PODCAST · education
The Stumbling Spirit
by Fabio Fernandes
Welcome to The Stumbling Spirit - Contemplations on the Path of Resilience. Whether you realize it or not, you are resilient. It’s your birthright. As you take in your next breath, know this truth. It’s not only about your capacity to overcome difficult situations, but it’s about your courage to do the necessary work to heal, learn, grow and move forward. What you gain is invaluable wisdom. And, it’s through these hard stumbles in life that we often discover a new purpose that aligns with our spirit. My name is Fabio da Silva Fernandes, Reiki Master, Mindfulness Coach and mystical explorer. Join me weekly as The Stumbling Spirit podcast highlights the lives of extraordinary people, like you, sharing transformative stories and beneficial practices of resilience, to guide you on your wellness journey. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of an
Episodes
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Season 4 Retrospective
This is a special retrospective of Season 4 of The Stumbling Spirit Podcast, where I recap two key themes from this year’s show: The relationship between compassion and resilience. Finding and using our voice. Special thanks to all of the brilliant contributors who shared their resonant stories…
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Vocal Elevation
For more than 20 years, Anna Beaumont has helped people connect to their authentic voice through singing. With an extensive performance background in musical theatre and jazz, Anna is a voice-based somatic teacher who runs her own practice and leads worldwide vocal retreats to promote...
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Chaos and Order
In the summer of 2020, Rondalyn Whitney’s husband of more than 30 years tragically died in a car accident. Bill was the love of her life. A sudden widow, Rondalyn grappled with heartache while navigating the jarring bereavement process and mundane routines of life. In her memoirs, Habits of…
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Finite Freedom
Dating back to the 18th century, Nova Scotia is home to the oldest Black community in Canada. Most fled northward after the American Revolution and The War of 1812. While most found freedom in the former British colony, many were enslaved. For generations, Black residents encountered systemic...
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Learn by Heart
Based on the latest data, teachers around the world are struggling at their jobs. Some of the reasons include low salary, excessive workload, student needs and burnout. Helping to support K-12 school professionals is Catalina Andrade, a doctor of education in organizational leadership and a...
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Burnout Restoration
Originating in India, yoga is an ancient somatic practice with roots in Hinduism. This methodology of mindful movement and sustained postures, called asanas, is meant to connect our physical, mental and spiritual nature through the body. Niya Bajaj is a certified holistic yoga therapist who helps...
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Return of the Light
Truth and Reconciliation carries a painfully indelible meaning in Canada, least of which for Indigenous peoples who endured unspeakable treatment in residential schools at the hands of the state and church. From 2008 to 2015, a national commission documented the traumatic stories of Indigenous...
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Voice of Truth
Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. According to various online sources, this oratory anxiety is prevalent in roughly 75% of the global population to varying degrees of intensity. Despite this overwhelming statistic, most of us are expected, if not required, to verbally communicate to...
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Sacred Life
After tragically losing his father as a teenager, Mi'kmaq Shawn Leonard had a profound spiritual awakening that ignited his psychic abilities and life’s purpose. With more than 25 years of experience, Shawn is a renowned Indigenous psychic medium, spiritual teacher and star of Spirit Talker whose...
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Cultivating Compassion
Clinical psychologist and mindfulness advocate Chris Germer once said, “A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.” All season long, I am exploring the connection between compassion and resilience. Someone who knows a lot...
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Waves of Life
Antonio Lennert has surfed many waves whether off the coast of his native Brazil or in the frigid Great Lakes of Canada. Antonio channeled his passion for riding waves into a successful surf school with his husband, Lucas. Sadly, tragedy struck just before Antonio’s 40th birthday when his partner...
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Vibe High
After a long career in the tech industry, Carla Affe left her prominent position as a sales account manager during the pandemic to start her own wellness practice that focuses on Reiki, mindfulness and complementary modalities such as reflexology and aromatherapy. In this episode, Carla talks…
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Positive Mobility
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS) affects more than 200,000 people globally. In Canada alone, approximately 4000 people live with this disease. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s or motor neuron disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts the transmission of brain signals…
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Neurodiversity Strength
Autism affects roughly 62 million people in the world. That is approximately 1 in 100 people. In the United States, just over 2% of the adult population is on the autism spectrum. Unfortunately, data shows that many autistic people are unemployed and underemployed even among those with other...
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Surprising Vintage
Renée Sferrazza is a celebrated sommelier, wine critic and TV personality with a thriving following on social media. Based in Toronto, Renée has channeled her expertise into a successful venture called, Wine by Renée. Even so, her quest of fermenting her passion into a full-bodied business did…
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Search for Clear Sky
Shawn Clearsky Davies is the subject of award-winning documentary, Clear Sky. Still on the festival circuit, this unfiltered portrait has garnered international attention and praise for its real-time examination of the road to recovery of an addict in search of himself and his Indigenous culture....
