The Circle with Ali and Caryn

A Journey to Self-Discovery and Mindful Living

In this solo episode of The Circle with Ali and Caryn, Caryn unravels her personal journey with meditation, sharing how it has helped tune her into her inner wisdom and achieving a state of calm. She breaks down the intimidating image of meditation and shows it as a simple, accessible practice that can fit into our busy modern lives.
As she talks about her introduction to meditation and how it became a part of her daily routine, Caryn shares insights into making meditation a seamless part of one's life, focusing less on getting it "right" and more on the experience. She shares how habit stacking, the coupling of new habits with established ones, helped ingrain meditation as part of her morning routine.
This episode isn't about becoming a meditation expert, it's about starting your journey into mindful living and nurturing a habit that serves as a personal gift each day.  
Follow Caryn here:
@caryn_shaps_stone
Learn more about the Wise Woman Circle Membership
Join us here
 

Our Wise Women's Circle Membership is Now Open

In this excerpt from our live webinar, we announce our exciting new Wise Women's Circle membership. Specifically designed to inspire, support, and empower women during this transformative life phase, this community encapsulates a wide range of experiences and helps redefine these transitions as a period for joy, empowerment, and personal growth.
The Wise Women's Circle Membership provides a practical toolkit for gracefully navigating midlife, featuring  resources and live monthly calls. With a blend of scientific knowledge and lived wisdom, we aim to promote a sense of kinship, opportunities for personal growth, and uplift your journey towards becoming your best self.
In this episode, we discuss the societal pressures women face during midlife and the unique challenges of Western women. Referencing cultures that honor menopause as a season of renewed energy, we explore the factors that influence our midlife experiences. We delve into hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, methods to counteract chronic stress, balanced nutrition and the vital importance of regular movement and muscle development for overall health and wellness.
Our Wise Woman Circle Membership offers comprehensive strategies for managing stress, optimizing sleep, and revamping your nutrition plan. Utilizing tools such as breathwork, journaling, and grounding with nature walks, we teach you to re-calibrate your nervous system to increase your capacity for not only stress, but joy as well.
Finally, we invite you to join us in the Wise Women's Circle Memerbship where provide the roadmap to a future filled with optimism, vitality, rest, and joy. 
Enroll Here
On Instagram:
@caryn_shaps_stone
@wellnesswithali
 

Erika Altes and The Evolution of Authenticity In Her Brand, Whiskey and Lace

Welcome to an empowering episode of The Circle with Ali and Caryn. We delve into the life of Erika Altes, a celebrated Instagram personality, the woman behind Whiskey and Lace and Ali's sister in law & love. Our discussion extends from Erika's journey into the realm of blogging and content creation, to how she uses her platform for community service, while also showing the world that life isn't always picture-perfect.
She demonstrates that authenticity and vulnerability can be empowering drivers of success on social media. Her story is proof that every transition, including stepping into our 40's, can birth renewed courage and resolve to be true to oneself, despite differing opinions.
Her episode is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to find their authentic voice online and make a tangible impact in their community. Don't miss it!
Find Erika on Instagram:
@whiskeyandlace
Join the Wise Woman Circle Membership waitlist for your exclusive invite to our webinar so that you can join us as a Founding Member! Click here to join the waitlist
On Instagram:
Ali @wellnesswithali
Caryn @caryn_shaps_stone
 

