Empowerment Grows: Celebrating Connection & Social Strength Together

 

Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Empowerment Grows: Celebrating Connection & Social Strength Together Celebrating together with friends is one way I empower my social connections. Dear Empowered Reader, As we embark on this journey together, I want to continue to introduce you to the heart of Empower Possible, what I call the three empowerments.  These are the pillars that guide how we grow personally, connect meaningfully, and create lasting change not just in our lives but in our communities and organizations. First, a quick recap: the empowerment of the self is our foundation. It’s about building resilience, gaining clarity, and nurturing the confidence to lead authentically, even when stepping into the unknown.  When I reflect on this, I see self-empowerment as the starting place for everything, because when we know and trust ourselves, we create the space to show up fully in our work, relationships, and communities. It’s the grounding from which all other growth flows. Next, we extend this foundation outward to our relationships and networks, which brings us to our second empowerment: social. This is where we celebrate the power of connection, strengthening collaboration, deepening trust, and amplifying our collective impact. Because real transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we come together, share our unique strengths, and lift each other up. In the next newsletter, we’ll explore the third empowerment: systems, the ways we align structures and strategies to sustain meaningful success. This is about the big picture, redesigning the environments we influence so they support long-term growth and well-being. Together, these three empowerments tell a story of how transformation grows, from the inside out, and from the individual to the community to the system. Let’s dive deeper into where we are now, social empowerment, and the gifts it brings. Today, I want to take that growth a step further and celebrate social empowerment,  the power we find in connection, collaboration, and community. Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating a weekend retreat for students from diverse backgrounds. When we first gathered, I could sense a deep hesitancy; several students avoided eye contact, sat with their arms crossed, and spoke quietly, hesitant to show vulnerability or challenge existing group dynamics. Instead of jumping into activities right away, I started with an icebreaker where each student shared a "rose and thorn" from their week, naming both a recent joy and a personal challenge. I modeled openness by sharing my own uncertainties about leading the retreat, which helped ease tensions and brought out a few smiles. To deepen the connection, I introduced an element of deep listening: after one student shared, their partner was asked to reflect back on what they heard without judgment or interruption. This practice helped students feel truly heard and understood, fostering trust and opening the door for more authentic sharing. Gradually, the atmosphere softened. During small breakout groups, I invited students to talk about “unfinished stories” from their lives, moments they found difficult or confusing, where they hadn’t yet found all the answers. This led to laughter over shared experiences and empathy as students realized they weren’t alone in facing struggles like balancing schoolwork and family expectations or dealing with self-doubt. A turning point came when a usually quiet student spoke up about feeling scared to fail in her goals. The group responded with encouragement and practical advice, creating a supportive environment. By the retreat’s end, many students had formed new friendships and partnerships, and we ended with group reflections, where everyone added words or drew images symbolizing trust, hope, and connection. Witnessing these students open up and connect reinforced how much more we can achieve together. Social empowerment means creating safe spaces where everyone feels seen and heard, expanding our circles of strength so that when challenges arise, we stand resilient as one. Reflection Questions to Consider: Who in your network lifts you up and helps you see new possibilities? Who in your life drains your energy or limits your potential, and how can you set healthier boundaries with them?  When was the last time you felt truly heard and supported in a team or community? How can you create more space for authentic connection and collaboration in your work or life? Our networks, friends, teams, and communities are the soil in which our strength grows.  Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. In our next (and final) installment, I’ll share how we can take these connections and insights to influence and transform the larger systems around us. Take care, dear reader,  Julie Founder Empower Possible Playing games is also a way I connect with friends. Poem "New roots find purchase side by side,Holding ground when storms arise—Linked by kindness, vision wide,We lift each other, higher tides."Positive Affirmation:"I am open to collaboration and trust that meaningful connections will enrich my journey."

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Use the Good Soap

 

