Episode 6 - Asking Good Questions with Madison Morrigan

Discover the power of asking good questions

as guest, Madison Morrigan, shares profound insights on embracing curiosity and finding depth in your spiritual path.

Here’s what we talked about in this episode:

• Embracing Curiosity: Madison shared the power of being curious and remaining open on our spiritual path and self-discovery journey. It's through asking good questions and nurturing our curiosity that we can live more sovereign lives, liberating ourselves from limiting beliefs and becoming guardians of goodness.

• Finding Authenticity and Growth: We explored the importance of authenticity and personal growth. Madison reminded us that it's crucial to know ourselves deeply, taking responsibility for our choices, and embracing our power to shape our lives. By doing so, we can navigate challenges with resilience, maintain healthy boundaries, and create lives that align with our values and desires.

• The Sacred Heart Sanctuary: Madison's new project, the Sacred Heart Sanctuary, offers an accessible space for individuals seeking support and community. It's a sanctuary where we can root ourselves in what truly matters, reorienting our lives towards goodness and finding the balance between healing and embracing a life filled with joy and depth.

Guest Bio:

Madison Morrigan is a 5x international award winning life and leadership coach, creative consultant, the host of podcast Everything Belongs and speaker who helps visionaries embody their worth, power and fullness.  Centered on self-belonging, sacred self-responsibility, spiritual freedom and full expression, Madison coaches humans as they shed layers of old programming keeping them small and finally come home to their true selves.  

She has her degree in interpersonal communication with an emphasis in psychology from Missouri State University, has a certificate in conflict resolution, and legal mediation, is trained in NLP, hypnosis, is a meditation teacher and is a Certified BYCA Coach.

Website: https://www.madisonmorrigan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonmorrigan/

Newsletter: https://www.madisonmorrigan.com/muse-mail-yes 

Show Notes:

Hey sister, welcome to Episode Six of Rooted Feminine. I'm really excited about today's episode because I had the opportunity to interview Madison Morgan, whom I have admired and followed online for a long time. Seeing her evolution has been incredibly powerful and inspiring for me, and she discusses that in this episode.

One thing that stands out in this episode is that Madison not only guides others through their work, but she has also done her own inner work. This is what I believe makes a great leader, coach, and guide—someone who not only imparts knowledge but also walks the talk. Madison embodies this legitimacy, and her wisdom shines through in our conversation. I hope you all enjoy it. Without further ado, let's jump into my interview with Madison Morgan.

Marissa: Hey sisters, welcome to Episode Six of Rooted Feminine. I'm thrilled to have someone with me today whom I have admired from afar and followed online for a long time—Madison Morgan. I'm incredibly grateful that she's here to share her wisdom with us.

Madison, would you mind giving us a brief introduction about yourself, what you do, and your work?

Madison: Thank you so much. It's always exciting to connect with people who have been following my journey for some time. My work and life have undergone significant changes since you began following me.

I'm a coach and someone who approaches life from a mystical perspective. While I'm not religious, I believe in the interconnectedness of all things, and this belief strongly influences my work. I also host a podcast called Everything Belongs. The core of my work revolves around helping individuals recenter themselves, reclaim their self-worth and sovereignty, and reconnect with their wholeness. It's about living in a way that embraces their liberation now. This involves exploring worthiness, untangling from codependency, and choosing to belong to oneself. I can delve deeper into the hows, but that's essentially what it entails.

Marissa: That's amazing. I'm curious, when did you realize that this was your calling in life? Would you consider it your dharma or soul's purpose, or are you simply following what feels right in the moment? How does it manifest for you?

Madison: That's an interesting question. Personally, I would consider it my dharma. I'm not sure if you're familiar with human design, but I'm a four-one generator in human design. For me, things that align with my purpose tend to be quite evident.

They say that a four-one is like being on a set of train tracks with a path already carved out. As a generator, I have a sense of response, although I lack the sacral knowing that some people possess. However, in a dance class I facilitated yesterday, I asked the participants, "How do you know when you know?" It's one of my favorite questions. My answer to that is usually when I'm already engaged and responding to something. I can't do anything that I'm not passionate about. Physically, I just can't. I could fake it for about three weeks, as I did in previous jobs, where I became the best employee, but eventually, it was clear that I didn't belong there.

