya recommends for individuals seeking emotional release or self-healing?
Yes, Tenya introduces muscle testing (kinesiology), particularly the “sway test” with foods, as an intuitive practice to connect with the subconscious and identify what the body desires or rejects. She also advocates for symbolic acts—such as snapping fingers, scrunching a piece of imaginary paper and throwing it away, or deep breathing—to help release trapped emotions.
4. Is energy healing meant to replace traditional medicine and therapy?
Tenya is clear that energy healing is complementary rather than a wholesale replacement. She recognises the crucial role of medical professionals and medication in some situations (such as physical injuries), yet encourages individuals to consider holistic approaches, integrating energy work, self-care, and traditional medicine as part of a multi-faceted journey towards wellbeing.
5. How can someone recognise if they need healing or have unresolved emotional issues?
She suggests taking notice of persistent frustration, feeling as if “life is always happening to you”, or repeatedly encountering “walls” when trying to make progress. Even those with no overt trauma may harbour deeper issues that, once acknowledged, can free them to move forward. Energy healing, she argues, does not require reliving past experiences but focuses on clearing blockages.
6. What is the first step for someone who wants to begin healing themselves?
Self-care is the foundation. Tenya advises starting with honest reflection on the “five pillars” of wellbeing (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, energetic), focusing initially on the most pressing area. Building small, consistent habits—such as taking time for personal reflection or practising boundary setting—creates momentum for deeper healing.
7. How can individuals overcome the stigma and shame often associated with seeking help or admitting emotional pain?
By recognising that all humans have emotions and traumas, and that societal narratives often perpetuate the idea that emotional expression is weakness, listeners are encouraged to reframe vulnerability as strength. Tenya stresses the importance of self-compassion and normalising the need for support.
8. What role do belief systems play in the healing journey?
Tenya explores how inherited and societal beliefs can act as internalised barriers to change, highlighting the need to consciously re-examine and, where necessary, release or reframe them. She touches upon practices such as muscle testing and mindset work to become aware of these subconscious patterns.
These FAQs not only encapsulate some of the standout moments and actionable insights from the episode, but also serve as a valuable resource for audience members grappling with their own journeys of healing and belonging. If desired, these can be further expanded with direct quotes or accompanied by resource links for listeners interested in delving deeper.
Blog article based on the episode
Healing Begins with Belonging: Why Emotional Self-Care is the Gateway to Inclusion
What if the key to healing—and thriving—lies not in a pill bottle, a fleeting holiday, or a surface-level conversation, but at the very heart of where we feel we belong? In our latest episode, Healing Begins with Belonging, Joanne Lockwood sat down with Tenya Eickenberg, a mind, body, and energy facilitator, for a candid exploration of how healing, authenticity, and inclusion intertwine. If you’ve ever felt you’ve hit an invisible wall despite your best intentions, this episode offers a transformative blueprint.
The Problem: When Belonging Feels Elusive, Healing Stalls
Societies and workplaces are investing ever more in “wellbeing”, yet an epidemic of isolation, emotional suppression, and unresolved trauma lingers beneath the surface. Despite advances in mental health awareness, individuals continue to cloak their vulnerabilities, terrified that admitting struggle equates to personal or professional failure. The result? Emotional baggage accumulates, genuine relationships fracture, and the collective foundation of inclusion begins to crumble.
Tenya Eickenberg’s story, shared poignantly during the interview, crystallises this dilemma. She describes a period of her life marked by professional achievement and a dream move, yet internally she struggled with stress, shame, and the compulsion to self-medicate. Despite her outward success, the safe spaces where one might actually process, heal, and speak openly about emotional pain were nowhere to be found. The expectation to be perpetually strong—baked into our beliefs, workplaces, and media—often denies individuals the permission to feel, let alone heal.
The question begs: If we cannot express or examine our pain, how can we ever initiate true healing? What does it take for belonging to serve as the crucible from which transformation arises?
Agitate: Why Is “Healing” So Difficult to Initiate?
Healing is not purely a clinical exercise. It is an act of courage, requiring us to confront our deepest, most vulnerable selves. The difficulty is compounded by stigma, shame, and inherited societal scripts about “strength”. Tenya reflects on her own hesitance to seek help, even when faced with suicidal ideation: “Sharing that you are thinking of hurting yourself or taking your own life with somebody you don’t know... is hard. Sharing it with someone you do know is even harder.”
In so many cultures, emotional expression is pathologised—equated with weakness or instability. We learn early to suppress, avoid, or rationalise pain away, believing that emotional struggles must either be “fixed” or hidden. These patterns are not merely personal; they are intergenerational, reinforced by family lore, institutional expectations, and even the stories portrayed in film and television.
The result? We become collectively estranged from our authentic selves, and from one another. We may excel as parents, partners, or professionals, yet beneath the veneer, we are adrift—disconnected from the kind of belonging that nurtures healing.
The Solution: Belonging as the Gateway, Self-Care as the Path
The antidote proposed by Tenya Eickenberg is simple yet profound: healing begins where belonging is found, and self-care is its daily practice. To build inclusive spaces where healing can occur, we must first give ourselves—and others—explicit permission to be vulnerable. We must rewrite our scripts around strength, success, and self-worth.
Here are some actionable items, distilled from Tenya’s journey and expertise:
1. Recognise When Healing Is Needed
Frustration, feeling stuck, or repeated patterns of self-sabotage are signposts. If life feels like an endless series of closed doors or you’re constantly running into walls, pause and ask yourself: Is there something within me that needs healing?
2. Create Your Own Safe Space First
Waiting for the world to grant permission is futile. Tenya’s experience demonstrates that belonging starts with self-acceptance. Take conscious daily steps—whether journaling, meditation, or simply naming your feelings—to validate your own experience. You need not remember every trauma for healing to begin; willingness is enough.
3. Practice Emotional and Mental Self-Care
Tenya suggests beginning with the emotional or mental pillars of wellness. Even small acts—scheduling time for reflection, setting boundaries with others, or practising mindfulness—become daily invitations to healing. Self-care is nutrient, not luxury.
4. Learn to Muscle Test and Tune Into Intuition
An intriguing practical technique is “muscle testing”; Tenya recommends using it not just for food choices but to understand intuitive responses to emotions and boundaries. This fosters self-trust and helps move decision-making from the unconscious to the conscious.
5. Set and Enforce Boundaries Without Shame
Identify what triggers resentment or frustration—these are boundary-crossing events. Articulate your needs and enforce consequences, not as punishment but as self-protection.
6. Lead by Example Instead of Giving Unsolicited Advice
Healing and healthier habits are contagious. The podcast highlights how Tenya and Joanne’s transformed approaches to food, addiction, and emotional care set positive examples for their families, rippling outward without direct intervention or shaming.
7. Adopt a “Today is Day One” Approach to Change
True healing is non-linear. Joanne’s powerful affirmation—each day, making a conscious choice to abstain from alcohol—underscores the importance of taking change one mindful step at a time. Self-compassion and patience trump perfection.
Call to Action: Ignite Healing Through Belonging Today
It is time to reframe the narrative: strength is not in stoic suppression, but in the courage to seek support and healing. Inclusion, at its deepest, is about fostering environments—at home, at work, and within ourselves—where vulnerability is met with empathy rather than judgement.
Take inspiration from Tenya Eickenberg, whose vulnerability and insights illuminate not just her own journey, but a universal path forward. Begin today by asking: Where can I foster deeper belonging—for myself and for others?
Reflect, set one conscious boundary, reach out to someone trusted, or try a simple self-care ritual with intention. The journey begins at the intersection of self-awareness and acceptance.
For those ready to delve deeper, listen to Healing Begins with Belonging on the Inclusion Bites Podcast. Subscribe, share your reflections, and join a community determined to uplift, heal, and include—one bold conversation at a time.
You belong; your healing starts here.
*Inspired by Tenya Eickenberg’s interview on “Healing Begins with Belonging” – catch the full episode at Inclusion Bites, and let your journey towards authenticity and inclusion begin. For feedback or to join the conversation, contact Joanne Lockwood at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
The standout line from this episode
The standout line from this episode is:
"We have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do. But the question is, how deeply ingrained is whatever it is you're trying to heal, how deep does it go? How long might it take to heal? And is it in your highest and best to heal that?"
This line encapsulates the episode’s central message about personal empowerment, healing, and self-awareness—core themes that resonate throughout the conversation.
❓ Questions
Certainly! Here are 10 discussion questions inspired by the episode “Healing Begins with Belonging” of the Inclusion Bites Podcast:
How does the concept of belonging serve as a catalyst for personal healing and transformation, according to Tenya Eickenberg’s journey?
In what ways can emotional and energetic blocks manifest in daily life, and how might these influence our experience of inclusion or exclusion?
The idea of self-care was discussed in relation to emotional intelligence and boundary-setting. How do self-care practices contribute to establishing healthier relationships and environments?
Tenya shared that everyone carries some form of trauma. How can workplaces or communities support individuals in recognising and addressing these traumas without stigmatisation?
The process of self-reflection and questioning deeply held beliefs was highlighted. What role does questioning our inherited belief systems play in fostering authentic inclusion?
How can energy healing modalities such as muscle testing and the emotion code support mental well-being, and how might they complement traditional approaches to medicine and therapy?
Both Tenya and Joanne discussed the ripple effect of personal change on family and community. What strategies can individuals use to model positive behaviour and cultural change without imposing upon others?
The episode touched on the stigma and shame around admitting emotional distress. How can organisations disrupt this stigma and create genuinely safe spaces for vulnerability?
What are the barriers people might face when trying to prioritise their own healing and self-care, and how can these be addressed both individually and collectively?
How might leaders, HR professionals, or D&I champions apply the insights from this conversation to create more inclusive cultures that nurture belonging and well-being for all?
These questions are designed to provoke reflection, debate, and actionable insights, echoing the themes and stories shared by Tenya and Joanne in the episode.
FAQs from the Episode
FAQ: Healing Begins with Belonging — Insights from The Inclusion Bites Podcast (Episode 180)
1. What is the central theme of this episode?
The episode centres around the notion that healing, both individually and collectively, begins with a profound sense of belonging. The conversation explores how establishing inclusive, safe spaces enables personal transformation and the empowerment to overcome emotional and energetic barriers.
2. Who is the guest, and what expertise does she bring?
Tenya Eickenberg is the featured guest. She is a mind, body, and energy facilitator specialising in helping people release emotional and energetic blockages. Her work encourages individuals to shed what no longer serves them and embrace their most authentic selves.
3. What personal journey did Tenya share regarding healing and transformation?
Tenya discussed her own challenges with emotional and mental health. After facing significant family changes and personal struggles, including depression and anxiety, she sought healing beyond conventional approaches. Dissatisfied with traditional therapy and medication, she turned to energy healing modalities, such as the Emotion Code, to address her needs holistically.
4. How does Tenya define ‘energy healing’, and what methods does she use?
Energy healing, according to Tenya, is an approach that considers the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. She advocates for methods like muscle testing (kinesiology) and the Emotion Code, which involve identifying and releasing trapped emotions and inherited traumas that may reside anywhere in the body, not just the mind.
5. Does Tenya believe energy healing replaces traditional medicine?
No. Tenya emphasises a complementary approach. She acknowledges the value of medical intervention but believes energy healing offers an additional, non-pharmaceutical way to address issues, particularly when individuals seek deeper, long-lasting change rather than symptom management alone.
6. How does one begin to identify and release emotional or energetic blockages?
Tenya recommends practicing muscle testing to attune to one's intuition and subconscious. For beginners, she suggests using simple tests with foods to differentiate between what one’s body desires and does not. Once comfortable, one can ask about specific emotions—such as loneliness or anxiety—and use symbolic actions (e.g., deep breathing, snapping fingers) to facilitate release.
7. What is the role of self-care in the healing journey described in the episode?
Self-care emerged as a cornerstone. Tenya highlights the importance of attending to all pillars of health—mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and energetic. Genuine healing calls for prioritising self-care practices, setting personal boundaries, and recognising when self-compassion or help-seeking is required.
8. How does personal belief influence the effectiveness of healing practices?
Personal belief is critical. Both Tenya and Joanne underscore that one must believe in the chosen healing method—be it medical, spiritual, or energetic—for it to be effective. They note parallels with addiction recovery, faith-based healing, and habit change, alluding to the psychological principle that conviction underpins transformation.
9. What unique perspective does the podcast offer on the concept of trauma?
The episode expands the definition of trauma, noting that everyone experiences some form of it, whether obvious or subtle. Tenya asserts that trauma is not just a product of major life events, but can stem from everyday experiences, inherited family patterns, or societal pressures, and these are often stored subconsciously within the body.
