Podcast Summary: SPFPP 371: Presence Over Performance
Title: SPFPP 371: Presence Over Performance
Host: Courtney Brame
Guest: Tasha (Agent of Pluto / HePopastrologist)
Release Date: May 17, 2025
Organization: Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP.org)
Description: A stigma-forward podcast exploring how shame fragments identity—and how presence heals it.
Introduction
In episode 371 of Something Positive for Positive People titled "Presence Over Performance," host Courtney Brame engages in a profound conversation with Tasha, a professional astrologer known as Agent of Pluto or HePopastrologist. The discussion delves deep into themes of identity, stigma, mortality, and the transformative power of presence in overcoming shame and embracing one’s true self.
Exploring Mortality and Identity
00:00 – 03:15
Courtney opens the conversation by sharing a personal reflection on alignment and mortality, sparked by recent news about tornado devastation and the loss of a childhood friend, Nick. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how mortality shapes our identities and spiritual beliefs.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (00:00): “Alignment is the word that I'm leaning into now. Just staying in alignment... tapping in, checking in with my internal battery...”
Tasha responds by connecting Courtney’s experience to broader themes of core wounding and legacy, emphasizing the importance of having a comfortable relationship with death as part of spiritual growth.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (01:16): “Mortality becomes more of a spiritual exercise. Do you have a comfortable relationship with death... there is an eternal sort of connection that connects us all.”
The Intersection of Astrology and Personal Growth
04:03 – 09:44
After introductions, Courtney and Tasha delve into how astrology informs their understanding of life and death. Courtney shares her recent deep dive into atomic behavior and energy, drawing parallels between microscopic atomic interactions and macroscopic life experiences.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (04:03): “Looking at the behavior of atoms... Energy is not created or destroyed. It just continues to be.”
Tasha elaborates on this by explaining how astrology serves as a language to describe energy transfer and personal transformation, reinforcing the idea that nothing truly dies but rather transforms and continues its journey.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (05:57): “Astrology is a language that I use to describe said energy... energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It can only be transferred and free form.”
Ego Death and Personal Transformation
09:44 – 19:57
The conversation shifts to the concept of ego death and its relevance to overcoming stigma. Courtney shares her personal struggle with losing her identity as a college athlete and the challenges of transitioning to a new phase in life.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (14:53): “The death of identity in various stages of life as we enter new phases...”
Tasha connects this to astrology and energy work, emphasizing that ego death is not about self-destruction but about transformation and growth.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (12:38): “To die is to transform... Octavia Butler wrote this in Parable of the Sower, 'God is change.' And part of this is death.”
Navigating Stigma and Embracing Presence
19:57 – 32:31
Courtney discusses how a herpes diagnosis can act as a catalyst for personal growth, forcing individuals to confront their behaviors and align them with their true beliefs. She emphasizes the importance of presence in healing from stigma.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (30:22): “Having a herpes diagnosis... evolved my relationship with it... It's giving me this nurture and set: 'Hey, it's okay to rest and take care of yourself.'”
Tasha shares her own experience with a herpes diagnosis, highlighting how it led to a deeper understanding of self-love and the importance of transforming shame into empowerment.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (30:22): “A lot of the shame came from this fundamental place of a lack of self-love for myself...”
The Power of Energy and Attraction
32:31 – 45:22
The discussion transitions to the role of energy in attracting people and experiences. Courtney uses atomic analogies to describe how aligning one’s energy attracts similar energies, reinforcing or challenging existing beliefs and behaviors.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (35:00): “Everything that comes into your orbit is either going to validate what your beliefs and actions, like, push out.”
Tasha explains how energy work helps individuals recognize and alter the energies they emit and attract, thereby transforming their interactions and relationships.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (38:40): “You have agency to say, 'This doesn't resonate with my vibration. Thank you. Next.'”
Personal Rebirth and Collective Transformation
45:22 – 62:53
Courtney and Tasha explore the concept of personal rebirth and collective transformation. They discuss how personal struggles and transformations contribute to a larger collective shift towards presence and authenticity.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (55:29): “The universe presents people or circumstances in our line of sight when we are just barely ready for them.”
Courtney shares a heartwarming example of how her podcast inspired another host to share her own herpes story, illustrating the ripple effect of presence and authenticity.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (55:29): “I saw a podcast clip get posted and they reached out to me... it was a beautiful full circle moment.”
Empowerment Through Choice and Agency
62:06 – 73:01
As the conversation nears its conclusion, Tasha and Courtney emphasize the importance of empowering individuals to make their own choices and set their own intentions. They highlight the role of energy alignment in manifesting desired outcomes and maintaining personal integrity.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (51:42): “Empowered to say no and not being afraid to be viewed as the bad guy because you believe that you're not the bad guy for saying no.”
Courtney ties these concepts back to the podcast’s mission, reinforcing the idea that presence is the key to healing from stigma and reclaiming one's identity.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (60:29): “Presence is just dying because it's being sucked out of us through the algorithm... providing a practice of being present to heal.”
Resources and Final Thoughts
73:01 – End
In the closing segment, Courtney and Tasha provide listeners with resources and information about upcoming events, such as the Herpes Dating and Disclosure Webinar and Tuesday yoga classes on YouTube Live. Tasha also shares her contact information and offers a special discount for podcast listeners interested in her astrology sessions.
Notable Quote:
Tasha (63:01): “If you're interested and curious, especially about what this could look like, that's a pretty hefty discount.”
Courtney concludes by reiterating the podcast’s commitment to fostering presence and offering tools for healing and self-discovery, encouraging listeners to engage with the community and utilize available resources.
Notable Quote:
Courtney Brain (63:01): “Presence is just dying because it's being sucked out of us through the algorithm... we need to incorporate presence into our day-to-day life to defragment ourselves.”
Conclusion
Episode 371 of Something Positive for Positive People offers a rich and engaging exploration of how presence over performance can aid individuals in overcoming stigma, embracing their true identities, and fostering personal and collective growth. Through heartfelt dialogue and insightful perspectives, Courtney and Tasha provide listeners with valuable tools and reflections to navigate their own journeys towards wholeness.
Find Tasha Online:
- Instagram: Agent of Pluto | HePopastrologist
- Website: adrianofpluto.com
- Special Offer: $150 sessions for podcast listeners (mention podcast during booking)
Upcoming Events:
- Herpes Dating and Disclosure Webinar: May 23, 7:00 PM Central Time
- Stigma Support Meetings: Second Monday of every month, 7:30 PM Central Time
- Tuesday Yoga Classes: Available on YouTube Live
Stay connected with Something Positive for Positive People through their website spfpp.org for more resources and updates.