Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this special Mother's Day meditation, I offer a sacred rest practice centered around the profound truth that we all deserve to be held. When I ask people "What part of you is most in need of rest?", mothers often respond that they need permission to receive support rather than always being the one who holds others. This meditation honors the sacred relationship between mothers and children in all its complexity—for those mothering, those being mothered, and the child and mother that live within each of us. This practice reminds us that "every mother in your lineage that has ever been, exists within you." It creates space for both mothers and children—for those who are gone and those who remain, for those who are sick and those who care, for those who long for softness and those who provide it. Perfect for anyone navigating the complex terrain of mothering or being mothered, this rest practice offers a sacred pause to honor our interconnection across generations. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! When I ask people "What part of you is most in need of rest?", I've found that about 80% identify their mind. This comes as no surprise, as our mental activity can be relentless—whether it's recurring thoughts on a loop or simply too many thoughts competing for attention at once. In this rest practice, I explore this common experience. As you listen, I guide you through: Choosing between sitting upright or lying down (I suggest sitting can help with attention when seeking mental rest) Scanning your body from bottom to top, top to bottom, and left to right Noticing where your attention is naturally drawn in your body Releasing tension and providing support where needed Softening different parts of your body systematically Using the mantra "Inhale: let, Exhale: go" to anchor your mind This approach isn't about rigid stillness but finding varying degrees of rest that work for you. This episode is perfect for leaders, space-holders, and anyone whose mind needs a generative pause from constant activity. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! When you are the leader, the space holder, the one who holds it all together it can be difficult to step back from that reality and allow yourself to receive support. In this rest practice, I invite you to offer yourself what you so consistently deliver to everyone else: support, space, and care. One way to first accept this invitation is to simply play the audio in the background of your life. Listen to my voice. Notice and feel if there’s resonance for you. Trust whatever you discern. After that you can lean a little further in to this invitation by sitting in your favorite chair, softening your gaze or closing your eyes if that feels safe to you. From there follow along as I guide you to be aware of the support of the chair, place your hand near your heart center, and become aware of your breath supporting your body. The next layer and level of this invitation is to ease back even further, lay down or practice supine and rest. This titrated method of accepting this invitation allows you- the one always on, always holding, always supporting, to slowly and with intention communicate to your nervous system that you, can, in fact be held, and supported in rest too. That it is safe to do so. You have a lifetime to unlearn the grind. To relearn how to be held. And you get to do that slowly, intentionally, and with care. I am honored to be your guide in remembering this sacred truth: You are supported. You are held. This practice is perfect for leaders, creatives, and anyone looking to transform their relationship with rest as a pathway to authentic power, creativity, and expanded awareness. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this episode, I am talking with Dr. Tej Khalsa, a Consultant to the World Health Organization's Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health and the Founder and Medical Director of the GIM Mind Body Medicine Clinic. She shares her powerful insights on prescribing rest as medicine and how reconnecting with our authentic power transforms our relationship with work and ourselves. We explore how rest awakens us to truth and helps us reclaim sovereignty in spaces that don't always serve our highest good. Drawing from her medical background and personal journey, Dr. Tej reveals how our understanding of the heart offers a profound metaphor for rest—explaining that even the physical heart begins everything from a place of rest and relaxation before contraction. Her path from institutional medicine to founding her own clinic offers a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we ask ourselves who we truly work for and honor our connection to authentic power. In this episode, we explore: - How the medical understanding of the heart provides a powerful metaphor for rest in our lives - The revolutionary realization that "the day the heart begins to fail is the day it fails to remember to rest" - Dr. Tej's personal experience with workplace toxicity and how rest helped her reclaim her sovereignty - The transformative questions: "Who do you work for from your first breath to your last?" and "Who do you truly serve?" - How rest connects us to our authentic power and helps us recognize when we're disconnected - Moving from a place of inferiority/superiority to one of authentic truth and love - The process of "giving it a rest" as a gentle pathway to deeper relaxation and presence - Building a legacy based on love rather than merely financial success Experience a guided rest practice focused on back support and stability. