The Spiritual Ninja Podcast

What does it mean to truly live naturally?In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt continues his conversation with Dr. Neale Lundgren about the Tao Te Ching and explores one of Taoism's deepest ideas: Ziran — living naturally, spontaneously, and in harmony with the way of life.Dr. Lundgren shares how his years as a Benedictine monk and his experiences in nature eventually led him toward Taoism, Qigong, and a deeper understanding of the Tao.Together, Jonathan and Dr. Lundgren explore:Why nature can be our greatest teacherWhat the Tao Te Ching means by living naturallyThe relationship between body, breath, spirit, and the TaoHow to move from judgment toward discernmentWhat it means to lead without dominatingHow sacred texts can become practical ways of livingWhy authenticity isn't about simply "being yourself"A simple breathing and meditation practice for daily lifeThe episode closes with a practice of riding the wave of the breath, using gentle nasal breathing, awareness, and visualization to reconnect with the natural flow within us.This is Episode 3 of Season 2, where Jonathan explores sacred texts and spiritual traditions with experienced teachers and practitioners—and turns their wisdom into practices we can bring into modern life.Continue the series with Episodes 1 & 2 for the previous Tao Te Ching teachings and practices.Explore MoreSpiritual Ninja Podcast:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/#TaoTeChing #Taoism #SpiritualNinjaPodcast #Spirituality #Qigong #Meditation #PersonalGrowth #Nature #InnerPeace #Consciousness

What if the way out of stress, anxiety, and overthinking isn't to fight them—but to soften?In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt continues his conversation with Dr. Neale Lundgren about the Tao Te Ching, exploring Chapter 56 and its surprisingly practical approach to finding greater peace and awareness.The passage offers a simple sequence:Close your mouth.Block the door.Quiet your senses.Blunt the sharpness.Untie the tangles.Soften the brightness.Be one with the dust.Enter the primal oneness.Dr. Lundgren explains how these words can become a practice for working with the tangled thoughts, emotions, fears, and tensions we carry within ourselves.Rather than trying to force our minds to become quiet, the practice invites us to soften, breathe, observe, and create the conditions for the knots to loosen naturally.Jonathan and Dr. Lundgren explore:Why trying to control our thoughts can make them louderHow breathing and awareness can quiet the “monkey mind”What it means to “untie the tangles” within usHow stress and emotional tension can become inner knotsThe difference between visualizing change and “actualizing” itWhy we don't need to judge our meditation practiceHow nature can become a teacher of presence and harmonyWhat the Tao Te Ching means by entering the “primal oneness”How becoming more harmonious within ourselves changes our relationships with othersA simple practice you can try throughout the weekOne of the central ideas of this conversation is beautifully simple:We don't have to force ourselves into the Tao. We can soften enough to notice what is already there.At the end of the episode, Jonathan and Dr. Lundgren leave listeners with a practice: notice the knots within you, bring gentle awareness to them, and allow them to soften without judgment.This is part of Season 2 of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, exploring sacred texts, timeless wisdom, consciousness, spirituality, and practical ways to bring these teachings into modern life.Explore MoreSpiritual Ninja Podcast:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/#TaoTeChing #Taoism #SpiritualNinjaPodcast #Stress #Anxiety #Overthinking #InnerPeace #Spirituality #Meditation #Consciousness #PersonalGrowth #Tao #Mindfulness

What can the Tao Te Ching teach us about living with greater peace, harmony, and authenticity?In the first episode of Season 2 of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Dr. Neale Lundgren to explore the wisdom of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, Qigong, nature, and the practice of living in harmony with life.Dr. Lundgren brings decades of experience with spiritual traditions, including Benedictine monasticism, psychology, world religions, and Qigong. Together, Jonathan and Neale explore Chapter 2 of the Tao Te Ching and what its ancient wisdom can reveal about duality, balance, nature, relationships, and our everyday lives.Rather than simply discussing spiritual ideas, this conversation asks a practical question:How do we actually live this wisdom?In this episode, you'll discover:• What the Tao really means and why it is difficult to define• The deeper wisdom of Chapter 2 of the Tao Te Ching• The difference between oppositional duality and harmonious duality• Why nature can teach us how to live more authentically• How Qigong connects the body, breath, and mind• Why being present to the five senses can become a spiritual practice• A simple five-senses practice you can try in nature• How observation without judgment can calm the mind• Why we often become disconnected from our natural state• How Taoist principles can transform our relationships• Why inner harmony comes before creating harmony with others• How to respond to anger and emotional turbulence without becoming reactive• What "wu wei" and non-action can teach us about responding to life• Why spiritual practice matters more than simply understanding spiritual ideasDr. Neale also shares a simple practice based on the five senses: soft sight, listening, smell, touch, and taste, followed by opening awareness to all five together while walking in nature.The goal isn't to escape everyday life. It's to become more present within it.As Jonathan and Neale explore, the Tao points toward a way of living that is natural, authentic, balanced, and connected to the flow of life.This episode begins Spiritual Ninja Podcast Season 2, where each guest explores important teachings and passages from sacred texts and shares how they can help us live from our deepest selves in modern life.Try the practice from this episode and see what you notice.Subscribe to the Spiritual Ninja Podcast for conversations about spirituality, consciousness, meditation, sacred texts, personal growth, purpose, and learning to live with greater presence, love, and connection.Connect with Dr. Neale Lundgrenhttps://nealelundgren.com/Connect with Jonathan and Life Ki-doLearn more about Life Ki-do and Jonathan's work:https://lifekido.com/Explore the Spiritual Ninja Podcasthttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/#TaoTeChing #Taoism #Qigong #SpiritualAwakening #Meditation #InnerPeace #SpiritualGrowth #Mindfulness #TaoistWisdom #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

