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In this episode of the iSōma Podcast, hosts Amber and Kurt discuss principles of healing and connection with guest Michael Gay. Michael has worked in the field of counselling for the last 14 years as a guide, therapist, and trainer. He was a Wilderness Therapy guide for 6 years, leading and facilitating in deep transformational work with teens, adults, and families in the mountains and high desert. He has also worked extensively in the field of addiction and recovery. He specialises in working with depression, groups, trauma, PTSD, grief, and families. Michaels' work is infused with reverence for Life and ceremony. The conversation delves into the importance of reintroducing ancient healing practices into modern life, focusing on the art of deep listening, community, and the balance between solitude and togetherness. Michael shares his insights on Gestalt therapy, the role of trust and presence in healing, and the significance of contact and relational integrity in human connection. The conversation also explores the personal and collective prayers of finding joy, slowing down, and fostering courage within ourselves and our communities.

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iSōma is a 12-month journey for those called to guide and serve from embodied presence. Rooted in elemental coherence, relational repair, and psyche-somatic practice — we return to what sustains the human spirit.

If this conversation moves something in you, we invite you to explore the path.

Learn more & apply: https://isomameditation.com/home3

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Through deeply personal stories and ancestral wisdom, Auntie Chelita explores the dual path of the warrior, balancing the strength of the fierce warrior with the heart of a peaceful protector. We delve into the transformative practice of breathwork, the significance of reconnecting with cultural roots, and the vital role that Indigenous knowledge plays in both personal and collective healing. This conversation is a heartfelt offering for anyone seeking to walk with integrity, courage, and compassion in today's world.

Please note that there is a prayer and invocation by Chelita at the beginning of this episode. It’s potent and can move things, note that before hitting play.

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In this engaging episode of the iSōma podcast, we welcome our first guest, Asher Packman, to delve into the profound impact of storytelling and ritual in navigating life's most challenging moments. Reflecting on personal experiences including deep loss, encounters with death, and the transformative power of grief, Asher discusses how stories serve as ancient medicine, helping us connect to our souls and ancestral wisdom. The conversation spans a variety of topics from the evolution of human storytelling, the role of rituals in community healing, the difference between sorrow and grief, and the necessity of conscious participation in our own soul’s journey. With insights drawn from depth psychology, mythology, and personal experience, this episode offers a deeply reflective exploration of how we can integrate these practices into our lives for personal and communal transformation.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

02:38 The Power of Storytelling

16:46 The Role of Grief in Men's Work

26:42 Rituals and Conscious Participation

38:23 Navigating the Underworld

52:52 Embracing the Mystery of Death

53:33 The Role of Ego in Facing Mortality

54:39 Personal Tragedy and Transformation

56:19 Rediscovering Childhood Passions

57:28 Understanding and Honoring the Past

01:05:45 The Power of Storytelling

01:13:33 Navigating Life's Challenges

01:19:08 The Importance of Listening to Your Soul

01:30:28 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

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In this episode, Amber and Kurt introduce the heart of iSōma—a community rooted in facilitation and leadership that nourishes the human spirit.

Joined by special guest Bela Crowder, they delve into the inward journey of healing, exploring how to turn toward pain, meet it with presence, and discover the transformative power of vulnerability and truth.

Bela shares intimate reflections from her path, offering insight into the deepening of intimacy with self and others. Together, they discuss the vital distinction between feeling and emotion, the courage it takes to feel truly, and the liberation that comes from living one's embodied truth. This conversation also opens the doorway to the upcoming iSōma year-long Practitioner Path—an immersive journey for those called to guide, support, and embody authentic leadership. Tune in for a powerful and heartfelt dialogue that invites you to reconnect with your most honest and soulful self.

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Join us in an enlightening conversation as we explore the culmination of years of practice and teaching in the field of embodied facilitation. This video outlines the seven essential elemental layers for authentic leadership, facilitation, and community building. Learn about the importance of Earth (the anchor), Water (the bridge), Fire (the guardian), Air (the custodian), Ether (vibration), and Void (the initiate) in creating a grounded, intimate, and authentic practice. We discuss the shadow sides of each element, offer reflective inquiries, and explain how these principles integrate into a year's journey of deep transformation and practical wisdom. This session is for seekers of truth, facilitators, and anyone interested in deepening their connection to themselves and their communities.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

02:35 The Journey to Embodied Facilitation

03:48 Universal Principles and Elemental Layers

04:39 Personal Path and Transformation

07:22 Courage and Self-Exploration

12:51 Discipline and Integrity

17:57 Creating Community and Collective Healing

20:01 Modernity and the Path of Service

23:19 Introducing the Elemental Foundations

37:31 The Element of Earth

45:41 The Element of Water

47:47 The Essence of Water: Deep Contact and Reflection

48:13 The Bridge Between Doing and Being

49:24 Intimacy and Energetic Connection

53:04 The Guardian of Fire: Threshold Work

55:04 The Role of the Fire Keeper

01:01:10 Relational Integrity and the Element of Air

01:13:17 The Weaver: Sensitivity and Vibration

01:24:37 The Importance of Grounded Foundation

01:25:33 Balancing Expansion and Groundedness

01:26:21 The Risks of Overloading the System

01:27:43 Witnessing Life's Messages

01:28:52 The Void and Its Significance

01:30:17 The Role of Grief and Loss

01:39:02 The Vessel: Embodiment of Wisdom

01:49:09 Quintessence: The Unifying Field

01:55:17 Invitation to Deeper Learning

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In the first episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the profound topic of death and our multifaceted relationships with it—covering literal, biological death as well as psychological, emotional, and spiritual transitions. We explore the role of death as a pivotal element of transformation and rebirth, both in personal experiences and in guiding others. Through discussions about rituals, ceremonies, and ancient traditions, we seek to understand how honoring these transitions can bring clarity, alleviate suffering, and foster a greater intimacy with life. Join us as we reflect on personal experiences, cultural practices, and the power of community in navigating the space between life and death, ultimately enhancing our approach to life itself.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

02:23 Exploring the Concept of Death

04:00 The Soul's Journey and Transitional States

06:28 Rituals and Ceremonies Around Death

08:08 Personal Experiences and Reflections

13:35 The Role of Indigenous Cultures

23:02 The Continuation of Consciousness

27:53 Facing Personal Transformations

43:22 The Loss of Community and Rituals

43:49 Devotion and Daily Rituals

45:36 Ancestral Wisdom and Modernity

47:22 The Struggle of Transformation

48:11 The Story of the Hunter and the Moth

51:13 Parenting and Experiential Learning

52:12 The Cosmic Soup State

52:19 The Birth Experience and Inner Strength

55:58 Reclaiming Self and Sovereignty

01:11:17 The Importance of Community and Rituals

01:13:29 Embracing Death to Fully Live

01:20:22 The Beauty in Chaos and Mess

01:27:02 Closing Reflections and Future Episodes

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