On Emergence

This year is coming to an end. What would you look back on with joy? What would you look back on with wistful sadness?  2024 was a transformative year for me in so many ways. Some were documented in this podcast through conversations I had, and some - are yet to be published, and some... will just stay with me.  A brief moment to reflect. And to also let you know that I'm taking December off – to focus on the in-person events and connecting with people in my life, to get re-inspired and recharged creatively. From January until early March episodes will be released every other week – to allow space for my upcoming trip in February. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:06) Reflections of 2024 (01:52) Selling My Company (03:06) Launching This Podcast (05:23) Embracing Event Creation (finally!) (06:42) Power of mindful presence (07:52) Be Brave to Ask Questions (10:00) Episode Schedule for Early 2025 Much love and stay curious - until 2025 xx _____ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode, I sat down with Milagros Casaverde, a guardian of ayahuasca and the Sacred Valley Tribe community in Pisac, Peru. Milagros with her 24 years of experience with holding ayahuasca ceremonies discusses the power and potential to bring you to your own wholeness... as I reflect on the recent experience with the Mother Plant myself. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction(01:30) Personal journey with Ayahuasca(03:28) Pre-roll intro for YouTube(07:11) Empowering to see all parts of yourself(16:11) Integrating ceremony lessons into your daily life(18:51) How to identify fear vs. calling(22:18) Ability to feel joy(28:32) It's better to be whole than good(30:05) The Witness Perspective(31:51) Common themes during ayahuasca journeys(33:33) Forgetting who you are... only to remember(35:07) Dealing with your human feelings(39:35) Expansion of Ayahuasca practices(40:28) Challenges and misconceptions about ayahuasca(42:49) Different ways to connect with nature __________________ To connect and find out more about Milagros' work at Sacred Valley Tribe community, reach out via the website. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Lugh Whittall, a teacher of Daoism philosophy & approach to explore the transformative “science of the invisible”. He explains how navigating the world of energy can guide you towards inner balance. From understanding the dance of polarities towards unity, from Tai-Chi to Bianhua through a journey towards your personal Qi and Ming (purpose), Lugh explains how Daoist wisdom offers us practical tools for aligning mind, body, and spirit.  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:03:27) Science of the invisible - definition of Daoism (00:05:49) The dance of polarities: Yin and Yang (00:06:40) Fire and Water Worlds. Visibile and the Invisible (00:16:59) The body – the Bible in Daoism (00:24:32) Inner Alchemy for Cultivating Qi (00:33:58) Awakening Shen (Spirit) in Daily Life (00:36:52) Effortless Effort (00:38:59) How to discover your Ming - your Life Purpose (00:46:35) Through the Body lies the path to Transformation (00:48:36) Daoist Practice in Everyday Life: Practical Takeaways You can connect with Lugh via his Facebook page. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast https://www.onemergence.com/ 

The ever-evolving question: what is art? Inspired by a conversation with a friend, a visual artist, in this episode I explore how intention and emotional connection can transform even everyday acts into powerful expressions of your human experience... Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:40) The Nature of Art (02:07) An Emotional Expression (02:43) Beyond the Visual (04:17) Process of creating art... is also art (09:15) Art as an expression of culture (10:26) What is NOT art or bad art? (14:11) Why you have to make art Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on ⁠Youtube⁠. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, too Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast ⁠https://www.onemergence.com/⁠ 

In this episode of On Emergence, I sit down with Christine Romeijn, not only a dear friend, but also an artist and profound unconventional thinker with a truly fascinating mind – to unravel the essence of being human. Together, we explore what truly defines us as a species—from the biological underpinnings and the impact of memory and identity to the exciting yet complex possibilities of future technology. Christine also shares her insights on the role of music in memory (in the context of Alzheimer and Parkinson patients), how language shapes our experience, and the ethical boundaries that may emerge as technology reshapes human life. We also dive into the "process of becoming," unpacking how our identities evolve and what it means to be ourselves over time. The backstory of this episode can be found here. (00:00) Start (02:23) What Makes Someone Human? (03:42) Human Species (04:46) Future Humans and Discrimination (08:19) Are You Your Body? (13:47) Memory and Identity (17:56) Music and Memory in Dementia (18:44) Language as Sound (27:25) Process of Becoming Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast https://www.onemergence.com/ 

When you feel wronged, cheated, mistreated - you often have a resulting desire for justice and for validation of your experience. However what’s behind those needs? Whether part of the cancel culture conversation or a family conflict, why do we need to have our stories validated by others – and why it is hard when they are not? Exploring this and concepts of “universal truth”… (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Human need to share our stories (02:11) Desire for social validation (04:51) Your feelings are valid(06:13) Challenge of community and personal truth (07:46) Need for justice and desire for equal pain (08:17) Concept of "rights and entitlement" (12:59) "Let it be" (14:22) Sharing as a tool for self-exploration (15:43) Your contribution to Universal truth Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. And I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast.

