Welcome! I’m glad you are here.
About Spicy Soul Mama
Spicy Soul Mama is about self-care, personal growth, spirituality, parenting, and mental health. It’s about the ambivalence of motherhood as the catalyst for transformation for personal growth and self-discovery. It’s about mental health and paths to recovery. I write like I’m talking to a friend, bringing you along for the journey with courage, empathy, humility, and loving-kindness to shine light on darkness. Maybe together we will peel back the layers of the onion and get straight to the heart to gather at the campfire for pockets of peace.
I’m so happy you are here.
About being a subscriber to Spicy Soul Mama
I publish once a week, usually on Sunday, with the occasional mid-week post. The essays reflect observations of my life on the spiritual path to purpose and soul, with a bit of spice. At times, I will bring a journalistic piece about the mental health industry, providing new ways to look at approaches to recovery.
About free vs. paid subscriptions
I decided when I started writing on Substack that I wouldn’t paywall any of my work.
Much of the writing and offerings come from a place of service. Creating takes time; it’s not a hobby, it’s my purpose and my work. If my writing and my offerings are of value to you, something you can’t get anywhere else (me!), consider supporting my work with a paid subscription. If you read an essay and want to support me for that particular essay, you can do that too. I’ve added a donation (dana/tzedakah) button at the bottom. (coming soon!)
About Shelley
A former Silicon Valley recruiting leader now living in the Sonoran Desert of California, I enjoy many of the adventures desert living has to offer. I love art museums, hiking, a good matcha latte or ceremonial cacao, going to hear live music at the infamous Pappy & Harriet’s (Paul McCartney played there), and cooking for friends at home.
My spiritual journey began with 3 am PBS visits with Wayne Dyer in 2004 and planted the seed for multiple retreats with Ram Dass, who gave me the name of Durga. I love getting high from chanting at a kirtan and going on meditative retreats with my friends. Finding new pathways for personal understanding, archetypes, mysticism, and growth is an obsession of mine.
My writing has appeared in publications like The Sun, Business Insider, Mad in America, Elephant Journal, LAYoga, and SFYoga.
Insight Timer Mindfulness Recordings - meditate with me!
I have a published essay in the book anthology, Six Feet Apart in the Time of Corona (2022, Acorn Publishing).
Credentials: B.A. in English, certifications in the Power of Awareness, and a 2-year study/completion of Mindfulness with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, along with a coaching certification in the Enneagram.
Other credentials include being a parent to a now young-adult who is in recovery from a mental health break almost 10 years ago. Navigating the mental health system and finding new ways of looking at mental health beyond the traditional models is an obsession.
I am working on an e-book to share all the resources I’ve garnered over the years. I’m currently on the board of a newly forming non-profit, Family Alliance for Mental Health Recovery.
Next-level offerings for the soul’s path:
Foundations of Mindfulness
A 4-part series - Tailored guidance and dharma talks for parents who may be struggling. Together, we will practice mindfulness using the tenets of Buddhist practices of exploration of the Hindrances of the mind, Metta, Insight, and other topics. Offered individually or in small groups online.
✨$97 pp for the series
1:1 Soul Guidance Sessions
Deepen your spiritual practice with these sessions. Through meditation, spiritual resources, angel and oracle readings, and compassionate, judgment-free listening, you’ll cultivate the inner peace and clarity needed to show up fully in your life and the world.
✨$150 per session or a series of 3 for $425
Why subscribe?
Testimonials
"I am so impressed by your writing. Much of it resonates with my own view of the world . I am like to hear new ideas and new ways of seeing things. I might not change my perspective but I am open to "listening". Happy to support your fine work Shelley.
—Margie
“I am really enjoying this podcast as I need to focus on these topics right now….it’s helping me think and reflect. It’s professional and it flows very nicely and you both sound educated and purposeful.”
—Debra S.
“Shelley’s (intuitive) reading spoke to me so deeply for where I am currently and the question I offered to the universe for guidance. Her approach was gentle, loving, and highly intuitive. The guidance I received from Shelley's reading has been reinforced a few times since. I can’t wait for the next one!” ✨
—Sarah C.
“Shelley is made to be a meditation teacher! I never grasped the context of being “One” with the Universe until I started meditation with her.”
—Nancy A.
“Taking time to meditate with Shelley helped me to ‘let go’ of some of my worries and more accepting of reality. She is a truly gifted guide.”
—Debbie S.
Who is Spicy Soul Mama?
