Enlightened Empaths

Melissa Ann Lester is an integrative healer, author, mentor, and teacher whose work weaves transpersonal psychology, somatic practices, energy medicine, and earth-based wisdom. Rooted in a holistic, trauma-informed approach, she supports others navigating moments of unraveling, awakening, and deep transition as they reconnect with their inner wisdom and return home to themselves. Her own healing journey began with therapy as her entryway, and eventually she felt called to be a witness and guide for others, serving as a Licensed Professional Counselor for more than ten years. A series of spiritual initiations profoundly deepened her work, ultimately leading her to answer a soul-led calling: releasing her clinical license to offer healing that integrates the full spectrum of the human experience — mind, body, and spirit. Melissa holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, is certified in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is an Usui Reiki Master, and draws from her studies in somatics and earth-based wisdom. For now she walks alongside individuals in one-on-one work, with seasonal programs and group offerings beginning to take shape. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and two cats, where she is happily surrounded by trees. You can follow her writing in her monthly musings newsletter and find her at www.melissaannlester.com and on Instagram at @melissaannlester.

Have you ever wondered if there was a way you could connect more fully with your own inner thoughts and programming in order to enhance your life? We all can by becoming more aware of the power of our subconscious mind! The subconscious mind is the silent architect of our reality; it interprets symbols, stores every experience, and shapes our decisions long before our conscious mind catches up. When we have a clearer understanding of how it works, it gives us the ability to reprogram our inner world so we can make the life shifts we are ready to manifest. Exercises to retrain the subconscious: Mirror Exercise – speak to yourself in the second person. Your subconscious receives this as an instruction, a task to complete, rather than a wish. “You are successful” or “You are healthy, wealthy and happy.” Gratitude Letter – Write a letter to yourself as though your goal has already happened. Use the present tense. Symbolic Visualization Ritual Choose one goal. Identify three symbols that represent that goal. Spend 2 minutes visualizing each symbol in vivid detail. Repeat daily for 21 days. The more you get to know your inner world, the more you are able to shine your own light more brightly! For more information about Samantha and her offerings: samanthafey.com Denise and her services can be found at: thegratefulmessenger.com

Please join us in welcoming Kristen O’Meara to the show today. Kristen is the mother of Austin, an adult on the autism spectrum. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and advanced certifications in mindfulness and intuitive development as well as extensive training in spiritual healing modalities. With raw honesty, Kristen shares her profound journey of healing and spiritual connection through channeling her son’s higher self, offering practical tools and insights for parents of children with autism and the reality of her journey. Kristen began channeling her son Austin’s higher self in 2013 because Austin could not speak with her. Channeling became an integral part of her healing journey, redirecting her back to her soul and heart, and teaching her that we are all powerful souls embodied. Bridging her experiences with complex parenting, counseling work, and a sophisticated toolbox of healing techniques, her first book, The Healing Way, is the culmination of her life’s work. The Healing Way by Kristen O’Meara For more information about Kristen and her work, please visit: thespiritualcaregiver.com Kristen can also be found on Substack under thespiriualcaregiver.substack .

Here’s the shape of September, in one sentence: it’s a month of turning inward while the world asks you to engage outward. There’s a cluster of retrograde planets active pretty much all month — Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto are already retrograde, and partway through the month, Uranus joins them. Four planets moving backward, astrologically, at the same time. For an empath, this actually can be a relief, if you let it. So much of what exhausts us is the forward momentum of the world — the constant doing, deciding, producing, responding. A month with this many retrogrades is a month where the cosmic permission slip says: it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to revisit. It’s okay to not have the answer yet. But — and here’s the nuance — the inner planets, the fast-moving personal ones: the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars, are all direct and quite active this month. So you’re going to feel this tug-of-war: parts of you wanting to reflect, rest, and go inward, while other parts of your life — conversations, relationships, decisions — are moving forward whether you’re ready or not. If you take one thing from this whole episode, let it be this: you’re allowed to let your inner world move at retrograde speed even while your outer world moves at direct speed !