What happens when you sit down with people from different spiritual traditions and ask how their beliefs actually shape the way they live?After an incredible first season of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt reflects on the conversations and personal stories that stayed with him most. While each guest came from a different background, many of their experiences pointed toward the same deeper qualities: presence, courage, kindness, service, connection, and learning to live from something deeper within ourselves.Jonathan shares some of the biggest insights he took away from these conversations and what they revealed about the spiritual journey.One idea kept coming back: there may be many paths, but they can lead us toward the same deeper source of life, love, and connection.Now, Season 2 takes that exploration in a new direction.Each guest will choose three meaningful lessons or passages from a sacred text that have personally shaped their lives. They'll share what the passage means to them, how it influenced their journey, and how its wisdom can be applied to life today.The traditions may be different, but the question is universal:How can ancient wisdom help us live more fully today?Season 2 begins with Dr. Neil Lundgren.Join us for more conversations about spirituality, sacred texts, consciousness, personal growth, purpose, courage, love, and learning how to navigate both our inner world and everyday life.Explore MoreLearn more about the Spiritual Ninja Podcast:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/Learn more about Jonathan and Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/Subscribe to the Spiritual Ninja Podcast for more conversations about spirituality, awakening, personal growth, meditation, purpose, and living with greater peace, connection, and authenticity.#SpiritualNinjaPodcast #SpiritualAwakening #Spirituality #SpiritualGrowth #SacredTexts #Season2 #PersonalGrowth #Consciousness #InnerPeace #Purpose

In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Tom Cedel, retired Air Force F-16 pilot, university president, educator, scientist, and lifelong student of faith, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What are we here to do?Tom's remarkable journey takes him from flying F-16s and serving in the military to earning a PhD, leading a university, mentoring future leaders, and navigating cancer. Through all of it, one idea kept returning: vocation is not about what you get. It's about who you serve.Together, Jonathan and Tom explore:• What it really means to find your calling• Why your purpose may be bigger than your career• How faith can provide a foundation during uncertainty• Why disappointment and unexpected detours may be part of your path• The connection between vocation, service, and community• How to listen to your heart instead of living entirely from your head• Why character and competence must grow together• The meaning of an "upright heart and skillful hands"• How relationships can help us stay grounded through difficult seasons• What cancer taught Tom about how he wants to live• Why life may be less about "me" and more about "us"• How kindness, service, and community can become a spiritual practiceTom also shares a powerful perspective on purpose:"It's not about me. It's about community. It's about us."This is a deeply human conversation about faith, purpose, service, leadership, resilience, and learning to trust the path even when life doesn't unfold the way we expected.If you've ever wondered What am I supposed to do with my life?, How do I find my calling?, or What is my purpose?, this conversation offers a grounded and deeply personal perspective.Connect with Tom Cedel🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-cedel-b9b5a87/Explore Spiritual Ninja🔗 https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/Subscribe for more conversations about spirituality, personal growth, purpose, consciousness, leadership, and learning how to live with greater clarity, connection, and freedom.#PurposeOfLife #FindingYourCalling #SpiritualGrowth #Faith #LifePurpose #SpiritualNinja #PersonalGrowth #Vocation #Leadership

What if your greatest struggles weren't meant to break you... but to awaken you?In this deeply meaningful conversation, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Shanti Kelley, spiritual psychology professor, yoga therapist, and longtime student of Zen, Yoga Nidra, and non-dual philosophy, to explore one of life's biggest questions.How do we truly heal?Rather than trying to fix ourselves, Shanti shares why healing begins when we stop identifying with our pain and start recognizing the wholeness that has always been within us.Together they explore how mindfulness, loving awareness, movement, breath, and spiritual practice can help transform life's hardest experiences into wisdom, compassion, and purpose.• Why your pain does not define who you are• The foundation of Spiritual Psychology• How judgment keeps us stuck• Why healing is about remembering your wholeness• The connection between Yoga Nidra, mindfulness, and emotional healing• How our life experiences become wisdom instead of suffering• Learning to trust your intuition and inner guidance• Why loving awareness transforms everythingWhether you're beginning your spiritual journey or have spent years exploring personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom for living with greater peace, courage, and authenticity.Connect with Shanti Kelley🌿 Websitehttps://www.shantiyogapractice.com/📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/shantiyogapractice/Explore more Spiritual Ninja🌎 Websitehttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/If this conversation inspired you, subscribe for more discussions on spirituality, mindfulness, personal growth, leadership, martial arts, and living with greater purpose.#SpiritualPsychology #ShantiKelley #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Mindfulness #YogaNidra #Healing #NonDuality #SelfAwareness #JonathanHewitt #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

Is meditation enough to heal emotional pain and awaken spiritually? Or is there something deeper?In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with meditation teacher Andrew Keaveney to explore the deeper purpose of meditation, breathwork, spiritual practice, and returning home to yourself.Andrew shares how a lifelong search for truth led him through Buddhism, contemplative traditions, and decades of meditation practice. Together, they discuss why spiritual growth is not about collecting experiences or chasing enlightenment, but learning to let go and reconnect with the peace that already exists within us.They also explore how conscious breathing can calm the nervous system, why meditation should become natural rather than forced, and how authentic teachers guide us back to our own inner wisdom instead of creating dependence.In this episode:• Why meditation alone may not be enough• The difference between spiritual knowledge and direct experience• Breath as a doorway to calm, awareness, and presence• Why chasing enlightenment can become another obstacle• Returning home to yourself instead of searching outside• The role of the body, breath, and mind in meditation• Finding authentic spiritual teachers and trusting your intuition• How service naturally grows from spiritual practice• Why true spirituality becomes simple, grounded, and practicalWhether you're beginning meditation or have practiced for years, this conversation offers practical wisdom for finding greater peace, authenticity, and presence in everyday life.Learn more about Andrew:https://srisrischoolofyoga.org/na/amo-team/andrew-keaveney/https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/teacher/andrew-keaveney/Explore more conversations on spirituality, meditation, healing, and conscious living:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com#Meditation #SpiritualAwakening #Breathwork #Mindfulness #Buddhism #SpiritualGrowth #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #ConsciousLiving #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

