This Human Thing

Ancient Spirituality in India birthed the path of yoga, which contains a principle called “dharma”. We can understand a person’s individual dharma as their purpose and role and duty in this human life. This role is different for every single person, and just like we see in nature’s perfect cycles and ebbs and flows, every person plays their role for the evolvement of consciousness and for the mysterious dance that is life. Everyone will play their role regardless of whether or not they know they are playing a role, but if we bring some consciousness to our duty to our personal dharma, we can live a life that has less suffocation and suffering, and more understanding, patience, and compassion. We find greater breath, greater peace, regardless of whether one’s current circumstances are objectively peaceful or chaotic. As we begin to identify less with our ego, our aversion to pain, and addiction to pleasure, which is constantly changing, and more with our soul, that core sense of “being” and “aliveness” and “connection” that does not change, we come into balance. The balance of identifying evenly with both ego and soul fuels a life that is impactful, creative, and meaningful in the physical world, while still knowing that everything ends. But just because everything ends, that doesn’t mean we become nihilistic or apathetic, which will just add to our suffering. It means we do our life work regardless, because we have a reverence and duty to the mystery and intelligent unfolding of life. Tommy is back! In our previous conversation, episode 19, we spoke on mechanisms to lift ourselves from the dark chapters of our lives. Once you begin to gain momentum, through devotion, discipline, and faith, a space opens up where you finally feels like you can breathe again, like life has color again. From this space, you can think, see, and move with greater clarity in this world. Today’s conversation explores how to within this space, move with confidence, passion, grace, and humility, in order to live a life that is balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with your personal unique purpose and calling. Follow Tommy on instagram! @tomello3 ;-)Follow This Human Thing!for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook:  @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧Tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would LOVE to answer your questions on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doin your thing ;-)Episode 20 of This Human Thing was recorded on May 1, 2021 in San Diego, CA and Walla Walla, WA. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

I get into these ruts in which I am constantly disappointed in myself and life and everything feels forced and pitted against me. Whenever I'm in a chapter of my life that is particularly dark, I have learned to really listen. To drop all the resistance (when possible) and use it as an opportunity to connect deeper... even if I can't recognize it in that moment because everything is clouded. I don't want to romanticize anything, it's not all epiphanies, there's lots of anger and devastation and despair in there, but each time I come around, I come around more compassionate, and more connected to myself, and with a deeper passion to want to love and serve others. So even though it sucks and it's horrible, I am grateful for it. At least, that's how I choose to view it. And discipline has proven to be such an important tool for me getting myself out of those low places (when the time is right... which can be a very mysterious thing). Tommy quotes in this episode "What is life teaching me right now?" And when we can learn to pause, even in the darkest times, to take a breath and a step back... viewing our character in this human life as even something outside of ourselves, it can give us a moment of much needed relief to recalibrate. Tommy always has such positive and charismatic energy and I am so pumped to have had this conversation today. We cover lots of topics in this episode like how practices like yoga directly affect our nervous system, the lenses we view life through, reactivity, fear, trauma, and wrap it up with a breakdown on how we can use the chakra system as a helpful and cool allegory and system pointing to how to create a life of freedom from the ground up. Follow Tommy on instagram! @tomello3 ;-)Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 19 of This Human Thing was recorded on February 27, 2021 in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

You may have heard this a million times, but we often get so excited for and so obsessed with the result that we miss the journey. And if we’re not paying attention to the journey we’re going to get lost. Happy 2021! (or as I shout out in the audio... "happy 2020" lmao)And WELCOME to Episode 18 of This Human Thing!! :)In this conversation, Kärin and I share our own intentions for the new year as well as discuss practices and techniques to making those goals a reality instead of just an ideal to crawl towards. In my opinion, motivation and inspiration are bullshit. They're bullshit to the extent that on their own, they're not enough to bring about real change and transformation. But loving and patient discipline, to bring about freedom rather than restriction, are what will truly get you to a place of joy and fulfillment. That kind of approach is called devotion. And devotion sheds feelings of victimhood, entitlement, fairness, and insecurity. Devotion sheds you of wanting to simply grow to inflate your own sense of self or "get something" and "fix all your problems" and shifts you to a place of operating out of love. A love that only wants to bring about harmony and connection in your own life and in that of those around you. There is nothing inherently wrong with you. There are merely ways in which you are "missing the mark"... in which you are behaving ineffectively or inefficiently. Accept and love yourself sincerely from exactly where you are and then move forward with devotion and discipline with a deep desire to enhance your clarity and your integrity of interaction with this life. Find freedom FROM the beliefs and behaviors that are keeping you contracted to realize your freedom TO expand, connect, create, love, and serve in this life. because why not? yolo. Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 18 of This Human Thing was recorded on January 13, 2021 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

