Relinquishing control with guest, Node Smith, the founder of TEAL Holistic Integral Health Solutions

Episode 228Authenticity and Letting GoNode discussed the concept of authentic relating, which involves dropping social masks and connecting more deeply with others. He talked about relinquishing control, with Gail quoting "Resistance is futile" from Star Trek. Node shared his perspective that resistance to pain and suffering often causes more distress than the pain itself.Path to Self-Forgiveness and HealingNode discussed the concept of forgiveness, emphasizing that it involves releasing resistance and loving oneself regardless of past pain. He explored how self-forgiveness allows individuals to heal and communicate more honestly with loved ones. Facilitating Natural Healing and TransformationNode shared his views on the nature of healing and personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of creating a judgment-free space for individuals to heal naturally. He explored how releasing control can facilitate healing and allow for authentic self-expression. Node highlighted the power of self-compassion and loving oneself regardless of personal challenges.Embracing Authentic Healing WithinNode discussed the importance of cultivating a healthy voice and differentiating between thoughts and experiences, emphasizing the need to focus on sensations and emotions rather than intellectualizations, as true healing comes from within rather than from external information or self-help books..Therapy and Self-Care PerspectivesNode and I discussed our personal experiences and perspectives on therapy, self-care, and spiritual practices. Node shared insights about using hypnotherapy and somatic therapies to address emotional and psychological challenges and how therapeutic relationships can be strengthened by practitioners' personal experiences and self-care practices.Human Experience as a GameNode dug into the nature of consciousness and the human experience, emphasizing that people often personify spirits and that states of consciousness are interpreted through individual ego scaffolding. We explored the idea that life is a game created by each person, with challenges and opportunities for growth and self-awareness and that the human experience, with all its challenges and excitement, is a unique and awe-inspiring journey.Exploring Time and ConsciousnessNode and I discussed our experiences with timeline shifts and the concept of time as a construct and the idea of creating parameters in higher dimensions before manifesting in the third dimension as physical avatars. Node mentioned his nephew's connection to archetypal elements like dragons and unicorns. Node mentioned his recent book "The Witness and the Four Behaviors" and a 12-week online course based on it, which he developed to make self-development more accessible. TEAL Holistic - Integral Health SolutionsNode Smith, ND is a Canadian naturopathic doctor, author of The Witness & The Four Behaviors, and founder of TEAL Holistic. His work lives at the intersection of nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and conscious development, where health, psychology, and spirituality meet the realities of daily life. Node works primarily with people who are sincere, self-aware, and often highly capable individuals who have already invested deeply in therapy, self-help, mindfulness, or spiritual practice, yet still find themselves anxious, overwhelmed, or dysregulated under stress. Rather than offering more techniques, optimization strategies, or positive reframes, his approach invites a fundamental shift: from fixing and managing symptoms to developing real capacity in the nervous system through embodied presence. Grounded in both clinical practice and lived experience, Node emphasizes kindness and honesty as practical, biological forces for healing.Connect at:https://www.facebook.com/tealholistichttps://www.tealholistic.com/Book: The Witness & The Four Behaviors, https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Four-Behaviors-Honest-Self-Healing/dp/B0CWKLQ5SY