Can meditation help us heal emotionally, or does true healing require something more?In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Justin Michelson about the connection between meditation, Buddhism, emotional healing, nature, and spiritual growth.Justin shares how a lifelong connection with nature led him toward meditation and Buddhist practice, and how decades of spiritual exploration eventually revealed something important: spiritual awakening and emotional healing are deeply connected.Together, Jonathan and Justin explore what happens when we stop treating our wounds as something to overcome and begin meeting them with curiosity, compassion, and awareness. They discuss self-compassion, childhood conditioning, somatic healing, authentic living, and why meditation alone may not address every part of our inner experience.The conversation also explores how nature can become a spiritual teacher, why difficult emotions can carry wisdom, and how integrating psychological healing with spiritual practice can help us become more fully ourselves.In this episode:• Meditation, Buddhism, and the path to spiritual growth• Why meditation alone may not heal emotional wounds• Bringing spirituality and psychological healing together• Self-compassion and working with difficult emotions• How childhood experiences shape our inner world• Somatic healing and listening to the body• Nature as a teacher and spiritual practice• Moving beyond spiritual bypassing• Living authentically instead of seeking approval• Finding wholeness by embracing every part of yourselfJustin Michelson is the author of Awakened Living: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life, which explores how spiritual practice and personal healing can come together as one integrated path.The Spiritual Ninja Podcast explores awakening, healing, consciousness, meditation, personal growth, and the practices that help us live with greater peace, purpose, authenticity, and connection.Learn more about Justin Michelson:https://www.justinmichelsondharma.com/More about Jonathan Hewitt, Life Ki-do, and Spiritual Ninja:https://lifekido.com/https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/#SpiritualAwakening#Meditation#EmotionalHealing#SpiritualHealing#Buddhism#SelfCompassion#Mindfulness#PersonalGrowth#SomaticHealing#AuthenticLiving#SpiritualNinjaPodcast#JustinMichelson

In this heartfelt Spiritual Ninja Podcast episode, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Shabana Serang, known as The Mercy Queen, about growing up with a father who taught her that spirituality begins with love, mercy, and intention rather than judgment or labels.Shabana shares how conversations with her father shaped her understanding of faith, compassion, and human connection from an early age. She reflects on arriving at UC Berkeley, the pressure to fit into religious identities, and the realization that seeking acceptance from others led her away from her authentic self. Her journey is an honest reminder that true spirituality is not about becoming someone else, but returning to who you have always been.Together, Jonathan and Shabana explore forgiveness, discernment, mental health, trauma, purpose, and the balance between strength and compassion. They discuss how intention shapes our lives, why love should unite rather than divide us, and how healing begins by extending mercy not only to others, but also to ourselves.This is a soul-to-soul conversation about spiritual identity, authenticity, resilience, emotional healing, and the courage to live from the deepest truth within yourself.In this episode:Growing up with stories of Sufi saints and prophetic wisdomHow intention shapes a meaningful spiritual lifeFinding authenticity instead of seeking approvalFaith, identity, and belonging at UC BerkeleyThe balance between forgiveness and healthy boundariesMental health, depression, and learning to ask for helpThe influence of both parents on strength and compassionReligion, spirituality, and finding unity beyond labelsWhy mercy begins with yourself before it can be shared with othersLiving with purpose instead of external validationThe Spiritual Ninja Podcast is about awakening, healing, consciousness, courage, love, wisdom, and the practices that help us live with more peace, purpose, and connection.More about Shabana Serang (The Mercy Queen):YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMercyQueen/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabanamarkar/Mercy Mindset: https://mercymindset.com/about/Miracles 4 Mercy: https://miracles4mercy.com/Mercy Mediterranean: https://mercymediterranean.com/Luna’s Halal Taqueria: https://www.lunashalaltaqueria.com/More about Jonathan, Life Ki-do, and Spiritual Ninja:https://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/#SpiritualNinjaPodcast#ShabanaSerang#TheMercyQueen#SpiritualJourney#SpiritualIdentity#Authenticity#MentalHealth#EmotionalHealing#Faith#PersonalGrowth#Forgiveness#SelfDiscovery#ConsciousLiving#IntentionalLiving

In this powerful Spiritual Ninja Podcast episode, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Vahum about his deeply personal journey from military service, combat trauma, PTSD, and emotional shutdown into bodywork, bodybuilding, spiritual awakening, surrender, and heart-centered healing.Vahum shares how serving in Iraq as part of the military bomb squad forced him to face death, fear, moral injury, and the deeper wounds he had carried long before combat. He opens up about medication, bodybuilding, somatic release, plant medicine experiences, emotional healing, surrender, and the long process of learning to feel again.This conversation explores the connection between the body, nervous system, trauma, empathy, masculinity, spirituality, and the courage it takes to live authentically. Together, Jonathan and Vahum reflect on what it means to become a “spiritual ninja” — someone who learns to navigate the inner world with honesty, love, wisdom, boundaries, courage, and connection.Vahum’s story is not just about trauma. It is about transformation. It is about learning that the body can become a doorway to healing, that surrender can lead to strength, and that opening the heart may be one of the most courageous paths a person can take.This episode explores PTSD, combat trauma, moral injury, somatic healing, bodybuilding as meditation, emotional release, the dark night of the soul, masculinity, vulnerability, empathy, boundaries, service, and the spiritual path of remembering the light within.The Spiritual Ninja Podcast is about awakening, healing, consciousness, courage, love, wisdom, and the practices that help us live with more peace, purpose, and connection.More about Vahum Vizakis https://www.spiritualbodybuilder.com/...More about Jonathan, Life KI-do, and Spiritual Ninjahttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/

