269 - Creating the Inner Safety to Live Your Dreams with Kari Azuma

Jill is so excited to finally have Kari Azuma on the show! Kari is a certified coach and what she calls an “intuitive nervous system surgeon,” and she joins Jill to discuss what it takes to feel safe and resilient, stressing that it is not about trying to fix yourself but rather acknowledging yourself. She explores how our early life experiences shape our sense of safety and influence our lives, challenging the idea that transformation happens through trying to force perfection, instead offering a path that is focused on self-awareness and compassion.

Listen as Kari shares and reflects on her own journey, including the challenges of motherhood that led her to this work. She explains why slowing down, paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you, and creating a relationship with your nervous system are so important to being truly resilient. She argues that this is not about quick fixes but is rather about learning to hold yourself through chaos and uncertainty.

She also introduces her upcoming Foundations of Safety course and vision quests, designed to help women reconnect with themselves, so whether you are feeling stuck in old patterns or simply looking for more ease in your life, Jill invites you to listen to this conversation which offers a great perspective on what it really means to create safety in your life!

Show Notes:

[00:00] - Jill introduces Kari Azuma and praises her expertise in her field.
[03:49] - This conversation explores nervous system safety, childhood conditioning, and overcoming patterns of self-sabotage.
[06:32] - Jill shares Kari Azuma's website, promo code, and excitement for her upcoming video series!
[09:35] - Listen as Kari describes her journey into growth work, beginning with a wilderness fasting experience.
[11:00] - After her vision fast, Kari realized that her mission is to help people live authentically, and she is now certified in ontological coaching.
[15:03] - Hear how Kari’s journey with leadership, motherhood, and nervous system work led to deep self-discovery and growth.
[18:25] - Kari describes having blended teachings from two nervous system experts to integrate safety and self-awareness in leadership.
[20:51] - Jill realized that personal growth was incomplete without connecting to her body.
[23:19] - Kari helps women develop a relationship with their nervous system, improving how they respond to challenges.
[26:31] - Kari discovered that her worry stemmed from a need for control, transforming her approach to safety.
[28:27] - It's so easy to forget that a mindset shift alone can't resolve deep issues.
[30:35] - Kari's current mold exposure and health struggles are affecting her wellbeing.
[32:21] - Hear Kari reflect on survival mode, prioritizing gentleness over productivity during hard times.
[34:52] - Jill shares how she used to justify her need for rest, as if she were doing something wrong.
[37:11] - Safety cues are learned early in life and affect emotional responses throughout life.
[40:31] - Jill highlights the fact that children co-regulate with their mothers until they develop their own nervous systems.
[41:14] - Kari reflects on her own anxious behavior while parenting and how it affected her children's anxiety.
[43:21] - Parents' emotional responses can evolve via parenting and healing.
[46:23] - Jill reflects on how her work with women helps her accept emotions without shame and feel safe.
[48:18] - Kari no longer abandons herself and finds peace despite life's challenges.
[50:56] - Self-affirmation helped Kari stop negatively criticizing herself and recognize her goodness.
[52:37] - Inner child work is very powerful for Kari for personal growth and healing.
[54:41] - Many people avoid being in the present by constantly seeking experiences.
[56:35] - Safety cues are bodily responses shaped by past experiences that form emotional patterns.
[59:15] - Embracing imperfection, Kari reflects on her identity as a "wounded mother.”
[1:02:03] - Understanding past coping mechanisms can help uncover safety cues.
[1:05:23] - Jill reflects on how doing inner work, even without wilderness retreats, can lead to self-discovery.
[1:08:30] - Kari stresses embracing common humanity and imperfection.
[1:10:40] - We learn that Kari is restructuring her work and offering affordable courses.
[1:12:18] - Kari mentions upcoming vision casting events, Instagram workshops, and encourages connection with her.

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