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Creative Rebellion
According to Pia Mailhot-Leichter, life is the ultimate canvas. In her soul-nourishing book, "Welcome to The Creative Club - Make Life Your Biggest Art Project," Pia reflects on her past struggles, salutes her former self as a globetrotting nomad and totally re-writes her script in the name of...
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City Under ICE
In January, 2026, Minneapolis dominated news headlines with US federal officers taking over city streets, making arrests at gunpoint and executing innocent civilians. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed to be cracking down on criminal aliens, it targeted undocumented workers…
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Season 3 Retrospective
It's a wrap! Season 3 is now complete and host, Fabio da Silva Fernandes, goes down memory lane as he reflects on two major themes from this year's show: The importance of connection in our lives; And, the similarities and differences between resilience and survival. Special thanks to all of my...
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Working the Breath
You might have recently come across various social media ads showing people on mats rhythmically panting followed by scenes of them sobbing and receiving emotional support with a gentle hand. Celebrity appeal has popularized this practice, which is part of a mindfulness industry worth billions of...
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Mapping Curiosity
Arguably the greatest scientific mind who ever lived, Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” And, iconic musician, David Bowie, once linked his drive to write songs to his “malevolent curiosity.” This inquisitive quality seems to not only spark new...
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Seeing Colour Again
When it comes to genetics, some might say that Andy Campbell drew the short end of the stick. Born predisposed to cancer-causing mutations to the BRCA1 gene, Andy has seen his mother and all three of his aunts die of breast cancer, and in 2018, he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. As…
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Submerged Identity
Set in the spring of 1973, "Lost Village" is a riveting story of what happens when a displaced Canadian town, robbed of its identity, is confronted with its fakeness and deadly secrets. It’s about the inhabitants who struggle to be themselves and tell the truth, and those who are determined to…
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Protecting Diversity
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or DEI) policies were originally devised to ensure equal opportunities and protections for everyone in the workplace and in higher education. However, such programs are under attack by the current US administration and many multinational corporations and prominent...
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Art of Energy Flow
Qi is the universal life force. It is the cosmic energy that flows through all things. This concept is present in several Asian holistic modalities including Feng Shui. With origins in China, this ancient divination practice dates as far back as 4000 BCE and is still in use today. Drawing upon...
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Breaking Barriers
The Asian diaspora has made countless contributions to the growth, success and tapestry of nations around the world. For example, in Canada, Chinese immigrants helped to build the railway which has since become a symbol of Canadian unity. Asians make up 20% of the Canadian population, yet racism...
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Divining Stars and Cards
Since ancient times, astrologers have studied the stars and planetary cycles to offer celestial explanations for earthly events, energy shifts and life circumstances of the past, present, and future. Tarot card reading is another form of divination which came into prominence in the 18th century....
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Sound Healing
A few years ago, an American scientist simulated the sound of the big bang - the beginning of all creation in our universe. Early civilizations understood the importance of sound and integrated it in their religious rituals. This custom continues today in many traditions around the world which…
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Clearing Karmic Debts
Indian yogi, Sadhguru, once said, “Karma is your survival and your bondage. And if you handle it right, it can also be your liberation.” For holistic therapist, Edit B. Kiss, this quote might well be her mission. Born in communist Hungary, she grew up at a time when spiritual expression was...
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Our Human Tree
They say that homo sapiens emerged sometime between 300 and 200 thousand years ago. One of the lead scientists in this field of research is award-winning molecular anthropologist, Dr. Himla Soodyall, whose groundbreaking work has traced back some of the oldest DNA linking modern day humans to our...
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From Legend to Legacy
It’s estimated that there are over 3 trillion trees on this planet, with 842 million hectares of forest in South America alone. One of these gentle giants is said to be the oldest in the world - nearly 5,500 years old. “Gran Abuelo”, or the great-grandfather, is a Patagonian cypress located in...
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Staying in the Game
A solopreneur is someone who is self-employed and runs their own business by themselves. Although the number of businesses operated by one person is on the rise, many of these ventures fail. Helping to drive down these shutdowns and inspire owners to stay in the game is business coach, Niiamah...
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Endurance Impact
Transportation planner, Anthony Smith, is an avid cyclist and endurance athlete. Eight years ago, while doing a long ride north of Toronto, the course of his life took a near fatal turn. He unavoidably crashed his bike into a pick-up truck. Miraculously, he survived but not without injury. The...
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Young Minds
Heidi Bornstein is one of the founders of Mindfulness Everyday - a Toronto-based organization offering accessible and practical mindfulness education to improve the well-being of her local community. A key focus for Heidi and her team of trainers is delivering flexible yet effective mindfulness...
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Model Men
At fourteen, Anthony Patrick Manieri bought his first camera. What started off as a hobby taking pictures, soon became a profession. With a successful career in media spanning more than three decades, Anthony’s sought after shots have graced the pages of some of the world's most popular…
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Sermons on the Storm
In recent times, church leaders, such as Bishop Mariann Budde and Reverend Munther Isaac, have attracted global attention with their impassioned sermons calling for compassion on those suffering from oppression. While from two different denominations, their words reverberated across the Christian...