Have you ever stopped to think about your food connects you to the outside world? In this episode, I sat down with Zach Khan, a mastermind chef, food anthropologist, and an overall multi-specialist to explore how the food we eat invites us to connect - not only to each other but to the world we live in: from plants we eat & wear to the wisdom they carry for us. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:41) Food as a Gateway to Human Experience (05:59) Nature's Wisdom Through Seasonal Eating (08:15) Ancient Practices of Food Preservation (12:56) Human Adaptability and Seasonal Eating (13:56) Interconnectedness of Humans, Plants & Soil (22:15) Soil Intelligence (27:46) Circularity of Our Food & Ecosystem (34:18) The Mystery of Life and Ancient Wisdom (38:22) Plant Intelligence _______ To connect and find out more about Zach's work, reach out via his website. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠. To find out more background of this conversation, go to the website, www.onemergence.com. Laura Sagen, your host.

I get many comments about this podcast (and about myself...) – as being "spiritual" – so I took a moment to look at this statement closely to understand the meaning behind the word. Spirituality is interconnectedness and appreciation of the unknown. Let's dive in? (00:00) Introduction (01:07) What does "spiritual" mean? (02:03) Interconnectedness of experience (03:47) Spirit of science. (06:13) Our Solar system and observable Universe (07:36) Being part of larger whole helps in your day to day (10:36) For your decision-making. _____ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

029: In this episode I sat down with Winn Mallard, founder of SolSeed – a school of Spiritual Ecology and Esoteric Development, based in Pisac, Peru – to explore the ecology of mysticism and esoteric development. We looked at the relationship between mysticism and creativity, often curbed by the challenges of modern materialism. Winn shares her journey to and through esoteric teachings, along the way explaining how taming your psychological aggregates (pride, fear – to name a few...) and understanding sacred sexuality can help to a shift of consciousness. #Mysticism #SpiritualGrowth #EsotericKnowledge #Creativity #SoulSeed #SpiritualEcology Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:30) Why we can’t solve current world problems (00:05:02) Winn’s Journey (00:10:19) The Mystical and Material Worlds (00:19:00) Founding of SolSeed, the school of spiritual ecology (00:24:30) Link between creativity and mysticism (00:43:41) Wisdom of spiritual masters and… corruption of their teachings (00:45:31) How to reduce your suffering (00:48:33) Perception of Sacred Sexuality for Spiritual Growth (00:53:17) Confronting your “dark” psychological aggregates (01:10:20) So... how is it your responsibility? To connect and find out more about Winn's work and specifically SolSeed, reach out via the website and Instagram Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. Watch this episode on ⁠Youtube⁠ I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode, I share how to adapt the 5 Love Languages framework to discover your own love language. The goal is not for others to speak it, but for you to use it to nurture yourself in times of need. And just because it feels awesome. By understanding and meeting your emotional needs independently, you foster a "radical" self-reliance that allows you to enter relationships not out of necessity, but desire. Above all, understanding how to love yourself is a deeply rewarding adventure of fostering the most relationship in your life: one with yourself.  Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction(01:46) Five love languages framework(03:42) Translating 5 love languages for yourself(05:24) Gifting(07:54) Touch(09:43) Words of Affirmation(12:04) Quality Time(15:37) Acts of Service(19:46) Recap Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠ Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

This episode I talk about why you shouldn't exercise. For the reasons like: "to burn calories" or "lose weight" – no. Exercise – move your body – because you can. Exercise because it makes you resilient to unhealthy habits and poor life choices. Exercise because – that's the time you spend away from scrolling social media. Exercise because one day you might not be able to. Exercise... and enjoy the ice-cream. So many of us are wasting the concept of moving our bodies – by using exercise as a punishing stick – than a beautiful tool to discover the home in your body. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:25) Your body is your home (02:58) Your nervous system (03:40) Doing something better than nothing (06:02) It’s movement. (06:50) Move, because one day you won't be able to. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

Using the analogy of a cluttered room, in this episode I talk about how we often focus on surface-level changes without first clearing out the deeper clutter that holds us back. Here, I invite you to weigh the pros and con's of holding on – and to welcome a possibility of a new, empty space. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:38) The "empty spaces" analogy (02:01) If your pipes are leaking... (03:31) Choose your type of pain (04:38) About relationships and attachments (05:20) A safer choice Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