10. Can healing and change be self-directed, or is professional support necessary?
The podcast champions empowerment. Individuals are encouraged to take responsibility for their own healing while recognising when additional guidance is beneficial. Tenya positions herself as a guide, not a fixer, suggesting that the journey is self-driven, though expert support can clear energetic obstacles and accelerate progress.
11. What practical first steps are recommended for someone recognising their need to heal?
Listeners are advised to start by evaluating their self-care routines and identifying neglected areas—especially emotional and mental wellbeing. A practical tip is to adopt one small positive self-care action, gradually building consistency, before layering more advanced techniques such as boundary setting or energy work.
12. How does this episode connect healing with inclusion and belonging?
The discussion underscores that true inclusion is more than policies; it’s about fostering environments where individuals can bring their whole selves and feel safe to do so. By creating cultures of belonging, we not only help others heal but also catalyse systemic change towards more compassionate, inclusive workplaces and communities.
13. How can listeners connect with Tenya or the podcast for further support?
Listeners can reach Tenya Eickenberg via her website designyourexistence.com or find her on Facebook and Instagram under “DesignYourExistence”. For more bold discussions on inclusion and belonging, listeners can subscribe to The Inclusion Bites Podcast at seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen. Joanne Lockwood is available for contact at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
14. What is the podcast’s primary call to action?
Listeners are invited not only to reflect and apply these insights but to share their thoughts, join the conversation, and become advocates for inclusion and personal growth within their own spheres.
For ongoing inspiration and richer understanding on inclusion, belonging, and personal transformation, subscribe to Inclusion Bites and continue the journey towards healing and thriving together.
Tell me more about the guest and their views
The guest on this episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast is Tenya Eickenberg, a mind-body-energy facilitator based just outside Washington, D.C., in Maryland. Tenya specialises in helping people clear emotional and energetic blocks so they can heal, transform, and thrive. Her core philosophy is the empowerment of individuals to release what no longer serves them and step into their most authentic selves.
Tenya’s approach to healing is notably holistic and deeply personal. Her entry into this field was rooted in lived experience: after a period of significant transitions and emotional upheaval in her own life, she sought out a “safe space” for her own healing. Dissatisfied with conventional approaches such as medication and talk therapy—which she found ineffective and alienating—she turned to alternative methods centred on energy healing, specifically referencing the Emotion Code. This technique uses muscle testing (kinesiology) to identify and release trapped emotional energies without ingesting chemicals or relying on external intervention.
Philosophically, Tenya questions the primacy of the brain as the sole arbitrator of wellbeing, arguing instead for an integrated view: that emotional trauma and beliefs can be stored anywhere in the body, not just the mind, and even pass down generations. This aligns with her more spiritual beliefs, including the idea of a soul travelling through multiple lifetimes, collecting experiences and, at times, traumas that shape current existence. For Tenya, healing is both an energetic and emotional process—one that involves actively working through old patterns to reset one's sense of wellbeing.
Key elements of her worldview include:
Self-empowerment: She repeatedly emphasises the ability of individuals to heal themselves, using tools like muscle testing, self-inquiry, and symbolic actions to identify and release burdens.
Holistic healing: Tenya is clear that healing is multifaceted, involving physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic dimensions. She stresses self-care as both a starting point and a continuing practice.
Boundary-setting: Her personal journey involved not only addressing her own mental health needs but also learning to set boundaries with people who crossed them, especially in familial relationships.
Non-judgement and self-compassion: Tenya challenges the stigma and shame around mental health, particularly the belief that admitting vulnerability is a weakness. She advocates for allowing oneself to feel and process emotions, rather than suppressing them.
Belief in inherited and collective trauma: She asserts that much of what requires healing may not even be consciously remembered—either because it is deeply embedded in the subconscious or inherited through family and spiritual lineage.
Tenya’s perspective is pragmatic about traditional medicine where necessary (such as broken bones), but she is candid about her preference for non-medical approaches where she finds them more effective for emotional and spiritual health. She wants her clients to find their “why” behind change, taking personal responsibility rather than being pushed by external expectations. Ultimately, her message is about reclaiming agency, fostering a sense of belonging within oneself, and embracing a gentle, consistent path towards healing.
Listeners interested in her work can find more at designyourexistence.com or on her own podcast, “The Metamorphosis Project.”
Ideas for Future Training and Workshops based on this Episode
Certainly! Drawing on the rich themes and insights from the "Healing Begins with Belonging" episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, here are several training and workshop ideas designed to echo its holistic approach to personal transformation, emotional wellbeing, and fostering belonging within organisations.
1. Workshop: "Healing Through Belonging – Navigating Emotional and Energetic Blocks at Work"
Explore how emotional and energetic blockages manifest in the workplace and equip participants with practical tools (such as muscle testing and mindfulness techniques) to identify, release, and transmute these barriers. Incorporate interactive exercises where attendees learn to tune into their intuition and address overwhelm or stress in real time.
2. Training Session: "Boundaries for Wellbeing – Empowering Self and Others"
Based on Tenya Eickenberg’s insights into boundary setting, this training could focus on recognising and setting healthy emotional boundaries in professional relationships. Case studies and scenario roleplays help embed the importance of non-negotiable boundaries, assertive communication, and following through with consequences without guilt or shame.
3. Seminar: "Energy Awareness for Inclusive Cultures"
Unpack the link between energy, emotion, and belonging. This could include an introduction to energy healing concepts such as the Emotion Code and practical somatic methods for clearing emotional baggage. Participants could learn symbolic gestures (like creative visualisation, breathwork, or physical cues) for letting go of stress and boosting resilience.
4. Programme: "From Self-Care to Collective Care – Five Pillars of Holistic Wellbeing"
A modular development journey covering physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic health, grounded in Tenya’s five-pillar model. Sessions empower learners to map their own wellbeing needs, encourage self-reflection, and design bespoke self-care plans. Include accountability mechanisms and peer support networks.
5. Masterclass: "Breaking the Cycle – Unpacking Intergenerational Beliefs in the Workplace"
Focus on how inherited beliefs and family models affect professional conduct and employee engagement. Utilise Socratic questioning and theory of mind activities, encouraging participants to challenge unconscious scripts, shift limiting beliefs, and consciously redesign their workplace experience for greater authenticity and inclusion.
6. Training: "Creating Safe Spaces – Trauma-Informed Listening and Support Skills"
Equip HR and leaders with tools for supporting colleagues navigating mental health challenges. Based on Tenya’s reflections, delve into stigma, shame, and safe disclosures. Teach non-judgemental listening, active empathy, and the criticality of refraining from unsolicited advice, instead holding space and amplifying choice and agency.
7. Workshop: "Inner World, Outer Impact – Modelling Positive Change Without Shame or Pressure"
Reflecting Joanne’s approach to personal responsibility, this session explores leading change by example. Encourage leaders to develop congruence between self-care practices and company culture, thus facilitating organic transformation without fat-shaming, guilt, or pressure. Use interactive journey mapping and storytelling.
8. Webinar: "Muscle Testing for Beginners – Integrating Intuition into Decision-Making"
Practical hands-on training for using muscle testing and sway tests in day-to-day decisions. Share neuroscience behind unconscious/conscious decision-making, fostering mindfulness and embodiment. Include mechanisms to build confidence and consistency in self-evaluation.
9. Panel Discussion: "The Power of Choice – Addiction, Recovery, and Self-Compassion at Work"
Create a safe dialogue space around the themes of addiction (smoking, alcohol, unhealthy habits) and recovery. Explore how workplace culture can support self-driven change, using stories from the episode to illustrate frameworks for supportive accountability and self-forgiveness.
Key Features for All Training/Workshop Ideas:
Use participant storytelling for connection and resonance.
Integrate symbolic actions for emotional release (e.g., scrunching paper and binning it).
Embed action planning with reflective feedback loops.
Address the barriers: shame, guilt, stigma, internalised beliefs, and people-pleasing.
Clearly tie belonging into healing, authenticity, and thriving.
For further details or to tailor these sessions to your organisation’s unique needs, you’re welcome to connect with Joanne Lockwood (jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk) or visit Inclusion Bites Podcast.
Would you like supporting materials, draft agendas, or sample exercises for any of these ideas?
🪡 Threads by Instagram
Healing starts with feeling. Suppressing emotions only deepens our pain—liberate yourself by creating safe spaces where you can honestly express, be heard, and reconnect with your authentic self. Belonging is the first step to thriving.
Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re an act of self-respect. If you feel resentful or frustrated, it’s a sign a boundary needs to be set. Protect your energy as you nurture real connections.
True self-care goes beyond massages or relaxing baths. It’s about emotional honesty, setting limits, and giving yourself permission to make choices that serve your wellbeing, not just please others.
Our belief systems shape reality, but they’re not set in stone. When you start questioning inherited patterns, you claim the power to define your own journey and transform how you experience belonging.
Every act of healing we choose ripples through our families and communities. By focusing on our own growth and self-acceptance, we inspire positive change and make belonging possible, one choice at a time.
Leadership Insights - YouTube Short Video Script on Common Problems for Leaders to Address
Leadership Insights Channel – YouTube Short Script
Title: Healing Begins with Belonging – Why Leaders Must Prioritise Safe Spaces
Are you a leader grappling with team disengagement and low morale? Here’s a powerful truth: healing and transformation always start with a sense of belonging.
Too many leaders overlook emotional wellbeing, thinking business is only about targets. But when people feel excluded or unsupported, stress and burnout creep in, undermining performance.
Here’s what you can do today:
Create safe spaces: Show genuine empathy. Encourage open conversations about wellbeing and personal challenges, without judgement.
Model vulnerability: Share your own experiences with stress or setbacks. When leaders are honest, they normalise feeling human and make it easier for others to open up.
Set and respect boundaries: Empower your team to name when they need support or space. Respond compassionately and uphold their boundaries.
By connecting, reflecting, and prioritising belonging, you foster growth, resilience, and productivity. Remember, when healing begins – thriving follows.
Transform your leadership. Choose inclusion. Choose belonging.
SEO Optimised Titles
5 Steps to Self-Healing and Emotional Resilience in 2024 | Empower Your Wellbeing Now | Tenya @ Design Your Existence
80 Percent Anxiety Relief in 4 Months – A Guide to Transformational Energy Healing | Tenya @ Design Your Existence
Unlock the 5 Pillars of Health: Real Stories of Healing, Boundaries & Belonging | Tenya @ Design Your Existence
Email Newsletter about this Podcast Episode
Subject: Healing Begins with Belonging – Five Powerful Keys from Inclusion Bites
Hello Inclusion Bites Community,
Looking for inspiration that goes a bit deeper than your average wellness chat? This week on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood sits down with Tenya Eickenberg in a heartfelt episode titled “Healing Begins with Belonging.” Whether you’re facing life transitions, seeking a healthier mindset, or simply want to recharge your sense of purpose, this one’s a real treat.
What’s waiting for you inside this episode? Here are five keys you’ll take away:
Emotional Awareness: Discover why acknowledging your feelings – even the messy ones – is the first step towards genuine healing.
The Power of Boundaries: Learn how setting and upholding personal boundaries protects your energy and strengthens your relationships.
Muscle Testing & Intuition: Tenya reveals a simple technique for tuning into your body’s needs through muscle testing, making self-care more mindful and specific.
Rewriting Beliefs: Find out how our inherited beliefs shape us, and how conscious reflection lets us redefine our reality and live authentically.
Self-Healing is Possible: Step into your power with tools and mindset shifts that help you take charge of your own healing journey – everything from energy work to daily conscious choices.
Here’s a fascinating fact Tenya shared:
Did you know your body can “hold onto” trauma in specific organs – not just the mind? Tenya broke down how energy healing can pinpoint these hidden blocks and clear them, often without the need for reliving painful memories. It's a perspective that challenges everything we’re taught about wellness!
Ready to jump in?
Tune into the latest episode right here, or share your thoughts and join the conversation by emailing Joanne directly at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Let’s Finish Strong:
This episode is a call to put your wellbeing at the centre, to set your boundaries confidently, and to embrace the journey of self-discovery. Healing begins when you choose to belong – to yourself, to your community, and to your aspirations.
So, pop in those earbuds and get inspired for a more inclusive, empowered tomorrow.
Catch you at the next bite!
Warm regards,
The Inclusion Bites Team
#InclusionBites #HealingBeginsWithBelonging #PositivePeopleExperiences
Potted Summary
Episode Intro
In this thought-provoking episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood sits down with Tenya Eickenberg, an energy facilitator, to explore the profound link between healing, belonging, and self-empowerment. Together, they examine the personal journey from emotional turmoil and inherited beliefs to authentic self-care and transformation, highlighting the courage it takes to prioritise oneself while cultivating spaces where everyone truly thrives. Nourish your mind as healing and belonging take centre stage in this lively, heartfelt exchange.
