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 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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Episode 98: Hogarth Brown: The Eclipses and Beyond
03/28/2023
Episode 98: Hogarth Brown: The Eclipses and Beyond
On this episode, Laura Chandler welcomes back author, archetypal consultant, and Neo-Vedic Astrologer, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is host of a popular YouTube channel, , where he offers astrological insights into global happenings, historical and contemporary figures. Today he is talking about the upcoming eclipses and their implications for this year and beyond. He also discusses the banking and financial crisis, the latest with China, Ukraine, and other global issues. Hogarth also explains the implications of the Pluto return that is happening for the US at this time and what we can expect in the coming years. Hogarth is always insightful and a lot of fun. So, join me for this riveting episode. Hogarth is the author of , a collection of historical adventure fiction, currently available on Amazon. He is also the creator of The Archetypal Blueprint, which combines the insight and power of Jungian Archetypes with the added insights of Sidereal and Western Astrology bringing tremendous breakthroughs for people in their personal and professional lives. To learn more or to schedule a reading with Hogarth, visit his website, .
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Episode 97: Clementine Moss: From Bonham to Buddha and Back
03/11/2023
Episode 97: Clementine Moss: From Bonham to Buddha and Back
On this edition of the podcast, Laura Chandler sits down for a chat with author, songwriter, and musician, Clementine Moss. Clementine is the founding member of the popular all women’s Led Zeppelin cover band, , and has just released her book, . She is also a Depth Hypnosis Practitioner and Spiritual Counselor as well as a student of Buddhism for many years. In this candid conversation, Clementine talks about her call to the drum, love of John Bonham, spirituality, and her recent trip to India. She also addresses what it’s like for women in the music industry and her struggle with body image issues and the insights she has gained over the years. To learn more about Clementine and to purchase her book, visit .
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Episode 96: Barbara Higbie: Presence
02/18/2023
Episode 96: Barbara Higbie: Presence
On this edition of the podcast, we are excited to welcome back the prolific recording artist, Barbara Higbie. Barbara is a Grammy-nominated, Bammy award-winning composer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has just released her latest album, Presence, the third in a trilogy of recordings alongside Resonance and Murmuration. In this inspiring conversation, Barbara talks about the creative process, the distinctly nurturing feminine quality of her work, and her thoughts on music and healing. Barbara has 17 recordings to her credit as well as contributions to 10 compilations that have sold in the millions. She has performed on more than 100 albums, including Carlos Santana’s 2007 release. She was the first woman signed to Windham Hill records, and was part of the chart-topping band, Montreux. Barbara has also released recordings with Olivia Records and her own Slow Baby Records. Barbara was the first ever Artist in Residence at the prestigious west coast Jazz Club, Yoshi’s, where she created two new bands. Roots music’s Hills to Hollers with icons Linda Tillery and Laurie Lewis, and the exotic Cello Heaven with cellists Joan Jeanreneau of Kronos Quartet fame and new age star Jami Sieber. She also put together the popular annual Windham Hill Solstice tour, which features a variety of Windham Hill artists including Dave Ackerman, Liz Story, and Lisa Lynne to name a few. She tours nationally and internationally with her own work and many other popular artists. To learn more about Barbara, purchase her music, or find out about upcoming concerts, visit .
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Episode 95: Geshe Pema Dorjee: A Life of Compassion: Part 2
01/21/2023
Episode 95: Geshe Pema Dorjee: A Life of Compassion: Part 2
On this episode, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. is our guest host, and she continues the conversation from our last episode with Geshe Pema Dorjee, picking up where Laura and Geshe-la left off. They discuss his life in India after escaping from Tibet. He recounts his adaptation to a new way of life – the difficulties as well as the joys. He describes his early encounter with the street children of Nepal who helped him when he needed it most and who inspire his humanitarian efforts to this day. His fascinating story includes his time as the head of the Children’s Village in Dharamsala and his work to preserve the Bodong tradition of Tibet. He also discusses the many projects he has ongoing to help the poor and disenfranchised people of Nepal and northwestern India. His humor, sincerity, and kind spirit shine through in this at-times playful and engaging conversation with his longtime friend, Isa. Geshe Pema Dorjee has advanced degrees in Buddhist Philosophy and has played several important roles in helping establish and maintain the Tibetan community in exile, including his position as the Principal of the Tibetan Teachers Training Center. He was also the head of the Children’s Village in Dharamsala, which is a school for displaced Tibetan children where he oversaw the care and education of over 16 thousand children. At the request of HH Dalai Lama, he now runs a monastery in India and is in charge of translating thousands of texts to help preserve the ancient Bodong tradition of Tibet. Additionally, he continues his tireless work in Nepal and northeast India of establishing schools, arranging medical care for the sick and injured, providing care for the elderly, creating orphanages, combating human trafficking, creating a safe house for street girls, introducing new agricultural techniques, and providing safe water, toilets, and smokeless cook-stoves to remote villages. To learn more about Geshe Pema Dorjee and his projects, visit .
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Episode 94: Geshe Pema Dorjee: A Life of Compassion: Part 1
12/30/2022
Episode 94: Geshe Pema Dorjee: A Life of Compassion: Part 1
On this episode, Laura Chandler speaks with internationally recognized scholar, humanitarian, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, Geshe Pema Dorjee, about his time in Tibet, before the Chinese invasion, when Tibetans were a Nomadic culture still living close to the earth. His stories are heartwarming as well as heartbreaking as he recounts his trek as a young boy across the Himalayans with his family and the shock of the new life he found in India. Geshe Pema Dorjee has advanced degrees in Buddhist Philosophy and has played several important roles in helping establish and maintain the Tibetan community in exile, including his position as the Principal of the Tibetan Teachers Training Center. He was also the head of the Children’s Village in Dharamsala, which is a school for displaced Tibetan children where he oversaw the care and education of over 16 thousand children. At the request of HH Dalai Lama, he now runs a monastery in India and is in charge of translating thousands of texts to help preserve the ancient Bodong tradition of Tibet. Additionally, he continues his tireless work in Nepal and northeast India of establishing schools, arranging medical care for the sick and injured, providing care for the elderly, creating orphanages, combating human trafficking, creating a safe house for street girls, introducing new agricultural techniques, and providing safe water, toilets, and smokeless cook-stoves to remote villages. To learn more about Geshe Pema Dorjee and his projects, visit .
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Episode 93: Lynne Twist: Living a Committed Life
11/29/2022
Episode 93: Lynne Twist: Living a Committed Life
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with international bestselling author, activist, and consultant, Lynne Twist. Her new book is . For more than 40 years, Lynne has been doing just that. A recognized global visionary committed to alleviating poverty, ending world hunger, and supporting social justice and environmental sustainability, she is the Founder of the Soul of Money Institute and co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance. Lynne began her work as the chief fundraising officer for The Hunger Project, where she helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars to end hunger on the planet. And in 1996, Lynne, along with her husband, Bill, and John Perkins co-founded The Pachamama Alliance whose mission is to empower indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest and help them preserve their lands and culture. Lynne has worked with Mother Teresa and Van Jones, to name a few, and has shared the stage with many of today’s most influential thought-leaders, including H.H. Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Jane Goodall. Through The Soul of Money Institute, Lynne has worked with over 100,000 people in 50 countries in board retreats, workshops, keynote presentations and one-on-one coaching in the arenas of fundraising with integrity, conscious philanthropy, and strategic visioning. In this inspiring conversation, Lynne talks to Laura about her life, her hope for the future, how we are evolving as a species, her vision for a sustainable and equitable world and the ways we can all live lives of purpose and meaning. To learn more about Lynne, visit .
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Episode 92: Lorna Byrne: Angels in My Hair
11/03/2022
Episode 92: Lorna Byrne: Angels in My Hair
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with international bestselling author, activist, and spiritual teacher, Lorna Byrne. Lorna is the author of seven bestselling books, including . She has been published in more than 50 countries and in 2019 she was named one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in the World. Lorna is considered by many to be a modern-day mystic. She has been seeing angels and receiving their messages, many of them prophetic in nature, since she was a young child. Growing up she suffered from severe dyslexia and received only a primary school education. She had been told by the angels that she would write a book about them one day, but did not believe them. Then, in 2008, she published Angels in My Hair, which went on to sell millions of copies world-wide. It was the first time she had shared her experience of the angels and now she offers hope and inspiration to many people around the world. In this conversation, Laura and Lorna talk about her remarkable life, messages from the angels, and her thoughts on the future of humanity. To learn more about Lorna, visit .
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Episode 91: Durga Leela: Yoga of Recovery
10/17/2022
Episode 91: Durga Leela: Yoga of Recovery
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Ayurveda Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, and the creator of Yoga of Recovery, Durga Leela. In her new book, , Durga offers an innovative and comprehensive exploration of the issues of recovery and how to address them in a holistic way. She takes contemporary tools and theory and introduces important supportive elements that include maintaining health of the mind, body, and spirit. She provides detailed practices, recipes, and easy to understand applications of Ayurvedic medicine to the process of maintaining recovery. Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest holistic medicine system. It was developed in India over 3,000 years ago and has helped millions of people lead healthier, more balanced lives. We talk about all of this and more on today’s episode. To learn more about Durga, her classes, and the Yoga of Recovery, visit
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