As for how I got into this work, I was pursuing my undergraduate degree in communication and psychology, with the intention of becoming a sex therapist. People always fascinated me, and I was also deeply involved in religious activities, such as facilitating women's Bible studies and small groups from a young age. During my psychology studies, I was married at the time, and my ex-husband needed to go to college. Financially, we couldn't both attend simultaneously, so I decided to support him by finding a job after I finished college.

During my final semester, I thought I had graduated, but it turned out I was one credit hour short. It was a funny and unexpected situation. So, I went back to fulfill that one credit hour, which happened to be a personal branding class. Surprisingly, I fell in love with coaching through that class. It was my introduction to the concept, and at that time, about a decade ago, coaching was beyond my awareness. I believed that after college, you just got a job and that was it.

Initially, I thought I needed a master's degree, so I spent two years contemplating and exploring coaching. Eventually, I obtained a coaching certificate on top of my degree when I was 23. From there, it took off for me. Of course, my coaching back then, as a 23-year-old, was different from what it is now. It was more focused on goals and aspirations. But I genuinely loved it and felt a deep connection.

Marissa: What about SMART goals?

Madison: Exactly, it was very much focused on that. Yeah. But watching people achieve what they wanted in life was very exciting for me. At that time, I was also heavily involved in Christianity, which influenced my perspective. As my journey progressed and I began healing, going to therapy, and doing inner work, coaching opened doors within my communities. Some people labeled me a witch for suggesting that individuals could be whole without God. They thought I was leading people away from God. Eventually, I did leave the church.

Madison: So, it seemed like everyone maybe had the Holy Spirit. What was truly beautiful about coaching is that it taught me to be a skilled listener and question asker. Through these skills, I started asking a lot of questions. In the decades since then, it has brought me to a different place in my life, but also back home to a sense of knowing God and myself. So, to sum it up, I followed my own curiosities, and no one could tell me I couldn't pursue coaching because I was obsessed with it. I couldn't resist it. I love...

Marissa: It's fascinating how our stories align. Before we started recording, we discovered several similarities. Another similarity is that we both started our journeys at the age of 23 or 24. I had just graduated with my master's degree in mental health counseling. I was a therapist, but the army moved us to Alaska. Sorry, this was when I had just graduated from business school, and the army moved us to Alaska. There was only one credit union in the town we lived in, and there were no businesses or corporate opportunities. On Facebook, I started seeing ads for the International Coach Federation (ICF) and The Coaching Institute. I was intrigued by coaching, but I couldn't envision a career path in it. So, I decided to pursue a master's degree in mental health to become licensed in something. It took me on a detour, but eventually, I came back to coaching. I find it fascinating how these things happen.

Madison: It's valid because I've had clients who wanted to be coaches but were not interested in owning their own businesses. Not all coaches and therapists do the same work. Therapists have specialties that not all coaches have. It's interesting. I don't believe coaching and having your own business is for everyone due to the level of adaptability required. It's somewhat of a gamble to own your own business, especially if you're a creative person. But it can also be amazing. So, no discredit to anyone who chose that path. There is security in just putting up a profile on Psychology Today and expecting clients to come.

Marissa: So, I'm sensing an undercurrent in our conversation about making decisions from the soul, inner knowing, and soul-led decision-making. Would you say that's how it happened for you? You mentioned that you already knew it was for you because you were already doing it. But you were doing it in a different capacity, leading Bible study circles. How did the shift happen? Was it gradual or immediate?

Madison: When I obtained my coaching certificate, I realized that facilitating groups was my strength and my greatest skill set. I love one-on-one interactions, but I am highly skilled and prefer leading groups. The depth and impact that can be achieved in a group setting is profound. So, I transitioned from leading Bible studies to hosting gatherings called Glow gatherings. Looking back, it's quite amusing. I would use spaces owned by my friends who had small businesses or vintage clothing shops. I would charge $10 for attendees, mainly to cover the snacks. I really enjoyed it. I would choose a topic or theme, prepare a set of questions, and facilitate the conversation. Honestly, I just liked it. I felt that people were gaining something from it, and they reported enjoying the experience. Additionally, I found that it met a need for me.

