Four Gardens Podcast

The Four Gardens Podcast returns after a long hiatus with an interview of Johann Klaassen, the CEO and CIO of Horizons Sustainable Financial Services. I am thrilled to be working at Horizons as an investment advisor representative. One reason I enjoy my work so much is that I get to collaborate with Johann and learn from him every day. In our conversation, Johann explains what we mean by Socially Responsible Impact (SRI) investing, how we practice it at Horizons, and common misconceptions about this approach to investing. We discuss the ongoing intergenerational wealth transfer occurring. Johann shares about his background and how his study of philosophy shapes his approach to investing and working with clients. Links: https://horizonssfs.com/expanding-horizons-jake-ifshin/ KLD 400: https://www.msci.com/documents/10199/255599/msci-kld-400-social-index.pdf The Deep Impact Investing Podcast: https://horizonssfs.com/our-podcast/ Johann's Bio Johann A. Klaassen, PhD, is CEO and Chief Investment Officer for Horizons Sustainable Financial Services, where he develops asset allocation strategies and oversees investment policy for Horizons' individual and institutional clients. As a passionate advocate for SRI, a skilled navigator of its intricacies, and an enthusiastic early adopter of just about every new communication tool and technology, Johann is informed, informative, and far more accessible than his many commitments might imply. He directly serves clients across the nation, tending to specialize in serving unusual and special circumstances or needs. Johann is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He was among the first in the nation to embrace the now-standard certification of Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ and holds the 70th such accreditation ever issued. He holds a B.A. from St. John's College, Annapolis/Santa Fe, and Masters and PhD degrees from the Philosophy Department of Washington University, St. Louis, where he specialized in Ethics and Social Philosophy. He served on the faculties of Washington University, Webster University, Millikin University, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Idaho. He has published and lectured on many topics, including areas of environmental ethics, business ethics, and social bias in finance. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional investing advice. Only you and your financial advisor can determine what the right investments are for you. Jake Ifshin is an Investment Advisor Representative of Horizons Sustainable Financial Services, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the host and or guest and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Horizons. Horizons Sustainable Financial Service's financial professionals do not render tax, accounting, or legal advice. Full disclosures are available at the Disclosures and Disclaimers link located at the bottom of the Horizons website at https://horizonssfs.com. Full disclosures are available at: https://horizonssfs.com/about-horizons/disclosures-and-disclaimers/ Correction:  I mistakenly referred to Aaron Garza as the current Chief Compliance Officer.  Although there are plans to make that official in 2025, on the date of the posting he did not hold that title.  Because that's what he does, it was in fact Mr. Garza who made sure I corrected this to make sure everything was in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

In this conversation, we reflect on the 50 episodes of this show that we have created in collaboration with so many incredible guests. We revisit our intentions behind making this podcast, and discuss a handful of our favorite episodes. We identify the key lessons we have learned and track the huge impacts this project has had on both of our lives. Whether you are brand new to the podcast, or you have been with us from the beginning, this will be a great place to start, or restart, your Four Gardens journey. Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ For people new to the show, we recommend watching the short reels on our instagram page to find guests and episodes that inspire them. https://www.instagram.com/fourgardenspodcast/ Connect with Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ https://www.instagram.com/arirubensfitness/ Episodes we discuss in this conversation: Sarah Miller https://youtu.be/1ioQ6SmQnvs Becca Salky https://youtu.be/h0ZpvvfCA88 Sonia Zilberman ep. 39: https://youtu.be/AkVexFX6UDM ep. 50: https://youtu.be/rpw93ya63wU Omar Aena ep. 13: https://youtu.be/itL0wxwWUfYep. 38: https://youtu.be/iCOGg2f59YM Mallory Combemale https://youtu.be/7vjR6eTkt8s Lexi Mondot https://youtu.be/kUijmvYt1V8 Lyrra Magda https://youtu.be/vtSUoZF8O7Q Lunar and Solar Creativity with Zach Townesmith: https://youtu.be/3jByauolGDM Follow the Gold-Mining Men's Circle YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gold-miningcircle15

Sonia Zilberman is somatic therapy practitioner, relationship coach, and sacred medicine facilitator helping people cultivate authentic self-expression, intimate relationships, and ease in their lives. She joins the podcast to share about emotional health. I currently work with Sonia as one of her coaching and therapy clients, and have felt the transformative effects of her work. In our conversation, Sonia begins by sharing about the nature of emotions, and what they teach us. We discuss escaping the trap of victimhood, and what it means to take ownership of our feelings. We also consider how setting boundaries and how they can bring us closer in relationships Sonia talks about why we check out in the hardest emotional moments. She shares useful practices for people experiencing emotional collapse. Sonia ends by introducing her new group coaching program focused on intimate relationships. Link to our first episode with Sonia: https://youtu.be/AkVexFX6UDM Find out more about Sonia: https://www.therisingjourney.com Follow Sonia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonia_rising_journey/ Her flagship four week Conscious Relationships course: https://mailchi.mp/494c326b59f9/afj7c03pg7 Get in touch regarding her unique 1:1 somatic therapy container: https://www.therisingjourney.com/work-with-me For information on her breakthrough 1:1 somatic micro-dosing container: https://mailchi.mp/5366b2ce74b2/psilocybin-transformation-journey Schedule a Free Clarity Call to see if this work is right for you: https://calendly.com/sonia-devi/30min?month=2022-09 Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Sonia's Full Bio Sonia Zilberman is somatic therapy practitioner, relationship coach, and sacred medicine facilitator helping people cultivate authentic self-expression, intimate relationships, and ease in their lives. She works with 1:1 clients, couples, and groups to break through old patterns, stories, and defense mechanisms within the mind-body construct in order to build a life of deep connection, empowerment, and abundance. Sonia's brilliance lies in her ability to connect to her clients in ways that feel safe and easeful to each individual. She is an empathetic listener, and enjoys bringing light hearted humor into her practice. Her integrated approach to working with the mind, body, and spirit works on both conscious and unconscious levels to facilitate powerful, lasting change. She employs body based techniques that allow for a deeper and quicker healing then regular talk-therapy. She is trained in in somatic therapy at the Core Energetics Institute, in sacred sexuality with the International School for the Temple Arts, and with numerous teachers in Shamanic modalities of healing and empowerment. Sonia has been practicing Vipassana meditation for over 20 years, is a Certified Yoga Teacher, and feels deeply connected to Nature.

Nil Akselioglu is a Sex, Love, and Relationships Coach who supports people to “reclaim their joy, pleasure, love and safety.” Nil how having healthy, rooted sexuality can be incredibly supportive to overall health and feeling truly alive. Shame can often block our sexual expression, and Nil shares how practices of embodiment, witnessing, and affirmation allows us to bring those parts into light and integrate them into our being. She talks about how slowing down while being intimate can create a deeper experience of pleasure and connection. We explore the challenge of body image issues and how practices such as mirror work can be healing. Follow Nil on Instagram: @kyssmyblyss Listen to our first episode together: https://tinyurl.com/mry8vpw5 Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Nil's Bio: "I believe that our greatest power is LOVE, and that joy and pleasure are our birthright. I guide my clients to get out of their heads and into their bodies to awaken their innate joy, pleasure and aliveness within. We take a journey together to uncover deeply rooted conditioning, programming, and limiting belief systems that have been holding them back from living in their fullest expression. I am a Sex, Love and Empowerment Coach trained in the VITA Methodology which combines modern science and somatic work with the ancient teachings of Tantra and Taoism. I hold a strong, grounded container rooted in radical self love, compassion and honoring. Through embodiment practices, we create space for the integration of trauma, shame, and lived experiences to better access love, joy and pleasure within. I look forward to sharing these powerful practices with my beloved community and 1:1 coaching clients as a pathway to empower, reclaim and live in our full aliveness around love and sexuality."

