Jonah shares his nine-year journey with ethical non-monogamy, revealing how it's deepened his understanding of himself and transformed his approach to relationships. He explores his "Three Pillars" framework—communication, trust, and respect—that forms the foundation for healthy connections both in his primary partnership and beyond. In this episode we discuss how:

• Ethical non-monogamy began as a three-month experiment with a long-term partner after realizing he hadn't fully explored his sexuality

• The "Three Pillars" framework (communication, trust, respect) provides the foundation for navigating complex emotional territory

• Challenging inherited beliefs about relationships creates space for personal growth and self-discovery

• Setting clear boundaries ensures connections with others remain nourishing rather than threatening to primary partnerships

• The importance of vulnerability and self-reflection when navigating jealousy and other normal human emotions

• How ethical non-monogamy has changed from stigmatized to increasingly normalized, especially in queer communities.

In this episode I explore the tension between discipline and compassion in practices that create meaning and purpose in our lives. Finding balance between these seemingly opposing forces creates the conditions for sustainable growth while maintaining self-kindness.

• Discipline isn't about rigidity but rather making a decision and sticking to it—like a disciple following a teaching with devotion
• True discipline includes intentional rest as part of the practice
• Compassion isn't laziness or an excuse to quit when things get uncomfortable
• The middle way in Buddhism offers a framework for balance—like a perfectly tuned instrument string
• Growth happens in the nuanced space between pushing forward and knowing when to pause

Daniela de Armas shares her journey as a Lucumi priestess, musician, and neurodivergent person diagnosed with ADHD at age 59. Her experiences reveal how finding authentic community and honouring our own natural rhythms creates purpose and stability in a challenging world.

In this episode we discuss how:

• The Lukumi tradition provides a lens through which Daniela views life, focusing on living well in the present
• Music has been integral to her identity since childhood, leading to the creation of multiple bands and a 20-year choir
• Late diagnosis of ADHD explained lifelong patterns of burnout, fatigue, and difficulty with conventional employment
• Success means enjoying the journey rather than focusing on external validation or financial rewards
• Building communities around her passions has been essential to finding connection and belonging
• Nature connection, particularly bird watching, provides healing and grounding for her sensitive nervous system
• Rest is viewed as revolutionary in a productivity-obsessed culture
• Compassionate approaches to practice allow for inconsistency while still moving forward

If you're interested in learning more about the Lukumi tradition, check out Daniela's book "The Lucumi Practitioner's Handbook," which also addresses neurodiversity and maintaining boundaries in spiritual communities. You can find her work at https://linktr.ee/orishasongandmore

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

https://www.sheilahenson.com 

https://www.adhdbabes.com/about-us

https://www.additudemag.com/
 

Community forms an essential pillar in developing meaningful practices and personal growth. When we practice within groups rather than in isolation, we experience a tangible difference that enhances commitment and progress. In this episode I discuss how:

• Group meditation creates a qualitatively different experience compared to solo practice
• Buddhism emphasizes community through the concept of Sangha—one of the Three Jewels
• Four benefits of community practice: friendship, solidarity, inspiration, and accountability
• Communities create productive friction that smooths our rough edges, like rocks on the shore
• Being called out on our "nonsense" in constructive ways helps us grow authentically

Reach out on Instagram @praxis_podcast with questions, feedback, or to volunteer for an interview about your own practice.

Motivation forms one of the essential pillars of practice, supporting our commitment through challenges while revealing the crucial balance between internal and external drivers. In this mini-episode, I discuss how:

• Intrinsic motivation comes from within (joy in the process, self-improvement, personal satisfaction)
• Extrinsic motivation comes from external sources (recognition, money, validation from others)
• My running journey evolved from park runs to marathons, challenging my belief I wasn't "sporty"
• Finding your authentic "why" provides resilience when challenges arise
• External validation can kickstart a practice but internal motivation sustains it

Listen, subscribe, and share your thoughts about your own motivational balance in your practices.

Ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher Sam shares his decade-long journey through yoga and how this rigorous daily practice has shaped his sense of purpose and identity. He explores the tension between tradition and adaptation, personal growth through injury, and the importance of community in spiritual practice. In this episode we discuss:

• His two-hour daily practice at 6am involving memorised asana sequences developed over ten years
• Practice deepening from purely physical to include spiritual and philosophical dimensions
• Academic study of yoga's history providing critical perspective on cultural appropriation and commercialisation
• All practices existing within webs of human and non-human connections, challenging individualistic approaches

…plus much more! 

Discover the Five Hindrances that hold us back in our pursuit of meaningful practice and purpose. We discuss their origins in Buddhism and how they relate to everyday challenges. 
 
• Exploring sense desire as a major distraction 
• Understanding aversion and self-compassion in practice 
• Tackling sloth, torpor, and rekindling motivation 
• Grounding ourselves amidst restlessness and worry 
• Combatting self-doubt and fostering trust in self 

If you’d like to share your own experiences with these hindrances, connect with us on Instagram @praxis_podcast! 

Welcome to Praxis! In this very first episode, I share why I’m launching this podcast and what you can expect in the episodes to come. I’ve always been fascinated by the practices people commit to—whether physical, mental, or spiritual—that help them find purpose and transformation in their lives.

To frame our conversations, I introduce The Hero’s Journey—a timeless storytelling structure that reflects the challenges, growth, and breakthroughs we all experience. I’ll be using this as a lens to guide my questions with future guests, uncovering the struggles they’ve faced, the wisdom they’ve gained, and the practices that keep them grounded.

Whether you’re searching for inspiration, refining your own daily rituals, or simply curious about how others navigate their personal journeys, this podcast is for you. Join me as we explore the power of practice and transformation.

Subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming conversations with guests from all walks of life!