As America approaches its 250th anniversary of freedom, Jonathan reflects on the deeper spiritual meaning of freedom and the natural human impulse to be free.True freedom is not simply having unlimited choices on the outside. Without wisdom, freedom can easily become chaos. We can become controlled by every thought, emotion, reaction, fear, habit, or outside pressure.The Spiritual Ninja path begins from the inside out.In this solo reflection, Jonathan explores freedom through the body, breath, brain, emotions, and spirit. He looks at how the body can become rigid or fluid, how the breath can support inner openness, how the mind can become trapped in thought, how emotions can either be suppressed or expressed with awareness, and how spiritual freedom connects us to the miracle of life itself.True freedom with wisdom is not just about “me being free.” It naturally supports freedom, wisdom, connection, and well-being for everyone.As we celebrate freedom outwardly, this episode invites us to reflect inwardly: Are we nurturing true freedom with wisdom in ourselves, our families, our communities, and the world?The Spiritual Ninja path is about learning to live from inner freedom and express that freedom outwardly with love, clarity, courage, consciousness, and purpose.

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Winston Meikle about his spiritual journey, his lifelong work in nursing, and his vision for bringing more love, presence, and wisdom into healthcare.Winston shares how early experiences with meditation opened him to a deeper reality beyond the five senses, and how decades of nursing revealed moments of connection, healing, and transformation that could not be explained by technique alone.Together, Jonathan and Winston explore love-based nursing, fear-based conditioning, burnout, patient trust, consciousness, spiritual presence, and why true healing begins when we show up with our full humanity.This is a powerful conversation for nurses, healthcare professionals, caregivers, healers, teachers, parents, and anyone seeking to live and serve with more peace, purpose, compassion, and connection.MORE ABOUT JONATHAN HEWITT & LIFE KI-DOhttps://lifekido.com/Family Personal Developmenthttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/Spiritual Ninjahttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/MORE ABOUT WINSTON MIEKLEhttps://poweroflovetheory.com/about-t...

Rabbi Dan joins Jonathan Hewitt on The Spiritual Ninja Podcast for a deep heart-to-heart conversation about Judaism, God, love, creativity, service, and the courage to live your unique spiritual path.Rabbi Dan shares how early childhood questions about death and existence opened a lifelong spiritual search. He reflects on growing up in Jewish tradition, studying philosophy, experiencing 9/11 in Manhattan, and feeling called to become a rabbi so he could serve others in moments of deep need.Together, Jonathan and Rabbi Dan explore the essence beneath religious tradition, including Martin Buber’s I-Thou relationship, the divine image as the creative spark within every person, the 613 commandments, and the Jewish phrase Na’aseh V’Nishma — “we will do and we will hear.”This conversation also touches on AI, social media, parenting, uncertainty, criticism, community, and what it means to live from love rather than fear.At its heart, this episode is about discovering God, love, and purpose through relationship, action, creativity, and the courage to be fully yourself.MORE ABOUT RABBI DANhttps://moontowerminyan.org/MORE ABOUT JONATHAN HEWITT & LIFE KI-DOhttps://lifekido.com/Family Personal Developmenthttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/Spiritual Ninjahttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/

In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Timothy Harper, who spent 37 years and 4 months in prison before being released on September 25, 2025.Timothy shares his deeply personal spiritual journey from abuse, anger, pain, survival, and darkness to surrender, forgiveness, meditation, service, and a profound relationship with God. He speaks about becoming spiritually free even while physically incarcerated, learning to watch his thoughts and emotions through meditation, and discovering how kindness began to melt the ice around his heart.This conversation explores spiritual freedom, faith, breath, silence, remorse, healing, service, and the possibility of transformation even after deep suffering. Timothy’s story is not only about prison — it is about the human condition, the walls we build, the pain we carry, and the love that becomes possible when we surrender.The Spiritual Ninja Podcast features deep, heartfelt conversations with people who embody spiritual maturity, lived wisdom, and real expertise in their path.MORE ABOUT TIMOTHY HARPERhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...MORE ABOUT JONATHAN HEWITT & LIFE KI-DOhttps://lifekido.com/Family Personal Developmenthttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/Spiritual Ninjahttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/

In this deeply moving episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Buddhist practitioner, artist, chaplain, and longtime prison meditation teacher Terry Conrad about meditation, awakening, love, compassion, and the simple but profound truth that we are already enough.Terry shares how his spiritual path began through childhood experiences in nature, exposure to Japanese art and Buddhist teachings, and later deepened through practice with Lama Surya Das, Vipassana retreats, and years of contemplative work inside Texas prisons.Together, Jonathan and Terry explore what it means to “arrive” in meditation, how to be with ourselves without judgment, why awakening is integrity with reality, and how love can be found even in the most difficult places.This conversation is a powerful reminder that spirituality is not separate from everyday life. It is the practice of breathing, listening, softening, loving, and living with wisdom and compassion.As Terry shares:“We are enough. We are love. We are compassion. We are wisdom. That’s who we are.”Learn more about Jonathan Hewitt and Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/Family Personal Developmenthttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/More Spiritual Ninja Episodeshttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/