Victoria Wolfgang is passionate about studying and teaching the ancient insight practice of yoga and helping other neurodivergent people find self-acceptance and holistic wellness. In our conversation, she shares about the bullying and isolation she experienced growing up with undiagnosed autism and ADHD, as well as the unique strengths that her different neurology gives her. She shares essential information about autism, as well as helpful ways to supportively relate to neurodivergent people. Victoria talks about how yoga changed her life, and how it can particularly be helpful for ADHDers and people on the spectrum. We dive deep into what yoga means to both of us and the lessons we've learned from practicing. Victoria shares how her commitment to creative expression has helped her feel healthy and connected. Stay to the end for a health tip from Ari Rubens on proprioception. Victoria's Links: Website: VictoriaWolfgang.com Ig: @Diary.of.a.yogi Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Resources: Dr. Tony Attwood's Website https://tonyattwood.com.au/what-is-high-functioning-autism/ Books: Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook Victoria's Full Bio: Victoria Wolfgang is a yoga teacher (ERYT-200, Functional Ashtanga 500-hr, Rocket Vinyasa 100-hr) ipec certified wellness coach (CPC) artist, and writer. She has bachelor's degrees in both biology and psychology and has always been fascinated by the mind-body connection. Her passion for movement practices such as martial arts began as a child and in 2015 she discovered that yoga helped her find relief from chronic social anxiety and sensorimotor challenges related to childhood trauma and undiscovered autism/ADHD. Today, Victoria is passionate about continuing to devote herself to studying and teaching the ancient insight practice of yoga and helping other neurodivergent people find self-acceptance and holistic wellness.

Shirin Biswas's mission is to co-create a community where people practice Self-Care, daily. He shares his knowledge of Engineering Design tools to help people discover Self-Care activities that are meaningful to them and he empowers them to apply these practices in their daily routine. In our conversation, Shirin shares about his own healing journey and his practical approach to Self-Love and Self-Care. He sees his daily focus on Self-Care as a powerful preventative practice and essential to him thriving and enjoying his life. Shirin talks about his playful and creative approach to his routines, which include a wide variety of activities including singing karaoke in the bath (my personal favorite). I enjoy the way he brings his systematic, engineer mind to this topic while also keeping a consistently joyful attitude. He also shares about his new gender-neutral Self-Care community circle in Charlotte, NC. Stick around to the end of the episode for health tip on Metta Meditation from Ari Rubens that will help you cultivate self-love. For a video of a guided Metta Meditation led by Ari click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrSgF8ILzWA Shirin Biswas IG: @5hirinbiswas Healing Panda IG: @healing.panda Gender-Neutral Community in Charlotte: Applied Self-Care Community (ASC) https://meetu.ps/c/4YhFl/G8j3b/d on Meetup Upcoming in-person workshop in Charlotte on 9/25: https://solharmonyfest.com/schedule#section-tgCyUhpGY Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Shirin's Full Bio: Shirin is a Mechanical Design Engineer who graduated with a Masters Degree from Duke University. Besides Engineering, Shirin is fluent in the field of Martial Arts and Mental Arts, and he practices these philosophies in his work with Men's circles. He is associated with The ManKind Project where he works with the Gold Mining Men's Circle and the Gold Mining King Building Circle to co-create a world of purpose and peace. Shirin embodies the spirit of a Healing Panda and his mission is to co-create a community where people practice Self-Care, daily. He shares his knowledge of Engineering Design tools to help people discover Self-Care activities that are meaningful to them and he empowers them to apply these practices in their daily routine. Shirin also hosts a gender-neutral circle called Applied Self-Care Community in Charlotte, NC where he brings a calming and playful energy to this mission work to co-create a space where people can embark on their own Self-Care journeys together.

Lyrra Magda is a folk botanist, hide tanner, and teacher based in the Southeast & Mid-Atlantic regions. She studies the plants and animals of these landscapes through the simple immersion of living close to them— cutting wood, carrying water, living in simple structures like tents and cabins, cultivating wild and domestic plants into a blur that erases their distinctions, raising animals, and processing roadkill. She has taught nature based classes since 2014, and has facilitated plant walks since 2009. She mainly teaches adults, in both public & private classes, both indoors & outdoors. Lyrra's special focuses include resilient, bio-regionally sensible plant foods, an animistic approach to animal dismemberment that involves using nearly all the parts of the body, bioregional hide tanning, and fiber crafts. Lyrra is also a spinner, writer, primitive tattooer, occasional goatherd, herbalist, and lover of walking. She is driven by a bottomless love for the plants and creatures of the Southeast, as well as a profound urgency to help human communities to reweave relationships with the land—in order to envision village life, and to act in resistance to systems of exploitation. I met Lyrra a number of years ago when I attended my first ever plant walk which she led, and I was blown away by the depth of knowledge and connection Lyrra clearly had with plants. In our conversation Lyrra shares how her intimacy with plants, animals, and the land is essential to her survival and well-being. An important part of that intimacy for Lyrra is processing wild animals for food and other products. This involves working with all the parts of the animal including the ones most humans today may find revolting. We also reflect on the shadows and limitations of many spiritual and land based communities we have encountered, and how we can learn from these experiences. Link to Lyrra's fall class schedule: https://www.stormsofdaylight.com/fall-fiber-series Follow Lyrra on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heymagdamagda/ Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Stick around to the end for a health tip from Ari

Umair Ahsan is the founder of Aquanimous, a company that markets sustainable cork-based yoga, recovery and self-massage tools. Aquanimous also organizes classes for recovery practices using self-massage tools. Aquanimous was founded to bridge personal wellness practice and environmental consciousness, and aims to shift the normalization of plastics and artificial materials in the fitness industry. Umair and I discuss his vision behind Aquanimous. We reflect on creating together as part of the Low-Hanging Fruit collective, which is based on the philosophy that the answers for our life questions and the medicine for our wounds are within hands reach. Umair shares about myo-fascial release and gives two tips that listeners can integrate right away. Shop at Aquanimous with our affiliate link here: https://www.aquanimous.com?aff=55 Follow Umair on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airumair/ Learn more about Jake Ifshin and the Four Gardens by visiting https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Connect with Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/ Umair's Full Bio: Umair holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and 12 years of experience in the wireless communication technology and intellectual property. While interested and continuing to work in the evolution of technology Umair's life passion lies with the technology in each of our bodies which Umair continues to research personally through somatic practices including yoga, meditation, conscious dance and improvisational movement. Umair is the founder of Aquanimous, a company that markets sustainable corkbased yoga, recovery and self-massage tools. Aquanimous also organizes classes for recovery practices using self-massage tools. Aquanimous was founded to bridge personal wellness practice and environmental consciousness, and aims to shift the normalization of plastics and artificial materials in the fitness industry. Umair co-founded the Low Hanging Fruit (LHF) community based on the philosophy of a world where the answers for our life questions and the medicine for our wounds are within hands reach. LHF is a ceremonial wellness space literally adorned with fresh fruit, shares accessible wellness practices, creates connection and builds community that is both silly and sacred. It is a place for community ritual, facilitated wellness practices, and an open mic to celebrate the diversity of our voices. LHF is currently on pause while the organizers are focused on developing other projects. Umair recently became Director Conscious Dance Program for Interfusion Festival. Umair has been dancing Contact Improvisation, Ecstatic Dance and 5Rythms since 2017 and has witnessed the power of conscious dance through his own transformation and growth. Umair is motivated to thread together a deep and enriching Conscious Dance Program for Interfusion Festival and incorporate his research from LHF. Umair is also a certified yoga teacher and has taught meditative, vinyasa, restorative and yoga classes incorporating self-massage. Umair has stepped back from actively teaching to focus on Aquanimous and other projects.