Often we push away sadness and other "heavy" emotions – but can we learn to appreciate our ability to feel them? Tune in to today's episode about hearing the music of your emotions and enjoying them, whatever they are. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:16) Perception of sadness as a "bad" or "heavy" (03:55) What happens to music when you push it away ___ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

I began calling it "whatever-ness". A combination of emotions is hard to feel. Especially those that conflict with each other (for example, joy and sadness, hope and despair, pride and shame) - so no wonder you get confused when they appear at the same time. No wonder "whatever-ness" arises. If you've done some work in getting to know yourself and your inner emotional landscape, sometimes it can even be harder to let yourself feel those emotions that occur simultaneously. Because you might be too quick to name them, therefore preventing those emotions to flow through you. So what do you do? What do you do when you're feeling emotionally confused? This episode is dedicated to this. (00:00) Introduction (01:57) How it's possible to feel conflicting emotions at once (03:38) Naming emotions too soon can cause more confusion (06:02) Letting your physical body to feel the confusion (07:23) Feeling of being stuck also complicates (08:04) Placing your emotions in boxes too soon Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can listen to this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

023: In today's episode, I sat down with Alex Love Li – a real estate investor and an investment educator. Alex's mindset is "make money like love". He focuses his real estate business to be about people and relationships he builds, than the numbers of return on investment and profit. Alex had shared how being a student of Course of Miracles shifted his mindset towards abundance, some practical tips on money management as well as his regular practice of prayer playing a role in his day-to-day. (00:00) Introduction (05:19) Making money more like love - receiving in giving (08:47) Problem with accumulation of more & more things (10:05) Course of miracles (14:15) About hope & listening to inner teacher (16:07) Prayer and going within (20:34) Doing business in real estate - is building relationships (22:11) Scarcity mindset vs trust (25:32) Find an activity where you can forget about time  (27:51) Relating to people in real estate deals (30:56) Looking at conflict (31:29) Practices to support yourself (33:02) Real estate investment is special type (36:50) ROI vs ROR (Return on relationship) (38:39) Practical tips to manage your money (41:23) Giving your money respect it deserves (44:29) Democratisation of fund investment (Alex's project) To connect and find out more about Alex's work, reach out via his website or Instagram. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations.  You can also watch the show on ⁠Youtube⁠. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of ⁠On Emergence⁠ podcast

Have you ever experienced a craving for new piece of knowledge like you crave a specific snack? Next time you have an "itch" – see if this is your psyche telling you to pick up a book you left behind, but not to finish it – merely to snack on it. Few things in life are linear in life. Books are not either, even though they may come across as such: for they have a beginning and an end – but just because they are presented in such a way, it doesn't mean you should be consuming it linearly too... Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:49) Snacking on knowledge, craving a feeling (01:54) Books are not written linearly (04:24) Physical books vs e-books (05:08) Not all books are meant to be read (07:31) Bookstore experience (08:31) You don't have to finish a book Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

Decision-making process is hard – pressure of right and wrong, pressure for time... anxieties about making the wrong decision... Allow yourself space – the space the decision needs to emerge. In this episode I share a process.  Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:11) Mindset for when you have to make a quick decision (02:41) How would the right decision FEEL? (04:26) Giving space for the "rightness" of the decision (05:16) Allowing space for the decision to emerge (06:31) Consciously indecisive (08:12) ...but how to let the right decision reveal itself? _____ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

My guest, Debra Williams – an educator in state prisons, in fact 6 different prisons, for 11 years in California, United States. She shares her stories of smuggling books to the imprisoned, talks about code of silence and shame… the outrage. We cover subjects like honour, humility, respect… I sincerely hope you get to really hear and feel through Debra’s experience and allow the words of her stories to fall where they need to be… Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:38) Criminal thinking - what can I get out of this? (05:51) Spaces of abuse perpetrates further pain (07:30) The prison system  (09:08) “Where there is silence – there is shame” (11:33) Smuggling books into prison (15:06) Crime as a way to feed families (18:09) Prison system and generational wealth (20:16) Addiction to outrage… and healing

How can you trust others so that you can live with a mind, unburdened by the constant planning and vigilance that comes from expecting the other to hurt you? Hard to function in the world where we don’t trust other people, or systems we rely on – but far more difficult to live without the agency over our peace that we transfer to others... so what's next? Mistrusting everyone and relying solely on yourself? Not quite. Let's talk. (00:55) What is trust? (02:13) Child-like trust vs informed trust (04:12) Consequences of not trusting (state of constant vigilance) (07:53) How to cultivate trust? (08:29) Specific positivity examples (11:25) Acknowledging your fears (13:44) The parts of you (Internal Family Systems) (14:40) Developing a sense of adult-self whom you can trust (15:23) How do you abandon yourself that sabotages your trust? (17:10) Body movement practices  (20:13) What life can feel like if you trust... The backstory for this episode can be found on the website here > ___ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on ⁠Youtube⁠. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, too. Laura Sagen, host of ⁠On Emergence ⁠podcast

