Welcome to the Trust Talk Sessions. Join a collective of former guests and I for a 19 day dive into Trust to celebrate 100 episodes of Trust your Sacred Feminine Flow. Each conversation offers an intimate glimpse into the challenges and extraordinary moments experienced in our journey to trust.
Charisse Sisou inspires change-making women leaders to unleash their message, impact and power by leveraging ALL of who they are, including the juicy bits—without shame, without apology— by tapping the wisdom and stories of our sacred feminine body.
As a leadership mentor, messaging expert, nationally award-winning bellydancer, speaker, and author, Charisse brings revolutionary tools across disciplines to break through barriers and transform your business and life–with humor, compassion, and grace.
For more on Charisse and her latest book, Shameless: Unleash Your Message, Impact & Power: shamelessmovement.com
For all details on today’s Trust Talk Session Giveaway: https://bit.ly/2Y0I6m2
Listen to Charisse’s Trust Talk Session by clicking the play button on the audio player
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Read the Full Transcript Here:
Joni
Welcome to the Trust Talk Sessions. I’m your host Joni, and I’m here with Charisse Sisou. I am honored and so delighted to have Charisse revisit us. It’s just been a few months since she was here for the last time. For the first time. And she was on episode 091, which was Becoming Shameless. So we have that to welcome and invite. So let me tell you about Charisse a little bit more. She is a leadership mentor and a messaging expert. She is a nationally award-winning belly dancer. She is a speaker and an author and she inspires change making women leaders to unleash their message, impact and power by leveraging all of who they are, including the juicy bits without shame, without apology, by tapping into the wisdom and stories of our sacred feminine body. So welcome Charisse.
Charisse: Thank you. Thank you. I ‘m so delighted to be here, Joni.
Joni: Yes, it’s a pleasure to do this again so soon.
Charisse
Yes, absolutely., absolutely And like we were just saying congratulations and reading you reaching this, um, just an amazing milestone. And, um, so I was so delighted when I saw the invitation come through to have an opportunity to speak with you.
Joni
Thank you for that. I really appreciate it. I know there hasn’t always been a time in my life when I would make a big deal about something I’m, I’ve accomplished or done, but I know the power of celebration these days. So thank you. And it’s always sweeter to do it with others.
Charisse: So true.
Joni
Yes. So I would love to just dive in with you on this, this important and timely topic of trust and what comes up for you when you consider trust these days?
Charisse
Well, what comes up for me is two things. One, that trust is the, is that like requisite for a step? Right? So in terms of being in flow, it’s like no trust, no flow. It’s like no soup for you. Like, it’s like, and you know, and, like speaking of the time that we’re in and we’ve really been called to like just at an even higher level trust, right? Like trust that this is happening for us and not to us. Trust that, you know, like things are still moving and flowing and happening, which they are. Like I saw really clearly when I let, if I let myself slip into fear, which is human and natural and it’s not like we can’t like, Oh, okay, this is what everyone’s going through right now is like a lot of stress. When that would happen, it was like voooh. Like the flow would like, close in my business and then as soon as I was like, just relax, like it’s okay, I would just open right back up again.
And it had everything to do with trust. And then the second part for me, it’s always about embodiment, right? Because our bodies are the microcosm of the macrocosm. Like everything is the same, connected, et cetera. So how can I, you know, so like, okay, if feeling trust is a challenge or if I want to deepen my trust, how can I do that? So I always look to how can I do that in my body? And I find that as women, we don’t always trust the signals that we get from our divine vessel, that has been fashioned perfectly in the form of our Divine Mother. And yet we’re like, I don’t know. I don’t know. And, and this is the thing, it’s like, so we can actually build trust by trusting ourselves, trusting our bodies, like trusting the signals that we’re getting. So like everything from, gosh, I’m hungry right now or really want to eat or I really need to rest, right?
Like yesterday, I call them bunny slipper days, like days where it’s like, ah, I just need to take it easy. Like maybe I can’t take everything off my calendar, you know, I still need to show up for some calls, but I, I just move through my day, like quite literally in bunny slippers. And just to trust that that dip in my energy is purposeful. It’s for me and I, you know, rather than trying to like push, or, or force something and trusting, you know, the other signals too, right? Like when we get those intuitive hits.
Joni: Oh yes.
Charisse
The chills are we are, we get that kind of like errrrrwwwah with the energy and uh, Oh my gosh, every time I’ve ignored the ruuuh of my energy I’ve always paid the price. Like I knew it, I knew it. Like my, my whole body was like, aren’t you sure?
