Gratitude for the Journey and Hello to New Beginnings

SPEAKER_00 0:00

On this week's episode of Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality, we are spending some time in reflection. We'll be talking about gratitude, shared moments, and the natural shifts that happen when chapters begin to change. Let's start the music.

SPEAKER_01 0:23

Hi everyone, and welcome to this week's, and I'm actually gonna throw it out there right away. The final episode of Three Cups in a Dash of Spirituality. I'm Stacy. What? You didn't tell me that that was happening. No. Well, I mean, we we knew it's happening. It's Michelle and I. Hi, Michelle. Hi, Stacy. How are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm doing okay. I'm doing okay. Yeah, it's it's definitely kind of gonna be a little bit more of a sad episode, I feel like, because this is the final, the final uh hurrah of three cups in a dash of spirituality.

SPEAKER_00 1:04

Yes, and we've known it's been coming for a little while because in life sometimes things shift and schedules change and get chaotic. And we've just been really thinking about how to work through that. But we're gonna wait till a little bit later in the episode to share what's going on.

unknown 1:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:26

So we wanted to, I think Michelle and I wanted to take a moment and really honor and just share, share a moment of gratitude for all that Carissa has brought into three cups and a dash of spirituality, because without her, we would not be this far or have gone for this long.

SPEAKER_00 1:46

No, we wouldn't have been three cups. We would have been, I don't know, too bumbling India. I don't know. I'm just kidding. I'm trying to make light of a situation where I am going to feel the absence. Our listeners will feel the absence. But yeah, I want to take a moment to honor Chrissa and all that she has brought to the podcast to being present, including her sense of humor, her knowledge, her laughter. Just there's so many things. I mean, it sounds like a country song. There's so many things that I'm gonna miss, but I really am. And again, as you said, we wouldn't be here without her contributions. She is moving on to a new chapter of her life. She's really busy with everything she has going on. And I just want to honor her here for a minute and shout out a huge thank you. And I just appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 2:46

Yeah. I'm I'm on the same page. I know it's it's not the same without her. And and we have kind of been recording a lot, and and she has not been able to join in because of just how busy and how much shifting that she's had going on. Just expanding, like sending out some gratitude for everything that she has done is really important.

SPEAKER_00 3:09

Yeah, definitely. I was thinking about like past episodes and what I've learned since we've started doing Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality. So while closing up this chapter, uh, before we open a new one, seems sad. There's also so much to celebrate there. And I was thinking about where this journey started and how it all came to be. We were just sitting around talking and I said, let's do a podcast. Let's have the conversations we are having and share them with other people who might be experiencing some of the same things, but maybe don't have a group yet that they can talk to or they can ask the questions to or who have shared the experiences.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

Right. And and I think one of the goals when we jumped in and did this was just to, I don't, I'm gonna use the word normalize it, but I feel like there's so much more to it than that. It's really interesting. And with Carissa's background, particularly being psych psychology and therapy, it brings some different insight into these experiences that we can have without realizing it or it it normalizes them in a way that I think is so valuable.

SPEAKER_00 4:26

Yeah, how lucky were we to have that insight, again, normalizing what some people don't consider normal, although society is changing and many people are stepping into their spirituality. I know one of the biggest challenges recording this show for me has been basically putting myself out there and outing that side of myself. Yeah, allowing myself to honor who I am and try to work through the hesitation to share just because people judge. Oh, absolutely. And I'm not one that likes, I don't think anyone likes to be judged, but I really I don't like when people look at me with their like eyebrow cocked up and they're like, What? What are you talking about? Yeah, you don't so this has really pushed my comfort zone and I like the pushing that it's been doing. Even yesterday I went to an event here in town. It's called Winterfest. How fun is that? That sounds good. And I haven't spent a lot of time on Main Street. And while I was down there, I noticed there were so many new shops. And one of them was a psychic location where you could make an appointment to go see a psychic. And I'm sitting there going, Oh, how cool is that? Like, you know, I should write down the number, take a picture of it. But the people that I was there with, they were kind of laughing about it or saying, Oh, I don't need a psychic. And I'm just like, well, I'm gonna put my camera away right now. So now I know, like, like, don't make it a big deal there.

SPEAKER_01 5:57

It's it's so interesting too, because there is that pull, no matter where you go, is is this gonna be frowned on upon, or is this going to be, am I going to be judged for my intrigue and my interest in these things? And I think spirituality is one of those areas that really it there's a lot of judgment that's passed very quickly, I feel. And it's unfortunate because there's so much to learn from it.

SPEAKER_00 6:22

And I feel like it's so unfair. And I think this podcast has done a lot to help me work through spirituality versus religion because it can be combined. You have your lens that you're looking at the world through, and we both have that religious background that we've had to kind of work into it, but it hasn't been as hard as I thought it was going to be. Yes, do I get some judgment or some worry from other people who don't understand it? They're worried about my soul. And I just have to remember that spirituality is expansive. It's always changing. We're always learning. We are being good people. We are doing the things that are asked of us in society. And spirituality isn't limited.