Intentional Transitions with Maya Kraft

You will love this conversation with Maya Kraft, leadership team group facilitator, team builder and Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator. We had such fun connecting around all things mid-life transition including women's health, building community, and re-envisioning while being intentional about this next phase of our lives. We couldn't help but fan-girl over Maya's experience training with Dr. Brené Brown and how the gift of that work influences both her professional and personal life. This was such a vibrant conversation, we can't wait for you to listen, rate and follow us for more exciting content!
More about Maya:
Maya Kraft was the former President, Operations and CPO at Validant, a Global Regulatory, Compliance & Quality Consulting Firm and holds a Masters Degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology. She brings her executive and educational background to leadership teams seeking a pragmatic and wholehearted approach to their professional and business success. 
She has first hand experience with navigating organizational development, developing high performing teams and facilitating leadership team dynamics.  This includes navigating teams in turmoil,  change management, employee development and engagement. She knows the first hand pressures and stresses experienced by managers and leaders; of feeling out of depth handling difficult conversations, of creating trust and belonging with  team members, and navigating change in uncertain times. 
Through a combination of first hand experience and (gratefully!) help from coaches, executive advisory forums and mentors along the way, Maya began to understand the importance of self awareness in effective leadership. Dr. Brené Brown's work Dare to Lead™ , and other effective assessment tools including DiSC, CliftonStrengths and Patrick Lencioni's The 6 Types of Working Genius have expanded Maya's depth in appreciating how we can develop the self awareness and skills needed for brave and courageous leadership.  Who we are is how we lead and knowing more about ourselves can positively change the way we live, love and serve.  Maya became a Certified  Dare to Lead™ Facilitator in 2019 and has been greatly enjoying sharing these leadership development skills and tools with teams and leaders across the country.
Find Maya at https://mayakraftconsulting.com/
To learn more about the tools Maya works with, visit:
https://www.everythingdisc.com/https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/
Learn more about Ali and Caryn:
aliandcaryn.com
Join the waitlist for the Wise Woman Circle Membership
On Instagram:
@caryn_shaps_stone
@wellnesswithali

Get to know Caryn Stone

It is long past due for a proper introduction!
In this episode you will get to know one of your hosts of The Circle with Ali and Caryn, Caryn Stone. 
You will learn about Caryn's background, her journey to becoming a coach, her family background and the lineage of service that acts as the lens through which she sees her work in this world. I know you will love her as much as I do, so please enjoy this conversation.
Want to be in Caryn's energy more? Follow her on Instagram @caryn_shaps_stone
And sign up to be the first to know when we open our Founding Members enrollment for the new Wise Woman Circle Membership. This is our all inclusive offering where you will receive monthly live coaching, guest expert calls, the Wise Woman Circle hormone optimization course, a library full of strength training videos, recipes, guided meditations and breathwork as well as access to a growing community of women to support you on this journey. This is a one of a kind opportunity to show up for yourself so that you can show up for others in your life with energy, vitality and intention. We can't wait to get going in March!
Join the waitlist
Learn more at:
aliandcaryn.com
@wellnesswithali

The Gift of Nervous System Regulation

Uncover the importance of balancing your nervous system. Discover  empowering forms of self-care so that you can care for your family and serve the world better.
You will gain understanding of the science behind mindful breathing and how it creates safety signals for your subconscious . Regular practice of these exercises can help listeners build resilience and navigate challenging times with more intention. A real-life account draws attention to the significant, tangible impact of these breathing exercises.
This episode rounds off with an intuitive, guided meditation oriented towards body awareness. Perfect for fostering peacefulness, this practice can ease you into restful sleep or prepare you for an uplifting day. By following this gentle meditation, listeners can tune into their bodies, witness the transformative effects, and experience more vibrant daily routines.
Join us on this enlightening journey of breathwork, meditation, and learn the gift of nervous system regulation.
Breathwork begins at 14:00 minutes
Meditation begins at 21:30 minutes
Learn more at aliandcaryn.com
Be sure to get on our waitlist so you can join the new Wise Woman Circle Membership at a special rate as a founding member! Sign up here
Instagram:
@caryn_shaps_stone
@wellnesswithali

Transforming Pain Into Purpose with Tiffany Jacobs

In this episode we welcome Tiffany Jacobs, a seasoned personal trainer who managed to channel her journey through divorce into her purpose with her lifelong passion for fitness.
Learn how she used strength training as an ‘emotional detox’ during her tough times, and how changing your lifestyle can disrupt stagnancy in your life. Tiffany's story extends beyond fitness, offering a new perspective on the power of physical activity in igniting positive changes in your life.
Tiffany's approach focuses on reverse-engineering goals, quick and effective workouts, and drive towards consistency. Lay aside the ‘it's too late’ mentality, and embrace the power of starting now. The episode underscores the importance of taking small steps and not overwhelming yourself with a massive life overhaul all at once.
We also explore the interconnection between physical strength and mental resilience.  Finally, we share our excitement for her collaboration with the Wise Woman Circle membership program to help support our community in getting mentally, emotionally and physically stronger.
About Tiffany:
Tiffany is a coach with a passion for empowering women to become stronger both mentally and physically. I founded Tiffany Jacobs Wellness during a difficult period in my life, so that I could inspire other women with my story, knowledge, and healing journey. My coaching and programs are designed to help you reclaim your power and build a life that you will love waking up to. By incorporating movement, healthy nutrition, and positive mindset rituals, you can achieve anything you set your mind to! I look forward to going on the journey with you! 
On Instagram: @tiffanyjacobswellness
Learn more about the Wise Woman Circle here aliandcaryn.com
On Instagram:
Ali @wellnesswithali
Caryn @caryn_shaps_stone