Early morning is a feeling. A lot of data has been published to back up the fact that waking up early is good for us, humans. Titans of neuroscience, psychology and medical field continuously publish and share convincing content to support it. So I'm not here to regurgitate their findings to you. Instead, in this short note episode, I decided to share my love for the early mornings – and maybe... spark a curiosity around this feeling, for you, as well. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:50) A gift for yourself (03:37) Impact on you of showing up before everyone else (05:35) How waking up early actually changes your life (07:16) Why waking up early is hard? (07:47) If you're feeling "off" – check your waking time (09:20) An office example of waking up early (11:05) Syncing your waking schedule with partner and family obligations ____ Back story for this episode can be found on the website here > ___ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In today's episode, my guest, Daniel Cortez, shares an unusual mindset when it comes to exploring the path of enlightenment. One, I never came across before: the mindset of a hunter. Join this intriguing conversation around practices, discipline and – hunt – in tracking your true nature, your higher Self. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:30) The great game of consciousness (04:05) Initiation through teaching (07:34) Physical practices (11:41) Dualistic worldview vs. experiential wisdom (15:20) A journey of delusion into human suffering (18:41) The "rules of the game" and maps for winning (21:47) Food and nutritional discipline (25:50) On openness (29:07) The mind of a hunter (41:12) Predator within you (49:14) Training to hunt To learn more about Daniel's work, reach out via Instagram or his website. ____ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too / Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings in the comment section to this episode on Youtube or Instagram / Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast.

Only by embracing the truth that you might be: lost – do you stand a chance of finding your way through. No matter if it's through your relationships, your job & career, your family or your communities – the approach is very similar. In this episode I hope to inspire the courage within you, if you got lost – to accept it. Because that's how you begin to find your way. The road through the dark woods is not for faint hearted though, and safety is not guaranteed. I share my experience and tools that helped me navigate the murky waters of being lost. Timestamps: (00:00) The dark forest analogy (02:19) Culture of comparison make us feel more lost (04:27) Understand your own signage of the dark forest (05:25) Your physical health (09:30) About addictions (17:03) A space for contemplation (18:10) Draw a map... but expect it to change (20:02) The ebb & flow of being lost (23:57) About the money. (26:07) Why you should experience being lost (28:26) About trust (34:40) People & communities in your life Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming episodes. You can watch this show and episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. /You're invited to share your comments, thoughts and feelings in the comment section on Youtube or Instagram to this episode./ Much love, Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

So many reasons why you should dive into your subconscious and explore your psyche through journalling. I've had diaries since I was 6 years old and maintained a structured daily journalling practice for 5 years now. In this episode my observations and takeaway from this long-standing habit. Your notebook and a pen could be there for you, when you need an understanding adult and support in your life the most and in the moments when nobody is around... It could also be scary, if you've never got to know yourself that way before. But all the while – journalling shines the light on your subconscious and patterns of your thinking, enabling you to gain control and give you a chance to grow beyond them... (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Morning Pages Practice (03:34) Journalling gives a handle on your subconscious (05:44) How often should you journal? (07:38) Many reasons to start (11:15) How writing helps you think & process life (13:43) How to get rid of the inner critic (17:18) Journaling is your invitation for... Link to my journalling playlist > Subscribe to the On Emergence podcast to continue exploring what it takes to be a human being. You can also watch this show on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too - https://www.instagram.com/onemergence Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

