Reflections on Living Well

Mary Volmer, the author of two novels – Crown of Dust and Reliance, Illinois – is the Mission Fellow for Athletics at Saint Mary’s College (CA). In this interfaith, lay-chaplaincy position, she counsels and attends to the spiritual well-being of NCAA D-I athletes and coaches. Her essays, reviews, and short stories have appeared in various publications, including Mutha Magazine, The Common Politic, Women’s Basketball Magazine, Fiction Writers Review, Historical Novel Society Review, The New Orleans Review, Brevity, and Ploughshares. In addition to being a co-founder of Maker, Mentor, Muse, she is the director of the Sport for Humanity Higher Education Initiative at Saint Mary’s College of California.For more information about Mary and her work visit: https://www.maryvolmer.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with David Tucker. Dr. David Tucker is the owner of The Zen of Healing and co-owner of Northwest Healing Collective in Seattle. In his practice he utilizes powerful systems of medicine such as Classical Five-Element Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with modalities such as injection therapy, bodywork, and Zen practices, to help patients heal no matter where they are in their journey. For over 20 years he has worked with people of all ages, struggling with complex trauma, anxiety/depression, injury rehabilitation, stress management, and various kinds of chronic illness.On a personal note, David has been a Zen Buddhist and martial artist for 25 years, which along with Chinese Medicine has largely shaped who he is today. Each day David strives to be a “force for good” in the world and do all he can to reduce the suffering within it.He lives in Shoreline with his wife Erin, his two teenage boys Sebastian and Liam, their two cats Banjo and Cello, and their ball python, Izzy. Hobbies include singing karaoke with his family, sharing his passion for traditional tea, reading fantasy novels, and driving his family crazy with all things related to the banjo.For more information about David and his work visit: https://www.thezenofhealing.com/ or https://www.northwesthealingcollective.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Dawn Constantine. Dawn is a recently retired Registered Nurse, serving 37 years in critical care across the lifespan and most recently, in hospice. She now volunteers with some local organizations facilitating grief circles for youth and their caregivers as well as training and facilitation of peer-supported death care in the California Prison System. She is also doing sound baths and Death and Grief Doula Support for adults and children and families. Dawn lives an examined life working with her own shadows, density and barriers to feeling free in the body and mind. Thru this deep inner work, she has trained and certified in a number of modalities she is happy to share, including deep yogic and meditative practices that help with embodiment and to steady the mind for awakening from suffering to joy. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is interviewed by his dear friend Andrew Murphy-Rouse for a 2nd installment. In this conversation Broderick shares some of his experiences and what he has learned over the past two years of hosting the podcast. In the process he reveals more of his life philosophy and some ideas for the future of the podcast and beyond. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Jourdan Johnson. Jourdan is a former college athlete, author of The Sports Tunnel: Every Athlete Dies Twice, and a young curator of narrative for those navigating life beyond the scoreboard. His work confronts the deeply embedded stories that confine athletes to a single identity and offers a pathway toward liberation. Through continuous exploration, ownership, and optionality, Jourdan helps individuals step out of the tunnel and into a more expansive, self-authored life; one aligned with meaning, agency, and what it truly means to live on your own terms.For more information about Jourdan and his work visit: https://www.thesportstunnel.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Rachel Anticoli. Rachel is a Registered Nurse, currently working in Hospice and Palliative Care with pediatrics, diagnosed with a variety of life-limiting illnesses. She is a Certified Pediatric Palliative Care Clinician, working in the home of a young girl, one on one, who was born with a rare neurological complex diagnosis. She also works at the first pediatric palliative care house in America, in San Leandro, California, as a Pediatric Palliative Aquatic RN. Incorporating WATSU and Aquatic Integration, allowing the warm water to provide gentle and therapeutic touch to pediatrics, age 0-25 years old, who often spend their days restricted in a bed or wheelchair. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Bryan Kachel. Seattle-born and raised, Bryan Kachel has been a tattoo artist and painter for 25 years. Well-traveled yet committed to his roots in the Northwest, Bryan owns Moonlight Tattoo with his wife, Mary, and is raising two children.His commitment to art is matched by his passion for exploration; Bryan has traveled extensively across the globe, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and traditional art forms that inform his own unique style. He believes that travel is essential to broadening his artistic perspective and connecting with people through creativity, and the pursuit of excellenceFeatured in Creative Mornings and a contributor to Roc la Rue fine arts gallery, Bryan continues to practice his craft, channeling his worldly experiences into the vibrant work he creates back home in Seattle.For more information about Bryan visit: https://www.bryankachel.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Chris Pearson. Chris is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in biomechanical efficiency and sports medicine. Chris remains a student of life, a parent, and profoundly inspired community member.For more information about Chris visit: https://www.bewellnatural.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Dr. Alan Weisser. Alan, a clinical psychologist, chronic pain mastery expert, and former trial lawyer, has dedicated his career to helping people navigate the complexities of suffering. His innovative methods empower individuals to reclaim their lives, discover their resilience, and thrive despite the challenges of chronic pain. He is the Founder & CEO of New Options: Chronic Pain Management. He founded New Options, Inc. in 2002 to help people with chronic pain management by teaching them to fully engage in recovery. He publishing his first chronic pain book in 2023.For more information about Alan visit: https://newoptionsinc.