Yonah Levy guides people back to peace and from there to thriving through Counseling, Coaching, Business Wellness Consulting and Group Leadership. Yonah has worked with thousands of clients from all walks of life, helping them move beyond inner blockages and optimize their lives. He has been practicing and teaching Mindfulness and Meditation for over two decades. In our conversation, Yonah revisits his challenging and traumatic adolescence, which included parents separating, being bullied, robbed, institutionalized, and even shot twice. During his time at a residential mental health facility, he got serious about changing his life and chose to embrace therapy with a doctor he trusted. Yonah also shares how he got serious about meditation while working as a mental health professional in his late twenties and feeling burned out in his job. He describes how meditation has changed his mindset and also a peak state of peace he experienced during his practice. He offers his tips on how to get started meditating. Stay tuned to the end for a health tip from Ari Rubens Yonah's website: https://yonahlevy.com/ Follow Yonah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yonahlevy/ Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Connect with Ari Rubens at https://www.arirubens.com/

Becca Salky joins the podcast to share her story of finding purpose and gratitude through living with MOG antibody disease. Since Becca was four years old, she has periodically experienced intense, debilitating symptoms from MOG including seizures and blindness. For most of her life, her condition perplexed doctors and was mis-diagnosed. Becca herself was a leading force in finding the correct diagnosis after connecting with doctors who believed her and were open to collaborating. Now Becca is a trained nurse and works as a researcher into MOG antibody disease and an advocate for people living with MOG. I was moved hearing about how Becca found gratitude, empathy, and inspiration in some of the hardest moments of her illness. Her quest to get an accurate diagnosis was a long journey that required her to do her own research and find allies within the medical community who were willing to believe her and collaborate. I admire the way she now gives back to other people living with MOG through her work, and find her story to be a powerful example of how our greatest challenges have the potential to be the source of our most meaningful gifts to the world. Learn More about the Four Gardens Podcast: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Neuroimmunology Clinic and Research Lab at MGH (Becca's Workplace): https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/treatments-and-services/neuroimmunology-clinic Link to donate to clinic/lab Becca Works in: www.mogresearch.org Other Mog Resources: The MOG Project - only organization (non profit) dedicated to exclusively MOG www.mogproject.org (You can find Becca's Mog support group here): https://wearesrna.org/living-with-myelitis/disease-information/mog-antibody-disease/ Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association Great resource for rare diseases www.srna.org

Kevin Hauber's chronic pain began over two decades ago after a botched vasectomy operation. In the following years, he experienced extreme, nearly debilitating pain that changed his life. His healing journey included multiple reconstructive operations, over 200 medications, and also many alternative methods. This journey eventually led him to the yoga and somatic techniques that he teaches and practices himself. It also led him to write a book about his experience and vasectomies in general. In our conversation, he tells the story of his operation and recovery. He also shares his general approach to health that is rooted in listening to what the body really needs. Kevin's Website: https://www.abundanthealthslo.org/ If you are interested in joining our men's group, email Kevin at kevin@abundanthealthslo.org Learn more about the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Kevin's book on vasectomies: https://www.amazon.com/If-Works-Dont-Fix-Vasectomy/dp/0741418002 First Interview with Kevin on this podcast on Men's Work Watsu Massage on this podcast: https://anchor.fm/fourgardens/episodes/10-Kevin-Hauber-on-Healing-and-Transformation-through-Mission-focused-Mens-Work-and-Watsu-Aquatic-Therapy-e17lqqf Video from this podcast of Kevin leading the Positive Intent Process: https://youtu.be/rynRObyHiL4 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nVQDoUWrB54

Kevin Platt is a bodyworker, movement teacher and human experience enthusiast. He has deep respect for the wisdom that lives in the human body and spirit with special interest in learning the subtleties of the human nervous system. When Kevin was 19, he suffered a spinal infection that required hospitalization and temporarily took away his freedom of movement. In our conversation, we trace how that health episode changed his perspective and guided his work in the world. He talks about how his approach to health is rooted in listening to his body in order to find balance. Kevin shares about how growing somatic awareness is an active practice, and he offers practical examples of how he has cultivated awareness in his life. We discuss a few of our shared passions such as conscious dance and men's work, and Kevin shares his background and grounded insights on each of these subjects. If you enjoyed this episode, consider donating to the podcast:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jakeifshin Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOGZ1HODVSw Follow Kevin Platt on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kplattintheflow/ Learn more about the Four Gardens at fourgardenspodcast.com

Ari Rubens is a high-performance fitness coach, yoga teacher, and certified badass. He's also the co-host and producer of this podcast. In this conversation, we discuss the brand new season of this show, which will be focused on health. Ari shares how you can shift your goals and mindset in order to achieve amazing fitness outcomes. We talk about common misconceptions people have about topics like weight loss and stress reduction, and how Ari helps his clients in these areas. We each share what a healthy day looks like for us and current practices that our improving our experience of our health. If you enjoyed this episode, consider donating to the podcast: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jakeifshin Learn more about Ari at https://www.arirubens.com/ Follow him on Instagram @arirubensfitness Learn more about the Four Gardens at fourgardenspodcast.com

Sonia Zilberman is somatic therapy practitioner, relationship coach, and sacred medicine facilitator helping people cultivate authentic self-expression, intimate relationships, and ease in their lives. This is a powerful conversation I recommend to anyone looking for new insights into their intimate relationships. Sonia starts by sharing her approach to relationships as a "sacred and courageous undertaking" that are a window into the most challenging places inside us. She shares vulnerably about her journey through divorce and radical career change into finding deeper purpose, love, and spiritual connection in her life. We reflect on how the "shit" that comes up during relationships can be composted and turn into a powerful fertilizer to help us grow and heal. Sonia introduces the different modalities she weaves together to support her clients and her vision for her work. Watch the full episode here YouTube: https://youtu.be/AkVexFX6UDM For more information about Sonia, visit her website at: https://www.therisingjourney.com/ Please join Sonia's Facebook community—Journey Into Love—to access her Free Master Classes, talks, and other free interactive content on relationships, healing old patterns, and somatic modalities! To learn more about the Four Gardens visit our website here You can find her on Instagram at @sonia_rising_journey Sonia's Full Bio Sonia Zilberman is somatic therapy practitioner, relationship coach, and sacred medicine facilitator helping people cultivate authentic self-expression, intimate relationships, and ease in their lives. She works with 1:1 clients, couples, and groups to break through old patterns, stories, and defense mechanisms within the mind-body construct in order to build a life of deep connection, empowerment, and abundance. Sonia's brilliance lies in her ability to connect to her clients in ways that feel safe and easeful to each individual. She is an empathetic listener, and enjoys bringing light hearted humor into her practice. Her integrated approach to working with the mind, body, and spirit works on both conscious and unconscious levels to facilitate powerful, lasting change. She employs body based techniques that allow for a deeper and quicker healing then regular talk-therapy. She is trained in in somatic therapy at the Core Energetics Institute, in sacred sexuality with the International School for the Temple Arts, and with numerous teachers in Shamanic modalities of healing and empowerment. Sonia has been practicing Vipassana meditation for over 20 years, is a Certified Yoga Teacher, and feels deeply connected to Nature. Intro music by bensound.com

Conscious dance has been a transformational practice for me. As someone who is regularly caught up in the invisible world of my thoughts, conscious dance practices have invited me to return to the wisdom of my body and the moment. On the dance floor, I find my way back to joy through connecting to the music, to my feet, to my breath, and to community. The experience of dancing without drugs and alcohol while holding the intentions of healing, play, and meaningful connection, has been a blessing for me. Omar Aena, founder of Dance Lab in Brooklyn New York, rejoins the podcast to discuss conscious dance and share a special DJ set he created for this episode. Omar and I have a conversation about what we mean when we say "conscious dance," and explore the defining features we value about it. Omar shares the ancient history of the practice and his uncomfortable initial reaction when he was first introduced to 5Rhythms. We also discuss how consent and listening play a critical role in creating transformational dance experiences. At the end of the episode, Omar plays an Original DJ set that will support you to experience conscious dance wherever you are in the world. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iCOGg2f59YM If you enjoyed this episode, don't miss my first interview with Omar Aena about his journey to the Middle East to reconnect to his roots and family: https://youtu.be/itL0wxwWUfY Link to the Crowdfunding Campaign for the documentary about Rumi & The Whirling Dervishes: LaunchGood.com/semadoc Link to DJ sets on Omar's SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/omaraena Follow Dance Lab on IG @dancelab_nyc or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceLabCommunity/ Learn more about the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/

In this episode, Jake Ifshin shares a morning journaling practice he created to grow self-awareness, clarity on what you want, and ideas on how to cultivate yourself today. Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/RSualr01P_Y Five Part Morning Journaling Practice Overview Part 1 - Observations: Free writing on everything you are noticing about how you are feeling in the present moment. Part 2 - Themes and Intentions - write down a theme or intention for the day, one phrase that captures what you are wanting overall. Part 3 - Four Gardens Self Cultivation Map - Write the actions and experiences you could create in each garden today for yourself (map pictured) Part 4 - Project: What is the project/challenge you are going to tackle today? Part 5 - Gratitude: long list of what you are grateful for Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Intro music by bensound.com

