In this episode of Aligned Living, Dr. Autumn speaks with Joshua Symonette—pastor of Hopeville in Baltimore, nonprofit leader, husband of 23 years, and father of four—to explore the hidden cost of unprocessed emotions in leadership and everyday life. Joshua shares a vulnerable turning point when an unexpected emotional breakdown revealed he had been living in constant problem-solving mode—running on “survival skills” instead of “thriving skills.”

Together, they unpack why emotional health isn’t optional for leaders, why ignoring emotions quietly shapes our relationships and environments, and how practices like silence, slowing down, naming emotions, and prayer help cultivate true wholeness. If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding everything together on the outside while something inside feels off, this conversation offers a powerful invitation to pause, pay attention, and ask one honest question: Why do I feel this way?

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Guest Info: Joshua Symonette

IG: jmsymonette

iamhopeville.com [http://iamhopeville.com/]

Ep 28: You Can’t Compartmentalize Wholeness with Guest Joshua Symonette

Ever whispered, “God… what is happening?”

In this episode, Dr. Autumn speaks to the seasons that rattle your certainty — heartbreak, disappointment, unanswered prayers, emotional exhaustion — and shows you how to walk through them without losing your faith, your nervous system, or your integrity.

Blending biblical lament, nervous system regulation, and the principles of Aligned Living, she reframes hard seasons not as punishment, but as preparation. Learn how to steady your body, guard your thoughts, protect your character, and stay anchored — even when life feels disorienting.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Mentioned Resources:

The Playground Leader by Dr Autumn Swain

Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah

Ep 27: Refined Through the Stretch: Trusting God in Hard Seasons

In the series finale of Aligned Living with Dr. Autumn, we break down why making wise choices isn’t just about discipline or willpower. It’s about whether your mind and body feel regulated enough to support good decision-making. This episode explains how emotions provide important information, how a calm nervous system keeps the brain’s decision-making center (the prefrontal cortex) functioning, and how chronic stress disrupts judgment and self-control. Drawing from neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and faith, Dr. Autumn shows how caring for your whole self helps you make consistent, aligned choices—without burnout or constant struggle.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Ep 26: The Thought That Changes Everything: A Series Finale on Aligned Living

In this episode, Dr. Autumn sits down with spoken word artist Cookie B, who discovered her gift through a reluctant college assignment—and later had to fight to reclaim it. Together they explore what it means to walk in your God-given gifts, heal from what silences you, and find freedom in creativity and faith. Through personal stories and powerful poetry, Cookie reminds us: when you live out your purpose, you don’t just serve others—you come alive.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

How to find our guest, Cookie B.

https://www.itscookieb.com/

IG: itscookieb

You can find her Spoken Word pieces including her new album on all listening platforms.

Ep 25: When Purpose Speaks: Reclaiming Voice and Wholeness

In this episode of Aligned Living with Dr. Autumn, Dr. Autumn talks with Cindy Lamb—trauma-transformation therapist and founder of the Human Liberation and Balance Institute—about how both childhood and adult traumas shape the brain and body. Together, they explore how healing happens when we unlearn old survival patterns and relearn how to live from a place of safety, freedom, and authenticity. With insights from neuroscience and real-life experience, this conversation is a reminder that no matter your past, you have the power to rewire and realign your life.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

How to find our guest:

Cindy Lamb, LCSW, LSCSW, CCTP

HumanLBI.org [http://humanlbi.org/]

Ep 24: The Body Remembers: Healing Trauma and Realigning with Your True Self

What if wisdom—not certainty—is the key to a deeper, stronger faith? In this episode, Dr. Autumn unpacks why spiritual growth isn’t about rigid rules or black‑and‑white answers, but about holy curiosity, discernment, and courage.

Through her own story of wrestling with tough decisions and rethinking inherited beliefs, Autumn reframes “deconstruction” as something better: faith evolution. She shows how asking hard questions doesn’t push us away from God—it draws us closer.