In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Adam Roach, founder of ILoveCoachingCo, about the journey from outward success to deeper significance.Adam shares his story of :professional tennisbusiness success real estatecoachingfatherhoodfaithand the inner wake-up moments that led him to ask deeper questions: Who am I beyond performance? What does true success really mean? And how do we learn to listen to God, surrender control, and live from a deeper calling?This heartfelt conversation explores the “pose” we often create to protect our wounds, the difference between success and significance, the power of quiet, prayer, spiritual community, and how faith can become a source of real strength in family, leadership, and daily life.Jonathan and Adam also discuss fatherhood, spiritual leadership, Jesus, love, accountability, and why surrender is not weakness — but a pathway to a deeper, steadier strength.In this episode, we explore:Success vs. significanceLetting go of performance as identityFaith, surrender, and listening to GodThe power of quiet, prayer, and daily walksMoving from self-reliance to spiritual trustFatherhood and spiritual leadershipLove, standards, and accountabilityWhy faith is more than beliefFinding your true calling through serviceMore about Adam Roachhttps://ilovecoachingco.com/people/adam-roachLearn more about Jonathan Hewitt and Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/Family Personal Developmenthttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Dr. Carrie Contey, a parenting expert, coach, speaker, and Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an emphasis in prenatal and perinatal psychology.Carrie shares the childhood moment that awakened her lifelong connection to babies, children, human development, and consciousness. From holding a five-day-old newborn at age seven to becoming Dr. Carrie Contey, her path has been rooted in honoring children as whole beings and helping adults reconnect to their own inner knowing.Jonathan and Carrie explore conscious parenting, emotional healing, spiritual embodiment, relationships, presence, and the simple practices that help us return to love and aliveness.Together, they discuss how to slow down, feel what we feel, listen more deeply, and live with greater trust in ourselves, our children, and life itself.This conversation is for parents, teachers, coaches, spiritual seekers, and anyone interested in living with more presence, love, and connection.Learn more about Carrie Contey:https://www.carriecontey.com/Learn more about Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.comLife Ki-do Family Friendly Personal Development Systemhttps://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/Listen to The Spiritual Ninja Podcast:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/

In this profound episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, hospice physician Dr. Rohini Kanniganti shares wisdom from years of working closely with death, grief, trauma, love, and healing.We explore:• nervous system healing• spirituality beyond religion• attachment & attunement• trauma and compassion• embodied presence• the healing power of love• what dying people often teach us• and how to reconnect to the sacredness already within us.This conversation was deeply emotional, playful, spiritual, and human.Watch/listen now.#SpiritualNinjaPodcast #RohiniKanniganti #HospiceCare #TraumaHealing #Spirituality #Meditation #Mindfulness #Consciousness #Healing #Love #Presence #EmotionalHealing #JonathanHewitt #LifeKiDo

What does it mean to truly live from love?In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Sufi teacher David Less for a deep and honest conversation about spirituality, inner transformation, and how to live with clarity, calm, and compassion in the real world.David shares insights from over six decades of spiritual practice, including the power of silence, breathwork, and unconditional love—even in the face of suffering, conflict, and uncertainty.This conversation goes beyond philosophy and into lived experience.🔹 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why silence is the foundation of inner peaceHow breathwork can calm the mind and awaken the heartWhat it really means to love unconditionallyHow to stop comparing and start living your own pathHow most people are never taught how to truly liveThe role of ego—and how it’s evolvingDavid’s perspective is grounded, practical, and deeply human—offering a rare glimpse into what long-term spiritual work actually looks like.This is spirituality you can live.The Spiritual Ninja Podcast explores how individuals connect to their inner depth and bring that awareness into everyday life.Through real conversations, we explore the balance of:Mind, body, and spiritInner peace and outer performancePersonal growth and real-world challengesLearn more about David’s work: 🔗 David's Peace Organization: https://www.abrahamicreunion.org/🔗 David's Spiritual Tours: https://davidlesstours.com/More about Jonathan's work:🔗 Life Ki-do / Train with us (Austin): https://lifekido.com🔗 Family Friendly Personal Development Tools for Kids, Teens, & Adults: https://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/🌊 About The Show https://open.spotify.com/show/0wuYF1eUCYHh7oBQsmgft0

What is the purpose of life—and how do we actually live it?In this deeply meaningful conversation, two Montessori Masterful Guides share their personal spiritual journeys and the powerful lessons they’ve learned from decades of working with children.Together, Jonathan, Jen, & Jennifer, explore how spirituality moves beyond ideas and becomes something we live—through presence, kindness, awareness, and connection.This episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective on:Finding purpose through love and serviceThe power of daily spiritual practicesLearning from children’s natural presence and curiosityNavigating life’s challenges while staying centeredCreating meaningful relationships and communityAt its core, this conversation reminds us: We’re here to learn, grow, and care for one another.Simple. Powerful. Real.For more about Jonathanwww.lifekido.comFor more about Jen & Jenniferhttps://www.headwaters.org/