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Dr. Deborah Zucker. Deborah is a compassionate and experienced naturopathic physician, mental health counselor, health coach, and award-winning author of The Vitality Map. She supports individuals through life’s major transitions with offerings like transformative women’s circles, virtual coaching, retreats, and her signature program, Vital U. Her approach helps clients design their own healing journeys with freedom, confidence, and ease.Having personally navigated a health crisis in her 20s, built a successful business, authored a book, and become a mother at 45, Deborah brings deep insight into the courage and resilience needed to live authentically. Her offerings invite individuals to chart their own paths to embodied well-being and vitality. Learn more at Vital Medicine.For more information about Deborah visit: https://vitalmedicine.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Jami Sieber. Jami as an electric cellist and vocalist, reaches inside the soul with compositions that are contemporary, timeless, lush, and powerfully evocative. Her style of performance has been recognized internationally. An innovative musician, Jami’s music moves beyond the surface, inspiring listeners with her musical prowess and humanity. Her life-long commitment to the environment, social justice, and the healing arts is at the heart of her music, reflecting a deep dedication to the arts as a medium of exploration and awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings.Jami is a performer that makes transformation appear simple, taking a traditionally classical instrument and morphing it into the source of a multi-dimensional range of expressive works. Her music transforms from the deepest stillness to moving melodies and rhythms that light the soul on fire. Jami’s musical path moved from classical to folk, to rock/pop to world and improvisation. Since launching her solo career Sieber has entered into dynamic collaborations with an extraordinary spectrum of dancers, actors, poets, visual artists, improvisers (Rhiannon), vocalists (Ferron, Cris Williamson), and instrumentalists that span the globe. She has composed for film, (Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning, Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton, As She Is, Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?), dance, theatre, and the popular video game – Braid.For more information about Jami visit: https://jamisieber.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Pato Banton. Pato aka “BrotherFriend” is an internationally renowned Reggae Legend that has recorded and toured the world with The English Beat, Stephen Marley, Steel Pulse, UB40 & STING! (to name just a few). Not only has Pato topped the reggae and commercial charts all over the world, he has also had 5 top 20 hits in the British Charts, with his biggest hit “Baby Come Back” (featuring Ali & Robin Campbel of UB40) staying at the No.1 position for 4 weeks in a row and selling over 30 million copies! Although his four-decade career has also earned him a Grammy Nomination and a place in the British Music Hall of Fame his journey has increasingly transcended the music business into arenas of youth outreach, teaching in schools and colleges, writing new curriculum for children with learning disabilities, Music Outreach Workshops around the world for “at risk” young people in disadvantaged communities and Global Spiritual Ministry. Pato also received the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his tireless community work and his successful efforts to help reduce gun crime in his hometown of Birmingham England.In early 2018, Pato & his wife Antoinette Rootsdawtah (who is also a minister and world renowned reggae keyboard player) were both presented with the prestigious “Unity Earth ~ Keepers Of The Flame Award” by Ben Bowler and later that year they were both appointed as “Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule” by Ambassador Mussie of the United Religions Initiative ~ Africa. In 2019 their Spiritual Family won the “URI Hermes Award” for creative collaboration and communications with other Cooperation Circles around the world and shortly thereafter they were both invited to become official members of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, a dynamic and visionary project of the Source of Synergy Foundation. Most recently Pato was invited to the Los Angeles City Council Chambers and presented with the “Caribbean Cultural Heritage Award” in recognition of his ability to use music as a tool to engage diverse communities with a Message of Love! The State Of California Senate also awarded Pato with the “Las Rosas Honors” in recognition of his contribution to the arts and culture of the Caribbean and Central American Communities, jointly creating a richer and more diverse culture in the City of Los Angeles and the State of California. Now based in Southern California, Pato continues to record and tour the world extensively, conveying a positive, fun & spiritual message, while simultaneously serving as a Teacher, Counselor, Mentor & “Minister of the verb” to his Fans, Friends & Spiritual Family.”To “personally” stay in touch with Pato and learn more about his Global Ministry go to: www.facebook.com/groups/patobantonsspiritualfamilyFor more general information about Pato visit: https://officialpatobanton.com/For more information about Pato’s Ubunbtu project visit: https://www.thespiritofubuntu.us/For free access to the Pato’s music mentioned in the conversation visit: https://patobantonofficial.bandcamp.