Compass Conversations Podcast

How do we build a new world together - within ourselves, for each other, and for the future? What does it look like? What does it take? What is in our hearts?Most of us in western societies have silenced our innate sense of self and surrendered our power to cultural norms, structures, and values. This override of our natural state begins unconsciously at a very young age and continues for some of us until the end of our lives. However, there is a growing community of people who are beginning to reawaken and ask questions like: How do I bring myself back to my heart? and How do I peel back the layers of protection I have built over my authentic self? For each one of us who accepts this challenge of rediscovery, we collectively become better, higher, and more coherent. But it's work - amazing, painful, beautiful work.But what if we never left ourselves at all? We have the opportunity to offer this remembrance to our children. They still carry their innate wisdom and untarnished intuition. One of the most profound gifts we can offer future generations is a way to stay rooted in themselves — tools that help them recognize the illusion of disconnection and separation. Instead of molding them to fit into a societal box, we can invite them to turn inward — to feel what they truly want to create, to honor what is uniquely theirs to bring into the world. These transcendent conversations open space for new ways of being. Today's discussion reveals possibilities for building a world aligned with who we truly are and offers a refreshing sense of hope that such a world is not only imaginable, but within reach.Podcast Participants:Amy Budd - www.wholeheartranch.comLeila Angod - https://carleton.ca/iis/people/leila-angod/Clare Morris - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095790481853Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netDrew Freeman - www.coherenceeducation.comKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com

At some point along the way, many of us come to a point where we ask ourselves, who am I? Who am I really, under all the layers of protection I've built - who is under there? Why do I do what I do? Where does my inspiration come from, and what along my path is guiding me toward that awareness. And why horses? For many of us, horses are the ones who guide us into this journey of self inquiryMost of us are so far removed from our own being that life feels foggy and confusing and hard. In this episode, we dive deeply into exploring the essence of who we are, what gifts we bring to the world, and how horses help us find our way. When we are quiet enough to listen, bold enough to be authentic, and open enough to connect, we rediscover our place as part of the whole - we find harmony. Life becomes more simple, more clear. Even when challenges and obstacles arise, we can soften our grip on the reins, trusting that life is always working in our favor.Podcast ParticipantsStephanie Revennaugh - www.stephanierevennaugh.comCarla Bauchmuller - www.theintuitiverider.comSuzi Cloutier - www.zebswish.orgMatthias Geisen - www.matthiasgeysen.comTerry Kuebler - www.terrykuebler.comKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com 

In her book, The Tao of Equus, author Linda Kohanov shares her personal journey, revealing that it wasn't until she fully embraced the wisdom of the horse that she finally felt comfortable being human. With this revelation as a springboard, Episode 22 weaves together, strand by strand, a beautiful story of what it means to be human.As humans, each of us has the innate capacity to sense truth. In the absence of conflict or resistance, the doorway to wisdom, clarity, and the next possibility opens, and an ancient, lost language re-awakens within us. But somewhere along the line, we forgot.Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years ago, our ancestors began building societies. Alongside these advancements came rules and structures that gradually confined humans within societal "boxes," dictating what is considered “right” and “normal.” And eventually, we also began creating our own individual boxes, layering them one within another and burying our true selves beneath countless layers of confinement. Horses, on the other hand, do not recognize boxes. They see straight through the layers of “stuff” we have accumulated and reveal to us the truth: there are no boxes. They guide us into awareness of how deeply we have sheltered ourselves from ourselves. We are then left with the work of shedding the layers and uncovering our authenticity, as well as supporting others on their own journeys of self-reclamation. Horses have generously agreed to be our guides on this journey, to walk us home, if we let them.Podcast Participants:Will Brown - https://palmandlotus.com/ Jillian Kreinbring - www.jilliankreinbringinspired.comGray Kyle Graves - www.wholehearthorsemanship.comLeanne Haight - www.facebook.com/leanne.haightChris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comKerri Lake - www.generationofharmony.com

