Sacred Stream Radio

In this edition, we welcome renowned Buddhist scholar and teacher, Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., as he answers audience questions following a recent talk at the Sacred Stream. An excerpt from this compelling conversation can be heard in Episode 125: Thupten Jinpa: Part 1: Making Friends with our Minds. In this thoughtful Q&A session, Jinpa shares deep insights on parenting, cultivating compassion amidst adversity, navigating difficult emotions, and facing death with clarity and courage. Drawing on decades of experience, he also recounts a powerful and personal story of his childhood escape from Tibet and the hardships he faced growing up in exile in India. Since 1985, Jinpa has served as the principal English translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, translating and editing more than ten of the Dalai Lama's books, along with several acclaimed works of his own. He is the Board Chair of the Mind & Life Institute, founder and president of the Compassion Institute, and a visiting research scholar at the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences.

On this episode, we are sharing an excerpt from a recent talk at the Sacred Stream by esteemed author, former Tibetan Buddhist monk, and renowned Buddhist teacher, Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D. Jinpa has been the principal English translator for the Dalai Lama since 1985 and has translated and edited more than ten of his books, along with writing several of his own. He serves as the Board Chair of the Mind & Life Institute, is the founder and president of the Compassion Institute, and is a visiting research scholar at the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences. In this insightful talk, Jinpa explores the importance of befriending our minds—an essential practice for navigating challenges and fostering a more joyful, fulfilling life. He has written and lectured extensively on Lojong, the Tibetan practice of Mind Training, and offers wisdom that is both practical and deeply transformative.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura speaks with couples therapist and author of Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship, Carolyn Sharp. Carolyn leads relationships retreats throughout the country and has over twenty-five years of experience helping people build vital, vibrant, and secure functioning relationships. Early in her career she was a social worker in the foster care system and later became the Clinical Director of the YMCA's Mental Health programs before going into private practice. Today, Carolyn combines her passion for helping people with her widespread experience to assist people in creating the healthiest and happiest relationships possible.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura speaks with Dr. Simon Ruffell. Simon is a psychiatrist and the founder and CEO of Onaya Science, an organization that conducts research into the effects of psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies on body, mind, and spirit. Onaya also offers a Psychedelic Mentorship Training program. Simon follows a collaborative approach to research that combines tradition with science, emphasizing the importance of listening to indigenous healers and including them in every step of the research process. Currently, Onaya is engaged in an ongoing five-year study of plant medicines for military veterans suffering from trauma. Onaya continues to develop research-backed programs and resources that combine traditional and modern models of care, with a commitment to holistic healing and interethnic collaboration for the benefit of individuals, communities, and the more-than-human world. You can learn more about Simon and Onaya at onaya.io.

On this episode, Laura reflects on some of the highlights from interviews over the past year. Featured guests include Maria Guidice, best-selling author and founder/former CEO of Hot Studio; Fritz Clay, founder of Fostering Connections; Lauren Markham, journalist and best-selling author of A Map of Future Ruins; and Henry Shukman, Zen master and author of Original Love. Thank you for listening, liking, reviewing, and subscribing! For more information about these guests, you can visit their websites: hotstudio.com, hairplay.com, laurenmarkham.info, and henryshukman.com.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura is joined by poet, author, and Zen master, Henry Shukman. Henry is the author of two recent books, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening, and the memoir, One Blade of Grass. He is also co-founder of the single-path meditation app The Way, founder of the Original Love meditation program, and spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Original Love is a new approach to the ancient path of meditation. It is a broad meditation training based primarily on traditional teachings of Zen and Early Buddhism. Through finding the intrinsic lovingness, energy, peace and joy that are already within us, even if they sometimes feel hidden, we can grow as more clear-sighted and open-hearted beings. On this episode, Henry and Laura talk about the practical benefits of meditation, his idea behind original love, and his fascinating path towards awakening. Learn more about Henry at henryshukman.com. And get The Way app at thewayapp.com.

This episode is taken from a recent live stream event with Isa and Laura. Isa is an author and the Founding Director of the Sacred Stream. Today they are talking about finding your spiritual path. We are all spiritual beings, but in our everyday lives, it's easy to forget that we have a spirit that needs to be recognized, listened to, and nourished. Laura and Isa discuss the importance of prioritizing our spirits and finding a spiritual path that supports us. Whether it's a religious practice, spending time in nature, quiet contemplation, music, or the simple practice of being kind, we each have our own path to tending to our spirit. In this discussion, they explore how to know what path to take, recognizing what is true for us, and how to care for our spirits in a time fraught with division, distraction, and disinformation. Isa and Laura are the co-founders of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. They have co-written several books including Coming to Peace and the soon to be released, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation.

Lauren Markham, journalist and author of A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging, is the guest on this episode. Lauren's latest book draws on her career reporting on migration and the issues asylum seekers face in the US and abroad. It centers around the story of the fire that burned down the largest refugee camp in Europe on the island of Lesvos, Greece, and the six young Afghan refugees accused of arson in spite of scant evidence. It takes us deep into causes of migration and offers thoughtful ideas for more humane approaches to dealing with the issues. Lauren's book turns the journalist lens on herself as she questions the effectiveness of her vocation in making change, and explores her own Greek identity and the journey of her grandmother who immigrated to the US as a young woman. Lauren and Laura's conversation is at once informative, insightful, and compassionate, with a little bit of the mystical thrown in.