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Season 2 Retrospective
This is a special retrospective of Season 2 of The Stumbling Spirit Podcast, where I explore two key themes that emerged from this year’s show: Identity being one of the facets of resilience; And, the real and metaphorical mountains we climb. Special thanks to all of my guests who shared their...
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Spirit Counselling
Renowned psychic-medium, Jackie Dennison, is one-half of the clairvoyant duo on the popular Canadian paranormal show, “Rescue Mediums.” For 7 seasons, Jackie and her partner-in-crime visited haunted houses to bring peace to both homeowners and lingering spirits. Rescue Mediums was one of the…
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Generational Genre
When most people think of Brazilian music, what might come to mind are bossa nova and samba, but apart from these popular genres, Brazil also has a rich history in classical music. Dr. Paulo Steinberg is a professor of piano, and a virtuoso at his craft who has performed as a soloist in some of…
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Existential Awe
Psychedelic Therapy involves the use of mind-altering drugs, such as psilocybin, to help those who suffer from mental health conditions like depression and addiction. Still highly experimental and somewhat controversial, only a few countries have either legalized or decriminalized this…
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Weathering Milestones
In 2001, Heather Harris experienced complications during childbirth after thirty-one hours of labour. It was a mother’s worst nightmare. Her baby’s life was at risk. Oxygen deprivation caused her firstborn son immediate seizures and a permanent brain injury that would forever impact his motor...
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Wild Cancer Coaster
For 18 years, Nancy Horvath has been a successful fundraiser, raising millions of dollars for some of the most prominent healthcare organizations in Canada to help improve the lives and health outcomes of patients. In 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nancy became a patient herself…
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Change with Compassion
When it comes to experiencing loss and navigating through life’s most challenging transitions, such as divorce and career changes, Sharleen Beaumont works with her clients to reframe their limiting belief systems, reimagine their lives, and create action plans to help them become the best version...
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One Peak at a Time
For the past ten years, Noel Scully has been an avid hiker and mountain climber. Noel's mountain climbing adventures have taken him to fifteen countries across four continents, and he has tackled some of the most challenging ascents in the world, including Everest and Kilimanjaro. Based in…
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Back Beyond the Mask
In 2010, three days before a life-altering motorcycle accident, occupational therapist, Jaisa Sulit, wrote these words in her journal, “Help me to stop judging so much. I want to live with more love.” The impact of her crash damaged her spine and left her temporarily paralysed from the…
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The Queer Alchemist
Belinda Bannerman is a trauma recovery trainer and practitioner who works with queer survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Australia. With 15 years of experience, Belinda talks about the unique realities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide in getting the services and support that...
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Consciousness Composition
Patron of the arts, Lucille Joseph, has pondered the nature of reality since she was a little girl, after encountering a glimpse of conscious awareness while on a beach in British Columbia. This unearthly experience begged the life-long question, “Am I in the world, or is the world in me?” This...
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Soul Flow, Brand Power
Mike Power is a brand strategist who helps companies around the world successfully launch new products, resolve planning challenges, and innovate. He is also the creator and facilitator of the Flow Workshop series - a professional and personal development programme which aims to change your…
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Justice in Light
Imagine being blamed for your mom’s mental illness. That's what happened to Donna Armstrong, whose first memory was seeing her beloved mother forced into a car by her detached father to be sent away to a psychiatric hospital for weeks at a time. This distressing scene repeated a number of times...
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For the Love of Dog
Dogs are often called man’s best friend with some archeological evidence suggesting that domestication goes as far back as thirty-thousand years. Not only is dog ownership widespread, but evidence shows high rates of dog surrenders, abandonments and euthanasia in several countries including...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to The Stumbling Spirit - Contemplations on the Path of Resilience.
Whether you realize it or not, you are resilient. It’s your birthright. As you take in your next breath, know this truth.
It’s not only about your capacity to overcome difficult situations, but it’s about your courage to do the necessary work to heal, learn, grow and move forward. What you gain is invaluable wisdom. And, it’s through these hard stumbles in life that we often discover a new purpose that aligns with our spirit.
My name is Fabio da Silva Fernandes, Reiki Master, Mindfulness Coach and mystical explorer. Join me weekly as The Stumbling Spirit podcast highlights the lives of extraordinary people, like you, sharing transformative stories and beneficial practices of resilience, to guide you on your wellness journey.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of an
HOSTED BY
Fabio Fernandes
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Stumbling Spirit have?
The Stumbling Spirit currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Stumbling Spirit about?
Welcome to The Stumbling Spirit - Contemplations on the Path of Resilience. Whether you realize it or not, you are resilient. It’s your birthright. As you take in your next breath, know this truth. It’s not only about your capacity to overcome difficult situations, but it’s about your courage to do...
How often does The Stumbling Spirit release new episodes?
The Stumbling Spirit has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Stumbling Spirit?
You can listen to The Stumbling Spirit on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Stumbling Spirit?
The Stumbling Spirit is created and hosted by Fabio Fernandes.
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