Jake Ifshin, host of the Four Gardens Podcast, shares a creative journaling and breathwork practice to help you tend to yourself when you are overwhelmed by a challenge. In this practice you will distinguish what part challenge is under your influence and what part is out of your control and can be released. Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/E-IhlSwV4aY Podcast Interview on Nervous System Regulation with Eleanor Bramwell: https://youtu.be/DJGIFefcFeM Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/Intro music by Bensound.com

Sarah Miller was catapulted into a journey of self-healing and spiritual growth through the loss of her entire family (Dad, Grandpa, Mom, Grandma), all before the age of 27. Along her own journey of healing through loss she found her true purpose in life -- to help others heal. For this she knows to be true, healed people heal the world. Sarah is a Certified End of Life Doula, Life Coach, Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master, and Inner Dynamics Parts Practitioner. In our conversation, Sarah explains the various important roles an End of Life Doula can serve for individuals and families. She shares more about her moving story of loss, and how she found her strength and higher purpose in facing this great adversity. We discuss the experience of "re-grieving" and each share personal examples relating to the loss of a parent. We also touch on parts work, life coaching, and the healing modalities that Sarah offers clients. She also discusses her work in the business world as a creativity catalyst using design thinking to reimagine projects and access emotional intelligence. Watch the Full Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1ioQ6SmQnvs Follow Sarah on Instagram: @districtdoula Sarah's Website: https://www.coachsarahmiller.com/ Email: smiller.innovation@gmail.com To learn more about the Four Gardens visit: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Videos I referenced: Positive Intent Process with Kevin Hauber: https://youtu.be/rynRObyHiL4 Lunar and Solar Creativity with Zach Townesmith: https://youtu.be/3jByauolGDM Full Bio: Sarah Miller studied at the Conscious Dying Institute to earn her End of Life Doula Certification. She also studied with the iNLP Center, where she became a Certified Life Coach, Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master, and Inner Dynamics Parts Practitioner. She holds a dual Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Public Relations from SUNY Oswego. Currently, Sarah is working on her Hypnotherapy Certification from the iNLP center and studying spiritual hypnotherapy with her mentor. During the day, Sarah inspires people to solve problems creatively and with empathy as a Design Thinking facilitator. In her free time you may find her dancing zouk, chasing after her therapy-dog in training, or fighting for a place to sit between her two couch hogging cats. Intro Music By Bensound.com

Lesley Younge has been a progressive educator in independent schools for 16 years. She is passionate about interdisciplinary education, experiential education, community engagement, mindfulness and global competency. Career highlights include starting a garden and food justice community engagement program, organizing professional development in Malawi, serving as a Teacher in Residence at the Smithsonian Freer Sackler Museum of Asian Art, and helping found a school. She is also the author of two books. I was grateful to have been Lesley's collaborator on the garden program I mentioned above. At that time, she was a teacher at my alma mater Sidwell Friends Middle School. We built a partnership between my business Engaged Ecology and the school that supported on an onsite food garden and community-wide engagement with food justice and the urban agriculture movement. In our conversation, Lesley shares how her personal educational philosophy shapes the way she relates to the world. She tells me about her involvement with the Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project, and we reflect on how learning local history is an important tool for anti-racism work. She gives me a sneak peak of her two upcoming books that will be released in 2023. We talk about how parents can discuss the challenging issues in our world with their children and create authentic engagement. Visit Lesley's website: https://teacherlesley.com/ Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project: https://mdlynchingmemorial.wixsite.com/montco Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Intro music from Bensound.com

Marta Pascual Barea is the executive director and founder of School of Wonder, a social enterprise that creates immersive experiences and games to play in the fresh air in which kids and families become protagonists of imaginative stories full of fun missions that activate their imagination and connect them to the world they explore. I was fortunate to be able to help lead an adventure this fall in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. It brought me so much joy to take part in the rich journey Marta offered the children, who were invited to discover the secrets of Gaia through a series of magical experiences that unfolded throughout a beautiful day filled with nature, laughter, art, and science. In my conversation with Marta, she shares the journey and motivation behind creating School of Wonder. We reflect on the importance of offering immersive nature experiences to children, and what partnerships and strategies make that possible in today's world. We revisit powerful moments we shared working with children together this Fall and unpack the significance of choices we make as adults facilitating children. Marta shares what's next for her and School of Wonder, such as re-imagining theme parks. Watch the full video of this podcast on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6n7Wtf2Okys School of Wonder's website: https://www.theschoolofwonder.com/ Read more about Marta in her bio: https://www.theschoolofwonder.com/the-founder Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Marta's Full Bio: Marta Pascual Barea is an experiential educator and learning experience designer, with a solid background in K-12 Education innovation and school system reform. She has 12+ years of international experience as a specialist in school evaluation, curriculum and assessment frameworks, and implementation of innovative solutions in classrooms. In these capacities, she has contributed to important education policy reforms (UK Department for Education and NJ Department of Education) and participated in cutting-edge projects in leading ed-tech companies of the United States (Amplify Education, Edpuzzle, Nearpod and Google Expeditions). She started her career as strategic consultant at Boston Consulting Group and became passionate about K-12 Education after co-creating the Spanish version of Teach for America (“Empieza por Educar”) in 2009. Intro music by Bensound.com

Eleanor Bramwell is a somatic therapist, trauma specialist, nervous system expert, serial entrepreneur, and change maker. By the age of 30, she developed five flourishing companies that spark systemic change. She is committed to her own inner development and living a full, embodied life that is in alignment with her moral compass. Eleanor is an inspirational public speaker and has presented at John Hopkins, Harvard, CBS, and the Department of Health and Human Services. A passionate and skill facilitator, she is able to make complex concepts relatable and digestible. In her private practice Eleanor offers trauma therapy and mentoring. Her mission is to help the world THRIVE. In our conversation, Eleanor breaks down important concepts about nervous system regulation and trauma. We discuss how she is growing conscious organizations that invest in workers and create space for authenticity. She shares about key mentors in her life and how she cultivates life balance and an appreciation for play. Eleanor reflects on lessons from rock-climbing, being a dog parent, and living in a Buddhist monastery when she was 19. Eleanor is offering our listeners a special offer of 20% off her upcoming 50 Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Training using code FOURGARDENS20 https://www.bodywiseinstitute.com/schedule/2021/3/5/online-50-hr-trauma-informed-yoga-teacher-training-with-eleanor-bramwell Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/DJGIFefcFeM Eleanor's Links: EleanorBramwell.com BodyWiseinstitute.com BodyWiseFoundation.org Breath Practices to Increase Resiliency and Regulate the Nervous System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMqALRH34ek&t=2s Learn more about the Four Gardens: https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Intro music from Bensound.com

Dan Turello is a writer, editor, photographer, and cultural historian and the creator of the Alternative DC Portraits Project. Alternative DC is a playground experiment, an invitation to be curious and create meaning together. It features folks who don't fit the mold of what the world thinks of as being typical of Washington, DC, with its stereotype of suits, starched shirts, and one-dimensional politicians. In our conversation, Dan and I discuss his photography, our shared love of conscious dance, what we can learn from medieval mystics such as St. Francis, and how we can find hope in the midst of climate change. I was grateful to participate recently in Dan's Alternative DC Portraits Project. Take a look at the portraits here: www.piemonteseingiro.com/portraits Dan holds an MA in political theory from the Catholic University of America and a PhD in romance languages and literatures from Harvard University. His writing credits include Renaissance Studies, Italica, The Washington Post, Aeon/Psyche, The Huffington Post, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Watch the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/iWnzLKMlZJ8 To learn more about the Four Gardens Approach visit https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Follow Dan on instagram: www.instagram.com/dan.turello/ For additional reading: On Franciscan literature: The Cambridge History of Italian Literature, edited by Peter Brand and Lino Pertile (Cambridge University Press, 1996). Giacomo Todeschini. Franciscan Wealth: From Poverty to Market Society (The Franciscan Institute, 2009). On artistic production and environmental impacts during the Renaissance: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26618783 On creative and counter-cultural communities: https://psyche.co/ideas/craft-your-own-renaissance-with-tips-from-boccaccios-decameron On technology, nature, and the environment: https://www.huffpost.com/author/dan-turello Intro music by bensound.com

Lexi Mondot helps healers, coaches, instructors and spiritual leaders of the new earth movement decolonize oppressive systems from their practice using Cyclical Arts. They join the podcast for a powerful conversation on how we can live in better harmony with natural cycles. We start by discussing the intricacies and deep wisdom reflected in the menstrual cycle. Lexi shares how they integrate this wisdom in their own life and share it in their coaching practice. Later in the episode we take a deep dive into the historical origins of our disconnection from nature. We discuss the social restructuring precipitated by the rise of agriculture, the wider implications of witch-burnings, and much more. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kUijmvYt1V8 Learn more about Lexi's Offerings: https://direct.me/lexi Follow Lexi on Instagram @theyogawitches Learn more about the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Lexi's Full Bio: Lexi Mondot helps healers, coaches, instructors and spiritual leaders of the new earth movement decolonize oppressive systems from their practice using Cyclical Arts. Cyclical Arts Practice is a devotion that revolutionizes the way we connect with our bodies, the Earth, and each other by honoring lunar, solar and menstrual cycles. They are dedicated to healing humanity's relationship to these cycles- and all genders' relationship to the menstrual cycle as a pathway to end global warming by healing the cause of our hyper-masculinized, consumer and production based internal landscape that has polluted our external landscape. They've spent 25 years studying the body, mind and spirit through the art of dance with master teachers to gather body wisdom and knowledge based in human ritual and history. They've spent endless nights choreographing, researching and creating works to address gender-based oppression and the toll they have on our bodies, minds spirits & relationships. When struck with chronic mental and physical ailments, they stumbled into 15 years of research for answers to healing gender based trauma, internalized oppression, chronic mental illness and reproductive health issues. They spent 15 years researching, practicing and studying many healing methods including: medication + psychotherapy, CBT, EMDR, Pranayama, Kundalini, Nutrition, yoga, dance + somatic techniques, Ayurveda, TCM, acupuncture, witchcraft, folk medicine, holistic nutrition and more. They embrace all things body, mind and spirit, dedicating a lifetime to healing all three within themself and helping others to do the same. They use years of experience as a dance and somatic instructor, yoga instructor, dance and theatre artist, practicing witch and thriving survivor of PTSD to offer you a feminine perspective on spirituality that's accessible, grounded, and rooted evidence-based methods, science and anthropology. It is within your power to use your body to access the most powerful parts of yourself, and they want to show you how. Lexi, aka The Yoga Witch, has a B.A. with Honors in Dance, a B.A. in Theatre and a Certification in Arts Management from Hollins University + is genderqueer and neurodivergent. They are a 200hr RYT Certified Yoga Instructor through The Mindfulness Center and have been practicing witchcraft for 15 years. They have 18+ years of experience as a dance instructor + choreographer across techniques + expansive training in somatic methods such as: Alexander Technique, Bartenieff, Laban Movement Analysis, Feldenkrais, AFCMD, Gaga technique, Improvisation + Contact Improvisation. Intro Music from Bensound.com

Luke Monteleone, founder of Purpose State and a life purpose coach, joins the podcast to discuss how we can work with our trauma to grow a life of greater meaning and harmony. In our conversation, Luke shares what he means by life purpose and how he helps clients. He offers the example of his birth trauma of being born prematurely and spending his first days in an incubator. This early trauma deeply affected his relationship with the feminine and has been a key area in his healing journey. Luke and I consider attachment theory, the role of empathy in business, the limitations of our current educational system in regards to emotional intelligence, and what message he'd send to his younger self. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tFp0GFBUS8A Visit Purpose State at https://www.purposestate.com/ Learn more about Luke: https://lukemonteleone.com/about/ Follow Luke on Instagram @purpose.state Learn more about the Four Gardens at https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/ Intro Music from Bensound.com

Bill Wich, creator of the Omega Point Program (OPP), joins the podcast and shares about the evolution and impact of the OPP. I recently completed the OPP's 20 day mentorship process, where I spent 45 minutes each day going through a series of scripts with the same friend taking turns in the role of mentor and mentee. I found that this process grew my listening, empathy, intuition, and peacefulness, and I highly recommend it. In my interview with Bill, he talks about the roots of the OPP, and takes us back over 30 years ago to a spiritual experience he had that was precipitated by a hypnosis session. Ever since this awakening Bill has been a passionate student of healing and spirituality. He drew on his design aptitude, strengthened by a degree in aerospace engineering and a career in corporate management at Ford and Toyota, to efficiently combine and reframe spiritual tools into new training modalities that are powerfully effective and more easily accessible. Bill describes the latest innovations in the OPP and the dimensions of experience that the higher phases open up for us. Bill and I also explore the place of spiritual experience in organized religion and in modern society. Bill ends by sharing a few examples of the profound shifts he has witnessed in people that have gone through the OPP. Start the Omega Point Program for Free at https://omegapointprogram.com/ Watch the video version of this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoRivzjmmq8 Listen to my interview with Bill Wich's son Andi Wich: https://bit.ly/3GbbZ62 Watch the film “The Work” featuring Bill Wich: https://amzn.to/3KVjgKW Intro music by Bensound.com

Mallory Combemale, founder of Breath Connection and co-founder of the Inheritance Project, joins the podcast for a second time to share a powerful breathwork practice that will help you move through anger or other challenging emotions and return to joyful equanimity. I highly recommend you watch the practice section on YouTube (link below) so that you can more easily learn the dynamic movements that Mallory teaches. Mallory and I reflect on the transformational power of breathwork, how she guides her students, and on the supportive breathwork community she is stewarding. YouTube Video for this episode: https://youtu.be/7vjR6eTkt8s Listen to my interview with Mallory:https://bit.ly/3Ivz8ld Breath Connection Chinese New Year's Event: https://www.mixily.com/event/1250530060021738685 Learn more about Mallory's businesses: www.inheritanceproject.org www.breathconnection.co Follow Mallory and her businesses on IG: @mallorytransforms @breath_connection @inheritanceproject Sattva Yoga Academy: https://sattvayogaacademy.com/ Mallory's full bio A Singaporean-French-American citizen raised in London, Mallory has always been fascinated with identity and facilitating cross-cultural understanding. In her 10+ years of consulting and facilitation experience she has worked with C-Suite executives from Fortune 100 companies, non-profits, city government agencies, public schools and start-up founders. As a co-founder of the Inheritance Project*, she leads transformative experiences for groups to bridge divides, build trust, and create communities of belonging. The Inheritance Project's unique methodology focuses on inviting understanding and dialogue about our own and others' unique inheritances. Mallory also has deep experience guiding personal healing and transformation. She is a 500-Hr certified yoga teacher specializing in breathwork and meditation, and has extensively studied trauma-informed approaches to healing. Through Breath Connection, she empowers leaders with scientifically supported breath practices to improve leadership skills such as emotional intelligence, creativity, collaboration and resilience. *Inheritance (n) - a new definition: ancestry, culture, beliefs, values, stories, social conditions, traits, and perspectives received from past generations Intro music from bensound.com

Katya Stepanov, co-founder of the Inheritance Project and Rebis, joins the podcast to share about how storytelling can be a transformational and healing practice. Katya begins by telling several powerful stories from her past. We explore how creating safe spaces for diverse narratives subverts exploitative systems that limit the depth of our interpersonal connections and creative intelligence. We reflect on ways that the natural world and agriculture hold wisdom about how to steward our communities and our emotions. Katya talks about how the Inheritance Project creates opportunities for people to grow their self-awareness and explore their background while also staying grounded and regulated. Learn more about Katya's businesses: Inheritance Project: https://www.inheritanceproject.org/ Rebis: https://www.experiencerebis.com/ Follow Katya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katyastepanov/ Bio: Katya Stepanov is a Belarusian-Jewish-American facilitator, speaker, writer, director, actor, and immersive experience designer who helps leaders, individuals, and organizations harness the power of story to cultivate self-awareness, bridge cultural divides, and resolve conflicts. Katya is a co-founder and CEO of Inheritance Project, a small and fast-growing Human Impact start-up in the area of DEIB and culture building. After graduating with her BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, Katya became passionate about applying advanced storytelling techniques to empower and train leaders. As a facilitator and educator, Katya has taught at numerous theaters, universities, institutions and agencies. Prior to co-founding Inheritance Project, she designed and facilitated team-building events for over 100 companies across sectors including LinkedIn, HBO, NBC, Lockheed Martin, J&J, and Spotify. As an actor, Katya has performed in theatres across the United States. Her recent TV credits include Dr. Katya Melnikov in Dr. Death (NBC), Anna Popov in Accommodations (Showtime) and Ingrid (Law & Order SVU). Katya is the creator and writer of Inheritance, an immersive play and VR experience exploring Russian-Jewish immigrant identity and culture, for which she received the COJECO Blueprint Fellowship. She is also a co-founder of Rebis, an XR collective, and a co-creator of Those Before Us, an audio immersive dance experience that brings to life marginalized history in public spaces through interactive performance. Katya is the creator and writer of Inheritance, an immersive play and VR experience exploring Russian-Jewish immigrant identity and culture, for which she received the COJECO Blueprint Fellowship. She is also a co-founder of Rebis, an XR collective, and a co-creator of Those Before Us, an audio immersive dance experience that brings to life marginalized history in public spaces through interactive performance. Intro Music from Bensound.com

