Benshen Talks S.H.I.T.

In this episode, I'm joined by Arjan Singh, one of the two co-founders of Jolie, the beauty wellness company focused on purifying the quality of one’s water for better skin, hair, and wellbeing. Arjan’s background is best summed up as ‘left-brain, right-brain’. A natural creative, he has spent time at various brands in both business and creative functions across fashion, hospitality and the broader lifestyle industries, based in both New York and Scandinavia.

Arjan and I discuss everything from starting a business, the value of marketing campaigns to the importance of water in our daily lives and throughout culture. 

Since its launch nearly three years ago, Jolie has pioneered the Filtered Showerhead category within beauty, selling to over 250,000 customers and opening retailers such as Erewhon, Goop, Nordstrom, and over 600 premium hair salons. 

“You don't need to reinvent the wheel, it might just be the positioning of something, the way in which you piece things together.” 

Topics Covered:

• How he started and co-founded his company Jolie
• The importance of consistency and following your passions 
• The biggest challenge of running and growing a business
• Advice for community driven advertising and creating campaigns

Guest Info:

Jolie Website

Jolie Instagram

Arjan’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

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In this episode, we have a Full Moon in Aquarius Tarot reading with Iliana “Ana” Mirabal, a Brooklyn based performer, professional Tarot card reader, Pisces Sun, Leo Moon, and Libra Rising.

Ana shares the forecast for the energy of the Full Moon in Aquarius on October 17th. This Moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon. With Aries being the first sign in the zodiac, there is always a bit of a fierceness present. The Hunter goes after what they want, while Aries approaches the same idea in a very unafraid way. Aries holds a ferocity that is unapologetic, so you may be feeling this in the Aries part of your chart. The previous lunar cycle had us completing Eclipse season where we may have felt that a chapter ended. This Full Moon offers us a transition from ending to beginning. 

“There’s a level of wanting to be really mindful of where we expend our energy. We want to be calculated with it and not just throw ourselves in full force, which is what Aries wants us to do. Our subconscious is represented by the High Priestess, our intuitive trust. We’re being asked to trust what is in our subconscious.”

For seven years, Ana has practiced the Art of Tarot. As a lifelong storyteller, seeing the world through the archetypes of the cards came naturally. Her mission is to leave her clients with a sense of peace and clarity after each session. 

Celtic Cross Tarot Pull:

• Seven of Swords
• The Empress
• Page of Swords
• Seven of Wands Reversed
• High Priestess
• Page of Wands Reversed 
• Five of Pentacles Reversed 
• Eight of Swords Reversed
• Queen of Pentacles
• Strength

Guest Info:

Ana’s Website

Ana's Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

In this episode, we have a Full Moon in Pisces Tarot reading with Iliana “Ana” Mirabal, a Brooklyn based performer, professional Tarot card reader, Pisces Sun, Leo Moon, and Libra Rising.

Ana shares the forecast for the energy of the New Moon in Libra on October 2nd. In addition to the New Moon we have a Solar Eclipse in Libra, which will be the last one that we have in this sign for several decades. Eclipse seasons are a time of lessons. Whether we are feeling grateful for these lessons or are celebrating our growth, it is a time to reflect on our awareness and our progress. During this pivotal moment, we are being invited to move forward in life with a new perspective. 

“The Eclipse unearths the unseen and makes it seen. With The Star card and The Sun card next to each other, they symbolize a distant hope (The Star) being given life (The Sun). The Sun gives an achievable energy to our distant hopes and dreams. We are recontextualizing our subconscious beliefs into something tangible.”

For seven years, Ana has practiced the Art of Tarot. As a lifelong storyteller, seeing the world through the archetypes of the cards came naturally. Her mission is to leave her clients with a sense of peace and clarity after each session. 

Celtic Cross Tarot Pull:

• Wheel of Fortune 
• The Sun
• Two of Swords
• Seven of Cups Reversed 
• Two of Wands
• The Star Reversed
• Knight of Wands
• Six of Cups
• Four of Swords
• Four of Pentacles Reversed

Guest Info:

Ana’s Website

Ana’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, we have a Full Moon in Pisces Tarot reading with Iliana “Ana” Mirabal, a Brooklyn based performer, professional Tarot card reader, Pisces Sun, Leo Moon, and Libra Rising.

Ana shares the forecast for the energy of the Full Moon in Pisces on September 17th. When there is a Moon in Pisces it can be a time that is emotionally tumultuous. A reminder that being in our feelings is okay! It’s a time to be extra generous with ourselves. Some of the seeds that were planted in the previous New Moon may now be coming into fruition. There were a lot of themes of growth previously and we are now working with resolution on the horizon. 

“There’s a lot of repetition in these lessons. Think of it like a drill, you get better and better at it the more you do it. When we get to the moment of Judgement (card), evolving into our next self, we really want to be ready for it. This is all in preparation for that and there’s a lot of agency in that. It’s not a fast process but rather a feeling of graduation.”

For seven years, Ana has practiced the Art of Tarot. As a lifelong storyteller, seeing the world through the archetypes of the cards came naturally. Her mission is to leave her clients with a sense of peace and clarity after each session. 

Celtic Cross Tarot Pull:

• Six of Wands 
• Four of Cups Reversed 
• Five of Swords
• Six of Cups Reversed 
• The Moon
• Page of Pentacles Reversed
• Six of Swords
• Ace of Pentacles
• Page of Swords
• Judgement

Guest Info:

Ana’s Website

Ana’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, I'm joined by Thomas M. Jones, a psychotherapist, author, musician, and founder of an innovative technique, The Paradox Process. The Paradox Process employs negative thoughts in order to produce a perception polarization - essentially how to change your life by learning to direct your mind. 

Back for a second time, Thomas and I specifically discuss the topics of love, romance and dating. We focus on how the relationship we have with ourselves greatly influences and creates the relationships we have in the world. We go through the core pillars of how the Paradox Process works in regards to building and maintaining relationships with self and others.

In the world of medicine his approach would be described as renegade, however the proof is inarguable. Jones has been highly successful in his work for the last 50 years with a clientele that includes CEO’s, television journalists, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winning performers, doctors, musicians, artists, health coaches, social workers, psychologists and business professionals across the globe. Jones has shown them how to strategize for success in every area of their lives from manifesting the career of their dreams, to achieving intimate, loving, lasting relationships.

Topics Covered:

• Reflecting on the relationship we have with ourselves
• Cultivating a curiosity about who we are
• Creating the relationships that we desire
• How to navigate our current relationships
• Practices to overcome limiting beliefs and change internal patterns
• Navigating the differentiation stage of a relationship
• Assimilating and integrating into a new relationship

“The hallmark of the relationship is does it make me feel more powerful in the world? Does it make me more secure? Does it give me permission and freedom to expand and grow? The value of a partner is that they see you through different eyes and much more empowering eyes. To have someone see you like that, gives you permission to see yourself like that and to go out into the world and be that.”

Guest Info:

Paradox Process Website

Benshen Listeners FREE Gift

Free Intro Session with Paradox Process Facilitator

The Manifesting Lab: Mondays with Thomas M. Jones

Thomas M. Jones’ Book

Paradox Process Instagram

Paradox Process Facebook

Paradox Process TikTok

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, we have a New Moon in Virgo Tarot reading with Iliana “Ana” Mirabal, a Brooklyn based performer, professional Tarot card reader, Pisces Sun, Leo Moon, and Libra Rising.

Ana shares the forecast for the energy of the New Moon on September 2nd. Virgo is the sign ruled by Mercury, which lines up perfectly with us having just ended Mercury retrograde. As we’re now in the shadow period, we still may be tying up loose ends from Mercury RX. Mercury is the planet of communication, intellect and our thought processes. Ana advises that we pay a lot of attention to detail and to take everything one moment at a time, being that we are in an Earth based sign (Virgo). 

For seven years, Ana has practiced the Art of Tarot. As a lifelong storyteller, seeing the world through the archetypes of the cards came naturally. Her mission is to leave her clients with a sense of peace and clarity after each session. 

“The Death card is the card of rebirth, you have to sit with the times that feel empty to watch new things grow. I see a lot of transformation with the Death card, it’s a metamorphosis card. A time of rest and quiet and knowing there are good things on the horizon.”

Celtic Cross Tarot Pull:

• Page of Cups Reversed 
• Ten of Swords
• Hanged Man
• Three of Cups
• Three of Swords Reversed 
• Seven of Swords
• Death
• Eight of Cups Reversed
• Six of Wands Reversed
• Seven of Wands

Guest Info:

Ana’s Website

Ana’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jenna Perry, celebrity hair colorist and founder of the Jenna Perry Hair Studio, in Manhattan’s SoHo.

With a pervasive vision and devoted, rapid-growing following, Jenna Perry is cementing her status as one of the most influential and sought-after hair colorists in the world. A consummate authority on effortless, natural-looking hair color, Jenna’s loyal client list includes Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Jennifer Fisher, Maude Apatow, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Elise Taylor, among other high-profile members of the fashion-girl set. It’s no surprise that her easy yet inimitable aesthetic inspired the term “Hot Girl Hair,” in honor of Jenna’s seductively unbothered way with balayage, the method that put her on the map.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Jenna moved to New York City immediately after graduating high school to pursue a career in the beauty industry. She would spend the next eight years mastering every aspect of hair styling and color, until she discovered the art of hair painting, better known as balayage, while working at Ion Studio in Soho. It was there she realized where she wanted to focus her devotion and hasn’t looked back. Now, seven years later, Jenna is heralding a shift in the way we think about hair color. Her philosophy: Hair is our most important accessory, and it has to match your lifestyle; if you have a high-maintenance schedule, she’s going to give you low-maintenance hair.

“Trust your gut. Take care of yourself. Make sure that you have at least an hour to disconnect. If you can do that, you can show up as a better person for your business.“ - Jenna Perry

Topics Covered:

• How she began her career in hair and opened her own salon
• Navigating the challenges of running a business 
• Tools and practices for remaining mentally resilient
• Working with friends and prioritizing communication
• What running a business has taught her about herself
• Pieces of advice for starting a business

Guest Info:

Jenna's Instagram

Jenna's Website

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, we have a Full Moon in Aquarius Tarot reading with Iliana “Ana” Mirabal, a Brooklyn based performer, professional Tarot card reader, Pisces Sun, Leo Moon, and Libra Rising.

 Ana shares the forecast for the energy of the Full Moon on August 19th. As this moon is on the cusp of Pisces, we have two big energies at play. Aquarius energy is humanitarianism, big picture dreams and thinking. In Tarot, Aquarius is represented by The Star card, symbolizing optimism in a resilient way. 

 Also in the sign of Aquarius is Pluto - Pluto will be in Aquarius until the beginning of September, symbolizing more structural changes. Aquarius is a big energy for the collective, being that Aquarius is a reflection of what’s happening on a societal level. During this lunation we are encouraged to remember our progress.

“Nothing is strict, nothing is too late or missed. You don’t have to discredit yourself for what you have accomplished because you’re not yet at the finish line.”

For seven years, Ana has practiced the Art of Tarot. As a lifelong storyteller, seeing the world through the archetypes of the cards came naturally. Her mission is to leave her clients with a sense of peace and clarity after each session. 

Celtic Cross Tarot Pull:

• Three of Wands 
• King of Swords
• Queen of Cups Reversed
• Four of Pentacles Reversed
• Page of Swords Reversed
• Judgment Reversed
• Hanged Man
• Ace of Cups
• Eight of Cups Reversed
• Six of Wands

Guest Info:

Ana’s Website

Ana’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I'm joined by Max Pollack, native New Yorker, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MATTE. 

MATTE Projects is a creative company from New York at the convergence of entertainment and advertising. MATTE builds holistic platforms for brands, artists, and institutions across content, digital, and experiential domains, while also developing and producing original IP in film and live entertainment for a global fanbase. 

Max has steered culture-first commercial projects for clients such as Puma, Calvin Klein, KITH, Reebok, and Burberry over the past decade. His journey began in concert promotion, where he developed successful event properties including La Luna, FNT, and BLACK Music and Arts Project. He spearheads the company's latest venture, HERO, and has played a pivotal role in MATTE's entry into the original content space. Together we talk about the life cycles of growing a business and staying inspired throughout the process. 

“I think business and creativity are intertwined. By showing up, inspiration shows up in unforeseen circumstances. Being open to inspiration, opens you to things that motivate you.”

Topics Covered:

• How Max began his career and started MATTE Projects
• The moment he decided to take the jump and go all in on his business
• Navigating the responsibilities that come with growing a creative business
• Cultivating resilience through challenges 
• Building a strong company culture and aligned team
• Balancing running a business and having a family

Guest Info:

Max's Instagram

MATTE Projects Website

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jodie Williams, a three-time British Olympian, coffee lover and founder of Listen Journal: a space to be heard. She is a passionate advocate for women and girls rights, particularly surrounding menstrual equity, access to education and empowerment through sports.

In this conversation, we discuss Jodie’s life-long dream of becoming a professional athlete and the path it took to become a 3x Olympian. An athlete since early childhood, Jodie shares how her innate ability to run earned her immediate success in the world of competitive sports. After nearly 150 back to back wins, Jodie experienced her first set of challenges that ultimately helped her gain new insights on who she was as a person and what is truly important. . . 

“You start to realize, it’s really about what you can give to other people. To me, that is what success looks like. How many people can I bring up? How many doors can I open on my way up? How can I pour back into communities and areas that poured so much into me? For me, that was the biggest shift. I used to chase metals and success. Now I stand up there and I’m so thankful for all the people that sacrificed something to help get me here.”

Topics Covered:

• The journey of becoming a professional athlete
• Navigating the successes and challenges that come with the sporting journey
• How challenges reshaped her career, identity and self-worth
• The power and importance of supportive friendships and community
• How she became interested and involved in the coffee industry
• What inspired her to create Listen Journal

Guest Info:

Jodie’s Instagram

Listen Journal Instagram

Get in Touch:

Benshen.co Website

Benshen Membership

Benshen.co Instagram

Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.