I speak openly about my own struggles as well as providing some methods that help me when I'm feeling really really trapped. I also refer to the system of the koshas to help understand the layers of the human experience. Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 17 of This Human Thing! I often try to think away my problems. But when the thoughts themselves are the problem, I try to fix a thought with another thought. And then it all just gets louder. When this approach doesn't work, what can I do? I feel helpless. Out of control. Let's find the space to let the thoughts rest. Healing ourselves at levels where thought does not exists - healing more subtly. Let's ground down, tapping into the intelligence of our bodies, so we can heal from the root and build a strong foundation from which we can move with clarity and assurance. Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 17 of This Human Thing was recorded on December 20, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

Christian succeeded in his investigation of the far corners of consciousness on a journey to discover fulfillment in his life. He spent years studying with shamans, exploring various religions and teachings on this journey. He was victorious in his search, by realizing that what he sought was not something he could discover on his own, but by becoming empty, in order to be filled by love. Freedom through true devotion, through faith. Christian shares this message to remind us all, that love has already won. That there is nothing for us to find or fix - at an existential level. That we can finally rest. And that every problem we face is really just a lack of faith. Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 16 of This Human Thing! I am so excited to have Christian on the show! He is so vibrant, filled with life and passion, and it is so inspiring to witness how he moves through life. It is truly a testament to how one who is overflowing with the spirit can experience life unfiltered, and with a deep connection to themselves, their purpose, to others, and to this life itself. As I speak on in the introduction to our conversation, so many truths lie within the message Christian shares. However, without a doubt there's so much aversion to the words "God" and "Jesus" and "The Bible", so as you listen, try to feel the essence beneath (which is what we're going for here anyways) if those words are triggering for you - I know they can be for me. As I repeat so often, as humans who are experiencing this life, and looking for fulfillment and happiness, we have to remember that have no idea what's really going on! So, it is in our best interest to stay open and receptive to other perspectives, and to keep open ears and eyes to teachings directly for life itself. Not to blindly accept, but to experience for ourselves what is true. What brings you into a place of connection? What fulfills you? What makes you feel alive? What brings you home? Check out Christian on Instagram @_lovealreadywon_ :-)Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 16 of This Human Thing was recorded on October 22, 2020 in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

Today I'm sharing some of my journal entries from the past few months. Writing is such a special practice for me. It's raw and honest and never premeditated. I just open to a clean page and let the pen move. Sharing this feels vulnerable, but at the same time... it doesn't because these are things that we are all going through. When I'm writing, I'm really just trying to reflect upon and make a little bit of sense of this human experience. The past few months have been filled with both incredible beauty and deep darkness; clarity and confusion; love and fear. And that just seems to be how life goes. If you stand in the light, you will always cast a shadow. Hopefully this episode can serve to shed some light on your own personal journey - maybe you can hear parts yourself in these words. As always, the intention behind these episodes are to bring us all closer together. To bring us all closer to whatever is honest and true and kind and loving. To living life without lenses and filters - through bright eyes and clear minds, and through open, passionate, and vibrant hearts. Through being fully alive. Thank you for listening. ...Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 15 of This Human Thing was recorded on October 19, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

From the powdery peaks of Colorado's Rockies to the Swiss Alps, Joe Reed has been tearing up the mountains from the age of seven. He has devoted his life to the art of snowboarding, working with brands (currently riding for Burton), touring and competing across the country, giving up a "normal" childhood in exchange to be able to dedicate himself fully to doing what he loves. That's some insane passion. And that passion carried him through cracking his neck on a 60 foot jump in the midst of competition season. Through faith, resilience, and determination, learn how Joe patiently recovered from a 3% chance of ever walking again. Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 14 of This Human Thing! I am SO honored to have Joe on the show! Apart from being a sponsored snowboarder, he's got a huge heart with his eyes set on greatness. I'm stoked to have met such an inspiring yet humble force and a lifelong amigo. Today we talk about all the boards: surfboards. snowboards. skateboards. and boredom (#neckbracelife). Mostly, in this episode, Joe guides us through his incredibly wild and uplifting journey - but we also talk a lil bit about our dreams, traveling (Joe's currently nomading), the best airline, and how our beliefs have the power to carry us through ABSOLUTELY anything that life throws our way. Maybe your "flight for life" isn't on a private hospital jet between emergency rooms with a bolt in your skull, but in any hardship, big or small, that we face, we can persevere with kindness and confidence - it's a chance to deepen and solidify our faith in that all is according to a divine plan. Life is one big flight. One big trip. From here to there or maybe we're just going in circles for the thrill of it - no final destination. No matter what we're doing, no matter where we're going, let's make it a good one, eh? Do what makes you feel alive. Take some advice from Joe's empowering story. Now get out there and DREAM EXTREME!!! (and get your shred on) luv u guys. Stalk Joe on Instagram @joereed07 ;-)Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 14 of This Human Thing was recorded on October 8, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

