A new episode of Evolutionary Women Podcast featuring a very special guest, Dr. Douglas Brooks. 

Dr. Douglas R. Brooks is a distinguished scholar of Hinduism, South Asian languages, and the comparative study of religions. He currently serves as a Professor of Religion at the University of Rochester.

He earned both his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University and further developed his expertise through immersive study in India under the guidance of Dr. Gopala Aiyar Sundaramoorthy, focusing deeply on Śrīvidyā (“Auspicious Wisdom”) and goddess-centered Tantra traditions.

Listen to this very special episode with my Sadhana sister, Cindy Lusk as we discuss a vast array of topics about our sisterhood and Yoga.

Cindy Lusk, PhD, is a lifelong teacher of yoga, meditation, and philosophy, and the author of Align and Refine, a guide for serious practitioners.

Cindy and I first met in 1989 at Richard Freeman’s yoga workshop in Boulder. In this episode of the Evolutionary Women’s Podcast, we dive into the pulsing stillness of Neelakantha Meditation and explore key topics, including the householder versus renunciate path—and much more.

We are honored to have my root asana teacher, Richard Freeman and my very good friend, Mary Taylor as our special guests in this episode. Richard and Mary are well-known yoga teachers, who often blend traditional teachings with modern insights in their work. Their book Feeling Happy likely connects themes of mental well-being, mindfulness, and personal growth through yoga and meditation.

In this podcast interview, they explored how their book provides tools to understand and manage emotions, using yoga practices and philosophical insights to guide readers toward emotional balance. 

The book isn't just for people already into yoga, but for anyone seeking to improve their mental health, manage stress, or cultivate a more positive outlook.

In this deeply transformative episode of the Evolutionary Women's Podcast , host Jeanie Manchester welcomes renowned author, yoga therapist, and advocate for intuitive healing, Um Densimore. Together, they explore the sacred journey of spiritual awakening through the lens of yoga, tantra, and the rising movement of rematriation —a radical return to embodied feminine wisdom and connection with the Earth.

From Um’s early love affair with yoga sparked at just four years old, to her groundbreaking work in Yoga Nidra, this conversation dives into the importance of rest as resistance, the power of cyclical living, and how ancient practices are resurfacing to heal our exhausted world. With poetic insight and deep reverence, Um shares how we can reconnect with our inner goddesses, restore balance, and participate in the global web of feminine resurgence.

This episode is a must-listen for women on the path of self-discovery, embodiment, and collective transformation.

In this insightful episode of the Evolutionary Women’s Podcast , host Jeanie Manchester welcomes Peggy Markel, a pioneer in culinary travel and cultural immersion. Together, they delve into the profound connection between food, nourishment, and the Divine Feminine. Peggy shares her deep wisdom from over 28 years of crafting immersive food and culture trips across Italy, India, Morocco, and beyond. The conversation explores how food connects us to our origins, the sacredness of cooking as an act of presence and generosity, and how quarantine has brought us back to the essence of home, ritual, and self-nourishment. This episode is a rich tapestry of spiritual awakening, sensuality, sustainability, and the art of being fully present in everyday life.

Join Jeannie Manchester on the Evolutionary Women's Podcast as she dives deep into the sacred journey of spiritual awakening in everyday life. In this episode, Jeannie welcomes special guest Constantina Rhodes, a renowned scholar and intuitive consultant, to explore the divine feminine through the lens of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and abundance. Together, they unravel the layers of Lakshmi’s presence—both her bright and shadow sides—and discuss how invoking the divine feminine can help us navigate challenging times with clarity, authenticity, and grace.

Constantina shares her profound insights on Lakshmi’s multifaceted nature, the importance of balancing material and spiritual wealth, and the transformative power of surrender and intuition. This episode is a rich blend of mythology, personal anecdotes, and practical wisdom, offering listeners tools to connect with their inner goddess energy and embrace life’s ebbs and flows.

In this inspiring episode of the Evolutionary Women Podcast, host Jeannie Manchester sits down with Michelle Fury, a trailblazing yoga therapist, licensed counselor, and author. Michelle shares her powerful journey of spiritual awakening through yoga, meditation, and trauma healing, offering profound insights into the transformative role of somatic practices for mental health and personal growth.

Dive deep into the conversation as Michelle explores the intersection of Eastern wisdom and Western psychology, her groundbreaking work in pediatric yoga therapy at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and her upcoming book on yoga therapy for complex trauma. Learn how yoga can help release stored trauma, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect individuals with their inner wisdom, fostering resilience and self-discovery.

Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, this heartfelt discussion will inspire you to embrace embodied practices as tools for healing, mindfulness, and spiritual evolution. Tune in to discover how the path of yoga can guide us toward becoming evolutionary women—empowered, awakened, and deeply connected to ourselves and the world around us.

Join us for this sacred dialogue and take the next step on your journey toward wholeness, wisdom, and evolution. 🌿✨

In this powerful and timely episode of The Evolutionary Women’s Podcast, host Jeanie Manchester sits down with renowned spiritual teacher and author Anodea Judith, to explore the awakening of humanity, the resurgence of the divine feminine, and the shift from the love of power to the power of love.

Anodea draws from her deep expertise in spirituality, psychology, and mythology to explain how we are in a chrysalis moment—a planetary rite of passage where we must evolve beyond outdated systems of dominance and separation. She shares insights into the four evolutionary stages of humanity, the historical suppression of the Goddess, and how the balance between masculine and feminine energies is essential for true transformation.

The conversation also delves into the impact of the global shutdown, how it has rewired humanity, and why this pause offers a critical opportunity to create a more sustainable, heart-centered world.

Welcome to The Evolutionary Women's Podcast hosted by Jeanie Manchester. In this episode, Jeanie invites guest Sarito Carroll to share her transformative journey from childhood immersion in the Osho Rajneesh community to becoming an advocate for resilience and healing from trauma. Sarito’s story, as detailed in her book In the Shadow of Enlightenment, explores her experiences growing up in a spiritual community, the challenges she faced, and the insights she gained along the way.

Sarito Carroll reflects on her early years, receiving initiation at the age of nine, and the contrasting beauty and complexity of ashram life. She delves into the dynamics of spiritual communities, the allure of collective energy, and the darker aspects that can emerge. Jeanie and Sarito Carroll discuss the importance of discernment, the role of shadow work in spiritual growth, and finding a path of healing that honors individual truth and authenticity.

This heartfelt conversation offers a unique perspective on the intersections of spirituality, community, and personal empowerment. Whether you're navigating your own spiritual path or seeking insight into resilience and recovery, this episode provides deep reflections and inspiration.

In this episode of the Evolutionary Women, Jeanie Manchester speaks with Nilima Bhat, a thought leader in leadership, gender equality, and well-being. Nilima shares her journey from a successful corporate career to discovering her true purpose through yoga and holistic health practices. She discusses the creation of Shakti Leadership, a leadership model that integrates the feminine and masculine dimensions, inspired by ancient Eastern wisdom and conscious capitalism principles. Nilima emphasizes the need for a new approach to leadership that empowers individuals, especially women, to access their true power and lead with wholeness, flexibility, and purpose.