Joni: Right
Charisse
Want to go down that path. And rather than trust the wisdom of my body, my intuition, my own guidance, I feel like I’d talk myself out of it, go the other direction and go yep. Right. Yeah. Should’ve just listened to that first voice. So it’s like we get to practice trust on a daily basis all the time. And so, and so the more we practice it, you know, like the more, it’s easy to say, okay, now on a higher, on a greater level, on a more expanded level, I can really truly just trust in the flow of all that is already in, like, everything I want is already here. Right? So, yes.
Joni
Yes. So much so. Yes! So many things. It’s like, yes, yes, yes. That’s true. It is. It is all here. In fact, just, the, in May, which is now we’re recording this in may, but I just dropped an episode on grace and it was just the immediacy of grace and all the ways that it’s here, right here, just a breath away.
It’s just that, can I say yes to that and, and our, our minds, our trusty servant minds that think they’re in charge and, and think they know best, would rather trust some crazy ass, some crazy ass story or belief or whatever.
Charisse
Or whatever programming. Yeah. That like, and what’s so funny is like so often when, when we come back to it and we go, man or woman, I should’ve trusted my intuition. Right. And when you end it, like in that process and that journey and you know, what was the story and the story isn’t even ours. Like that’s the, that’s the hilarious part is that like whatever programming or tag or you know, underlying belief or story that we had attached there always like that isn’t even like, I don’t even believe that.
Joni: Right.
Charisse
Like it’ll be something about scarcity or something about like, but they won’t love you if you don’t say yes or like, you know any of this stuff. And it’s like, where did that even, yeah. And it’s so funny and it’s like, it’s, it’s part of our human journey, right? Like we’re here. Cause it’s like, all right, you know, how do we reach to you that sort of crystal and trust in ourselves. Like we had when we were babies, like we didn’t question our desires. Like we weren’t like, I don’t know, should I really be wanting milk right now? Like watch my figure, you know, like I don’t think, I should, right. I was just writing about this the other day, like, no baby ever has been like, does this diaper make my butt look fat? Like, we just love, we come in loving ourselves, trusting when we want something, it’s, it’s, it’s a, it’s a valid and wonderful desire and you know, like, okay, so let me squall until I get it, you know, and it’s, and then we, and then we learned all the stories and the programming and then, you know, and then we figure out how to unpeel all that so you can just return to that state of ahhh.
Joni
Yes. And I also love as infants is – the image I have in my mind for example, is like when you’re holding an infant, the way that they just let down and let go and trust.
Charisse: So true.
Joni: The support.
Charisse: Yeah.
Joni
They’re, you know, if it’s, if it’s tentative, they might be squirmy or fussy, but if it’s really there, they know it.
Charisse
Yeah. And they just relax. And chill out. Oh my gosh. Well, I’m somebody I immediately thought of cause uh, we’re fostering a litter of kittens right now and Oh my gosh, they’re, they’re just these little bundles of joy.
Joni: Cuteness, and joy.
Charisse
Joy and playfulness and like little vicious furry creatures that you just want to go rrr rrr rrrr. And then, when I’ll, and these are like, they’re fierce independent little creatures and yet when I scoop them up immediately like their legs will just relax. They’re like, Oh, it’s mom, you know, like the purring starts immediately, you know, and you’re like, ahhhh.
Right. And I watched one just fall asleep with my lap last night, all folded up. Oh yeah. And, and yeah, just completely letting go. And this is right. I’m reminded of, you know, how in yoga class like Savasana truly letting go is actually one of the most challenging things for us to do. We’re like, no, give us a downward facing dog. Like give me a headstand, but lie still and trust that I am supported and trust that I don’t need to hold anything.
Joni: Yes.
Charisse: So it’s such a powerful practice. It’s such a powerful practice.
Joni
It is. It is. Yes. And it’s so interesting that we’re talking about this right now at a time when we have to be more still, more confined where the invitation is to, to slow it down and we can’t use the, the rushing and scurrying and here and there and out in the world in the same way.
So, it’s like the giant Savasana. We’re being invited to.
Charisse
The giant global Savasana. Ah, yeah, absolutely. It’s so true. It’s so true. And it does very much. Oh my gosh, this beautiful yellow bird just like came and landed right outside my window. But, so this is important. We’re so heading into a time where that doing, doing, doing, like we already know what the costs of doing that without balance have been. Like, it’s not that there, of course there’s value in all of those pieces, but, and like where we’re going as a collective in terms of like that distance from desire to manifestation is shortening.
Joni: Yes.
Charisse
And, it’s so, and we’re so, like this kind of, so this conversation that you have, that you’ve made the topic of your podcast Sacred Feminine Flow is actually like the key to our way of being
Joni: Yes.
Charisse: In this next …
Joni: Right.
Charisse
It’s always been an important, I mean, duh, it’s always been like critically important. And you know, like now it’s like, quite frankly, if you try to just do it the other way, it’s not gonna work. Like, it’s like the universal, just like, it’s not like you won’t get what you want, but it’ll just be so much harder. Right,
Joni: Right.
Charisse
And so this, we really are being invited to embrace trust, embrace flow, and feel into like, what is that like I on like part of my role here is to like help, well, you’ve heard me say it, like activate dormant DNA, right?
Joni: Yeah
Charisse
That’s part of it. Like, there are literally parts of us that you used to know how to do this where we would just like conjure and cast spells and call, you know, like marshal our energetic forces and create in the highest good for all.
Right. It’s like this is what’s so lovely and yeah, so it’s, yeah, it is the most important conversation right now that we could be having and I think it’s such a, such a delicious one, it’s really, I think it’s, it’s, it’s fascinating to see how we are responding to that, right. As a, as a collective. And for some of us we’re like, yeah, this is awesome. Even with, you know, like what you and I were talking about before we got on, like even with the moments of like dramatic cabin fever, like, right. We’re I’m just like, I’m like leaving, I’m out.
Joni: I must get out of here.
Charisse
Exactly! So like of course we’re feeling those feelings. It’s not like we’re bypassing that or somehow, you know, like, Whoa, like just doesn’t even touch us. Like, of course it does. And I’m like, what an invitation is to really look at that and say like, okay, within this structure where is the freedom. Right? So like one of the things that I really learned as a dancer, so I’m an improvisational dancer. I’m an improvisational speaker. I’m just like, it’s just probably a role. I’m a creative, right? Like brrrra. So, Oh, I remember when I was first learning Latin dance, I was like, okay, so I have to restrict myself to certain movements and I need to follow someone. I was so, so upset until I surrendered to the flow of it and realized and I was like, Oh my gosh, it just removed all these like three gazillion decisions.
Joni: Hmm.
Charisse
And so within, it’s like I had this really visceral experience of flow and freedom within seeming like what I had perceived as a restriction. Yes. Just a structure. You know, it’s kind of like that, that thing that happens when you go, I mean, like when we were still shopping at the grocery store, like at the grocery store in two months, but like, and you would go to that aisle and there’s like 500 laundry detergent choices and, but within a structure, like if you say like, all right, okay, I’m committed to organic, unscented, duh duh duh I choose between my two things are my three things or whatever. And it just, all that like decision fatigue and energetic chaos and like noise and clutter, right, can just fall away. No, you know, and it’s not to say like, Oh yeah, let’s just, whatever restrictions are imposed like, right, yes, informed consent, right.
Informed consent. Um, you know, I love what Dr. Christian Northrup has been posting like crazy over on Instagram and just speaking from that wise yes, place of like, let’s be smart, right? Let’s be smart about how we do this. So, so it’s not about, you know, kind of like accepting any constraints without question, but, and it is like, okay, so what we do, you know, with eyes wide open, say like, all right, I agree to this because this feels right in my bones and my body just feels like the right thing to do for my, for my family, for my, for my health, for my, you know, and it’s, and it’s unique for everyone.
Joni: Yes.
Charisse: And within that how do I flow right?
Joni: Yes
Charisse
And Oh my gosh, like for me it’s been so much about returning to nature, even more like spending as much time as possible, really reminding myself to go outside and just be with the wild, natural world that’s like just carrying on, like oblivious to our drama.
Exactly. Like the buds, the abundance, the tremendous abundance, like all the little dandelion heads. Like just like bup, bup, bup, bup, bup. Like just, you know, the gorgeous yellow bird that just alight it, you know, lit across the street from me. It’s, they’re just going around their businesses while we’re like figuring stuff out. Um, but it’s, it’s, it’s profound. It’s really, really, really cool. Really, really cool.
Joni
Yes. It is, and I know I would love to hear about this special gift that you have for one of our lucky listeners.
Charisse
Ooh, yes. Okay. So, this is a, Oh my gosh. So it’s just for one lucky listener gets this special gift.
Joni
One lucky listener gets the special gift. If there’s another way to access it for, for other listeners as well, they can, but we’re doing a giveaway, so today…
Charisse
Oh my gosh, I love, love, love this.
Okay. This is so good. Well, this is what I desire and it’s just so akin. Well, so I’m definitely throwing in a copy of my book.
Joni: Yay. Yay.
Charisse
Shamelesh, shamelesh, Shameless, Shameless: Unleash your message, impact and power. And it’s like all this stuff that we were just talking about all interwoven with you as a leader in your business or organization and your marketing because it’s a hundred percent connected, like being in trust, being in flow. This is, it’s, it’s key. It’s critical, critical to being our most like visible, authentic selves. And, and that’s what makes us irresistible and so compelling, right? In a very, what can be perceived as a very noisy marketplace. And then besides that, cause this is what we talked about before, is I have this super juicy, video tutorial, which is five rituals for connecting with your sacred feminine body.