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your approach to work but your relationship with yourself, revealing freedom and possibility when you operate from a place of authentic presence rather than exhaustion. Connect with Dr. Tej Khalsa: Website: www.mindbodymedicineclinic.com If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this episode, I am talking with Dr. Tiffany Johnson James, an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Georgia Tech and a work, equity, and wellness researcher, writer, and teacher. She shares her transformative journey from academic burnout to embracing rest as a sacred mandate. We explore how prioritizing stillness has awakened clarity and grace in her life, fundamentally changing her approach to academia, leadership, and personal wholeness. Drawing from her yoga training and commitment to presence and prayer, Dr. Tiffany reveals how operating from a rested state has become essential to her well-being, authentic leadership, and ability to show up genuinely in academic spaces. Her path from exhaustion to embodied liberation offers a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we reject hyperindependence and embrace rest as self-affirmation. In this episode, we explore: - How academic pressure and physical symptoms of burnout led Dr. Johnson to seek out restorative practices - The revolutionary act of saying "no" and modeling boundaries in academic spaces - How stillness-based practices transformed Dr. Johnson's presence in meetings and relationships - Finding liberation by knowing your worth and refusing to exhaust yourself proving it repeatedly - The power of prayer and writing as a sacred mandate to define "enough" in each day - Breaking the illusion of independence through rest and remembering our interconnectedness - How rest enables access to ancestral wisdom and embodied liberation Experience a guided rest practice focused on releasing hyperindependence and receiving support. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your approach to work but your relationship with yourself, revealing wholeness and creative possibilities when you operate from a place of presence rather than exhaustion. Connect with Dr. Tiffany Johnson James: Website: www.tiffanydawnjohnson.com Instagram: instagram.com/tikkidawn11/ Facebook: @Tiffany D Johnson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffanydjohnson/ Calling PhD program graduates, post-docs, junior faculty (Assistant Prof, Assistant Lecturers) and recently tenured faculty (2023 or later) who want to take the bold steps of translating their research in ways that only they can. WHOLE 2025 , created by Dr. Tiffany D. Johnson, is returning, with you in mind. Beginning in September 2025, and over the course of 10 months, WHOLE 2025 members will be part of a 10-month group and 1:1 coaching experience where they begin to translate their research into practice. And they do so in ways that are restorative, spacious, and empowering. For more information please visit: tiffanydawnjohnson.com/about/whole-community/ If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this episode I am talking with Rashida Parrish, a Senior Staff Project Manager, Chief Cat Herder, and mindfulness advocate. She shares her transformative journey from workplace trauma and exhaustion to embracing rest as an empowered practice. We explore how prioritizing rest has awakened "Rashida 2.0," unleashing her creativity, authentic leadership, and confidence, fundamentally changing her approach to corporate work and life. Drawing from her personal rest practices and commitment to family and community, Rashida reveals how operating from a rested nervous system has become essential to her well-being, creativity, and ability to show up authentically in corporate spaces. Her path from burnout to liberation offers a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we reject the badge of honor of exhaustion and embrace rest as self-affirmation. In this episode, we explore: - How toxic workplace culture and exhaustion led Rashida to seek out restorative practices - The revolutionary act of challenging corporate messages that glorify overwork and exhaustion - How intentional rest practices have transformed Rashida's leadership and opened doors to C-Suite conversations - Finding liberation by knowing your worth and refusing to exhaust yourself proving it to others - The power of consistent morning silence and evening restorative practices to clear the mind - Breaking generational patterns through rest and teaching these practices to her son - How rest enables us to make decisions from a place of intention rather than fight-or-flight reactivity Experience a guided rest practice focused on letting go and releasing tension throughout the body. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your approach to work but your relationship with yourself, revealing confidence and creative possibilities when you operate from a place of rest rather than exhaustion. Connect with Rashida: Instagram: instagram.com/shida_luana/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rashida-parrish-atkinson-pmp/ If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review here on Apple podcasts and don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this episode I am talking with movement doula and rest advocate Cristina Renee Aguilar. She shares her transformative journey from burnout to embracing rest as a transformational practice. We explore how prioritizing rest has reawakened her creativity, ancestral connections, and authentic voice, fundamentally changing her approach to movement work and life. Drawing from her personal rest practices and deep commitment to collective liberation, Cristina reveals how operating from a place of rest has become essential to her well-being, creativity, and ability to hold space for transitions and change. Her path from executive burnout to creative flourishing offers a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we center rest as a form of resistance and ancestral healing. In this episode, we explore: - How Cristina's "radical pause" in 2017 led her from burnout to ancestral reconnection in Mexico - The revolutionary act of challenging cultural messages against rest ("no seas floja" - don't be lazy) - How rest practices supported Cristina through pivotal historical moments - Finding creative liberation through rest, leading to museum curation projects and book writing - The power of "atomic habits" like daily meditation and journaling to sustain rest practices - Creating boundaries around social media consumption to protect your nervous system - How rest enables us to hold the "sacred pauses" between life transitions Experience a guided rest practice focused on letting go and releasing tension throughout the body. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your approach to movement work but your relationship with yourself and your ancestors, revealing joy and creative possibilities when you operate from a place of rest rather than exhaustion. Connect with Cristina: Website: www.aguilarstrategies.com Instagram: instagram.com/borderlandsoul/ Facebook: facebook.com/crisrenee Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this conversation, leadership coach and rest advocate Cherese Brauer shares her transformative journey from workaholism to embracing an unhurried pace of living. We explore how prioritizing rest has reawakened her imagination, creativity, and authentic voice, fundamentally changing her approach to leadership and life. Drawing from her personal rest practices and deep commitment to self-trust, Cherese reveals how operating at an unhurried pace has become essential to her well-being, leadership, and ability to design a "swoon-worthy life." Her path from exhaustion to flourishing offers a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we center rest as a form of resistance and self-love. In this episode, we explore: - How exhaustion extinguishes imagination and limits our sense of possibility - The revolutionary act of putting rest first rather than treating it as an afterthought - Creating spacious, unhurried days that honor your true desires and authentic self - Moving from "proving your worth" to designing a life of ease and joy - Providing safe harbor for Black women leaders to flourish through rest practices Experience a guided rest practice focused on future planning and returning to the present moment. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your approach to leadership but your relationship with yourself, revealing the abundance of options available when you operate from a place of ease rather than exhaustion. Connect with Cherese: Website: www.counterthenarrative.com Instagram: instagram.com/sure_reece/ LinkedIn: @Cherese Brauer Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this conversation, visionary leader and founder of The Highland Project, Gabrielle Wyatt Gardner, shares her transformative path from burnout to reclaiming inner power through intentional rest. We explore how creating deliberate clearings in our lives can awaken trust in our innate power and reveal authentic leadership that serves both ourselves and others. Drawing from her rest practice and deep commitment to creativity and nature, Gabrielle reveals how intentional pauses have become essential to her leadership, self-expression, and vision for change. Often found walking alongside trees on new trails in New York, birdwatching, or painting, her journey from comparing herself to others to trusting her own vessel of power offers a powerful testament to rest's transformative potential. In this episode, we explore: - How clearing space awakens self-knowledge and reconnection to authentic self - The relationship between rest and discovering inner power - Breaking free from busyness and honoring seasonal boundaries - Self-leadership as foundation for creating meaningful change in communities - Creating spaces anchored in creativity, nature, and community care - How The Highland Project's commitment to Black women leaders connects to personal rest practices - Envisioning a well-rested life filled with tangible memories and creations - The importance of having support systems that honor your boundaries Experience a guided rest practice focused on shoulder opening and recognizing the abundance of choices available to us. Discover how embracing rest can transform not just your leadership approach but your connection to your own power, creativity, and vision for building multi-generational wealth and community transformation. Connect with Gabby: Website: https://www.thehighlandproject.org/ Instagram: instagram.com/leadhighland/ Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this sacred rest practice, Octavia F. Raheem guides you through a gentle exploration of rest focused on the throat and heart spaces. Beginning with an invitation to identify which parts of our bodies need rest the most, this practice creates space for truth, voice, and self-remembering to emerge. Through this practice, we discover how intentional breathing and focused awareness can help us reclaim parts of ourselves that need restoration. This practice guides us into: - Noticing the support beneath us, around us, and radiating from within - Connecting with ancestors and those "light and bright in spirit" who attend to our care and wellness - Using intentional breath work to clear and rest the throat space - Bringing gentle awareness to the heart center without forcing or controlling - Experiencing the subtle shifts that can occur even in stillness and minimal movement Perfect for those seeking to reconnect with their voice and heart space, individuals needing restoration of truth and expression, and anyone wanting to experience the profound effects that can emerge from simple, intentional rest practices. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this sacred rest practice, Octavia F. Raheem guides us through an exploration of ancestral connection and spiritual awakening, inspired by a participant's moving story of her father's daily ritual of speaking to his parents' photograph. Through this intimate sharing, we discover how spiritual practices can appear in unexpected places and ways, even in the most scientific of minds. This practice honors the ways our ancestors protect and hold us, while creating space to explore our own spiritual curiosity and connection. Through gentle guidance and intentional rest, we're invited to experience the comfort of ancestral presence and protection in our lives. In this practice, we rest into: - Finding incremental layers of physical comfort and support, allowing our bodies to settle into deeper states of rest one percent at a time - Creating a protective circle around ourselves using elements that feel personally meaningful - Connecting with a benevolent ancestor through memory, sharing life updates in the tradition of daily ritual and remembrance - Expressing gratitude in multiple languages and ways, acknowledging the many forms of protection and support we receive Perfect for those seeking to explore ancestral connection, individuals curious about their own spiritual path, and anyone wanting to experience rest as a way to honor both their lineage and their own emerging spiritual curiosity. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this rest practice, Octavia F. Raheem guides us through a gentle exploration of bridging the seen and unseen through rest. Beginning with an invitation to notice the tangible supports beneath us, this practice creates a deep connection between our physical experience and the subtle realms of breath and spirit. This practice illuminates how rest can serve as a sacred portal between the visible and invisible aspects of our existence. Through body awareness, breath observation, and conscious awareness, you'll experience how rest can become a bridge between the physical and spiritual dimensions of being. In this practice, we rest into: - Experiencing the multiple layers of physical support beneath us, from the immediate surface to the earth itself, creating a foundation of security and groundedness - Exploring the breath as a sacred bridge between the tangible and intangible realms, following its journey both inward and outward without strain - Cultivating awareness of the dynamic interplay between rootedness and expansion, allowing us to dance between the seen and unseen aspects of our experience - Discovering how our body and breath can serve as anchors while we explore the deeper dimensions of spirit and consciousness - Creating space for personal revelation through gentle observation and presence Perfect for leaders, spiritual seekers, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of rest as a sacred practice that connects the physical and spiritual dimensions of life. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : https://www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this rest practice, Octavia Raheem guides us through a transformative journey focused on giving your mind permission to rest. Beginning with the powerful inquiry "What part of you is most in need of rest?" This practice creates space for acknowledging and relaxing the part of you that is in a mental loop and always trying to figure it out. This practice demonstrates how "letting go" can happen layer by layer, breath by breath. Through body awareness, counting, and permission statements, you'll experience how even brief moments of intentional rest can feel expansive and timeless. In this practice, we rest into: - Listening to and honoring our solution-finding mind with acceptance and gratitude - Systematic relaxation through breath counting and body awareness - Permission statements that allow different parts of ourselves to truly rest - A journey through awareness points from crown to base, creating full-body integration - The power of being supported and held exactly as we are Perfect for leaders, analytical thinkers, and anyone seeking to harmonize their knowing with curiosity and the wisdom of rest. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : https://www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and restore! In this rest practice, Octavia F. Raheem guides us through a deeply protective practice that weaves together ancestral wisdom, elemental forces, poetry, and sacred awareness. Drawing from spiritual traditions and incorporating the steady presence of collective ancestors like Fannie Lou Hamer, Toni Morrison, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this practice creates a loving shield for you as you rest. Moving beyond simple relaxation, in this practice you’ll embody what Dr. Gail Parker teaches that “just because we're doing nothing doesn't mean nothing is happening." Through the creation of five protective circles and the powerful mantra "I am sacred, I am held," you experience a unique journey into just how Rest Is Sacred and a necessary spiritual practice for these difficult and heartbreaking times. In this practice, we rest into: - The creation of five protective circles that include elements, ancestors, words, dreams, and divine presence - Remembering who we are and whose we are. - New patterns of being right here and now - Being both sacred and held just as you are Perfect for both newcomers to rest practice and seasoned practitioners seeking a place of refuge from the storm. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com Access The Rest Portal : https://www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred-portal-bonus octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and enjoy! Drawing from her role as a solutions-focused leader and lifelong seeker, Annie Sanchez shares her transformative journey from the depths of exhaustion to creative awakening. In this conversation, Annie and I explore how rest practice revealed not just a path to authentic leadership, but uncovered hidden artistic talents that were veiled by fatigue. As CEO of Mariposa Strategies, Annie guides executive leaders and entrepreneurs through significant personal and organizational change. Yet her own journey of transformation demonstrates how softening into rest created ripple effects across all areas of her life—from partnership to creative expression. Her story illuminates how leaders can shift from constant doing to the art of being, while honoring both their strategic gifts and creative essence. Drawing from her three-year rest practice journey and her deep commitment as a student of creativity, rest, and imagination, Annie reveals how intentional pauses have become vital to her evolution as a leader, partner, and newly discovered artist. Living on the ancestral homelands of the Tewa Pueblo people in New Mexico, her journey from the "bottom of the ocean floor" to creative liberation offers a powerful testament to rest's transformative potential. In this episode, we explore: - How rest practice awakens self-knowledge and hidden talents - The power of softening as a pathway to authentic leadership - Breaking free from the constant need to find solutions - The relationship between rest and creative discovery - Honoring matriarchal lineage through rest - Creating new patterns of being for future generations Experience a guided rest practice focused on giving the solution-finder permission to rest and embracing the power of softening. Plus, discover how embracing rest can transform not just your leadership approach, but your connection to creativity, partnership, and authentic self-expression. Connect with Annie: Website: www.mariposastrategies.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annie-sanchez Instagram: instagram.com/mariposastrategies Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and enjoy! An unexpected pause in her leadership journey led to a profound discovery. In this conversation Allandra Bulger and I explore the wake-up call that led her to question everything—from her relationship with busy-ness to her role as a leader. What emerged was a journey from doing it all to becoming and being. Allandra demonstrates how leaders can shift from wearing the cape to honoring rest and creating meaningful impact. She shares how rest unlocked a deeper connection to her authentic self and unbridled joy. Drawing from her practice as an MC under the name "Insite the Riot" (playing on the dictionary definition of riot as "an unbridled display of joy"), Allandra reveals how stillness and intentional pauses have become vital to her practice of leadership, creativity, and healing generational patterns. In this episode, we explore: - How rest practice develops self-awareness and inner wisdom - Reclaiming rest as a way to heal ancestral lineages and create new legacies - Breaking free from expectations of being "all things to all people" - The power of asking "what is mine to do?" - Finding joy and restoration in stillness - Creating possibility models of rest for future generations Experience a guided rest practice focused on releasing the performer within and embracing the sacred pause between breaths. Plus, discover how embracing rest can transform not just your professional life, but your connection to creativity, joy, and divine wisdom. Connect with Allandra: Website: insitetheriot.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allandra-bulger-76458b55/ Instagram: instagram.com/insitetheriot/ Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and enjoy! Rest transforms how we show up in academia and life. In this conversation I am speaking with Dr. LeConte Dill. We explore how embracing rest and play revolutionized her approach to leadership in higher education. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Dr. Dill brings her experiences as a community-accountable educator, scholar, storyteller, and artist to this rich discussion about dismantling rest guilt while honoring both academic excellence and the sacred practice of pause. As the Director of Graduate Studies and tenured Associate Professor in the Department of African American and African Studies at Michigan State University, Dr. Dill demonstrates how academic leaders can create cultures of rest while maintaining generative and impactful work. Through her journey from feeling guilty about delightful things like coloring and napping to confidently embracing summers off and weekly tap classes, she shares how permission to rest unlocked deeper creativity and joy. Drawing from her practice as a Certified Mindfulness Instructor and wellness guide, Dr. Dill reveals how breathwork and intentional pauses have become vital to her praxis of showing up for Black girls and rigorously documenting their strategies of wellness, healing, and resistance. In this episode, we explore: - How "the answer comes after the pause" transforms decision-making and teaching - Reclaiming ancestral rest practices hidden in plain sight - Breaking free from turning every joy into research or productivity - The power of leadership that actively affirms rest - Finding play and restoration in unexpected places - Envisioning a well-rested elder future full of giggles, style, and dance Experience a guided rest practice focused on throat and heart chakra healing through intentional breathwork. Plus, discover how embracing rest can transform not just your professional life, but your connection to creativity, joy, and ancestral wisdom. Connect with Dr. LeConte: Website: lecontedill.com/ Instagram: @docdilltaughtem Twitter: @DocDill Stay tuned for her upcoming poetry book release! Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and enjoy! Rest opens portals to our deepest creativity and intuitive wisdom. In this powerful conversation with Miho Kubagawa, we witness how intentional rest practices transformed her from someone "really good at sending emails" into a leader creating bold visions for education and community. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama to Japanese immigrant parents who immigrated from Tokyo in 1976, Miho brings a unique perspective to rest and leadership that honors both her cultural heritage and Southern roots. Through her journey from middle school math teacher to startup leadership to coaching mission-driven founders, Miho shares how replacing early morning Slack messages with sacred morning rituals unlocked her authentic dreams. Now based back in her hometown of Birmingham, she combines her startup expertise with rest-centered leadership to support entrepreneurs while nurturing her own creative practices through gardening, writing, and community building. In this episode, we explore: - The transformative power of creating screen-free morning rituals - How rest awakens forgotten passions and dormant creativity - Breaking free from executing others' visions to manifesting your own dreams - Discovering ancestral spiritual practices hidden in plain sight - Setting a new pace for leadership, especially as a woman of color Experience a guided rest practice that connects us to ancestral wisdom and protection through intentional pause. Plus, discover how embracing rest can transform not just your professional life, but your connection to creativity, spirituality, and joy. Connect with Miho: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mihokubagawa Email: miho.kubagawa@gmail.com Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

Recently released *New Book* Rest Is Sacred. Check out www.restissacred.com for order and purchase options. Rest, read, and enjoy! What if rest isn't just about taking a break – but about disrupting generational patterns and creating authentic legacies? In this conversation with Shawna Wells, an executive coach who brings together legacy work and rest practices, we explore how rejecting others' soundtracks can lead to revolutionary self-discovery and leadership. As founder of B Is For Black Brilliance and 7 Gen Legacy Group, Shawna shows how slowing down can actually propel us forward. Through her own journey of understanding that "all rules have been made up," she shares powerful insights about creating sustainable success by writing our own rules. In this episode, we explore: - How rest serves as fuel for authentic leadership and creative possibility - The courage to reject "someone else's soundtrack" and create our own rhythms - Why legacy work requires specificity and presence - Breaking generational cycles of overwork while honoring ancestral wisdom - The powerful realization that our ancestors rejoice when we rest - Understanding that rest both heals and propels us forward Discover how writing your own rules through rest can transform not just your legacy, but the legacies of generations to come. Plus, experience a guided rest practice that bridges the seen and unseen, awakening spiritual connections through intentional pause. Connect with Shawna: Instagram: @bisforblackbrilliance Websites: bisforblackbrilliance.com & 7genlegacy.com Podcast: Legacy Lyrics and Life with Shawna Wells Rest and access legacy vision: Experience coaching with Shawna Wells at Unleash Your Legacy on January 9, 2025 Legacy Mastermind and Retreat Experience: Want to experience six weeks of high level lineage and legacy shifting coaching that concludes with two days of retreating that will redefine how you live your legacy now? I’m so serious and intentional about recommendations and referrals. I HIGHLY recommend this exclusive experience with this week’s guest, Shawna Wells. It’s the only way to access this level of executive coaching and community with a master level coach in 2025. Space is limited to 12 and only a few spaces remain. Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem Music Production Credit: Julianna Sma on Instagram @shebloom

What if rest isn't just about preventing burnout – but about expanding our capacity for leadership and innovation? In this profound conversation with Mia Marie White, a devoted leader who excels at distilling complex ideas into simplified steps, we explore how embracing rest can revolutionize corporate culture and deepen our impact. Through her unique blend of legal expertise, meditation practice, and mediation skills, Mia demonstrates how stepping back can actually move us forward. As a leader who has mastered the art of "expanding the pie through mediation and meditation," she shares powerful insights about creating sustainable success in high-pressure environments. In this episode, we explore: - How rest awakens deeper connections, both internally and externally - The courage to transform workplace culture by modeling rest practices - Why taking all your PTO can be a radical act of leadership - Creating a community of "happy lawyers" through sustainable practices - The powerful intersection of ancestral wisdom and professional growth Plus, experience a guided rest practice that reminds us how small pauses can lead to profound shifts. Connect with Mia on LinkedIn @miamariewhite Learn more about group rest coaching with Octavia Raheem at www.devotedtorest.com and apply to her rest based mastermind, Devoted to Rest® here. To connect visit: www.restissacred.com octaviaraheem.com instagram.com/octaviaraheem/ youtube.com/@restwithoctaviaraheem