September 14, 2025 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Use the Good Soap My "Good Soap" from a Minnesota Maker, Sweet Land Farm. Dear Empowered Reader, There’s a lesson in something as simple as the statement, "use the good soap," that relates to how we live our lives and embrace possibility. In our busy, sometimes overwhelming world, how often do we "save something for special occasions" only to find that the moment never quite arrives? Or when it does, what we saved is no longer fresh or usable? Today, I invite you to "use the good soap" to embrace your gifts, moments, and resources fully, right now. What Does It Mean to Use the Good Soap? Using the "good soap" is a metaphor for living in abundance and appreciation. It’s about valuing what we have and not delaying joy or care for a better time, which might never come or come too late. When you use the good soap, you are choosing to honor yourself with the best, the kindest self-care, and the fullest expression of your potential. A Colleague’s Story A few years ago, a colleague shared that she had made a batch of homemade soap. She said, “You actually have to use it, or it will dry out. Don't save the good soap! ” It struck me how often we save things, good soap, resources, time, emotions for some elusive 'someday special'. But if the soap dries out, it loses its purpose and power. Imagine all the times we hold back our kindness, talents, or dreams, thinking “not now” or “I’ll save it for later.” We risk everything drying out, losing its luster, or worse, being wasted. At Empower Possible, I believe in fostering empowerment and building communities to live fully, recognizing the importance of using everything we have to grow and change the world today. The focus is on championing the courage to act, to embrace opportunity, and to regenerate possibilities for ourselves and others. Like using the good soap, the mission is about not waiting for permission or perfect timing; it’s about making now the moment for action and transformation. An Affirmation for You "I choose to live boldly in the present. I welcome abundance and allow myself to use what is good and true now." Reflection Questions 1. What are you holding onto, waiting for the “right” moment to use?   2. How can you bring your full gifts into today’s world without delay?   3. What small act of ‘using the good soap’ can regenerate your spirit right now? A Personal Moment I remember a time when I received a beautiful journal, something I thought was too precious to write in casually. I kept it safe, waiting for the “right” inspiration. Months later, the cover had faded, and the pages were yellowed from waiting. It taught me that the preciousness wasn’t in the journal itself but in the moments and thoughts I poured into it. In the same way, our good soap, our cherished moments, our potential, they come alive when used, not saved. I invite you to join me in reclaiming your “good soap”, your gifts, your moments, and your power and to use them fully now. In doing so, you regenerate not only yourself but the world around you. Take care, Dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine   Founder, Empower Possible One of the ways I "use the good soap" is by traveling. I took a photo of this bar of soap in a shop in Fort Collins, Colorado, during a recent trip. Idlewild is the name of a street I used to live on! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. The Summer Day by  Mary Oliver Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?

In The Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  In this empowering episode of Whole Mom, I sat down with Liz Adams and Rachel Gilbertson to explore Mountain 10 — a transformative process that weaves together intention-setting, labyrinth walking, and deep reflection to guide us through life’s challenges. We talk about how they discovered this work, the power of intentional spaces to grow and connect, and the ways Mountain 10 helps us navigate fear, find clarity, and reconnect with our truth and desires. Liz also shares what a recent retreat with Rachel sparked in her, and how these moments of stillness and intention can ripple into our everyday lives. If you’re feeling ready for a change or transition or in the middle of one right now, this conversation will inspire you to pause, breathe, and take your next step with courage and heart. Click HERE to check out the podcast Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Upcoming Events Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any burning questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com  Mountain 10 Workshop sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form    She Leads Conference, Rochester, MN, September 26 Join us for a transformative day where women from all walks of life come together to empower, inspire, and grow in a supportive community. For more information, go to: https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/do/she-leads-conference St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN, October 8 and 9 The St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is celebrating 43 years! Their theme for 2025 is Courageous Connections: The Human in Humanity. What does the “Human in Humanity” mean to you? How do you see people? The people you serve, people you work with or maybe the person at the check-out counter? How do you bring Humanity into these spaces? We work in a tough industry that has great purpose. Strengthening ourselves and our community sometimes requires reflection, understanding the human condition, and embracing ourselves. For more information, go to: https://minnesotachildrensalliance.org/training/43rd-annual-st-louis-county-health-human-services-conference/ Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 1 Sharing the techniques and structures for creating effective engagement and support for a diversity of individuals involved in active body pursuits.  Using culturally and physically sensitive language, and physically embodying activities designed for diverse groups.

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Empowering Change Questions

 

