On this episode, Laura welcomes dream expert and author of The Secret Mind, Bonnie Buckner. For more than twenty years, Bonnie has taught dreamwork and imagery to people and organizations around the world. She's a Senior Fellow at George Washington University's Center for Excellence in Public Leadership and leads the One Humanity Leadership Coaching program, where she integrates dreamwork into innovative leadership development. She also co-hosts the One Humanity Lab podcast.

Together, they explore how to awaken to the wisdom of your dreams—whether you remember them or not—and how dreamwork can help you solve problems and better understand your waking life. Learn more about Bonnie at bonniebuckner.com.

In this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, host Laura Chandler welcomes Robert Thurman — best-selling author, renowned Buddhist scholar, professor emeritus at Columbia University, and co-founder of Tibet House US and Menla Mountain Retreat. A close friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bob is an eloquent and engaging voice bringing the wisdom of the East into our modern world. Through his lifelong commitment to the preservation and renewal of Tibetan culture, he has helped make Tibet House a vibrant center—offering a museum and programs in all aspects of Tibetan arts and sciences.

On this episode, Bob and Laura talk about his latest book, Wisdom is Bliss, the contentiousness of these times, and how happiness is an antidote to fear that can create pathways to a more peaceful and compassionate world. He also talks about the concepts of mis-knowing and enlightenment, as well as his chance meeting with Albert Einstein. This lively and illuminating dialogue is filled with humor, wisdom, and the radiant joy that comes from a life devoted to awakening.

In this episode, host Laura Chandler speaks with astrologer and author Madi Murphy. Together, they explore the world of astrology and Madi's new book, In the Cosmic Zone, where she introduces the 12 Universal Keys—archetypes rooted in astrology that unlock deeper understanding of our life path. Whether you're new to astrology or a seasoned practitioner, there is plenty to discover in this fun and illuminating conversation. They cover everything from the upcoming eclipses, and the influence of the mystical north and south nodes, to the wisdom each zodiac sign offers us about ourselves. Learn more about Madi at cosmicrx.com.

In this episode, host Laura Chandler speaks with therapist, filmmaker, and Igniting the Spark podcast host, Stephanie James. Together, they dive into Stephanie's new book, Your Big Fat Juicy Life (and Everything After)—a deeply personal and inspiring exploration of death and how facing our fears about it can open the door to a more meaningful and joyful life.

Their conversation moves through many fascinating territories—past lives, encounters with the unseen, and the simple daily practices that help us live with greater presence and awareness. Along the way, Stephanie shares powerful personal stories, wisdom from thought leaders, and insights gained from her decades of therapeutic work, offering listeners an invitation to go beyond the ordinary and embrace new ways of being.

On this episode, host Laura Chandler is joined by therapist, teacher, and author John Tsilimparis for a powerful conversation about his latest book, The Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Discovering Happiness in Our Darkest Days. Together, we explore the complexities of grief and how it can become a transformative path to healing and resilience.

John shares insights on emotional vulnerability as a strength, how anxiety can be harnessed as a tool for growth, and the role of creativity and inspiration in navigating difficult emotions. He offers practical tools for developing emotional resilience and reframing painful experiences to uncover meaning and joy, even in the midst of loss.

John is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, and recovery. He's been featured on The View, Larry King Live, and the A&E series Obsessed. He is also the host of the podcast Mindfulness for the Soul.

Learn more at johntsilimparis.com.

Welcome to the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast. I'm your host, Laura Chandler, and on today's episode, I speak with Tibetan Buddhist nun, Venerable Ani Choyang. Ani is part of a distinguished group of Tibetan nuns on the path to earning the highest degree in Buddhist Philosophy—an honor that, until recently, was reserved exclusively for men. Her academic achievements extend beyond traditional studies into the realm of Western science.

In this conversation, Ani shares the powerful story of her escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet, where she spent her early years working in a factory with limited access to education. She speaks about the challenges and triumphs of learning the Tibetan language and discovering Tibetan culture for the first time at age 18. We also explore her inspiring academic journey and her unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities for nuns and women alike.

Ani Choyang was the first nun from Tibet to be awarded the prestigious Tenzin Gyatso Science Scholarship from Emory University in Atlanta. She has also completed an internship in neuroscience at Northwestern University and is currently involved in a groundbreaking research project on lucid dreaming and dream yoga. Ani is a resident nun and science teacher at Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in Mundgod, India. She also serves as the Coordinator of the Library and Learning Center, a new facility under development at the nunnery that will offer nuns a comprehensive education in both Buddhist studies and Western subjects.

On this episode, Laura is joined by author, counselor, and renowned teacher, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., to discuss her new book, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation. Isa is the creator of Depth Hypnosis, a pioneering psycho-spiritual healing modality that has empowered thousands to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Depth Hypnosis is a unique, integrative approach that weaves together ancient wisdom and contemporary psychological insight. Drawing from traditions such as Buddhism, shamanism, energy medicine, and transpersonal psychology, it effectively addresses a wide range of issues, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and spiritual crises.

With advanced degrees in cultural and linguistic anthropology, comparative religion, and transpersonal psychology, Isa has spent over 30 years studying spiritual, therapeutic, and meditative techniques from around the world. She is an early pioneer in bringing shamanic and Buddhist perspectives into the clinical setting. Isa is also the founding director of the Sacred Stream and teaches and lectures internationally

In this edition, we welcome renowned Buddhist scholar and teacher, Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., as he answers audience questions following a recent talk at the Sacred Stream. An excerpt from this compelling conversation can be heard in Episode 125: Thupten Jinpa: Part 1: Making Friends with our Minds.

In this thoughtful Q&A session, Jinpa shares deep insights on parenting, cultivating compassion amidst adversity, navigating difficult emotions, and facing death with clarity and courage. Drawing on decades of experience, he also recounts a powerful and personal story of his childhood escape from Tibet and the hardships he faced growing up in exile in India.

Since 1985, Jinpa has served as the principal English translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, translating and editing more than ten of the Dalai Lama's books, along with several acclaimed works of his own. He is the Board Chair of the Mind & Life Institute, founder and president of the Compassion Institute, and a visiting research scholar at the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences.

On this episode, we are sharing an excerpt from a recent talk at the Sacred Stream by esteemed author, former Tibetan Buddhist monk, and renowned Buddhist teacher, Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D. Jinpa has been the principal English translator for the Dalai Lama since 1985 and has translated and edited more than ten of his books, along with writing several of his own. He serves as the Board Chair of the Mind & Life Institute, is the founder and president of the Compassion Institute, and is a visiting research scholar at the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences. In this insightful talk, Jinpa explores the importance of befriending our minds—an essential practice for navigating challenges and fostering a more joyful, fulfilling life. He has written and lectured extensively on Lojong, the Tibetan practice of Mind Training, and offers wisdom that is both practical and deeply transformative.

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura speaks with couples therapist and author of Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship, Carolyn Sharp. Carolyn leads relationships retreats throughout the country and has over twenty-five years of experience helping people build vital, vibrant, and secure functioning relationships. Early in her career she was a social worker in the foster care system and later became the Clinical Director of the YMCA's Mental Health programs before going into private practice. Today, Carolyn combines her passion for helping people with her widespread experience to assist people in creating the healthiest and happiest relationships possible.