Empaths are often deeply connected to the animals they share their lives with, these are not merely pets but beloved friends, confidantes and family members. In this episode, we explore the soul connection many empaths feel with their pets, why in many ways it can feel easier than dealing with other people and also the reality of grieving the lose of a dear friend when they cross the Rainbow Bridge. Books Mentioned in this Episode: When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing after Pet Loss By Beth Bigler The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski

We’re back again with one of our favorite episodes to do each month, questions, comments and stories from our amazing Enlightened Empaths community! If you would like to submit a story, have a comment or question, please email us: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com. For more information about Samantha and her offerings: samanthafey.com And to find out more about Denise and her services and offerings: thegratefulmessenger.com Thank you for being part of our community!

Over the past few years, it has become very obvious that many of us are feeling a deep need to free ourselves and those in our lineage from past trauma, upset and limitations. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of ancestral healing and how it can unlock personal and spiritual growth. We’re so excited to share some wonderful guests with you today as we offer a different approach with a round table conversation about ancestral healing and why it’s so important for many of us right now. Our guests today come from varied backgrounds and experiences, but all have had powerful insights and transformation since doing this healing work. Rima has always been intuitive but took long detours in the worlds of academia and politics before coming home to working as an intuitive and medium. She lives on the east coast of Canada and you can find her at rimabythesea.com Julie is an intuitive healer and Family Constellation facilitator who helps people heal inherited family patterns, reconnect with themselves, and create lasting change through intuitive and ancestral healing practices. For more information about Julie and her services: intuitivehealingbyjulie.com Monica offers holistic support for spiritual and healing needs. She is a psychic medium who uses her intuitive abilities to bring information to clients seeking connection. She is an artisan offering crafted jewelry pieces that carry not just aesthetic beauty but also resonate with nature. To connect with Monica: monikajakiel.com Beth is a certified death doula, shamanic healer and reiki practitioner. All modalities of her work focus on holistic healing, transformation, personal and spiritual development. Compassion and a calming presence offer guidance, emotional support and empowerment. For more about Beth and her services: beyondsentient.com If you’re curious about going deeper with your own ancestral healing journey, please consider joining us for the upcoming class. For more information on dates and what is involved: Embracing the Present Through Healing the Past If you have any questions that aren’t addressed, please feel free to send me an email: denise@thegratefulmessenger.com

Today we’re talking about self-discovery through oracle cards with our guest Toni Savory — better known as The Card Geek — the creator of World Divination and one of the leading voices in traditional cartomancy. Toni has spent years studying Lenormand, Kipper, and Gypsy Cards across England, France, and Germany, including 15 years living near Munich, the birthplace of the original Kipper deck. Now based in Northern Ireland, she’s dedicated the last decade to researching these systems and teaching students around the world. She’s the author of The Card Geek’s Guide to Kipper , Rainbow Kipper , Lustrous Lenormand , and Mastering the Tarot Tableau , and she’s known for helping readers reconnect with the roots of divination and unlock bold, predictive readings. Through World Divination, Toni guides people to read their own futures, navigate life’s crossroads, and step confidently into their path. Today, we’re diving into her latest creation, The Four Selves Oracle Deck , and exploring how it helps readers understand the deeper layers of the self and transform their lives through intuitive insight. For more information about Tori and her offerings, please visit: The Card Geek And for more information about cartomancy and world divination, please visit: World Divination Association