Consider, for a moment, what it might be like to be truly competitive, but without a combative edge or drive to dominate. Is it possible? Competition can give us so many great things: community, physical and mental challenges, and goal posts by which to measure our progress - it can bring out our best and showcase our preparation, dedication, and talent. The darker side of competition is when we are motivated by comparison, rather than inspiration, causing us to turn against our fellow competitors, our horses, and even ourselves. How many of us can strive for high levels of excellence while maintaining a positive, emotionally balanced energetic space? And how many of us can do it with the eager, focused engagement of our equine partners as well?When we have a clear sense of self, our values, and our purpose, we come to realize that competition is rarely about others; it's about our personal journey, our commitment to growth, and remaining in integrity, regardless of external circumstances. Competition becomes a test of character - a pursuit of goals, not rivals.Podcast Participants:Shea StewartTik MaynardJessica White PlumeDaniel DauphinBarbara SchulteKerri Lake 

Episode 20 is our Volunteer Episode! It's a very special conversation among the dedicated hearts who have been working behind the scenes for many months to coordinate the Compass Conversations podcast and who are now working to breathe life into the Intuitive Learning Foundation.The volunteers considered the following paragraphs and seed question, and the rest, as is our custom, was organic:We are all stewarding each other. We often consider ourselves stewards of nature and animals, but what if animals and nature are also stewarding us to steward each other? Through intuitive connection, shared experiences, and loving interactions, the non-human world selflessly offers unlimited opportunities to feel accepted, seen and loved. In our relationships with all non-human life, we have the opportunity to experience ourselves without competition and with nothing to prove. We can experience the common ground of life with lives that are very different from our own. What does it take to experience this common ground with other humans, as well?Our desire to care for others without greed or judgment, and with an open heart, is a reflection of nature's stewardship of humanity. The beauty of nature can inspire us to remember who we really are - to be unconditionally invited, again and again, to “re-member” humanity in the vast body of life. When humans listen with a willingness to learn and connect through our heart, we are receiving and re-sharing the gifts of unconditional love that our extended family of animals, plants, insects, minerals, sky, and water are eager to show us. With the above as a setting, the group spent most of the hour considering the following question: How do our experiences with non-human life guide us in stewarding one another as humans?Podcast ParticipantsKate ColdrenHolly PostlewaiteHestie KleinhansChloe GarrisonTina CormierCharlene CouchMajda PazmanClare MorrisKerri Lake

A book falls open on a page with a relevant, resonating message - a breadcrumb, perhaps. A heart-shaped leaf lands in your hand on your way into a job interview. You enter a room full of people and immediately feel a brace in your body. Are these signs or coincidences? How do you know?Today's conversation explores questions around intuition and intuitive learning. How can you tell the difference between intuition and intellect? How do they work together? How can you learn to feel and trust your intuition? How does your intuition occur to you - what does it feel like? Many of us are on a journey to recover and remember our intuition - as part of our institutional education, we are taught to suppress those feeling parts of us and to focus on producing, influencing, gaining, creating, selling. Education steers our awareness away from what is felt and toward what can be measured and defined and repeated. How do we integrate an education of the heart side-by-side with the intellect? We clearly need intellect to function - language serves; science serves; knowledge serves. But how do we weave these complimentary types of knowing together? Integration of our intellect and our intuition brings us into congruence, where we are no longer in conflict with ourselves. The resulting integrity and inner freedom open the doorway to curiosity without judgment and give us the courage to have a different conversation. Podcast ParticipantsKathy Price www.kathyprice.co.ukJessica White Plume  @jessica.white.plume.5Franzi and Tony  www.equisitwayoflife.horseGreta Matos www.curakuda.comKerri Lake - https://www.generateharmony.com/Music by Mark Rashid