SPEAKER_01 7:12

No, I get where you're coming from. I think to that tune, you know, we spend so much time talking about, you know, the comparison between spirituality and religion and and where where do they kind of mesh together? I think, you know, one of the thoughts when we jumped in and started Three Cups in a Dash was really, how do we fill in the gaps of different belief systems in a way that allows people to understand and normalize it? And I know coming from the background and being raised in a very strict religion, it is, it is helpful to understand that aspect and look at it a little differently. You know, I was actually talking the other day at work about, you know, spirituality and how there is such a significant mesh between them, the two, the two ideologies, that we can actually look at, I'm gonna say cross-contamination in in a lot of different ways.

SPEAKER_00 8:07

Well, I've really appreciated having these conversations around religion and just learning how to navigate them a little bit better. So, you know, we've been doing this for two, two and a half years. Are there any episodes that are jumping out to you right now as one of your favorite or one that you just thought was so memorable?

SPEAKER_01 8:29

I have two actually. The first one is one of the very first episodes that we were recorded about tattoos and spirituality. That's still always going to be one of my favorite episodes. Um, and then I think the other one was when we had the guest that could see auras. To me was fascinating. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:50

Yeah. No, those were great conversations. And the very first episode that popped into my mind is one of my favorites was the tattoo one, also. I I don't know. That just brought so much joy to my heart. And, you know, I have a lot of tattoos, you have a lot of tattoos, and they hold significance and meaning.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

Well, I think looking at, you know, looking back in in the all of the recordings that we've done and all of the podcasts that we've put out, there's so much vital and beautiful energy in every single thing that we've done. And looking at your day-to-day normal things that we do without even thinking about it and and drawing that spiritual line is such a really cool tool to use, too.

SPEAKER_00 9:36

It is. And just knowing to stay open. You said the other episode that you really enjoyed was the one with Robin and talking about auras. And that is one thing I have loved about this podcast too. We have brought in guests that are teaching us something. Everybody comes at spirituality from a slightly different angle. Everybody has abilities that present themselves in their own way and to hear their stories and know that they're just walking everyday lives and having these experiences.

SPEAKER_01 10:10

How cool is that? It's it's amazing. I think, you know, there there have been people that we've been able to interview too that I don't think I would have crossed paths with otherwise. I'm thinking of the um the gentleman from Monster, the Monster Podcast, too. Jeremy Carr. Yeah, I learned so much from him as well. And and like, I know I think we did two episodes with him, and I wasn't at the second one, but the episode that I was in and and was able to record with was such just there was so much information in that, in that episode. And it's all based on personal experiences, which I I find is is beauty. There's so much beauty in what individuals go through in their own lives and growing and in spirituality just in general. It's a it's just amazing. Right.

SPEAKER_00 10:59

And I know his episode that he did with us around his experiences living in Flagstaff and the thing, I don't want to say what it is, but I've had so many people ask me about that episode, and they were fascinated by his sharing of that story and the sharing of that experience. I mean, it really did put things into perspective and kind of shifted a little bit how I thought about the culture, where those come from. Right. And what that might mean at a different level. And there was like that balance, too, of light and what one would perceive as dark. And I just thought that was really cool. And then his other episode that we recorded, he's actually recorded three. One was just a while ago on Krampus and his partner was with him, but the other one was on time and that slice of bread or loaf of bread. And that episode, I mean, time is a hard thing to wrap your mind around, at least for me, to put that whole concept in there that everything is happening at once. We're just grounded by the earth timeline.

SPEAKER_01 12:10

Right.

SPEAKER_00 12:10

It has always fascinated me. And I think I'm only scratching at the surface in my understanding of it.

SPEAKER_01 12:17

Oh, absolutely. And and you know, I'm gonna also jump in, like, because now that we're talking about past episodes, there are so many that are coming to the forefront of my mind. Like it, it's I had been thinking about this episode before we recorded it because I know, you know, we were touching base on kind of how to put it together. But there, there have been so many episodes that have touched my heart in different ways after getting married and having Steve come on and share his history was beautiful too. I I I there there's just so much. What I and and I wanted to also ask, what about you? What what do you have a favorite or favorites?

SPEAKER_00 12:57

You know, there have been so many, like you say, and as we sit down and try to put our finger on just one. Again, the tattoo one popped out, the episodes with Jeremy popped out, that one with Steve. I mean, how amazing is that to hear his story so fresh? And like this is just his everyday experience, but he's like going to the next level with it, being with you. And that episode did so well. And it's just because he was genuine. He was just sharing his experience. And I love that. I love that we can come on here and just share our experiences, maybe get some feedback or inspiration, or I never thought about that. I mean, how many times during the recording of this show have I said, I have never thought of it that way? And that makes so much sense.

unknown 13:44

Right.