When creating a better life for ourselves and those around us, we must start at the root of the problem - literally. This guided mediation is part one of a seven part series, which uses the chakra system as a guide to restore balance in our inner world, so we can see more clearly and act with more dignity in our outer world. To create this "better" life, we build a strong foundation and strong nourished roots, from which we rise. This meditation serves to hold space for you to sit with your self and your experience, so you may feel safe, and secure, and protected within your body, mind, and environment - feeling at home. ...All audio created by Katherine Ellis. ©2020 The Shala. All Rights Reserved. Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 13 of This Human Thing was recorded on October 7, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

After a little sunset excursion to blacks beach, I'm sitting down with a smoothie and answering your questions on building realistic healthy habits, finding presence, happiness, faith, quarantine lessons, self love, synchronicities, my life in California and more! Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 12 of This Human Thing! Here are the questions I answer:What is one principal you’ve discovered in your own life that improves your quality of life aka what’s one way you’ve found out how to live happier? -KyleHow do you find the balance between relative healing and absolute healing. Example: you are sad. You ask who is this I who is sad (absolute method). Or you do more of a therapeutic approach and work through the sadness with journaling, self love exercises, talking to loved ones (relative method). -PatWhat is the biggest lesson that life is teaching you in 2020? -TommyMaybe a question about maintaining a healthy, conscious, but realistic routine with busy lives, and stressing their importance- also address the common theme of starting a routine and falling off the wagon as most do- I feel like that’s so relevant to anyone -AudreyWhy am I your fav? -Taylor What does faith mean to you? -TeddyHow do you explain coinkydinks, synchronicities, and the appearance of what sometimes seems to be gods plan? - JohnTalk more about your life in cali! - GenWhat’s the best way to build a relationship with yourself so that you have a good foundation to live your life? -ElizaThank you so much for your questions everyone! Sorry if I didn't get to them all! I was also being a little bit of a sleepy Joe because I recorded this late. I love you! See ya next week!Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 12 of This Human Thing was recorded on September 28, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

Kärin is a world traveler, yoga teacher, surfer, and masseuse among trillions of other things. I have the upmost respect for how she moves throughout life - with grace, and patience, and compassion. She's always looking to let me borrow a book or to feed me a meal. She has such a peaceful and warm presence while being a total badass. On this episode, this girl gets into how she dropped out of school to live in Costa Rica... then Bali... then Portugal! Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 11 of This Human Thing! In today's episode we talk about her beautiful relationship with Neal, communication, traveling to find yourself, the beautiful metaphor of surfing - and the sacredness of water. The importance of HONESTY (my new year's resolution actually hehe) with yourself, others and life. "It's the best thing you can do for yourself... but also so painful... to ACTUALLY look at yourself through clear eyes - to see all the ugly and all the beauty." And we talk about social media... it sounds like a broken record about how we're "addicted to social media".. but if it's "not a problem" delete it. go without it for a few days.We talk about a lot more - you'll just have to listen!We're learning how to cultivate seeing life through a clear lens. And as we raise our consciousness, we'll begin to see more and more accurately. Returning to those habits that lend nurturing that clear lens, soft mind, and open heart... being conscious consumers. What might we need to release from our lives (maybe screens or certain activities or habits), to create space for activities that make us feel ALIVE! We're on a lifelong journey of learning how to listen. With all the chaos and distractions and movement around us... it can be extremely difficult to remember to listen. Not trying to escape ourselves, but being sensitive to follow life's voice when we're called to move in a certain direction. Thanks for being on the show Kärin!