June 23, 2025 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Empowering Change Questions Hello Empowered Reader, As a change manager and well-being specialist, I know that when change isn’t just about shifting strategies or structures, it’s about nurturing ourselves and others.  Recently, I was inspired by Michael Bungay Stanier’s “Five Big Juicy Change Questions” (TheChangeSignal.com, May 22, 2025), and I want to share my own take on these insights, tailored for the Regenerate Your World community. The topic of massive organizational change has been on my mind not just because it is my full-time job to lead organizational change efforts, but because of a recent decision at my organization.  When the conversation about returning to the office began in my organization, I felt a swirl of emotions—anticipation, uncertainty, and a deep sense of responsibility for my team’s well-being. The decision to Return to the Office was made without input from me or other leaders. However, we are responsible for implementing the decision. Many on my team, including myself, had grown to appreciate the flexibility and balance that remote work offered. The prospect of change brought both hope, frustration, and hesitation. I remember one particular team meeting where resistance surfaced. Concerns about commutes, family routines, and the loss of quiet focus time bubbled up. Instead of dismissing these worries, I chose to listen deeply. I asked, “What is the treasure you’re protecting?” For some, it was time with children; for others, it was their mental health. Together, we focused on co-creating a plan with flexibility while still adhering to the mandates. We are in the beginning stages of this transition, and by having the conversation, I am already noticing a shift among my colleagues. This experience reminded me that authentic change isn’t about enforcing new rules—it’s about honoring what matters most to people and empowering them to thrive. Now this example relates to my professional life; however, substitute friends and family for colleagues, and we face similar circumstances in our personal lives as well. The Five Change Questions: 1. Are You Creating or Changing? (Inspired by David Lancefield) Words matter. When we talk about “change,” it can trigger anxiety or resistance. But what if we used the language of “creation”? Many in our Empowered Regenerative community are natural creators of ideas, communities, and possibilities. Framing our work as “creating” something new invites collaboration and curiosity, rather than fear. Reflection Question: How might you reframe your next initiative as an act of creation? Notice how it shifts the energy in your conversations. 2. What’s the Treasure Behind the Resistance? (Inspired by Dr. Liane Davey) Resistance isn’t always a barrier; it’s often a signal. When someone pushes back, ask yourself: What are they protecting? Maybe it’s a value, a relationship, or a sense of safety. Many of us often hold space for others’ concerns. Let’s honor the “treasures” our colleagues/friends/family members guard, and use that wisdom to guide more compassionate change. Reflection Question: Next time you face resistance, get curious: What is precious here? How can you honor and include it? 3. Are You Measuring the Vibe? (Inspired by Dr. Jason Fox) We love our checklists and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), but what about the “vibe”—the emotional pulse of our teams? Well-being thrives where there’s trust, joy, and connection. Let’s make space to notice and nurture the energy in our workplaces, not just the outcomes. Reflection Question: How does your team (family or friends) feel today? What’s the mood in the (virtual) room? What could you do to lift the collective spirit? 4. Where’s Your Leverage for Well-Being? (Inspired by Dan Heath) We can’t do everything at once. The magic happens when we focus on the small shifts that create big ripples, whether it’s a new wellness policy, a listening session, or a simple thank you. Many are skilled at finding those leverage points supporting change and well-being. Reflection Question: What’s one small action you could take this week to boost well-being in your sphere of influence? 5. Are You Naming Things Honestly? (Inspired by Margaret Heffernan) Let’s be real: Sugarcoating hard truths doesn’t serve us or our teams or our family and friends. Authenticity is the foundation of trust. Clear is kind. When we name challenges honestly, whether it’s a budget cut or a tough transition, we empower others to respond with resilience and creativity.  Reflection Question: Where could you be more transparent in your communication? How might honesty strengthen your relationships? Affirmation for Empowered Change I am a creator of positive change. I honor resistance as wisdom. I nurture the energy of my community. I focus my efforts where they matter most. I lead with honesty, courage, and compassion. Every day, I empower what is possible. Each of these questions is an invitation to lead with intention, to nurture well-being, and to create positive change.  Which one resonates most with you right now?  I’d love to hear your reflections and stories. Reply or connect with me at empowerpossible.com. Together, let’s keep empowering what’s possible. Take care, dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine Founder, Empower Possible This newsletter is inspired by Michael Bungay Stanier, “Five Big Juicy Change Questions,” TheChangeSignal.com, May 22, 2025. One of the perks of working remotely is choosing my office location. On this day, I worked under a canopy of trees on the campus of St. Olaf in Northfield, MN.  Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. The Change We Create We are the hands that shape the dawn, The hearts that hold the flame, We listen for the hidden song In every voice and name. We gather courage, soft and strong, To face what must be said, With honesty, we right the wrong, With hope, we forge ahead. We measure not just what is seen, But what is felt and shared— The laughter, love, and in-between, The moments when we cared. So let us lead with open eyes, With wisdom, grace, and might— For every change we realize Begins with inner light. I own a variety of Holstee's products, and I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness and craftsmanship that goes into each item. That's why I want to share my thoughts on their Calm Cards. These cards are designed for individuals recovering from burnout, parents managing family demands, and anyone looking to transform their relationship with difficult emotions and challenging experiences.  To learn more, go to, https://www.holstee.com/products/calm-cards?ref=empower *Note: I am a Holstee affiliate and I choose to endorse products that I genuinely care about!

Upcoming Events Mountain 10 Workshops What is Mountain 10?                                                                                                                                                         During this three-hour workshop, we will focus on accessing your inner wisdom to bring about the changes you deeply desire in your life. We will use the Mountain 10 process, a proven, new technology for deep reflection on human change. It is based on the conviction that every person has the most important answers about direction, purpose, and calling within them. This directed reflection process leads you through four terrains of exploration, stopping at points on the journey to consider key questions about awareness, letting go, vision, and realization. The terrains of your journey will take you into deeper observation of your feelings, thoughts, and images. You will explore what you need to let go of as you truly seek what you really want. We will open a space for a new vision and consider the practical steps to actualize that vision. We will deepen our insights in small circles of trust. Journaling and guided reflection will be used throughout the journey. Click HERE to sign up to be on the waitlist for the next workshop. I will reach out once a workshop is scheduled that meets your availability. Please reach out if you have any questions, info@empowerpossible.com

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.