My guest today is Justin Byerly (Ancheta), an entrepreneur, business strategist and more importantly to this episode – a herbalist and a purveyor of weather patterns. The work with global and local weather patterns led him to explore the notion of harmony in the context of the world we’re living. Whether it’s listening to a birdsong that only happens 3 weeks a year, or searching the night sky for a constellation that hides for 40 days as a predictor of El Niño, Justin has studied with the Indigenous tribes to understand how humanity can live in harmony, within itself and the nature around us. He also shared his approach and fascination with creating your own “living calendar” and practical tips on adopting harmony as a way of being even if you live in a busy city… Timestamps: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:05:01) Herbalism as a spiritual path (00:07:45) Indigenous ways of tracking & predicting weather (00:14:22) Antropocentric view versus Harmony (00:16:50) On cultivating a sense of harmony with nature (00:22:03) Living calendar (00:24:51) How ”Me-centric" culture actually pulls you away from the present (00:30:32) How to attune to the harmony of nature when living in a city (00:38:10) Moon is an easy gateway to start syncing with nature (00:42:37) How to appreciate the rain (& other “bad” weather)… (00:45:13) Celtic calendar - an example of a living calendar (00:57:01) Harmony is not another practice, but a way of being (01:01:43) "Eating" interconnectedness To connect and find out more about Justin’s work, reach out via his Instagram. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠. To find out more background of this conversation, go to On Emergence website. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode I spoke with Molly Hickey, a neuropharmacologist in the field of psychedelic science, a scientist and consultant in preclinical R&D, patient engagement and science communication. At the time of our interview, Molly was about to fly to the Amazon rainforest for a study conducted with Onaya Science and Shipibo tribe around a traditional plant medicine, ayahuasca – to explore its healing potential in veterans with PTSD.  In our conversation we explored topics around mental health and mental illnesses and how they might be indicators rather than merely "symptoms" that must be medicated away. We also delved into philosophical discussions on psychedelics and psilocybin specifically - which forms the core of Molly’s work focus, various altered states of consciousness including psychosis, perspectives on trauma, depression & healing, neurodivergence and search for purpose amongst a few others.  Molly is also an artist and a storyteller. You can connect with her via her website: www.mthickey.art, her Instagram or Linkedin  Timestamps: (00:05:13) Plant medicine and working with PTSD in veterans (00:10:02) Personal journey as a scientist working with psychedelics (00:18:28) Psychedelics can help uncover roots of mental illness (00:25:49) How holding on to trauma hampers recovery progress (00:30:58) What psychedelics science reveals about being human (00:35:40) Mental illness symptoms: Signals from your subconscious (00:38:51) Neurodivergence, ADHD: a different type of brain (00:44:40) Altered states of consciousness and dreams (00:46:52) Societal Structures and Diverse Brain Functioning (00:54:15) A Path to Self-Healing and Personal Growth (00:58:51) Healing Depression Through Sense of Connectedness Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too where you can leave your comments, thoughts and feelings about the episode. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

Hard to talk about human experience today, without mentioning scrolling. Because whether checking the news, your social media feed, or messaging app – what you’re actually looking for is beyond capabilities of what those tools can provide… …Beyond the pictures of friends’ babies and the latest news updates, we look for connection and perhaps – some sense of control, in the hope that by “being in the loop of things” would reduce our existential anxiety. Since 2019, I built a habit around news and information consumption, which contributed to my personal growth, overall happiness and wellbeing. And in this episode I explore human desires and need behind the impulse of checking the phone, and share my experience of “conscious scrolling”.  (00:00) Introduction (03:19) How have I not followed the news since 2019... (05:21) Why you're compulsively scrolling (06:41) How "social" is social media? (09:32) Face your newsfeed, consciously (15:29) What's the feeling behind our desire to scroll? (16:31) Comparing yourself to others (17:41) Searching for: feeling of connection  (19:11) Let's talk about boredom Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/AtIC3wPT82Y I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, hear your thoughts and comments about the practice of "conscious scrolling". Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this third, and final part of the series on Grief & Sorrow, one by one, Zach opens all five gates of grief and explains what to expect from each. We finish our conversation by me sharing my own experience of attending and participating in a grief ritual that Zach has hosted in Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Peruvian Andes.  __ In this three part series, my guest, Zach Seagle, a grief counsellor, former school principal, plant-medicine worker in the lineage of the Asháninka, an indigenous tribe in Peru – attempts to open gates of grief and sorrow to show that only through feeling it all a life of unbridled child-like joy is possible. __ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:11) History of grief rituals (07:41) Five gates of grief (08:01) 1st gate: Everything you love you will lose (08:24) 2nd gate: The places that Have Not Known Love (10:39) 3rd gate: The sorrows of the world (11:51) 4th gate: What we expected and did not receive (15:18) 5th gate: Ancestral grief (17:25) Theatrics of a grief ritual (22:07) My personal experience of grief ritual… (24:10) An example of ancestral grief (33:54) Purging is part of grieving To learn more about the work of and connect with Zach, visit ⁠his website⁠. Subscribe to the podcast to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can also watch this episode on ⁠Youtube and I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. On either platforms you’re invited to leave your comments, thoughts and feelings. Laura Sagen, host of ⁠On Emergence⁠ podcast.

