Ep #354 - When Our Pets Speak, Are We Listening? An interview with Animal Communicator, LeeAnna Lorefice

I am so happy to welcome LeeAnna Lorefice to Empowering Chats. LeeAnna is an intuitive empath who is gifted with the ability to communicate energetically with animals. Her purpose it to help deepen the connection between humans and the animals they love.

I began my chat with LeeAnna by asking her to share how she discovered her unique gift.

She shared that this ability has always been a part of her life – in fact she assumed that everyone had this gift. It wasn’t until later in her life that a friend pointed out just how special gift truly was.

As a child LeeAnna recalls always being in touch with nature, gardening and animals. She was forever rescuing birds and bringing home stray animals.

While her intuitive abilities could be used to help people as well, she found herself especially drawn to working with animals. Over time, she chose to focus and develop her gifts in that direction, dedicating herself to strengthening communication between animals and their human companions.

She expressed that during her sessions her focus is primarily with the animal. However she always leave a door open to receive intuitive hits that also pertain to the “human” parent. She trusts that intuition although her focus is primarily with the animal, she recognizes that whatever information comes through it is there to serve the highest good of both the pet and the pet owner.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was LeeAnna’s belief that animals, much like humans, have a soul purpose. According to LeeAnna, “Every animal has a soul contract that they come into this planet with – there is no mistake that our pets often come into our lives for a reason. They have lessons they want to teach us and want us to learn. These animals are all here to teach us lessons.”

LeeAnna also spoke about the deep rewards of her work. One of the greatest joys is hearing from pet owners who, after working with her, feel more connected to their animals and more confident in their ability to listen to and communicate with them.

This conversation offers a heartfelt look into the extraordinary bond between humans and animals and the many ways that connection can enrich our lives.

To learn more about LeeAnna Lorefice visit: FeatherMoonRising.com

To learn more about how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #353 - A Wave of Peace- An Interview with David Wick, A Messenger of Peace

What an amazing time in history we are experiencing. I don't know about you guys but there are days I am unsure how to respond to all the chaos and unrest in the world and then on other days I am fascinated and so grateful for the people doing the hard work and bringing light to the world.

This interview with David Wick originally aired in January of 2025. And I felt now was a good time to revisit this chat with David, especially in light of all the intense energy circulating our world right now. And the beautiful responses we are seeing from communities like the Theravada Buddhist monks and their Walk for Peace journey inspired me to revisit this episode.

Here on Empowering Chats I get to meet and interview those people I call Light Leaders who are here to spread love, light and hope to everyone they meet. I am honored to welcome David Wick to Empowering Chats.

David calls himself a messenger of peace. And he walks the talk. He serves on the Council of Directors for the non-profit organization, Pathways to Peace. They are an international Peace-building, educational and consulting organization whose main goal is to foster Peace-builders and Peace-building activities in order to create a Culture of Peace.

In this chat David and I dive into the significance of individual and collective peace-building, riding the PeaceWave and taking part in the Peace Movement through the "Peace everyday at Noon," practice.

I believe we can never work too hard in bringing light and peace to our inner world and then shining out to the greater world. The work David and others are doing to this end is inspiring.

To learn more about David Wick and the Pathways to Peace visit: PathwaysToPeace.org

To learn more about the Peace 2030 Movement visit: Peace2030.earth

For more information about the Noetic Organization visit: Noetic.org

For more information about the United Nations International Day of Peace visit: UN.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

To learn more about me and how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #352 - Illuminated Truth - An Interview with Jennifer Ruth Russell, Founder and Director of Angels of Ascension Academy

I’m excited and honored to welcome back a dear friend and returning guest to Empowering Chats, Jennifer Ruth Russell.

Jennifer is the founder of Angels of Ascension Academy and host of the Morning Light Meditations. She’s a spiritual mentor, as well as a singer-songwriter whose music is both thought-provoking and heart-opening. Her meditations are powerful, beautiful, and deeply moving.

In this conversation, we talk about her latest book, Create Abundance with Mother Mary, along with other inspiring insights and reflections.

Why Mother Mary? Jennifer shares that she has felt called by Mother Mary for years, and today she embraces her role as an oracle and scribe for her. Here is what she said, "I feel a deep connection as well—like we come from the same soul family. To me, Mother Mary is the mother of us all."

Jennifer reminds us that everyone has a purpose, and that we are always supported by the Divine.

We also talk about the new world we are stepping into. This is a time to allow ourselves to acclimate—to release what no longer serves us and to move through a process of cleansing. In doing so, we open the door to creating abundance in every area of our lives.

Jennifer shares a beautiful practice of blessing our money using the Violet Flame—inviting it to cleanse and purify not only the physical money we hold (in our wallets, banks, or investments), but also the energy connected to it, including the companies it flows through. Calling in the Violet Flame can help us release what no longer serves us while blessing the abundance we already have.

She also encourages us to consciously bless the money that passes through our hands—whether we’re paying for essentials or offering gifts to ourselves or others. When we do this from a place of love and purity, that energy continues to circulate. As the money moves from hand to hand, may it stay blessed, and may that intention ripple outward.

Jennifer is truly a gift. I’m so grateful for the way she continues to see beyond, hold the light, and remind us that each of us has unique gifts to share with the world.

Learn more about Jennifer at: JenniferRuthRussell.com

Join Jennifer with Tea with Mary - learn more at: TeaWithmMotherMary

To Listen to Jennifer Ho’oponopno forgiveness song visit: JenniferRuthRussell.hooponopono

To learn more about how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #351 - Elevating & Expanding Your Consciousness - A Solo Show with your Host, Susan Burrell

In this solo show, I tap into what it means to listen within—to your inner authority—and how we can create change from the inside that ripples out into the world. As many of you know, I’ve been working with Light Leaders to awaken our collective inner authority and the inner light we each carry as individuals. I feel called to do this so that we can make positive, healthy choices and create the life we’ve always wanted to live.

What many of us are currently experiencing in the world is frightening, and it can make us feel angry and that often leads us to focus on the wrong things. There’s a strong pull to want to “fix it,” to make it “right”—but what is right? And according to whom?

I’d like to offer a different approach. What if, instead of trying to fix everything, we simply shift our perspective a few degrees? What if we recognize that it isn’t about changing what we think is wrong, but about accepting what is—and then choosing to elevate beyond it?

I believe there is good everywhere. So what if we elevate mentally, emotionally, and physically to a higher frequency of love? Let’s align our hearts with that frequency then I believe we can heal the world. But even that assumes something is broken. What if what is happening is actually for our highest good? What if it’s unfolding so our souls can grow—so we can begin to truly listen to our inner wisdom, trust our gut, and trust ourselves?

The idea that we are broken—or that we came into this world broken—is an outdated paradigm that no longer serves us.

Our thoughts have power. Our words have power. So we must be mindful of what we say and how we respond—to others and to everything happening around us. This is about becoming attuned to our inner authority, to the inner light and the frequency of love that we are. And when we align with that, it expands.

By doing this we are elevating and expanding our consciousness.

We are energetic beings and I believe we can align with others through the energy of love—and that energy multiplies and extends outward into the world.

So what if we are moving toward a more elevated way of living—one that calls for conscious compassion, awareness of the body, connection to our inner authority, and trust in our inner wisdom?

What if, instead of focusing on changing what we think is wrong, we turn our attention to what is—and to the potential within it? I’m talking about love, kindness, compassion, and a high frequency of creativity.

Get quiet within and ask yourself: Who am I now? How do I connect to my inner authority and live my life from that place—as a leader of light and love?

To learn more about how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #350 - Whispered Truths - An Interview with poet and photographer, Safire Rose.

I am delighted to welcome, Safire Rose, author of Rose Petals: 108 Whispered Truths from the Soul of the Rose, to Empowering Chats.

This interview begins with the question, Why that title? Safire shares her story of the inspiration of the book title arriving directly from the roses which she loves. She not only writes about roses she also photos them.