Unlock the path to living with love, resilience, and deep inner connection in this powerful Spiritual Ninja Podcast conversation.In a world filled with noise, stress, and constant distraction, many people feel disconnected—from themselves, from others, and from a deeper sense of purpose. But what if the key to clarity, calm, and confidence was already within you?In this episode, we explore how integrating spirituality into daily life transforms the way you think, feel, and respond to challenges. Through breathwork, meditation, yoga, and movement practices like Systema, you’ll discover how to shift from reactive patterns into a grounded, present, and connected way of living.We dive into:• How the breath directly regulates your nervous system and brings you back to center• The role of self-inquiry and Dharma in finding clarity and direction• How movement practices train you to move from reaction to response• Why love is not just a feeling—but a practice you embody moment by moment• Simple, practical tools to navigate stress, overwhelm, and internal friction• The power of consistency in building emotional and spiritual resilienceSwami Jaya Devi shares personal stories and lived experience—from early moments of awakening in nature to years of deep practice in Vipassana and Kundalini traditions—this conversation offers both inspiration and real-world application.This episode is a reminder that true spiritual practice isn’t something separate from life—it’s how you live life.If you’re seeking greater peace, purpose, and connection, this is your invitation to return to what matters most and begin practicing love—right here, right now.More about Jonathan visit www.lifekido.comMore about Swami Jaya Devis visit https://swamijayadevi.com/#SpiritualNinjaPodcast, #SpiritualGrowth, #Mindfulness, #Breathwork, #Meditation, #Yoga, #KundaliniYoga, #Vipassana, #Systema, #SelfAwareness, #EmotionalResilience, #InnerPeace, #ConsciousLiving, #PersonalDevelopment, #Purpose, #Dharma, #Presence, #CalmConfidence, #FromChaosToClarity, #LiveWithLove, #JonathanHewitt, #LifeKi-do, #SwamiJayDevi,

Most people search for strength in control, success, or achievement…but what if true strength is found in vulnerability, presence, and connection?In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Hal Hughes—a former police officer who experienced multiple brain injuries, addiction, and suicidal struggles before transforming his life and becoming a therapist.Hal shares how his darkest moments became the catalyst for awakening, and how reconnecting with his inner spark led him to a life of purpose, healing, and service.• The hidden cost of suppressing emotions• How trauma can become a doorway to transformation• Why vulnerability is the foundation of real strength• Simple daily practices to build presence and resilience• How to quiet the mind and reconnect to your true self• The difference between external success and inner fulfillment• How to turn pain into purpose and help others healThis is more than a story—it’s a roadmap for anyone navigating struggle, searching for meaning, or ready to reconnect with who they truly are.🔥 In This Episode:In This Episode:• The hidden cost of suppressing emotions• How trauma can become a doorway to transformation• Why vulnerability is the foundation of real strength• Simple daily practices to build presence and resilience• How to quiet the mind and reconnect to your true self• The difference between external success and inner fulfillment• How to turn pain into purpose and help others healThis is more than a story—it’s a roadmap for anyone navigating struggle, searching for meaning, or ready to reconnect with who they truly are.More about Jonathan - Check Out https://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/More about Hal - Check Out https://www.halhughes.com/

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we explore a radically different approach to leadership—one rooted not in control, authority, or performance… but in presence, love, and inner clarity. From West point to Harvard to Yale to Compassionate Leadership, Greg Hiebert beautifully exudes true leadership.In a world where leadership is often defined by telling others what to do, this episode invites you to consider something deeper: What if the most impactful leaders are the ones who listen the most?What if true leadership begins within?What if love—not fear—is the real foundation of influence?Why traditional leadership models often fall short in today’s worldThe shift from seeking validation to recognizing your inherent worthHow humility and vulnerability become strengths—not weaknessesThe power of pausing before reacting (especially in high-stress moments)How practices like gratitude and journaling create clarity and grounded leadershipWhy creating belonging and trust is more powerful than giving commandsHow to lead from a place of connection, curiosity, and compassionLeadership isn’t about controlling others.It’s about how you show up—moment to moment.It’s about recognizing that:The way you lead others is a reflection of how you relate to yourself.And when you shift from fear to love…from pressure to presence…from proving to connecting…Everything changes.“Between stimulus and response, there is a space.”In that space lies your power.This episode will help you:Expand that spaceBecome aware of your patternsAnd begin choosing responses rooted in clarity, compassion, and strengthWhat does authentic leadership mean to you?Take a moment after listening to reflect—and if this episode resonates, share it with someone who’s ready to lead (and live) at a deeper level.If you’re exploring how to live with more purpose, presence, and inner strength, make sure to subscribe to The Spiritual Ninja Podcast.This is where spiritual wisdom meets real life—helping you show up fully in your relationships, your work, and your mission.Explore more of Jonathan programs for for inner peace, confidence, parenting, and leadership:https://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/ https://lifekido.comConnect with Greg:https://www.greghiebert.com/leadership, authentic leadership, mindful leadership, emotional intelligence, self awareness, spiritual growth, personal development, inner peace, confidence, resilience, gratitude practice, journaling, conscious leadership, life ki do, jonathan hewitt, spiritual ninja podcast#Leadership, #AuthenticLeadership, #MindfulLeadership, #EmotionalIntelligence, #SpiritualGrowth, #InnerPeace, #PersonalDevelopment, #SelfAwareness, #ConsciousLeadership, #LifeKiDo, #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

What is the purpose of life—and how do we actually live it?In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Lorell Frysh, an interfaith guide and mystical explorer who shares a lifetime of wisdom drawn from meditation, indigenous traditions, and direct spiritual experience.Lorell reveals that spirituality isn’t something separate from life—it’s the most practical way to navigate it.Through simple but powerful tools like breath, gratitude, awareness, and humor, she shows how to:Move from disconnection into presenceFind clarity and resilience in challenging momentsExperience deeper connection with yourself and othersLive with greater meaning and purposeThis conversation explores the deeper truth that the purpose of life isn’t about achieving more—but about living in connection, awareness, and presence.If you’re seeking calm, clarity, and a more meaningful way to live, this episode offers a powerful and practical path. Follow the podcast and share with someone who could benefit from this conversation.More info about Jonathanhttps://spiritualninjapodcast.com/https://lifekido.com/family-life-skills/More info about Lorellhttps://lorellfrysh.com/