To be honest, I believe my neurodivergence played a role in this. I feel a deep connection to people, but it can be challenging for me to connect in regular group settings without a more intentional structure. Looking back, I realize that I found safety in understanding my role as a facilitator and being able to connect in a focused way without small talk, which I'm not good at. It allowed me to ask the questions I wanted to ask but couldn't in casual social interactions. I think my neurodivergence led me to find a way to connect with people, as I longed for connection. Facilitating fulfilled that need, allowing me to ask the questions I wanted and show up in a way that felt safe and comfortable. So, in many ways, my neurodivergence led me to find a role in facilitation. What's interesting is that astrology indicates that I have several placements in the 11th House of Friends, ruled by Leo. My communication, Venus, Jupiter, and other planets are there, along with my Chiron, the wounded healer. My astrologer explained that I'm naturally inclined toward groups, but I tend to stand on the edge, observing what's happening without fully being part of the group. This revelation was somewhat of a relief, as it confirmed that being a facilitator was part of my design. It also helped me with my struggles around belonging. So, my twenties were a period of learning and understanding all of this.

Returning to your question about decision-making, I believe there's a blueprint for each of us in how we show up in the world. While the coaching industry often promotes the idea that you can be anything, I don't fully agree. I think we have the potential to be our authentic selves by tapping into our individual blueprints. I consider myself fortunate that my body doesn't allow me to say no to things that are meant for me. If I go against my true path, I'll become unwell. So, I describe it as having a golden cord that I follow. It doesn't mean I feel certain about my decisions because I'm following my soul. In fact, I often feel uncertain and don't know what I'm doing. But looking back, I can see that everything works out. There's a thread connecting it all. In the moment, it may not feel that way, but I trust it anyway.

Marissa: I love that. In this series of episodes, we're focusing on the concept of liberation, and I personally refer to it as rewilding. Some people use the term deconstruction. I know that you've undergone significant deconstruction or rewilding in the past decade, similar to the timeframe you mentioned. Could you share a bit about your journey of deconstruction or rewilding? How have you liberated yourself from oppressive systems and structures? Were these conscious choices or did you arrive at them?

Madison: I love this question, and I believe most of my journey was a conscious choice. I grew up in a highly enmeshed and abusive household. To summarize, I am the first child from my parents' first marriage. I have six siblings, and my dad has been married five times. My home life with my mom and stepdad was abusive, to the extent that I no longer have contact with them except for the occasional birthday text. When I initially embarked on my journey, I couldn't fully recognize or acknowledge the extent of the abuse.

To seek belonging, safety, and a sense of family, I immersed myself in radical evangelical Christianity. It made sense to me that God loved me and that this community would support me. Looking back, I understand that I was searching for what I lacked in my own family, which was a safe environment. I got married at a young age to my first real boyfriend. I followed the rules, such as abstaining from sex until marriage. I genuinely loved God, worship, and delving into philosophy. There were aspects that resonated with me. As I mentioned earlier, coaching opened up a space for me to ask questions, but that wasn't always welcomed.

Divesting from the church was a three-year conscious journey. I began confessing my doubts and questioning certain aspects, such as the exclusion of gay people, the enforcement of church discipline, the non-recognition of trans people, and the restriction on women teaching men. Over time, I started reading more books and listening to diverse voices, especially through podcasts that were gaining popularity. This exposed me to information beyond the narrow confines of my small community. It expanded my mind. Coaching also connected me with people from around the world, allowing for broader perspectives. The new information I encountered became incongruent with my existing beliefs. It challenged my understanding.

During this period, I also faced physical health issues. I had deep cystic acne and chronic IBS symptoms. It was a friend, more of an acquaintance, who pointed out that I had experienced abuse in my childhood. I had always been the golden child in my family, excelling at everything. In my mind, I had a great childhood. But she helped me realize that I had been abused. She strongly recommended therapy, specifically applied kinesiology trauma therapy. Within six months of starting therapy, my acne cleared up, and my IBS symptoms vanished. It was a transformative experience. However, it also led to the death of my concept of God. I couldn't reconcile my growing wellness with the diminishing ability to make my old beliefs fit. The genie was out of the bottle, and I couldn't put it back in.

This journey of deconstruction continued as I discovered the impact of the patriarchy, white supremacy, and other oppressive systems. I also realized my own sexual orientation—I am gay—which I had internalized and suppressed due to the narratives I had absorbed. I went through a divorce, and over a seven-year period, one thing after another fell away from my life. Four years ago, I left my ex-husband, and then the pandemic hit, leading to another layer of societal exploration and understanding.