So the idea came from both her photography of roses and from her writing, the poetry that inspires her.

Safire chose 108 roses from her photography portfolio and then meditated with each image, intuiting a message from each rose.The best way to experience the book, according to Safire is to look at the photo of the rose to that inspired the reading and see the petals and other details captured in the image as you allow it to speak to you.

By encountering nature in this way, whether through a rose, a redwood tree or other plant you allow yourself to step into relationship with the flower, the tree or nature in general to receive the presence. Energetically you will feel a connection.

It’s about opening up your senses and experiencing a mystical, multi-dimensional relationship with yourself.

Safire says it can be a transcending experience – how I believe we were meant to live life – to be present and in the moment with what is – Safire’s book is wonderful in bringing you into the moment of presence.

It is a contemplative book and one that inspires emotional connection. It is easy to get distracted by the world and have our attention robbed of where it truly belongs and so I believe it is more important than ever to make time for your dreams and your intentions to come to fruition.

Safire Rose’s book, is one way to tap into your inspiration and accept the invitation to spend more time with yourself in nature.

To learn more about Safire Rose and her book visit: Safire-Rose.com

To learn more about how I show up in the world I invite you to visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #349 - A Love Footprint - An Interview with spiritual teacher and author, David Cunningham

My guest for this episode of Empowering Chats is spiritual practitioner and author, David Cunningham. David has walked a path in life that has taught him to lean into the truth of who he is.

His latest book, Your Love Does Matter: A Journey to New Consciousness and Expanding Your Love Footprint, was published at the end of last year.

Why that title? Why does love matter? That’s the question I started the interview with.

David answered, “As human beings, the only time we are really joyous is when we are being loving.” He goes on to say that the great leaders of the world—the Gandhis, the Dr. Kings, the Mother Teresas—are the ones who refused not to love. In other words, their response to all situations was one that embraced love. It matters to us, to the people we interact with, and to the health of the planet. Now is the time to infuse our world with love—from our neighborhoods to our families to our leaders.

So how do you speak to people who refuse to see that love matters?

Many people can easily see where love is missing and tend to focus on the lack, or on who is right and who is wrong. David reminds us that we each have our own view of life. Your view and my view depend on where each of us is standing in any given moment. What David expresses is the importance of stepping outside the paradigm and recognizing that we could choose to lead with love.

David also encourages people to explore how they “say” what is good, bad, okay, and so on—because, in truth, nothing is inherently good or bad. It simply is. For example, music is just music. It becomes “good” or “bad” based on what we say about it—our perception of that particular music, or food, or anything else.

This pattern shows up in our thought processes as well.

David says that when we are free from judgment, resentment, and righteousness, that’s when we are truly free. The real work is not trying to become more loving—it’s freeing ourselves from the things that cause us to close our hearts in the first place.

We’ve been educated to believe that we are separate from everything else. In part, that separation happened through naming things. Once something was named, it became separate. Then we layered on labels—what is good, what is bad—and we became trapped in that paradigm. Our emotions get activated by the labeling system we’ve been taught.

Changing this approach means creating new language—language that moves away from labeling things as good or bad. It encourages asking questions and exploring new ways to communicate and understand each other.

David shares that we all have the capacity to leave a “love footprint.” The question becomes: What are we leaving behind? Love—or righteousness? Connection—or the need to be right?

As part of his morning ritual, David spends a few moments reflecting on his love footprint and what he intends to leave behind in his interactions that day. He believes that if more people became intentional about the love footprint they leave, love could begin transforming not only their immediate world—but the world at large.

To learn more about David Cunningham and purchase his book: YourLoveDoesMatter.com

To learn about David's Love Matters Global Movement: YourLoveDoesMatterGlobalMovement.com

To learn more about me and how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com

Ep #348 - Conscious Awareness - An Interview with CEO of Insight Timer, Christopher Plowman

I have the wonderful honor and pleasure of welcoming Christopher Plowman, CEO of Insight Timer, for a meaningful and inspiring conversation.

