Life as Ceremony

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Shayna Thomas, an Anishinaabe woman from Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation. Shayna is a yoga teacher, educator, and the creator of Seven Teachings Wellness. Shayna shares her journey from teaching in early childhood education to creating a wellness practice rooted in the Seven Grandfather Teachings: love, respect, honesty, truth, wisdom, humility, and courage. We explore what true wellness really means and how wholeness includes caring for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Shayna opens up about a powerful health wake-up call that shifted her understanding of wellness and brought her into deeper alignment and compassion for all parts of herself. Shayna also talks about the relationship between Indigenous worldviews and yoga philosophy, weaving these teachings together with integrity by honouring their roots and acknowledging their parallels. 

This conversation is about living yoga off the mat, the power of presence, love, compassion, and how living with gratitude and intention can shift our everyday lives.

Connect with Shayna:

Website: https://seventeachingswellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmeshaynaeileen/

https://www.instagram.com/seventeachingswellness/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@SevenTeachingsWellness

Connect with Sam: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/

Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/

Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Mikaela Millington. She is a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and the founder of Evolve Retreats. Mikaela shares her journey of creating and holding space for transformative in-person experiences. 

We dive into what first-time retreat-goers need to know, from setting intentions, connecting with your guide, and understanding group sizes, to recognizing the different types of connection and community that retreats can offer. Mikaela also shares insights into the personal challenges of hosting retreats and trusting the process.

We explore the magic that emerges when people show up authentically, take their masks off, and lean into community and playful moments. Mikaela reflects on her favorite parts of retreats and the value of in-person connection. 

Finally, we discuss what’s next for Evolve Retreats, including potential expansions, teacher trainings, and her vision for future offerings that continue to nurture community and growth. This conversation is for anyone curious about retreats, spiritual growth, and the power of in-person experiences and connections. 

Connect with Mikaela:

Website: https://mikmill.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikmill/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIKMILLMOVEMENT

Connect with Sam: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/

Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/

Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I share two powerful ways to strengthen your intuition: asking for signs and working with pendulums. I share stories about connecting with my great-grandmother, Lulu Ironstar, and reflect on how signs like angel numbers, feathers, and rainbows can become everyday reminders of connection with Spirit. I also talk about how to ask for signs, what kinds of signs to look for, and how you can develop your own language with the universe. In this episode, I discuss how pendulums work and how they can be a valuable tool to help you connect with your intuition, so you don’t have to outsource it. I hope this episode encourages you to notice the magic around you and helps you reconnect with your intuition.

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Ariana Fotinakis. She is a mixed-heritage woman with ancestors from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Greece. Ariana is a decolonial facilitator, mother, breathwork guide, and co-founder of Decolonize and Rize. Ariana shares her journey of reconnecting with her Indigenous ancestry and how she navigates sharing medicine with roots in other cultures, such as breath work. We talk about the narrative of “not being Indigenous enough” and the importance of reclaiming and revitalizing culture. 

Ariana discusses the intersections of decolonization and personal healing, highlighting the slow nature of a reconnection journey and the importance of intention and integrity along the way. We dive into deep discussions with questions such as: Does someone have to be from a certain lineage to share teachings from that culture?

This conversation is about untangling ourselves from colonial narratives, cultivating curiosity about internalized beliefs, and returning home to ourselves without needing anyone else’s permission. Ariana reminds us that reconnection is a lifelong journey, decolonization is for everyone, and we are all invited to reconnect with the earth, our roots, and our truth.

Connect with Ariana: 

IG: https://instagram.com/arianafotinakis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decolonize-rize/

Subscribe to Ariana's newsletter to receive a 10-minute guided breathwork practice: https://arianafotinakis.com/daily-breathwork-tuneup

Subscribe to Decolonize and Rize's newsletter to receive a Simple Wellbeing Practices workbook: subscribepage.io/142d4z

Connect with Sam: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/

Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/

Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Michael Ventura, entrepreneur, speaker, writer, and folk medicine practitioner. Michael shares his personal and professional journey, from launching his first digital agency at the age of 24 after being fired, to becoming CEO of Sub Rosa, a strategy and design firm that went on to work with clients such as Nike, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and the Obama administration. 

We discuss how his early ideas of success and leadership have evolved over the years and what he believes to be true today. Michael also shares personal stories of healing and how a spinal injury at the age of 27 led him to traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong, and spiritual healing traditions.

We also talk about his upcoming book, which challenges the idea of a single North Star or life purpose. Instead, he invites us to consider “constellation thinking,” which honors the many aspects of who we are.

Whether you’re a business leader, healer, seeker, or all three, Michael’s stories are filled with depth, wisdom, and powerful insights.

Connect with Michael: 

https://www.consolidatedeggs.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvmvmv/

https://michaelventura.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/michaelventura/

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Amie Seier, entrepreneur and founder of The Community, a boutique fitness studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Amie shares her journey of entrepreneurship, from a seed planted over a decade ago at a spin studio to owning and operating The Community Gym today. We discuss hardship, heartbreak, divorce, carrying boxes, values, and much more. This is an honest and beautifully messy conversation between pals. Amie offers wisdom on resilience, self-love, and self-compassion (even when it feels like an uncomfortable pair of pants). Expect tears, laughter, dog metaphors, and a reminder that Ceremony isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. 

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Lee Spence. She is an Ininew, Metis, and Mixed Settler woman from York Factory First Nation and she was born and raised in Northern Manitoba. In this episode, Lee talks about the work she does with individuals and larger organizations through her company Embodied Resurgence. We talk about what it means to transmute apathy into liberation and reclaim your truth. We also discuss the complexities of having mixed ancestry, making amendments with your ancestors, and what it means to live life as a Ceremony. Lee shares the four guiding principles found in her workbook, Cultivating Your Legacy, to help people reconnect with themselves, their ancestors, the land, and where they are going in life. Regardless of what kind of reconnection journey you’re on, this episode offers grounded wisdom and heartfelt guidance. 

Let’s connect! 

Lee’s Website: https://www.embodiedresurgence.com/

Lee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leemaespence/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/

Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Amanda Carson. She is a Registered Social Worker specializing in grief, loss, and life transitions. Amanda shares how this path found her, rather than her seeking it out. We discuss different grief models and different therapeutic modalities to support people in processing grief and loss. She shares her favourite books, resources, and guidance on what to say and what NOT to say to someone grieving. We also discuss the connection with spirituality and the role of rituals in healing. If you’re looking for a grounded and compassionate conversation about life and loss filled with practical wisdom, this episode is for you!

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Amelia Barnes. She is an entrepreneur, yoga teacher, writer, and mother. Amelia shares how her life has evolved over the past decade, from teaching yoga to founding Prana Vida Style, a Canadian-made sustainable clothing company. We also talk about her book, Landon’s Legacy, a deeply personal reflection on the life and loss of her son Landon, who passed away at just four days old. Whether you’re interested in slow fashion, entrepreneurship, creativity, or sustainability, this conversation is filled with real and raw human stories about life, loss, and authenticity.

In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Jazmin Feschuk. She is a First Nations woman from Sechelt Nation, a counsellor, and my good friend and colleague. In this episode, Jazmin shares her personal story of how spirituality helped her reconnect with her First Nations roots. This is a conversation for our younger selves—for those who needed something like this to listen to early on in their reconnecting journeys. We talk about the challenges, what was helpful, and what was healing. We discuss status, blood quantum, and mixed ancestry. Jazmin also shares how culture has become a way of life for her and how she balances modern life with traditional teachings.