In this discussion, we explore the flow state, how it feels, and the ancient gifts of self knowledge and awareness that it brings. When we tap into the deep, stabilizing rhythms of nature, we find stillness, peace, love, and coherence with all that surrounds us - like the slow, quiet, and timeless suspension we might feel in the depths of the ocean. It's easy to get complacent about our everyday lives - we get into our routines, lean on our habits, and our brains fill in the rest for us. What if we stepped out of the box society has put around us - the one that says you get your new car, the latest iPhone, the best job, and post it all on social media until you die? What if we actually experienced the world that is always around us? There is so much to explore and see and feel if you can bring your awareness to the present moment and find wonder in the ordinary. You can tune in on your front steps or travel thousands of miles away to find that relaxed, intense, focused concentration. And when you do, you may just discover your authentic self is waiting for you . . . waiting for you to own it. Finding that space where you recognize yourself and your connection to everyone and everything else - that is love. Disconnecting from the fears and doubts of the critical mind to recognize the rhythm of your being - that is love.Podcast ParticipantsWilliam Brown - https://palmandlotus.com/Christine Dickson - www.onthepathcoaching.netTerry Kuebler - www.terrykuebler.comShea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netKerri Lake - https://www.generateharmony.com/Music by Mark Rashid

What is it about our connection with horses that inspires so many to get curious about ourselves? Many of us place all of our focus on the horse - we put equipment on the horse, do things to the horse, try to get something from the horse, look for problems to fix within the horse. In all of this doing, we forget to include ourselves in the relationship. We may fall into dominating patterns, applying pressure to our horses and to ourselves without fully realizing our internal motivations, needs or blind spots.But there is a burgeoning community that is beginning to look at things differently. Today's episode begins with this acknowledgement, that humans are part of the relationship. Horses have become our great teachers. They open up big, beautiful windows into our souls, allowing us to peek in and remember the wisdom of awareness. When we release stories that serve fear and judgment, we create space for self-illumination. We become available for connections that serve the heart. What would happen if I let each person (or horse) be exactly who they are - without a story attached? What would happen if I gave that grace to myself? Join us as we explore these profound questions and follow the horse down a path of self illumination and awareness. If we are brave enough to look beneath our fears and see what's really there, we can unlock boundless joy, gratitude, and potential.Podcast Guests:Kathy Price - www.kathyprice.co.ukSuzi Clothier - www.zebswish.orgMatthias Geyson - www.matthiasgeysen.com/Leslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.comAmelia Nalli - www.amelianalliequinebodywork.comKerri Lake - https://www.generateharmony.com/Music by Mark Rashid

Episode 16 explores the topic of patience. In today's kinetic, frenetic world, instant gratification can be very appealing - we want our food fast and our information even faster. We are in a hurry to become “experts” in areas of our interests and passions. But what do we lose when we rush? We may skip steps and miss pieces in our understanding, and we'll almost certainly diminish the wonder and awe that it takes to ask questions, fail, fall down, get back up, and finally break through. In essence, we lose the experience itself. What offers from the world do we miss when we rush?There is value in slowing down, getting quiet, and letting go of expectations. Patience is a state of being. Patience is a choice. It's internal, thriving in the space where time ceases to exist. We must be willing to surrender any expectation of the end result, to drop the destination mindset. The lesson itself is patience - and trust that we'll get where we're meant to be when we're meant to be there. When we find the ease in letting go and listening, we can release the tension of our insistent internal dialog and drop into a space of being. Are you ready to choose patience? To not allow the superficiality of life to pick us up and carry us away? To not be ruled by expectations? To slow down, breathe, and truly experience the world? We may not know where we'll be at the end of our journey, but we only need to know the next step. Podcast GuestsTerry Kuebler - https://www.terrykuebler.comCrissi McDonald - https://www.crissimcdonald.com/Greta Matos - https://quilaquina.com/Mark Rashid - https://www.markrashid.com/Steve Peters - https://horsebrainscience.info/Kerri Lake  - https://www.generateharmony.com/Music by Mark Rashid

 What does it mean to love horses, but struggle to have the same empathy and love for people? Today's episode touches on a challenge that many in the horse profession face. People who love animals and care so deeply for the environment and the land have a tendency to grapple with conflicting feelings toward humanity, often seeing the very best and the very worst of people in the same day. Is it enough to truly and deeply love horses without feeling the same love for their human partners? Can we genuinely affect healing and change without falling deeply in love with the wholeness of the partnership as well as the individuals involved? When we step back from the separation of me from you, we put a crack in our armor to allow light to flow in (and out) - we connect.What would happen if we created a community of reciprocal care and balance - one without linear, transactional relationships, one where we buoy one another up? What does it mean to truly care? Presence. Orienting to the wisdom of the body instead of the busyness of our minds. Expanding our focus to resilience and regeneration instead of destruction and disdain. Embracing the wholeness of what's healthy, good, and right instead of fixating on what's wrong. Dropping the disempowering stories and the pity. If we could manage all of this, or even any of this, what would change?Join us as we explore these challenging and inspiring topics together.Podcast Guests:Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netChris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comSuzi Cloutier - www.zebswish.orgGray Kyle-Graves - www.wholehearthorsemanship.comCarla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comMusic by Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.com 