In this conversation we discuss
👉 Healing & self-care
👉 Boundaries & energy
👉 Belief transformation
Here are a few of our favourite quotable moments
"You have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do."
"Our first job—we are to take care of you first so that you can be there for others."
"Everybody has trauma. Everybody has been affected by it in some way…but your body is always going to remember."
Summary & Call to Action
Discover practical insights on emotional wellbeing, boundary-setting, and self-discovery in this inspiring episode. Joanne and Tenya demonstrate how healing begins with a true sense of belonging—within ourselves and our communities. Ready for some real talk that will challenge and encourage you? Listen to “Healing Begins with Belonging” on the Inclusion Bites Podcast now at seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen. Your journey towards greater inclusion and self-awareness starts here.
LinkedIn Poll
LinkedIn Poll Framing
In episode 180 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, “Healing Begins with Belonging,” Joanne Lockwood (host) and Tenya Eickenberg (guest) explored how our journey towards authentic selfhood often starts when we prioritise belonging, emotional wellbeing, and self-care. They highlighted the importance of recognising personal barriers to healing, whether emotional, mental, or physical, and how the first step is often realising we need to heal. From boundaries to self-reflection and energy healing, creating space for ourselves is crucial.
Given these insights, I'm curious how you most often create space for your own healing and growth.
Poll Question
What’s your go-to first step when you need to start healing or prioritise wellbeing? #InclusionBites #BelongingMatters #WellbeingJourney ✨
Set strong boundaries 🛑
Practise self-care 🧘♀️
Seek support networks 🤝
Reflect and journal 📔
Closing Statement
Why vote? Sharing your approach helps us understand collective barriers and effective strategies for nurturing inclusion and healing. Your choice amplifies the conversation around real change—let’s foster belonging together!
Highlight the Importance of this topic on LinkedIn
🌱 Healing Begins with Belonging — why every HR, People, and EDI leader needs to listen 👂
Just tuned into the latest episode of Inclusion Bites with Joanne Lockwood and Tenya Eickenberg, and it struck a profound chord. This wasn’t just another wellness chat—this was a masterclass in why authentic belonging is foundational to healing and transformation in our workplaces.
🔑 Tenya’s journey underscored:
The profound link between emotional wellbeing, safe spaces, and transformative growth
The hidden impacts of unaddressed trauma and the stigma around mental health
The responsibility we hold as leaders to craft cultures where every person feels able to show up as their whole self
💡 As HR and EDI professionals, if we’re not actively facilitating these conversations and making room for vulnerability, what are we really achieving? Creating space for emotion isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic imperative for thriving teams and organisations.
Let’s be the example. Let’s swap shame for compassion and turn safe spaces into brave ones.
👏 Thank you, Joanne and Tenya, for the brave honesty and practical insights.
Curious? Listen here: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
#InclusionBites #Belonging #Wellbeing #HRLeadership #InclusionMatters #PeopleExperience
L&D Insights
Certainly! Here’s a concise, expert summary of key takeaways from Episode 180 of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, “Healing Begins with Belonging”, tailored for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI professionals. If you’re short on time, this should give you everything you need to know to turn insights into impactful action.
🎧 L&D Report: Inclusion Bites Podcast #180 – "Healing Begins with Belonging"
Key Insights for Leaders, HR, and EDI Pros
1. Belonging is Foundational to Healing and Thriving 🌱
The conversation between Joanne Lockwood and Tenya Eickenberg underscores that true inclusion isn’t merely about participation—it's about enabling a sense of belonging. Individuals flourish both personally and professionally when they feel safe, accepted, and seen. This is the new baseline for organisational well-being.
2. Cultivating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability 💬
Tenya’s journey reveals the need for psychological safety. Many employees will not disclose mental health struggles due to fear of stigma, shame, or negative repercussions. Organisations must proactively create environments where people can safely voice their emotions and experiences without judgement or penalty.
3. Healing Requires Self-Recognition and Ownership ⚡
The “aha moment” emerges when individuals realise their own potential to heal—first recognising that something is out of balance, then consciously choosing to address it. The leadership parallel: empower your workforce to self-reflect, ask “what do I need to heal?” and foster a culture where self-care is seen as a strength, not a weakness.
4. Multi-Faceted Wellbeing is Key 🧩
Healing isn’t linear. Tenya describes five pillars—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic. Leaders should consider how policies, programmes, and culture can support diverse pathways to wellbeing, not just mental health or physical safety.
5. Modelling Behaviour Ripples Across Teams 🔄
The podcast highlights how personal change can drive collective action—Joanne’s experience adopting healthier habits inspired others around her to do the same, leading to culture shifts without coercion. Leaders must exemplify wellbeing and boundary-setting to authentically promote it.
"Aha Moments" Uncovered 💡
Belonging as the Core: Healing begins when people move from surviving to truly feeling they belong. This realisation is transformative for how we design HR interventions.
Safe Disclosure ≠ Weakness: The transcript exposes how fear of judgement hinders honest conversations. There’s power in naming this barrier—and actively dismantling it.
Self-Care is a Non-Negotiable: People often neglect their own needs, thinking “someone else will fix it.” The vital lightbulb moment is understanding personal responsibility—then making it visible and valued in the workplace.
What Should Leaders, HR & EDI Do Differently? 📝
Champion Psychological Safety: Implement listening spaces, check-ins, and no-judgement policies. Train managers to respond compassionately, not reactively, to disclosures.
Rethink Wellbeing Initiatives: Assess whether your organisation addresses the full spectrum (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, energetic). Update policies to reflect this holistic view.
Model Vulnerability and Boundaries: Be transparent about your own learning and boundaries. Celebrate self-care, and encourage open conversation about personal growth and struggle.
Challenge Stigma Publicly: Use senior leadership presence to normalise talking about challenges—especially around mental health and trauma.
Empower Ownership: Support programmes and practices that help employees identify where they need to heal or grow, and give them practical tools for action.
Social Media Tags
#InclusionBites #BelongingMatters #LeadersListen #HolisticWellbeing #CultureChange
In summary: This episode is a powerful reminder that belonging and psychological safety aren't “nice to have”—they’re essential for healing, engagement, and transformation. As role models and change drivers, it’s time for leaders, HR, and EDI pros to make belonging the starting point for every policy and practice. 🌍💙
Shorts Video Script
Social Media Video Title:
Healing Starts with Belonging: How to Empower Your Wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #Inclusion #SelfCare
Hashtags:
#MentalHealthMatters
#SelfHealing
#PersonalGrowth
#Belonging
#InclusionJourney
Text on screen: Healing Begins with Belonging 🌱
Have you ever wondered why feeling you belong makes it easier to heal and thrive? Here are some key takeaways to help you get started on your own journey.
Text on screen: Recognise the Need for Healing 🧠
First things first – if you’re feeling frustrated, stuck, or like life keeps throwing up barriers, that’s a sign. Maybe you’re carrying emotional baggage or stress you haven’t addressed. Simply pausing and questioning "What do I need to heal?" is a powerful step.
Text on screen: Self-Care Isn’t Optional 🛁
Self-care goes far beyond the occasional massage or bath. True self-care means setting boundaries, tuning into your emotions, and putting yourself first. Too busy? Challenge yourself: you can always find time for what really matters to you.
Text on screen: Tune in to Your Body 🦋
Get in touch with your intuition. Use simple muscle testing or the "sway test"—that’s holding a food or asking a question, and noticing how your body responds to it. It’s not woo-woo, it’s building confidence and recognising what nourishes you, physically and emotionally.
Text on screen: Let Go of What No Longer Serves You 🧹
Healing means consciously choosing to release habits, emotions, or relationships that keep you stuck. This could be symbolic—throwing away a mythical piece of paper, or taking a deep breath and making the choice every day to lean into what feels right for you.
Text on screen: Personal Responsibility is Key 🔑
No one can do the healing for you. You have to make it a priority and take action, one day at a time. Slip-ups happen, but every day is a new choice. Don’t wait for permission—your wellbeing is yours to claim.
Text on screen: Be the Example 🌟
When you make positive changes—healthy boundaries, mindful choices, self-care—you set a powerful example for those around you. Inclusion and belonging start with you.
Thanks for watching! Remember, together we can make a difference. Stay connected, stay inclusive! See you next time. ✨
Glossary of Terms and Phrases
# Specialist Concepts and Terminology in "Healing Begins with Belonging" (Inclusion Bites Podcast, Episode 180)
Below is a list of words and phrases from the episode that are not commonly used in everyday conversation, along with the definitions implied by the guests during this particular discussion:
| Term/Phrase | Implied Definition in Episode |
|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Mind, body, energy facilitator** | A practitioner who helps individuals address emotional and energetic barriers to wellbeing using holistic and integrative methods. |
| **Energetic blocks** | Stagnant or unresolved emotional energies that are believed to disrupt personal growth or healing, often manifesting as physical or mental discomfort. |
| **In flow** | The state of being fully aligned with one’s actions and intentions, resulting in life events unfolding seamlessly and rapidly. |
| **Law of Attraction** | The belief that positive or negative thoughts and intentions can attract corresponding outcomes or energies into one’s life. |
| **Self-medicate** | The act of using substances such as alcohol or cigarettes to manage or suppress emotional pain or trauma, rather than addressing the root causes. |
| **Talk therapy** | A conventional mental health treatment involving discussion with a therapist to explore and resolve psychological issues. |
| **Emotion Code** | An alternative healing modality involving muscle testing (kinesiology) to identify and release trapped emotions from the body’s energy system. |
| **Muscle testing/Kinesiology** | A technique used to communicate with the body’s subconscious by observing physical muscle responses (strength/weakness) to specific questions or intentions. |
| **Trapped emotion** | An emotional experience from the past that remains “stuck” energetically in the body, potentially causing physical or emotional symptoms. |
| **Governing meridian** | A channel in traditional Chinese medicine along which energy is believed to flow, often used as a focus in energy healing practices. |
| **Inherited energies** | Emotional patterns or energetic imprints passed down through family generations, which may influence present wellbeing. |
| **Transmute** | The process of transforming or releasing unwanted emotional energy into a neutral or positive state. |
| **Energy healing** | A broad set of practices centred on the idea that balancing or clearing the body's energy fields can support healing from emotional and physical issues. |
| **Muscle testing (sway test, ring-to-ring method)** | Specific physical methods for using muscle resistance or body movement to obtain 'yes' or 'no' answers from the subconscious. |
| **Emotion code chart** | A chart listing a variety of named emotions, used as reference points during muscle testing to identify specific trapped emotions. |
| **Highest and best** | The optimal or most beneficial outcome for a person’s health or healing journey, used as a filter to decide what to pursue energetically or physically. |
| **Energetic pillars** | The conceptual dimensions of wellbeing used in energy healing: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic health. |
| **Self-care (in a holistic context)** | Not merely pampering activities, but practices intended to foster emotional regulation, boundary setting, and authentic self-connection. |
| **People pleaser** | Someone who prioritises others’ needs or desires above their own, often at the expense of their own wellbeing, sometimes requiring emotional healing to overcome. |
| **Boundary setting** | Establishing and communicating limits with others to protect one’s emotional and energetic health. |
Most of these concepts are drawn from integrative, holistic and energy-based approaches to personal healing and transformation, differing from standard psychological or medical language. The terms directly reflect the methodology and personal philosophies discussed throughout the episode.SEO Optimised YouTube Content
Focus Keyword: Healing Begins with Belonging
Video Title
Healing Begins with Belonging | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags
Tags: healing begins with belonging, inclusion, belonging, culture change, positive people experiences, energy healing, emotional wellbeing, self care, workplace inclusion, mental health, personal transformation, boundary setting, emotional intelligence, spirituality, trauma healing, personal growth, empowerment, holistic health, mindset, diversity and inclusion, safe spaces, authentic self, mental resilience, empowerment, mindfulness,
Killer Quote
Killer Quote: "We have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do. But the question is, how deeply ingrained is what you're trying to heal, and is it in your highest and best to heal that?" – Tenya Eickenberg
Hashtags
Hashtags: #HealingBeginsWithBelonging, #InclusionBitesPodcast, #CultureChange, #PositivePeopleExperiences, #SEEChangeHappen, #JoanneLockwood, #EnergyHealing, #Belonging, #Inclusion, #Empowerment, #SafeSpaces, #SelfCare, #MindsetShift, #TraumaHealing, #HolisticWellbeing, #Boundaries, #AuthenticSelf, #InclusionMatters, #MentalHealth, #Transformation,
Why Listen
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Inclusion Bites, where I, Joanne Lockwood, sit down for a vulnerable and transformative conversation with the remarkable Tenya Eickenberg. Our focus keyword for this episode is “Healing Begins with Belonging,” and the theme flows through our dialogue with authenticity and candour. This episode is far more than a discussion—it’s a living call to nurture “Positive People Experiences” and spotlight the immense power of “Culture Change” within and outside our personal narratives.
Together, Tenya and I unravel the intricate layers of what it means not only to heal, but to recognise that authentic belonging is the fertile ground where healing can truly begin. As someone committed to championing inclusive cultures and nurturing spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, I invite you to lean into this episode, which is peppered with real-life stories, reflections, and actionable strategies for personal and collective transformation.
Early in our conversation, Tenya shares her experience of personal upheaval—a time marked by transition, family milestones, and the looming presence of emotional wounding. Through her journey, Tenya sought not only physical relocation but a sanctuary for emotional and spiritual healing. She describes the profound discomfort that emerged from unresolved conflict and isolation, driving her to self-medicate and retreat from her authentic self. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration: why do so many of us struggle to create our own sense of belonging, and what happens when our foundational emotional needs are unmet?
Culture change, as Tenya and I dissect, isn’t merely about shifting policies or leadership attitudes—it’s about internal revolutions. Healing, she tells us, begins when we create safe spaces for ourselves and others, especially when we are brave enough to acknowledge the emotional and energetic blocks that hinder our growth. Tenya’s expertise as a mind, body, and energy facilitator comes alive as she guides listeners through the nuanced steps towards recognising and releasing what no longer serves us. From muscle testing to intuitive self-awareness, we dig into practical ways anyone can start their healing journey, irrespective of past traumas or current situations.
We shine a light on the importance of boundaries—the bedrock of any healthy culture change. Whether in the workplace, at home, or within ourselves, boundaries ensure the protection of our wellbeing and foster environments where positive experiences can flourish. Tenya candidly describes the transformative moment she learned to set boundaries with loved ones, giving herself permission to step into her own power and voice.
Throughout the episode, I challenge listeners with Socratic questioning: What does belonging feel like for you? How do past experiences influence your ability to create positive people experiences? Are you holding onto beliefs that may need revisiting to achieve real culture change? This reflective approach encourages listeners to interrogate their own lives and move from passive observers to active participants in the process of inclusion and healing.
Listeners will learn how multiple facets of health—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—intersect and why holistic self-care is the gateway to lasting change. Tenya and I discuss the importance of taking personal responsibility for one’s healing, whilst recognising when to seek support and how to discern which methods resonate best for individual growth. The actionable advice offered spans everything from developing emotional intelligence, practising mindful self-care, to learning energy healing techniques, ensuring there’s something here for everyone seeking to ignite culture change in their life or organisation.
What elevates this episode is the emphasis on empowerment. “We have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do,” Tenya insists, pointing out that the depth and complexity of our wounds may require different approaches, but the ability to transform is innate. Together, we break down the myth that healing and culture change must be difficult or reserved for experts—affirming that listeners can take immediate steps, starting with small, consistent shifts in attitude and behaviour.
Inclusion Bites is never about surface-level chatter, and this episode exemplifies our commitment to bold conversations that drive actual change. If you are a diversity and inclusion professional, a leader responsible for culture change, or someone seeking to nurture positive people experiences in your personal or professional life, this episode offers well-rounded perspectives, lived insights, and a toolkit for personal transformation.
Healing truly begins with belonging, and positive people experiences are the cornerstone of meaningful culture change. Don’t miss this episode—it’s both a mirror and a window into the possibilities of your own healing journey.
Closing Summary and Call to Action
Let’s reflect on the key learnings and actionable steps from this episode of Inclusion Bites with clarity, depth, and a roadmap for genuine culture change:
Recognise the Power of Belonging
Healing starts in the soil of belonging. When you feel part of a community or safe space—whether it’s family, work, or social circles—you permit vulnerability and growth. Audit your circles: where do you feel you truly belong, and which spaces diminish this feeling? Use this awareness as a foundation for change.Acknowledge Your Wounds and Triggers
Both Tenya and I shared that identifying emotional and energetic blocks is central to any healing journey. Reflect on recurring emotions or stressors. Are there patterns or triggers you recognise? Don’t dismiss loneliness, frustration, or anxiety as trivial—they’re signposts for areas that may need attention.Set Boundaries and Uphold Consequences
Boundaries are essential for safeguarding mental health and enabling positive people experiences. Practise sending respectful yet firm communications when boundaries are crossed, and ensure you act on consequences. Remember, boundaries are not about punishment—they’re about self-respect and creating environments ripe for culture change.Practice Holistic Self-Care
Address all facets of your wellbeing—emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, and energetic. Don’t delay self-care routines because of perceived time constraints. If necessary, restructure your day; wake up earlier or adjust sleep schedules. Start small: meditate, journal, walk, or simply breathe mindfully.Develop Emotional Intelligence
Allow yourself to experience and express all emotions. Resist societal pressure to suppress feelings, particularly in public or professional settings. Emotional intelligence is a skill—cultivate it by accepting that tears, joy, and anger can coexist with competence and strength.Embrace Empowerment and Personal Responsibility
Healing is a self-led journey. Acknowledge what you can influence and accept that some matters may require professional support or simply acceptance. Empower yourself daily with affirmations, decide to make conscious choices one day at a time, and treat each new day as an opportunity to reset.Leverage Energy Healing Techniques
Tenya introduced simple muscle testing, sway testing, and intuitive exercises to connect with your body's wisdom. Experiment with these techniques to identify trapped emotions or blocks. There’s no universal formula—explore what resonates and customise your approach.Cultivate Positive People Experiences
Prioritise inclusion in every interaction. Model conscious, healthy habits without shaming others. Lead by example, knowing that your choices can create a ripple effect throughout your circles.Challenge Internalised Beliefs
Beliefs are often handed down from authority figures and may not serve your present self. Regularly question your assumptions and ask if they’re still relevant or beneficial. Give yourself permission to reinvent your mindset—this is at the heart of all culture change, both personal and collective.Support Others on Their Journey
Abandon judgment and unsolicited advice unless invited—focus on offering genuine support and compassion. Live out your boundaries and values, but never pressure others. Remember, every healing journey is unique.Embody Consistency and Resilience
When slips occur—be they in habits, boundaries, or emotional regulation—choose reflection over self-criticism. Make tomorrow’s choices based on what serves your highest good.Model Culture Change in Action
Whether at work or home, take visible steps toward establishing inclusive, supportive, and transformative environments. Invite conversations that challenge status quo, enable safe expression, and celebrate each person’s authenticity.Continual Learning and Support
Reach out for help when necessary, whether from professionals like Tenya, peer communities, or trusted friends. Never accept stagnation as your endpoint. Seek out knowledge, adapt, and keep questioning.Share Insights and Encourage Dialogue
The Inclusion Bites podcast invites participation and storytelling. Share your insights, experiences, and questions with the wider community, amplifying voices and fostering culture change collectively.Be Mindful of Your Own Oxygen Mask
Prioritise your healing not out of selfishness, but as preparation to support others effectively. Self-care is not a luxury—it’s essential groundwork for any person seeking to champion inclusion.
Your Next Steps:
List three spaces in your life where belonging feels strongest. Evaluate why.
Identify one boundary that needs reinforcement and design a simple action to uphold it this week.
Explore muscle testing or another self-awareness exercise.
Commit to one new self-care practice, no matter how small.
Reflect for five minutes each day on your emotional state, without judgement.
By following these steps, you’re not only following the pathway illuminated in this episode, but forging a path towards genuine “Positive People Experiences” and enduring culture change.
Outro
Thank you, the listener, for tuning in to this episode of Inclusion Bites. If you found value here, please do like and subscribe to the channel to ensure you never miss a conversation that challenges and inspires the status quo. For more information, visit:
Your curiosity and engagement drive this movement for inclusive culture change.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive – Joanne Lockwood
Root Cause Analyst - Why!
Root Cause Analysis: “Healing Begins with Belonging”
Key Problem Identified:
A predominant issue highlighted throughout this episode is the pervasive struggle individuals face to address and heal from emotional and psychological distress—specifically, the difficulty in seeking help and the challenge of overcoming personal barriers to belonging and well-being.
Let’s conduct a ‘Five Whys’ analysis to unearth the root causes.
1. Why do individuals struggle to address and heal from emotional and psychological distress?
Because they often do not feel safe to share vulnerabilities or seek support.
2. Why do they not feel safe to share vulnerabilities or seek support?
Because there is a persistent stigma, shame, and fear of judgement associated with mental health struggles and emotional expression.
3. Why does stigma and fear of judgement persist around mental health and emotional expression?
Because societal narratives, cultural upbringing, and media representation frequently associate emotional struggles with weakness, failure, or being ‘broken’. There remains a lack of positive, normalised conversation around these topics.
4. Why do societal narratives and cultural upbringings perpetuate these negative associations?
Because family systems, educational structures, and public discourse have historically lacked open channels for discussing mental health, self-care, and emotional well-being. There’s an implicit expectation to ‘cope’ silently.
5. Why have these structures and discourses lacked openness?
Because of generational conditioning, limited emotional intelligence education, and the prioritisation of resilience and achievement over self-awareness and holistic care. There has been inadequate investment in equipping individuals with tools to reflect, process emotions, and prioritise personal well-being.
Summarised Root Cause:
At the heart of the issue is an entrenched societal and cultural deficit in emotional intelligence and self-reflection, driven by generational attitudes, insufficient education around mental health, and the perpetuation of stigma and shame—leading people to suppress needs for connection, belonging, and emotional healing.
Potential Solutions
Normalise Emotional Literacy
Integrate emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and mental health education across all levels—schools, workplaces, community forums, and media. Encourage open storytelling, as modelled in this episode, to de-stigmatise vulnerability.Create Safer Spaces for Dialogue
Facilitate peer support groups, therapeutic workshops, and open forums where individuals can express feelings without fear of judgement. Normalise ‘checking in’ on each other in domestic and professional environments.Champion Personal Empowerment
Promote mindset practices and self-care frameworks (e.g. energy healing, muscle testing, journaling), as discussed by Tenya, to help individuals identify personal needs, boundaries, and self-healing pathways. Empower with choice and agency.Policy and Systemic Change
Advocate for robust mental health policies in workplaces and public services, mandating safe disclosure processes, access to varied support modalities (traditional and holistic), and practical mental health resources.Intergenerational Re-education
Support parents, leaders, and influencers to role model emotionally intelligent behaviours, boundary-setting, and self-compassion. Shift the narrative from “survive and cope” to “thrive and belong”.
Conclusion:
By addressing the root societal barriers to emotional openness and self-care, and embedding supportive practices at every touchpoint, we can cultivate a culture in which healing and belonging are tangible for all. This episode provides both inspiration and a call to action for such systemic change.
Canva Slider Checklist
Episode Carousel
Slide 1:
🌱 What if true healing starts with the courage to belong—first to yourself, then to others?
Slide 2:
✨ In Episode 180 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, mind-body-energy facilitator Tenya Eickenberg reveals how her search for safety sparked a journey into self-healing after years of emotional struggle.
Slide 3:
🧠 Explore the powerful connection between trapped emotions, muscle testing, and the freedom to release what no longer serves you. What if every decision, every boundary, transforms your inner world?
Slide 4:
💪 You’ll learn how self-care isn’t just surface-level—it’s reclaiming your own power, setting boundaries, and recognising when it’s time to rewrite your story. Healing truly begins with prioritising YOU.
Slide 5:
🎧 Ready to ignite your own sense of belonging and transform frustration into freedom?
Tap the link in our bio to listen to “Healing Begins with Belonging” on Inclusion Bites Podcast now!
#InclusionBites #Belonging #SelfCare #HealingJourney
6 major topics
Healing Begins with Belonging: Unpacking the True Power of Inclusion
Meta Description:
Join me as I recount my conversation with Tenya Eickenberg on the transformative journey towards genuine belonging, healing, and inclusion. Discover how self-care, emotional healing, energy work, and boundary-setting become vital ingredients for thriving in inclusive workplaces and communities.
Every week, I'm privileged to host trailblazers who challenge and inspire new ways of thinking about inclusion and transformation. In my conversation with Tenya Eickenberg, a mind-body-energy facilitator, we peeled back the layers of what it means to cultivate belonging, ignite personal healing, and nurture inclusive environments. Our dialogue was brimming with revelations—some practical, some deeply personal—each centred on the core belief that healing truly begins with belonging. Let me walk you through six major topics that stood out as we journeyed together.
The Foundations of Healing and Belonging
What does it truly mean to belong? This is not a simple question. With Tenya, I explored how belonging sets the stage for authentic healing, both individually and collectively. Tenya shared her transformative move to Maryland—a return to a community rich with memories but also new emotional landscapes. Curiosity: Can our environments—physical and relational—deeply influence our emotional wellbeing and sense of safety?