It was an exhausting decade with so much unraveling and shedding. For me, it was important to dive deep into understanding the reasons behind it all. Some people leave the church without delving into the intricacies, but I wanted to know the ins and outs, why certain things happened, why certain groups were marginalized, why people of color were treated a certain way. It was an intense process, but it allowed me to grasp a macro view of narcissistic abuse in both personal and societal contexts. I saw that toxic, enmeshed, and narcissistic dynamics existed not only in my family but also in larger systems

Marissa: Could you provide an example of some of the questions you asked yourself during your deconstruction and rewilding process? Were you questioning if certain beliefs were right for you? What were the core questions you explored?

Madison: Absolutely. The questions I asked varied, but they all revolved around the fundamental inquiry of why couldn't I be my authentic self? In my marriage, my ex-husband would express his desire for me to be more feminine or fit certain expectations. In the church, I was told I talked too much or asked too many questions, which made me feel like I was being diminished and stripped of my true essence.

One specific incident that stands out is when I was a missionary in Mexico. My college pastor, who I've reconciled with since then, confronted me about my neurodivergence and trauma. He claimed that I needed to change and handed me books to read in order to become a more compliant and subservient woman who supported leadership. That night, I found myself sitting in a chair near the balcony, sobbing and questioning why God had made me this way. I couldn't comprehend why being myself felt so wrong when I wasn't doing anything inherently bad.

Throughout my journey, I realized that much of what I had internalized as shame was actually toxic shame. Many of my questions revolved around understanding why we believe certain individuals or aspects of ourselves are inherently wrong. Why are women often labeled as evil? Why are our bodies deemed bad? It all came back to questioning why I couldn't be my authentic self.

As the answers started to emerge, I discovered that it wasn't so much about receiving definitive answers but rather diving deeper into the questions themselves. Unfortunately, I found that no one was able to provide satisfactory responses without resorting to reductive circular reasoning. When I questioned why women couldn't lead, the response would be that the Bible said so. But when I further probed, the reasoning shifted to notions of women being the weaker sex, which didn't hold true. The answers I encountered were inadequate and only led to more questioning.

For instance, someone once claimed that people are gay because they were molested, but I knew from my own experiences and understanding that this was an incorrect and baseless assumption. The circular reasoning and lack of substantial evidence made it feel like talking to a brick wall, which became exhausting. So I started seeking out spaces where people were asking profound questions, even if I didn't always find complete satisfaction in the answers.

Moving forward during that time wasn't about having a set plan or knowing the next step. It was more about embracing the ongoing journey of questioning, learning, and growth. The forward movement came from being open to exploration and surrounding myself with individuals who welcomed and valued deep inquiry. Rather than seeking a linear path, I focused on being present in the process of self-discovery and allowing it to unfold naturally.

Marissa: As the answers started to surface during your journey, were you prepared to receive those answers? Personally, I can relate to this experience. Were you ready for the revelations or answers that came your way?

Madison: Honestly, I don't think I was prepared for definitive answers because what I discovered was that the more questions I asked, the more questions emerged. It wasn't a process of receiving clear-cut answers because, to be honest, no one was able to provide satisfactory responses to my inquiries. I found it frustrating that no one could answer my questions without resorting to reductive circular reasoning that only led back to my original question.

For example, when questioning why women couldn't lead, the response would be that the Bible prohibits it. But when I delved deeper and asked why, the answer shifted to the notion that women are the weaker sex, which didn't align with reality. The answers I encountered felt unreal and failed to satisfy my curiosity, leading to even more profound questioning. I reached a point where I couldn't be around people who held misguided beliefs, such as a friend claiming that people are only gay because they were molested. I knew this to be false and unsupported by any evidence beyond circular reasoning.

Conversations started to feel like talking to a brick wall, and the experience became exhausting. That's when I started seeking out spaces where people engaged in meaningful discussions and asked thought-provoking questions. I didn't necessarily find complete satisfaction in the answers, but I sought environments where questions were embraced.

Moving forward during that time didn't involve having a predefined plan or knowing the exact next step. It wasn't about a linear progression. Rather, it was about embracing the ongoing journey of questioning, learning, and personal growth. It wasn't about finding definitive answers but rather being present in the process of self-discovery and allowing it to unfold organically.

There were distinct moments along the way that marked pivotal shifts. I remember the last time I attended church was on Easter, probably in 2015. They were serving communion, and I knew in biblical tradition that only true believers should partake in it. However, I didn't believe it to be true anymore, so I made the decision not to participate. It felt incongruent with my evolving beliefs. Similarly, in my marriage, when I realized I was attracted to a woman, I couldn't continue living a lie. It wasn't so much about knowing what to do next; it was about recognizing that I couldn't keep going down a path that felt dishonest.