In this second part, we dive deeper – into the rites of passage, dissolution of the ego, and rewilding – all parts of ego maturation process. Zach shares one of my favourite insights I learnt from our conversations: “the culture of hungry caterpillars”. He describes his view on “unsafe nature” and its importance in children’s education. He gently invites you to go into the deep and darkness as the only way to unravel and feel into your mythopoetic identity…  __ In this three part series, my guest, Zach Seagle – a grief counsellor, former school principal, plant-medicine worker in the lineage of the Asháninka, an indigenous tribe in Peru – attempts to open gates of grief and sorrow to show that only through feeling it all a life of unbridled child-like joy is possible. __ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:07) The descent into the soul (03:50) Culture of hungry caterpillars (06:17) Apocalypse: redefined (08:27) Ritual of adolesence: rite of passage (13:51) Your mytho-poetic identity (21:20) Visionary states in altered states of consciousness (31:10) Ego & soul maturation (34:18) Depression, anxiety, jealousy – and other “dark” emotions (38:00) Ego maturation through education (40:34) Life is not safe and why children should know (42:35) Rewilding and imagination as tools (46:53) Zach's project: Agora Academy To learn more about the work of and connect with Zach, visit ⁠his website⁠. ____ Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on ⁠Youtube⁠. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, too. On either of the platforms, you're invited to leave your comments, thoughts and feelings. Laura Sagen, host of ⁠On Emergence⁠ podcast.

In this three part series "Grief & Sorrow", my guest, Zach Seagle, a grief counsellor, former school principal, plant medicine worker of Peruvian Amazon lineage opens the gates of grief and sorrow – to show how through a process of ego dissolution and maturation one can become a full responsible adult, gently but confidently holding the reins of agency over one's own life. (And to add from me, that only through feeling, owning it to experience a life of unbridled child-like joy...) In this first part we discuss the sorrows of the world, especially felt acutely by the Indigenous cultures. From years of his learning directly from the elders of the Asháninka tradition, Zach shares what Western world can learn from the “kinship system” – a profound feeling of relating and belonging to nature and its members (fellow humans, animals and rocks & rivers). A beginning of a fascinating spiralling conversation to lead you down further… Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (05:16) Receiving wisdom from the Indigenous (08:01) Childhood acquaintance with grief (10:46) Mythology vs Contemporary forms of truth (11:41) Literal truth (15:22) Cultural truth (17:52) Knowledge of Facts vs Indigenous Wisdom (21:03) Learning WITH the indigenous cultures (25:25) Cultivating relationship with nature (31:03) Fear to feel the pain of the world (36:25) On Carl Jung, insanity and the dissolution of ego To connect and find out more about Zach's work, reach out via his website, Agora Academy. Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can also watch this episode on Youtube. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings on Instagram. I would be delighted to connect with you. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode I share my worldview on “travel” that invites the entire world to feel like home. I don’t like “travelling” in its conventional sense. But I like absorbing the culture, let it soak into my skin, my eyes, my belly, my breath – when I’m at a new geographical location. I like standing still at a new place – letting these new experiences flow through me.  Some say that I travelled extensively. While I don’t count the number of countries I visited (it’s not a contest…), I was incredibly fortunate to live somewhat permanently, semi-permanently in different places around the world – as well as briefly encounter others. I share my perception of travelling, of moving across and through the world and letting the world move through me. Gradually opening new horizons and imbibing in new cultures. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:11) Why learning the basics of local language is important  (06:30) Problem with "Must visit" places and guidebooks (07:19) Why do YOU travel? (08:38) Places to come back to (09:21) "Cheap" travel gives a more authentic experience (11:08) Cooking & food Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube and I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. Leave your comments, thoughts and feelings below. I'm always happy to hear from you. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

In this episode I explain what neurodivergent means and its multiple “faces”: ADHD, autism, hypersensitivity amongst many others. I share how I've learnt to thrive with it and how you can do, too. Having a brain that processes the surrounding world differently is actually a superpower, that opens up a window of possibilities, rather than a deterrent to your life. The thriving comes when you become curious about your neurodivergence and learn how to manage it: dealing with overstimulation, adapt to the changing environments. I share how through therapy, certain practices and tools, I learnt to thrive with it. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:26) Disclaimer (01:15) How I discovered my neurodivergence (02:53) Definition of neurodivergence, autism and ADHD (05:11) Internal & External environment (mis)match (07:05) Neurodivergence in women (09:18) How to relate to neurodivergent people (10:14) Social exhaustion (10:57) The “How are you" question… and why it’s difficult to answer (15:15) How to have interesting conversations as neurodivergent (18:27) Sound sensitivity (21:36) Food and neurodivergence (23:33) Eye contact (27:11) Self-regulating (29:55) Other benefits of neurodivergence Watch this episode on Youtube, visit my website and connect with me on Instagram. I'd be delighted to hear your stories and experience of being a neurodivergent and answer any questions you may have. Laura, Your host of On Emergence podcast x