On this episode, Laura talks with Sacred Stream founding director, Isa Gucciardi, about the power of optimism. They cover topics that include staying positive in the face of difficulty and how to embody healthy optimism while avoiding false positivity, magical thinking, and spiritual by-pass. They dive deep on how you can change your life by changing your perspective! Isa and Laura are teachers, counselors, and have co-written several books including Coming to Peace and the soon to be released, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation. This talk was part of a live stream event that first aired on YouTube and Facebook. If you would like to join future live events you can subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter at sacredstream.org/subscribe.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura is joined by Neo-Vedic Astrologer and author of The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is also the host of the popular YouTube channel, Hogarth's Global Astrology. Hogarth is back on the show to talk about his new book, offer his astrological perspective on the upcoming U.S. election, what the stars reveal about the players involved and what twists and turns we should expect. Hogarth also talks about the spiritual significance of the Ketu Dasha, the impact of the planet Saturn in our charts, and the importance for women of embracing the power of their Saturn return. To stay up to date on his predictions and planetary trends, visit his YouTube channel Hogarth's Global Astrology. And pick up a copy of his book, The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, on Amazon or at your local bookstore.

On today's episode, Laura Chandler and Isa Gucciardi, co-founders of the Sacred Stream, talk about Keeping Cool in Heated Times. Many of us are seeking balance in a world that seems to have lost its cool. Whether it's political rhetoric, emotional volatility, or hotter than ever planet temperatures, remaining calm and cultivating peace can be challenging. On this episode, Laura and Isa take questions from the chat and offer their thoughts on ways to navigate the current climate. If you would like to join them for a live event in the future, check out the Sacred Stream calendar or register for the newsletter at sacredstream.org/subscribe.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Rick Korn, director of the new documentary, A Father's Promise, about musician and gun violence prevention advocate, Mark Barden. Mark lost his son, Daniel, in the Sandy Hook School Shooting. Rick is a film and TV producer, writer, and director that works with entertainment companies on creating socially conscious documentaries. He has worked on many award-winning productions, including the Peabody Award winning documentary, Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream. He has produced benefit concerts with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, and Joan Jett to name a few. Rick, along with his business partner S.A. Baron, formed the production company, In Plain View Entertainment, and in 2020 they released a film about activist and musician Harry Chapin, Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something. A Father's Promise is a moving portrayal of Mark Barden's healing journey through music and activism. Learn more about Rick Korn and his film at afatherspromisefilm.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with the co-founders of Empowered Endings, Bob and Elizabeth Uslander. Bob is a medical doctor who worked in emergency medicine for over twenty years and Elizabeth is a social worker and spiritual counselor who spent many years working in hospice. Recognizing the limitations in the current healthcare model for people dealing with end of life, Empowered Endings provides an eco-system of support from medical assistance to counseling and other resources for people and their families navigating end of life. Their approach meets people where they are and offers assistance physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Empowered Endings is part of a movement to create a more informed and compassionate approach to ageing and death. You can learn more about Bob and Elizabeth Uslander and Empowered Endings at empoweredendings.com.

On this episode, Laura continues her interview with stylist and co-founder of the non-profit Fostering Connections, Fritz Clay. Fritz is a world-renowned stylist, owner of Hair Play Salon, and creator of the hair care product, “SET.” He grew up in foster care in the SF Bay Area, which he attributes to giving him a profound experience of love and family and he created Fostering Connections to give back to the foster care community. On the last episode, Fritz described how he was abandoned as a newborn outside of a hospital. In this conversation Fritz tells his remarkable story of finding his birth parents and the twists and turns that have come with that. His is an inspiring story of love, loss, abandonment, and belonging. It is a poignant and deeply healing tale that he shares to help others as they embark on their own journey to know themselves. You can learn more about Fritz and Fostering Connections at hairplay.com.

On this episode, Laura is joined by the co-founder of the non-profit Fostering Connections, Fritz Clay. Fritz is a world-renowned stylist, owner of Hair Play Salon, and creator of the hair care product, “SET.” Growing up as a foster child inspired Fritz to create Fostering Connections to support the foster care community with hair-care education and workshops. Recognizing that hair is an important part of a person's identity, he hopes to help bridge the often overlooked gap of understanding about hair care that can exist between foster parents and kids from different ethnic backgrounds. Fritz has contributed to the fashion and entertainment industries for over thirty years and in 2023, the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce awarded him for his accomplishment in business. In this episode, Laura and Fritz talk about Fritz's multi-cultural approach to hair, the connection between loving our hair and self-esteem, and his remarkable journey in the foster care system and eventual discovery of his birth parents. You can learn more about Fritz and Fostering Connections at hairplay.com.

On this episode of the podcast, Laura Chandler sits down with Executive Leadership Coach, Depth Hypnosis Practitioner, and the founder of Hot Studio, Maria Giudice. Maria is the co-author of Changemakers: How Leaders Can Design Change in an Insanely Complex World and Rise of the DEO: Leadership by Design. Maria talks with Laura about Maria's rise from budding art student to running one of the most successful design firms of its time. She shares her vision of future leaders and the necessary qualities they must possess to succeed in the ever-changing business environment. They talk about the necessary qualities of leaders that include, among other things, creative thinking, risk-taking, self-care, and optimism. They even venture into a discussion about the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and leadership. Maria coaches and leads workshops to train executives and their teams in business and design leadership. Maria is the founder and former CEO of the experience design firm Hot Studio, which was acquired by Facebook in 2013. At Facebook and later at Autodesk, she led global design teams that created human-centered experiences for millions of people around the world. Today she is helping shape future leaders to manage the complexities of ever-changing business and social environments with skill and compassion. Learn more about Maria, her workshops and coaching at hotstudio.com.