There wasn't a grand plan or a clear next step. It was more about reaching a point where I couldn't continue living inauthentically. It was about choosing to be myself, pursuing wellness, and seeking freedom. These pivotal moments often felt like drawing a line in the sand, resisting until I couldn't resist any longer, and then free-falling into the unknown. I never knew what lay on the other side, and it was definitely scary. But in those moments, it felt like the only choice to make for my well-being and personal liberation.

Marissa: So, you went through a significant transition. You became single and left your support system, right? And then the pandemic hit. Can you talk about that?

Madison: Actually, I wasn't single when the pandemic started because I immediately started dating a woman. It happened very quickly because I knew she was someone I was attracted to. Surprisingly, my ex-husband even encouraged me to kiss her, probably not expecting that I would take his advice. But I did, and it was an interesting turn of events. It meant we had to get divorced, but I started dating her right away. We were actually on vacation when the pandemic began, and upon returning, we had to quarantine together. My roommate, who had children, didn't want us to come back to the house for fear of getting them sick. So, I ended up living with my new partner for a couple of months, and that's how we ended up moving in together.

That relationship eventually ended last year. If it weren't for the pandemic, it probably would have ended much sooner. Nevertheless, I learned so much from that experience. It really put me through the wringer, to be honest. I had this idea that after my divorce and coming out, everything would be perfect, like what Glennon Doyle talked about in her book "Untamed." I thought I had it all figured out. But in reality, that relationship brought to light all the unresolved dynamics from my childhood that I hadn't fully processed or learned about during my marriage. It was a challenging experience, but ultimately for the better.

Marissa: So, throughout this process, as you've gone through this evolution and unraveling, what does liberation mean to you? Can you define it? And what would you say to others who are going through their own process of liberating themselves?

Madison: Yeah. One quote from my mentors immediately comes to mind, and it's "A fixed thing is not free." This quote holds multiple meanings because in my journey, there was a desire to liberate myself from what was oppressing me. I felt oppressed by certain systems, people, and dynamics. But then I had a realization that, oh, I'm also oppressing myself. I found that I was bound by my own egoic patterns that had led me into this mess in the first place. My patterns included excessive people-pleasing, seeking approval, wanting to be the best, and being willing to sacrifice myself. It may seem contradictory to strive for integrity while also seeking approval, but there was a part of me that desired belonging and approval.

At some point in my journey, I had to acknowledge that I was complicit in these dynamics. I wanted approval from my parents, to be the best, to fit a certain mold as a good wife, and even to conform to societal norms regarding my queerness. In those moments, I completely missed what was truly happening. I overlooked red flags and warning signs because my focus was more on being liked, approved of, and safe, rather than seeking the truth.

Eventually, my authentic self rose up and said, "No, this is not right. Get out of these situations." Liberation, for me, has evolved to be less about rebelling against what others are doing and more about examining my own actions and motivations. It's about understanding the patterns that keep repeating in my life. I don't believe in victim-blaming, but when you find yourself in similar dynamics repeatedly, it's important to ask yourself, "Am I playing a role in this? What am I contributing to this?"

Marissa: I love it. It hearkens back to what you said in the beginning about the macro and the micro, right?

Madison: Yeah. For me, it started on a macro level, and then I couldn't help but turn inward and look at the micro, like the macrocosm and microcosm. But for others, it may happen the other way around. They might begin working on themselves and then start to realize that it's not just about them, their family, or their immediate surroundings. They see that it extends to the world. It doesn't matter which direction you go; the key is to recognize that as within, so without, as above, so below. It applies to both the micro and the macro.

Madison: Absolutely. And you know what's funny? At the time, I thought I was starting with myself, and to some extent, I was. But I wasn't ready, at 24 or 25, to fully comprehend the depth of what I was experiencing. There's a sense of compassion that needs to be present in recognizing that wherever you begin your journey, whatever stage you're at, you can only know what you know in that moment. Sometimes, if everything was revealed to you all at once, it would be overwhelming.

If I had known back then what I know now, 10 years ago, it would have been too much. I don't think my past self would have been ready to embrace it. It would have been like seeing myself as the devil. So I'm glad it unfolded the way it did. I often think that I know what's best for myself in five years, but I wouldn't want the choices I made five years ago to shape my life today.