Spiritual Teacher Dr. Neale Lundgren joins Jonathan Hewitt for a deep conversation on the spiritual journey and the practice of awakening and living with love and awareness.Drawing from his experiences with monastic training, meditation, martial arts, and Qigong, Dr. Lundgren shares insights into the integration of body, mind, and spirit.Together they explore the nature of love & awareness as both the path and the destination, the intelligence of the body, and the power of relaxed awareness.This episode highlights how ancient spiritual practices can be applied in modern life to cultivate presence, connection, and inner strength.Visit Dr. Neale at https://nealelundgren.comMeditation Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Soul-Neale-Lundgren-PhD/dp/0738764302/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1603214014&sr=1-1%20https://www.amazon.com/s

In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with spiritual teacher Jac O'Keeffe for a profound conversation about awakening, emotional freedom, and living from deep inner peace.Jac shares the story of her spiritual journey — from early moments of intuitive knowing to powerful awakening experiences that reshaped her life and led her to guide others.Together, they explore the practical side of spirituality: how to regulate emotional reactivity, cultivate self-love, and live from awareness rather than fear.Jac emphasizes that love is the universal force that connects all humans, and that authentic spiritual growth requires humility, accountability, and deep self-awareness.This conversation explores how spirituality can move beyond ideas and become a living practice that transforms relationships, leadership, and everyday life.If you're searching for deeper peace, clarity, and authenticity in your life, this episode offers simple but powerful insights.For more about Jac & her organization to help Spiritual Leaders please check out:https://www.jac-okeeffe.com/https://www.spiritual-integrity.org/

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Gene Smithson to explore a profound spiritual journey that began in childhood and unfolded through desperation, movement, and awakening.Gene shares how he went from atheism to a deep personal recognition of God — not as a concept, but as a lived experience. From building a hut as a child to read the Bible, to navigating a “dark night of the soul,” Gene reveals how surrender, movement, and stillness became doorways to transformation.This conversation explores:• What desperation teaches us about spiritual awakening• Why movement can become a pathway to experiencing God• How quieting the mind opens deeper awareness• The role of love in evolving into your highest self• How spirituality reshapes relationships and daily lifeGene reminds us that the purpose of life is not simply achievement — but evolution. And that love expands everything it touches.If you’ve ever felt called to something deeper… this episode is for you.

In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Indigenous elder and herbalist Tom Blue Wolf to explore humanity’s sacred relationship with the Earth.Drawing from ancestral teachings and lived experience, Tom shares how modern disconnection from nature fuels stress, illness, and environmental destruction — and how returning to the land restores balance, purpose, and peace.Together they explore:• Indigenous understanding of the living Earth• Seven-generation thinking and sacred stewardship• The healing power of plants, animals, and song• How city life disconnects us from our spirit• Reclaiming community, reverence, and responsibility• Practical ways to reconnect through singing, planting, and mindful livingThis conversation is a call to remember that we are not separate from nature — we are part of it.✨ One Spirit. Many Paths.Check Out Tom's & Support Tom Blue Wolf at https://www.earthkeepers.net/

In this deeply moving episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with renowned classical Indian dancer and spiritual practitioner Anuradha Naimpally for a powerful conversation on oneness, the mind, and the embodiment of love.Raised in a home immersed in Advaita Vedanta and Indian classical arts, Anuradha shares how her early exposure to spiritual teachings through the Chinmaya Mission, combined with decades of dance practice, shaped her inner journey.Together, Jonathan and Anuradha explore:• The “monkey mind” and why we give it too much importance• Fear as the illusion of separation• Advaita Vedanta and the rope vs. snake teaching• Breath practices to calm the nervous system• Somatic tools like shaking to release stored tension• Protecting your energy with visualization• Sacred ritual in everyday life• Rasa – the transcendent aesthetic experience in art• Why the purpose of life is to understand our true nature• And why that true nature… is loveAnuradha beautifully shares a rare out-of-body experience while performing that confirmed her life’s purpose — and how spiritual grounding makes her more present, productive, and impactful in the world.This episode bridges philosophy and practicality — showing how spirituality is not an escape from life, but the foundation for living it fully.✨ One Spirit. Many Paths.#SpiritualNinjaPodcast#AnuradhaNaimpally#AdvaitaVedanta#MonkeyMind#SacredDance#HinduPhilosophy#InnerPeace#Breathwork#SomaticHealing#ConsciousLiving#LoveIsOurNature#Mindfulness#SpiritualWisdom#OneSpiritManyPathsConnect with Anuradha https://www.instagram.com/anudances/?hl=enhttps://www.austindanceindia.com/

From Harvard to Heroic Spirit is a powerful, honest conversation about what it really means to live a spiritual life in the modern world.In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, host Jonathan Hewitt sits down with CEO Michael Balchan, to explore his deeply personal journey — from early disillusionment with Catholicism, through years of exploration across spiritual traditions, and ultimately back to a renewed, grounded relationship with Christianity.Together, they unpack:How spirituality evolves across different stages of lifeThe role of prayer, meditation, and inner guidanceWhy the body is not separate from spiritual growthHow relationships become the true testing ground for love and awakeningWhat it means to create meaning rather than wait for it to be givenThis conversation isn’t about religion vs. spirituality — it’s about integration. About living from inner clarity while showing up fully in relationships, work, and daily life.If you’re drawn to spirituality that’s practical, inclusive, and lived — not just believed — this episode will resonate deeply.One Spirit. Many Paths. One integrated life.Spirituality, Personal Growth, Meditation, Prayer, Purpose of Life, Inner Guidance, Relationships, Christianity, Interfaith Dialogue, Meaning, Conscious LivingMichael Balchan is a Harvard-trained behavioral economist and performance coach. As CEO and Head Coach at Heroic, he’s helped thousands of individuals and organizations operationalize the Heroic framework, turning philosophy into daily practice, and practice into mastery.Michael combines cutting-edge psychology with timeless principles of human flourishing, giving coaches and leaders the structure and tools to create lasting transformation.

