Sacred Stream Radio
Laura Chandler hosts this monthly series that features interviews with thought leaders, artists, healers, and other interesting humans.
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Episode 128: Venerable Ani Choyang: A Buddhist Nun’s Path to Liberation
06/26/2025
Episode 128: Venerable Ani Choyang: A Buddhist Nun’s Path to Liberation
Welcome to the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast. I’m your host, Laura Chandler, and on today’s episode, I speak with Tibetan Buddhist nun, Venerable Ani Choyang. Ani is part of a distinguished group of Tibetan nuns on the path to earning the highest degree in Buddhist Philosophy—an honor that, until recently, was reserved exclusively for men. Her academic achievements extend beyond traditional studies into the realm of Western science. In this conversation, Ani shares the powerful story of her escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet, where she spent her early years working in a factory with limited access to education. She speaks about the challenges and triumphs of learning the Tibetan language and discovering Tibetan culture for the first time at age 18. We also explore her inspiring academic journey and her unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities for nuns and women alike. Ani Choyang was the first nun from Tibet to be awarded the prestigious Tenzin Gyatso Science Scholarship from Emory University in Atlanta. She has also completed an internship in neuroscience at Northwestern University and is currently involved in a groundbreaking research project on lucid dreaming and dream yoga. Ani is a resident nun and science teacher at Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in Mundgod, India. She also serves as the Coordinator of the Library and Learning Center, a new facility under development at the nunnery that will offer nuns a comprehensive education in both Buddhist studies and Western subjects.
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Episode 127: Isa and Laura: Healing with Depth Hypnosis
05/30/2025
Episode 127: Isa and Laura: Healing with Depth Hypnosis
On this episode, Laura is joined by author, counselor, and renowned teacher, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., to discuss her new book, . Isa is the creator of Depth Hypnosis, a pioneering psycho-spiritual healing modality that has empowered thousands to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Depth Hypnosis is a unique, integrative approach that weaves together ancient wisdom and contemporary psychological insight. Drawing from traditions such as Buddhism, shamanism, energy medicine, and transpersonal psychology, it effectively addresses a wide range of issues, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and spiritual crises. With advanced degrees in cultural and linguistic anthropology, comparative religion, and transpersonal psychology, Isa has spent over 30 years studying spiritual, therapeutic, and meditative techniques from around the world. She is an early pioneer in bringing shamanic and Buddhist perspectives into the clinical setting. Isa is also the founding director of the Sacred Stream and teaches and lectures internationally
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Episode 126: Thupten Jinpa: Part 2: A Live Q&A
05/01/2025
Episode 126: Thupten Jinpa: Part 2: A Live Q&A
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 . 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.
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Episode 125: Thupten Jinpa: Part 1: Making Friends with our Minds
04/10/2025
Episode 125: Thupten Jinpa: Part 1: Making Friends with our Minds
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.
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Episode 124: Carolyn Sharp: Reigniting Joy in Your Relationships
03/08/2025
Episode 124: Carolyn Sharp: Reigniting Joy in Your Relationships
On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura speaks with couples therapist and author of , . 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.
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Episode 123: Simon Ruffell: Onaya Psychedelic Research
02/07/2025
Episode 123: Simon Ruffell: Onaya Psychedelic Research
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 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 .
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Episode 122: 2024: A Retrospective
01/13/2025
Episode 122: 2024: A Retrospective
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 ; and Henry Shukman, Zen master and author of . Thank you for listening, liking, reviewing, and subscribing! For more information about these guests, you can visit their websites: , , , and .
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Episode 121: Henry Shukman: Original Love
12/10/2024
Episode 121: Henry Shukman: Original Love
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, , and the memoir, . He is also co-founder of the single-path meditation app , founder of the meditation program, and spiritual director emeritus at . 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 . And get The Way app at .
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Episode 120: Finding Your Spiritual Path
11/01/2024
Episode 120: Finding Your Spiritual Path
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 and the soon to be released, .
