PODCAST · education
The heART of Being Human
by Ruben Meulenkamp
Ever feel like you’re deep into self-development… and still arguing with your family like you’re 14 years old?Welcome to The heART of Being Human — the podcast where we explore the weird, wonderful, and sometimes confusing experience of being alive.We (Ruben & Martin) don’t pretend to have it all figured out — but we do show up with curiosity, vulnerability, and the willingness to laugh at ourselves and learn along the way. Sometimes just the two of us and sometimes a very interesting guest.This is a space for honest conversations about emotions, spirituality, relationships, presence, and all the crazy contradictions of being human. One moment we’re laughing, the next we’re questioning the meaning of existence. Sometimes both at the same time.And yes — the “ART” in heART is on purpose. Because living from the heart is exactly that: an art. One we’re still practicing, one episode at a time. 😉Mostly in English, sometimes in Dutch.Weekly episodes. Always raw, real & human.
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Ep. 12 - Would You Rather: The Spiritual Questions No One Dares to Ask
This episode begins as a simple Would You Rather game… and instantly turns into one of the deepest, funniest, and most revealing conversations we’ve ever recorded.Ruben surprises Martin with a Spiritual Edition of the game — asking the kinds of questions no one usually dares to ask out loud. What starts as absurd humor quickly opens doors into ego, enlightenment, childhood wounds, meditation pain, validation patterns, masculine & feminine energy, family triggers, and the inner critic that lives inside all of us.✨ Play the same Spin Game yourself:👉 http://tiny.cc/Spin-gameIn this episode: • Enlightenment vs. hustle: which would you actually choose? • Inner critic vs. your ex as your mindfulness teacher • Why some moments crack open your spiritual ego • Ruben’s intense Vipassana story (and rebellion) • Why childhood wounds show up in adult relationships • Masculine & feminine decoding through hilarious scenarios • Why validation addiction controls more than we think • The chaos, humor & humanity of asking uncomfortable questionsIt’s wild, it’s deep, it’s unfiltered — and it’s The heART of Being Human at its best.
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Ep. 11 - Why We Shut Down Emotionally (And How to Feel Safe Again)
Why do we shut down emotionally — especially when we need connection the most?In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore why sadness and vulnerability feel unsafe, how childhood patterns shape emotional shutdowns, and what it really takes to feel again.You’ll learn:• Why sadness triggers fear and contraction• The psychology behind emotional shutdown• The “smoke bomb effect” of tiredness• How emotional safety is created in relationships• Why love opens old wounds• Tools to feel your emotions without being overwhelmedA gentle, honest, and deeply relatable conversation for anyone who’s ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or afraid to feel at all. • why we shut down emotionally • emotional shutdown • emotional safety • why sadness feels unsafe • emotional resistance • somatic healing • triggers and emotions • inner child healing • The heART of Being Human • emotional intelligence • relationships and emotions
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Ep. 10 - Stop Taking Things Personally: Triggers, Projection & Real Awareness
Do certain comments hit you harder than they “should”? In this raw and practical episode, Ruben & Martin unpack why we take things personally—and how to shift from reaction to response. You’ll learn: • How to spot projection in real time • A simple method to release emotional charge safely • The To Me → By Me → Through Me awareness ladder • How to set clean boundaries without shutting down loveFollow for bi-weekly conversations on self-development, spirituality, and real-life tools to live from the heart.
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Ep. 9 - Everything Happens for a Reason: From Childhood Pain to Authentic Living
What if every painful experience in your life — every rejection, heartbreak, or loss — was actually preparing you to live more authentically?In this deeply personal episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore: • The difference between authentic expression and ego masks • Childhood rejection and how it shapes our need for validation • Healing through awareness and radical self-acceptance • How trauma can secretly block our joy and creativity • Why even the darkest experiences (like facing death) can awaken love and purpose✨ This conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply human — an invitation to reconnect with your inner child and see that everything in life truly happens for you, not to you.
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Ep. 8 - What Ayahuasca Taught Me About Ego, Love & Letting Go
After another powerful ayahuasca ceremony, Ruben shares deep reflections on ego, productivity, and love — and what it really means to be. From feeling triggered by his former business partner to rediscovering presence with Lea and Noah, this episode is a raw look into healing, forgiveness, and the dance between human and spiritual growth.In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore: • How ayahuasca mirrors your deepest insecurities • Ego, validation & the trap of productivity • Presence, family & breaking free from busyness • Healing old wounds through allowism • How trauma repeats until we face it with awareness✨ A heart-opening conversation on how true freedom starts when we stop trying to fix ourselves — and just allow everything to be.
