Our guests Website:

https://www.innertruthseekers.com/

In this episode, we welcome back intuitive trauma coach and non-dual teacher Michael Thornhill, co-founder of Inner Truth Seekers. Michael shares powerful insights on the path of spiritual awakening, integrating trauma, and living in alignment with one’s soul blueprint. We explore the challenges that arise when stepping into our inner truth—including imposter syndrome, societal disconnect, and the dark night of the soul—and how we can navigate these with clarity, support, and purpose. Learn about Michael’s new offering, the Inner Truth Seekers Academy, and how it helps conscious individuals turn transformation into service to others. This is a deep, vulnerable, and encouraging conversation for anyone walking the spiritual path.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Thornhill

01:41 What is Inner Truth Seekers?

03:41 The soul blueprint and the spiritual awakening process

06:41 The rise of spiritual experiences and the fear of "going crazy"

08:41 Michael’s personal awakening through the death of his mother

10:41 Trauma-informed non-dual approach to awakening

12:41 How trauma arises on the spiritual path

13:41 Guiding people through trauma transformation

15:41 Recognizing trauma as symptoms of separation

17:41 Somatic healing and non-dual integration

20:41 Using infinite awareness to transform trauma

21:41 The power of community in transformation

22:41 Introducing the Inner Truth Seekers Academy

25:41 A framework for discovering your own framework

26:41 The paradox of "being ready" and imposter syndrome

28:41 Coaches and therapists stepping into deeper authenticity

30:41 From self-doubt to embodied confidence

32:41 Accessing your soul’s blueprint

34:41 Finding your unique path of service

36:41 Debunking spiritual dogma and one-size-fits-all teachings

37:41 Does being in service require leaving society?

40:41 Healing personal trauma as planetary service

42:41 Tuning into the vibration of service to others

44:41 Can regular jobs be a form of spiritual service?

47:41 Asking yourself: Am I living my soul’s calling?

50:41 How to know you're on your true path

53:41 Embodying your truth even when it’s hard

56:41 Inner Truth Seekers: tools, support, and community

57:41 Final thoughts and where to find Michael online

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode, we explore the transformative power of death—whether it’s the passing of a beloved pet, a family member, or the experience of ego loss. Through personal stories and spiritual perspectives, the hosts unpack how mourning can be a catalyst for growth, presence, and emotional depth. They touch on cultural norms around grief, the concept of the subtle body, challenges men face with crying, and even dive into complex topics like euthanasia and suicide. This is a profound conversation on how death can teach us how to live more openly and authentically.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: Death as a spiritual opportunity

01:57 - Facing death in daily life and its transformative power

03:09 - Mourning the death of a pet with presence

05:26 - Cultural differences in grieving rituals

07:47 - Suppression vs. acceptance in grief

09:57 - Death and personal growth

11:06 - The spiritual "in-between" (Bardo) and ego dissolution

13:10 - The subtle body and mourning structural loss

15:59 - Ego death and fluidity of experience

17:28 - Fear of death vs. fear of ego loss

20:23 - Holding space for others in grief

22:27 - How spiritual beliefs affect mourning

24:57 - The impact of resisting death

26:53 - Preparing for death and the gift it can be to others

29:52 - Suicide and euthanasia: difficult layers of death

33:20 - Spiritual perspectives on suffering and suicide

35:29 - Suicide as a spiritual challenge and potential gift

37:05 - Lessons in mourning that apply to life

39:10 - The cultural stigma around crying

41:00 - Crying and emotional suppression in childhood

43:40 - Relearning how to cry and express emotion

46:28 - Differentiating between cathartic and coping-based crying

49:27 - Anger, repression, and the complexity of emotions

52:40 - Expression vs. allowance in emotional release

56:08 - Catalyzing sadness intentionally

01:00:37 - When joy arises during mourning

01:03:11 - Why it's easier to feel in the car

01:04:53 - The fear of emotional overwhelm

01:05:45 - Emotional surrender as a form of ego death

What if your back pain wasn’t just physical—but a reflection of your life story? In this insightful episode, we explore the world of somatics and how our body posture, chronic tension, and even pain can be deeply linked to our past experiences and unresolved emotions.

