The Designed Life

This month we're diving into themes that are coming back from the past while also stepping into an entirely new view of our present and the future. The Virgo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at the south node occurs on March 14th is the first in this new series, and it asks us to let go of perfectionism while also challenging our usual rules around detail. This one might feel messy, but socially unifying i...

Long time friend, co-collaborator, and all around inspiration, Iliana Contos joins me for a fruitful and heartfelt conversation exploring the intersection of creativity, presence, and authenticity – all as powerful healing forces. Illy shares her journey from acting to art therapy, working with vulnerable communities, and learning to embrace creativity without perfectionism. We discuss the power o...

This month is all about exploring and expanding your sense of identity—tuning into what truly lives within your heart and releasing the old boundaries and stories that no longer serve your connection to yourself and others. The Full Moon at 24º Leo on February 12th shines a spotlight on your core identity, inviting you to step more boldly into your leadership and authenticity. Later, the New Moon...

Nina is an energetics-led business coach with an incredibly diverse background that speaks to her love of life and the bravery that accompanies her curiosity. She brings to the table years of experience in marketing and sales, social work and psychology, as well as yoga and meditation - all of which she harnesses in her holistic approach to business and business coaching. Nina and I talk the impor...

Happy New Year, friends! 🌟 I'm posting this episode at the very start of 2025 to encourage you, not just to think about what you want to create in this next year, but to also remember the importance of rest as a part of your journey. In today’s episode, we’re exploring the seven types of rest —mental, physical, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual — and why true rejuvenation is abo...

It’s a brand new year! I begin this episode with a reminder that these lunar series episodes are meant to be check-in moments. It’s an opportunity to reground into your life, into your body, into what’s evolving and changing for you. For this month, the Full Moon at 23º Cancer on January 13th highlights intense emotions and how to work with them, while the New Moon at 9º Aquarius on January 29th a...

In this episode, I dive into the collective, almost eerie, feeling of this post-election moment we’re all experiencing. With Pluto officially moving into Aquarius for the next 20 years, we’re in the midst of a profound collective transformation. Together, we’ll explore what it means to care for ourselves while the ground beneath us feels like it’s shifting. In this episode: I share a deeply person...

December 2024 wraps up the year with not one, not two, but three powerful lunations! With Mercury and Mars retrogrades stirring the pot, it’s a month for reflecting on communication, beliefs, and the work needed to bring our dreams to life. Despite this month's potential friction, it’s an invitation to tend to yourself, gain clarity, and expand your vision as we prepare to step into 2025 with inte...

In this episode, Hollis is joined by Jess Ellen , a friend and fellow wellness professional, to explore the intersection of astrology, coaching, and personal growth. Together, they share insights on finding connection in unexpected places, the power of parts work, and the role of online community in navigating life’s complexities. This episode is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hollis M.M. and is hosted by ⁠...

November is about checking in with what feels too concentrated in our bodies, emotions, and psyches. As we move through Scorpio season, Hollis encourages listeners to examine what emotional and energetic burdens must be released to create space for renewal and deep healing. By following the New Moon in Scorpio and the Full Moon in Taurus, this episode emphasizes the importance of composting what n...

In this episode, Hollis is joined by Jane, a dear friend and former participant of The Illuminated Course. Together, they dive into how creativity, self-inquiry, and authentic self-expression can lead to powerful personal growth. They explore which tools are essential to navigating the journey and highlight the importance of asking the right questions to unlock deeper insights. Join us for an insp...

This October, we’re reacquainting ourselves with the Libra-Aries axis, energies that we have become very familiar with since the Eclipses began in these two signs in April of 2023. This axis urges us to reflect on our connections with others and how we balance our personal desires with our social interactions. Our first lunation of the month is a New Moon Eclipse at 10° of Libra. This lunation is...

In this episode, Hollis explores the concept of Unity Consciousness — the idea that we're all interconnected on a fundamental level. We’ll discuss practical ways to apply Unity Consciousness in dealing with emotions like jealousy, self-doubt, and insecurity. By recognizing that there's no separation between ourselves and others, we can foster empathy, compassion, and a deeper connection to...