SPEAKER_01 13:45

Yeah, I and and I and I also think being able to have guests on just come in and share just regular life stories. And and the reason, too, that I think the episode that Steve came on kind of stuck out right away was because I'll never forget when he and I had started dating and you know, I was doing the reading for him. And he was like, You don't talk like this. This is not the language that you have ever used. And he was so genuinely surprised that he had to go, okay, maybe there's more out there than I realize. And it's just that growth mindset, that beautiful shift in awareness. And I have had people come after episodes going, never thought of it that way. That changed the way I was viewing something. And now I've been able to grow because of it. And it's so, so cool.

SPEAKER_00 14:37

No, it is. I mean, he's so observant and absorbing everything, and it's clicking in a way that makes sense to him. And he's picking up on those small little differences in your behavior when you're doing a reading. I mean, it really is fresh eyes to everything. I know my opening happened in August of 2019, but I've always had an interest in it. And since walking this journey and seeing somebody else step freshly into it from a new perspective has been really cool. I think I've really also enjoyed the episodes where I've gotten to share some of these adventures I've gone on. I mean, when we started recording, I had never intentionally, other than do like an hour or two tour, stepped into a place that had such haunted history. And we started with the Sally house, we went to the Driscoll, we were at the Velisca House and Seattle. And to have these experiences and then have somewhere to share them. Because if I didn't have a place to share them, I would be like just bottled up with it. Right. With so much like, I can't believe that just happened, that it would drive me nuts. So this has been really, how do you say the word, cathartic?

unknown 15:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:55

For me, and having a place to share these experiences and to tell people, like, don't be, you know, afraid and take these steps.

SPEAKER_01 16:02

I'd love that. It normalizes a lot of different experiences that so many people have, but they're so afraid to talk about. It normalizes experiences that we don't realize are well to to us, like like looking at your experiences like at the Velisca house or the the Sally house, all of those things. You step into that knowing you're going, you there's potential for experiences, right? But you step in also being open to all experiences, everything that that that can happen and unfold. And what's really cool about that is this podcast, I know at least for me, and and and I'm gonna speak for you for a moment, and you can obviously correct me if you don't agree, has been a safe space for us to share these life experiences that we've gone through, that you can't walk into a room and sit down and have a conversation. I don't go to the coffee shop and say, hey, I had a psychic experience the other day. Let's have a conversation. Like they're not, they're we're normalizing them in a safe space where these things aren't really talked about that often.

SPEAKER_00 17:09

Swep under the rug quite a bit, or like that didn't really happen. A lot of doubt, a lot of places where you meet resistance. And, you know, I just want to be authentic to who I am. And I think this show has really encouraged me to do that. I know in the very first episode, it was an introduction of all of us, our relationship. And I think I called myself the clueless psychic because I don't know how it happens and I doubt myself. And you know what? Still today, I don't really know every time it's gonna kick in. I don't understand exactly some of the experiences I'm having, but I'm open to them. And I think that's huge. And I love that this podcast has been like a kind of a journal. And I've been able to watch not only my growth, but also yours and Carissa's as we walk through this. I mean, starting this podcast, we were all, yes, you have to cross someone over. If you come across them, that is what you do. But now talking, having these conversations, these experiences, that hits differently. And it feels almost invasive just to assume that that permission is really key. And that's something I'm gonna take away definitely from this podcast.

SPEAKER_01 18:33

I I think too, for me as well, it's it this has this podcast has helped normalize, you know, my experiences. And while I've never been one a sh shy to share that I'm a psychic medium, I have found comfort in being able to come to this podcast and say, hey, hey, I did tell somebody this, and their response was this, you know. And I was just thinking of about this as an example because the other day I was talking to two people who were not aware that I was a psychic medium. And the first response that I got is, Do you see anything around me? What do you see when you look at me? And I'm like, that's not, I don't read people like that. That like I, I like that to me is disrespectful. And then having to explain it too. It's all just so like interesting. And and because this is a safe space, we can talk about them, about those things.

SPEAKER_00 19:23

Definitely, because we do get listener questions. Questions come up in our own mind once we have an experience, like help me talk through it, like the other day or in the last episode, in which I was telling you about this experience I had in the hotel room that felt so full. Right. And who else am I gonna ask about it? Right. And maybe I do save it till we have conversations here, but that's just because you know, someone else is having that experience. I want them to know they're not alone.

SPEAKER_01 19:54

Right. And that's and that's what I think the three of us have always strived to do is create the space where we can can meet and normalize these experiences in a way that is safe, healthy, and creates a level of understanding that perhaps might not be there elsewhere.

