Benshen Talks S.H.I.T.

In this episode, I’m excited to be joined by Kirsten Weis, a former makeup artist who used her natural roots and her knowledge of beauty to pursue uncharted territory in the beauty industry. In 2010, she created Kjaer Weis, a luxury sustainable beauty brand offering refillable packaging and natural ingredients. Kirsten and I chat about her childhood growing up in Denmark and how that perspective guided her through the beauty world. Kristen also shares how she defines beauty, her vision and direction for the brand, and challenges she faced along the way. Plus, Kirsten shares why she can’t live without her spiritual practice and why it's the grounding for creativity to blossom.   

From growing up on a farm in Denmark to attending the prestigious Christian Chauveau School of Artistic Makeup in Paris, Kirsten Kjaer Weis worked around the world for some of the most renowned fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. As an in-demand makeup artist based in New York, Kirsten found that people were sacrificing the health of their skin by using irritating, synthetic makeup. The natural products, however, were not up to par in performance, and the luxury of the beauty experience was lost. 

Kirsten used her experience growing up in a natural environment and her knowledge of beauty to pursue uncharted territory in the industry, creating Kjaer Weis - a pioneer in organic, luxury beauty.

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

Topics Covered:

• How Kirsten’s love for makeup landed her in the fashion industry
• How Kirsten decided on the vision and direction of the brand
• The ways the universe showed Kirsten that her passion was her path
• Challenges Kristen faced and overcame while building her brand
• Kirsten’s favorite Kjaer Weis product, and why 
• The spiritual practice as a place for creativity to blossom

Resources:

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Guest Info: 

• Kjaer Weis’ Website
• Kjaer Weis’ Instagram 
• Kjaer Weis’ TikTok
• Kjaer Weis’ YouTube

 Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by a dear friend, my guest, Cassandra Rose Sinclair — a Los Angeles native and the Creative Director and Founder of Palo Studios, a creative studio rooted in sustainability, simplicity, community, and well-being. Cassie and I chat about putting into your business as its own entity, building a business around community, and looking at discipline as a devotional process. Cassie also details tools that support her spiritual practice and shares advice in favor of alone time. Plus, we brainstorm ideas (in real time) for a potential future Health and Wealth seminar!

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

Topics Covered:

• The ethos of an intuitive business model and what being in your “artist era” looks like
• Cassie’s spiritual journey and how that’s changed the way she runs her business
• A profound moment for Cassie involving Benshen and a dream client 
• Cassie’s advice for looking at discipline in a devotional way
• What Cassie’s spiritual practice currently looks like 
• The power of distilling big lofty ideas and making a list of what you do and don’t want in your life
• Cassie’s advice to get quiet, give ourselves grace, and go through playful periods

Resources:

• To Be Magnetic 
• Face Reader: Mona at Be-shen

Guest Info: 

• Palo Studios’ Instagram
• Palo Studios’ Creative Production Instagram
• Palo Studios’ Wholesale Showroom Instagram
• Cassie’s Instagram

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m excited to be joined by my friend and inspiration, Aba Gyepi-Garbrah, a certified Aromatherapist, a holistic skincare formulator, and the beauty and brains behind Aba Love Apothecary. 

The love of plant medicine led Aba to a discovery of exotic flowers, precious oils, sacred wood and resins that were rich in telling the stories of nature's secrets. Professional training at New York Institute of Aromatherapy cultivated her skills in olfactory art and healing through the senses. Following nature as her constant guide, she continues to be inspired by the power of plants, the artistry of aromatherapy and botanical perfume.

Aba and I chat about her evolution from passion project to company, starting with her first experience with aromatherapy during an acupuncture session. We also discuss why there may be a disconnect between Eastern and Western medicine, and Aba shares her recommendations for getting started in aromatherapy. Plus, Aba details why she’s an advocate for holding a full-time job in the midst of growing a business. 

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

Topics Covered:

• Aba’s 2012 start in aromatherapy after an acupuncture session 
• What acupuncture school taught Aba about accepting people 
• The disconnect between Western and Eastern medicine 
• Where to start if you’re interested in aromatherapy 
• The power of looking and feeling beautiful and taking care of yourself 
• Aba’s favorite products from her line 
• The stability of taking on full-time work while growing a business
• The choice of making your own path and pushing forward a dream or vision

Resources:

• Financial Feminist Podcast
• 
  

Guest Info: 

• Aba’s Instagram
• Aba Love Apothecary’s Website 
• Shop Aba Love Apothecary’s Divine Me Anointing Oil 

 Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by a constant source of inspiration, Carrie Barber, one of the biggest names in beauty, and the owner and creative director of MAKE Beauty. Carrie shares her story as a multihyphenate entering the beauty industry, the importance of feeling all of your emotions, and how she defines success in a social media-driven world. 

About MAKE Beauty: Partnering with biotech labs, MAKE formulas utilize sustainably sourced botanical materials, Lab Engineered Natural Ingredients (or L.E.N.I.) and skin-compatible synthetics that push beyond the concept of clean. Both in skincare and cosmetics, these products have less of an impact on the environment, are less irritating to skin and push the boundaries of what is possible in clean cosmetics.