Please join us as we share some upcoming astrological and energetic influences for the month of August. The overriding theme for this coming month seems to be to protect your energy without hiding your light. There are some amazing transits, new moon energy, Leo powerhouse opportunities to shine, and to top it off we go into eclipse season. There is a lot of energy and shift happening but throughout it all is the nudge to: Protect your peace. Speak your truth kindly. Let your sensitivity become wisdom instead of exhaustion. Release identities built around carrying everyone else’s pain. Allow yourself to be seen without abandoning healthy boundaries. The crystal of the month: Calligraphy Stone—also called Miriam Stone, Elephant Skin Jasper, and Arabic Stone, is a great stone to hold when you need to feel energetically recharged. It’s most popular nickname is the Writer’s Stone because it’s known to help with writer’s block, creative inspiration, and automatic writing.It helps you access your akashic records primarily to help you recognize and release karmic patterns that are slowing your progress. It helps you transform fears into hope, anxieties into serenity and blocks into progress. The Tarot cards that came up: 8 of Cups, Star Reversed, 7 of Cups. The deck used was Crow Tarot by MJCullinane. The Oracle card pulled: Carry the Torch for Others to See, Wake Up the World from Healing Spirits Oracle by Gordon Smith For more information about Samantha and her offerings, please visit: samanthafey.com Denise and her offerings are at: thegratefulmessenger.com

Welcome back to our monthly Community Connections episode where we share stories, comments and questions from our Enlightened Empaths community! As always we had wonderful submissions, it’s always fun to discuss and share what you send in to us. We mixed it up a little bit and added some uplifting feel good stories in the second half of the episode. Please remember every little thing you do to help, to be kind, to notice, it really does make a difference! If you’d ever like to submit a question or comment, please email us at enlightenedempaths@gmail.com For more information about Samantha, her books and offerings: samanthafey.com Denise, her services and offerings can be found at: thegratefulmessenger.com

Please join us in welcoming Drew Larimore, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and librettist. As an accomplished writer, Drew shares his journey of integrating spiritual tools into his creative process as well as recounting how past life regression, guide work, and ancestral healing fuel his writing and artistic expression. Drew’s work has been produced in the U.S. and internationally–aptly described as “hilarious and slightly devastating”. His work for the stage and screen has been highlighted in The New Yorker, Variety, The New York Times, Theatrius, TheatreMania, Australian Stage, Sirius XM—and more. His new play, THE CANNIBALS OF MCGOWER COUNTY , the first in a three- party trilogy about the South, is set to premiere at TheaterWorks Hartford in August of 2026. He’s been an artist-in-residence at Scotland’s Hawthornden Castle, The Studios of Key West, Dairy Hollow, The Key West Literary seminar, and more. You can learn more about Drew’s work at drewlarimore.com and also by subscribing to his free Substack, @drewlarimore, where he regularly shares thoughts on the writing and creating process. For more information about his upcoming play, THE CANNIBALS OF MCGOWER COUNTY , please visit: TheaterWorks Hartford.

In this episode we look at how AI can but a useful tool for empaths to enhance their emotional and spiritual lives, while also considering the potential risks of over-reliance. There is no doubt AI is here to stay and is growing exponentially in all aspects of our everyday and global interactions. AI intersects with the very qualities that many empaths value most: emotional attunement, intuition, connection, generating true meaning, and compassion. This really is a fascinating discussion and something all of us need to consider as AI becomes a more prominent part of our lives. A good question to keep in mind: A useful question is: “Is this interaction helping me become more connected to life, people, nature, and my own inner knowing—or is it becoming a substitute for them?” We’d love to hear your comments and experiences, please email us at: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com Samantha and her offerings can be found at: samanthafey.com Denise’s services and offerings are available at: thegratefulmessenger.com

Please join us as we explore the astrological and energetic influences shaping the month of July! This is a big month of planetary shifts, moon phases, retrogrades but all inviting transformation. Several major transits occur in Cancer, a sign associated with emotional memory, intuition, home, and the inner child. One thing that stands out about July 2026 is that it doesn’t appear to be a month that rewards pushing harder. The Cancer emphasis, Neptune retrograde, and Mercury retrograde all suggest a slower, more receptive rhythm. For many empaths and highly sensitive people, the deepest insights may arise not through effort, but through creating enough spaciousness to hear what is already present. The energies of this month can truly become a gift if balanced with adequate rest, nature, solitude, and nervous system regulation. Oracle Card Deck Mentioned: The Fairy Tale Heroine Oracle by Sharon Blackie and Illustrated by Amanda Clark For more information about Samantha and her offerings, please visit: samanthafey.com Denise, her services and offerings can be found at: thegratefulmessenger.com

Welcome back to another episode where we explore spiritual signs, dream visitations, setting boundaries with family, and the importance of trusting your intuition, all based on stories, questions and comments from our community of listeners! If you would like to share something, please send us an email: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com Samantha and her books, offerings and services can be found at: samanthafey.com Denise, her offerings and services are at: thegratefulmessenger.com Thank you for listening and as always, show up, do good work and share your light!

Please join us in welcoming back Julie Grant! Julie is a Generational Trauma Guide, Intuitive Healer & Ancestral Healing Practitioner who is passionate about helping people to release generational blocks and patterns but also find a deeper connection with their own truth and knowing. Julie has trained extensively and draws from many healing modalities to meet you where you are now. Through a variety of offerings and sessions, Julie provides psychic guidance, deep generational work, help healing old memories and intuitive journey work for deeper insight and understanding. For more information about Julie and her services, please visit: intuitivehealingbyjulie.com On social media, you can find her at: intuitivehealingbyjulie Email Julie at: intuitivehealingbyjulie@gmail.com

Please join us as we share fascinating insights and useful tools connected with the latest research supporting brain health and development and how it can be best utilized by empaths! The stories and examples shared in today’s episode are from the social media site: MindSoulHub. If you have a comment or question about today’s episode, please send us an email: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com For more information about Samantha and her offerings: samanthafey.com Denise and her services & offerings : thegratefulmessenger.com

Please join us in welcoming Howard Martin, Executive Vice President of HeartMath as he discusses the profound connection between heart, mind, and body. Howard has spent decades of his life helping people from all walks of life learn to apply the science of heart brain coherence in everyday life situations. Howard’s perspective goes beyond simply managing emotions; he shares practical strategies that help people retrain their nervous systems for more clarity and resilience, drawing on years of research and global experience. His down to Earth approach in explaining the science behind stress, burnout, and the importance of heart-brain coherence for mental health is valuable in creating lasting well-being, especially at a time when so many are searching for sustainable solutions. For more information about the Heart Sensor and App as well as so much valuable information about the power of heart coherence and Heart Math, please visit: heartmath.com

Please join Samantha and Denise as they explore the energetic themes for the month of June which arrives with a clear message: stay present . There’s a strong energetic pull toward grounding yourself in the here and now, even as your inner world feels a little… divided. This month carries a potential tension between logic and intuition—between what you think and what you feel . As an empath, this can feel amplified. Your mind may try to rationalize something your body is clearly rejecting, or your emotions might contradict what seems “reasonable.” Instead of forcing a resolution, June invites you to hold space for both. Let them coexist without rushing to fix or label the experience. This truly can become a month of welcoming in long awaited transformation! For more information about Samantha and her offerings, please visit samanthafey.com Denise’s services and offerings can be found at: thegratefulmessenger.com If you would like to send us a note, question or comment, please send an email to: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com

It’s time for our monthly Community Connections episode where we share stories, questions and comments from our amazing listeners! This episode explores the power of energy, intuition, and signs from spirit, featuring real stories and scientific insights ranging from distant Reiki to dreams and signs from loved ones. Sit back and enjoy sharing time with us! If you have a question, comment or story you’d like to share, please email us at: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com . Samantha and her offerings can be found at: samanthafey.com and Denise’s offerings are available at: https://thegratefulmessenger.com

Welcome back to an uplifting episode of good news stories from around the world! Please join Samantha and Denise as they share a variety of inspiring people who decided to shine their light just a little bit brighter. It is so very hopeful to know there are always good, kind people who want to help other folks step up! If you would like to share an uplifting story of kindness for an upcoming Community Connections episode, please email: enlightenedempaths@gmail.com For more information about Samantha, her books and offerings: http://samanthafey.com To contact Denise or learn more about her services and offerings: http://thegratefulmessenger.com