Marissa: For sure. I'm in my mid-thirties now, and I finally feel like I've become an adult, maybe. Yeah, in my twenties, I definitely didn't feel like one. But if you had asked me back then, I would have confidently claimed that I knew what I was doing. It's so crazy. I love how you're saying that it's about doing the best with what you have in each moment.

Madison: Yeah, that's all you can do because you can't know more than that.

Marissa: Another theme I'm picking up as you speak is the concept of ownership. I love what you just said about the common denominator. It's easy to deflect and attribute things to external factors or other people, but when you turn inward, taking ownership becomes essential.

Madison: Yeah, absolutely. Taking ownership, even selfishly, is great because I've learned that you can't change other people. Taking ownership becomes a fast track to finding a little more happiness, I think. I like to feel like I have control, for better or worse. When I try to change others, I'm trying to control something that can't be controlled. So, taking responsibility for myself, even if I can't change everything, even if I can just acknowledge it, gives me a greater sense of control over my life. I can choose what comes next.

Marissa: That might feel shocking or terrible for some people, but for me, it's a relief. It feels liberating because I didn't have much control in my household growing up. I was constantly monitored and controlled in every aspect. To think that now I have the power to control what happens in my life, to control my choices and outlook, is incredibly empowering. It allows me to access my own power, which was absent when I was in an abusive situation. Control and choice were taken away from me. So, the more choices and agency I have, the more liberated I feel.

Marissa: I love that you brought up the word "power" because that's exactly where I was heading. We're conditioned to believe that power, especially for women, is a negative thing because we often associate it with power over others. But true power is self-power. True power is taking responsibility. I appreciate that you're bringing this into the conversation.

Madison: It's funny because I hadn't even remembered that some people perceive power as power over others, but I think that's why some individuals are afraid of embracing their own power. Personally, for me, if I acknowledged my power, it meant I had to recognize what I knew and make choices based on it. I had a tendency to be confused and easily manipulated because I didn't want to see the reality of what was happening. It was a trauma response. If I acknowledged and accepted what was truly going on, there would be consequences. Many of us deny our power because once we know what's happening and have a choice in the matter, we have to face the decision and deal with the outcomes.

I think that can be really scary for people. It was frightening for me to realize that I actually had a choice. Perhaps I didn't have a choice when I was younger or in certain situations, but now I have agency. I can take action, maybe not change the other person, but I can leave. People often say, "If I admit this in my marriage, what if I have to leave?" But even by staying and being miserable, you're still making a choice. By staying and never acknowledging what could change, you're also making a choice. Sometimes it's about having the conversation and honestly expressing your desires, which can lead to a positive transformation in the marriage or relationship.

Admitting our power means we have to take action, and that can be scary for us.

Marissa: Talking about power and agency and choice is leading me to the idea of sovereignty, which I know is a big piece of work as well. So how do you define sovereignty, and is it related to what we've been discussing here?

Madison: Yeah, just like power, I believe sovereignty is an inherent quality. It's not something we have to work to possess, but rather something we have to work to access. We are naturally powerful, naturally sovereign beings, but we often forget that. So, for me, sovereignty means that I belong to myself and you belong to yourself. We are separate individuals with our own bodies, thoughts, and energetic fields, yet we also belong together.

I want to clarify that the term "sovereignty" has been hijacked in recent years by the far right. What I mean by sovereignty is not solely about "I belong to me, don't tell me what to do." While I understand that perspective, it can be problematic. Similarly, the new age space promotes the idea of "we're all one," which also has its problems. Both extremes have their issues. 

In reality, as the human race, we are interconnected. We share consciousness, similar to how a swarm of birds moves together as a unified entity made up of individual birds. This applies to humans and family systems as well. If a family system leans too much towards "we're all one," it leads to enmeshment and a lack of healthy autonomy and individualism. On the other hand, if it leans too much towards "I'm sovereign, don't tell me what to do," it fosters hyper individualism and disconnects us from a sense of unity and belonging.

To me, sovereignty is knowing who I am to such an extent that I feel safe to belong with others. It's finding a balance. In terms of attachment styles, complete avoidance represents "I'm sovereign and autonomous," while complete anxious attachment represents "we're all one." Healthy sovereignty, on the other hand, is having secure attachment to oneself, to life, and to others. It means being able to take care of myself and recognize that I belong to myself as a healthy adult human being, while also forming healthy connections with others.