Before acquiring MAKE Beauty in 2020, Carrie worked as an Art Director with some of the most influential brands in beauty including Glossier, Sephora, and VIOLET GREY, and played a foundational role in building brands like Augustinus Bader, Versed and U Beauty. In 2021, Carrie relaunched the brand with a forward-looking approach. The focus: “To bring the core pillars of the original brand DNA through, push the brand forward into the next chapter, and redefine the role beauty plays in our lives.”

Carrie and I discuss how she ended up in the beauty industry, even though she didn’t originally consider herself a “beauty girly.” Carrie also shares the hardships of moving through grief while trying to live in the world, and ultimately, the lessons it brought to her life and relationships. Plus, we chat about the importance of self-trust, and how crucial it is for women to find pleasure and enjoy their life. 

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

Topics Covered:

• Carrie’s chronology of her life post-college to success
• How Carrie got into the beauty industry and made her mark
• The unpredictable, but transformative power of grief
• How Carrie defines personal success
• The power of opening to pleasure and the confidence in enjoying your life

Guest Info: 

• Make Beauty’s Website
• Make Beauty’s Instagram
• Carrie’s Instagram 

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Liz Tran, founder of Reset, who shares her inspirational journey about becoming a master at failure and how appreciating all aspects of yourself are essential for finding your definition of success. We also talk about the intention of resilience and learning what makes you happy in all areas of your life, which Liz details in her new book, THE KARMA OF SUCCESS. 

Liz Tran is the founder of Reset, where she works as an executive coach to the CEOs and founders of fast-growing companies. Liz is also a meditation teacher and studied at the Samyak Ashram in Dharamshala, India. She is the creator of the podcast, Reset with Liz Tran, and the author of THE KARMA OF SUCCESS. Through both these mediums, Liz brings the support of coaching to a broader audience.

Liz shares the eight motivators of satisfaction and how your identity doesn’t have to (and sometimes won’t) fit nicely into a box. Plus, we chat about finding the language to describe what we want, and an understanding of self that comes from spending time with our interior world. 

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

Topics Covered:

• Liz’s approach to success about finding your unique definition of it
• Eight key motivators that influence your specific definition of success
• How Liz became her own provider and learned to trust herself 
• The magic of writing down what you want in all areas of your life 
• The happiness on the other side of going through something challenging 
• Liz’s tip for finding time to let the intuition flow

Resources Mentioned:

Hidden Language Codes: Reprogram Your Life by Reengineering Your Vocabulary by R. Neville Johnston

Guest Info: 

• Reset’s Instagram
• Liz Tran’s Website
• Reset with Liz Tran Podcast 
• The Karma of Success by Liz Tran

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and inspiration, Jesse Israel — meditation leader, keynote speaker and leadership coach known for founding the mass meditation movement, The Big Quiet. Jesse shares challenging moments from his life that informed his transition from the music to meditation industry, and how an intuitive pull to create a shared experience evolved into gratitude and a collective purpose. 

Named "The Meditation Expert" by The New York Times, Jesse has led some of the largest meditations on earth — having toured arenas with Oprah Winfrey and co-hosted international broadcasts with Deepak Chopra. An Audible Originals best-selling creator and a Forbes Next 1000 recipient, Jesse has collaborated on meditation projects with Grammy-winning rappers, coached the world’s most influential entrepreneurs and keynoted at Fortune 500s around the globe. Prior to his work at The Big Quiet, Jesse ran a tech fund and record label called Cantora (acquired 2016), where he sourced seed investments in companies now worth billions of dollars and signed multi-platinum bands like MGMT.

Jesse and I discuss how he went from an NYU dorm room to sold out arenas with Oprah, the importance of listening to our bodies, and how acknowledging the progress in ourselves is vital in order to achieve things in the world. Plus, Jesse shares the concept of a “reverse bucket list” and gives tips for anyone curious about or beginning the meditation journey. 

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

Topics Covered:

• Jesse’s record label while at NYU
• How Jesse’s mental health challenges led him to meditation
• The creation of Medi Club and The Big Quiet 
• The power of following intuition and community building 
• What Jesse’s black mold experience taught him 
• Jesse’s reverse bucket list and being proud of yourself
• Desiree’s healing process with her mom
• Advice for anyone interested in meditation 

Resources Mentioned:

• 1 Giant Mind

Guest Info: 

• The Big Quiet
• Jessie’s Website
• Jessie’s Instagram 

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and forever inspiration, Rachel Saunders — ceramicist, business owner, and community builder — who shares her journey about coming into an interestingly new (and slightly scary!) era. Rachel is focused on creating, sharing her work while simultaneously surrendering to the evolution of both her identity and ceramics business along the way.  

Rachel has always been willing to live a life of freedom. From her ceramics business to online Destination for iInspiration, The Sanctuary, it’s undeniable that Rachel embodies a sense of assuredness and lives life in a way that speaks to her authenticity — even in the midst of change. Rachel shares how specifically travel and Human Design have played a role in understanding the perceived shifts and limitations that inevitably anchor her to her true essence. 