"Be whoever you want to be, and be funny!" Sunny Atwal is a comedian and poet who taught an excellent improv comedy course I took this fall at the PIT theater in NYC. Sunny shares his creative journey beginning with poetry competitions, getting hooked on improv comedy, and then producing his own solo shows. We get philosophical about improv comedy and explore personal and communal lessons it offers. We end the episode by playing Sunny's favorite virtual improv game, "News Report." I recommend checking out the video version of us playing this game with animations and effects on the Four Gardens Podcast YouTube channel. Learn more about Sunny and the People's Improv Theater here: https://thepit-nyc.com/people/sunny-atwal/ Follow Sunny on instagram @sunnyoutlaw - https://www.instagram.com/sunnyoutlaw/ Subscribe to the Four Gardens Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG619-IdnBAQuSp1z1_qVEA Sunny's Bio: Sunny Atwal has over a decade's worth of public speaking experience. He is a former State Champion in poetry. He has written, acted, and produced several shows for the Indy Fringe festival as well as his own 45 minute Solo Show, Taxi Cab Driver, at SOLOCOM 2019. Sunny has also hosted for the Indy Visitor's Channel which played throughout Indianapolis hotels explaining tourist attractions. Additionally, he produces an all South Asian casted Improv Comedy show for The People's Improv theater. Intro music from Bensound.com

Kobi Tov is a spiritual teacher, life coach, and one of the founders of Vagabond Temple. We have a deep conversation about his spiritual path and how he has drawn from intensive, long-term study of traditions such as Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Kabbalah. He shares how different spiritual systems offer complementary wisdom and practices and gives clear examples of how he integrates them in his life. We reflect on how sexuality has powerful spiritual implications and how people can begin healing sexually and deepening their intimate connection to self and other. Kobi also describes his approach to guiding people towards personal transformation as a coach. Vagabond Temple's website: https://vagabondtemple.com/ Email Kobi at Kobi@vagabondtemple.com Follow Vagabond Temple on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vagabondtemple/ Learn more about the Four Gardens at www.fourgardenspodcast.com Watch videos content from this episode on the Four Gardens Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG619-IdnBAQuSp1z1_qVEA Kobi's full bio: With his natural ability to hold space for others, Kobi is considered a loving teacher by many, but he sees himself as a devoted lifelong student. He leaves no stone unturned on the spiritual path, learning from countless philosophies, religions and spiritual practices with extensive training in Yogic, Buddhist, Kabbalistic and Taoist traditions. Travelling throughout the world, Kobi has studied under renowned teachers such as Mantak Chia (Taoist master), Tias Little (Prajna Yoga), Prashnat Iyengar (Iyengar yoga), Richard Freeman (Ashtanga Yoga) and more. He has studied a wide range of therapeutic methods, including family constellations, evolutionary astrology, bodywork, hypnotherapy and more. He has dedicated his life not only to the exploration of truth but also to bring this wide – ranging wisdom to life through helping people on their path to self- realization. He believes in fully embodying what he teaches, and through his embodiment, he guides his students even more-so as a reflection of their own power and true nature. His teaching style is an experiential approach to re-directing our awareness of our essence; that lies in our body, spirit, and heart, where the real teacher is alive. As a teacher, he intends to remind each person of their own Divinity and provide a space where they can fully flourish into that throughout their spiritual progress. Intro music Bensound.com

Executive coach Erik Desrosiers joins the podcast and shares how he is integrating diverse spiritual practices with his extensive business background to help guide leaders and organizations towards their higher potential. Erik reflects on the spiritual journey he has taken over the past five years and the powerful practices that have opened his heart and mind such as vipassana, plant medicine, kundalini yoga, and more. He offers a rich reflection on how inner and outer worlds are inextricably connected, and gives the example of the paradigm shifting technology he is helping to champion in the renewable energy sector. Erik's coaching business Merkaba Group: https://merkaba.group/ Email Erik at erik@merkaba.group “Cultivate Yourself in 2022” Event https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/event-details/cultivate-yourself-in-2022 Intro music Bensound.com

Follow the golden thread / Center of this universe is / In my own heart / Divided by dark caves / Flooded by roaring rivers… Urana Heart joins the podcast to share her journey to wholeness, following golden threads that led to her own heart. Urana, originally born in Mongolia, is a CPA, poet, healer, and artist. Our conversation explores how to recognize the calling of the Soul and guidance of Spirits to discover unclaimed parts of ourselves, and how to integrate the gifts through Nature-based creativity and spiritual practices. She shares poems from “Golden Thread” and plays an original song. I loved how each piece she shares adds a yet new thread to the intricate and organic art we weave together, and the podcast has a sacred quality that can only come from a heart-centered presence. We recorded the podcast on the one-year anniversary of the publication of her book “Golden Threads.” Visit Urana's website at: www.uranaheart.com Get autographed copy of “Golden Threads”: www.uranbilegbatjargal.com Listen to Urana's music: http://uranaheart.bandcamp.com/ “Cultivate Yourself in 2022” Event https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/event-details/cultivate-yourself-in-2022 Full Bio: Uranbileg Batjargal (Urana Heart) was born in Mongolia. It is the country of horsemen, warriors, conquerors, nomads who travel camelback, shamans who communicate with worlds and dimensions beyond the ordinary reality. As a young person, she loved climbing barefoot on the rocky hills, gathering wild berries, conversing with small birds, and singing out loud in the open summer sky. Urana left Mongolia when she was 19 to study in Japan, where she became immersed in the contemplative arts. She graduated from the University of Tokyo with a Master's degree in Economics and moved to the United States to pursue a career at the World Bank. Today, Urana walks in two worlds. As an economist and a certified public accountant, she makes a living by managing budgets and solving business problems. Urana is also a poet, a certified mindful meditation teacher, Reiki Master, and a practitioner of shamanic healing and sound healing. Her healing methods integrate her native lineage of Mongolian shamanism, years of devotional practice of Bhakti yoga with Sanskrit chanting, her connections to plant medicines, and deep apprenticeship with Nature following the native American medicine wheel, four shields, and vision fasts. She offers an alchemy of practices that help clients remember who they are, heal themselves, and succeed in their endeavors. Urana completed three vision quests informed by the Native American tradition of celebrating the coming of age and starting of a new life. Those vision quests changed her life and continue to guide her work today. Urana's poetry is filled with rebellion against the ordinary, longing for freedom and love, and returning to roots. She invites us to investigate what in our lives is ready to die; how we can make a companion of patience as we witness the old gradually giving way to the new; and ways we may embrace rebirth with the love and strength that all newborns need and deserve to receive. Urana's music is heart-felt, grounding, and delightfully joyful. Intro music from bensound.com

My friend Tristan Montoya and I have a vulnerable and authentic conversation integrating our experiences from the International Tantra Festival in Tepoztlan, Mexico. This was the first tantra festival for both of us, and we discuss its powerful impact and the possibilities it has opened up in our lives. We share about how each of us followed our highest excitement to attend & how our intentions helped deliver a potent experience. We consider what it takes to stay grounded in intense experiences like this one where bliss, feeling rejected, and a whole range of emotions can occur. Both of us received a powerful tantric massage session from Karolina Karwan (@elfbless on instagram) and we speak about this profound experience surrendering to the feminine and learning how to soften the layers around our hearts. Tristan is a writer & intuitive coach who helps creative entrepreneurs complete their vision by connecting to their GENIUS in a way that feels deeply fulfilling. Stay tuned for a follow up episode with Tristan on how his healing journey from a brain injury has given him a new life, clarity around his mission, and the inner strength from which he can now guide others. Check out his website: www.tristanmontoya.com and download a free copy of his book The 8 Secrets of the Heart. Follow him on Instagram: @artofallowance Read his Medium article about his recovery from a brain injury: https://tristanmontoya.medium.com/living-life-with-a-brain-injury-a2a61a2ea527 Signup for the free Four Gardens event online: “Cultivate Yourself in 2022” https://www.fourgardenspodcast.com/event Intro music from Bensound.com