Are you feeling lost? Worn out? Defeated? Not sure who you are or what you're doing or where you're going? Well, haha welcome to being a human being. If you feel 100 percent certain in what you're doing you need to take a step back, because the most successful people always leave room for error, improvement, and recourse.This episode is about my own journey and also getting into some of the questions and topics I've been sent in. We're all on our individual journeys... and that looks different for every single person, but our experiences often parallel. We're often going through similar things at the same time - going through the same energy. In this episode I get into the following topics: idealism vs. perfection, commitment, moving to Costa Rica? why did I get a cat. working sucks. I haven't been taking care of myself. let's listen to our intuitions more. listen to our emotions more. become more sensitive. And from that sensitivity, of actually KNOWING ourselves authentically... we can move through life with more effectiveness, grace, and ease. I love you guys.you are so loved. you are so powerful... and life is unfolding in absolute perfection. even when you aren't able to feel it or see it right now.

Anatoly (Toly) is a photographer livin the van life! California is burning to the ground. So we're chatting bout that. And we talk about the sacrifices we make to gain freedom. Whether that be living in a van, or whatever chances you might be taking. We get into some of the deets of being a photographer; capturing people's stories and their moment - freezing the moment. Getting these sacred glimpses into the lives of others is such a beautiful thing. Hello Humans! :-) Welcome to Episode 9 of This Human Thing! Toly brought me a watermelon as a gift when he came over. excited to eat that. We met when I dropped a tray of glasses at a restaurant. And now he's here on the pod. So... let's get into it. The pros and cons of livin in a van. The freedom. The inconveniences. We talk about being a master of one thing versus the mediocracy of being well-rounded. We talk about sharks. The Dalai Lama. We touch on his upbringing - in Russia and in Buddhism, and the life events that led him from those beginnings to where he is now: #nomad. a free bird. "I paused the other day and was like... what AM I doing? I just feel like its Groundhog Day everyday. Like ughh I have to do this every day just to survive. And that's why something like van life is so attractive because I realize oh I don't have to work SO hard just to pay rent. And yeah I give up some of luxuries, some conveniences... but guess what's not convenient or luxurious... not being able to do what I love. And for me, I would sacrifice anything to do what I love." Those pauses are so important: to question our experiences. To not get sucked into the grind. sucked into survival - whether that be social, physical, emotional - to pause and question your choices. Because wherever you are is ultimately a choice; and you can choose to make sacrifices to rearrange your life circumstances for what you love and who you love. Thanks for being on the show Toly!

It's helpful to think of meditating as just taking a little break - just resting. This takes the pressure off. Meditating is just sitting with whatever your experience is. Nothing more, nothing less. There are often many fancy and esoteric things attached to the word "meditation" and those are great for some people but that becomes more like "training" and less just meditating. There's no right or wrong way to do it, you're just sitting there looking at "this human thing" you're experiencing right in the face. Please excuse the background noise, I had my windows open ;) Also I just kinda made this up as I went along, so, hope it was nice.luv u - katFollow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 8 of This Human Thing was recorded on August 30, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

We're getting heated. Yes! Life is beautiful! It's also absolutely horrible. And I'm here for all of it. We rip on "the American dream" and college. and greek life. restaurants during covid. we talk about EXHAUSTINGGG ourselves. no sleep. no appetite. ugh. life can be so brutal guys. but you actually want it to be. get out of your damn comfort zone. nothing is happening there. we talk about what it is to actually live your dreams. living your dreams is not dreamy. always. it's about failing and failing and failing. but never giving up because you're fucking living. and you're gonna keep trying no matter what because you are genuinely passionate about living life. listen and enjoy.Hey ;) Lil disclaimer. We're in no way calling out anyone with anything we're saying, like we're literally referring to ourselves here as well with all the "people and systems we're shitting on." Everyone's problems are valid. Your trauma is your trauma. But objectively there are differences in severity. Take personally whatever you may, those are some awesome opportunities to look at yourself! Just as by doing the same I've been forced to look at myself. Hello Humans! :-)I hope you are all doing splendidly this fine day. We’re uh doin alright here. Get ready for an episode with a different tone. I'm gonna be honest, all of my episodes so far have been super lovely and high vibes and all that whatever. But today we're talking shit because life is a bitch. Good lord have mercy. By some fate Taylor and I ended up living 10 minutes from each other in san Diego. She has one of the most insane lives of anyone I’ve ever met. And it is so astonishing to watch her move through life with so much love and passion no matter what keeps getting thrown at her. As I’ve told her before, she goes hard for her homies. She knows love doesn’t always look like rainbows and butterflies. Love is those hard conversations and those arguments, all in the name of making that relationship more authentic. We’re gonna get into all the goodies.Stalk Taylor on Instagram @taylorm_f78 ;-) Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode for extras on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Want a sticker? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Then send me a DM.Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 7 of This Human Thing was recorded on August 23, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

