In this episode, Roger and I discuss the history of AVP (Alternative to Violence Project) and its seemingly miraculous ability to transform people inside a mere 2-day workshop. AVP's experiential exercises imbue people with an unprecedented level of empathy allowing them to transcend their previous notions of conflict and violence. These exercises also seem to help people transcend loneliness, anxiety, and a variety of other mental health ills. Join us for this exciting discussion about a "human technology" with enormous potential to change our world. 

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Roger Kluck is the executive director of Projects for a Civil Society (“PCS”). PCS runs experiential workshops and trainings in nonviolence, empathy, and trauma recovery. PCS runs Alternative to Violence Project workshops for inmates in prison and for incarcerated veterans in jail, and in schools and drug recovery programs. Roger is also a mediator, and has training in Restorative Justice, Nonviolent Communication, and Compassionate Listening.

Roger has been involved in AVP for 20 years. From 2010 to 2014, he served as President of AVP-USA and serves currently as the North American Representative to AVP International’s Coordinating Committee. He has facilitated for 1,000s of prison inmates, hundreds of veterans, and in schools for both teachers and students. He has done workshops in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nepal, and Iran. Partnering with the World Affairs Council since 2009, he has done adult and youth workshops for visiting delegations in the U.S. for groups from over 30 countries on topics from interfaith cooperation to countering violent extremism.

Prior to his time in conflict transformation work Roger was an environmental lawyer for 20 years, working for states, nonprofits, and eventually managing his own private practice.

In this episode, I interview Sheri Hauser. 

Sheri is a Love Ambassador.

The title was given to her and she immediately knew it fit.

It was already who she was at her core, even though she had never used those words to define her work in the world.

The most important thing about being a Love Ambassador, (as you will hear in this episode) is that you start with yourself. Once your bucket is full, you got overflow to spread around. Sheri is all about the overflow. 

Whether she’s facilitating Authentic Relating (as a certified course leader for ART International), developing Brand Strategies for building community or curating meaningful experiences for her beloveds, Sheri follows the thread of aliveness as the path to bliss, joy, peace and ease.

There is no separation between who she is as a person and her work in the world. As a trained Mediator, she loves to get into the weeds to find the winning outcomes for others in relationship conflict. 

To contact her, go to pinknoiseposse.com

Malika Lee is a thought leader, teacher as well as a Spiritual Guide and Life Coach for Seers, Healers, & Feelers. Basically her work is to help the heart-centered helpers of our society. For over 2 decades she has been on her own transformational, Spiritual journey and enjoys sharing what she's learned to hopefully save people time! She's also a host & producer of FEEL GOOD The Podcast available on most podcast platforms. Lastly, as a creative her current project documentary, Journey To Sisterhood is in post production. 

I took a several week course with Malika to better understand a program called A Course in Miracles. I found her deep insights very helpful in navigating this material which can, at times, seem impenetrable. As it happens, A Course in Miracles is what we ended up discussing. 

You can find out more about Malika’s healing work at TheFeelGoodInstitute.com

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode I speak with my old friend David Rynn, a man who has had many lives: as a lawyer, a stand-up comedian, an actor, and a technologist. As we try to get our footing in serious topics, we cannot help but laugh our way into them and then follow wherever our curiosity takes us. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode, I interview Carl Baccellieri. With executive leadership experience and nearly three decades as a coach, facilitator, and therapist, Carl meets leaders in a rare conversational space of presence, self-inquiry, and transformation. With an intimate and down-to-earth approach, his superpower lies in clarifying the most desired future his clients are reaching for, while also supporting their moment-to-moment awareness of how that future becomes a reality in the here and now -and what gets in the way. Carl figures that the startup spirit can extend all the way into the audacity of designing a world that supports all humans living their most expressed and meaningful lives – including ourselves!

Carl holds a master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy, post-masters certification in Transformational NLP, and over 10 years of experience coaching within the emerging field of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT). He lives outside Santa Fe, NM where he stewards a four-acre acequia-fed farm and orchard, invites travelers to sit for tea, and enjoys riding his mountain bike into the endless expanse of the painted desert.

To find out more about Carl's work, visit his website. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

Today we are speaking on the topics of grief and loss. 

I’m joined by Robin Held, who is an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist and a grief educator, in addition to being an executive coach.

Robin is certified by the Grief Recovery Institute in what is called the Grief Recovery Method®, which offers proven tools, inspiration, and actionable steps to help individuals and groups deal with emotional pain and loss. She is also a certified grief educator, providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the rocky terrain of grief.

Prior to becoming a certified grief coach, Robin held leadership positions in the arts for more than 30 years, with such organizations as the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery, The Frye Art Museum, and Washington State University’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. She has led and transformed organizations in times of dramatic change, including expansion, renewal, closure, and COVID-19-related distress. You can read more about Robin on her website https://robinheldgriefcoach.com/about or on her Linkedin profile. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode, my friend Vlad Shulman, who you may recall from the podcast on loneliness, asked me if he could do a reverse episode of sorts where he interviews me on how I’ve approached my own life. We both enjoyed the conversation and hope that you do as well. 

One last point is that I’d like to emphasize that no matter what opinions or convictions I or others may have, I ask that you seek your own answers ideally by consulting the most qualified professionals that you can find based on the struggles and needs that you have. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode, I speak with Vlad Shulman, a friend of mine from the tech industry, as we discuss facts about the epidemic of loneliness as well as our own struggles with it. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode, I have a conversation with Tor Keeling, who shares his personal journey and the transformative power of art and creativity in healing. 

Tor's, passion for art and building started at a young age. In school, he gravitated towards music and art, which sparked a dream of becoming a Disney animator.

However, life pushed him in the direction of studying education and sociology. 

After graduating, Tor briefly worked as a teacher at an elementary school. A few years later, he transitioned into a career as a paint contractor when he rehabilitated and flipped houses. 

During this time, he experienced major life changes, such as getting married, gaining a stepson, and becoming a father to twins. 

Tragedy suddenly struck when Tor's stepson, by this time a young adult, was critically injured in a violent act, which led to his untimely death. 

This devastating loss profoundly altered the course of Tor's life. 

In his grief, Tor found solace in various creative outlets, including art, African dancing, writing, and playing music. 

Through these activities, Tor has managed to find healing. 

Today, he is embarked on a new chapter in his life. He continues to explore his inner and outer creative worlds by traveling around the globe, immersing himself in diverse cultures, and connecting with people from different backgrounds. 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail

In this episode, I interview David Weinstock, an international trainer of Nonviolent Communication, a Somatic Coach, an Aikido instructor, and a master goldsmith. His book, “Becoming What You Need” and the work that he’s developed called Somatic Consensus offers essential basics to orient one's personal practice towards embodiment and lifelong, artful paths. You can find more information about David and his work at liminalsomatics.com 

If you'd like to contact this podcast, you can reach me at healgrowthrive3 ([$at$]) gmail