In this episode of the podcast, Maria and Josh welcome their first guest, Grace, to delve into the topic of the female cycle. They offer a blend of scientific insights and personal experiences, with Josh not just observing but actively participating as a student, eager to learn.

Maria and Grace discuss the physiological and psychological aspects of the female cycle, drawing from both research and personal lives. They also share their paths to achieving a healthy cycle, addressing the challenges they faced and the impact of societal factors and capitalism on women's reproductive health.

Throughout the conversation, listeners will learn of the female cycle from both male and female perspectives. The trio explores why many women turn to alternative medicine for cycle-related issues, highlighting perceived shortcomings in traditional medical approaches. Maria and Grace emphasize the holistic nature of the comprehensive approach that is necessary to improve women's health beyond symptom management.

This episode provides a multifaceted exploration of the female cycle, underscoring the importance of holistic approaches and the need for greater awareness and support in addressing women's reproductive health issues.

After a long break, in an anticipated and exciting episode, Josh and Maria take listeners on a journey through their experiences at the 10-day Vipassana (by SN Goenka) retreat. Starting with why they embarked on this path, they highlight the practice's broad appeal for those seeking mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual growth.

The episode is rich with anecdotes and insights, capturing the disciplined essence of the retreat, the challenges of maintaining silence, and the lighter moments that brought unexpected humor. Maria and Josh share the emotional highs and lows encountered during their meditation journey, revealing the honest and raw emotions that surfaced, from moments of doubt to breakthroughs of profound peace and understanding.

Moving on, they discuss the impactful realizations they had about themselves and the world around them. As they wrap up, Josh and Maria provide thoughtful advice for anyone considering attending a Goenka Meditation retreat, emphasizing the importance of openness, patience, and full commitment to the meditation process. This episode serves as an invitation to listeners to explore meditation as a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth, setting a reflective and inspiring tone for the episodes to come this year.

The official Vipassana by S.N. Goenka website: https://www.dhamma.org/en/index

An Article Josh wrote after his 1o day Vipassana meditation:https://medium.com/@Joshua.Land/these-4-major-shifts-occured-in-my-life-after-i-meditated-10-days-of-vipassana-5f45022cbace

Find us on social media:

IG Josh: https://www.instagram.com/joysofjosh/

IG Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariamikhaylenko/

In this podcast teaser, our hosts, Josh and Maria, extend a warm welcome to the listeners, while also introducing themselves and the essence of the podcast. They engage in a series of profound and soul-searching questions, allowing us to gain insight into their individual stories.In a world filled with noise, Maria's journey takes center stage. She delves deep into what drives her, sharing the passion for endeavor that ignites her soul. In a profound moment, Maria paints a vivid picture of a memory when she felt most alive. With introspection as her guide, she gives a quick glimpse of her relationship with herself and the world.Maria turns the tables to uncover what inspires Josh. His sources of inspiration are as diverse as they are profound. Acknowledging the intriguing time of transition and change in his life, he shares the forces that drive him in life, the passions that bring him joy both in solitude and in the company of others, and his grand aspirations for a life well-lived. He also reflects on the areas where his life feels excessive or lacking at present.Crucially, our hosts come together to express the personal importance of this podcast to them. They speak up about their heartfelt intentions and the shared wisdom they hope to impart to their listeners.

In this episode, Josh and Maria embark on a deeply personal exploration of anxiety. With the overwhelming impact of anxiety on their lives, they courageously share these experiences in a raw and vulnerable manner. Diving into their earliest memories from childhood, they vividly recount the sensations of anxiety and how it shaped their younger selves. Reflecting on the influence it had on their upbringing, they also reveal the support they received during those formative years.Prepare to immerse yourself in their heartfelt narratives as they express what it truly felt like to be vulnerable children susceptible to anxiety's grasp. Maria opens up about the misunderstood nature of her anxiety, recounting how it was both misinterpreted and commended by the adults in her life. Meanwhile, Josh gives intimate insights into the physical manifestations of anxiety, as well as his personal struggles with social anxiety among groups of peers.Deepening the conversation, they explore into significance of family history, pondering whether anxiety is an inheritable trait that may shape the anxious nature of future generations. Maria and Josh question the very essence of anxiety itself—is it a basic feeling or a more enduring state?Even as adults, they candidly admit to harboring lingering fears, and they discuss the practical safety measures they employ in their day-to-day lives to effectively manage their anxiety. Furthermore, Maria and Josh engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the distinction between simply managing anxiety and thriving despite its presence. They indulge in shared dreams and speculate on what it would take to fully embrace life's boundless potential, unencumbered by anxiety's limitations.

In this podcast episode, Josh and Maria embark on an exploration of their transformative therapy experiences. Delving into the depths of their souls, they share the intimate intricacies of their therapeutic journeys, recounting the precise moments and circumstances that started the process of self-discovery. Maria and Josh question the art of harmonizing self-reflection, an inherent facet of therapy, with action.

With honesty and vulnerability, they share insights from their personal practices, that help in maintaining this delicate balance. They examine the concept of excessive reliance on therapy, opening a thought-provoking discussion of a crucial question: can therapy ever be too abundant? Prepare to be captivated by this episode, combining intimate narratives, reflections and practical tools, while offering contemplations on the quest for equilibrium in the realm of therapy.

Find us on social media:

IG Josh: https://www.instagram.com/joysofjosh/

IG Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariamikhaylenko/

In this episode Maria and Josh chat about Maria's recent trip to India, where she completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). They have a deep conversation about her experiences, discussing the transformations she went through and the challenges she faced. Maria talks about difficult school-memories that were triggered by the training. She talks about tools and insights that had helped her get through this emotionally difficult time. Maria also shares the biggest growth point she had encountered during the training. As well as some changes that she is already noticing in her life back at home. During the conversation, they mention practical consideration about choosing your teacher training program, packing for the trip and managing your expectations. Maria touches on the topic of safety and what her experience as a woman traveling alone had been like. The conversation mentions all aspects of the YTT itself : physical, mental and spiritual. Join us as we explore Maria's journey and share insights that can help you on your own path.

In this episode we mention a podcast about choosing YTT : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HBIfQzsNXUZdmScZhZvkU?si=1d00036d709f4248&nd=1

Vollmond yoga in Berlin: https://www.vollmond.yoga/

Find us on social media:

IG Josh: https://www.instagram.com/joysofjosh/

IG Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariamikhaylenko/