Benevolent Journeys

What if being human is something to enjoy rather than something we are constantly trying to improve?

In this conversation, Deborah sits down with her friend and HUMANS BEing co-facilitator Susanne Streidl to explore the difference between being and doing, and what helps us return to the experience of being fully alive. They talk about horses, yoga, art, nature, worry, joy, trying something for the first time, and the freedom that comes when we stop demanding perfection from ourselves. They also share the story behind their upcoming HUMANS BEing retreats in Costa Rica, where the rainforest, horses, creativity, movement, and community become ways of remembering how natural it can feel to just BE.

Find out more here: Humans BEing

Season 2, Episode 1:

Episode Description:

Welcome to Season 2 of Benevolent Journeys!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ann L. Baldwin, PhD—physiologist, Reiki Master, HeartMath certified trainer, and author—whose remarkable path from lab science to energy medicine reveals the deep wisdom in following the unseen.

While conducting research at the University of Arizona, Dr. Baldwin made a startling discovery: her lab rats’ inflamed intestines weren’t caused by chemicals—they were a physiological response to stress. That revelation led her to explore energy-based healing modalities like Reiki. And in a bold, pivotal act of integrity and purpose, she gave up her tenure at the University of Arizona—a decision that became a defining moment in her benevolent journey.

Now featured on Amazon Prime’s docuseries Bliss Up: Exploring Energy, the Ultimate Healer, Dr. Baldwin blends rigorous science with intuitive healing. She’s published over 125 peer-reviewed articles and books like Reiki in Clinical Practice and The Vagus Nerve in Therapeutic Practice. Her work continues through her role at the HeartMath Institute’s Center for Reiki Research and her equine-assisted studies exploring heart coherence between humans and horses.

In this episode, we explore:

• How heart-focused breathing changes the electromagnetic field of the body

• What happens physiologically when a horse "chooses" a human

• Why stress changes biology—and how energy, breath, and connection reverse its damage

• And how listening deeply to your inner call can lead to unexpected, transformational turns

  This episode is an invitation to rethink the power of energy, science, and the courage to follow evidence—especially when it asks you to change course.

  Dr. Baldwin's Website: Body-Mind-Science

In this extraordinary video episode of Benevolent Journeys, we’re joined by Maria Foreland—an accomplished spirit artist and psychic medium with over 25 years of experience. Set against the serene backdrop of a Virginia barn, we explore the profound connections between art, neuroscience, and the spiritual realm.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/7kKbRcpvYy4

What to Expect:
🎨 Discover how Maria channels the unseen through her breathtaking spirit art.
🧠 Learn about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and spiritual connection.
🐴 Experience the wisdom and calming presence of intuitive horses that serve as co-hosts for the day.

Maria shares powerful insights into love, healing, and the eternal guidance available to us when we tap into the unseen. Whether you’re curious about mediumship, a lover of art, or intrigued by the healing power of animals, this episode will inspire and enlighten you.

Tune in now to journey beyond the ordinary!

Maira's Website: https://mariaforland-spiritartist-medium.com/

Energy Alchemy Retreat: https://eponicity.com/energy-alchemy

#ArtAndSoul #Mediumship #EquineWisdom #SpiritArt #BenevolentJourneysPodcast

"Death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the release of a soul." - Rabindranath Tagore

In this enlightening episode of Benevolent Journeys, we go six feet under into the often-avoided but universal experience of death with Patty Burgess, CEOLS, GRS, a certified end-of-life and grief recovery specialist. Patty is a death doula, national trainer, and speaker with decades of experience transforming the conversation around death and care of the dying.

Patty shares her remarkable journey from being a hospice volunteer to training over 25,000 caregivers, hospice staff, and end-of-life doulas. Discover how she is redefining the dying experience—from fear and sadness to one of peace, connection, and even awe.

Patty reveals the beauty and mystery of end-of-life moments, offering profound insights into how embracing the inevitability of death can enrich our lives.

Whether you’ve experienced loss, are curious about the role of a death doula, or want to deepen your connection to life, this episode invites you to view death not as an end but as a gateway to understanding presence and humanity.

Tune in for an illuminating conversation that just might change how you think about life—and death.

Patty Burgess: LifePath Learners

This episode of Benevolent Journeys takes us to Costa Rica, where we explore the profound, transformative power of vulnerability.

Join Deborah as she sits down with Enrique Molina, her long-time friend and colleague, to discuss how curiosity led them to embrace vulnerability—a choice that transformed their lives and relationships.

Together, they reflect on the beauty and growth that come from opening oneself to change, sharing stories that highlight how vulnerability expands our awareness, strengthens connections, and invites joy.

The episode also honors Juano, Deborah’s beloved stallion, whose presence challenged them to embrace deeper truths.

Tune in to discover how stepping into vulnerability can lead to a more authentic and connected life.

Benevolent Journeys with Jacqui Ruiz:

In this episode, Jacqui Ruiz, a former mortician, and Emotional Intelligence Leadership Coach shares her profound journey from working with grief to facilitating healing with plant medicine.

With over 3,400 individuals guided through symbolic ceremonies, Jacqui offers unique insights into the transformative power of psilocybin and other healing practices.

Together, we explore how unresolved grief and trauma can block personal growth and how working with plant medicine can foster emotional breakthroughs.

Jacqui discusses her philosophy that each journey—whether smooth or challenging—offers exactly what we need, even if it’s not what we expect.

We also dive into her experiences in Costa Rica, where she facilitates deep healing journeys, integrating the wisdom of nature and psilocybin to help participants find purpose and reconnect with their true selves.

Whether you're new to plant medicine or curious about the healing potential of grief work, this episode offers profound takeaways on transformation, connection, and unlocking untapped potential.

Join us for this insightful conversation about courage, vulnerability, and the power of aligning with the truth that life asks us to embody.

Into the Mystic Rides the Soul Retreat https://embracingyourlight.life/about-us/

Benevolent Journeys with Dr. Jeff Tarrant:

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Tarrant, a licensed psychologist and founder of the NeuroMeditation Institute, joins to explore the fascinating intersections of neuroscience, meditation, and psychic phenomena. Dr. Tarrant discusses how neurofeedback and brainwave entrainment can enhance mental well-being and unlock intuitive abilities. We discuss the nature of ADHD and how different brain states influence our ability to access deeper levels of awareness.

The conversation also touches on altered states of consciousness, the power of collective thought to influence random events, and how balancing ego with higher self can lead to personal growth.

Dr. Tarrant previews the upcoming “Energy Alchemy, Science-Spirit-Horse” retreat, where science, spirit, and the wisdom of horses come together to offer a powerful experience.

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion on the transformative potential of blending science and spirit to unlock new realms of possibility.

Energy Alchemy Retreat May 2025

https://www.neuromeditationinstitute.com/

[email protected]

https://psychicmindscience.com/

Episode 20: 'Celebrating Kamala' with Kim Kupferer (Part 2)

Tune in for a heartwarming and inspiring glimpse into Kamala’s rise from prosecutor to Vice President and how she continues to advocate for justice and unity in her presidential run.

Kim Kupferer - Imagine Equus: https://imagineequus.com/

Episode 19: 'Perfect Timing' with Kim Kupferer (Part 1) – From Courtroom to Equine Arena

In this episode of Benevolent Journeys, we explore the profound concept of Perfect Timing—how life’s events align not by coincidence but by design. Drawing inspiration from the Hermetic Principle of Gender, which teaches us that everything has a gestational period, we discuss how embracing life’s timing can lead to incredible transformations.

Kim Kupferer, exemplifies this beautifully. Kim’s remarkable journey spans from being a star athlete at Stanford University to a 34-year career as a trial lawyer handling capital case defense to discovering a new calling in Equine Facilitated Learning. Her story demonstrates how the right opportunities appear when we are ready to step into our potential.

Kim shares how her deep connection with horses, combined with her firsthand understanding of the immense pressure of the legal profession, led her to create unique, transformative retreats focused on attorney well-being. Her work offers attorneys and other professionals a space to reconnect with themselves and rediscover their passion.

Tune in as Kim reflects on her life’s pivotal moments, the power of trusting life’s timing, and how horses have taught her—and others—the true meaning of presence and transformation.

Listen now, and be sure to stay tuned for Episode 20, when my conversation with Kim, who shares her 35-year friendship with Kamala Harris, continues!

Kim's Website Imagine Equus: https://imagineequus.com/

In this gripping episode of Benevolent Journeys, Michelle Holling-Brooks, founder of Unbridled Change, shares her awe-inspiring story.

From the brink of death at the age of 13 to becoming a beacon of hope through equine-assisted therapy, Michelle's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

After a life-threatening illness left her paralyzed, deaf, and blind, Michelle discovered the profound healing power of horses, which guided her back to life.

Join us as Michelle shares her extraordinary experience of survival, the wisdom she gained along the way, and how she now helps others navigate their own paths to healing.

This is a story of transformation, hope, and the unbreakable connection between humans and animals that you won't want to miss. Tune in to be inspired and moved by Michelle's incredible journey.

Michelle's website: https://www.unbridledchange.org/

Michelle's book: The Horse Cure