The conversation covers the theory behind somatic therapy, practical movement techniques (like yoga, martial arts, and nonlinear movement), and personal experiences with pain, awareness, and healing. Discover how becoming aware of your body can help you shift deeply ingrained patterns, and how even subtle changes in posture or breath can ripple through your nervous system and emotions.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic tension, exploring trauma healing, or just curious about how to feel more at home in your body—this episode offers both practical tools and empowering perspectives.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to somatics and body-based trauma theory

01:58 – Posture, chronic tension, and how it reinforces trauma

04:14 – Chronic pain as unprocessed experience in the body

06:56 – How pain patterns form and the body’s logic behind tension

08:29 – Personal story: Resolving back pain through awareness

10:41 – Breath, the diaphragm, and nervous system regulation

13:00 – Exploring range of motion & rebalancing through movement

15:30 – How animals regulate after trauma & orienting practices

18:09 – Martial arts, balance, and how personality shows in movement

21:30 – Awareness and overcompensation in movement patterns

23:08 – Vipassana, pain as a guide, and becoming aware of tension

26:12 – Layers of awareness: body, mind, and emotions

29:48 – Equanimity and changing your relationship with pain

31:17 – Pain as signal: using it to dissolve chronic holding

34:48 – Why perfect form matters in somatic practices

37:42 – Undoing unconscious tension stored even in sleep

39:05 – Tools from Human Garage & vagus nerve release

40:30 – Intuitive movement: dancing, wiggling, nonlinear motion

42:41 – Movement as a language: the body speaks if we listen

44:45 – The “constellation of pain” and whole-body awareness

46:25 – Movement improves presence, energy & life quality

47:15 – Zen Body Being and demystifying martial arts

48:42 – Final reflections and call for listener recommendations

In this deeply personal and experimental episode, we invite you into a live coaching session where one host opens up about feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the present moment. Through a vulnerable and honest dialogue, the conversation explores themes of self-sabotage, the endless pursuit of healing, limiting beliefs formed in childhood, and the pressure to always be productive.

What unfolds is not just insight into the client’s inner world, but also reflections from the coach about the delicate balance between helping and holding space. Whether you’re into personal development, coaching, or simply need a reminder that growth is non-linear and full of grace, this episode offers rich reflections and gentle wisdom.

00:00 - Introduction: Trying a live coaching experiment

01:34 - Feeling stuck despite personal growth

03:36 - Daily overwhelm and lack of presence

05:15 - Noticing self-criticism and unmet expectations

07:55 - Struggling with constant distraction

10:24 - Core beliefs and the trap of self-development

13:10 - Self-sabotage and the fear of change

14:58 - Carl Rogers, paradox of change & honoring old beliefs

17:05 - Distraction as a survival mechanism

20:19 - Using NVC to explore unmet needs

22:57 - Making space for comfort without guilt

25:34 - The illusion of an endpoint in healing

28:50 - Facing the core wound and embracing uncertainty

30:52 - Changing your relationship with limiting beliefs

33:33 - Shadow work, integration, and reclaiming anger

36:51 - Growth as preparation for helping others

39:46 - Coaching without fixing: The power of presence

42:30 - Reflections from the coach’s side

44:41 - Letting the client lead the process

46:44 - Self-care time and the body’s wisdom

47:36 - Final reflections: Shifting perspective, not fixing

48:41 - Wrap-up: Lightness, openness, and future possibilities

In this episode, we share a more relaxed and personal conversation centered around the books that shaped our inner journeys. From psychedelic pioneers like Aldous Huxley and Stanislav Grof to spiritual wisdom from Ram Dass, Michael Singer, and Alan Watts, we reflect on the texts that helped expand our minds, deepen our understanding of surrender, and inspire us to live more authentically.

We touch on the impact of The Doors of Perception, The Untethered Soul, The Surrender Experiment, Be Here Now, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, and many more. This is part book list, part storytelling, and part philosophical wander—perfect for anyone looking to deepen their path of personal growth, healing, or curiosity around consciousness.

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode

1. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide by James Fadiman

2. Be Here Now by Ram Dass

3. The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley

4. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

5. The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer

6. LSD: My Problem Child by Albert Hofmann

7. The Holotropic Mind by Stanislav Grof

8. The Way of Zen by Alan Watts

9. The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

10. Breaking Open the Head by Daniel Pinchbeck

11. Waking Up by Sam Harris

12. The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist

13. How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

14. The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley

15. The Path Is Everywhere by Matt Licata

16. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

17. In an Unspoken Voice by Peter A. Levine

This episode dives deep into the universal fear of being seen, exploring how childhood experiences shape our relationship with visibility and attention.

Through personal stories of photo-phobia and social anxiety, the hosts unpack the complex relationship between self-perception and the desire to remain invisible. They explore the concept of the "shadow" – those parts of ourselves we'd rather keep hidden – and how confronting these aspects leads to profound personal growth.

The discussion weaves through powerful themes of:

• The interplay between trauma and self-image
• Understanding the distinction between guilt and shame
• The role of somatic awareness in healing
• The effectiveness of affirmations when paired with self-acceptance
• The impact of core beliefs on personal identity

Ready to step out of the shadows and into self-acceptance? Listen to this transformative episode that bridges the gap between hiding and healing.

#SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Exploring Fear of Being Seen

04:14 - Fear of Being Seen and Judgment

08:47 - Understanding Anger and Its Impact

12:35 - Understanding Guilt vs. Shame

16:13 - Identifying and Releasing Limiting Beliefs

19:02 - Understanding Affirmations and Self-Acceptance

23:06 - Understanding Affirmations and Beliefs

27:19 - Understanding Beliefs and Mindfulness

29:54 - Mindfulness and Core Beliefs

36:44 - Understanding Vulnerability and Emotions

Lisa's Website:

https://www.forestfloormindfulness.com/

Lisa's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ellepedscalny/

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Pedscalny of Forest Floor Mindfulness, a long-time meditation practitioner and teacher who shares her journey from anxious corporate life to finding healing through mindfulness, meditation, and deep connection with nature.

We talk about how Lisa accidentally stumbled into meditation, how nature became a central part of her healing, and why our relationship to anxiety matters more than trying to fix it. Lisa shares her insights into forest bathing, embodied awe, equanimity through trees, and why nature might be the best mindfulness teacher we have.

Timestamps

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  • 00:00 – Intro

    00:41 – Meet Lisa Pedscalny of Forest Floor Mindfulness

  • 02:04 – How Lisa Discovered Meditation by Accident

  • 05:01 – Shifting the Relationship to Anxiety Through Practice

  • 07:26 – Nature as a Bridge When Sitting Feels Too Hard

  • 10:16 – Why Mindfulness in Nature Feels Fun and Accessible

  • 12:46 – Explaining Anxiety: Energy, Resistance, and the Role of Curiosity

  • 15:61 → 16:01 – Forest Bathing and the Feeling of Coming Home

  • 18:41 – Nature as a Non-Judging Mirror for Presence

  • 21:31 – Physiological Reconnection Through Nature & “Nature Deficit Disorder”

  • 24:11 – Nature and the Nervous System: Lessons from Children

  • 26:56 – Urban Nature: You Don’t Need a Forest to Reconnect

  • 29:31 – The Sky, the Earth, and Your Body as Portals to Presence

  • 32:01 – The Trap of “Doing It Right” in Mindfulness Practice

  • 34:41 – Customizing Mindfulness to Fit Real Life

  • 37:11 – On Zen Rigidity and Discovering What Actually Works

  • 39:51 – A Dogma-Free, Compassionate Approach to Retreats and Practice

  • 42:61 → 43:01 – Learning Equanimity from Trees: Nature as a Living Model

  • 46:56 – Curiosity and Inquiry: Deepening Practice Through Observation

  • 50:21 – Beauty, Awe, and the Instant Embodiment of Presence

  • 53:06 – Mushrooms, Salamanders, and the Magic of Wild Encounters

  • 55:51 – Psychedelics and Consciousness: Lisa’s Perspective on Psilocybin

  • 59:21 – Awe, Interconnection, and Letting Go of Control

  • 01:01:41 – Nature’s Perfection and Our Place Within It

  • 01:03:51 – Courses, Retreats, Sanghas, and Lisa’s Offerings

  • 01:06:41 – Practicing on the Forest Floor (Yes, Literally!)

  • 01:08:41 – Closing Reflections: We Are Mindful by Nature

  
  

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). We explore how this simple yet profound framework—developed by Marshall Rosenberg—helps navigate conflict, strengthen relationships, and encourage authenticity and empathy in communication.

We break down the four steps of NVC (observation, feeling, need, request), share personal experiences of using (and struggling with) the method, and reflect on why vulnerability is key to true connection. From difficult feedback conversations to facing our inner judgments, this episode is packed with insights for anyone who wants to communicate more clearly, compassionately, and authentically.

If you’ve ever wanted to handle tough conversations with more grace—or if you’re curious about how communication can become a tool for personal and relational healing—this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: What is Nonviolent Communication?

• 01:23 – High-Level Overview and Personal Impressions

• 02:23 – The Four Steps of NVC: Observation, Feeling, Need, Request

• 04:23 – Why Observations Should Be Judgment-Free

• 06:23 – Expressing Feelings Without Blame

• 08:23 – Sharing Needs vs. Demanding Strategies

• 10:23 – The Challenge of Observing Without Evaluation

• 13:23 – Seeing Behavior as a Tragic Expression of Unmet Needs

• 16:23 – Internal Application: Using NVC with Ourselves

• 18:23 – Vulnerability Resolves Conflict: The Role of Authenticity

• 20:23 – The Courage to Be Vulnerable in Conflict

• 22:23 – How Childhood Conditioning Shapes Our Fear of Rejection

• 26:23 – Obstacles to Authentic Communication

• 28:23 – People-Pleasing and Abandoning Our Own Needs

• 30:23 – The Process of Reconnecting with Authenticity

• 32:23 – Challenges Applying NVC in Real Life Situations

• 34:23 – Practice Example: How to Address a Sensitive Topic Using NVC

• 39:23 – Reflections on Offering Honest but Compassionate Feedback

• 42:23 – The Gift of Honest Feedback: Growth and Self-Awareness

• 44:23 – Final Reflections: From Framework to Life Philosophy

• 45:23 – Closing Thoughts and Listener Invitation