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Jason Medina. Jason is the son of David and Leta Medina, brother to Charles and Daniel, husband to Dr. Nesreen Medina and father of Naomi and Camila. For over 30 years Jason has worked in health and human services. He has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a consultant and trainer for juvenile justice and child welfare workers as well as facilitating community programs for at risk youth, older adults, children and adults with developmental disabilities.Jason specializes in evidence-based protocols for families, individuals, couples and children. He focuses on pragmatic solutions using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help treat past trauma while addressing areas of dissonance by aligning thoughts, emotions and actions. Jason also helps contextualize the influences of family, culture and religion in identity, decision-making, and relationship processes.Jason is the co-developer of the S.T.A.Y. model through the University of Washington’s Evidence Based Practices Institute and maintains a private practice in north Seattle. He was adjunct faculty at the Leadership Institute of Seattle providing master’s level courses in ethics and law, solution focused therapeutic techniques, crisis intervention and research methods of family therapy. He has trained and supported teams in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Holland, Australia and other locations around the continental United States.For more information about Jason visit: https://www.medinacounseling.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Amy L. Eva, PhD. Amy is the Associate Education Director at the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. As an educational psychologist and teacher educator with over 30 years in classrooms, she currently writes, presents, and leads online courses focused on student and educator well-being, mindfulness, and courage. In addition, she is one of the key developers of the website, Greater Good in Education, which features over 400 free, research-based practices for creating kinder, happier schools where everyone belongs.Over the past several years she has co-facilitated statewide social and emotional learning communities of practice for California educators and administrators. And her recently published book, Surviving Teacher Burnout: A Weekly Guide To Build Resilience, Deal with Emotional Exhaustion, and Stay Inspired in the Classroom, features 52 simple, low-lift strategies for enhancing educational professionals’ social and emotional well-being.For more information about Amy visit: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/amy_eva Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Susane Smiroldo. Susane is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student committed to a multicultural, integrative approach to healing. Her work weaves together evidence-based counseling with embodied practices rooted in mindfulness, cultural humility, and somatic awareness. She is a certified Vinyasa, prenatal, and trauma-informed yoga instructor (Sacred Seeds and Kripalu) and a mindfulness teacher trained through Harvard and Blue Cliff Monastery.Susane was recently awarded the Haberman-Williams Scholarship by the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, recognizing her as a model of academic and professional excellence. She speaks on topics including mindfulness, trauma, mental health, and immigrant resilience.Born in Brazil and based in Massachusetts, deeply passionate about Zen meditation, which she practices with her sangha in MA, as well as exploring nature and playing Capoeira. She is also the proud mother of Valentina, Lorenzo, and Antonella—her greatest teachers and daily inspiration. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Dawn Sumner. Dawn is a Geobiologist who studies how Earth and life have co-evolved over billions of years. She completed degrees at the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has been a professor in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis for 28 years. She has been an author on more than 130 publications, and Dawn has been honored for her scientific research by several societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science.Dawn’s research has included studying how microbial communities live in Antarctica, and she uses that information to better model the evolution of early life on Earth and how the atmosphere got the oxygen we need to breath. She also participated in the NASA Mars Curiosity rover mission, helping the team look for evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars.In addition to her science, Dawn prioritizes the human side of life in her interactions with others. She is dedicated to helping people of all backgrounds prepare for and succeed in scientific careers. Specifically, she makes time to listen to the problems individuals are facing and helps them find productive paths forward, whether the challenges originate from cultural barriers, harassment, mental health issues, other circumstances, or their interactions. Dawn uses what she has learned to try to make the university a more supportive environment for people who have traditionally been excluded from academia.For her own wellbeing, Dawn participates in capoeira. This beautiful Afro-Brazilian art form provides intense physical interactions, improvisational music, and a strong community grounded in centuries of tradition. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Broderick reflects on the question of what it means to live well and our current sociopolitical moment. Here he lays out a framework for thinking about the question of what it means to living well or have a good life and how it relates to our current sociopolitical moment. So, this is not a commentary on the particulars. It offers a way to think about this moment within the context of what makes life worth living. The aim here is to inspire your own reflections on the framework outlined and the questions proposed. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this Episode I speak with Jeff Snipes. Jeff has served on the boards of Greenhouse E3, Education Superhighway, Mindful Schools, Challenge Success, and Marin Montessori in addition to several for-profit HR Technology firms. Over the past twenty years he has led multiple education-related organizations and facilitated scores of leadership circles and retreats. Jeff currently serves as Founder and Chairman of Millennium.org, an organization dedicated to expanding Whole Self well-being through education. In addition to its lab school in San Francisco, Millennium is growing a vibrant professional development community for educators and parents. Learn more about Jeff's work at https://www.millennium.org Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this Episode I speak with Bhavani Siegel. Bhavani is a founding member of Mount Madonna Center, where she lives. She is a senior teacher in MMC’s Yoga Faculty where she teaches many aspects of Yoga, including Meditation, Prāṇāyāma & Yoga Philosophy. Among these, her specialties are: Foundational Values in Yoga Philosophy: Yama & Niyama Mantra Yoga: Sanskṛit as Sacred Sound Ritual & Symbolism in the Path of YogaBhavani also leads Yogic rituals (Pūjā & Yajña) at Mount Madonna Center’s Sankaṭ Mochan Hanumān Temple. She also incorporated yoga for children as a schoolteacher for 20 years. In essence, Bhavani loves chanting & ritual, mystic poetry, and the solace of nature. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Laura Chandler. Laura is a writer, teacher, podcast host, and award-winning songwriter. She has worked in publishing, music and video production, and alternative therapies. As the co-founder and Executive Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, CA, she is dedicated to the preservation of traditions, and practices that contribute to the healing of the earth and the awakening of humanity to a more compassionate existence. Her music has appeared in film and television, and she is the owner of Red Cow Records and Music Publishing.With a background in spiritual, therapeutic and meditative techniques from around the world, she has worked with master teachers from a variety of traditions. She has also released seven albums and co-authored two books, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation and Coming to Peace: Resolving Conflict Within Ourselves and Others.In her work, Laura trains people in Depth Hypnosis, an integrative psycho-spiritual healing modality that blends aspects of ancient wisdom and contemporary psychological thought, and has helped thousands of people live happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives. She is particularly interested in the profound connection between creativity and spirituality and integrates this perspective into teachings that blend art, consciousness studies, and holistic practices. She teaches and speaks nationally and internationally and works with groups and individuals through her private practice.For more information about Laura visit: https://laurachandler.org/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Diane Musho Hamilton. Diane is an award-winning mediator and a teacher of Zen meditation. She received dharma transmission from Genpo Merzel Roshi in 2006. Diane served as the Director of Dispute Resolution for the Utah Judiciary from 1994 - 1999, mediating many matters, from simple neighborhood disputes to complex, multi-party negotiations. She was most recognized for her skills in facilitating difficult conversations about race, gender, and religion in Utah. She began working with Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute in 2004 and has held transformative containers for many people interested in their development for fifteen years. She is the co-founder of Two Arrows Zen, a center for Zen study and practice in Utah. She is the author of three books on conflict resolution, relationships, and communication. Her latest book is Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross-training for an Evolving World (Shambhala Publications, June 2025), co-authored with Gabriel Wilson.For more information about Diane visit: https://www.dianemushohamilton.com/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Jennifer Meek. Jen is an Embodiment Coach, Trauma Informed Yoga Therapist and Somatic Dance Instructor with over a decade of professional experience in dance, yoga and mindfulness. She is certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists and also holds a certification in Somatic Integrative Trauma Therapy from The Embody Lab. She guides folks in coming back home to their wise bodies to live more in touch with intuition, pleasure and a deep connection to self and others.For more information about Jennifer visit: https://www.jennifermeek.com/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Rita Bozi. Rita is a multidisciplinary Somatic Relational trauma-informed Facilitator, Psychedelic Therapist, Somatic Transformation Educator, author, and podcast co-host. With thirty years’ experience in the healing arts, she is the director of Brilliant Healing Inc. She works with individuals and groups, leading unique, experiential and creative healing retreats. She trains, mentors and supervises international students in her 3 Module program: Somatic Relational Trauma-informed Practices for Medicine-Assisted Facilitation. Her podcast PUNK THERAPY: Psychedelic Underground Neural Kindness has had over 20,000 downloads which she co-hosts with Dr. T. In 2013, Rita wrote, produced and co-starred with Gabor Maté in the multi-disciplinary show, The Damage is Done which performed to sold out houses. Her first novel, When I Was Better, released in 2022 is a winner of the Firebird Book Award, and is a finalist for the 2022 Goethe International literary award for Late-Historical Fiction. She is a retired dancer, actor and performer. For more information about Rita visit: https://www.brillianthealingsystems.com Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Gary Peterson. Gary is a Registered Craniosacral Therapist (RCST ®) who has been teaching and practicing energy therapies for over 40 years. He teaches Craniosacral Therapy trainings, Polarity Therapy trainings, and other therapeutic work for the nervous system. His teaching and private practice are inspired by his strong desire to understand and alleviate the deep causes of suffering found with stress and trauma to the nervous system. He is especially motivated to help babies, moms and their families to resolve the crippling effects of traumas and stresses that happen during gestation, birth and early neonatal life.Gary’s first book, Settling: Simple Ways to Calm Your Nervous System, will be published soon. This self-help manual gives you a set of vital skills for regulating your nervous system in order to experience greater health, balance and relaxation.Gary and his wife Bonnie have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren, and live in Sebastopol, CA.For more information about Gary visit: https://starinstitute.us/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I speak with Paul T. P. Wong. Paul passed away in October 2024 at the age of 87. He was Professor Emeritus of Trent University and Trinity Western University. He was a Fellow of various psychology associations such as the APA, APS, and CPA, and the founding President of the International Network on Personal Meaning and the Meaning-Centered Counseling Institute. He was Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Existential Positive Psychology and Consulting Editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology. He published 8 books and more than 300 articles and book chapters, with increasing impact according to Google Scholar. He was also shortlisted by AcademicInfluence.com as one of the most “noteworthy and influential psychologists,” with a world ranking of No. 155. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Ginger (Kamalesh) Hooven. As director of Mount Madonna Institute’s Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy program and chair of the organization’s School of Yoga, Ginger has been integrating the sister sciences for decades. She began her yoga journey in Guatemala where she opened the first yoga studio in La Antigua Guatemala in 2000. She spent most of her time from 2002 - 2014 living off and on in the yoga community of Mount Madonna, in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California where she studied with master yogi, Baba Hari Dass. Today, she works for Mount Madonna Institute virtually while living in Guatemala, where she has an ayurvedic yoga therapy practice and teaches regular classes. Ginger follows the advice of her teacher, Baba Hari Dass, to know yoga through ayurveda. She has been a restaurateur in Guatemala since 1993, where she also owns and runs a mini-retreat center in San Juan del Obispo, just outside of Antigua. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Premdās Rohan. Premdās is a retired educator and teaches as a substitute teacher in the public schools. He has taught all ages of students from 2 years to the elderly. He combined his love of science and mathematics in the classroom with his love of yoga practice, teaching students mindfulness, breath awareness, precepts for living a virtuous life based on non-violence, and postures. Premdas studied Aṣṭāṅga Yoga with Baba Hari Dass from 1974 until his passing in 2018, starting in Miami, Florida. He is a senior teacher at Mount Madonna Center having taught there continuously from 1980 to the present. He is one of several ‘pujaris’ at the Hanuman Temple at Mount Madonna Center and has been instrumental in opening up ritual leads to women. He offers morning ‘arati’ at least two times a week and has done so since the temple was founded in 2003. He periodically conducts fire rituals and began offering vegan only versions of fire rituals in 2017. PD teaches philosophy classes through MMC and Watsonville Yoga both in person and online. He currently co-hosts MMC Bhagavad Gītā class which he has done for over 30 years, and a hybrid satsāṅg/yoga philosophy once a month at Watsonville Yoga. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Petra Hanson. Petra is the founder of Aerapy and a radical believer in aerial movement as medicine. A former pop singer-in-Japan from New York City, Petra's obsession with aerial, came after decades of dancing and singing on stages with her band. She wanted to dangle in the fabric, not to perform in a circus, but to heal chronic stress in her body. Seeking a gentler version for non-acrobats and middle-aged bodies, Petra eventually found her like-minded aerial teachers in Hawaii, Northern California, and New York and a more therapeutic aerial practice. Now certified in Antigravity Fitness® by the world-established Christopher Harrison, she has recently opened her own affiliate studio in Brooklyn. There, she continues to hone her own method, Aerapy, and teaches private classes and workshops in Costa Rica. She believes all bodies, ages, and levels can enjoy the experience of moving in the air in a manner that’s exhilarating but also safe and calming to the nerves. For more information about Petra visit: https://www.aerapymethod.com/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Rabbi Rami Shapiro. Rabbi Rami is an award-winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. Rami received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School. Rabbi Rami co–directs One River Foundation (oneriverfoundation.org), writes the foundation’s newsletter, Ask Rabbi Rami, and is contributing editor for Spirituality & Health magazine (spiritualityhealth.com) where he writes the advice column Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler. Rami can be reached via his websites: https://rabbirami.oneriverfoundation.org/ and https://new.oneriverfoundation.org/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Isa Gucciardi, PhD. Isa has spent over 30 years studying spiritual, therapeutic, and meditative techniques from around the world. She is the creator of Depth Hypnosis, a groundbreaking therapeutic model that has won rave reviews from psychotherapeutic and spiritual counselors alike. She has published numerous articles, has been featured in several documentaries, and is the author of several books, including the Amazon number one bestseller, Coming to Peace, The New Return to the Great Mother, and the most recent, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Inner Transformation. Isa is the Founding Director of the Foundation of the SacredStream, a non-profit organization and school for consciousnessstudies, and is on the faculty of Embodied Philosophy. She speaks five languages, has lived in eleven countries, teaches and lectures nationally and internationally, and maintains an active counseling practice in San Francisco.For more information about Isa visit: https://www.isagucciardi.org/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Dr. Keith Witt. Keith is a Licensed Psychologist, teacher, and author who has lived and worked in Santa Barbara since 1973. He has conducted over 75,000 therapy sessions and published eight books, including Loving Completely, Shadow Light, and Integral Mindfulness. In presentations and classes around the U.S. and internationally, Keith has explored love, therapy, interpersonal relationships, and development from multiple perspectives, weaving neuroscience, Integral theory, wisdom traditions, and numerous forms of psychotherapy into a coherent cosmology of love and healing.For more information about Dr. Keith and his work visit: https://drkeithwitt.com/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Brett Hill. Brett, known as "The Mindful Coach®", is a seasoned coach, speaker, and trainer with expertise in mindfulness-based somatic practices, career coaching, and technology. As the founder of the Mindful Coach Association and host of The Mindful Coach Podcast, Brett leverages his background as an ICF-certified mindfulness and wellness coach, registered hypnotherapist, and former Microsoft MVP to help professionals and coaches elevate their presence and achieve transformative growth.For more information about Brett and his work visit: https://themindfulcoach.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with Sky Bergman. Sky is Professor Emeritus of Photography and Video at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, is in her third act after a 30-year teaching career. Her artwork is in prestigious museum collections, and her commercial work has appeared in renowned magazines like the Smithsonian. Sky’s passion is creating films and projects that inspire intergenerational connections, emphasizing the power of shared stories. Following her successful PBS documentary "Lives Well Lived," her book "Lives Well Lived — GENERATIONS" distills wisdom from the film, celebrating life's essence across generations.For more information about Sky and his work visit: https://www.lives-well-lived.com    Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is in conversation with David Heppard. As the Director of Vision and Values for The Black Rose Collective, which he co-founded, David continues to champion community empowerment and systemic change. He believes that love is the most potent tool for dismantling barriers and fostering healing. David aspires to support individuals to confront their traumas and reclaim their stories, embodying the resilience of the human spirit.The Black Rose Collective is a group of dedicated community organizers and support specialists directed by and accountable to the community –Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of the global majority who are incarcerated, impacted by gun violence, or who face ongoing barriers of the reintegration process after being legally liberated from the carceral system.For more information about David and his work visit: https://www.theblackrosecollective.org/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Rae Johnson PhD, RSW, RSMT, BCC (they/them). Rae is a board-certified coach, somatic movement therapist, and scholar/activist working at the intersections of embodiment and social justice. Rae is a professor of somatic psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and played a key role in developing the first Embodied Social Justice Certificate, an online program that brought together hundreds of thought leaders, practitioners, and community change agents to help shape the emerging field of embodied social justice. Rae is the author of several books, including Embodied Social Justice (Routledge, 2018) and Embodied Activism (North Atlantic Books, 2023).For more information about Rae visit: https://raejohnsonsomatic.com/  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Barry Johnson. Barry created the first Polarity Map® and set of principles in 1975. Since then he has been learning And applying Polarity Thinking® with people and organizations all over the world. He continues to explore and promote supplementing Or-thinking with And-thinking to enhance our quality of life on our planet. With humility And pride, Barry is passionate about creating an international community of Polarity Practitioners who are dedicated to the study and application of Polarities in a variety of disciplines and situations.Barry’s newest publications, And: Volume One – Foundations and And: Volume Two – Applications represent what he and his colleagues have learned about And-thinking since his first book, Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems, came out in 1992.Barry is an avid outdoorsman and intrepid traveler, and brings head And heart together in his teaching and consulting. Barry and his wife, Dana, have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. For more information about Barry and Polarity Partnerships visit: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez. Lorea is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate Social Emotional Learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. She has worked with schools, districts, and organizations to guide SEL implementation efforts, including training teachers and leadership teams, and provided guidance to educational technology and media companies to help them integrate SEL in their products.An educator who has worked with children and adults internationally, Dr. Martínez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. She has conducted extensive research in the SEL field with a focus on SEL implementation, principals’ Emotional Intelligence, teacher preparation, and school climate. She frequently blogs about how to incorporate SEL in teaching practices, leadership and parenting.She received her Doctor of Philosophy, magna cum laude, in Quality and Innovation in Education from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. In 2014, she was awarded the American Education Research Association Graduate Student Award for Excellence in SEL Research from the SEL Special Interest Group.Dr. Martínez started her career as a special education teacher and administrator. A native of the Costa Brava in Spain, she currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.For more information about Lorea visit: https://loreamartinez.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Gregg Levoy. Gregg is the author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion (Penguin), and the bestseller Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life (Random House)----rated among the "Top 20 Career Publications" by the Workforce Information Group. He is also the former "behavioral specialist" at USA Today and a regular blogger for Psychology Today.As a speaker, he has Keynoted at the American Counseling Association Conference, National Career Development Assn Conference, National Conference on Positive Aging, Smithsonian Institution, Microsoft, and others, and has appeared on ABC-TV, CNN, NPR and PBS.A former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, and former columnist and reporter for USA Today and the Cincinnati Enquirer, he has written for the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Omni, Reader’s Digest, and others. As of last year, he's been leaning into the challenges and opportunities of retirement, which he describes as "an acquired taste."For more information about Gregg visit: https://www.gregglevoy.