In this episode, my guest Stephanie Kittell, founder of Rise & Thrive, a holistic embodiment wellness guide talks about how your body has the innate wisdom to self-regulate. How with certain practices and techniques it can help you go through emotional outbursts, as well as challenging life experiences that last longer, sometimes – for years. Instead of shoving and hiding away from difficult or overwhelming emotions and experiences, in this episode you will learn how to flex the inner emotional muscle by using your body. ___ Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(00:14) Rise & Thrive principle of Stephanie's work(02:23) Meaning of being "Awake"(04:50) Overwhelm from being "awake & present"(06:21) Window of tolerance – your nervous system(07:44) When you want to kill your yoga teacher...(09:48) What to do if you feel angry(10:50) How long does anger last?(13:04) How to unlock your body's wisdom(16:50) Your voice has power. This is how to get it.(21:38) How to become an intuitive human(25:04) Thumb Hug: simple somatic "trick" to help you feel calm(29:30) More about embodiment work & practices ___ Find out more about Rise & Thrive and Stephanie's work on her website and connect with her directly on Instagram Subscribe to On Emergence podcast on YouTube I'm always happy to hear from you on ⁠Instagram⁠ Much love, Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

The podcast is about what it takes to be a human being, so it's impossible to proceed any further before I invite you to get to know yourself. There's only that much one can learn and improve before they take a leap into their psyche. As a meditation teacher, I share my view, journey and experience with meditation. Practical tips on how & when to meditate – and above all WHY you should do it. Is there a bonus to meditating? Many. One of them, you will never feel alone. Really. Once you learn who you REALLY are, you will realise that there is an amazing human being always nearby (as close as it gets...). Meditation doesn't need to be scary, or effortful, in fact, it can easily become your addiction (but a healthy type)... ___ CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction  (00:19) Different approaches to meditation  (03:30) Experiencing yourself  (04:54) Practical benefits of meditating  (06:53) Easiest point to start  (08:46) How much should you meditate?  (09:43) Dealing with stress  (11:58) Can you get addicted to meditation?  (13:52) How to become your own friend.  (14:55) Why meditation cannot be studied. (16:31) Meditation teaches you how to OWN your life  (18:39) Meditation apps (19:27) How meditation can help you feel your emotions (24:52) A short meditation practice... ___ If you like the content, be sure to subscribe to the podcast as we dive deeper not only into the psyche but overall, the human experience. Checkout Youtube Channel and Instagram – for more content around human experience and to say hello. I'd love to hear from you. Blog → https://www.onemergence.com/

In this episode we begin to explore one of the core aspects of being a human being: our feelings. As humans, we constantly FEEL. That feeling is a reaction to the external world or our own inner workings & thoughts. The problem is that we don’t always KNOW what the feeling is... let alone how to feel it in a way that doesn’t overwhelm or “destroy” us. I share a practical approach on how to feel your feelings by first, making a distinction between a feeling and an emotion; and then taking you on an investigation of them individually.  We also touch upon: emotional overwhelm addictions and coping mechanisms as a way to deal with the unfamiliar and “scary” feelings exploration of your own feelings during the episode itself Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:56) Emotions vs. feelings (02:21) Feeling is a skill (04:18) Practical exercise on how to feel your feelings (06:52) How to control your emotions (08:39) How to feel happiness (09:29) How to feel your anxiety (12:23) How to use meditation as a tool to feel (14:50) Use language as a tool to feel your feelings (16:44) Use your body to change your emotions (20:10) Why people numb their feelings (21:48) Reminder if your feelings are overwhelming you... (22:16) Addictions as coping mechanism for hard & scary feelings (24:45) What happens when you begin to FEEL (29:52) How to become curious about your feelings even if you're scared of them Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can also watch this show and episode on Youtube. I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠ - feel free to leave your comments, thoughts and feelings there. Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast x