And again, it’s like this whole idea of learning different practices for connecting with those states of, of pleasure, of flow, of, uh, really like it. They are, they’re tools for rebuilding trust with the body and they’re fun besides that. Like, you will laugh. That’s it. Like, that’s, that’s the thing, like, you know, you’ll go through and be like, Aw, of course. And, this is my, just my pleasure, to offer and to help and to celebrate with you, like your wonderful, wonderful achievement at getting to a hundred episodes and, and, yeah. So that’s it. Can I tell you anything more?
Joni
Well, let me tell listeners that if they want to enter to win this fantastic gift that they can join us and we have a Facebook group just for these sessions. It’s the Trust Talk Sessions, Facebook group, and we have all the instructions and how to enter and you might even get to see Charisse there. She may even pop in and say, Hey.
Charisse: Absolutely, my pleasure.
Joni
Yes. So I would just say, is there anything else that feels like it, it must be said before we bring this to a close?
Charisse
Ah, everything that’s really rising to the surface. And I think actually that we may have closed our last episode this way it is just simply that you know, so much more than you think you do. Like all this wisdom, intelligence, guidance, healing is in your body right there at your fingertips, in your toes, in the pit of your belly. Like we’re right right there. And um, so yeah, so just trust yourself, my love because you do, you know exactly, you know exactly whatever it is that you’re like, I don’t know. I don’t know. You do know.
Joni
Yes you do. Yes you do. And it’s, it is that pause and really that coming into the body that certainly for me is always the way to know, to know what I know when I think, I don’t know.
Charisse
Exactly right. We get all up into here, into the brain. I’m gesturing to the brain and um, and just really sinking down into the body and you’ll find all the answers that you seek. It’s really true.
Joni
Yes. And for those who are listening that would like to follow, you are interested in your book, in your work, what’s the best way for them to…
Charisse
You know the best juiciest way right now is? I have a Facebook group, Shameless Movement, of course you can go to my website, but in the group we are doing daily dance breaks. We are doing, um, um, meditations and, and, and it’s just, it’s so yummy and it’s like an Oasis, right? And an oasis is truly like, and this is where everything is going, but like truly in a way says for your wild success. And, um, so it’s super yummy. I’d love to hang out and meet you there. So that’s a great way to get to know, um, me and, and my community and cross pollinate.
Joni:
And I will put the link in the show notes so if people want to access that and it is wonderful. I’ve been loving your dance breaks.
Charisse
Yeah. They’ve been so, so fun. And it’s uh, yeah, I’m, I actually will be recording some more of this this afternoon. It was one of those things where, I had started out doing them once a week and then when all, when the fit hit the Shan, the guidance I got was like, do this every day. And like I’ve had this last week, I needed to just take a little, a little hiatus, a little pause. Um, but uh, yeah, they’re like every day for you and for the planet. And I was like, alright, my mom, I’m, I’m down with that and it’s been so fun and such a pleasure. And what I find is that I’ll, I’ll, I’ll like find the music that speaks to me and dance and then the message will trickle down, will be like, Oh, this is the thing. This is the story. Something will happen in the filming of the video or something or something about the music or the movement or the prop or the whatever. But there’s always like a, like a, and here’s the great, yeah, and here’s the
Joni: The nugget.
Charisse: Yes, I was like, and sometimes I’m like, Oh, okay, cool.
Joni: It’s like the icing on the cake it sounds like. Yeah. Yes.
Charisse
Thank you. And thank you for being there. I’ve loved having your yummy, yummy presence.
Joni
Thank you. Yeah, it’s been my joy and that is one of the things I so appreciate about you is you’re, you are a force of joy. You are, you are a force of nature and you are a force of Joy.
Charisse: Thank You, it’s so true.
Joni: It’s like you leave a trail of joy behind you and in your midst.
Charisse
Oh my gosh, I love that. Like, like a trail of like rainbow slime, like she was like a snail unicorn or something.
Joni: Yes, She who spreads joy. Yup. That’s your, we dub you that today.
Charisse: Thank you. I received that.
Joni
You’re welcome. You’re welcome. So I want to thank you as well, our dear listener, and to remind you again, if you want to get all the details of how to win the beautiful, generous gifts that Se is offering, you can go to the Facebook group, the goddess. No, not the goddess. That’s not the group we’re talking about. The trust talks, Trust Talk Sessions. Oh my gosh!
Charisse: Which is peopled by goddesses.
Joni
So, right. It is indeed, and as always, beloved, I want to remind you to trust what your heart knows.