This episode wanders and flows gently through two interconnected topics: risk and relationship. Do connection and relationship alter our perception of risk? When you truly know another being for who they genuinely are, beyond their labels, can you have more trust in that person or animal? Would you put your child on a “dangerous” off-the-track thoroughbred? Sleep outside in an area known to have mountain lions? Choose to live in an area constantly being reborn and reshaped by active volcanoes? Living in fear means always seeing risk; living in attunement means seeing truth.Our culture makes it difficult to open up - to find those tender places inside of us where we let ourselves explore our intuition, awareness, energy, and connection. More and more people are exploring these sides of themselves; however, even some of the most attuned humans still have an energetic governor that stops them from going too far when discomfort arises.For instance, many empathic individuals connect strongly with nature - animals, plants, the land. We tend to have difficulty managing our feelings about the way humanity treats the land, the way humanity treats animals (horses!). If we dig into this tendency to judge other humans, what do we find? Will we allow ourselves to see what's underneath? Anger? Pain? Sadness? Grief? Guilt for being human ourselves? What is the risk in rejecting others this way? Be sure to listen to this one all the way through - there is a beautiful and vulnerable epiphany toward the end that ties together the entire episode on risk and relationship with others and with the land.Podcast GuestsChris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comJillian Kreinbring - www.jillinakreinbringinspire.comJessica White Plume - @jessica.white.plume.5Greta Matos - www.kurakuda.comJoell Dunlap - www.squarepegfoundation.orgKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comMusic by Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.com 

What is your spontaneous reaction to the word, “Joy”? Does it evoke emotions within you? Where in your body do you feel it? What words come to the forefront to describe it? How do you know it?In this episode, our guests endeavor to articulate the essence of Joy, while also pinpointing aspects of our humanity and culture that impede our ability to embrace it. Joy is found through a way of being - with ourselves, with the earth, with others. It's part of our innate wisdom, something we seek and find and know within ourselves; We find joy in our ability to connect, rather than in external achievements and accolades.If joy always resides within us, why do some of us struggle to feel it in our lives, and how do we uncover it? The gateway to joy is through getting out of our thinking brain to discover our wholeness. When we strip away the noise, self-doubt, and anxiety, we rediscover a way of being that is in alignment with our true selves and with all of nature.This is how our horses live, where they want us to be, and where they can relate to us best. If we are perceptive to their subtle cues, we'll discover that our equine partners (and everyone else!) will seek our presence when we've arrived in this spaceTo get there, though, we have become more content in the being of a way rather than in the doing of a thing. This journey of becoming ok with ourselves is one of the toughest and most rewarding challenges in life. Joy is the signal that we're on the right track.Podcast Guests:Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comChris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comCrissi McDonald - www.crissimcdonald.comMark Rashid - www.markrashid.comShea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netJosh Nichol - www.joshnichol.com