How do we create and cultivate TRUE purpose, passion, and prosperity in our lives? Audrey and I are on one right now. Life is crazy... like literally my life is in outright shambles at the moment... but... really... it's okay. It's gonna be okay. I've got my own back. I'm trusting myself and trusting life that even though shit it hitting the fan and splattering all over the walls... I'm here for it. When things die (even when it's all dying all at once and is incredibly overwhelming) that death creates the opportunity for new growth. And so here we are. Audrey and I are making some big changes in our lives. She's choosing to make them, and I'm kinda being forced to, but either way we are FREAKING pumped. and also terrified. so here we go!!!! come along with us on this episode as we pop off! Beginning with a question sent in from a hella cool listener who asks what it is to be a good ancestor. Then we get into authenticity and communication. We talk about how bad emotions are good. And actually enjoyable. We talk about trust. Self love!!!! REAL ACTAUL self love. We talk about what's gonna be goin on with us in the future. And lotttssss more. And then we wrap it on up with some interesting stuff in the realm of holistic medicine. Healing with food. Eastern traditions for these modalities. And Ayurveda!! Audrey you are an absolute gem and I am SO lucky to be able to share this crazy human thing with you. Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 6 of This Human Thing! Audrey is another one of my college roommates visiting me here in CALI. We traveled south east Asia together. She's a fit gal. She's a boss in the kitchen. And she is probably the most generous person I know. Super grounded. She is one of my favorite people to spend time with and talk to. Thanks for being on the show this week Audrey!

Eliza is my dear ex-roommate who dives deep into her personal story and really allows herself to be raw an vulnerable about her struggles in this conversation. I'm so grateful for her honesty as it invites us all to be more authentic with each other. She is such a light to everyone in her life as she is always looking for ways to spread love and make everyone around her feel seen and heard. Topics in this episode include: seasonal affective disorder, depression, west v. east coast, suicide, death, honesty in relationships, faith, invincibility, and an exorcism. (read show notes for more!) Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 5 of This Human Thing! I am SO excited to have one of my best pals on today's episode. She is currently visiting me here in San Diego allllll the way from Richmond, Virginia! We start of chatting about weather's effect on our happiness as well as differences between the West and East Coast. And then Eliza opens up about her past and her journey that she's traveled up until this point. She talks about her story with depression, eating disorders, suicide, highs and lows of different relationships, near death experience, and much more. We then dive into the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty in relationships. And how precious this human life is! How faith is everything. How we're actually always okay no matter what. And finally, we wrap it up with a fabulous tale of the exorcism in her childhood home. Thanks for being on the show this week Eliza!

Today we're chattin' about Neal's wild tales while living in Bali, collectivist vs. individualist cultures, the extremity and pressure of education in South Korea, Neal's scum of the earth employment positions... we talk about freedom, our moms, and ask some good questions... are we in a simulation? Does time exist? We go more into quantum physics because things aren’t always as they seem…. Are we creating our reality? What are the implications of stress on longevity? What impact do our minds have on physical disease? And we talk about MAGIC! And how western logic killed magic... And finally we touch on pivotal moments our lives, and how widening our perspectives keep us humble and in that space of not knowing... being strong in our beliefs, while maintaining the opening for new ones!Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 4 of This Human Thing! Today with me, I have here Neal From. And Neal… I don’t actually know him that well but I like his vibe. So here he is. I’m excited to have him on the show specifically because I don’t know him very well so we can get to know him together. From what I do know…. Neal has spent a lot of time traveling the world. He’s been experiencing a lot of life. Putting himself out there. Takin leaps. Doin his thang. And I know from my own life.. that you can think and talk about life all you want but if you want to understand life. and really want to grow and connect to life you gotta put your money where your mouth is and go LIVE it. Neal’s a surfer. He’s got a killer stache. He’s got a GREAT sense of humor. and yeah just all around good vibes. I can tell just from hanging out with you that you have a lot of stories to tell and great life advice from all the experiences you’ve had. SO let’s give it up for Neal. Thanks for being on the show this week Neal! :) Welcome. Donate to www.swimdo.org! Swimdo is Neal's nonprofit which teaches the kiddos in Bali how to swim (for free)! Drowning is a leading cause of death among children in low-and-middle-income countries in Asia. It is estimated that upward of 400,000 people drown every year.

