How to Be Human – Details, episodes & analysis

It’s been a minute ya’ll! The winds of change are blowing. There is a lot to reflect on right now, and Anna is here to be your mirror. In this ep, she gives us a tarot reading to check in on where we are at and how to get to where we are going as we drop into a new year. But before that, Anna is going to take some time to tell us where SHE is going, where she has been and what we can expect from her as she taps deeper into creativity and transformation herself. 

Over the last few years, we’ve all been digging around, tilling soil and trying to plant new things. Have you been feeling like it’s time to turn a new page? We have! With so much going on in the world, it can be hard to get real with yourself about what you want, what is working or even what your motivations are for the things you dedicate your time to. Let’s take a minute to sort ourselves out and see what the next chapter looks like.

Resources :

Write or Die

Kate Devine

Sarah McColl

Tell Me Why You Love It Submissions

Channeling the Magician A Creative Cohort with Anna

Book a Session with Anna

Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack

We know you know that you should probably start meditating again. But what many of us don’t know is exactly what it really is or if we are doing it right. There are different types, different reasons to try it, and many excuses for not ; so we asked Vanessa the Aquarean to talk to us all about it.

Vanessa is a psychic, tarot reader, medium, occult enthusiast and astrologer. Her podcast, The Aquarean, deep dives all these themes and more with a grounded yet magical point of view. She knows what’s up and is down to experiment with the unknown. On this episode, she shares what meditating can feel like for folks with trauma or mental health issues, why it is important to quiet the mind, and other very fun takes about our intuition overall. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode + Where to Find us

The Aquarean

The Aquarean on Instagram

The Aquarean Podcast

Discount Code for The Aquarean 30 Day Meditation Journey - THEAQUAREAN25

Book a Session with Anna

Find Anna on Instagram

To Suggest a Topic Email - annatoonk@gmail.com

Follow How to Be Human on Instagram

Follow How to Be Human on Substack

HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting

HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting

 HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

This week an episode of the The Compulsive Storyteller as a treat.

Cancer is the sign associated with the mother, and today we are swapping podcasts with The Compulsive Storyteller to tell the story of a remarkable Mom. As the one of the first female pilots in the US Airforce, Betty LeFevre traveled around the country as one of ten applicants selected to take part in the Womens’ Air Force Service Pilots, aka the WASPS. 

Betty was a remarkable woman, talented and dynamic. Despite her courage and strength; she dealt with sexism and exploitation as she served.  In this podcast, host Gregg LeFevre shares his perspective on her life both as a WASP and the years that followed once the war concluded.

https://www.thecompulsivestoryteller.com/

National Women’s History Museum-WASPS

Splish, splash- it’s Cancer Season ya’ll. The Moon’s in charge now, and so are the feels. But, while summer famously tempts us all to check out, Cancer season is also about slowly starting to make moves. In this episode, Anna breaks out the cards to give us a collective vibe check on where we are at now, and where our hearts may lead us.

If you are a tarot newbie, she’s got you covered. Anna touches on the Major and Minor Arcana, Suits and Elements, and we get to go on a side quest with Lilith, the original baddest bitch. Anna has some gentle suggestions on how we can juggle the desire to become beach bums, the buzz of overactive minds, and how to handle the boxes we have to check on the way to our big goals. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Spirit Speak Apparition Deck

Black Moon Lilith in Leo, Explained-NYLON

Where to find us:

• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

**Trigger/Content Warning discussions of medical procedures, dieting, weight loss**

Anna is a Southern gal who will never stop being polite, but she is getting very real in this solo ep. Join Anna as she clues us in on her weight loss surgery, and her medical journey leading up to making that decision. She covers hard facts and logistics, dealing with pandemic related fat phobia, Ozempic, Metformin and helps us apply a more nuanced perspective on body positivity and health. 

If you are working on your relationship with your body at any weight, Anna’s candor will offer you space to examine your motivations and perhaps open a door to some new ways of moving forward. If you want to be a better, more inclusive human, this episode is the one to listen to. 

Resources Mentioned in the episode:

Anna speaks on Ozempic in The Cut- November 2022

Emily McCombs - "I Gained 70 Pounds During COVID. Here's What Happened On My First Day Back In The Office"

Lily Feeds You - Nutrition and Holistic Health Practitioner

NYU Weight Management Center

Where to find us:

• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

Money. We need it. You know it, we know it, but many of us have a hard time facing it. When we get into healing, we hear a lot about scarcity and gratitude, but those are big picture concepts that unfortunately just don’t cut it when the bills are due. 

Underneath those ideas are many other complicated feelings and traumas that need to be named and integrated in order for us to build a secure money foundation. Money is a part of life, death and everything in between and the financial decisions we make can cause a ripple of impact. It is a topic that must be embraced with care. 

In this episode, Stella Gold, of My Gold Standard, talks to us about how to address the emotional side of money while being realistic about it. Stella is a certified Trauma of Money facilitator with over 7 years in fintech and wealth advocacy under their belt. In this grounded, informative episode, they share their personal story around financial literacy, ancestral healing, and gently walks us through a validating wake up call to the necessary facts about money management.