SPEAKER_00 20:15

That's true. And I think over the years too, we've kind of started really stepping into our own boundaries and what we're comfortable with too. I know we recorded an episode, oh, maybe a year ago, in which we were talking about a Netflix series. And just after recording it, I felt so gross and yucky that I'm like, I don't want to release this. I don't feel comfortable releasing it. The topics are too dark. And you guys were okay with that. We're like, no, I mean, there is a dark part of everything where there's light, there's darkness, there's got to be balance. I get that. But I didn't need to bring that show's energy into our space here.

SPEAKER_01 21:00

Right.

SPEAKER_00 21:01

And I know sometimes, like when we're talking about Krampus and stuff like that, it gets a little bit darker, but there's always balance.

SPEAKER_01 21:09

Well, and I I think too that there have been experiences that we've walked through in recording this podcast where we haven't been able to release episodes because um the mics weren't working correctly, things were cut out too much, because there was one episode that you and I recorded, and I think it was going to be a double that we ended up not releasing because the audio was the audio quality was was not great. And when I look at things like that too, I also think, you know, the universe is going maybe not quite on par with what you're seeking or trying to put out there. And not in a bad way. It's just, you know, maybe this episode isn't for everyone.

SPEAKER_00 21:50

Right. And yeah, I was shocked, but I found that a couple of times while recording, like little glitches or things will happen. And it's like, okay, well, maybe we'll move. Away from that topic. I will share with the listeners today when we were trying to set up everything to record here. We were having trouble with hearing each other. Right. And it was really strange because there's just two of us here, but you were trying to work around. And for a minute there were three of us on the screen.

SPEAKER_01 22:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:19

And it just has never happened. But to me, it was like hugely significant in the fact like there were three and now we're moving to two. I don't know if you caught that or stepped into that.

SPEAKER_01 22:30

No, it's, it's, I I think things unfold, you know, just little nods. And it really does remind me of my favorite tarot card. And I'm going to just throw that out there. It's it's all about transition and shifting. What's going on, Stacy? Well, do you want me to announce it or do you do you want to throw it out there?

SPEAKER_00 22:51

Well, maybe I can throw it out there, but the big question is, are we going to share the name this week? No, I'm just getting, we're going to share the name, and I'm going to walk you through how the next couple of weeks are going to be. But as we say goodbye to Carissa and again, honor everything that she has brought to the show and wish her so much happiness and love on the journey she has ahead of her. You and I, we are going to relaunch. Well, not relaunch, we're going to launch a new podcast. Yes. And I do believe it's going to share the same RSS feed. So as listeners, you won't need to do anything to find us. If that changes, go to our social media. All the details will be there.

SPEAKER_01 23:34

Yeah. It's it's such a transition. And so, you know, kind of getting back to it. We are very excited to be launching a new podcast. And we're hoping to be able to have more guests, more movement, different conversations, again, kind of same vibe, but it will just be Michelle and I hosting. And I'm gonna say that the you'll you'll be able to catch us now under the new name. And I'm gonna let Michelle announce it because we both spent weeks coming up with the new name. So go ahead, Michelle.

SPEAKER_00 24:08

Weeks. But it is going to be Whispers from the Mist, a conversation from the spiritual byway.

SPEAKER_01 24:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 24:17

And I don't know. I'm so excited about that name. I'm looking forward to what this new chapter brings because this has been such a time of growth and learning about each other and having these conversations. So coming up, you get this episode this week. This is our goodbye episode to Three Cups and A Dash of Spirituality. Next week, we will be sharing a meditation with you. The meditation is, of course, on change and transition. And then the next week, we are launching the new show.

SPEAKER_01 24:50

We are launching the new show. So be on the lookout for us. It's like like we have said, we really wanted to honor everything that Carissa has put into Three Cups in a Dash. We love her dearly, and we are we are incredibly excited for her and her journey that she she's on in life in general. And, you know, we're we're gonna do our best to keep the same vibe moving forward. I am hoping that we get more guest stars and stuff like that too. I think it'll be an interesting new chapter.

SPEAKER_00 25:28

It will. And I mean, we there was some talk about keeping the podcast title the same, but it just didn't feel right when one of the cups was no longer here. And again, maybe she'll come do a guest spot at some point, and you'll hear that hello, hello again, which I will dearly miss.

SPEAKER_01 25:47

I will as well.

SPEAKER_00 25:48

You know what else our listeners are gonna miss?

SPEAKER_01 25:50

What's that?

SPEAKER_00 25:51

For the very last time, stay classy, stay sassy, and stay a little badassy. Until the next podcast, the new podcast. We love you all. We do. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you all. Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality. If you like what you heard, please know that we have a full library of episodes now available on your favorite podcasting platform. You can listen to it now or you can download it to listen to later. Also, if you'd like to give us a review, we'd appreciate it. We love connecting with listeners and thank you in advance.