In today's episode we talk about growing up as pastor's kids, our background in Christianity, working with our shadows and dark periods of life, true forgiveness, how everything is a reflection of ourselves, the vitalness of honesty and vulnerability in relationships, getting stuck on words instead of the actual experience, the art of dance, minimalism, creating space, and letting go, and much more! Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 3 of This Human Thing!Today I’m here in mi casa with Megan Ellis, and if you couldn’t tell from our last names, we are in fact related. I’m the oldest of 3 siblings and she’s the youngest. She actually just turned 15 two days again (happy birthday Megan) so we have about an 8 year age gap. And yes, my dear sister is visiting me here in san diego for the week. We’ve been having quite the time. It’s been so fun to show her around my new home. So let me give you a little bit of a background on Megan. She lives in Northern Virginia about 15 min outside of our nations capitol, washington DC. She will be moving into her sophomore year of high school in the fall, she’s really into minimalism, she’s an amazing dancer. primarily ballet and hip hop. And she has the most loving, kind, and compassionate little soul ever. "I’m so happy to have you on, one because i love you, but also because probably most of the people who listen to this are much older than you and i think it’ll be really interesting to gain some wisdom from a younger perspective; someone who hasn’t had as many layers of life put on them as some of us folks who are a little older. And it seems that most people your age, and even most people my age, haven’t been exposed to the amount of inner reflection that you’ve opened yourself up to, so i’m looking forward to you sharing your experience."Thanks for being on the show, Megan! You can follow Megan on instagram @megan_3llisFollow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace in... peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 3 of This Human Thing was recorded on July 24th, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

Scott is a beast on a snowboard, a bass magician, actually has quite the green thumb. And I’m sure so so much more that he’s humbly hiding. From an outside view, I see how he pours passion into everything he does, whether that be making music, his relationships, or long list of other creative pursuits. And although he sounds super cool on paper, the thing that stands out the most about Scott to me is how kind he is. You can see it in his eyes and how he interacts with and moves throughout life. Authentically kind. We need more of that.Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 2 of This Human Thing!In today's show, I’m kickin it with one of the first people I met here in San Diego - Scott Marciniec, also known in the music scene as Scotty Mars. We talk about how to enter the flow state, dabble in quantum physics, snowboarding, touch on current events, what acting out of love vs fear looks like, relating the experience of music to the overall human experience, and how we live in a packaged product society. Thanks for being on the show, Scott! You can follow Scott on instagram @scottymars and follow his collaborative event page @renegadesoundevents. Check out his music on soundcloud here! :) soundcloud.com/scottymars-1Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 2 of This Human Thing was recorded on July 17th, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)

Teddy is a spiritual seeker, health & fitness enthusiast, and music connoisseur. In this episode, some of the topics we discuss are mediation, the human relationship with life, the dangers of operating out of lack, apocalyptic fantasies, manifestation, and how crazy it is that we believe our thoughts! Hello Humans! :-)Welcome to Episode 1 of This Human Thing!In today's show, I interview my east coast college friend and west coast current roommate, Teddy Claiborne!Teddy also dives into and shares his own personal journey. Thanks for being on the show, Teddy! This being the first episode, it takes us a little bit to really get into the conversation flow, but I've already learned so much. You can follow Teddy on instagram @teddyclaiborne. Follow This Human Thing:for updates and behind the scenes!✧ instagram: @thishumanthing✧ facebook: @thishumanthing✧ visit the website & subscribe to our newsletter! ✧You can tune into This Human Thing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and watch the video recording of the episode on youtube! Support the Show! If you'd like to support the show, check out the patreon page!Or contribute one time on paypal. Also, leaving a rating and review on the podcast (apple, spotify, or google) really helps us get your feedback and expands the show out to more ears :-)Share the podcast with your friends and family if you liked it! Alright, that's it for the show notes!We would love to answer any questions you may have on the show! Send them into thishumanthingpodcast@gmail.com or through the social media links above. And don't hesitate to get in touch about anything else, I'd love to connect! peace out! thanks for kickin it with us. & keep doing your thing ;-)Episode 1 of This Human Thing was recorded on July 13th, 2020 in San Diego, CA.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theshala)