My friend Nil Akselioglu is a Sex, Love, and Relationships Coach who supports people to “reclaim their joy, pleasure, love and safety.” We discuss her new coaching practice, self-pleasuring, how to raise teenage boys in the age of internet pornography, approaching sexuality from a service mindset, consent, and how she works with people with different gender experiences and sexual orientations. Follow Nil on Instagram: @kyssmyblyss Nil's Bio: I believe that our greatest power is LOVE, that joy and pleasure are our birthright. I guide the seeker to uncover their own true essence, to bring to consciousness the innate wisdom and truth within their very being. To reclaim the joy, pleasure, love and safety that has been there all along. By harnessing this deep inner knowing and wisdom, we are able to unfold and integrate stories, conditioning, traumas and limiting beliefs that have been with us all our lives. I hold a strong container rooted in safety, love and compassion. I infuse our sessions together with my grounded presence, playfulness and aliveness. Through the pathway of becoming a Sex, Love and Relationship Coach (SLRC) with the Tantric Institute of Integrated Sexuality, I've had the opportunity to dive into the deepest parts of myself. I look forward to sharing these powerful practices with my beloved community and 1:1 coaching clients as a pathway to empower, reclaim and live in our full aliveness around love and sexuality. I am a single mama of 3 teens—my greatest teachers, have been practicing yoga and meditation for over 20 years, am 200 YTT certified, and am excited to weave these lineages of mindfulness together through my coaching practice. My experience has been that all paths lead us back to LOVE, always asking, how deeply can we love ourselves in this very moment? In a year of uncertainty and fear, it's more important now than ever to connect back into community, to integrate and heal our wounds, and to empower ourselves with practices that will allow us to rediscover our original essence. Intro music from Bensound.com

Ari Rubens recently returned from a 65-day Outward Bound Outdoor Leadership Semester in Costa Rica that pushed his edges, grew his skillset, and helped him overcome life-long fears. He joins the podcast for the second time to unpack this powerful experience with me and share his highlights and lessons from the journey. He regales me with tales of encountering jaguars, deadly snakes, scuba diving, rafting, surfing and more. Ari is an inspiring friend and I am grateful to be collaborating with him on this podcast and on our nature connection business Engaged Ecology. Listen to Ari's first episode on the podcast here: https://bit.ly/3phMLMM Learn more about him at https://www.arirubens.com Intro music from Bensound.com

Comedian Myq Kaplan shares about the origins of his career in stand-up comedy and in podcasting. He reflects on the intentions behind his comedy and how his approach and form has evolved over the years. As a fan of Myq as well as his friend, I enjoyed learning about his journey and the lessons along the way. About Myq: Myq has appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and America's Got Talent. He has a one-hour standup special on Amazon, “Small, Dork, and Handsome,” and two podcasts, The Faucet and Broccoli and Ice Cream. His first album, “Vegan Mind Meld,” was one of iTunes' top 10 comedy albums of the year, and his newest album, “A.K.A.,” debuted at #1. The NY Times called it “invigoratingly funny” and included it among its five “coronavirus best new comedy specials”… “to remind you of the old normal.” And now, here we are in the new weird! website: myqkaplan.com latest album (AKA): https://www.blondemedicine.com/aka newsletter: https://myqkaplan.substack.com/ broccoli and ice cream: https://broccoliandicecream.libsyn.com/ the faucet: https://faucet.libsyn.com/ social media: @myqkaplan everywhere or more specifically https://twitter.com/myqkaplan https://www.instagram.com/myqkaplan https://www.facebook.com/myqkaplan Link for our friend Liz Glazer's website: https://www.dearlizglazer.com/ Intro music by bensound.com

Lauren Hershey joins the show in the middle of an adventure in the UK. I enjoy how many of my conversations with Lauren explore the power of words to shape our reality. This conversation continues that inquiry, as Lauren shares her thoughtful and creative approach to conflict resolution, storytelling, gender, astrology, and nature connection. Later in the conversation we share about what poetry has meant to each of us and our writing process. Bio: Lauren Hershey, Founder of The Unconventional Plutonian Lauren Hershey is a word witch, storyteller, conflict resolution practitioner, and astrologer who founded The Unconventional Plutonian (UP). She is a writer of speculative fiction and poetry; lover of mythology and all that is archetypal and fantastical; and a practitioner who weaves creativity from the unseen realms into practical everyday use. Since 2012, Lauren has worked in international conflict transformation & peacebuilding, inter-personal conflict resolution, education, and storytelling. She is passionate about equipping individuals and communities with resources for self-discovery and empowerment. Lauren creates conflict resolution, astrology, and storytelling workshops and tools to empower folks to navigate and transform and re-wild their lives with courage and empathy. Lauren brings her curiosity, inquisitiveness, and whimsical nature to all she is passionate about. She loves nature, travel, and exploring hidden realms. She loves gardening and adores working with plants and their healing magic. She loves animals and feels very much at home by the forest and by the ocean. Lauren is a proud queer nerd and perpetual student of life. My website: https://the-unconventional-plutonian.teachable.com/ Resources for gender and supporting LGBTQ+ trans & nonbinary Alok V. Menon: https://www.alokvmenon.com/ Local org needing support: https://casaruby.org/ Mental health support: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/donate/?gclid=CjwKCAiA1aiMBhAUEiwACw25MeXW8nvqjxWcPzyf3tKIjfjVMBaCs8GL0iAcur5rEuiJ_bR5ChUNShoCMB4QAvD_BwE Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/ Link to ALOK episode on For the Wild Podcast: https://forthewild.world/listen/alok-on-unruly-beauty-245 Intro music from Bensound.com

Sasha Bugler joins the show and we have a lively conversation about permaculture and her work managing a flower farm. We each offer our definition of permaculture and relate our permaculture background and studies. Sasha shares an overview on how to practice no till farming. Later in the conversation she shares about her mental health journey with bipolar disorder and we reflect on what we can learn from our own natural cycles and how that relates to the Four Gardens. Sasha's Links: Sweet Piedmont on fb sweetpiedmont.com sweet_piedmont on IG 4 the Soil VA https://www.4thesoil.org/ Never sink farm https://www.neversinkfarm.com/ tools https://www.neversinktools.com/ mutineer hoe neversinktools.com/collections/mutineer Also Broadforks are available from many sources. I recommend an all metal one Heifer International - https://www.heifer.org/ Heifer Village and Urban Farm - https://www.heifer.org/visit-heifer/index.html Lost Valley Events and Educational Center - https://lostvalley.org/ Holistic Sustainability Semester - https://lostvalley.org/sustainability-semester/ National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://www.nami.org/Home New Culture - https://www.cfnc.us/new-culture/ Aquanimous: https://www.aquanimous.com/ Intro music by Bensound.com

Kevin Hauber joins the podcast again to lead me through the positive intent process. This is a two person practice where one person guides the other through an internal reflection. Kevin leads me through the process with the goal of understanding and transforming my inner critic that has come up around making this podcast. In the episode, Kevin describes the positive intent process as, “The way we take things we've ignored or pushed off for a long time and to look at them and create an entirely different relationship with that part of us. And to harvest the negative energy of the negative judgments that were there and to bring that in a good way that helps us with our missions in life.” You can find the Omega Point Program script for free for the positive intent process on Day #14 of the Phase 0 program at https://omegapointprogram.com/phase-0-11-20 Listen to my interview with Kevin Hauber here: https://bit.ly/3CQbEoq Kevin's Website: https://www.abundanthealthslo.org/ If you are interested in joining our men's group, email Kevin at kevin@abundanthealthslo.org Intro music from Bensound.com

