The Mind, the Master, and the Meaning of Life: Radia Willems’ Journey with Lama Gangchen
Release Date: 05/29/2025
The Mind, the Master, and the Meaning of Life: Radia Willems’ Journey with Lama Gangchen
Life with a Lama Healer
In this deeply personal and heart-opening episode, host Lelia O’Connor sits down with Radia Willems, a lifelong spiritual practitioner from Holland whose life changed forever when she met the beloved Tibetan Buddhist master Lama Gangchen at the age of 13. Through his unconditional love, guidance, and deep spiritual presence, Radia began a transformative inner journey of emotional healing, self-discovery, and awakening to her true nature. From the sacred Himalayan temples of Tibet to the teachings of Dharamsala, India, Radia shares intimate stories of mystical...
info_outline
Filmmaking and Spirituality: Bringing Lama's Vision to Life with Andrea Velloso
Life with a Lama Healer
Please join me in this episode with Andrea Velloso, a Brazilian filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, and visionary artist. In the early 1990s, Andrea met Lama Gangchen, who invited her to produce and direct a documentary exploring his teachings and the interdependence of the elements across diverse locations: the Andes Mountains, Tibet, and the Amazon. This collaboration led to the creation of the award-winning documentary , which delves into the Buddhist concept of "dependent arising" — the profound idea that all phenomena are interconnected and arise in relation to one another. In this...
info_outline
Morning Peace Meditation (with Lelia O’Connor)
Life with a Lama Healer
Hello friends, it's Lelia O”Connor I'm so grateful you’re here. With everything going on in our lives it’s easy to disconnect from our bodies and inner self. In today's meditation, we're going to reconnect with ourselves. I like to call it Connecting with our Inner Compass, that deep inner calm, inner knowing and inner wisdom that is available to all of us when we slow down, take some deep breaths and reconnect. So, get comfortable, take a deep breath and let's begin this inner journey of reconnection together. Be peaceful…be happy, Lelia Lelia...
info_outline
How to Live a Life of Purpose & Happiness with Gabriella Lo Re
Life with a Lama Healer
In this inspiring episode, we are joined by Gabriella Lo Re, a longtime senior student of Lama Gangchen, renowned meditation master and healer. Gabby has dedicated her life to the dharma, embodying wisdom, compassion, and boundless energy. She worked with Lama Gangchen for over 25 years and currently serves as the Director of Programs at Albagnano Healing Meditation Center in Italy, where she helps guide others on their spiritual journeys. A meditation master in her own right, Gabby is known for her calm presence, clarity of mind, and deep compassion. Gabby shares her experiences from a life...
info_outline
How to be Peaceful in times of Conflict
Life with a Lama Healer
In this week's episode, we talk with Dr. Nina Meyerhof, founder of Children of the Earth, a worldwide organization that empowers youth working for peace. She also is the founder of the One Humanity Institute (OHI) for peace and regeneration in Auschwitz, Poland. Nina’s innovative work in peace and sustainability through educational methodologies has reached young people in over 100 countries. She has won many awards including the Mother Theresa Award, International Educators Award, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recently had a school named after her in Kenya. Nina's...
info_outline
Transforming Mental Health: Dr. Rogier Hoenders and Lama Gangchen’s' Holistic Approach
Life with a Lama Healer
In this week's episode, we talk with Rogier Hoenders, an integrative psychiatrist and head of research and clinical affairs at the Centre for Integrative Psychiatry Lentis in Groningen, the Netherlands. Rogier shares his transformative experiences since meeting Lama Gangchen in 2004, including their global travels, conferences, and retreats that deeply influenced his holistic approach to mental health. Lama Gangchen taught Rogier the importance of seeing the positive in every situation and being open to the vast wisdom of traditional medicines, healing and spirituality. Lama Gangchen...
info_outline
Carmen's Symphony for Peace
Life with a Lama Healer
In this week's episode, we talk with Carmen Iodice, a super talented singer and musician with the United Peace Voices and the creator of the Mantra Symphony for Peace. Carmen shares her incredible journey from Gubbio, Italy where she first met Lama Gangchen in 1986. This meeting changed her life, leading her to combine her musical talents with spiritual practices to spread messages of peace and healing. We delve into Carmen's experiences and how Lama Gangchen nurtured her and others' talents, encouraging them to use their abilities for spiritual growth and for the benefit of others. Carmen...
info_outline
On the Road to Shambala with Cláudia Proushan
Life with a Lama Healer
Today we join with Cláudia Proushan, an accomplished artist, writer and photographer from São Paulo, Brazil, who holds a Fine Arts degree from FAAP and studied Chinese painting in Paris. Focusing on art and spirituality, her books "Lights of the Galilea" and "Tibet, in the Heart of the Himalayas' beautifully feature her stunning photographs and watercolors. She has exhibited her work globally and is a recipient of the “Peace Media Award”. Claudia shares her 35 years of experiences travelling widely with Lama Gangchen, highlighting travels to Tibet, Mongolia, and China, and regularly...
info_outline
Healing Heart and Mind: Thonla Sonam's Wisdom
Life with a Lama Healer
Today we are super happy to be talking with Thonla Sonam who was born in Tibet and is Lama Gangchens nephew. He founded a Tibetan incense business in Nepal and in 1999 he moved to Milan at Lama Gangchen’s request where he and his wife founded a beautiful shop called Tibet Milano selling goods from the Himalayas. These days Thonla can be found on Facebook and where he has a very big following for his divine Tibetan singing bowl meditations. He also offers courses and workshops throughout Europe. Always kind and loving, Thonla exudes wisdom, compassion and inner joy. In our...
info_outline
Bodhisattva's Calling: Jeanne Gregory's Compassionate Actions
Life with a Lama Healer
Today we delve into the inspiring journey of Jeanne Gregory, from London, England. Introduced to Lama Gangchen in 1995, Jeanne's path as a nurse and pain therapist intersected profoundly with Lama's teachings. Despite being a single mother of six, she embraced the dharma wholeheartedly, leading to the establishment of a self-healing group to share Lama's profound healing methods. Jeanne's experiences have led her to the noble task of assisting the sick and dying, guiding them towards peace during their transition, embodying the essence of a true Bodhisattva. “Even with all the...
info_outlineIn this deeply personal and heart-opening episode, host Lelia O’Connor sits down with Radia Willems, a lifelong spiritual practitioner from Holland whose life changed forever when she met the beloved Tibetan Buddhist master Lama Gangchen at the age of 13.
Through his unconditional love, guidance, and deep spiritual presence, Radia began a transformative inner journey of emotional healing, self-discovery, and awakening to her true nature.
From the sacred Himalayan temples of Tibet to the teachings of Dharamsala, India, Radia shares intimate stories of mystical experiences, healing realizations, and the powerful impact of being fully accepted — just as you are.
In this episode, we explore:
-
Understanding the nature of the mind -
How emotions are our teachers — and what they’re really telling us -
The process of de-conditioning and learning self-acceptance -
Witnessing Lama Gangchen’s unconditional love — and the transformation it brings -
Discovering the essence of transforming insecurities into true contentment -
Radia’s spiritual travels to Tibet and life in India studying Tibetan Buddhism -
The big questions: Who am I? What is the meaning of my life?
This episode is a powerful invitation to explore your own inner world — and to discover how deep spiritual connection can transform insecurity and anxiety into lasting peace and contentment.
Connect & Reflect:
If this conversation resonated with you, we’d love to hear your reflections. Leave us a review or share this episode.
and sharing with your 
For guest inquiries or collaborations, contact: loconnor@