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Rob Lieblein. Rob is a certified holistic life coach who specializes in helping clients recover from chronic pain and other symptoms not due to disease, injury, or infection. He brings over two decades of experience as a yoga teacher and mindfulness teacher to this role, along with a parallel career in outdoor and experiential education, in which he facilitates team-building and group dynamics programs.Throughout his career, he’s worked with adults and children of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, and in settings ranging from school classrooms to corporate conference rooms, and sprawling forests to private videoconferences.Rob sees the common thread in these diverse roles as helping others build connections-- with others and within themselves--in order to lead fuller and more satisfying lives.Rob is a native of New York City, and has lived in New York’s Hudson Valley since 2000.For more information about Rob visit: https://www.roblieblein.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Broderick is in conversation with Sidian Morning Star Jones. Sidian is an award winning author and personal mythologist, someone who works with belief, meaning, and story to enrich, inspire, and help others pursue meaningful direction in their lives.Jones has spoken to audiences around the world and starred on a hit TLC TV show. His work has been featured on The Joe Rogan Experience, Stephen King, Apple, and Techcrunch. Jones is the grandson of legendary shaman Rolling Thunder, basis for the Billy Jack movies, subject of Martin Scorcese’s The Rolling Thunder Revue. Jones has co-authored two books about Rolling Thunder.For more information about Sidian visit: https://mymythos.org/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Tom Shelby. Tom is an expert dog trainer with a specialty in search and rescue dogs and nearly four decades of experience and over 800 training appointments a year. He was a dog handler at the Westminster Dog Show, trained a dog for an off-Broadway play, and worked with well over 100 rich and famous clients. Because of his dog Michelle's success in finding missing people, he was asked to join the Rockland County Sheriff's Department. He taught group classes for New York City's Humane Society and Bide-A-Wee and was a Speaker at the Berkshire SAR (Search and Rescue) Conference. For many years, Tom judged best-in-show and obedience at the Annual Martha's Vineyard Dog Show. Tom is the author of "Dog Training: It Ain't An Accountant's Job: Great Stories, Not A Training Manual!" and "Dog Training Diaries: Proven Expert Tips & Tricks to Live in Harmony with Your Dog." Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Victor Kazanjian. Victor is a mentor, coach and consultant helping individuals and organizations to achieve their goals and actualize their aspirations through a holistic approach to leadership, life and learning. He teaches that integrated and effective leaders serve as midwives, enabling others to birth their creative potential.  Recently Victor served together with his wife Michelle Lepore as a Fellow in the Bartos Program for the Constructive Engagement of Conflict at the United World College - USA in New Mexico. He retired in 2022 as the Executive Director of URI (the United Religions Initiative), a global grassroots intercultural and interfaith peacebuilding network of more than 1,000 groups working in over 100 countries to build bridges of cooperation between people of all beliefs and cultures. Victor helped URI to implement a decentralized, network-based, light-framed, shared leadership organizational approach to addressing a wide array of humanitarian issues that gives people around the world the power to meet their challenges and build cohesive, connected, peaceful and just communities. Prior to joining URI, Victor served for two decades as Dean of Intercultural Education, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life and Co-Director of the Peace and Justice Studies Program at Wellesley College. He also served as a visiting faculty member at the Malaviya Center for Peace Research in Varanasi, India. Victor is an author and recognized thought leader and trainer in areas of intergroup dialogue, conflict transformation, diversity and democracy, community empowerment, peacebuilding, spiritual practice and consciousness. He is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church with a daily practice of Buddhist meditation, yoga, qigong and kirtan. He holds a Masters of Divinity degree from the Episcopal Divinity School and an A.B. in psychology from Harvard University.  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode Broderick is interviewed by his dear friend Andrew Murphy-Rouse. In this conversation Broderick reveals some of his life story and philosophy, his reason for hosting the podcast and what his objectives are moving forward with the podcast. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Kevin Carroll. A native of San Francisco, Kevin has lived in the Santa Clara Valley since 1972. He completed his undergraduate studies at Santa Clara University and earned his Master’s degree at the University of San Francisco.Kevin devoted more than forty years of his life to teaching, primarily at the high school level, and pastoral ministry. He began an unexpected journey of gratitude in November 2006, a focused pilgrimage which continues to this day. Since his retirement in 2015, Kevin has published six books, three of them on the topic of gratitude.Kevin is married, the father of three adult sons, and “Papa” to five wonderful grandchildren. He and his wife, Kathy, live in San José, California.For more information about Kevin visit: https://abeaconoflight.life/home/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Martin Kachuck (Sampad). Sampad is a recently retired Middle School Teacher, Stage Director, Actor in and around the South Bay area, Writer, and residential community member of Mt. Madonna Center. Sampad and his wife, Kalpana, moved to Mt Madonna Center in 1980 and have been here since. One of the Center’s group of founders, Sampad had the good fortune to spent the majority of his adult life studying with and enjoying the company of Baba Hare Dass or more affectionately called Babaji. Babaji passed away in 2018. So much of what he has learned about life and its compelling journey he attributes to that time spent with Babaji. For over 4 decades, Sampad dedicated his life to the craft of teaching, working for over 40 years at Mt. Madonna School, a private school on the Center’s property, where he taught Middle School English and was the director of the school’s ambitious theatre arts department. The school produces 3 major productions a year, including the annual presentation of the Ramayana, that involves the whole school, preschool through 12th Grade. Although retired, Sampad still participates in Mt. Madonna Center events, presenting workshops for community members using approachable theater games and activities as a method to foster creativity, openness, trust and fun. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode Broderick is in conversation with Louisa Peck. Raised a staunch atheist, Louisa Peck rejected her 1982 Near-Death Experience (NDE) as a hallucination in order to continue her alcoholic, ego-driven lifestyle – until the same voice that had been present in her NDE broke into her consciousness twelve years later to redirect her life's course. Louisa’s parents had urged her to excel academically, physically, and socially – but they couldn’t pass on what they didn’t possess: an appreciation for self-honesty and the humility it cultivates. At 34, when she arrived home after driving there blind drunk at 80 mph, not caring what might result, her angel broke into her consciousness with two stern messages: 1) This is the last time I can help you, and 2) You DO know right from wrong. A month later, Louisa attended her first 12-step meeting and today has 29 years sober.Her book, Die-Hard Atheist: From NDE Denier to Full-on Woo-Woo -- Against my Will, recounts not only her experience on the other side during her cardiac arrest, but also unfolds the after-story of how increasingly frequent communications from her angel guided her to embrace the sacred work of everyday love, kindness, and compassion as the framework of a joy-filled life.  Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I speak with Laura Uplinger. Laura is a student and educator in the field of conscious conception, pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding. Since the late 1970s, she has been a proponent of the powerful influence a mother’s inner life has on the formation of her baby during pregnancy and the breastfeeding months.From 1988 to 1999, she served on the Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology And Health’s Board of Directors, and is currently the vice-president of the Brazilian Association for Prenatal Education, with whom she coordinates seminars and an 18-month training program, in which the spiritual dimensions of pregnancy, as well as psychological and physiological ones, are addressed.Laura documentary film "Pregnancy & Civilization, The Power of Pregnant Women Over Our Future" can be view from the following link: https://vimeo.com/anepbrasil/documentary Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I speak with Charles Holmes. Charles is a skilled facilitator and educator whose 30 years of experience has honed a passion for creating meaningful dialogue among groups whose diverse opinions would otherwise work against a common understanding of desired outcomes. Charles has facilitated projects with clients from health care to forestry and mining, software and pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions and utility firms, government and not-for-profit sectors. The meetings he has designed and facilitated have focused on innovation, conflict resolution, community engagement, long range scenario planning and 100’s of strategic planning sessions with Boards and management teams. He has worked with multi-national corporations in many settings throughout North America, Mexico, Asia, Europe and Saudi Arabia. Charles is also a co-founder of the Academy for Systems Change, a collection of global thought-leaders committed to advancing the capacity for awareness-based systems change worldwide and are deeply involved in developing living examples of biological, social, spiritual and economic well-being. For more information about Charles and his work visit: https://www.ceholmesconsulting.com/ Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I speak with Sharon Robinson. Sharon is originally from the US where she lived mostly in the Southeast. She was a physical therapist living in Georgia when she had her 2 birth children with midwives in South Carolina. A few years after they were born, she felt called to study midwifery herself. After graduating with a Masters Degree in Midwifery from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, she and her family went to Cambodia. While in Cambodia, Sharon also worked alongside a Cambodian midwife providing care to some of the pregnant women she met through her work and in the community. After Cambodia, she and her family (then plus one adopted Cambodian son) moved to New Zealand where she hoped she could provide midwifery care in a way that aligned with her calling. She has now practiced midwifery in New Zealand for over 20 years and is a strong advocate for women's choice. She has also traveled quite extensively assisting women with births in Tonga, Mexico and the Amazon Jungle in Peru. Sharon has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and she reports being "well." In fact, she says, she is happier than she's been since she was a child. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I speak with Wendy Baron. Wendy is a teacher, author, coach, researcher, and leader in the field of social, emotional, and academic development. She co-founded the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project and New Teacher Center—a national non-profit dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders. Wendy served as Chief Academic Officer and leader of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at New Teacher Center—with an emphasis on creating cultures of belonging that are inclusive, and culturally responsive. In 2018, Wendy began co-leading the CA statewide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Communities of Practice. Currently, Wendy works with district and school leaders, counselors, mental health clinicians, and community partners in Santa Cruz, CA supporting a systems approach to social, emotional, academic development and transforming schools as centers of wellbeing. Get full access to Broderick Rodell at broderickrodell.substack.com/subscribe