Understanding the Transformative Practice of Hypnotherapy with Lynn Schumann

In this episode, Ali talks with massage therapist, craniosacral therapist, hypnotherapist and dear friend,  Lynn Schumann. Lynn shares knowledge on the transformative power of hypnotherapy with her personal experiences and professional expertise, dispelling various myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy while highlighting its many benefits. She shares how hypnotherapy, particularly her practice of transpersonal hypnotherapy, can modify deep-rooted thought patterns and behaviors.
Ali also shares her personal experience receiving hypnotherapy from Lynn and how it transformed her journey in self development. We hope you enjoy this enriching conversation and walk away with a clearer understanding of  hypnotherapy, who it benefits from it's gift and how it feels to move through a session.
To learn more about Lynn and how to work with her, check out innerguidancehypnotherapy.com
Lynn Schumann is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals. Lynn is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist through the Transpersonal Hypnotherapy Institute as well as a previous client and apprentice for 10 years in alchemical hypnotherapy.  I am committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to Be, Do and Have what they want out of life.
Learn more about the Wise Woman Circle Here aliandcaryn.com
On Instagram
Ali @wellnesswithali
Caryn @caryn_shaps_stone
 

Living a life of purpose with Susannah Ludwig

Join Caryn as she interviews her coach of three years, Susannah Ludwig about her journey from renowned documentary film producer to full time coach. Caryn and Susannah reflect on their coaching relationship and what it means to work with someone in this special way.
 
Other tidbits you’ll enjoy from this interview include:
 
~How do you know what you are meant to do? Ask yourself what is bringing you joy, and then listen to our bodies. Our bodies tell us, we feel in our bodies when we are in our purpose, lighter, more open, more energy, things around us feel more sparkly.
And then, stay open. What do you want to learn more about?
~How to cope with life transitions - getting present with the now and staying open, not getting overwhelmed with knowing the whole story in advance. Take one right action at a time and the rest will reveal itself in time.
~What does self care look like so we can be our best selves and show up how we want in the world.
~Meditation - 5 minutes a day can change your life!
 
Listen for more!
 
Bio from website:
Susannah Ludwig is a life coach and expert on transitions. She knows about transitions: In the last four years she went from being an Academy Award-nominated film producer to a coach;  from living in Brooklyn to thriving in a suburban town; suburban Long Island;  from being a divorced mom of one child to being remarried in a blended family of four kids; from being fearful of dogs to a becoming a loving dog owner. Through it all, she celebrated the changes, tapped into her joy and enlisted gratitude. As a coach, she loves helping her clients get from where they are to where they want to be – moving steadily towards the life they long for. 
 
www.susannahludwig.com
@suzludwig

Podcasting to build community with Mark Shapiro

Today we chat with Caryn’s brother Mark Shapiro about his journey to becoming a well-known podcaster with his show Explore the Space, and the community he has created around issues that connect us with healthcare. We know you will enjoy hearing Mark’s perspective on parenting and finding joy in the in the challenging moments of midlife. It was enlightening to be reminded that men and women are on the same journey and the more we have open conversation about it, the more we feel connected and can support each other through the highs and lows of it all. 
 
Mark Shapiro is a practicing Hospitalist and Medical Director in Santa Rosa, CA. He is also the the host of Explore the Space Podcast, a show that examines the interface between healthcare and society, with thought leaders from across the spectrum. Mark is a speaker and passionate advocate on topics such as gender equity, gun violence prevention and more. He is also a father, husband, and happens to also be Caryn’s brother. 
Find Mark here https://www.explorethespaceshow.com/On Instagram @explorethespaceshow
 
Learn more about the Wise Woman Circle here aliandcaryn.com
On Instagram
Caryn @caryn_shaps_stone
Ali  @wellnesswithali