What is rest? With everyone seemingly “hair on fire” busy these days, the idea of rest can be really elusive to many of us. But what does it even mean? Sleep? Relaxation? Peace? Meditation? Does the body need to be still to rest? What about the mind?In this episode, we have a lovely discussion about how we define and feel rest. While each of us is a little different in how we find relaxation, one theme is clear - restorative rest cannot happen without alignment between body and mind. And often, it's more about stillness in the mind than stillness in the body. A lot of us feel stress, this tension and pressure in our society to constantly be “doing,” which brings us way up into our heads and causes incongruence with our bodies and with our natural way of being. Cultural norms create tension when our genuine selves do not fit them. We are fighting, rather than flowing; when we are in constant resistance, we wear ourselves out. If we can find ways to free ourselves from these expectations, to stop measuring by some standard that isn't “us,” we can lift the heaviness in our spirits, blend with and accept what is, and consequently feel peace, joy and a sense of carefree gratitude.Engaging in activities and experiences that foster alignment between our minds and bodies can gently guide us away from overthinking and back into the present moment. By nurturing an awareness of the innate wisdom housed within our bodies, we unlock a reservoir of inner peace, wisdom, and insight that exists within each of us. We all have this ability - being born into a body means that each of us can innately attune to the rhythms and the harmony all around us. For some, this flow state can look like gardening with your hands deep in the earth, dancing and listening to music, riding horses, making art, or cooking - whatever it is that makes us feel totally at one with what we're doing, unaware of space and time. What is it for you? Podcast Guests:Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comLeslie Desmond - www.facebook.com/lesliedesmondfeelofahorse?mibextid=LQQJ4dGray Kyle-Graves - www.wholehearthorsemanship.com Jillian Kreinbring - http://www.jilliankreinbringinspired.com Kathy Price - http://www.kathyprice.co.uk Josh Nichol - http://www.joshnichol.com

Episode 11 begins with a question around how change is born and the tipping point upon which thoughts, concepts, or ways of being (and the people who carry these ideas forward) transform from the fringe to the mainstream. These evolutions in human consciousness climb toward a critical mass of acceptance until they become normalized.The people responsible for shepherding some of these changes are often also on the fringe, outliers. What motivates them to continue their journeys, sometimes in the face of brutal isolation or social condemnation? Perhaps their drive stems from a desire to address unanswered questions or unmet needs in our culture? Or, is it that they simply can't think of doing or being something other than what they are, despite the social discomfort? Maybe what's different about these leaders is that they orient to the wisdom of their bodies instead of the speed of their minds. Maybe most leaders don't even try to be leaders at all - they simply do what they love, and change flows from what they give.In this hour-long discussion, we listen as podcasts guests hold space and gratitude for one another, demonstrating what love, support, and community look like when put into action to help a grieving friend - a perfect model of the new paradigm we're all moving toward together and with increasing momentum. We are reminded to re-include ourselves in nature, to reconnect with the intelligence in our own systems that goes beyond our cognition and to trust that these things are normal. After all, what is it that prompts us to return to this greater awareness and connection with all beings? Love.Podcast Guests:Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netLeslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.comRupert Isaacson - www.horseboyworld.comAmelia Nalli - www.amelianalliequinebodywork.comJessica White Plume - FB jessica.whiteplume.5Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com/

How can we help fear become a recognizable stepping stone to curiosity and courage? Stepping into fear is a courageous act of embracing the unknown and acknowledging discomfort. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it also limits our personal growth and development. When we face our fears, we often discover inner strength, resilience, and a sense of empowerment.In both the horse and human worlds, there is a misconception that we should avoid fear and discomfort at all costs - never pushing our boundaries or thresholds. Some corners of the equine world believe horses should never be mentally stressed at all…ever. But with this avoidance, we are handing over all of our power to fear; we are missing out on growth and fun because we are afraid of the slips and falls.What if, instead of judging our fears as “bad” or something we should resist or avoid, we begin to recognize them as opportunities for growth and expansion? When we see fear as part of a healthy, lifelong process of being human, we are able to fully experience the journey and see that there's really no destination - there's no “there” there.Immersion, rather than resistance, brings familiarity and recognition that is profoundly helpful in facing challenging times. We have the power to challenge our fears by asking ourselves questions about what else might be available to us.This episode dives deeply into topics around fear, resistance, avoidance, growth, the conscious and subconscious mind, self trust, embodiment, courage, curiosity, and radical acceptance. Please join us for another beautiful and profound discussion, then meet us on our Facebook page to discuss!Podcast Guests:Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com/Kerri Lake - www.kerrilake.comCarla Bachmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com/Terry Kuebler - www.terrykuebler.com/Christine Dickson - www.onthepathcoaching.net/Music by Mark Rashid (markrashid.com) 