With warmth and practical wisdom, Autumn reminds us that real growth, like strength training, requires resistance. The result? A faith that’s wiser, braver, and built to last.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Ep 23 The Courage to Rethink Faith

What if your workout could sharpen your mind, regulate your emotions, and rewire your brain? Fitness expert Dylan Novak joins Aligned Living with Dr. Autumn to unpack how intentional movement—like dynamic stretching and progressive strength training—not only builds physical power but also boosts mental clarity, emotional stability, and long-term health. You’ll learn how fitness impacts your longevity, how dopamine shapes your motivation and memory, and why modern habits can throw your brain and body off track. We’ll also break down what the right fitness practices actually are, why they work, and how to fit them into a busy, full life. Whether you’re brand new to training or refining your rhythm, this conversation will shift the way you think about strength—for your body, your mind, and your soul.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Guest info:

Dylan Novak, CSCS, FRCMS, CFSC, MS kinesiology

https://www.methodstrong.com/

Ep 22 The Right Way to Train: Build Strength, Boost Brain Health, and Cultivate Longevity

In this special episode of Aligned Living with Dr. Autumn, Coach Autumn invites you behind the scenes of her membership platform with a raw and impactful teaching on emotional health. What began as a course recording turned into a heartfelt message about why emotional regulation and maturity are essential to making progress in every area of life—whether it’s your health, relationships, or spiritual growth. Autumn shares why our emotions often drive the choices we make, and how learning to navigate them can unlock the transformation we’re longing for. With a blend of vulnerable insight and practical takeaways, this episode offers a meaningful starting point for anyone looking to live with more intention, alignment, and wholeness.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Ep 21 Exclusive Preview: The Emotional Health Shift That Changes the Game

What if rest—not hustle—is the key to creativity? In this episode of the Aligned Living Podcast, Dr. Autumn sits down with Nashville-based artist Wes Harris to talk music, healing, and living with intention. From growing up as a pastor’s kid to using music as a tool for emotional and other forms of holistic wellness, Wes shares how he's learned to say “no” with purpose, embrace stillness, and protect his peace while navigating the demands of a creative life. They dive into the emotional impact of lyrics, the tension between sacred and secular music, and what it really means to live aligned.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Guest info:

https://sociatap.com/imwesharris/

Find Wes Harris on all your listening platforms including Apple Music and Spotify

IG: @imwesharris

Ep 20: What Are You Listening To? How Music Shapes Our Minds, Moods & Moves

In this episode of Aligned Living, Autumn Swain chats with Alexis Browning, a former healthcare professional turned nonprofit leader, on the power of authentic community. Inspired by a mission trip to Kenya, Alexis left medicine to foster meaningful connections. They dive into why social well-being is essential to overall health and how vulnerability and proximity create deeper relationships. Alexis shares personal insights on embracing connection—even in tough times—and practical ways to build a sense of belonging. This episode is a powerful reminder: We’re not meant to do life alone.

Intro and Outro Music Credit: Savage by Beat Mekanik, Free Music Archive, License type: CC BY

Please visit: www.autumnswain.com [http://autumnswain.com/]

Contact: autumn@thealignedleader.org

IG: @drautumnswain

FB: Autumn Alena Swain

Where to find our Episode Guest: Alexis Browning

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-browning-853870264/

https://www.instagram.com/a_browning90/

Ep 19: The Heart of Connection: Why Community Matters More Than Ever

On this show, I provide tools, inspiration, and practical tips to help guide you in leading a life of wholeness. Whether you hold a leadership role in an organization, corporation, or business, lead a team or initiative in your community, or serve as a leader within your family, this podcast is customized for you. My desire is to assist you in leading from a perspective of holistic well-being. Say peace out to the fatigue, fog and frustration of living in a place that lacks abundant well-being, and join me for a thorough exploration of spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, and economic well-being—all in one place! You can discover more at www.autumnswain.com.  Thank you and be well!

Aligned Living with Dr. Autumn

Autumn Swain's Show

How to lead a life of increased wholeness and delve into the exploration of living in alignment.

Autumn Swain

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