For years I tried many different meditations programs without ever establishing a steady long-term practice. Learning and practicing meditation and breathwork with Mallory Combemale changed that, and for the past two years the practices she taught me have consistently improved my mental and emotional states. Mallory is the creator of Breath Connection, the co-founder of Inheritance Project, and one of my closest friends. In this conversation Mallory defines breathwork, we marvel at the amazing power of our breath, and explore the world-changing implications of expanding spiritual awareness. Mallory's links: www.inheritanceproject.org www.breathconnection.co Follow Mallory and her businesses on IG: @mallorytransforms @breath_connection @inheritanceproject Mallory's full bio A Singaporean-French-American citizen raised in London, Mallory has always been fascinated with identity and facilitating cross-cultural understanding. In her 10+ years of consulting and facilitation experience she has worked with C-Suite executives from Fortune 100 companies, non-profits, city government agencies, public schools and start-up founders. As a co-founder of the Inheritance Project*, she leads transformative experiences for groups to bridge divides, build trust, and create communities of belonging. The Inheritance Project's unique methodology focuses on inviting understanding and dialogue about our own and others' unique inheritances. Mallory also has deep experience guiding personal healing and transformation. She is a 500-Hr certified yoga teacher specializing in breathwork and meditation, and has extensively studied trauma-informed approaches to healing. Through Breath Connection, she empowers leaders with scientifically supported breath practices to improve leadership skills such as emotional intelligence, creativity, collaboration and resilience. *Inheritance (n) - a new definition: ancestry, culture, beliefs, values, stories, social conditions, traits, and perspectives received from past generations Intro music from bensound.com

Omar Aena is the creator of Dance Lab and one of my favorite DJs. Music and dance are just one dimension of Omar. I've experienced him as a thoughtful and heart-centered community organizer and friend. In our conversation, Omar shares his journey of healing and cultural re-connection following a traumatic incident in Guatemala. Omar's recovery process led him to go back to his Iraqi roots. He learned Arabic, studied Islam and history, and just recently made a trip to the Middle East where he led Ecstatic Dances, reconnected with his family in Iraq, and created beautiful bridges across different cultures. Links for Omar's soundcloud and for Dance Lab https://soundcloud.com/omaraena https://www.facebook.com/DanceLabCommunity/ Follow Dance Lab @dancelab_nyc The 47soul song we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0aPuIpOAoc Intro music by bensound.com

Melly Huang is an artist and creativity coach who has helped me overcome perfectionism and other challenges that have limited my creative expression. Melly and I talk about the common blockages that her clients face around creativity. She shares about her professional background in psychology and her creative background as a dancer. We discuss how sexuality and creativity are connected, and consider how body image and shame can be transformed through embodied expressions such as dance and bodypainting. Follow Melly @melly.moves on Instagram and TikTok Email Melly at melissahuang96@yahoo.com Connect with Melly Huang on Facebook Intro Music by bensound.com

Ann Kite taught my very first 5Rhythms class more than seven years ago. Since that first class, I have been hooked on conscious dance and have received so much from my 5Rhythms practice. I am grateful to still be dancing with Ann and the caring community she has brought together. In this episode, Ann shares about the essential qualities of a 5Rhythms experience, how she channels the music and verbal cues that she offers, and the first questions she asks private clients. She tells her inspirational and moving story of how dance has been part of her life through the most joyful and challenging moments. We also explore how dance connects to the four gardens of health, nature, creativity, and service and how the 5Rhythms practice in particular connects to natural cycles. Ann's website: www.Annkite.com Intro music from Bensound.com

Over the past two years I have witnessed Kevin Hauber's deep commitment to creating safe spaces for people to heal and grow. In addition to being a yoga teacher, author, eco businessman, and aquatic bodyworker, he is the main organizer of the Gold-Mining Circle, my men's group, which focuses on life-purpose and what each man truly wants in his life. In our conversation, we discuss the evolution of men's work and how “Gold-Mining” emerged. I recently had my first Watsu (water shiatsu) session with Kevin and we talk about that starting at the 40:20 mark. Kevin's Website: https://www.abundanthealthslo.org/ If you are interested in joining our men's group, email Kevin at kevin@abundanthealthslo.org Mankind Project: https://mankindproject.org/ Intro music from Bensound.com

Andi Wich and I discuss how having a personal mission statement has helped us discover higher service in our lives and direct our focus. Andi guides listeners through a structured process of writing their own mission statements. At the end, I share my new mission statement that I created during this process. Instagram @mister_wick Intro music by bensound.com

Every week I look forward to seeing Andi Wich in my men's group where he brings his joyful, grounded leadership. In our conversation, we discuss our experience with the Gold-Mining Men's Group and how it has supported our individual and collective growth. Andi then tells me about the Omega Point Program (OPP) that his father created to help self-discovery through structured peer mentorship. OPP has been a central platform in Andi's own work and personal development, and he shares how it has improved his relationship with his wife and children. He ends by offering his vision for building a land-based community that is committed to conscious communication and healing. Learn more at www.omegapointprogram.com You can find regular updates from Andi @mister_wich on Instagram Intro 2:00 Journey into men's groups and Gold Mining 7:40 The positive effect of allowing love in 9:20 Why the ego is a protector 11:30 The structure and benefit of group sharing 15:30 “Walking each other home” 17:45 Working on the mission in a safe container 22:00 Seeing the magic in another man's joy through healing 24:00 Active listening 26:30 Facilitation vs control 27:30 Silence helps letting go of agenda 29:00 Omega Point Program (OPP) origin from father, prison work, ways to better facilitate men and women towards mission 32:00 “Omega point” = humanity as individuals moving towards greater enlightenment /a ‘we' world 34:00 Four Gardens origin and how gold mining supported it's creation 36:00 Experiences through OPP, coming out of a rut, building ownership of who you are 42:30 What's next for Andi Wick and spreading the healing 47:30 Mental health leadership in the quest for healing, accumulating knowledge from elders and others

Andrew Shofer believes the relationship between humans and nature is inseparable. In this episode, he shares about his journey from being a boy scared of bees to a highly skilled naturalist and nature connection guide. We also discuss his healing relationship with cannabis, how real estate is supporting his vision for the future, and how adults can help support nature connection for children.

Kula Collective co-founder Zach Townesmith joins the show from beautiful Seven Springs Retreats in Tennessee. We discuss his background in the creative facilitation field and how creativity is essential to solving all the big challenges in the world and in our lives. We consider the question “What is creativity?” He shares about the flow design process he created which helped me develop the Four Gardens approach. We end by talking about a challenge Zach is experiencing around doing enough to serve in this time when there are so many challenges in the world. Zach's Bio: https://www.thekulacollective.com/zach-townesmith Lunar and Solar Design: https://www.lunarsolardesign.com/ Caracol Consulting: www.caracolconsulting.com Seven Spring Retreats www.sevenspringsretreats.com Zach's IG @Ztts13 Intro music from Bensound.com

Zachary Townesmith shares about lunar and solar creativity, an approach that separates our analytical process from our initial generative, intuitive creative process. This approach has been extremely helpful and I've applied it in all kinds of situations. We also speak Martian, play a lunar-creative word game, and have a few laughs. Zach's Bio: https://www.thekulacollective.com/zach-townesmith Lunar and Solar Design: https://www.lunarsolardesign.com/ Caracol Consulting: www.caracolconsulting.com Seven Spring Retreats www.sevenspringsretreats.com Zach's IG @Ztts13 Intro music from Bensound.com

I recently met Liz Glazer at one of her stand-up comedy shows and struck up a fast friendship over our shared interest in personal development. In this episode, we talk about how she made the jump from law professor to comedian and what insights she has developed from making this bold career change. Then we explore why she chose sobriety and how a sober lifestyle has affected both of us as we pursue our creative passions. We end by sharing our reactions and experiences with self-help books, in particular "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Liz's website: www.dearlizglazer.com Connect to her on social media: IG @lizglazer, TikTok @lizglazer Twitter @elizabethglazer Intro music from Bensound.com

Ari Rubens always impresses me with his dedication to personal growth and his commitment to bringing out the best in others. We co-founded Engaged Ecology and he has been instrumental in creating the Four Gardens Podcast. He is also a personal trainer, yogi, musician, and permaculture gardener. In this episode we talk about his personal practices in each garden, explore his background, and find out what is next for him as he prepares to head off to Costa Rica next month for an intensive outdoor leadership training. Learn more about him at arirubens.com

Ari Rubens shares about how to get started with the powerful healing practice of cold exposure. Learn more about Ari's work at arirubens.com Intro music from Bensound.com