In this episode, my guest is Tata Izaias Mendoza, a Mayan elder from San Marcos, Guatemala, founder of LavaLove Cacao, educator of cacao as plant medicine in the context of Indigenous Mayan tradition and cosmovision. **Episode recorded in San Marcos Guatemala in a heavy rain – which from time to time affects the sound** In this fascinating interview, Tata Izaias shares his view on life “as a ceremony”, a deeper iteration of “Capre Diem” – not just seizing the moment but doing your best in it, unequivocally giving your all. A grounding conversation to soothe you into finding the inner guidance once more, as Tata invites us to humbly consider that we are part of something bigger and something much more important than the inertia of the day-to-day. His insights and teachings are rooted in the Indigenous Mayan tradition and cosmovision — how connecting to Nature can connect you to yourself. How acknowledging the creator — for some it’s God, for some it’s Higher Consciousness, for some it’s the Universe — how acknowledging and honoring it, can nurture humility to make the world better than we found it. We talked about finding purpose, about depression and sorrow, about the importance of a ritual… Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:07) What does term “Tata” or elder mean to the community (04:02) Meaning of “shaman” and “shamanism”  (10:20) Cacao in the modern Western world (11:16) Life as a ceremony – core approach to living (15:52) What does it mean to be a human – in the context of Indigenous Mayan tradition (17:43) How to sit with your sadness and sorrow (21:22) Story and myth of cacao as plant medicine for humanity (23:36) Why it’s important to treat your life as a ceremony (26:51) If you forgot who you are and want to find your purpose again (33:06) Living far from Nature - how to connect with it still (36:07) About cultural appropriation… and its importance (44:18) Doing the ceremony – who is it for, really? (46:46) How to remember who you really are and live your life ​​ You can find more of Tata's work on their ⁠website (https://www.lavalovecacao.com)⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/lavalovecacao). Subscribe to learn more about what it takes to be a human being in this and upcoming conversations. You can watch this episode on Youtube and I would be delighted to connect with you on ⁠Instagram⁠, too. With much love, Laura Sagen, host of On Emergence podcast

Is fear really something you should be fearing, or...? We dive into the psychology of this primal emotion. Fear protects us from danger, it alerts us when something isn't right and needs to be avoided – whether physically or psychologically – but it also prevents us from growth. Growth is danger – it is the unknown, unexplored, while our brain likes the opposite: the familiar and the comfortable. I share insights and perspectives gathered over the years in befriending and getting to know my fear. This is an invitation to look at this emotion with a little more lightness, as a helpful ally, instead of an enemy. /First time we delve into this "big" topic - a gentle touch. Fear features a lot in our constitution as human beings, so be sure we'll be exploring it further./ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:21) Fear is a trusted friend, really... (01:38) Fear doesn't always belong to you (02:42) Fear is a message from the past (03:45) Acting upon fear vs feeling it (06:41) How your patterns survive (and thrive) (09:59) Listen to fear and choose (11:41) Personality, ego & fear (13:14) Question to ask yourself when feeling fear (15:13) In conclusion

We are shaped by the languages we speak and we shape the languages we use - an on-going circled process. In this episode I share a simple "trick" to dissociate yourself a little bit away from the words you use in an emotionally charged situation – in order to introduce more control and agency over how you feel. Excited to share concepts like "language linearity" and "contextual-based languages". I also talk about other forms of communication available to us to express how we feel and how we can still use words as an imperfect tool of self-expression. //Recorded in: San Marcos village near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction(02:56) E-prime language(03:57) Contextual based languages(05:05) Why it's impossible to interrupt a Dutch (or German) speaker(08:30) You're different in every language you speak(10:22) Linear vs non-linear languages(11:23) Non-verbal communication vs verbal(13:03) Neurodivergence, looking in the eye and communication(14:20) Language is an (unreliable) tool(15:45) Feeling-based communication

A drawn out explanation of what to expect from yet-another-podcast – but in my soothing voice... In all seriousness, what's this about?  A space to turn to when life asks you questions you don't know the answers to.  - Taking you along with me, I explore what it takes to be a human being.  - I share insights on common things like: "language" and include you in my own experiences with things like: "feelings" – using many lenses that I collected over my lifetime. I explore even more abstract concepts – inviting you to get fascinated together. - I collect human stories from all over the world, from all walks of life and ask them the same question: "What does it take to be a human being?" and let myself (and you) be carried away by their answer. I attempt to bridge modern science, psychology with indigenous wisdom and spirituality by wrapping it in a comfortable cloak of philosophy and non-duality. You joining the adventure? ;) Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠OnEmergence.com⁠⁠ Timestamps:  (00:00) Am I qualified to talk to you?  (00:53) Who do I do – when I don't talk to you through a camera. (01:31) Definition of a human being (one of many)  (03:10) What's my fascination with human beings?  (03:51) How can you expect to FEEL from this podcast?  (04:58) Why did I start this podcast?  (05:42) Where am I on this planet?  (06:46) Let's talk.  (07:11) Philosophy, science, spirituality...all three.  (08:10) What do I want FOR you.  (08:25) On mistakes. (09:22) ...why "On Emergence"?  (13:49) Maybe listen to this.  (14:37) One more thing I want to mention. P.S. This episode was recorded in in San Marcos, Guatemala by lake Atitlan - say hello to roosters in the background.