Brannon Beliso is a living example of how deep inner work can transform not just a life—but generations.In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Brannon shares his journey from a childhood marked by abuse and instability to becoming a world-class business owner, teacher, and global ambassador of conscious leadership.Together, we explore how spiritual grounding, emotional intelligence, and disciplined practice create real-world confidence, resilience, and elite performance. This is a conversation about turning pain into purpose, leading with humility and presence, and why true spirituality must lead performance—not follow it.🎙 The Spiritual Ninja PodcastWhere Spiritual Wisdom Meets Elite Performance👉 One Spirit. Many Paths.

In this powerful episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Adonis Pouroulis about finding inner peace, clarity, and purpose in the most extreme environments imaginable—from mining operations on Earth to the experience of traveling into space.Adonis shares how a tragic event in his professional life led him to search for deeper meaning, eventually discovering meditation and inner awareness as practical tools for navigating pressure, responsibility, and uncertainty. Rather than spirituality as escape, he describes it as a grounded operating system—one that supported both personal healing and elite-level performance.Together, they explore how meditation, presence, and self-awareness intersect with science, leadership, and high-stakes decision-making. The conversation offers rare insight into what happens when inner stillness meets outer extremes—and how that balance can transform the way we live, work, and lead.If you’re interested in modern spirituality that enhances real-world performance, this episode offers wisdom forged under pressure and tested at the edge of human experience.Keywords inner peace, meditation, high performance, leadership, purpose, awareness, resilience, spirituality in action, decision making, extreme environments

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Rabbi Neil and Rabbi Gail to explore how spiritual tradition can be lived fully and practically in the modern world.Rather than viewing spirituality as separate from everyday life, Rabbi Neil and Rabbi Gail share how ancient wisdom can guide modern relationships, work, family life, and community with balance and clarity. Their conversation highlights a grounded, relational approach to spirituality—one that honors tradition while remaining flexible, compassionate, and deeply human.They reflect on the importance of presence, emotional awareness, and community, offering a powerful example of how spiritual teachings can support meaningful, connected living in today’s world.This episode is for anyone seeking a practical, balanced spirituality that bridges timeless wisdom with real-life experience.👇 Key themes in this episodeLiving tradition in modern daily lifeSpirituality as a relational practiceBalancing structure and flexibilityCommunity as a spiritual foundationFinding meaning through presence and connection

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt speaks with Rudy Miick about how true success—especially in work and relationships—starts from the inside.Rudy shares how his early experiences with intuition and spirituality shaped his understanding of energy, love, and presence, and how those qualities directly affect how we lead, work, and connect. Together, they explore how breath, awareness, and emotional intelligence help us recognize when we’re out of balance—and how to gently return to center in real life.The conversation also dives into modern life and technology, unpacking how digital tools can either leave us feeling disconnected or become powerful ways to deepen human connection—depending on how consciously we use them. From business and relationships to purpose and play, this episode invites listeners to live and work with more authenticity, curiosity, and heart.If you’re interested in personal growth that actually shows up in everyday life, this episode offers grounded wisdom you can feel and apply.👇 Highlights from the episodeUsing breath to return to balanceUnderstanding energy in relationships and workTechnology as a tool for connection (or disconnection)Why love is often the hidden gift in simple momentsFinding purpose through authentic living

In this episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with ocean rower and athlete Tia Patricios to explore how inner stillness becomes strength in action. Tia shares how her spiritual journey—shaped by meditation, breath, and martial arts—prepared her for one of the world’s most demanding physical challenges.As part of a mixed-gender crew that set a world record and won their division of the World’s Toughest Row across the Pacific Ocean, Tia reflects on presence, resilience, and how the mind carries us through deep fatigue, fear, and uncertainty. This conversation is for anyone who wants to understand meditation not just as practice, but as real-world endurance and courage.The Spiritual Ninja Podcast explores where spiritual wisdom meets real-world performance through honest conversations with leaders, athletes, and everyday high performers.

Vladimir and Valerie Vasiliev share the deeper spiritual path of Systema—how faith, prayer, breath, and inner peace shape not only training, but daily life. In this conversation, we explore humility, inner freedom, and how strength becomes calmer, wiser, and more compassionate when it’s rooted in awareness.

In this opening episode of The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Dan Millman, bestselling author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior and one of the most influential voices in modern spiritual living.Dan shares his personal journey—from striving and self-doubt to a grounded life of clarity, presence, and purpose—and what it truly means to live as a Peaceful Warrior in today’s fast-paced world.In this conversation, we explore:How spiritual wisdom becomes practical in everyday lifeWorking with fear, ego, and inner resistanceStaying centered while pursuing excellence and meaningful workThe deeper purpose behind the Peaceful Warrior pathThis episode is for anyone seeking inner peace without stepping away from ambition, responsibility, or real-world challenges.Be a Spiritual Ninja—live with clarity, purpose, and presence.