On this episode, Laura talks with Joanna Adler, Psy.D and Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. Joanna is a Depth Hypnosis Practitioner and licensed Clinical Psychologist. Isa is the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, creator of the groundbreaking therapeutic model Depth Hypnosis, and author of several books, including Coming to Peace: Resolving Conflict within Ourselves and Others. This book reached number one in religion and spirituality on Amazon. Coming to Peace is a highly effective integrative conflict resolution method developed by Isa to help people navigate and resolve conflict. It draws from indigenous practices of conflict resolution like Ubuntu and Ho'oponopono and also incorporates aspects of Buddhist philosophy and Depth Hypnosis. Joanna and Isa discuss how Coming to Peace works and what makes it so effective. They also offer their perspectives on working with groups from corporate and academic settings to couples counseling and how they use Coming to Peace processes to create a safe space where people are able to bridge gaps in understanding and bring resolution to even the most difficult conflicts. To learn more about Joanna and Isa, visit their websites: joannaadler.net and isagucciardi.org. Learn more about Coming to Peace at sacredstream.org.

Our first Sacred Stream Radio Podcast episode of the year is a look back at some of the highlights from interviews over the past year. Laura talks with guests about a range of topics that include sexism and homophobia, body image and spiritual practice, making our schools and communities safer, the climate crisis, and a Vedic view of the future of the United States. Today's episode features Grammy nominee and author of Saved by a Song, Mary Gauthier; author of From Bonham to Buddha and Back, Clementine Moss; musician and co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, Mark Barden; author of A Future We Can Love, Susan Bauer-Wu; and Vedic Astrologer, Hogarth Brown. Thanks for listening, liking, commenting, and subscribing! For more information about these guests, you can visit their websites: marygauthier.com clemthegreat.com sandyhookpromise.org mindandlife.org hogarthglobalastrology.com

On this episode, Laura is joined by Mary Gauthier, award-winning singer-songwriter and author of the book, Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting. Described as a “must read book” by Rolling Stone, fellow songwriter Brandi Carlisle says, “Mary's songwriting speaks to the tender aspects of our humanness. We need her voice in times like these more than we ever have.” Mary has won numerous awards and her songs have been recorded by dozens of artists, including Jimmy Buffett, Dolly Parton, Boy George, Kathy Mattea, and Tim McGraw to name a few. She has released eleven albums, including her latest masterful work, Dark Enough to See the Stars and the Grammy-nominated Rifles and Rosary Beads, a collection of songs Mary co-wrote with soldiers healing from their experience of war. This poignant collaboration echoes a theme in her book – that songwriting is a healing tool. Filled with wisdom, Mary shines as a storyteller in the book, sharing the stories of her own healing journey and call to music as she reflects on aspects of her life including her adoption, addiction and recovery, and her experience of being a gay woman in the music industry. In this conversation, Mary and Laura explore this theme of healing through song and discuss the role of the songwriter, the strength found in vulnerability, and the importance of being willing to dig deeply into our human experience. Mary's intelligence, sensitivity, and humor shine throughout the book and this interview. For more information about Mary, her records, and Saved by a Song, visit marygauthier.com.

On this episode, Julie Lewis returns to talk with Laura more about her book, Still Positive: A Memoir, and her experience as a 39-yr HIV survivor. Julie is a mom, advocate, and co-founder of the 30/30 project, which she created with the encouragement of her son, multi-grammy winner Ryan Lewis, of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Julie was infected with HIV in 1984 but not diagnosed until the early 1990s when she was given three to five years to live. After years of silence about her disease, she found an unlikely community of friends to fight alongside and began using her story to make a difference. Her experiences as a woman living with AIDS offers insights about grief and loss, caregiving, spirituality, and the importance of community in the midst of tragedy. On today's episode, we dive deeply into the work she did with the HIV Speakers Bureau and the community that she helped create to support her and the many people and their friends and families struggling with the effects of HIV and Aids. You can learn more about Julie, her book, and her non-profit at stillpositive.com and 3030project.org.

On this episode, Laura talks with Julie Lewis, author of the new book, Still Positive: A Memoir. Julie is a 30-year HIV survivor, and the book tells her fascinating and inspiring story. She is also the mother of multi-grammy winner, Ryan Lewis, of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and with his encouragement, she founded the 30/30 Project, a non-profit whose mission is to bring access to quality, affordable healthcare to those who need it most. Laura and Julie talk about her diagnosis of HIV early in the AIDS epidemic, which she received from a blood transfusion. The impact of it on her and her family's lives, her concerns as a mother raising three young children, and the prejudice she faced early on because of the lack of understanding and fear surrounding the disease. Julie became an early advocate and educator about AIDS, bringing awareness to communities and helping many people. We also talk about her impressive accomplishment with the 30/30 Project, which she founded to celebrate having survived HIV for 30 years. The goal of building 30 medical facilities in areas throughout the world where the need was greatest was impressively accomplished in just five years with the help of many organizations including Construction for Change. Julie's remarkable story is at its heart a mom's story of love, hope, courage, and defying the odds, and I'm very happy to share it with you here. You can learn more about Julie, her book, and her non-profit at stillpositive.com and 3030project.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler speaks with Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, an organization formed by several families who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Since the death of his son, Daniel, in this tragedy, Mark has dedicated himself to creating a platform that advances gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention. Sandy Hook Promise has been key in helping pass nonpartisan legislation at the state and federal level through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. In addition to his work with Sandy Hook Promise, Mark is an accomplished musician, and on this episode, he talks with Laura about his family and his latest project, a series of concerts with his all-star band featuring Jimmy Vivino of the Conan O'Brien show. The show will tour the country raising funds for grass-roots non-profit organizations fighting gun violence in their communities. Laura and Mark also discuss the upcoming documentary film about Mark's journey, A Father's Promise, by filmmaker Rick Korn and executive producer Sheryl Crow. Learn more about Mark and Sandy Hook Promise at sandyhookpromise.org. And learn more about the film and Artist for Action at artistforaction.org.

This episode is taken from a live event with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. and Laura Chandler discussing the concepts of soul mates, past lives, and reincarnation. Have you ever wondered if you have lived before? Have you ever met someone that you felt an instant connection with and wondered if that connection might have originated in a past life? Or are you skeptical about the idea of past lives and reincarnation? Isa has been a Buddhist practitioner and teacher for many decades and Laura has extensive experience with meditation and mindfulness practice. Also, they both have extensive experience working with past life regression therapy within the practice of Depth Hypnosis. Together they bring insight and wisdom to this fascinating topic.

On this episode, Laura Chandler speaks with the President of the Mind and Life Institute, Susan Bauer-Wu, about her new book, A Future We Can Love: How We Can Reverse the Climate Crisis with the Power of Our Hearts and Minds. This book was inspired by a conversation on the climate crisis between Greta Thunberg and H.H. Dalai Lama presented by the Mind and Life Institute in 2021. A Future We Can Love is an informative, highly readable, and important contribution to the conversation on the climate crisis. It helps us understand where we are, where we need to go, and how we can get there. With insightful words from both Greta and His Holiness throughout the book, it also weaves thoughts and information from climate scientists, activists, spiritual leaders, and indigenous wisdom-holders on the subject. If you want to have a better understanding of the climate crisis and learn more about what you can do, join Laura and Susan for this inspiring and hopeful conversation. Susan Bauer-Wu is an organizational leader, clinical scientist, and mindfulness teacher whose lifework has been dedicated to alleviating suffering and fostering well-being through contemplative wisdom. She is the president of the Mind and Life Institute and previously was the Kluge professor of contemplative end-of-life care at the University of Virginia. She is an avid gardener and hiker who is nourished by trees and animals and awed by our reciprocal connection with nature. She is deeply committed to the care of our planet and to policies and personal actions that will ensure a future we can love for our children and grandchildren. Learn more about Susan at mindandlife.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Dr. Charryse Johnson, clinical psychologist, mindfulness practitioner, and author of the book, Expired Mindsets: Releasing Patterns That No Longer Serve You Well. Charryse has a special ability to break down complex concepts into understandable actionable items. In this conversation, Laura and Charryse explore those mindsets that keep us stuck in ways of being that no longer serve us and how to change them. Her message is one of hope, based in the science of the brain, neuroplasticity, and mindfulness practices which help to create the spaciousness needed to make those changes that bring us greater peace and fulfillment. Charryse holds a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies, an M.A. in Professional Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in crisis and trauma. Some of her most recent work has supported corporate professionals at Microsoft Corporation in Charlotte, NC and conducting international research geared toward reducing the stigma around mental health. She is a strong community advocate, a registered yoga teacher, and Level 1 Embodied Practitioner, often integrating mindfulness and somatic work to help clients work through what they're experiencing, not just in their minds but in their bodies. To learn more about Charryse, visit jadeintegrativewellness.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Joseph Selbie, author of Break Through the Limits of the Brain. In this fascinating conversation, they explore the intersection of the Divine and Neuroscience. Specifically, they look at how we are wired to perceive through our five senses and how we can rewire the brain to better perceive and engage with subtle states of being. Joseph helps explain the pitfalls of scientific materialism's limited perspective on reality and explains the reasoning behind the belief of many leading scientists in a pervading intelligent consciousness informing everything in the universe. A dedicated Kriya yoga meditator for nearly fifty years, Joseph has taught yoga, meditation, and universal experiential spirituality throughout the US and Europe. He is a founding member of Ananda, a spiritual community and movement inspired by the teachings of the spiritual master, Yogananda, and was a founder and the CEO of Tristream, an early pioneer in experience design for the web. Joseph is the author of several books and is known for creating bridges of understanding between the modern evidenced-based discoveries of science and the ancient experience-based discoveries of the mystics. To learn more about Joseph, visit josephselbie.com.

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast! On this episode, Laura Chandler is joined by Sacred Stream Founding Director, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., to talk about the Sacred Stream and its 20th Anniversary. In 2003, Laura and Isa founded the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies, to provide space for their workshops, and to provide a place for other teachers, artists, and thought leaders to share their vision and experience. In 2009, they opened the Sacred Stream Center in Berkeley, CA, which continues to be an important space for the community and where diversity, tolerance, inquiry, and inclusion thrive. To date, the Sacred Stream has hosted many luminaries in the fields of spirituality, activism, and academia, including Robert Thurman, Thupten Jinpa, and Lynne Twist. In this episode, Laura and Isa talk about the beginning of the Sacred Stream, where it is today, and where it is headed in the future. They also discuss some of the events that will be happening throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary, including the 20th Anniversary Celebration on June 17, 2023. This event is open to everyone and can be joined online or in-person. To learn more about the Sacred Stream, Isa, and Laura, visit their websites: sacredstream.org, isagucciardi.org, and laurachandler.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with poet Kim Rosen and composer and electric cellist Jami Sieber about their beautiful new collaboration of music and poetry, Feast of Losses. Kim is the author of Saved by a Poem: The Transformative Power of Words and is an advocate for the power of poetry to heal and transform individuals and communities. Jami is a multi-talented composer, singer, and electric cellist. Jami tours nationally and internationally and her compositions have appeared in film and television. It was a delight to talk with Jami and Kim about their powerful new recording and the importance of exploring the necessary themes of aging, death, and consciousness. The beauty found in this exploration, the power of creativity, and so much more. It was an inspiring and insightful conversation, and I am excited to share it with you here. Music from Feast of Losses is featured throughout this episode. To learn more about Kim and Jami you can visit their websites, kimrosen.net and jamisieber.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler welcomes back author, archetypal consultant, and Neo-Vedic Astrologer, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is host of a popular YouTube channel, Hogarth's Global Astrology, where he offers astrological insights into global happenings, historical and contemporary figures. Today he is talking about the upcoming eclipses and their implications for this year and beyond. He also discusses the banking and financial crisis, the latest with China, Ukraine, and other global issues. Hogarth also explains the implications of the Pluto return that is happening for the US at this time and what we can expect in the coming years. Hogarth is always insightful and a lot of fun. So, join me for this riveting episode. Hogarth is the author of The Hermeporta Series, a collection of historical adventure fiction, currently available on Amazon. He is also the creator of The Archetypal Blueprint, which combines the insight and power of Jungian Archetypes with the added insights of Sidereal and Western Astrology bringing tremendous breakthroughs for people in their personal and professional lives. To learn more or to schedule a reading with Hogarth, visit his website, hogarthglobalastrology.com.

On this edition of the podcast, Laura Chandler sits down for a chat with author, songwriter, and musician, Clementine Moss. Clementine is the founding member of the popular all women's Led Zeppelin cover band, Zepperela, and has just released her book, From Bonham to Buddha and Back. She is also a Depth Hypnosis Practitioner and Spiritual Counselor as well as a student of Buddhism for many years. In this candid conversation, Clementine talks about her call to the drum, love of John Bonham, spirituality, and her recent trip to India. She also addresses what it's like for women in the music industry and her struggle with body image issues and the insights she has gained over the years. To learn more about Clementine and to purchase her book, visit clementinemoss.com.

On this edition of the podcast, we are excited to welcome back the prolific recording artist, Barbara Higbie. Barbara is a Grammy-nominated, Bammy award-winning composer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has just released her latest album, Presence, the third in a trilogy of recordings alongside Resonance and Murmuration. In this inspiring conversation, Barbara talks about the creative process, the distinctly nurturing feminine quality of her work, and her thoughts on music and healing. Barbara has 17 recordings to her credit as well as contributions to 10 compilations that have sold in the millions. She has performed on more than 100 albums, including Carlos Santana's 2007 release. She was the first woman signed to Windham Hill records, and was part of the chart-topping band, Montreux. Barbara has also released recordings with Olivia Records and her own Slow Baby Records. Barbara was the first ever Artist in Residence at the prestigious west coast Jazz Club, Yoshi's, where she created two new bands. Roots music's Hills to Hollers with icons Linda Tillery and Laurie Lewis, and the exotic Cello Heaven with cellists Joan Jeanreneau of Kronos Quartet fame and new age star Jami Sieber. She also put together the popular annual Windham Hill Solstice tour, which features a variety of Windham Hill artists including Dave Ackerman, Liz Story, and Lisa Lynne to name a few. She tours nationally and internationally with her own work and many other popular artists. To learn more about Barbara, purchase her music, or find out about upcoming concerts, visit barbarahigbie.com.

On this episode, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. is our guest host, and she continues the conversation from our last episode with Geshe Pema Dorjee, picking up where Laura and Geshe-la left off. They discuss his life in India after escaping from Tibet. He recounts his adaptation to a new way of life – the difficulties as well as the joys. He describes his early encounter with the street children of Nepal who helped him when he needed it most and who inspire his humanitarian efforts to this day. His fascinating story includes his time as the head of the Children's Village in Dharamsala and his work to preserve the Bodong tradition of Tibet. He also discusses the many projects he has ongoing to help the poor and disenfranchised people of Nepal and northwestern India. His humor, sincerity, and kind spirit shine through in this at-times playful and engaging conversation with his longtime friend, Isa. Geshe Pema Dorjee has advanced degrees in Buddhist Philosophy and has played several important roles in helping establish and maintain the Tibetan community in exile, including his position as the Principal of the Tibetan Teachers Training Center. He was also the head of the Children's Village in Dharamsala, which is a school for displaced Tibetan children where he oversaw the care and education of over 16 thousand children. At the request of HH Dalai Lama, he now runs a monastery in India and is in charge of translating thousands of texts to help preserve the ancient Bodong tradition of Tibet. Additionally, he continues his tireless work in Nepal and northeast India of establishing schools, arranging medical care for the sick and injured, providing care for the elderly, creating orphanages, combating human trafficking, creating a safe house for street girls, introducing new agricultural techniques, and providing safe water, toilets, and smokeless cook-stoves to remote villages. To learn more about Geshe Pema Dorjee and his projects, visit buddhistcharity.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler speaks with internationally recognized scholar, humanitarian, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, Geshe Pema Dorjee, about his time in Tibet, before the Chinese invasion, when Tibetans were a Nomadic culture still living close to the earth. His stories are heartwarming as well as heartbreaking as he recounts his trek as a young boy across the Himalayans with his family and the shock of the new life he found in India. Geshe Pema Dorjee has advanced degrees in Buddhist Philosophy and has played several important roles in helping establish and maintain the Tibetan community in exile, including his position as the Principal of the Tibetan Teachers Training Center. He was also the head of the Children's Village in Dharamsala, which is a school for displaced Tibetan children where he oversaw the care and education of over 16 thousand children. At the request of HH Dalai Lama, he now runs a monastery in India and is in charge of translating thousands of texts to help preserve the ancient Bodong tradition of Tibet. Additionally, he continues his tireless work in Nepal and northeast India of establishing schools, arranging medical care for the sick and injured, providing care for the elderly, creating orphanages, combating human trafficking, creating a safe house for street girls, introducing new agricultural techniques, and providing safe water, toilets, and smokeless cook-stoves to remote villages. To learn more about Geshe Pema Dorjee and his projects, visit buddhistcharity.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with international bestselling author, activist, and consultant, Lynne Twist. Her new book is Living a Committed Life: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in a Purpose Larger Than Yourself. For more than 40 years, Lynne has been doing just that. A recognized global visionary committed to alleviating poverty, ending world hunger, and supporting social justice and environmental sustainability, she is the Founder of the Soul of Money Institute and co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance. Lynne began her work as the chief fundraising officer for The Hunger Project, where she helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars to end hunger on the planet. And in 1996, Lynne, along with her husband, Bill, and John Perkins co-founded The Pachamama Alliance whose mission is to empower indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest and help them preserve their lands and culture. Lynne has worked with Mother Teresa and Van Jones, to name a few, and has shared the stage with many of today's most influential thought-leaders, including H.H. Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Jane Goodall. Through The Soul of Money Institute, Lynne has worked with over 100,000 people in 50 countries in board retreats, workshops, keynote presentations and one-on-one coaching in the arenas of fundraising with integrity, conscious philanthropy, and strategic visioning. In this inspiring conversation, Lynne talks to Laura about her life, her hope for the future, how we are evolving as a species, her vision for a sustainable and equitable world and the ways we can all live lives of purpose and meaning. To learn more about Lynne, visit soulofmoney.org.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with international bestselling author, activist, and spiritual teacher, Lorna Byrne. Lorna is the author of seven bestselling books, including Angels in My Hair: The True Story of a Modern-Day Mystic. She has been published in more than 50 countries and in 2019 she was named one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in the World. Lorna is considered by many to be a modern-day mystic. She has been seeing angels and receiving their messages, many of them prophetic in nature, since she was a young child. Growing up she suffered from severe dyslexia and received only a primary school education. She had been told by the angels that she would write a book about them one day, but did not believe them. Then, in 2008, she published Angels in My Hair, which went on to sell millions of copies world-wide. It was the first time she had shared her experience of the angels and now she offers hope and inspiration to many people around the world. In this conversation, Laura and Lorna talk about her remarkable life, messages from the angels, and her thoughts on the future of humanity. To learn more about Lorna, visit lornabyrne.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Ayurveda Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, and the creator of Yoga of Recovery, Durga Leela. In her new book, Yoga of Recovery: Integrating Yoga and Ayurveda with Modern Recovery Tools for Addiction, Durga offers an innovative and comprehensive exploration of the issues of recovery and how to address them in a holistic way. She takes contemporary tools and theory and introduces important supportive elements that include maintaining health of the mind, body, and spirit. She provides detailed practices, recipes, and easy to understand applications of Ayurvedic medicine to the process of maintaining recovery. Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest holistic medicine system. It was developed in India over 3,000 years ago and has helped millions of people lead healthier, more balanced lives. We talk about all of this and more on today's episode. To learn more about Durga, her classes, and the Yoga of Recovery, visit yogaofrecovery.com.

On this edition of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura Chandler speaks with Machiel Klerk, author of Dream Guidance: Connecting to the Soul Through Dream Incubation. Machiel is a licensed therapist, dream expert, and founder of the Jung Platform. He has traveled the world, studying various cultures, their healing traditions, and dream practices. In his book, Machiel teaches how to work with dreams in a practical and profound way. In their conversation, Laura and Machiel delve into the world of dreams and dream incubation, an ancient practice that has been used by cultures throughout history and provides practical and valuable information on how dreams can help us in all areas of our daily lives. To learn more about Machiel and his work, visit machielklerk.com and jungplatform.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with author, archetypal consultant, and Neo-Vedic Astrologer, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is host of a popular YouTube channel, Hogarth's Global Astrology, where he offers astrological insights into global happenings, historical and contemporary figures, and also collaborates with other readers and astrologers for lively discussions, predictions, and perspectives on the news of the day. Laura and Hogarth cover a variety of topics, including how Neo-Vedic astrology works, some of his mind-blowing predictions, including the January 6th insurrection in the US, and what he sees in the charts of Vladimir Putin, the Ukraine, the upcoming mid-term elections, and more. Hogarth is the author of The Hermeporta Series, a collection of historical adventure fiction, currently available on Amazon. He is also the creator of The Archetypal Blueprint, which combines the insight and power of Jungian Archetypes with the added insights of Sidereal and Western Astrology bringing tremendous breakthroughs in for people in their personal and professional lives. To learn more or to schedule a reading with Hogarth, visit his website, thearchetypalblueprint.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with world-renowned psychic and channel, Paul Selig, about his 11th channeled book, Resurrection: A Channeled Text: (Book One of the Manifestation Trilogy). Paul channels the Guides, a group of beings, directly and unedited. In the book, he shares the new manifestation of humanity, a vision of alteration and elevation that will shift how we think and move through the world. Building on the success of his Beyond the Known series, this new trilogy gives readers a glimpse into the spiritual underpinnings that govern the world we live in. Resurrection is an astonishing invitation to rethink, reconstruct, and rebirth our world view in a transcendent way. Paul received his master's degree from Yale University and served on the faculty of NYU for over 25 years. In 1987, a spiritual experience left him clairvoyant. He currently serves on the faculty of the Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, and the Esalen Institute. Deepak Chopra describes his work as, “authentic, straightforward truth straight from the source field.” To learn more about Paul, visit paulselig.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with author and CEO of Unity World Headquarters, Jim Blake, about his book, The Zen Executive: Gems of Wisdom for Enlightened Leadership. Jim has held numerous executive positions in the corporate world, including as Director of Customer Operations for Landis+Gyr, a global leader in the utility industry, and as Vice President of Products and Technology for Rhythm Engineering. He currently serves as the CEO of Unity World Headquarters, a spiritual nonprofit that helps people of all faiths and cultures apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives. Jim and Laura discuss the experiences he had in the corporate world that led him to write the The Zen Executive. He explains the importance in leadership of self-care, developing and trusting your intuition, and adopting the attitude of being of service to your employees rather than the other way around. He also shares his experience of meditation and how it changed his perspective both personally and as a business leader. And he explains how creating a more diversified, open-minded, and compassionate experience across corporate cultures leads to happier and more productive employees. For more information about Jim, visit iamjimblake.com and unity.org.

On this episode, Laura interviews Rev. Cameron Trimble – author, pilot, CEO, and Co-founder of Convergence, an international church consultancy. Cameron is part of a progressive movement in Christianity and spiritual leadership and on this episode she talks with Laura about her activism and the importance of diversity in spiritual movements. In her over 25 years as an out queer woman minister, she reflects on the changes she's seen in the Christian church and offers her view of the future. Cameron is particularly focused on human transformation and leadership. As a coach, her clients are primarily executive leaders going through dynamic cultural transformations. Diversity, she believes, is the source of lasting innovation and the driver of fair profit. As a pilot, Cameron learns many of her leadership lessons through the adventures of the cockpit of her airplane. She has also enjoyed a career as an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, serving as the pastor of four congregations in the Atlanta area. Her most recent book is Searching for the Sacred: Sixty Meditations on Faith, Hope, and Love.

On this episode, we reach back into the archives for this talk by esteemed author and Buddhist scholar, Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., given at the Sacred Stream Center in Berkeley, CA, in 2018. Jinpa is a longtime friend and advisor to the Sacred Stream and he is the author of several books, including A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives and Tsongkhapa: A Buddha in the Land of Snows. In this talk, Jinpa discusses the universality of spiritual traditions, his relationship with the Dalai Lama, and the modern mindfulness movement.  Jinpa has been the principal English translator to HH the Dalai Lama since 1985. He is a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, former monk, and has received the Geshe Lharam degree, as well as a Ph.D. in religious studies from Cambridge University. He is a professor at McGill University, has translated and edited more than ten books by the Dalai Lama. He established the Institute of Tibetan Classics, is an active board member of the Mind and Life Institute, the Founder and Chairman of the Compassion Institute, and is a visiting research scholar at the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences at Stanford University.

On this episode, Laura Chandler interviews Geshe Dangsong Namgyal, the founder of Kungsong Gar Meditation Center in Santa Cruz, and author of the book, Holy Women of Great Perfection: Thirty Signs and Meanings of Ultimate Nature in the Ancient Tibetan Tradition. And she is joined by a special guest co-host, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., author of The New Return to the Great Mother and Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. In this conversation, we talk with Geshe Namgyal about his book, teachings, and the practice of Pure Dzogen. He explains why he chose to highlight the wisdom and teaching of female deities in his book, particularly in light of the changing, but still strongly patriarchal tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He also talks about the pan-Buddhist practice of Rime, a movement in Tibetan Buddhism that is non-sectarian, as well as the practice of Pure Dzogchen. He offers that no matter what one's background—country, gender, age, race, beliefs or history of painful experiences and emotions, the study and practice of the Pure Dzogchen teachings can help people discover true peace, strength, and fearlessness in life; and confidence in an eventual, positive death and rebirth experience. To learn more about Geshe Namgyal and Kungsong Gar Meditation Center, visit kunsanggarcenter.org.

On this episode, Laura interviews Depth Hypnosis Practitioner and Zoo Labs Co-founder, Vinitha Watson. The success of Zoo Labs is in no small part to Vinitha and her husband, David Watson, whose vision to build startup entrepreneurship infrastructure for BIPOC artists began in 2013. To date, the Zoo has run 26 residencies, and created a strong and vibrant community of over 250 artists and 350 mentors. Recently, they have moved to directly funding artists with grants and providing high-quality video education and mentorship. Vinitha has had an impressive and varied career with a common theme of helping others. In this conversation, Vinitha shares about her early years studying Indian classical dance and carnatic music, her interest in the arts and helping empower BIPOC communities, as well as her interest in wellness from Ayurveda to Depth Hypnosis. In addition to being a certified Depth Hypnosis Practitioner and the Co-founder of Zoo Labs, Vinitha opened Google's first satellite office in India. She went on to start her own textile design company, then joined the experimental first class of the Design Strategy MBA at California College of the Arts in 2008. Vinitha also consults on innovation strategy and growth planning for nonprofits, pioneered a wellness initiative at Johns Hopkins Medical Residency, which introduced wellness tools to medical doctors, and has since influenced other medical residency programs nationwide. She sat on the boards of Nexleaf Analytics and California College of the Arts. To learn more about Vinitha and Zoo Labs, visit zoolabs.org. Our featured music on this episode is a project straight from Zoo Labs. The Futurelics are Afro-Indiginous musical mystics who honor funk, blues, house, jazz, Afro-Cuban music and Afro-Dominican Palo. Learn more at planetfuturelic.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. about Spiritual Emergency, a type of healing crisis that can occur when a person has an encounter with psychological, emotional, or spiritual states that lie outside their usual ways of organizing experience. There is a spectrum of response that people who have with Spiritual Emergency - from a state of collapse to a state of acceleration and everything in between. Based on her years of clinical practice, Isa offers her perspective on Spiritual Emergency, examining its causes, and offering helpful suggestions on how to navigate it. Isa is the author of two books, and the creator of the spiritual counseling model Depth Hypnosis. She is also the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura Chandler talks with author, yoga instructor, and the creator of Grief Yoga, Paul Denniston. In his new book, Healing Through Yoga: Transform Loss into Empowerment, Paul teaches the groundbreaking process of Grief Yoga in an accessible way. In their talk, Paul explains the concepts behind Grief Yoga, a process that uses yoga, movement, breath, and sound to help people move through and release pain and reconnect to life and love. As serious as the subject of grief is, Paul's very presence demonstrates the joy that comes from the processes he teaches. He has trained thousands of therapists, counselors, and health care professionals in these unique methods. Genuine, sincere, and full of heart, it's easy to see how his work helps soften the edges of uncomfortable emotions to help people access their own deeper healing. You can learn more about Paul and Grief Yoga at griefyoga.com. The featured musical artist on this episode is the talented Danielle Durack. Hear more at danielledurack.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler highlights an excerpt of a talk given by Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. called Shamanic Paths to Inner Experience. Traditional shamanic cultures have long held an understanding of nature, spirit, and non-ordinary realms of being that contemporary cultures have lost touch with in the larger mainstream of experience. In this fascinating talk, Isa Gucciardi explores some of the ways healers from indigenous traditions have accessed larger aspects of consciousness and the realm of the unseen, for guidance, healing, and insight and speaks about their relevance for us today. The three topics she covers in this talk are Dreams, Visionary Experience, and the Vision Quest. Isa Gucciardi is the author of three books, creator of the therapeutic model Depth Hypnosis, and the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. She has studied with indigenous healers and lineage holders from many traditions, including the Huichal and Pueblo, First Peoples of Central and North America. Isa's goal is to protect and preserve the sacred teachings of traditional cultures while helping bring forward what can be respectfully shared in order to create greater harmony, understanding, and healing to the earth.

On this episode, Laura Chandler takes a look back at a collection of interviews from 2021. She explores the idea of how we create a more inclusive experience of dharma with Spring Washam, the difficulty of growing up as an interracial adoptee and the healing power of music with cellist and clinical psychologist Mia Pixley, and reflects on Michael Schauch's experience of karma in the mountains of Nepal and his uneasy relationship with yak butter tea. She also revisits her talk with renowned empath and channel, Paul Selig, their discussion of his bestselling book, Alchemy, and how his guides describe the nature of these times and the function of the current pandemic from the perspective of spiritual evolution. Our featured musical artists are Christopher Tait, Home Learning, Mia Pixley, and Sapphron Obois.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura Chandler speaks with author, senior executive, and founder of the non-profit Police 2 Peace, Lisa Broderick. Lisa is an accomplished senior executive whose career has been defined by understanding how technology impacts society and changes behavior. She teaches that life is about constant change, in which energy and matter are the basis of transformation. Her passion lies in helping others with little or no scientific or spiritual training master their innate abilities with practices designed to improve their lives, their relationships, and the world. Laura talks with Lisa about her groundbreaking new book, All the Time in the World, and how new scientific literature is revolutionizing our understanding of what time is and, more importantly, how we can affect it. You can learn more about Lisa at lisabroderick.com, and learn more about her program, Police 2 Peace, at police2peace.com. The featured music in this episode is from singing bowl artist Agu's beautiful album, Reach In, which also features Jami Sieber on cello. Learn more about Agu at jamisieber.com.

On this episode, Laura Chandler is joined by composer, musician, and clinical psychologist, Mia Pixley, who has just released a new album, Margaret in the Wild. Mia has a degree in cello performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She has performed in award-winning off-Broadway musicals, on GRAMMY award-winning records, and she has collaborated with HERE Arts in NYC, Pixar Studios, and The de Young Museum. Most recently, she performed on Barbara Higbie's latest album, with whom she tours regularly on the annual Windham Hill Winter Solstice Tour. Mia and Laura talk about music, parenting, nature, and the human psyche. They also have a moment of collaboration, putting words to music in the form of a poem of Laura's, “Sound Healing,” and Mia's song, “Core.” We feature Mia's music in full and in part throughout the episode. You can learn more about Mia at miapixley.com and you can find her music on Bandcamp.

On this episode, Laura talks with Christopher Tait of Passenger Recovery and Detroit rock bands Electric Six, Belle Ghoul, and Palace Pier. Chris has been with Electric Six since 2002 and has earned a gold record among other accolades. Sober since 2011, he formed Passenger Recovery in 2016, a small non-profit based in Detroit, to help sober artists and crew that are on the road connect with resources for traveling in recovery, including transportation to meetings locally. Since its inception, it has grown into an international organization helping artists worldwide. Chris and Laura cover a lot of topics in their conversation, including dealing with COVID-19, touring, and the unique struggles artists face maintaining sobriety in life and on the road. Chris has also provided our featured music for this episode, including a song about a 189 year old tortoise called “Jonathan Turtle.” To learn more about Chris, Passenger, and Electric Six, visit passengerrecovery.com and electricsix.com.