We quickly realised, healing and belonging are intertwined. Without a safe space, authentic emotional expression is stifled. Whether it’s reconnecting as partners whilst adjusting to an empty nest, or forging new bonds in unfamiliar communities, we uncovered how belonging allows for vulnerability—without shame or judgement. The workplace is no exception; fostering belonging must move beyond token gestures to real action.
Emotional Blocks and Energy Healing – A Pathway to Thriving
Energy healing was undoubtedly the most intriguing element Tenya brought to our conversation. She described her own journey navigating emotional and energetic blocks, questioning whether traditional methods—medication and talk therapy—were sustainable solutions for her. Instead, she turned to the "emotion code," leveraging muscle testing and intuition to release trapped emotions. Primary Keyword: inclusion. Curiosity: What if healing could be as simple as trusting your body’s own signals?
Tenya’s belief that our physical bodies harbour not only our lived traumas but generational ones challenged me to rethink ‘inclusion’—not merely as a workplace value, but as an invitation to deep personal integration. Through curiosity and self-awareness, we considered how energy healing promotes wholeness, something foundational when connecting authentically with others.
Boundary Setting: The Unsung Practice of Self-Care
Boundary setting emerged as an undercurrent throughout our discussion, particularly when Tenya recounted exchanges with family and the realisation that emotional wellbeing required new rules of engagement. But what are boundaries, really, in the context of inclusion? For many, setting boundaries means risking discomfort or confrontation, especially when those closest to us are the ones stepping over the line.
Curiosity: Are boundaries merely fences, or are they invitations for others to respect our space and perspective? Setting boundaries is an act of self-care, particularly vital for those committed to supporting others. And when boundaries are articulated and upheld—like responding decisively to messages that cross emotional lines—the result is authentic inclusion for oneself, which naturally ripples into relationships with others.
Self-Care Rethought: Personal Responsibility Before Anything Else
During our talk, Tenya challenged the traditional narrative of self-care. It’s not always about massages or meditative escapes—it can be as profound as permitting oneself to feel, to set boundaries, and to heal from within. Primary Keyword: inclusion. She contended that true self-care begins with prioritising emotional and mental pillars, and only then moves towards the physical or spiritual.
Curiosity: Are we truly giving ourselves permission to attend to our own needs, or are we busy tending to others, forgetting that “putting on one's oxygen mask first” isn’t selfish, but essential? For Tenya, self-care was the prelude to all other forms of healing and inclusion.
The Power of Personal Agency and Lightbulb Moments
We explored the pivotal moment when a person realises they have the power to heal themselves—a revelation Tenya called her “lightbulb moment.” But as I reflected, there’s another bulb beforehand: recognising the need to heal. This requires honest self-appraisal; asking whether life seems a perpetual struggle, or if frustrations persist that cannot easily be explained.
Curiosity: What internal signals prompt us to finally seek change, and how does agency—choosing to act—intersect with the process of inclusion? We found that healing is not only about the tools one uses, but about acknowledging pain, feeling it, and deciding to address it. Inclusion begins when we invite ourselves, and others, to participate fully in that journey.
Inclusion as a Collective Responsibility
Finally, our conversation returned to inclusion—not merely as policy but as daily practice. Healing, we affirmed, is not a solitary task. Inclusion within families, relationships, and workplaces requires ongoing reflection, accountability, and humility. Curiosity: How does modelling positive behaviour spark change in others, and what exemplars are needed in inclusive cultures?
The ripple effect is palpable—when we embody healthy choices, others follow. We become catalysts in nurturing environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
Conclusion: Embracing Belonging for True Inclusion
If there’s a single message to take from my thought-provoking exchange with Tenya Eickenberg, it’s that inclusion is a journey—personal and collective—rooted in belonging, healing, and agency. Whether it’s through setting boundaries, embarking on energy healing, or simply committing to daily self-care, inclusion is the constant thread that unites our stories, creates transformation, and gives meaning to our connections.
Ready to take action? Listen to further conversations or reach out with your story. Healing begins with belonging—and belonging is the essence of true inclusion.
Learn more and join the ongoing dialogue at Inclusion Bites.
TikTok Summary
✨ Healing Begins with Belonging ✨
Ever felt like you're hiding your true self just to fit in? Dive into this bold conversation with Joanne Lockwood and guest Tenya Eickenberg, as they unpack why true healing starts when you find where you really belong—mind, body, and soul. 🧠💬💖
From breaking generational cycles to owning your “enoughness”, this episode serves honesty, real moments, and actual steps to create real change. Ready to ignite YOUR spark of inclusion?
Listen to the full episode and join the movement:
👉 https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
#InclusionBites #Belonging #Healing #InclusiveCulture #MentalHealth #SeeChangeHappen
Slogans and Image Prompts
Certainly! Here’s a selection of compelling slogans, soundbites, quotes, and hashtags from the episode “Healing Begins with Belonging” that would translate beautifully onto merchandise or social media. For each, you’ll find an AI image generation prompt designed to evoke the episode’s atmosphere and themes—ensuring the goods are truly memorable and desirable.
1. Slogan:
“Healing Begins with Belonging”
Image Prompt:
Create an emotionally resonant illustration of diverse people standing in a supportive circle by a gentle shoreline, radiating warmth and connection. Subtle energies flow between them, forming a luminous tapestry of light. Include the text “Healing Begins with Belonging” in calm, flowing script. Earth tones, soft watercolours, and glowing accents to express hope and unity.
2. Soundbite:
“Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.”
Image Prompt:
Show a stylised airline safety card scene with two characters—one gently placing an oxygen mask on herself first. The backdrop transitions to a group of vibrant, flourishing flowers, symbolising support and self-care. Use bold colours, crisp outlines, and the slogan in elegant sans-serif font.
3. Quote:
“We have the power as human beings to heal ourselves from everything we do.”
Image Prompt:
Visualise a person meditating at sunrise atop a mountain, with vibrant streams of energy rising from their heart and hands into the sky. Surround them with subtle motifs of healing—lotus blooms, feathers, glowing orbs. Add the quote in graceful, handwritten lettering above the scene.
4. Soundbite:
“Your outer world starts to look like your inner world.”
Image Prompt:
Design a split scene: one half shows a tranquil, harmonious natural landscape; the other depicts the silhouette of a person with a vibrant internal universe, filled with abstract patterns and colours. Arrange the text beneath the two halves in modern, minimalist font.
5. Slogan:
“Ignite the Spark of Inclusion”
Image Prompt:
Illustrate a bright, dynamic spark leaping from joined hands of people of varied backgrounds. Surround the scene with radiant trails, suggesting propagation and energy. Overlay the slogan in bold, gradient-typeface reflecting optimism and action.
6. Quote:
“Every day is the first day. Take each day as it comes.”
Image Prompt:
A calendar turned to “Day One”, with rays of sunshine emerging behind it. Place this on a soft, pastel background. Near the calendar, sketch simplified faces, each showing a different emotion: hope, determination, joy. Display the quote in a gentle, rounded script.
7. Hashtag:
#MetamorphosisProject
Image Prompt:
Design a stylised butterfly with geometric wings morphing through stages of colour—grey to vibrant rainbow. The hashtag is integrated into the lower wing or body in bold type, giving a sense of evolution and transformation.
8. Soundbite:
“Nothing changes until it becomes a priority.”
Image Prompt:
Show a glowing spotlight illuminating a handwritten checklist, with the word “PRIORITY” highlighted. The background is a subtle gradient, symbolising possibilities. Add dynamic arrows and accents to convey motion and focus, with the soundbite elegantly scrolled along the base.
9. Quote:
“We’re not going to change because someone tells us to. We’ve got to find our own ‘why’.”
Image Prompt:
Depict a forked path in a vibrant forest—one direction lined with signposts reading “Advice”, the other blooming with wildflowers labelled “Why”, where a person stands considering their options. Overlay the text in full on an overhead scroll.
10. Hashtag:
#InclusionBites
Image Prompt:
Feature a stylised microphone at centre stage, flanked by diverse silhouettes leaning in together. Above, bold text: #InclusionBites. A background of energetic swirls and bright highlights signifies lively conversation and engagement.
Each of these slogans, soundbites, quotes, and hashtags is rooted directly in the transcripted conversation, embodying its spirit and philosophy. The AI image generation prompts are crafted to blend clarity and emotional appeal, ensuring they become striking visual elements for merchandise or content sharing.
Inclusion Bites Spotlight
Tenya Eickenberg, our featured guest on Healing Begins with Belonging—this month's spotlight episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast—offers an illuminating approach to healing, rooted in the practices of emotional self-care and energetic transformation. As a mind-body-energy facilitator, Tenya empowers people to identify and release emotional and energetic blocks, forging new pathways to authenticity and wellbeing.
Tenya's story resonates powerfully with anyone navigating change or wrestling with the burden of inherited beliefs and trauma. Drawing on personal experiences of transition, family dynamics, and the challenges of mental health, she highlights how ingrained societal norms and generational anxieties can shape, and sometimes restrict, our sense of belonging. Her methodology—spanning energy healing, muscle testing, and the emotion code—demonstrates that healing is not a passive process, but an active choice to confront and transform those deeply embedded patterns.
Central to Tenya’s philosophy is the assertion that healing requires vulnerability, self-reflection, and a conscious commitment to prioritising self-care. She explores the complexities of setting boundaries, overcoming shame, and evolving beyond mere survival—into genuine thriving. By creating safer spaces for honest expression, Tenya disrupts traditional narratives of strength and ‘stoicism’, proposing instead a holistic, compassionate model of personal and collective self-empowerment.
In this episode, Tenya and host Joanne Lockwood examine the intricate ways in which identity, belief systems, and inclusion intersect. Listeners are invited to question their own inherited narratives, reflect on the role of conscious choice in healing, and consider how energy and awareness can catalyse transformative change in both personal and workplace settings.
Healing Begins with Belonging is an essential listen for HR professionals, Inclusion advocates, and anyone seeking to break the cycle of stigma and silence around mental health. Tenya’s insights remind us that the journey to inclusion and self-actualisation starts with recognising our own needs, nurturing self-compassion, and, crucially, making the decision to take responsibility for healing.
Join us this month as we amplify voices like Tenya’s—championing real change, one bold conversation at a time.
YouTube Description
YouTube Description
What if the real path to healing isn’t just about self-care—but starts with belonging? In this powerful episode of Inclusion Bites, host Joanne Lockwood is joined by Tenya Eickenberg, a mind, body, energy facilitator, to dismantle the myths around emotional healing and offer a radical perspective: true transformation begins when we feel we belong.
Together, they dissect how generational trauma, societal norms, and inherited belief systems can hinder our sense of inclusion—not just in the workplace, but in our most personal spaces and relationships. Tenya reveals her own journey from emotional struggle and self-medication towards embracing energy healing as a way to break cycles, set healthy boundaries, and empower authenticity. Joanne challenges listeners to question everything they’ve been told about strength, vulnerability, and self-worth, underlining the necessity of creating safe spaces—internally and externally.
Key Insights:
Healing requires a conscious commitment to self-inquiry and boundary setting.
The intersection of emotional wellbeing, mindset, and systemic inclusion offers new tools for breaking unhelpful patterns.
Energy healing can be a powerful, complementary strategy for overhauling inherited trauma and rewriting internal narratives.
Sustainable change comes when we hold space for our own growth and allow others the freedom to embark on their journeys without judgement.
Takeaways & Actions:
Prioritise self-care as the foundation, not the full solution—address your emotional and mental wellbeing before physical actions.
Start by identifying—then upholding—your boundaries, especially with those closest to you.
Embrace the idea that no strategy is one-size-fits-all: healing is personal, nuanced, and ongoing.
Recognise that your own transformation radiates outward, positively shifting the environments and people around you.
Subscribe to Inclusion Bites for more challenging conversations that drive genuine societal change.
Expect to walk away challenging your own beliefs around healing, power, and connection—prepared to think, feel, and act with renewed authenticity and courage.
#InclusionBites #HealingBeginsWithBelonging #EmotionalWellbeing #RadicalSelfCare #EnergyHealing #BelongingMatters #TraumaRecovery #MindsetShift #SafeSpaces #PositivePeopleExperiences
🔗 Listen to the full episode: Inclusion Bites Podcast
💬 Want to share your story or join the conversation? Email Joanne: jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk
10 Question Quiz
Quiz: Healing Begins with Belonging — Based on the Host’s Insights
1. According to Joanne Lockwood, what is a core element in transitioning from simply 'belonging' to 'thriving' within inclusive cultures?
