Ep 38: After the Healing - The Strange Courage of Readiness
Sep 09, 2025In this profound episode, host Jodi Rose Gonzales explores the tender territory between restoration and emergence—that vulnerable space where healing transforms into readiness. Through the metaphor of sandhill cranes hesitating before takeoff, and grounded in research on upper limiting and positive psychology, Jodi reveals why feeling clear and capable can sometimes feel more terrifying than feeling lost.
This episode is for anyone who's done the inner work, nourished their creative wellspring back to health, and now faces the beautiful terror of stepping into their luminous self without apology.
Key Takeaways
- The Paradox of Readiness: Feeling ready can be more frightening than feeling stuck because it requires us to take a stand and be visible in our clarity and capacity.
- Luminosity Fear: The deep-seated anxiety that emerges when we approach our full brightness—the fear that we might be "too much" for the world to handle.
- The Vulnerability of Clarity: When we become clear about who we are and what we offer, we lose the protection of ambiguity and must risk being truly seen.
- Courage Over Fearlessness: The courage to be luminous isn't about eliminating fear—it's about feeling the fear and choosing expansion anyway.
Art Prompt: Creating Your Luminosity Portrait
Create a visual representation of yourself at full brightness using materials that feel radiant to you—metallics, bright colors, or textures that catch and reflect light. This isn't a traditional self-portrait, but an abstract expression of your authentic power and expanded presence.
Begin by centering yourself and connecting with your sense of authentic power—the power to be fully, unapologetically yourself.
When finished, spend time appreciating what you've created without judgment, then dialogue with your luminosity portrait:
- What wisdom do you have to share?
- What 1-3 specific actions can I take to honor my readiness?
- Anything else?
Write your responses with your non-dominant hand for deeper insight and to help you slow down.
Resources
- Join the iROSE Society: https://www.jodirosestudio.com/society
- Upcoming Masterclasses: https://jodirosestudio.com/offerings
Referenced Research
- Hendricks, G. (2009). The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level
- Kasser, T. (2002). The High Price of Materialism
- Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are