Rachel and I discuss how creating space for others to be excited about is how we all can start to feel a sense of genuine connection and community. Plus, Rachel shares the lesson of choosing to make any situation (regardless of circumstances) peaceful and joyful. It’s a relationship — we’re all in this together, so let’s do this together.  

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

Topics Covered:

• Rachel’s energetic exploration within her studio and travels
• The somatic experience in response to location and environment
• How Rachel’s travel impulses lead to insights and downloads
• The heart-centered nature of sharing and going down the path of least resistance
• How to make friends within change and evolution
• Rachel’s navigation around continuous learning as a creative and business owner 
• How Rachel built The Sanctuary, a membership built as a destination for inspiration
• Why Rachel is excited about accepting herself as a “total beginner”

Resources Mentioned:

• Human Design 
• The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron  

Guest Info: 

• Rachel’s Website
• Rachel’s Instagram
• The Sanctuary Monthly Membership Community

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by longtime mentor Thomas M. Jones — psychotherapist, author, musician, and founder of an innovative technique, The Paradox Process, which employs negative thoughts in order to produce a perception polarization. (Essentially, how to change your life by learning to direct your mind). 

Thomas 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. Thomas 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.

In the world of medicine, Thomas’ approach would be described as renegade, however the proof is inarguable. In a discussion centered around perception, Thomas and I discuss his feeling management process to “accept the unacceptable,” how he defines personal power, and how we can use our feelings to change the story — and our lives.

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

Topics Covered:

• Thomas’ feeling management process
• The lesson behind personal power
• How to deal with feelings and not give your power to them
• What happens when you change the feeling connected to the story
• How Thomas’ clearings work on the mind
• A live demonstration of a belief clearing 

Resources Mentioned:

• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

Guest Info: 

• Free Intro Session with Thomas Jones
• Thomas’ Website
• Thomas’ Instagram 
• Thomas' Book
• Thomas’ Podcast Appearances
• Healing & Discovery Foundation

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by Bonnie Wright - actress, filmmaker, environmental activist, and author of Go Gently: Actionable Steps to Nurture Yourself and the Planet - who shares how to address climate change in an approachable, conscious way and highlights what gives her hope for the future of our planet. 

When it comes to climate change, It’s easy to feel like no matter what you do, it won’t make a difference. But, the reality is that everyone can take small steps that ripple out into a greater impact. Bonnie and I discuss ways to practice sustainable activism, especially as it relates to community and organizing around the climate crisis and how by working together, we can make powerful progress.

Go Gently isn’t your typical book on climate change but rather an invitation to slow down and take inventory of your habits. Bonnie shares how this project came to life, her inspirations and dreams for the future, as well as what helped her work through the moments of self-doubt along the way. She also shares what helps her stay focused and break through creative blocks. 

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

Topics Covered:

• Bonnie’s gentle approach to climate activism 
• How to get started with implementing climate-friendly habits 
• Tips for composting and reducing food waste, especially if you live in a city 
• The transformative nature of community activism 
• What inspires Bonnie about next-gen climate activists 
• Workflow tips for creatives 

Resources Mentioned:

• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero 

Guest Info: 

• Bonnie's Website  
• Bonnie's Instagram 
• Bonnie’s Book
• go gently Instagram 

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by Barron Hansen, Vedic Meditation Initiator and co-founder of CONVICTS creative studio. In our conversation, Barron describes the inspiration behind his documentary “Be Here Nowra,” which follows his journey of implementing a community happiness project in his hometown of Nowra, New South Wales. 

Barron originally started practicing Vedic Meditation as a way to balance out the intense energy of living in New York City, but it turned out to be something much more pivotal in his life. Barron highlights how he was able to integrate the extrasensory awareness that he developed during a 3,000-hour teacher training and what that experience revealed to him about collective consciousness. 

Meditation is often a journey of coming back home to yourself, which intrinsically impacts how you show up in the world. Barron and I touch on the gifts that we’ve gotten from meditation, including stepping into our creativity and dismantling old patterning. We also discuss the core themes of “Be Here Nowra,” like community activation, the domino effect of one small change, and the beauty of unsuspecting practitioners. 

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

Topics Covered:

• The principles of Vedic Meditation
• Why deep rest and relaxation is so important for vitality, energy, and creativity 
• The integration process after a teacher training experience 
• What the Maharishi Effect is and how it inspired “Be Here Nowra”
• The biggest changes that Barron has witnessed in people who start meditating 
• Creating monumental change on a small scale 

Resources Mentioned:

• Bob Proctor - Mental Faculties 101 
• The Creative Act By Rick Rubin 

Guest Info: 

• Be Here Nowra Website 
• Be Here Nowra Instagram
• Barron's Website
• Barron's Instagram
• CONVICTS Website 
• CONVICTS Instagram 

Get in Touch:

• Benshen.co Website 
• Benshen.co Course
• Benshen.co Instagram