Build by Light

Something's happening.

Warrior energy is moving in. Do you feel it?

This seems to be a topic that's resonating in a few circles I'm in.

I told them I've found myself both inspired and envious watching Emma Grede, author of Start With Yourself, all over Instagram. (I know that my envy is just a mirror showing me what I desire.) She's everywhere — on major podcasts (think: Oprah), on stages with packed-house shows across the U.S., speaking about her new book.

I'm witnessing something I want… and also wondering: how does one get to be so fearless?

I'm in the middle of her book right now. If you Google Start With Yourself, you'll see it described as "a no-BS career and personal growth guide… aimed at helping readers get out of their own way and unlock their full potential."

Grede is a baller. She has a point of view on work, parenting, money, trade-offs, and more — and not everyone loves it. She's okay with that. She's not here to please everyone. She's here to share her vision, and it may resonate with you or it may not. Either way, she's good.

She's not in the business of pleasing people.

I've found myself saying, like that line in When Harry Met Sally — I'll have what she's having.

I realize the boldness I see in women like Emma isn't something they were born with and I wasn't. It's something they've claimed.

KEEP READING THE FULL POST, PLUS WHAT I’M DOING ABOUT IT →

There are people in this world who remind you that life is meant to be savored — not just optimized. Stefanie Mullen is one of them.

She's just launched something that is intentional and delightful: The Savoring Dispatch, a monthly envelope of slow living inspiration, curated by hand and meant to be savored. Each month, you'll receive a real envelope in your real mailbox containing a handwritten letter from Stefanie, a seasonal recipe, a playlist for the month, journal prompts to help you reconnect with yourself, gardening and design wisdom earned the hard way, a quote worth keeping, and a few small surprises.

Twelve months, twelve themes. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for a friend. Either way, it's a love letter to a slower, more intentional way of being.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SAVORING DISPATCH →

✨ The May Energy Update — Every month, spiritual guide and channel Lee Harris shares his download on what's happening energetically for the collective. Always grounding, always worth a watch.

🎧 You Are Not Broken — A community member suggested this podcast with Dr. Lisa Miller. I have been a huge fan of Dr. Miller’s work since I first read her book, The Awakened Brain. This is a good listen and a good reminder that we are literally hardwired for spirituality. So, having a dedicated spiritual life and practice is an integral part of our overall health and vitality.

🪩 We Going Analog Again? — This was sent to me after a community discussion on wanting a bit more privacy during online discussions. New Eventbrite data shows “phone-free events are up 567% globally, spanning activities from live music and dance parties to low-key gaming, cooking, and meditation hangs. A desire for feeling safe to be ourselves in community spaces (minus the digital imprint) is getting louder.

🎵 Beauté by Jordan Critz — I’ve walked the beach listening to this song and it’s simply delightful. Wherever you are, put on your headphones, go for a walk, look around you. You might be amazed at what you notice.

🦄 From Intuition to Fruition — Join Orly Altaras on her new 6-week intuition-building course to learn how to receive guidance, trust it, and create the life meant for you.

🪐 How to Use Astrology to Start a Business — Curious if you’re meant to be an entrepreneur? Astrologer Alice Hu is offering this free workshop on Thursday, May 14 to help you discover aligned business ideas.

💌 Got a spiritual find you would recommend? Share it with me: [email protected]. And then I’ll share it with this community!

My dad passed away almost 17 years ago.

Recently, I was with my mom and sister on what would have been my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. We "celebrated" by doing out to dinner. Mom's treat. For dessert we ordered an apple crips with vanilla ice cream for the table, my dad's favorite.

The waitress brought over plates for us to share. I passed them out, along with spoons, and realized there was an extra place setting. Without thinking much of it, I set it down in front of the empty chair.

A minute later, the waitress came back, and looked down at our table. "Oh, I realized I gave you four place setting by mistake. I don't know why I did that."

It was at that moment I thought: Oh. That's for my dad. He's joining us tonight.

The next day while we were driving I saw a license plate on the car in front of me with the name JIM on it.

Another wink. Hi, Dad. So happy you made the celebration.

On Thursday, May 14 at 5:00 PM PST, I'm co-leading a 90-minute live workshop with the brilliant Kristan Sargeant — coach, three-time TEDxWomen producer, and a clear, grounded teacher.

We're calling it Meet Your Shadow. Change Everything. Here’s why: because the parts of you that you've kept hidden — the instincts, desires, and unrealized gifts — are also the parts that know where you're meant to go next. The Shadow isn't something to fear. It's something to befriend.

In this workshop, we'll show you what the Shadow is, how it's been shaping your choices, and a practical, grounded way to work with it instead of against it. You'll leave with more clarity, more access to yourself, and a real way forward.

This is for you if you feel a pull toward something bigger and notice the fear right alongside it. If you're stepping into visibility, leadership, or creativity. If you care about self-awareness in a real way — not just thinking about it, but living it.

If this letter resonated, would you forward it to one woman in your life who might need it today? That's how this kind of light spreads.

And if someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to keep receiving it, you can sign up here.