Today we’re excited to be connecting with Natalie Vartanian again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Natalie, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
My name is Natalie Vartanian. I am a multi-passionate in that I co-run two non-profit businesses, in addition to running my own. I am a certified coach, specializing in intimacy and relationships – I work one on one with individuals and for couples, those sessions I conduct with my husband, who is a somatic based practitioner. What sets me apart is my drive, my passion, my vision and unstoppable nature. I have a background in Business, and worked for over a decade in the corporate world and then found coaching. This sparked a whole second career: producing and facilitating workshops, coaching and teaching around intimacy, community engagement positions, creating two podcasts, running a non-profit to create more accessibility and diversity in healing spaces, writing a book, and ultimately, starting a retreat and spiritual center with my husband.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
These days my cup is full of things I love and are making a meaningful difference in the world. That is what I am most excited about these days … being the change, fortifying our communities, creating spaces for healing and connection, becoming more compassionate, empathetic and caring humans. The challenge of such a beautifully full calendar is definitely self-care and prioritizing which tasks get my attention that day. And some days it feels like we don’t ever have real ‘time off’. So that is a struggle, carving out intentional time to fill that cup back up in a nourishing way. However what gets me through is the potential of what I am co-creating with the people around me. Being surrounded by other passionate, committed and powerful change makers charges my batteries in a unique way. It’s also funner to do this in partnership – I am an introvert and love my alone time in working or creating, yet the magic that can only come from synergy also drives me. My top three exciting things:

1. COR Community Foundation – soon to be Community Care Foundation – we do work with women to help them heal themselves so that they can then better serve and help heal their communities. This year, 2025, we are launching a mentorship and training program for female leaders.

2. The Aerie Retreat and Spiritual Center – this magical property in Southern Oregon is a long time vision of my husband come true and we have had the joy of expanding the venue to accommodate more people. This year, 2025, we are offering men’s and women’s workshops that are deeply transformative, and are continuing our free monthly groups for the men and women in our local community.

3. MY BOOK! – this labor of love has been eight, almost nine, years in the creating. And we are on the final edits. It is a memoir of my journey from taboo to turn-on around sexuality – a raw and vulnerable account of my healing and evolution in matters of intimacy. Can’t wait to share it with the world … “Taboo to Turn-On: A Self-Help Erotica Memoir”

2.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Amelie

Favorite Book: The Four Agreements

Favorite TV Show: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Favorite Band or Artist: Coldplay

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Both – Mountains and Beach!

Favorite Sport (to watch): Basketball

Favorite Sport (to play): Tennis

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Veterinarian

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Who?

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Garfield

Favorite Childhood movie: The Never Ending Story

Favorite Breakfast Food: As a kid, cereal – as an adult, eggs + toast

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
As someone that has shied away from confrontations or conflict, I have tended to be avoidant when having to face tough choices. It has been a real practice to lean towards rather than lean away from challenging situations, especially when a decision needs to be made. I think some of my best advice is to give those kinds of choices as much space and consideration and contemplation as you can. There has got to be room and silence in order for you to find out what is true for you in this situation. Which may be counter to someone else’s truth. Ultimately, the goal to me in these times is to find a win/win/win, a choice that can take care of all parties involved. So I also work on my own level of compassion and empathy to be able to hear the other person’s side or reasoning for their decision. I try to get clear on what are the things I am willing to wiggle on and what are the no-budge zones so that I am better prepared to have the conversation. The hardest part for me has been giving myself the grace and self-compassion when the choice I have to make seems to be in contradiction to anothers – or I will sense disconnect, displeasure or even hostility. Yet what I have found, time and time again, is that we have to stick to our truth and what is best for us. If it doesn’t work for us, then it can’t work. Period. It has to work for ALL parties involved, and that includes you. Last but not least, if I am having a hard time deciding something, I will reach out to a select few trusted friends or confidantes that I know can be honest with me and also look out for me. A way of stress-testing the choice.

Website: https://natalievartanian.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisturnedonlife

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-vartanian

Facebook: https://facebook.com/thisturnedonlife

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NatalieVartanian

Other: https://corcommunityfoundation.org

Image Credits
Chriselda Photography
Armijo Designs + Photography

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