This episode is all about the synchronicities many of us recognize in our lives. Little (or big!) signs can feel like delivery of deeply meaningful messages for our path in life, or simply nudge us gently toward our gifts and passions. Sometimes the universe screams, other times, there are whispers. How can we learn to tune in and allow this wisdom, these responses to our deeply felt questions? How do we recognize them without forcing or grasping, ending up in dismay as they flit away just out of reach? When we are open to meaning however it may present itself, we allow ourselves to grow and evolve into who we are in this moment.But what happens when the conversation stops? When we are no longer feeling the guidance coming through? In some cases, an absence of signs may simply mean to “stay” with what we are doing right now. Other times, we may need to reorient our reception. When we look for signs and have an expectation around how they may arrive, we may unintentionally blind ourselves to how the conversation has changed and evolved, missing the conservation that is still there. Perhaps we just need to face it a little differently.These times where we lose the signal may feel extremely challenging to the individual experiencing it - like an abandonment and loss of direction, full of grief and confusion. This is where we have a collective responsibility to help and hold one another through these struggles.Many have lost a type of ritual in our culture that highly values individual responsibility. Conversations like this one are a tiny step toward re-establishing and normalizing those connections and relationships, where being seen and understood in reciprocity opens doors we never knew existed within ourselves.Podcast Guests:Sarah Schlote - www.equusoma.comChristine Dickson - www.onthepathcoaching.netJane Pike - confidentrider.onlineJessica White Plume - www.facebook.com/jessica.whiteplume.5/Kerri Lake - www.kerrilake.comMusic by Mark Rashid (markrashid.com)

This episode was fun for all of us. . . The word “energy” means a lot of different things to different people. In today's episode, we explore how each of us uses energy in our work and in our teaching. Some of us interact with energy and observe what changes physically; others work with what's tangible and observe what shifts energetically. When we shift matter, energy changes; when we shift energy, matter changes – in the end, are we really approaching our work so differently?Some see everything as energy, with no demarcation between people, animals, and objects other than a difference in our vibrational frequencies. Energy is information. Energy is the space between two beings - the place we enter while being totally open to receiving, to greeting. Energy is connection and intent, first to the self, then to others. Energy is creating an opening to allow connection. It's something that must be allowed through openness and felt through awareness. Energy is the existence of movement; awareness of energy is perception and consciousness. Energy is in the integrity of your request. Energy is felt – with your horse, what does it feel like to move from a walk up into a trot? Is it fast, slow, smooth, abrupt, sticky? What if you put that feel into your body? Horses feel and understand this.The commonality in everyone's experiences and definitions of energy is that we're pointing to something that is experienced or felt or sensed, which is different from thinking with the mind. Horses give us the amazing opportunity to use this ability like a language – to remember a part of us many have forgotten.  In this episode: Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.comBarbra Schulte - www.barbraschulte.comKathy Price - www.kathyprice.co.uk Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comSukie Baxter - http://wholebodyrevolution.com/about/Music by Mark Rashid

Episode #7 explores the challenging, beautiful, and mysterious topics of death and grief. Guests on the podcast share their experiences through the transitions of loved ones with vulnerability, gratitude, and curiosity. Many of us in western cultures are taught to fear death and dread grief. But when we have a deep knowing inside of us that death is not the end (and birth is not the beginning), there is less reason for fear, and sadness becomes a welcome reminder of love. What would happen if we were open to exploring the mystery of life after life?For those left behind in our bodies, grief is inevitable. Grief is when we miss the beauty of a being's physical presence. When we miss someone, we're missing the person that we knew here on earth, in their bodies. But where are they now? Can we still feel their presence? Does it feel the same? If it's different, how does it feel? Can we feel it all the time, or does it fade in and out? The more we are open to exploring these questions in our hearts and in our bodies, the more comfort we can take in knowing that we can learn how to connect in a different way. Join us as we explore the rhythms and cycles of life, death, grief, connection, and consciousness as a beautiful continuum.ParticipantsCarla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comShea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netLeslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.comCrissi McDonald - www.crissimcdonald.comMusic by Mark Rashid