A) Following established traditions
B) Challenging the status quo
C) Remaining silent in adversity
D) Focusing solely on compliance
2. Joanne describes the podcast ‘Inclusion Bites’ as a space for:
A) Surface-level discussions on diversity
B) Disruptive and bold conversations
C) Entertainment without educational value
D) Academic lectures without lived experience
3. What is Joanne’s approach to listeners who wish to contribute to the podcast?
A) Viewers are passive and cannot engage
B) Only industry experts can participate
C) Any listener can share insights or join the conversation
D) Contributions are restricted to written submissions only
4. From the host’s perspective, what behaviour is essential for couples transitioning to ‘empty nesters’?
A) Reconnecting with each other as life partners
B) Ignoring the relationship and focusing on independence
C) Seeking constant external validation
D) Working longer hours to fill the void
5. When discussing mental health, Joanne notes a significant barrier that prevents individuals from seeking help. What is it?
A) Lack of medical facilities
B) Stigma, shame, and fear of failure
C) Overabundance of mental health resources
D) Simple lack of awareness about mental health issues
6. How does Joanne conceptualise the impact of consciousness on personal reality?
A) Reality is externally determined, independent of consciousness
B) Each person’s reality is shaped by individual consciousness
C) Reality is universal and objective for everyone
D) Consciousness has no bearing on wellbeing or healing
7. What practical example does Joanne use to explain conscious decision making?
A) Ignoring intuition
B) Mindfulness when making food choices
C) Relying exclusively on routine
D) Consulting an external authority before every decision
8. What phrase does Joanne invoke to capture the essence of self-care before helping others?
A) “Take care of others first and foremost”
B) “Put your own oxygen mask on first”
C) “Ignore your own needs for the sake of others”
D) “Delegate self-care to professionals”
9. What attitude does Joanne advocate when dealing with setbacks in personal change such as stopping smoking or drinking?
A) Self-criticism and shame
B) Acceptance, reflection, and moving forward
C) Denial and avoidance
D) Seeking punishment
10. How does Joanne suggest people can tell if they need healing or personal growth before taking further steps?
A) Waiting for external intervention
B) Self-reflection on feelings of frustration or hitting personal walls
C) Ignoring uncomfortable emotions
D) Relying on others to point out their flaws
Answer Key & Rationales
B) Challenging the status quo — Joanne explicitly frames the podcast as a platform that uncovers the unseen and challenges prevailing norms to reach true inclusion and thriving.
B) Disruptive and bold conversations — The podcast is positioned as “your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change.”
C) Any listener can share insights or join the conversation — Joanne encourages listeners to reach out and join the show, reflecting an open invitation to all.
A) Reconnecting with each other as life partners — Joanne discusses the importance of partners rediscovering each other after children leave home.
B) Stigma, shame, and fear of failure — Joanne mentions that stigma and shame are significant barriers preventing open discussion about mental health struggles.
B) Each person’s reality is shaped by individual consciousness — Joanne details her belief that reality is generated by each person's unique consciousness.
B) Mindfulness when making food choices — Joanne links conscious decision making to mindful awareness, using food selection as an example.
B) “Put your own oxygen mask on first” — Joanne encourages a self-prioritising approach to care in order to help others more effectively.
B) Acceptance, reflection, and moving forward — Joanne suggests that rather than self-criticism, one should accept choices and reflect for future improvement.
B) Self-reflection on feelings of frustration or hitting personal walls — Joanne explains that recognising frustration or a sense of being ‘stuck’ is a sign that personal healing is needed.
Summary Paragraph
Drawing upon Joanne Lockwood’s insights from Healing Begins with Belonging, the journey towards inclusion and personal transformation is anchored in consciously challenging established norms, engaging in reflective and bold conversations, and opening channels for everyone’s participation. Reconnection—especially crucial during life transitions—underscores the importance of prioritising relationships and self-care. Addressing mental health barriers involves confronting stigma and embracing the notion that each individual’s reality is uniquely shaped by their consciousness. Joanne champions mindfulness in daily decisions and asserts that self-care must precede assisting others, encapsulated in the mantra: “Put your own oxygen mask on first.” Personal setbacks should be met with acceptance and reflection, not shame, and the genuine need for growth is often revealed through feelings of frustration and hitting invisible walls, prompting necessary self-examination. Through these lenses, the podcast amplifies practical pathways for healing, belonging, and enduring transformation.
Rhyme Scheme and Rhythm Podcast Poetry
Healing Begins with Belonging
In quiet corners minds may roam,
Seeking rest – a gentle home,
Yet healing stirs when hearts belong,
A place where shadows turn to song.
Emotions buried, aches concealed,
Behind each smile, what’s left unhealed?
A hidden weight, a sigh, a scar,
We travel inward, near and far.
Belief unspoken shapes our creed,
Inherited pain, unvoiced need,
With every step, each year we find
Our burdens echo in the mind.
How easy, though, to numb the pain,
With habits learned in wind and rain,
But patterns caught can slip away,
Through love, self-care, and courage’s sway.
Connection weaves its gentle thread,
A nest for kindness gently spread,
For in the act of letting go,
Old wounds reveal new light below.
If walls persist, if hope seems thin,
Pause and ask: ‘What lies within?’
To heal, release, and softly mend,
Is to allow the heart to bend.
The strength to choose, the will to try,
To hold your spirit, not deny,
By conscious habit, gentle word,
Each day a promise, deeply heard.
Give space, set boundaries, find your ground,
Let scattered pieces gather sound,
From struggle blooms a vibrant peace,
Where self-acceptance grants release.
For those who feel alone, unseen,
Let simple moments intervene—
One breath, one step, one mindful hour,
Belonging’s magic lends its power.
If you’ve found solace in this tale,
Share and let its message sail—
Invite a friend to join the stream,
And plant the seed for change unseen.
With thanks to Tenya Eickenberg for a fascinating podcast episode.
Subscribe and spread the word for more bold conversations.
Key Learnings
Key Learning & Takeaway:
Healing and personal transformation begin with a genuine sense of belonging—both to oneself and within a supportive community. This episode highlights the importance of recognising your own needs, prioritising self-care, and understanding that true healing is a multidimensional journey involving emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual facets. Real, lasting change only occurs when individuals feel empowered to explore, acknowledge, and release what no longer serves them, making way for authenticity and deeper connection.
Point #1: The Power of Safe Spaces
Feeling safe—emotionally and psychologically—is foundational to healing and transformation. Tenya’s journey began by recognising her need for a safe space where she could address mental health challenges honestly, without fear or stigma. This underscores the importance of cultivating environments where vulnerability is welcomed and supported.
Point #2: Emotional Intelligence and Authenticity
Both Tenya and Joanne discuss the value of emotional intelligence—embracing and expressing feelings rather than suppressing them. Authentic self-reflection, paired with a willingness to experience and process emotions, paves the way for resilience, growth, and genuine connection with others.
Point #3: Individual Empowerment in Healing
The episode places emphasis on personal responsibility and agency in one’s healing journey. Techniques such as muscle testing, developing intuitive self-awareness, and setting boundaries are foregrounded as tools for individuals to identify and release emotional and energetic blocks, supporting their unique path to well-being.
Point #4: The Ripple Effect of Self-Care
Prioritising self-care not only improves personal well-being, but also positively influences family, friends, and communities. As illustrated through Joanne and Tenya’s personal stories, when we model intentional self-care and healthy boundaries, we empower others to do the same, generating a culture of inclusion and collective upliftment.
For more transformative conversations, visit Inclusion Bites or contact Joanne Lockwood at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Book Outline
Book Outline: Healing Begins with Belonging
Preliminary Processing
Redundancies Removed: All conversational filler and off-topic segments have been omitted, ensuring a focus on personal experiences, insights on healing, and frameworks for transformation.
Segmentation: The transcript is segmented into thematic sections—family, emotional journey, healing modalities, barriers, self-care, and empowerment—reflecting the natural progression of the guest’s lived experience.
Speaker Identification: All content for this outline is derived exclusively from the guest’s perspective, integrating direct quotes and anecdotal examples for authenticity.
1. Introduction: The Search for Belonging
Keywords: safe space, family, transformation, emotional blocks, empowerment
Summary: Opens with the premise of seeking belonging, contextualised within major life transitions—children leaving home, becoming an empty nester, expectations versus reality, and the emotional significance of relationships. This chapter sets the scene for a personal journey into healing.
Subheadings:
The Empty Nest Years: Navigating Change
Foundational Relationships: Lessons in Partnership
Expectation versus Experience: Moving Towards ‘Home’
Quote Example:
“There was this vision of what life would be like, moving back to a place filled with memories, only to realise reality was quite different.”
2. The Descent: When Healing is Needed
Keywords: emotional stress, isolation, self-medication, trauma, crisis
Summary: Explores the trigger points and onset of emotional distress—family fallout, substance reliance, and the realisation that support and safe spaces are lacking.
Subheadings:
Triggers and Transitions: Recognising Emotional Pain
Coping Mechanisms: Smoking, Drinking, and Suppression
The Stigma of Mental Health: Fear and Silence
Quote Example:
“I knew things were getting bad when I’d drive home and imagine crashing into a telephone pole, just for a moment’s relief.”
3. The Turning Point: Seeking Help
Keywords: therapy, medication, mental health, stigma, inherited trauma
Summary: Accounts initial help-seeking via conventional routes (therapy, medication), the inadequacy of these approaches, and barriers to expressing vulnerability.
Subheadings:
Conventional Support: Therapy and Medication
The Inherited Burden: Family Mental Health
The Shame Factor: Speaking the Unspeakable
Quote Example:
“Sharing you’re thinking of hurting yourself with someone you don’t know is hard. With someone you do know is even harder.”
4. The Awakening: Discovering Energy Healing
Keywords: energy, law of attraction, emotion code, self-healing, scepticism
Summary: Details the introduction to alternative healing practices—energy work, the ‘emotion code’, and the paradigm shift from management to cure.
Subheadings:
Introduction to Energy Work: Beyond Chemicals
Scepticism and Acceptance: A New Modality
Clearing the Blocks: Muscle Testing and Emotional Release
Quote Example:
“I wasn’t looking to survive through mental illness—I wanted it gone.”
5. The Process: Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit
Keywords: consciousness, belief systems, trauma energies, spiritual healing
Summary: Breaks down the holistic nature of healing, integrating spiritual, psychological, and bodily perspectives, and the practical steps for self-assessment and release.
Subheadings:
Mindset and Belief: Shifting Internal Narratives
The Body Remembers: Trapped Emotions in Physical Form
Healing Across Lifetimes: The Soul’s Experience
Quote Example:
“It’s not just about the mind. Your body holds onto traumas your conscious mind can’t recall.”
6. The Practice: Tools and Techniques for Self-Healing
Keywords: muscle testing, intuition, self-diagnosis, personal empowerment
Summary: Introduces practical self-care and energy healing methods, emphasising personal responsibility, experimentation, and persistent self-reflection.
Subheadings:
Learning to Muscle Test: Intuitive Tuning
Making Healing Choices: Mindful Decision-Making
Symbolic Release: Exercises for Emotional Freedom
Quote Example:
“You can snap your fingers, blow it out with a breath—whatever empowers you to let it go.”
7. Barriers to Healing: Accountability and Boundaries
Keywords: boundaries, people-pleasing, self-care, empowerment
Summary: Examines ongoing challenges—tendency to people-please, setting boundaries, and the necessity of prioritising oneself for true transformation.
Subheadings:
Recognising Boundary Violations: Signs and Self-Reflection
The Power of Saying No: Upholding Consequences
Learning from the Journey: No Room for Shame
Quote Example:
“We have the power to heal ourselves, but how deeply ingrained is what you’re trying to heal, and do you really want to?”
8. Integration: Living the Empowered Life
Keywords: consistency, growth, personal responsibility, holistic health
Summary: Addresses integrating new habits, balancing the five pillars of health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, energetic), and long-term transformation.
Subheadings:
Every Day is Day One: Reaffirming Your Choices
The Five Pillars of Wellbeing: Beyond the Physical
The Ripple Effect: Modelling Change for Others
Quote Example:
“Take care of you first, so that you can be there for others.”
9. Action Steps: Practical Guidance for Readers
Keywords: self-assessment, exercises, reflection, daily practice
Summary: Offers interactive elements—reflection questions, practical exercises, and guidance for starting one’s own journey of healing.
Subheadings:
Self-Reflection: Assessing Readiness for Change
Starting Small: Choosing Your Pillar
Maintaining Progress: Strategies for Consistency
Visual Aids Suggestions:
Flowchart of emotional triggers and responses
Diagram of ‘trapped emotions’ in the body
Daily affirmation worksheet
Interactive Elements:
End-of-chapter reflection prompts
Self-assessment quiz: “Are You Ready to Heal?”
Personal action checklist
10. Conclusion: The Lightbulb Moment and Call to Action
Keywords: empowerment, transformation, personal narrative, ongoing journey
Summary: Synthesises the journey, reaffirming personal empowerment, the value of self-healing, and inviting readers to take ownership of their transformation.