This month we’re discussing the balance between focusing on the details and then zooming out so far that there are no details and everything looks connected. The month begins with a New Moon in Virgo on September 3rd. Anytime there is a transit through Virgo, we can expect an emphasis on specificity, perfectionism, even criticism. This New Moon is a lovely opportunity to apply an extra dose of com...

August's lunations call to attention the delicate balance between personal identity and the collective. This month, the focus is on how we express ourselves authentically while not losing touch with how we can contribute to the larger community. A New Moon in Leo kicks off the month, inspiring a rebirth of the self. This is a time to reconnect with your core values, embrace your inner leader, and...

In this episode, Hollis and Kimmy delve into the experience of creativity. They break down the differences between creativity and artistry and explore how we can access creativity in every single choice we make. They discuss the difficult emotions that can accompany creativity, such as vulnerability and comparison, and share insights on how to invite more imagination into our daily lives and creat...

July kicks off with a nurturing New Moon in Cancer on the 5th. The Moon is very happy in Cancer and she invites us to tap into our heart space and honor our sensitivities. This is a great time to explore what needs tending to in your physical space, physical body, or emotional body. Then, on July 21st, the Capricorn Full Moon emerges. This lunation emphasizes the balance between ambition and pract...

In this unconventional episode, Hollis shares her journey of embracing her identity as a graphic designer, a title she was initially reluctant to accept despite her deep roots in the design world. She explains how design thinking influences her coaching approach, blending creative visualization and strategic planning to help clients achieve their goals. Hollis delves into the concept of parts work...

June is a month of growth, exploration, and realigning our intentions. As we step into this month, the astrological forecast is looking quite promising. With the first lunation on June 6th being a New Moon in Gemini, we're diving into a realm of exploration, curiosity, and intellectual stimulation. With a lineup of planets in Gemini, including Venus and Jupiter, it's like a cosmic party inviting u...

In the third and final part of the Relationship Series, we’re diving into the cornerstone of relationships: communication. Whether it's navigating emotions of love and gratitude or challenges like frustration or grief, we all encounter moments where communication is key. But what do we do when we can’t find the words to express what we mean? What do we do when we are limited by our language? A...

Whew! We are finally out of Eclipse season and everything is just looking pretty bright this May, not just with the lunations, but with the astrology in general. Our first lunation of this month is a New Moon in Taurus. Being the first post-Eclipse New Moon paired with a very fertile Taurus, we can think of this lunation as a true cleanse. And alchemical invitation to start anew.   This is followe...

Compromise is more than just giving in; it's a form of adaptability and a demonstration of love. It's about sharing resources, not just material but emotional and mental as well, within a partnership. We can think about our compromises as a form of exploring non-attachment, letting go of some desires for the greater good of the relationship.   But how do you know when it's your ego get...

We begin our Relationship Series with a conversation about commitment. Over the past few decades, commitment has earned a growing reputation for deprivation or the limiting of possibilities. Hollis and Kimmy challenge our narratives around commitment by reframing our commitments as a practice in courage, empowering individuals to navigate their relationships and placements in the world with clarit...

Our fourth installment of the Lunar Series explores the supercharged lunations of April 2024. We begin with a New Moon Eclipse at 19° of Aries on April 8th, followed by a Full Moon at 4° of Scorpio on April 23rd. Both events are ruled by the fiery planet, Mars, symbolizing assertion, directness, aggression, and competition. These lunations share an intensity that may challenge us to confront old w...

In this episode, Hollis leads a candid exploration of pleasure, from quick dopamine hits to the weight of guilt, to the deeper, more heart-felt experiences of pleasure. Learn to discern what brings genuine fulfillment and discover practical strategies for aligning daily choices with your deepest desires. Together, we'll untangle the cultural misconceptions surrounding pleasure and dive into it...