In this podcast conversation, Dr. Portia Jackson Preston and I discuss how we, as humans, are naturally born to love and learning to love ourselves is an essential practice to our well-being journey. Portia highlights how exploring what brings us each joy and pleasure is a powerful way for us to navigate the world and encounter our authentic voice. Noticing what gives us pleasure also highlights where there is shame and how shame is designed to "keep us in line." Pleasure helps us discover what's nourishing. We can discern what's pleasurable by quieting the world  (in our own ways) and slow down to connect. When we can do that, it helps build trust and safety within ourself. Listen to the whole episode to learn more and soak in all of these deep insights.      Are you wanting support slowing down in life? Designing a mindfulness-based ritual by you and for you could be a supportive way in creating sacred space in your busy lifestyle. Check out Centered in the City to learn more and sign up for your 7-day free ritual building process plus you get access to a growing library of holistic mindfulness practices right at your fingertips.    ***** As Founder and CEO of Empowered to Exhale, Dr. Portia Jackson Preston helps individuals and organizations to promote wellbeing and sustainable performance, while centering compassion and humanity. As an Associate Professor of Public Health at California State University, Fullerton, her research focuses on multilevel approaches to self-care, and stress as a driver of health inequity.     Dr. Jackson Preston's approach to helping individuals on their wellness journey is informed by her own experiences of working in high demand roles in multiple sectors while navigating chronic health conditions.  She enjoys empowering audiences to create a customized, sustainable wellness practice,  and was a featured speaker at TEDxCrenshaw and TEDxUCIrvine. Dr. Jackson Preston received her Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her Doctorate of Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles.