The Big Believer Podcast

In this episode I speak with Shereen Yusuff about the Wim Hof Method and how incorporating daily breathwork and cold exposure can positively change our chemistry to promote body-mind healing and personal power.  Shereen is a Wim Hof instructor who trained under Wim and created Suda Prem Studio to teach people around the world about this powerful method to overcome self-imposed limitations and become the best versions of themselves. She leads immersive group workshops, privately coaches individuals including professional athletes and has been featured on the Huffington Post.  Shereen's Website https://suda-prem.com/ Wim Hof Tutorial https://www.wimhofmethod.com/free-mini-class Guided Breathing Session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ You can find Shereen on Instagram @shereenyusuff

Please join me for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Kim D'Eramo where we discuss the powerful effects that the mind-body connection has on our physical and mental health, and the possibilities that open up in our life when we begin to activate our own inner health system. Dr. Kim founded The American Institute of Mind Body Medicine(AIMBM) in 2014 to train individuals and wellness practitioners how to activate the body's ability to heal itself. Through AIMBM, she conducts live workshops and retreats, and assists clients online internationally. Dr. Kim's work has been profiled on national television networks including Fox, NBC, and CBS, as well as being featured regularly on Emotional Mojo and The Daily Buzz. Dr. Kim's Wesbite: https://drkimd.com Instant Elevation Technique The MindBody Toolkit

I had the pleasure of speaking with New York Times Best-Selling Author and spiritual teacher Kyle Cease. We talk about why the belief "When _______ happens then I'll be happy" no longer works and why he believes that it's an encouraging sign about where we are heading and an invitation to heal. I hope you enjoy it.   New York TImes Best Selling Author Kyle Cease has a gift of merging comedy with personal transformation. As a comedian Kyle had two #1 comedy central specials and was ranked #1 on Comedy Central's Standup Showdown. After leaving his job as an award-winning comedian, Kyle dedicated his life to helping others and created Evolving Out Loud, a community with over 400 thousand members worldwide and his YouTube videos have been viewed over 60 million times. Kyle is continuously inspired by his daughter, and would say he is ever-evolving (out loud) and on a journey to contuniously find out the truth of who he is. Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqUk_E0eW88  Evolving Out Loud: https://kylecease.com  Kyle's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/KyleCease-EOL

In this episode I interview Zen teacher and author Cheri Huber. We talk about the persistent negative voice in our heads and how we can begin to cultivate a much more nurturing relationship with the deeper, sacred part of ourselves.  Cheri has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years and is the author of over 20 books including There Is Nothing Wrong With You and The Depression Book. Recording and Listening: www.recordingandlistening.org Africa Project & Awareness Practice Resources: www.livingcompassion.org

I used to think of relaxing as sitting on the couch watching my favorite show sipping my favorite drink. But the deeper I go, the more I realize there is an untapped world of relaxing that is showing me how to stop struggling with life. To allow it to be as it is. And the peace and resiliency that comes with it. 

Just a heads up: in this episode I share some deeply personal and embarrassing information about myself that is sexual in nature. Feel free to skip this if it makes you uncomfortable in any way. If you feel up for it, I hope that sharing some of the messiest parts of myself will show you a truth that I have discovered: It can feel very scary, but light naturally dissolves darkness. 

In this episode I talk about an old Buddhist parabole that helps limit the amount of suffering I experience and improve my resiliance in the world. 

It is January 2021 and things are not well in my life. I have been in a deep depression and I have decided to record an episode about it. I sincerely hope you find some value in hearing about the darkness I experience on an all-too-consistent basis.

What would you do if you were told you had just 20 years to live? That was exactly what was told to Casey White. In 2010, just after graduating college, doctors discovered a Grade 2 Brain Tumor on the left side of Casey's brain. Instead of letting this news define him, it motivated him to take life into his own hands and build something beautiful with it.  Please enjoy this powerful and inspiring conversation with my dear friend. Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture: https://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/

In 2019, just after leaving my corporate job and right before moving to Aspen, I decided to embark on a ten day vipassana silent meditation retreat.  In this episode, my brother Ryan interviews me about my detailed experience and lessons learned during and after the retreat. Enjoy! Connect with Ryan on Instagram @grumpsmalone For more information on vipassana meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/about/vipassana Thank you for you listening! Please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review and share this podcast with those who could benefit from this content.

My first guided meditation. Enjoy!

In this episode I speak with my dear friend Lisa Pryor who shares what life was like as a queer black woman growing up and in today's America. We talk about breaking free from outdated belief systems and leaning into your own unique power.  Lisa founded her own life coaching practice, Use Your Light, LLC where she serves as a peak performance coach for the mind, heart, and soul. Her life's purpose is love and she is determined to share it with the world. She lives in Indianapolis with her golden-doodle Zuri. You can find Lisa on instagram @lisalisa21 or visit her website useyourlight.org

It turns out we can't predict the future, no matter how hard we try. My guest discovered that long ago and it allows him to live more peacefully in the present moment. In this episode I speak to my spirtual mentor Warren Lange about what it means to go from a "human doing" to a "human being" and why now is the perfect time to leave behind what no longer works for you and begin to bring positive change into your life. Warren is a certified international yoga teacher and his community outreach efforts include certifying yoga teachers and developing community yoga and mindfulness programs. Through his own life experience, Warren understands how daily mindfulness practice can be a great contributor to physical fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. Warren dedicates his efforts towards bringing mindfulness skills to others to improve their quality of life.

Join Colleen in this soothing guided meditation to help you relate to your experience in a new way. 

Do you ever wonder why we can be so caring and warm toward others but have such a difficult time giving it to ourselves? Please join my conversation with Mindful Self Compassion Teacher Colleen O'Brien as we discuss the concept of Self Compassion and how to overcome the barriers to giving ourselves the love and compassion we truly long for. Colleen currently teaches 8-week classes in Chicago, leads MSC workshops in the Chicagoland area, and integrates MSC into her professional work. Colleen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor working in Chicago.  You can find Colleen's website here You can find MSC Co-Founder Dr. Kristin Neff's website at https://self-compassion.org/ You can find MSC Co-Founder Chris Germer's website at https://chrisgermer.com/ You can find the Self-Compassion Workbook here You can find MSC courses in your area at https://centerformsc.org/

Please join me for a fun and inspiring conversation with Jordan Twardowski, a world traveler who has proven that not only is it possible to go into the unknown and follow your calling, but that doing so makes for one fascinating and fulfilling life. You can find Jordan's podcast, The Travel Tribe here: Listen on Spotify Jordan referenced the exercise known as Fear Setting. You can find out more about it here: https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/ He also referenced Tim Ferris' The 4 Hour Workweek, you can find out more about that book here: 4 Hour Work Week Tim Ferriss  

Our guest today is my brother Ryan Stern. Join us for a powerful conversation about the burden of holding judgment and resentment, and the freedom that comes from letting go. Find Ryan on Instagram at @grumpsmalone Ryan currently works at @hiitide, the leading personal development platform working to make learning and growth a daily practice.  He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his girlfriend and her dog. He is one happy and grateful fella.

I speak with Love and Dating Coach Gabrielle Valdes about how to become the authentic you in relationships and how it completely changes the game of love and dating. Whether you are single or in a relationship, Gabby has insight that will help you deepen the connection to yourself. You can find Gabby on Instagram at @GabrielleValdes or on her website at http://www.gabriellevaldes.com

I had the opportunity to speak to spiritual author Mary O'Malley who has written many books including The Gift Of Our Compulsions. In our conversation she helps us learn how to move from our mind into our heart: where all the love, safety and wisdom can be found. For more information on Mary and her work, please visit www.maryomalley.com For more information on Mary's online course, What's In Your Way Is The Way, please visit https://maryomalley.com/course/

In this episode I read an exceprt from a book called The Gift Of Our Compulsions by Mary O'Malley which is one of the most important books I have ever read. This chapter tells the story of why we have difficult emotions in the first place, what life was like before we had them and the magic that comes after we listen to and heal them. Think of it like listening to an audiobook. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.  For more information on Mary's powerful work and online courses on healing and self discovery, please visit www.maryomalley.com 

Oh resistance. The trouble it causes us. The more we resist a situation, the more suffering that ensues. This episode introduces a technique to become aware of and lower your own resistance as a key to inner peace and healing.  Suffering = Pain x Resistance Transformation = Pain x Mindfulness 1. Name a situation in your life that you are currently resisting. Write out the situation and add: "and that's not ok." 2. How does the resistance manifest? (thoughts, beliefs, reactions, body sensations, emotions) 3. Is it possible that the resistance might be benefitting you? If so, how? 4. How might resisting your situation be making it worse? 5. How might your life be easier with less resistance? 6. How might mindfulness and self compassion help you lower the resistance?

This episode details the challenges of my life that has led to a stronger and better me. 

This podcast is designed to help you unplug from the life you don't want and move towards the life that you do. I share personal experiences on my authentic journey and learn from others about overcoming the limiting beliefs and conditioning that keep so many of us stuck in unhappiness and disconnected from who we really are.