Subheadings:
Summary of Insights: Healing Begins with Belonging
Call to Action: Start Your Journey Today
Resources for Further Exploration
Quote Example:
“Just take each day as it’s the first day—don’t worry about tomorrow, and don't dwell on yesterday.”
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Sets out the emotional context for the journey, framing belonging as both a destination and a starting place for healing.
The Descent: Details the cyclical nature of stress and trauma, providing vivid anecdotes to illustrate mental health struggles.
The Turning Point: Explores the limitations of traditional mental health support, highlighting why alternative approaches beckon.
The Awakening: Narrates the shift towards energy healing, demystifying new methodologies and opening doors to possibility.
The Process: Integrates the importance of mind, body, and spirit, bridging science, spirituality, and experience.
The Practice: Offers actionable insights and self-healing techniques, underscoring the trial-and-error nature of finding what works.
Barriers to Healing: Highlights psychological blocks, cultural conditioning, and the journey towards true self-care and boundary setting.
Integration: Suggests sustainable ways to live out healing, cultivate wellbeing, and influence wider culture by example.
Action Steps: Practical exercises empower the reader to begin applying insights and tailor their own transformative journey.
Conclusion: Provides closure, encouragement, and a clear invitation to continued engagement and self-development.
Suggestions for Book Titles
Healing Begins with Belonging: Energy, Emotion, and the Journey to Wholeness
Brave Enough to Heal: Becoming Your Most Authentic Self
The Power Within: Transforming Trauma and Finding Belonging
Release What No Longer Serves: A Guide to Energy Healing and Empowerment
Unseen Wounds, Unstoppable Healing: Finding Connection Through Energy and Self-Care
Refinement and Feedback Loop
Review Process: Send outline to subject matter experts in emotional wellbeing, energy healing, and trauma-informed practice.
Feedback Integration: Hold test-reader focus groups for clarity, accessibility, and relevance.
Regular Revisions: Update structure and chapter content to reflect contemporary research, best practices, and evolving insights.
Final Notes
Ensure visual and interactive elements are integrated to engage readers and support comprehension.
Supplement anecdotes and techniques with updated research and further reading.
Maintain an accessible yet expert tone, providing a roadmap that is both grounded and aspirational.
This book outline transfers the experiential wisdom of the podcast guest into a transformative resource for anyone seeking practical pathways to healing, belonging, and personal growth.
Maxims to live by…
Maxims for Healing and Belonging
Healing Begins with Belonging: True transformation starts when you allow yourself to feel seen, heard, and connected.
Prioritise Self-Care Relentlessly: You are your own first responsibility—nourish your emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and energetic wellbeing.
Set Boundaries, Uphold Consequences: Clearly define your limits and ensure they are respected to protect your peace.
Own Your Healing Journey: Only you can take the first step—acknowledge areas in need of growth and pursue healing with intention.
Release What No Longer Serves You: Let go of old beliefs, traumas, and inherited patterns that hinder your authenticity.
Practise Mindful Self-Awareness: Slow down and consciously observe your habits and triggers to make intentional choices.
Embrace Emotional Authenticity: Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions without shame or suppression; vulnerability is a strength.
Reframe the Narrative: Challenge inherited beliefs and societal scripts; question, “Does this serve me now?”
Stay Open to New Approaches: Be willing to explore modalities that resonate with your intuition, whether traditional or alternative.
Act on Personal Agency: Healing, progress, and joy are possible when you take empowered action for yourself.
Foster Connection with Mind, Body, and Spirit: Wholeness comes from integrating all aspects of your being, not neglecting any one pillar.
Seek Safe Spaces and Community: Cultivate relationships and environments where you can be your whole self.
Model Positive Change: Inspire those around you, not by forcing change upon them, but by exemplifying the life and growth you wish to see.
Recognise Progress, Not Perfection: Each day is a fresh start—celebrate steps taken, rather than fixating on setbacks.
Forgive Yourself and Others: Offer compassion for the missteps of yourself and those around you on the journey of growth.
Question Authority, Not Your Intrinsic Worth: Authority figures and societal norms may dictate, but only you can define your reality.
Let Go with Intention: Create rituals, symbols, or affirmations to actively release that which weighs you down.
Lean Into Discomfort for Growth: Transformation often requires sitting with discomfort and uncertainty—progress is found beyond the comfort zone.
Embrace Interdependence: Whilst self-reliance is vital, seek collective support and contribute to shared belonging.
Begin Again, Every Day: Healing is a journey best travelled daily; each morning invites a new opportunity to choose differently.
Let these maxims guide your life towards thriving, conscious connection, and genuine belonging.
Extended YouTube Description
Healing Begins with Belonging | The Inclusion Bites Podcast Ep. 180
Unlocking emotional healing, embracing belonging, and transforming your inclusive culture with Tenya Eickenberg and Joanne Lockwood
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview
02:30 – Navigating Major Life Changes: Becoming Empty Nesters
06:02 – The Journey Towards Healing: Safe Spaces and Transformation
13:11 – Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health, Emotions, and Societal Expectations
20:29 – Energy Healing Explained: Techniques, Theories, and Myths
30:06 – Trauma, Boundaries, and Body-Mind Connection
40:13 – Self-Care and Personal Responsibility: Building a Resilient Inclusive Culture
48:21 – Recognising the Need for Healing and Next Steps
54:17 – Connect with Tenya Eickenberg and Further Resources
Video Description
Welcome to episode 180 of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, "Healing Begins with Belonging." Hosted by renowned inclusion strategist Joanne Lockwood, this powerful conversation features mind, body, and energy facilitator Tenya Eickenberg. Together, they delve into the deep links between healing, belonging, and the creation of genuinely inclusive spaces – both in the workplace and in our personal lives.
Key Takeaways & Themes:
Emotional Healing & Safe Spaces: Discover why true healing begins when we feel a sense of belonging. Tenya shares her personal journey of overcoming emotional blocks, family challenges, and mental health stigma by seeking—and later creating—safe, transformative spaces.
Energy Healing & Personal Growth: Learn how energy work like muscle testing and the Emotion Code can help release trapped emotions and inherited trauma. Challenge your beliefs about healing and the power of the body-mind connection.
Practical Self-Care Strategies: Benefit from actionable tips for developing emotional intelligence, setting boundaries, and making self-care an attainable part of your daily routine—even during busy periods or significant life transitions.
Inclusion & Cultural Transformation: Understand the intersection of personal healing with organisational change. Joanne and Tenya discuss how fostering inclusion and psychological safety at every level drives team and societal transformation.
Shifting Mindsets: Break free from limiting beliefs and become empowered to be the architect of your own healing. The episode explores shifting from managing symptoms to seeking holistic well-being—for yourself and those you support.
Who’s This For?
Perfect for diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) champions, HR professionals, wellbeing advocates, leaders, and anyone eager for authentic, actionable conversations about belonging, healing, and driving positive change.
Why Watch?
Gain practical tools to improve mental health and foster resilience in your team; develop understanding of holistic approaches to inclusion; and reinvigorate your passion for building cultures where everyone thrives—not just survives.
⚡️ Subscribe for more actionable inclusion insights and bold conversations that drive real change!
🔗 Visit: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen for resources, show notes, and contact details.
👉 Share your story or join future episodes: Email jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk
🎥 Watch another episode: [Recommended video card/playlist]
Suggested Hashtags:
#InclusionBites #Belonging #EmotionalHealing #Inclusion #DiversityAndInclusion #Wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #WorkplaceCulture #PersonalDevelopment #EnergyHealing #SelfCare
How These Insights Benefit You:
By weaving personal reflection with professional expertise, this episode equips you to spot signs of emotional strain, support staff or loved ones, and develop healthier boundaries. Whether navigating your own healing or working to craft inclusive, psychologically safe environments, you’ll find fresh tactics and thought leadership to elevate both your day-to-day and long-term DEI strategies.
Empower yourself and your organisation: Healing truly does begin with belonging. Connect, learn, and become part of a movement transforming inclusion from a box-ticking exercise to a lived, thriving reality.
Thank you for being part of the Inclusion Bites community. Subscribe, comment, and share to inspire change—one bold conversation at a time.
Substack Post
Healing Begins with Belonging: Reimagining Workplace Inclusion
Is it really possible to nurture belonging in environments shaped by years of tradition, cultural baggage, and the pressures of organisational life? So often, workplaces chase diversity numbers or fixate on compliance, yet the genuine feeling of being seen, heard, and valued remains both elusive and rare. If you've ever wondered why some teams flourish whilst others fumble—despite well-intended DEI initiatives—it's time we dig beneath the surface.
This week on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, I invited Tenya Eickenberg—a mind, body, and energy facilitator, all the way from Maryland, USA—for a conversation exploring the transformative relationship between belonging and healing. Whether you’re HR, a D&I lead, a Talent professional, or guiding organisational learning, I believe this episode offers a new lens and actionable strategies to create spaces where people truly thrive.
Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Spaces Where Healing Is Possible
Our episode, "Healing Begins with Belonging" peels back the layers of what it means to belong—not as a passive tick-box exercise, but as an active ingredient in individual and collective wellbeing. Tenya shares her personal journey, leading from a challenging period of isolation and familial stress, through self-medication and ultimately to discovery of energy healing and emotional release modalities.
We talk candidly about what happens when people don’t feel psychologically safe: from suppressed emotions to the toll of internalised stigma, and the subtle cues that push us further away from authentic connection. For any professional tasked with shaping people-centred culture, this episode offers both practical wisdom and lived experience to guide your thinking.
Insights for DEI Leaders and People Professionals
Tenya’s story spotlights the very real barriers to mental health support; feeling unsafe, unheard, and misunderstood by professionals who lean too heavily on “standard” approaches. How often do our own policies, practices, or management styles inadvertently reinforce this sense of alienation—especially among those already grappling with stress or trauma?
Here’s where the conversation takes on new depth, as we challenge received wisdom about emotional vulnerability, the “chemical imbalance” narrative, and the inherited patterns that shape our beliefs about wellbeing. We explore:
The ripple effect of familial and cultural inheritance: How family patterns and entrenched belief systems influence both our wellbeing and our workplace experiences.
Energy healing as a pathway to self-agency: Why non-traditional modalities (like the Emotion Code, muscle testing, and embodied intuition) might offer escape routes for those who find conventional medical approaches lacking.
The importance of safe spaces: Why psychological safety is essential—not just for individual healing, but for thriving, creative, human-centred workplaces.
Sharpen Your DEI Toolbox: Lessons from the Conversation
If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level gestures and create lasting change, here are a few actionable strategies distilled from my conversation with Tenya:
Prioritise Emotional Safety
Cultivate environments where people can safely feel, express, and explore emotions—without fear of stigma or repercussion. Are your teams encouraged to bring their whole selves, even the messy bits?
Champion Self-Agency in Healing
Empower individuals to own their journey—encourage them to find methods (from self-care to energy work) that suit their unique needs, rather than just shuffling them towards “standard” solutions.
Name and Challenge Inherited Patterns
Invite honest reflection on inherited beliefs and family narratives that shape emotional responses. Support staff to define their own boundaries and values, even when these differ from entrenched organisational culture.
Model Authentic Vulnerability
Lead by example in talking openly about ups and downs, without fear of judgement. It's not about oversharing, but rather normalising that real people face real struggles—and that's perfectly ordinary.
Commit to Multi-Dimensional Wellness
Recognise that healing is multi-faceted—encompassing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Shift team conversations from “what’s wrong with you?” to “what do you need right now?”
A Moment to Pause: Watch and Reflect
Before you dive into the full episode, I encourage you to take a moment and watch this one-minute audiogram—a highlight that captures Tenya’s candid reflections on emotional authenticity and self-care. In just sixty seconds, you’ll glean the essence of our conversation and perhaps spot a moment of truth that resonates with your own experience. Watch the audiogram now.
Listen, Share, and Spark a Dialogue
To unearth the full depth of our discussion—and hear Tenya’s insights on how energy-based approaches can complement organisational wellbeing strategies—listen to the complete episode here: Healing Begins with Belonging.
Feel free to share this link with colleagues, teams, and professional circles. Whether it’s the HR department or your local leadership huddle, these ideas ripple outwards and inspire change. Inclusion isn’t an isolated project; it’s a collective journey. Let’s pull up a chair for conversations that matter.
Turning Insight into Action: Where Do You Begin?
So, as you reflect on this episode, I invite you to consider: In your day-to-day leadership, whose voices still remain unheard—and what is one thing you could do, today, to build a greater sense of belonging and emotional safety?
It’s tempting to focus on programmes, policies, and KPIs. Yet, perhaps authentic action begins with asking better questions, sharing more of ourselves, and daring to disrupt the patterns that confine us. How will you pioneer belonging in your world?