Insight Timer is a free wellness app offering guided meditations, calming music, and tools to support both mind and body. Today, the platform includes more than 20,000 teachers and musicians from around the world, sharing practices on everything from stress and anxiety to focus and self-compassion.

As a teacher on Insight Timer—where I offer guided meditations and inspirational talks—it was truly a joy to sit down with Christopher and hear how it all began.

When Christopher and his brother purchased the company in 2014, Insight Timer was simply a meditation timer. There were no teachers and only 10 guided meditations available. Since then, it has grown into a global community, with over 32 million people across 200 countries having installed the app.

What moved me most is that the company was built from a place of generosity and integrity. The vision was clear: create a platform where teachers could earn income from their work while keeping the content freely available to people everywhere.

We also explored the role of AI and Christopher’s thoughtful philosophy around integrating it responsibly.

At the heart of our conversation is something I deeply believe: humans healing humans is what it’s really all about. Technology can support us—but human connection is what truly transforms us.

I’m excited to share this conversation with you.

To Learn More about Insight Timer and to access the app visit: InsightTimer.com

To Learn more about how I show up in the world please visit my website: SusanBurrell.com

To check out my Guided Meditations on Insight Timer please visit: InsightTimer.com/susanburrell

Ep #347 - Letting Go of Obsolete Thinking - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell

We are now in the first week of February 2026, and I am focusing on the collective message of awakening your inner authority. We are still feeling the effects of the Chinese Year of the Snake as it comes to a close—and through this process, we are continuing to shed all that no longer serves us. This is important to pay attention to as we approach the Year of the Fire Horse. Here, I am referring to the Chinese New Year, which begins on February 17, 2026.

The Year of the Fire Horse represents fast, rapid timing, with life appearing to move quickly. Because of this, it’s essential to listen to your inner authority and pause before making choices or reacting to what is occurring outside of yourself.

I believe much of last year was about becoming aware of what no longer serves you—or the collective. As we approach the end of this phase, the Year of the Snake, I encourage you to notice what is showing up for you. Reflect on what no longer serves and allow yourself to let it go. Listen within to hear what is being communicated. This inner listening will help you step into the new and fully enter the Year of the Fire Horse.

We are now creating for ourselves and co-creating what we want to see in our lives. This begins within the guidance system that lives in the heart-space. We are at a place where we can claim our own authority. This is ancient wisdom. It is intuition. It resides within each of us and will guide you—if you listen.

Are you paying attention to it?

Do you want to continue obsolete thinking?

To keep doing what was, even when it no longer serves you?

We have been conditioned to listen to others, to outer authority—but the time has come to listen within. To listen to yourself. To go deep. To quiet the outside noise so you can hear the whispers within. I say: trust that voice. Trust yourself, and release the obsolete thinking that has kept you stuck.

This process requires exploration. Journaling may help. A meditative walk. Or simply going quiet and creating space to listen.

What is needed now is a higher frequency of love and energy to prevail. So I ask you: Are you functioning at a low frequency? Are you allowing outside sources to dictate how you function?

It is time to shift—to pay attention to what we are allowing to guide us—and to move from obsolete thinking and low-frequency energy into a state that embraces love, kindness, and higher-frequency awareness. This state becomes accessible when we listen to our inner authority, which lives within the heart-center.

Fear places a veil over what we can truly hear and see. That’s why it’s important not to make decisions from a place of fear. Fear does not serve you—or the collective.

My intention is to observe what is happening in the world without reacting from fear, but instead from an awakened inner authority. I invite you to come with me on this journey and learn how to tap into your own inner authority.

To learn more about my latest Light Leader Workshop, Awakening Your Inner Authority on the Zoom platform, please visit: SusanBurrell.com/light-leader-workshop-2026

To learn more about me and how I show up in the world, visit: SusanBurrell.com

Missed the interview I did with astrologer Kate Rose? To listen visit: EmpoweringChatsWithSusanBurrell.podbean.com/e/igniting-the-new/