b+f community spotlight
“We’re all just walking each other home.” -Ram Dass
Parker Middleton…
Brice + Parker (right) in Rio
helps small business owners grow, automate, diversify, and sell their businesses. Having spent the majority of his career consulting for Fortune 500 Companies, he suddenly found great joy in helping Small Business Owners after helping one successfully expand, and later sell, their business that they had built up from nothing. It was such an emotional and fulfilling win for the entire team. Parker was subsequently then contracted by the investor group to manage the change management and post-acquisition growth strategies for another set of small businesses, and from then on he was hooked. What Parker loves most about working with small businesses is the soul and connection with the community that they carry – something that often differs greatly in large corporations.
This type of connection is important to him because, after growing up gay in the South, he greatly realizes the importance of camaraderie, understanding, and authenticity. This journey is what ended up leading him to Barney + Flo(w), as he was trying to better understand his own Human Design and cosmic weather.
He is a 1/3 Manifesting Generator, with a Pisces Sun, Pisces Moon, and Gemini rising.
Parker Strategy Consulting
Want to brainstorm about some of your small business challenges or goals? Book a free 30-minute intro call with him HERE.
For new clients, Parker offers two introductory packages: the Business Insights Package and the Strategy Roadmap Package.
Business Insights Package:
Brainstorming & Review Sessions
Sales Performance Metrics
Customer Segmentation & Analysis
Sales Forecasting
Competitor Analysis
Sales Campaign ROI Analysis
Strategy Roadmap Package
Business Insights Package PLUS
Defined Mission, Roles, & Responsibilities
Situation & Risk Analyses
Current State vs Future Vision Comparisons
Key Performance Indicators
Governance & Decision-Making Guides
Actionable Next Steps
3-Month Checkup
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE B+F COMMUNITY…
As a ⅓ profile, I found B + F through researching online of course! Human Design + Astrology can get complex pretty fast, but what I knew for sure after stumbling across her page was that Amanda had a knack for explaining nuanced topics in such approachable and consumable ways. This was further confirmed when I booked a session with her, and then again when I realized that she had a podcast! Without a doubt, B+F is in my top 3 podcasts on rotation.
Amanda’s unique selling points for me are how she seamlessly integrates her knowledge of astrology, human design, and healing modalities into one calm space that supports and nourishes. This was great for me, because my first introduction into all of these topics had been cloaked in an air of foreboding energy, however Amanda’s heart-centered, balanced approach to sharing her insights on our design and updates on our cosmic weather really gives this Libra North Node the peace that he needs!
There are three great ways to get introduced to Amanda’s work:
If you’re looking to dip your toe in the water, I recommend purchasing her North Node field guides. They contain pages and pages full of great information, and they’re perfect for helping you reflect in your daily practice.
If you’re ready to explore your design, I absolutely love the 60-minute readings. They’re recorded so you can watch them over again, and they make great presents as well for loved ones!
If you’d rather continued year-long support, then you should check out “The Collective” membership, which includes an extensive library of documents, workshops, and videos focused on Human Design + Astrology.
FIND PARKER HERE
Website: www.parkermidd.com
Podcast: Starting to See
Instagram: @parkermidd
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/parkermidd
Photo Cred: Fiancé Sam
jade Lynn goh…
creates fantasy worlds. Having been born in Malaysia but spending her formative years in Australia, she grew up in this liminal space where she identified with both cultures while feeling that she didn't belong to either. Consequently, she makes up stories that feel strange, familiar and full of possibilities. With many past lives in marketing, mental health and fashion, she has also written for television, developed policies and published case studies.
Currently, she is a writer living in between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur while designing for a literary journal - Lit Angels - based in Los Angeles.
She is a 6/2 Splenic Projector.
lit angels
Founded by Francesca Lia Block and Linda Davis, Lit Angels is a carefully curated collection of short fiction, novel excerpts, memoir excerpts, essays and poetry by new and established writers.
Lyrical & witty, light & dark, magical & gritty, dreamy & informative writing
—to inspire
delight
connect
—to make you laugh
cry
think
and ultimately, we hope, help us all survive in this crazy world.
We’ll also provide craft tips from our ongoing writing workshop led by Francesca Lia Block and tips on how to find agents, write query letters and get your fiction, non-fiction and poetry out into the stratosphere.
*Submissions are open for Issue 5 & 6 if there are any other writers in the B+F community!
artwork
Jade has also created a stunning Oracle Deck for anyone to use as inspiration/ story prompts or points of reflection for journaling.
What do you love most about being a part of the B+F community…
As a Feeling Cognition, the aesthetic of B + F was the first thing that stood out to me. It felt ethereal yet raw and grounded. After becoming a member of the Collective and listening to hours of the B + F podcast, I booked a session with Amanda. The way she integrates astrology, human design and somatic therapy felt serendipitously aligned with my own journey of healing. Immediately after, I signed up for Quantum Upleveling - a splenic hit which I'm glad I listened to!
After some health issues over the last year, I decided to pursue a childhood dream, which was to write a fantasy book. My goal in Quantum UpLeveling was to finish the first draft of my book so that I would be part of a writing community. I was struggling with the deconditioning process and thought that the only way to do this was to double down like the Manifesting Generator I wished I was. (Spoiler alert: it didn't work but I did develop insomnia.)
In the first session with Amanda, she helped me to make sense of the dramatic Capricorn vs Cancer energies in my chart in the context of my creative process and my aspirations, and how healing was inextricable from my purpose. Throughout the program, there were moments of revelation & serendipity that brought me to tears. At the end of the program, I finished a rough outline of my story (overriding the deeply entrenched perfectionism from my Capricorn stellium) and I am now involved in a writing community with authors who I respect and whose work I resonate with. You could say I got what I wanted and what I needed on eight hours of sleep. Thank you Amanda for helping me find a sense of hope <3
As a practitioner, Amanda always made me feel heard and safe, and she genuinely cared about what was going on with me. She has a fairy-like quality about her and a great sense of humour. Thank you for being so accommodating with the time difference and allowing me to book my sessions after 8 am ;)
find jade here
My website: www.jadelynngoh.com
My Insta: @jadegohwrites
RACHEL MARGARET DREWS…
is a teacher, an artist and the author of her debut novel, Wild Woman. She is originally from Clemson, SC (a big Clemson Tiger fan). She lived in Los Angeles for 11 years working in visual effects for feature films and commercials. Rachel has been a part of two Oscar-winning VFX teams! In 2018 she moved back to Brevard, NC, where she lives amongst the landscape she writes about in her work. She created a podcast for sharing personal stories and ideas of hers and others, frequents local coffee shops to write, and facilitates a Breathwork Healing technique to individuals and groups.
She is a 2/4 Pure Manifesting Generator.
Wild woman
Set in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, Rachel Margaret Drews' debut novel, WILD WOMAN, tells the story of Charlene Louise Montgomery (Charlie), a Guns ‘N’ Roses-loving mountain girl who comes from generations of women to whom spousal abuse is just another part of life, “like fixin’ supper.” After twenty-two years of living a life according to what “don’t work,” her moment of grace comes, empowering her to let go of the need to acquire her violent husband’s attention and to transform her purpose for living.
Her bad-boy brother (Danny) is the closest thing she has to a positive male role model, and he gets her high for the first time when she is just fifteen. A year later, she meets Jimmy Randall Jr., the son of the local tire shop owner, and is transfixed by a desire for him more powerful than any drug. Like all addictions, the downward spiral ensues, leaving a gorge between her dreams of a happy family life and her heavy fisted, shame-based trailer love.
After landing in the hospital for the fifth time in six years, Charlie has a mystical experience with a wild wolf-like woman creature who empowers her with the ability to choose a different path. In the despair of the damned of those addicted, she returns home to live with her Jesus-loving mama. But it is not through her mama's faith that she finds comfort and the courage to change. For Charlie, her transformation comes from discovering the Divine in simple circles of recovering women where she surrenders to the process of letting go and living the life of which she could never have dreamed.
What do you love most about being a part of the B+F community…
Many many years ago, I was introduced to astrology and fell in love with it as a non-teacher of astrology. Getting readings, picking up books, etc. And now am a Chani Nicholas fan with her app. Years ago I discovered the Gene Keys and got into it for about 3 months then overwhelmed. This last year, I discovered Human Design on Instagram and became OBSESSED and also overwhelmed.
I was reading about the 4 arrows (the variables) because I am a quad-left, so it seems, and was like, WTF!? Structure? Consistency? Ugh.
I searched online to learn more and a blog Amanda had written about the variables came up and led me to her website: Barney + Flo(w). And I was so taken by the design/style, writing, voice, interpretation of SO many pieces. AND I had wanted a Human Design reading by someone but wanted to be really called to the person giving the reading.
As a "careful step in", I ordered her field guide for the variables. And she was so giving about answering questions I may have as she prepared the content for me. And she gave some insight into why I would not feel 100% Quad Left with a Pisces Sun and something else she saw when quickly looking at my chart/design. Anywho. The CONTENT she offers is so good, so developed. Not only in an attractive style that is inspiring to me, but through a person who has traversed that which they offer.
There is a non-superiority there that is generous and I appreciate that and yet, as a guide, there is wisdom that I was also looking for. And have found.
The community aspect is also a sign of generosity. I like the community vulnerabilities and sharing. So, I got my variables reading with additional offerings, began listening to her podcast and booked a 1:1 reading and WHOA.
What she found and shared about my astrology chart/astrocarto/kua and HD is that there are many supportive aspects to my chart/design. And the "year ahead"/"my own personal weather" as she calls it, that I am in the middle of for this year as my birthday is March. So, it confirmed so much and was the reminder I need on repeat to TRUST my life. To TRUST the flow that is my life. That the things I am drawn to (starting my own podcast--again) is in my HD. It is there. Not an ego-driven idea to worry about.
I am in a Jupiter Return year, for starters. This is not a year for me (hasn't been since March) to go out and make life happen! It is the year for me to navigate old stories that are no longer serving me and BE with myself in a way before taking it "out there." There was SO much more to my reading that I can't put it in a short blurb. She sent a follow-up email with reminders, key aspects/transits to pay attention to and to contemplate, along with actions I can take that support me in this cycle of my life.
When my mind gets busy with fears about what I'm "supposed to be doing," I listen to my reading and absorb the message that my life has me. I am where I am supposed to be with a deepening nurturing relationship to self that is NOT selfish. It is not withholding and has immense value.
Oh! And aside from all that is the fact that Amanda and I have several other cool things in common, like football. WHAT? Another woman who loves astrology, human design, breathwork AND football?
So, I signed up for the Weekly Nourish and listen to the podcast where I hear others in the community share about their readings/life transition times. And I get hope and the gift of knowing I am not alone. I am a part of this collective.
find her here…
WILD WOMAN, A NOVEL (book I wrote)
RACHEL DREWS (website)
NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS (podcast)