Stay Connected and Inspired
Let’s keep weaving the threads of inclusion together. Stay in touch and continue the conversation:
YouTube – For more episode highlights
TikTok – Discover short-form insights
LinkedIn – Join the ongoing dialogue
Website – Explore resources, articles, and support
I’m always here if you wish to chat about your organisation’s inclusion journey, speaking engagements, or bespoke support—just drop me a line at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
The power to heal—and to belong—lies within each of us, waiting for the spark. What small step will you take this week?
With warmth and resolve,
Joanne Lockwood
Host of the Inclusion Bites Podcast
The Inclusive Culture Expert at SEE Change Happen
1st Person Narrative Content
Healing Begins with Belonging: My Journey Through Complexity, Connection, and Self-Awareness
“If you’re feeling frustrated with life, if you keep running into walls every time you try to move forward, there are things inside you that need to be healed—that’s not a sign of weakness, it’s the beginning of power.” It’s a truth that has shaped my life and my work as a mind, body, and energy facilitator, but it took real hardship—moments of pain, confusion, and radical self-honesty—before I could truly internalise it.
This isn’t a story about heroics or overnight transformation; it’s the lived experience of learning how belonging is the core of healing, and how the spaces we create—for ourselves and others—are the crucibles in which we finally release what doesn’t serve us. Recently, I had the privilege of exploring these ideas in conversation with Joanne Lockwood, host of the Inclusion Bites Podcast and founder of SEE Change Happen, whose career as a change-maker speaks for itself. Her fearless approach to disrupting norms and challenging the status quo draws out the best in her guests, and this was no exception. More than [INSERT_VIEW_COUNT] people have already watched our interview on YouTube, with many more tuning in via Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
If this conversation sparks something for you—questions, pushback, or agreement—I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I read every one.
Why Healing and Belonging Are Inextricably Linked
Sometimes the most profound realisations strike in the unlikeliest moments. For me, it began in 2018, at what should have been a crossroads of celebration: my husband and our eldest were graduating college, our twins finishing high school, and we were moving into our dream home by the Chesapeake Bay. But beneath the surface, I found myself isolated, emotionally raw, and eventually, almost flattened by the weight of old wounds.
I came to understand that belonging—and the absence of it—is the crucible in which our emotional patterns are forged or broken. “I was looking for a safe space,” I said to Joanne, “but I couldn’t find one. Not at home, not in my social circles, not even within myself.”
Joanne’s response was characteristic: “It’s all caught up in stigma and shame, guilt, not being strong enough… Having to admit it makes me feel more of a failure.” She highlighted what so many of us face: to show up authentically means facing a wall of judgement—from others, but first and foremost from ourselves.
This is where the conversation sharpened: the real work isn’t in hiding pain or avoiding discomfort. It’s in making space for imperfection, for emotion, and for the tangled, often messy reality of what it means to be human. Belonging, I learned, is not about fitting in—it’s about giving ourselves permission to feel, to heal, and ultimately, to thrive.
The Trap of Suppression—And the Slow Road Out
How much of our pain comes down to what we repress, avoid, or self-medicate away? In my case, the answer was staggering. After a particularly fraught falling-out with my mother, I found myself slipping back into old patterns—smoking after years of quitting, drinking to numb my anxiety—and justifying every transgression as “what people do at the beach.”
But the truth, as Joanne gently observed, is harsher. “If you sit on the sofa looking at each other going, what are we going to do now? It’s a real strange feeling… It’s important to reconnect, isn’t it?” Her words echoed a broader truth: until we confront the discomfort and the stories underneath, we’re just chasing symptoms.
There’s a pattern I see in high-achieving leaders and change agents—the conviction that “having emotions makes us feel broken,” as I put it candidly. Even now, expressing vulnerability carries a weight. In public, I still catch myself stifling tears, fearing attention or discomfort.
But healing is not found in denial; it’s in acceptance and expression. Joanne summarised it well: “Are we leaning into that, or are we leaning out from it? How are we feeling if we’ve lent into it?” The way forward involves self-awareness—step by difficult step.
Inherited Trauma and the Power of Personal Belief
As Joanne and I delved deeper, the subject of inherited trauma emerged. With a family history of bipolar disorder, I spent years fearing what might be passed down—the genetic ticking clock, the predisposition to pain. But I had a reckoning: “Whatever my mum gets starts with her and ends with her.” This belief, counterintuitive though it may seem, became my shield against the narrative of inevitability.
Joanne framed the issue: “Can you see the triggers and the steps that were sucking you in…? Looking back… these were boosting brain chemicals that made you feel better about yourself or less worse.” That capacity for introspection is invaluable; it teaches us that while we can’t change our inheritance, we can alter our relationship to it.
Energy work came into my life at this turning point—a method for identifying and releasing the “trapped emotions” lodged not just in the mind, but in the body and subconscious. I was sceptical at first, but I saw the results in real time. There was no purple Kool Aid, no chemical crutch; only the slow, deliberate work of reconnecting.
This is a lesson for anyone feeling stuck in generational patterns or narratives: your story need not be inherited. With intention, belief, and the right modalities, we can rewrite it.
Reprogramming Reality—Mind, Body, and Something More
Do we truly generate our own realities? Joanne posed that question, and it resonated at the deepest level. Our consciousness—the mysterious, electric soup that makes us human—transforms every experience, colour, flavour, and relationship through its own lens. “How I define blue in my mind isn’t necessarily how you define blue in your mind,” she mused.
It’s not just cerebral. Trapped emotions, trauma, and energies live everywhere—in our shoulders, our hips, even our organs. That’s not theory or spirituality for its own sake; it’s the lived observation that the body stores what the mind cannot process.
Energy healing uses techniques like muscle testing—tuning into the body's intuitions to reveal what most needs to be released. The stories we tell ourselves, the automatic choices we make (that unwanted snack, that old habit), are often rooted in unconscious energies. To break free, we need to bring them into awareness, then offer ourselves the symbolic, literal permission to let go.
Joanne summed it up perfectly: “Moving it from unconscious decision making to conscious decision making.” When making choices, it’s about slowing down, checking in, and acting with intention. Sometimes, that means giving yourself permission to eat the chocolate bar—and sometimes, it means choosing otherwise.
Personal responsibility lies at the heart of change. Our bodies, minds, and souls collaborate; when we attend to one, we must honour the rest.
Self-Care, Boundaries, and the Five Pillars of Wellbeing
By the time the conversation turned to self-care, both Joanne and I had touched on the notion of foundational change. There’s a temptation in modern life—especially in achievement-oriented cultures—to focus solely on outward metrics: diplomas, promotions, relationships, milestones. But when we neglect self-care, the whole edifice begins to crack.
For me, self-care commenced in the emotional and mental domains: “My self-care was relearning how to be a emotionally intelligent and healthy minded person… It wasn’t about going for weekly massages or getting my nails done.” The process demanded conscious attention to boundaries, behaviour, and how I showed up for myself before others.
Joanne brought the point home with her own story: “You’ve got to find that why, their own why, why do I want to stop?” Transformation doesn’t happen because someone tells us to change—it happens because the pain of staying the same outweighs the risk of changing.
I’ve seen in my own family that self-care is infectious. When I made conscious shifts—quitting smoking, giving up alcohol, redefining my relationship with food—the ripple effect was undeniable. People around us begin to take permission from the example we set. We model that “better-behaved” isn't shame-laden; it’s possibility-rich.
Yet, this is never a solo journey. Joanne reminded me: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.” For years, I played the role of carer, fixer, and rescuer—at the expense of my own needs. Only when I paused and set boundaries could I finally grow. It’s counterintuitive, even uncomfortable at first, but it’s the only route to sustainable change.
Recognising the Need to Heal—And the Moment of Power
What precedes every transformation? The recognition that healing is needed in the first place. There's no formula for this; sometimes it manifests as frustration, stagnation, or a persistent feeling that, despite apparent success, something essential is missing.
“You know, just sit back and just, just, just think, is there something in me that I need to address on a deeper level?” I asked. “Your conscious mind will say, ‘no there’s not.’ Your ego will say ‘no there’s not.’ But if you’re human, there’s something to heal if you’re feeling frustrated with life.”
After realisation comes the light bulb moment: not only do we need healing, but we possess the power to begin. Joanne put it sharply: “The first bulb: I need to do something. Second light bulb fires. I have the power to do it myself.”
That step from passivity to agency—the flicker of self-trust—is the threshold we all must cross. Whether the journey involves traditional therapy, energy modalities, medical intervention, or daily affirmation, it is only we who can take the first step.
Practical Steps: Harnessing the Power of Self-Healing
It would be negligent to talk transformation without also discussing tactics. Healing is neither accidental nor solely motivational; it’s grounded in repeatable practices.
For those unsure where to begin, here’s my distilled guidance: start with self-care in just one domain—emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, or energetic. Don’t try to master them all at once. Identify the pillar that feels most in need of attention. Then, commit.
Muscle testing, energy work, journaling, therapy—these are tools, but they are only effective when paired with self-honesty and consistency. “If that means you have to get up an hour earlier and go to bed an hour earlier, then that’s what you do.” It’s not about having time; it’s about making what matters a priority. Those who claim otherwise simply haven't reached the necessary pain point or awakening—yet.
Above all, approach the process with curiosity rather than criticism. If you slip up, don’t let shame take root. “Just take each day as it’s the first day. Really, don’t worry about tomorrow… Don’t worry about what you did yesterday because you can’t change the past.”
The Role of Community—And Where We Go Next
If this journey has taught me anything, it's that belonging is not passive; it's forged in connection, honesty, and vulnerability. Healing begins with belonging, but it expands outward—rippling through teams, families, and organisations.
Joanne Lockwood’s Inclusion Bites Podcast embodies this ethos. Her capacity to challenge, cajole, and create space for ambition without judgement is the mark of a true leader. SEE Change Happen isn’t just a slogan—it’s a call to arms. If you’re ready to begin, my invitation is simple: reach out, set the intention, and know that you are not alone.
We read stories like this to find ourselves reflected. Somewhere in this narrative, you may recognise your own moments of suppression, your inherited narratives, or the long-delayed acknowledgement that something must change. If so, you’re already halfway there.
The punchline, and my closing thought, echoes where I started: Healing is not a cure, it’s a process—a journey through complexity in pursuit of genuine belonging. Every day is a first day; every moment of self-awareness is cause for celebration. The spark of change lives within each of us, waiting for that flash of permission. Let it ignite.
If you’d like to connect further, discuss these ideas, or explore the world of energy work and self-healing, I welcome your insights, feedback, and stories in the comments below. The journey to inclusion starts with you—but expands infinitely once you choose to belong.
Song Lyrics from Episode
Title
Light the Healing In
Synopsis
Episode 180 — Drawing from “Healing Begins with Belonging,” this song journeys through loneliness, struggle, and the brave act of choosing self-care. Empowering yet honest, it walks the listener from feeling stuck behind invisible walls to claiming space for vulnerability, boundaries, and connection. Gentle, indie-acoustic energy carries a resolute, compassionate female vocal—a rallying call to trust your own power to heal.
Vibe
Empowering, reflective, emotional-but-grounded. Soft indie pop, country-acoustic blend with warm guitar, atmospheric pads, steady percussion. Gentle verses build into an uplifting, confident chorus. Female vocals intimate yet resolute.
Lyrics
Verse 1
I packed my heart in borrowed boxes,
Carried old aches in my skin.
Walked to the water wanting silence,
Hoping the waves would let me in.
But morning comes and there’s a choice—
To feel or turn away.
And every scar becomes a guide,
Where healing finds its way.
Verse 2
I held my breath through love and letdowns,
Learned how to smile when I was numb.
Built up my walls with “I’m just fine,”
Til being strong left me undone.
But courage isn’t in the hiding,
It’s in the letting go.
When I name the cracks and invite the light,
That’s when I start to grow.
Chorus
Light the healing in,
Let it burn right through the skin.
It’s not weakness to surrender,
It’s power to begin.
This is not surviving—
This is how I win.
With every breath, with every boundary—
Belonging lets me mend.
Light the healing in.
Verse 3
There’s grace in starting over daily,
No shame in falling short.
I’ll choose the hard truth over silence—
Rewrite “failure” into “more.”
Because bitter pills and hollow coping,
Fed me lies I can’t believe.
Now honesty turns to medicine,
And I hold what I receive.
Bridge
So tell me where it hurts—don’t cover,
Let tears say what words can’t find.
I’ll hold your hand while the old ways shudder,
And walk us out into the kind.
It’s not about perfection,
But the courage to stay seen.
We build a home where hearts uncover
The space to simply be.
Final Chorus (Lifted)
Light the healing in,
Let every crack begin.
We’re braver when we’re honest,
We’re stronger when we bend.
This is more than making do—
This is life relearnt again.
With every truth, with every moment—
Belonging lets us mend.
Light the healing in.
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