Ep.7 | Rediscovering the Shamanic Art of Heart Navigation with Jeff Nixa
Release Date: 02/09/2025
Ep. 26 | Clifton Strengths and Career Wellbeing with Dr. Leighann Rechtin
Ace of Pentacles
In this episode, we meet Dr. Leighann Rechtin, a coach and expert on CliftonStrengths. CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) is an assessment developed by Don Clifton that helps people identify their natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving — called “talents.” The tool categorizes these talents into 34 themes that all roll up to four domains: Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking, Executing, and Influencing. Leighann and Sara were in the same coaching certification cohort and are both certified strengths coaches through Gallup. In this episode, they discuss the value...
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Ep. 25 | Overcoming Self-sabotage & Imposter Syndrome with Dr. Albert Bramante
Ace of Pentacles
With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of entertainment and education, Dr. Bramante helps performers, educators, and creatives unlock their potential by combining psychology, performance strategy, and AI. He guides actors beyond just booking roles— to building sustainable, purpose-driven careers across Broadway, film, and TV. A seasoned college professor, Dr. Bramante has taught psychology courses at Union County College and BMCC (CUNY), creating impactful, real-world learning experiences. As a certified hypnosis and NLP practitioner, he helps clients overcome internal...
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Ep. 24 | Awakening Your Imagination with Asher Lyons of Medicine Theater
Ace of Pentacles
Asher Lyons is the founder and visionary of Medicine Theater, an expressive arts organization with the mission to support people young and old in finding liberation, joy and healing through the art of spontaneous play and mythic story creation. Asher has been facilitating this type of work for over 23 years, and has found that the essence of freedom is discovered through connecting to our creative spirit and the natural world. Asher has also spent the past 2 decades learning from storytellers from a wide range of cultures and traditions throughout the Americas which has deeply informed...
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Ep. 23 | Gen Z in the Workplace with Aleeza Khan
Ace of Pentacles
In this episode Sara sits down with Aleeza Khan. Aleeza recently graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a minor in Design. She focuses on community-centered design through her work with a nonprofit organization, Tiny Village Spirit. She is also the social media manager for the Ace of Pentacles Podcast Aleeza is also the creator and host of the Livin and Loving podcast, where she shares conversations around growth, identity, and empowerment. She has completed multiple internships at M Designs Architects and currently works at IMG II, her...
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Ep. 22 | The Problem with Mental Health Days
Ace of Pentacles
The real "organizational culture" problem that companies aren't addressing.
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Ep. 21 | The Art of Communication with Dr. Swan Dao
Ace of Pentacles
In this conversation, Sara sits down with Psychotherapist and Educator, Dr. Swan Dao. As Founder and Director of the Institute of Devotional Arts, Dr. Dao is dedicated to transforming lives through creative expression. Dr. Dao shares insights on effective communication, conflict resolution, and setting healthy boundaries. Together, Sara and Swan explore practical strategies to help you navigate challenging conversations—both in the workplace and in everyday life. About Dr. Swan Dao: Dr. Swan Dao is a psychotherapist, coach, and educator. Swan studied and taught philosophy, theology,...
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Ep. 20 | The College of Extraordinary Experiences with Claus Raasted
Ace of Pentacles
Claus Raasted helps organizations both big and small become better at GETTING S**T DONE. He also serves as Director of the College of Extraordinary Experiences. He travels the globe as a keynote speaker, and has been both a Coach and Senior Advisor at the consulting giant McKinsey. Raasted is the author of 46 books, the latest of which is fittingly titled “Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done”. He also has a past in reality TV, but these days, who hasn't? Last year, Sara attended the College of Extraordinary Experiences. She met many very cool people doing really cool things...
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Ep. 19 | Transformation Through Travel with Nishant Badami
Ace of Pentacles
In this episode, Nishant Badami, founder of Ubuntu, shares her journey and the philosophy behind creating soulful, transformative travel experiences. She explains that transformation isn’t about changing who you are, but how you see yourself - a distinction shaped by her own evolution through travel. Nishant debunks common myths about personal growth and emphasizes subtle inner shifts over dramatic reinventions. Ubuntu treats each journey as a living, evolving experience. Nishant designs these trips to create space for reflection, connection, and vulnerability, encouraging travelers to...
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Ep. 19 | Transform Through Travel with Nishant Badami
Ace of Pentacles
In this episode, Nishant Badami, founder of Ubuntu, shares her journey and the philosophy behind creating soulful, transformative travel experiences. She explains that transformation isn’t about changing who you are, but how you see yourself - a distinction shaped by her own evolution through travel. Nishant debunks common myths about personal growth and emphasizes subtle inner shifts over dramatic reinventions. Ubuntu treats each journey as a living, evolving experience. Nishant designs these trips to create space for reflection, connection, and vulnerability, encouraging travelers to...
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Ep. 18 | HMI Resilience Coaching with Christiana Bishop
Ace of Pentacles
In this episode, Sara sits down with Christiana, the Training Sales Manager and Certification Specialist at the HeartMath Institute (HMI) a pioneering non-profit organization that’s been at the forefront of researching heart-based tools and technologies to improve emotional well-being, performance, and human connection. A passionate advocate for heart intelligence, Christiana shares her personal journey to HeartMath and how its science-backed approach to resilience and coherence deeply transformed her own path. Together, they explore the meaning of resilience from a HeartMath perspective -...
info_outlineOn this episode of Ace of Pentacles, Sara chats with Jeff Nixa about using shamanic practices to gain more clarity on our career and purpose.
Jeff shares his knowledge of shamanic healing and vision quests, which he also shares in his book; The Lost Art of Heart Navigation: A Modern Shaman's Field Manual.
Sara and Jeff also reflect on the shamanic counseling session that Sara had with him last year and how we might all use some of the practices that Jeff shares in his book to gain more clarity on our life’s purpose, overcome fears, and develop a deeper connection with our intuition.
About Jeff:
Jeff D. Nixa, J.D., M.Div, is a shamanic practitioner, teacher, and writer. In 2010 he founded Great Plains Shamanic Programs, an array of counseling, healing, and educational services, including 1-on-1 fire talks, seminars, university classes, outdoor retreats, and wilderness trips.
Jeff has published two books: The Lost Art of Heart Navigation: A Modern Shaman's Field Manual and his first novel, Something Sacred Grows Here.
To learn more about Jeff’s work and additional resources, you can visit greatplainsguide.net
To find a shamanic practitioner or teacher near you, you can visit shamanicteachers.com
Jeff can be reached directly at greatplainsguide@gmail.com