Resources Mentioned:

The Law of Divine Compensation - Marianne Wiliamson

Trauma of Money Method

Where to find us:

• Stella's Website My Gold Standard
• Stella's Instagram
• Sign up to be first to know of MGS's next offering, The Wealth Activism Collective. Launching August 2023
• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

Big business on the docket for this astrology episode with Vanessa Hardy. Q3 has arrived and it is time to talk about Venus, Mars, the Nodes and how the personal and political intersect. It’s a summer of love- but that doesn’t just mean romance, it’s deeper than that. It’s the juice, the joy, and the reason why we fight for better worlds. Leo is not only the drama, but the generous Queen who is happiest when everyone is pleased. 

Anna and Vanessa both reflect on the last time Venus went retrograde in Leo, summer 2015. They also touch on Nodal shifts, the Nodal return that occurs around age 36, and ride a few astrologically inspired tangents. Get ready to wing it a little this summer, it’s going to be a hot one. 

Resources Mentioned

Alice Sparkly Kat

Well and Good - Discover Your North Node To Learn Your Cosmic Destiny and True Calling

The Nap Ministry Rest Deck

Refinery 29 Is Therapy Speak Ruining Our Relationships

Decolonizing Non Violent Communication

Where to find us:

• Book a Summer of Venus Reading with Vanessa
• Summer of Venus Mini Workshop
• Leave a message on Speakpipe
• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

I mentioned in the last episode I've got some health stuff going on which is making my schedule a little bonkers. It's made recording and getting to the podcast a bit difficult. Today I feel like is a clever solve, rather then leave you hanging I asked Ryan if he would share the episode of Clairannoyance I was on to share with ya'll. Thanks to Ryan and Megan being true gems they were down so please enjoy the episode. Below are the original show notes from the episode because they didn't do all that work for me NOT to share them :)

n our first (of many!) guest interview episodes, co-hosts Megan Lund and Ryan Marquardt sit down with one of the most multifaceted, wildly talented and unendingly knowledgable spiritual badasses in the game: Anna Toonk. 

Anna guides us into the world of tarot, dancing between topics including the history of tarot, why it's appealing to clients, the importance of understanding the traditional meaning of the cards, finding your own interpretative style as a reader, whether astrology and tarot should be as interconnected as they've become, and much more. We discuss some of our annoyances about tarot and the larger spiritual community as well, from receiving requests for free readings to the horrors of dating as a spiritual professional.

Based in New York City, Anna has been a professional tarot reader for many years, but her prowess transcends the boundaries of most tarot practitioners. She's an intuitive healer, Akashic records reader, and a resilient entrepreneur. Anna is carving an evolving legacy for herself, currently broadcasting her distinct voce and curious mind via her illustrious podcast, "How to Be Human." (Not Sponsored: Anna legitimately runs one of the best podcasts available right now.) Every week, "How to Be Human" explores the common and often confusing themes of humanness including spirituality, connection, wellness, self-acceptance, and more. Anna uses her humor, honesty and intuition to discuss unanswerable questions we all share. She speaks with many brilliant guests as she searches for clarity in the most human way possible; together. 

As our first guest, Anna sets the bar high. Stay tuned for many more guest episodes coming soon with fascinating, well-vetted people who help us shed light on all corners of the spiritual world, from tarot to human design, past lives to the paranormal, and beyond.

Key Takeaways in this Episode

• Meet Anna, who transitioned from a successful 15+ year career in television to spiritual work

• Acquire seasoned advice and insights about what tarot is (and isn't!), how it's used, why it's appealing, plus some tarot tips and tricks

• Hear our unfiltered annoyances, hilarious tangents and overdue vents about tarot and spirituality

Connect with Anna Toonk

• Website: annatoonk.com

• Anna's Instagram: @annatoonk

• "How to Be Human" Instagram: @howtobehumanpod

• "How to Be Human" on Apple Podcasts

• "How to Be Human" on Spotify

• "How to Be Human" Substack

Additional Resources

• Clairannoyance Instagram

• Clairannoyance TikTok...

Anna is thinking about the future! Specifically the future of the pod, which has been evolving and growing over the years. In this solo episode, she took it to Speakpipe to respond to some listener's takes on advice. The best of it, the worst of it and where it can go awry when unsolicited.  

Whenever we are in brainstorming mode, there is more room for what other people have to say about our situation-for better or for worse. Moving through lifes’ mile markers requires clarity, flexibility and support. Advice can be helpful, but it’s an art like anything else. Let’s learn how to craft better guidance.

Resources mentioned:

“Helped, Heard, or Hugged? When someone you love is upset, ask this one question”- NY TIMES “

Where to find us:

• Leave a message on Speakpipe
• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy

In part two of her story, Casey talks us through so many complex facets of being a human- siblings, mental health, privilege- and she lands the plane on a great story combining a little super sleuthing and unlikely friendships. Casey starts to piece together more clues and finds a new sense of confidence through taking control of her story.  Come for the info, stay for the great cast of characters doing their best to find their footing with each other.

Resources mentioned:

The Primal Wound

Seven Cores Issues in Adoption and Permanency

Free Time Media

Free Time Media on IG

Where to find us:

• Leave a message on Speakpipe
• How to Be Human Instagram
• Anna's Instagram
• Book a session with Anna

Episode credits:

• HTBH is Produced by Anna Toonk and The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH is edited by Iva Hristova at The Wave Podcasting
• HTBH Show Notes are written by Vanessa Hardy