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Ep. 7 - Do you Dare to Take Up Space: Confidence, Rejection & Being ‘Too Much'
Do you ever feel like you’re too much for people? Or that rejection hits harder when you show up fully as yourself? In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin dive into self-belief, taking up space, and the vulnerability of standing in your truth.We talk about: • The difference between self-belief and arrogance • Why rejection cuts deeper when you’re fully real • Family triggers, identity, and the stories we carry • Vulnerability vs. acting vulnerable (and how people can feel the difference) • Why being “too much” is actually a superpower👉 This is not about playing it safe — it’s about daring to live unapologetically.✨ This episode is part of the full podcast series The heART of Being Human.🎧 Watch & listen to all episodes here: https://bio.link/thobh
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Ep. 6 - Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: What His Death Reveals About Us
When news broke that Charlie Kirk was assassinated, the reactions shocked us even more than the tragedy itself. Some people actually celebrated his death — and that sparked a raw conversation about free speech, anger, compassion, and what it really means to be human.In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore: • Why people felt justified celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death • What free speech really means when we disagree • The danger of letting anger dictate our actions • How awareness and compassion transform our triggers • Why love — not retaliation — is the only real revolutionFollow the podcast for weekly unfiltered conversations on presence, growth, and living from the heart.
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Ep. 5 - The Magic of Ayahuasca: Healing, Ego Death & Integration
What really happens when you drink ayahuasca? In this deep and playful episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben, Martin & David share raw stories of plant medicine — from healing experiences and breakthroughs to terrifying ego deaths and the power of integration.We talk about: • Miraculous healing stories from retreats • Facing fear, panic, and the unknown • The role of trauma and childhood patterns in spiritual growth • Integration: why the real work begins after the ceremony • The synchronicities and signs that guide us back to the medicine✨ Expect humor, honesty, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at how ayahuasca transforms lives.
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Ep.4 Orgasmic Mastery & Ice Baths - Living Fully
From ice baths to intimacy, this week’s episode of The heART of Being Human goes everywhere — raw, funny, and real.Ruben & Martin share personal stories about: • The power of cold water to reset the mind and body • What orgasmic mastery really means (and why it’s not just about sex) • The traps of porn and performance vs. the beauty of true presence • Finding playfulness and depth in both relationships and lifeThis isn’t your average self-development chat. It’s honest, a little edgy, and packed with insights about what it really means to live authentically.Follow the podcast for weekly conversations on self-development, spirituality, and the art of being human.
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Ep. 3 - Doing vs Being: Are You Living Authentically?
Ever feel like your worth is tied to how much you get done? In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin dive deep into the tension between doing and being — from meditation retreats to messy real-life moments.We explore what it means to slow down, be present, and stay authentic in a culture that constantly pushes us to do more. Expect laughter, personal stories, and raw insights that remind you self-development doesn’t have to be heavy — it can be playful too.Follow the podcast for weekly conversations about presence, growth, and the art of living from the heart.
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Ep.2 - Playing It Safe Keeps Us Stuck — and How We Break Through
Ever notice how the best things in life usually happen outside your comfort zone? But that it’s also sometimes very difficult to choose to step out of it?In this episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore what it really takes to step into the unknown — and why fear is often the sign you’re moving in the right direction.We mainly share our stories of resistance, vulnerability, and those moments when you either shrink back… or leap forward. Expect raw honesty, laughter and practical takeaways you can apply the next time life invites you to grow.Follow the podcast for weekly conversations on self-development, spirituality, and the art of living from the heart.
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Ep. 1 - How to stop forcing life: The Art of Flow
Are you forcing life when you could be flowing with it? In this first episode of The heART of Being Human, Ruben & Martin explore the balance between willpower and flow — from breaking dopamine loops to building habits that create space for inspiration. Real stories, raw humor, and practical takeaways to help you stop pushing and start living from the heart.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Ever feel like you’re deep into self-development… and still arguing with your family like you’re 14 years old?Welcome to The heART of Being Human — the podcast where we explore the weird, wonderful, and sometimes confusing experience of being alive.We (Ruben & Martin) don’t pretend to have it all figured out — but we do show up with curiosity, vulnerability, and the willingness to laugh at ourselves and learn along the way. Sometimes just the two of us and sometimes a very interesting guest.This is a space for honest conversations about emotions, spirituality, relationships, presence, and all the crazy contradictions of being human. One moment we’re laughing, the next we’re questioning the meaning of existence. Sometimes both at the same time.And yes — the “ART” in heART is on purpose. Because living from the heart is exactly that: an art. One we’re still practicing, one episode at a time. 😉Mostly in English, sometimes in Dutch.Weekly episodes. Always raw, real & human.
HOSTED BY
Ruben Meulenkamp
CATEGORIES
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