Episode #6 explores the suggestions that get in the way of clarity, receiving and enjoying relationships.  This episode examines a set of questions that many people grapple with: Am I a bad person for asking for something I want? Do they genuinely want to connect with me? What does it mean if they say no? How can I interpret if the “no” is specifically relating to the task, or more generally to my request for connection?This conversation is in the context of working and being with horses, but the angst and wisdom apply far beyond relationships with horses.Self doubt, lack of self confidence, and guilt plague many of us when we are unsure if we “should” be asking our horses to work with us;: these feelings within us come across to the horse as incongruent, unreliable, and undependable. Even though it comes from a place of love, when we put a lot of mental and energetic focus on what we might be doing wrong, we may be inadvertently casting a shadow on our relationship.If we dig a little bit deeper, we find a new question: what is it in us that resists receiving the gift of another's awareness, attention, and effort? The group discusses ancient stories, how horses played a vital role in the survival of humanity. It's revealed  that these stories can embed within us a deep sense of gratitude, reverence and joy. The joy can emanate from that person, for horses and others to sense the joy from their heart.  As we reflect on our own stories, we recognize this as an invitation to see ourselves with a new lens, revel in possibilities and different perspectives that lead to transformation.  What if we shifted our focus from what's wrong to all the things we are both doing right? If we could honor the horse's immeasurable capacity for forgiveness, we'd be free to approach every day with joy, playfulness, enthusiasm, reverence, and gratitude for their choice to connect with us. How might our relationship change if we shifted our perspective in this way?Carla Bauchmueller Kerri Lake Jessica White Plume Chris Anderson Joell DunlapPodcast GuestsJoell Dunlap - www.squarepegfoundation.orgJessica White Plume - @jessica.white.plume.5Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.comCarla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comMusic by Mark RashidPhotography by Crissi McDonald

Episode #5 explores depths of self-awareness.  This fundamental question - who am I because of my relationship with horses? - drives the conversation, exploring the limitless depths of our idea of “self,” awareness, and how we relate to all other beings. Opening the door to health and healing clears a path to empowerment, confidence, and connection that only strengthens in the face of hardship and challenge. Without those pillars - healing and empowerment - challenge becomes something we avoid. But when the ease is within us, challenge can only expand our experience, deepen our roots, and strengthen our bonds.If we can make a shift within ourselves to place value on wellness, spaciousness, openness, and movement, we start to expand and orient toward health and relationship rather than competition, performance, and intensity. When we look at horses beyond what they can do for us, beyond technique, we can create a living art between horse and human - but only if we decide to partake in the dance that leads us to look at our own character. Throughout history, there have been people who seemingly work magic with horses because they were able to hear horses, because they were able to listen and relate. When we allow ourselves to trust what we see, hear, and feel, there is a beautiful unfolding of authentic relationship that gifts us the ability to believe something new and better about ourselves. When we approach horses in this way - when we weave together all the pieces that are “right” rather than trying to fix what's “broken”, the impossible becomes possible. Struggle becomes elegance. It's one of the great gifts of truly relating to horses. Podcast GuestsJillian Kreinbring - www.jilliankreinbringinspired.comNahshon Cook - @nahshoncookhorsemanshipLeslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.comJosh Nichol - www.joshnichol.comShea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netKerri Lake - www.generateharmony.comMusic by Mark RashidPhotography by Crissi McDonald

We begin and end this conversation with the topic of happiness. In our culture, we're taught that happiness is the pinnacle of life, and when we aren't happy, we have somehow failed. But what if life is meant to provide more than just happiness? What if it's the view of the hills and valleys, the experiences of our journey that make up the rich tapestry of feelings and experiences that constitute a life? We explore how some really deep and brilliant moments are born from intense pain and grief. Experiences like grief can create an opening that connects us to our higher selves and allows us to feel everything, including joy, more richly. Is judging those moments more valuable than fully feeling them? But what do we do when we feel disconnected, lonely, or lost? How do we remind ourselves that we are not alone? The beautiful, and sometimes paradoxical, part of life is that many different elements can coexist at once without negating one another; we can be thriving, and also devastated or heartbroken. Rather than searching for happiness, maybe we can just let ourselves feel our feelings and move towards what we love and what makes us whole.Each of the guests shares their strategies for reconnecting, grounding themselves, and regaining perspective.We hope you enjoy this episode and that you'll join the conversation and share your experiences for the enrichment of all of us!Podcast GuestsSukie BaxterBarbara SchulteChristine DicksonJane PikeCarla BauchmuellerMusic by Mark RashidPhotography by Crissi McDonald