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Episode 119: Lauren Markham: A Map of Future Ruins
10/03/2024
Episode 119: Lauren Markham: A Map of Future Ruins
Lauren Markham, journalist and author of , 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.
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Episode 118: Isa and Laura: The Power of Optimism
09/07/2024
Episode 118: Isa and Laura: The Power of Optimism
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 and the soon to be released, . 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 , follow us on , or sign up for our newsletter at .
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Episode 117: Hogarth Brown: Stellar Predictions and Cosmic Trends
08/10/2024
Episode 117: Hogarth Brown: Stellar Predictions and Cosmic Trends
On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura is joined by Neo-Vedic Astrologer and author of , Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is also the host of the popular YouTube channel, . 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 . And pick up a copy of his book, , on Amazon or at your local bookstore.
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Episode 116: Isa and Laura: Keeping Cool in Heated Times
07/25/2024
Episode 116: Isa and Laura: Keeping Cool in Heated Times
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 or register for the newsletter at .
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Episode 115: Rick Korn: A Father’s Promise
06/13/2024
Episode 115: Rick Korn: A Father’s Promise
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Rick Korn, director of the new documentary, , 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 .
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Episode 114: Empowered Endings
05/23/2024
Episode 114: Empowered Endings
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 .
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Episode 113: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 2
04/25/2024
Episode 113: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 2
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 .
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Episode 112: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 1
04/11/2024
Episode 112: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 1
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 .
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Episode 111: Maria Giudice: Changemakers
03/14/2024
Episode 111: Maria Giudice: Changemakers
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 and . 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 .
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Episode 110: Joanna Adler and Isa Gucciardi: Coming to Peace
02/09/2024
Episode 110: Joanna Adler and Isa Gucciardi: Coming to Peace
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 . 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: and . Learn more about Coming to Peace at .
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Episode 109: 2023: A Retrospective
01/09/2024
Episode 109: 2023: A Retrospective
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:
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Episode 108: Mary Gauthier: Saved by a Song
12/13/2023
Episode 108: Mary Gauthier: Saved by a Song
On this episode, Laura is joined by Mary Gauthier, award-winning singer-songwriter and author of the book, . 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 .
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Episode 107: Julie Lewis: Still Positive: Part 2
11/30/2023
Episode 107: Julie Lewis: Still Positive: Part 2
On this episode, Julie Lewis returns to talk with Laura more about her book, , 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 and .
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Episode 106: Julie Lewis: Still Positive: Part 1
10/26/2023
Episode 106: Julie Lewis: Still Positive: Part 1
On this episode, Laura talks with Julie Lewis, author of the new book, . 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 and .
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Episode 105: Mark Barden: Sandy Hook Promise
09/26/2023
Episode 105: Mark Barden: Sandy Hook Promise
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 . And learn more about the film and Artist for Action at .
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Episode 104: Past Lives, Soul Mates, and Reincarnation
08/30/2023
Episode 104: Past Lives, Soul Mates, and Reincarnation
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.
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Episode 103: Susan Bauer-Wu: A Future We Can Love
07/25/2023
Episode 103: Susan Bauer-Wu: A Future We Can Love
On this episode, Laura Chandler speaks with the President of the Mind and Life Institute, Susan Bauer-Wu, about her new book, . 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 .
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Episode 102: Dr. Charryse Johnson: Expired Mindsets
06/24/2023
Episode 102: Dr. Charryse Johnson: Expired Mindsets
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Dr. Charryse Johnson, clinical psychologist, mindfulness practitioner, and author of the book, . 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 .
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Episode 101: Joseph Selbie: Break Through the Limits of the Brain
06/03/2023
Episode 101: Joseph Selbie: Break Through the Limits of the Brain
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Joseph Selbie, author of . 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 .
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Episode 100: Sacred Stream’s 20th Anniversary
05/15/2023
Episode 100: Sacred Stream’s 20th Anniversary
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: , , and .
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Episode 99: Jami Sieber & Kim Rosen: Feast of Losses
04/22/2023
Episode 99: Jami Sieber & Kim Rosen: Feast of Losses
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, . Kim is the author of 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, and .
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