Marissa: I love that. One of the tenets of the rooted feminine is that we pour into ourselves so that we can pour into the collective. It's like if you're trying to pour into others but your cup is empty, there won't be anything there. So it's important for us to nurture ourselves, nurture our souls, and by fully embodying and filling ourselves, we can radiate that to others. It's about interconnectedness, not merging together like Play-Doh, but recognizing that we each have our own boundaries and individuality.

Madison: Absolutely. I'm trying to find the right words to articulate this visual I have in my mind, but I don't think I can do it justice. So I'll just pass it back to you.

Marissa: Yeah. So you have a new project that is really new at the time of this recording. By the time this comes out, it will have been around for a while. But what's really cool is that while we focused on your healing journey at the beginning of the episode, which is important, I also love that in this new project you talk about letting it be good. We don't have to be buried under our healing all the time. Can you share a bit about your new project, its intention, and the message behind it?

Madison: Thank you. It's called the Sacred Heart Sanctuary, and it's a membership. Firstly, I wanted to create something that was more approachable and accessible to people, especially in the current economic climate where resources may be limited. Not everyone can afford long-term coaching programs, so I wanted to make something more accessible to those who still need support.

But beyond the practical reasons, there's a deeper intention. Over the past couple of years, I've noticed a shift in my perspective. The healing journey of the past decade was necessary, but it also made me skeptical and disappointed in people. It sobered me up and made me realize that while ongoing trauma and healing are real, we also need to find a way to stay open-hearted in the world without getting burned out or becoming jaded. It's about acknowledging that all these experiences are part of the human journey and finding a balance between the work we do and allowing our lives to be good amidst it all.

Interestingly, one of my mentors, Julie Parker, who founded the Coaching Institute I attended, watched my training and recognized that this project aligns with the fundamentals of coaching. It felt like coming full circle. It's about focusing on what's good in a deeper way, with the understanding that we need support and community. Personally, I've also connected with my own heart, realizing the need to stay open and creating a life that allows me to do so. I call it being the guardian of the good, being mindful of what I give my attention to and who I surround myself with. Many people have realized their sensitivity and capacity during the pandemic, but struggle to align their lives with it because they're trying to keep up with an outdated version of themselves. This leads to depression, burnout, and a mismatch with what is truly healthy for them. So, in my new project, I aim to address these issues and help people live aligned lives. I hope that clarifies the intention and passion behind it.

Marissa: Yeah, no, I love it. It's all good. If you have some parting wisdom for someone on this journey, seeking to re-root into something real and deep instead of staying on the surface level, what advice would you give?

Madison: For those wanting to go beyond the surface level, I would say ask good questions. Find the good that you want to be the guardian of. If you're unsure of what you want to protect, your boundaries will only be keeping things out. So ask good questions, discover what you want your life to be about, and start directing your energy there.

Marissa: That's so beautiful. Madison, this has been incredible. Thank you so much. I'm glad we got to connect in this way. For those listening who want to learn more about you, Sacred Heart, or your work, where can they go to follow along?

Madison: My website is madisonmorgan.com. For the Sacred Heart Sanctuary, you can visit my website and go to the sanctuary page. It is open for enrollment, and you don't have to wait for a big launch. If you feel called and want the support, you can join now. We have two monthly group calls, and we usually have a call every other week. So come join us on the call. I'm also active on Instagram, although I'm shifting my focus more towards the sanctuary and my newsletter. Speaking of which, definitely join my newsletter, which you can find on my website. We're taking a podcast break for the summer to dedicate more energy to the sanctuary, but you can still listen to the existing episodes of my podcast called Everything Belongs. There are 120 episodes available for a deep dive.

Marissa: That's great. We'll include links to all of that in the show notes. Thank you again for your time, energy, and wisdom.

Madison: Thank you so much. It's amazing how quickly an hour can pass when you're engaged in a meaningful conversation.

Marissa: Okay, that was pretty cool. I love Madison's advice about asking good questions. Curiosity and openness play a significant role in our spiritual journey, self-discovery, sovereignty, liberation, and becoming guardians of goodness. Her new project is fantastic, and the links will be provided in the show notes below. As you continue your journey and connect with your feminine energy, remember to keep asking good questions. I'll be back with a new episode next week. See you next time in Temple Space.