Different Paths To The Same PlaceIn this episode, we come together to explore questions about the ways horses and their people learn to better serve one another.. Starting with a touching and insightful journey into the experience of autism, we learn that there is healing in movement, relaxation through the breath, and connection through touch. Through tales of the group's varied experiences and perspectives, we find comfort and enlightenment in the realization that we're all talking about the same thing. Though we've each traveled very different paths and are experiencing truth through the distinct lenses of who we are, we've ended up in this same place, together. These truths are not something external to us - they are innately inside of each of us, just waiting for us to remember.While the dots are being connected, the conversation reveals a simple process of self-discovery of who we are in the world, what we stand for and how we organically bond with one another in the interspecies community.  Reminiscent of our ancestors and the ways the hunter-gathers prioritized connection with nature as a gateway to growth, well-being and harmony.Are you open to receiving the beautiful gift of movement that your horse offers? That you can also create just by going for a walk? How can movement calm the nervous system, open the lines of communication, and stimulate learning and social interaction? How can breathing and releasing tension in your hips and legs improve your connection with your horse? Is it possible to rewire our brains and nervous systems to function in a more healthful state? Is it possible to harmonize seemingly disparate ideologies, like ancient indigenous wisdom and modern neuroscience? Are you excited when pieces of “the answer” trickle in, even when you're yet unsure of the question?These conversations, in their absence of judgment and appreciation of inquiry, nurture an openness and curiosity in all of us. We hope you'll join the conversation! In this Episode: Barbara SchulteTerry KueblerKathy PriceRupert IsaacsonSteve PetersKerri LakeMusic by Mark Rashid

Episode #2 reflects on each person's personal journey with “change,”  what that process looks like and evolves into. The conversation rolls in  waves, exploring mutual curiosity with the feeling that ‘change is in  the air'. We talk about how we go about searching for and  recognizing clarity and guidance, and how we each have our way of  choosing words to describe our feelings. We dive deep into the  expectations others have upon us and the freedom we have to celebrate  who we really are. Unraveling the layers of feelings associated  with evolving through the transitional roles in life, seeking the power  of guidance from our friends, families, horse or spiritual communities,  we are able to identify who we are and how we show up and stay true to  ourselves. Listen in as curiosity, wisdom and more questions  percolate around these creative minds to show us that we all have the  capacity, with nothing to prove, and everything to gain, to follow our  hearts and share in this amazing world.In this conversation: Crissi McDonald - www.crissimcdonald.comMark Rashid - www.markrashid.comKathy Price - www.kathyprice.co.ukJessica Whiteplume - @jessica.whiteplume.5Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comKerri Lake  - www.generateharmony.com Visit www.CompassConversations.com to learn more about this ongoing project and join the conversation as a Sponsor. 

Episode #1 centers around helping others, including horses and humans, feel good about what they're doing by deeply experiencing connection from their own, open, human hearts.  This community came together through our common, passionate desire to help horses and their people find a relationship of connection, love. As our first organic conversation opens up, the undercurrent ripples with enthusiasm, taking this group of peers deeper into the wonders of truth, courage, healing, awareness, boundaries, clarity, intuition, balance/biodynamics, the nervous system, emotional states of horse and human, harmony, betrayal, presence, heart connection, as love, without conflict or judgment, and how listening helps us all feel better.Listen in as we create a bridge between the horse-inspired awareness and non-horse-understanding humans to move from a paradigm of simply wanting a behavioral problem “fixed” to a different world where these same riders hear their horse, connect with them, and communicate as horse and rider find trust and support in each other.In this conversation: Karen Rohlf - www.dressagenaturally.netShea Stewart - www.equinebalance.netTerry Kuebler - www.terrykuebler.comNahshon Cook - @nahshoncookhorsemanshipCarla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.comKerri Lake  - www.generateharmony.com Visit www.CompassConversations.com to learn more about this ongoing project and join the conversation as a Sponsor.