In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with the luminous Diane Arkenstone — a visionary composer, multi-instrumentalist, and pioneer in New Age, ambient, and cinematic music.

Diane shares how she overcame health challenges and how music became her path to healing. We explore her creative flow, her alter egos like Enaid, Ah Nee Mah and Earth Trybe, and the inspiration behind her books and recent music releases — including Ocean Serenade from her upcoming pop album Hotel Del Mar and her new holiday single Starlight on Fallen Snow with David Arkenstone.

We also dive into:

• Her work with Native American communities in the Southwest

• Her success founding Neo Pacifica Recordings

• Her award-winning children's books and animated film

• Her personal philosophy on art, spirit, nature, and healing

🔗 Listen to Diane Arkenstone's music: www.dianearkenstone.com

🎧 Listen to Shambhu's music: www.shambhumusic.com

🌿 Learn more about Shambhu Sessions: www.shambhumusic.com/podcast

👉 Listen, follow, and share Shambhu Sessions wherever you get your podcasts.

CREDITS:

Intro/Outro music: "Pondering When" by Shambhu, written by Neil Vineberg (Sacred Love Music – BMI) is used under license to Shambhu Sessions.

In this inspiring episode of Shambhu Sessions, guitarist and composer Vin Downes joins host Shambhu for a heartfelt conversation about the art of tone, touch, and truth in music.

Vin shares his early journey from Ozzy Osbourne and heavy-metal roots to discovering Windham Hill Records and studying classical guitar — a path that would eventually lead him to record with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios.

Together, Shambhu and Vin reflect on:

🎸 How alternate tunings shaped Vin's composing style

🎼 His daily writing practice inspired by David Crosby

🎶 The creation of City Lights Hide the Stars — where "the head meets the heart"

🏫 His award-winning high-school guitar program in New Jersey

🌌 And the joy of lifelong collaboration with artists such as Ackerman, Eaton, Jeff Oster, Trevor Gordon Hall, and Lance Allen

This is a beautiful meeting of two kindred guitar spirits — both shaped by the Windham Hill legacy — exploring creativity, discipline, and the pure love of sound.

🎧 Check out the music of Vin Downes: www.vindownes.com

🌿 Learn more about Shambhu Sessions: www.shambhumusic.com/podcast

👉 Listen, follow, and share Shambhu Sessions Ep. 6 wherever you get your podcasts.

🎙 Shambhu Sessions – Episode 5

Guest: John Diliberto, Host of Echoes Radio

🔗 https://echoes.org

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, we celebrate the 36th anniversary of Echoes, the legendary nationally syndicated radio show that has shaped the sound of ambient, electronic, and new acoustic music since 1989.

My guest is John Diliberto, Echoes' executive producer, and host — and one of the most respected voices in music radio. We talk about:

• The origins and evolution of Echoes

• The golden era of New Age music — and how the market has shifted

• Thoughts on the New Age GRAMMY awards

• The impact of AI and algorithm-driven curation on music creation

• Artists John's excited about now: Bluetech, Ian Boddy, Marissa Nadler, Steve Roach, and more

• His thoughts on how to keep music meaningful — and what curators, podcasters, and artists need to hear right now

John also reflects on his award-winning career (Peabody Award, Major Armstrong Award, NFCB Golden Reels), the iconic Echoes Living Room Concerts, and what still keeps him inspired after nearly four decades in radio.

🎧 Listen to Echoes: https://echoes.org

🎼 Shambhu's Music: https://shambhumusic.com

🎵 Stream Lotus Dream: https://ffm.to/lotusdream

If this episode moved you, please like, follow, and share — and as John says: Keep listening.

#JohnDiliberto #EchoesRadio #AmbientMusic #NewAgeMusic #ShambhuSessions #Bluetech #SteveRoach #WillAckerman #GRAMMYs #MusicPodcast

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with musical pioneer Will Ackerman — Grammy-winning guitarist, renowned producer, and founder of Windham Hill Records — whose timeless artistry has touched millions and earned 27 gold and platinum records.

Will's journey helped define an entire genre—New Age and instrumental acoustic music—through his pioneering solo recordings and the groundbreaking label he built from scratch. We explore his creative process, his visionary role as a producer, and the unique way he nurtured iconic artists like Michael Hedges, George Winston, Alex de Grassi, Liz Story and so many others.

We also dive into:

- What inspired Will to launch a career in acoustic music when no commercial path existed

- The origin and evolution of Windham Hill Records

- His philosophy on alternate tunings and what he listens for in an artist

- Balancing the roles of artist and entrepreneur

- His approach to composing and tracking in the studio

- Reflections on The Gathering album series and its community impact

- Will's involvement in the upcoming documentary A Quiet Revolution

- The emotional and spiritual connection music creates with listeners

- Timeless advice for new and emerging artists

- Thoughts on AI and the future of creativity.

Plus, I talk about my own albums Sacred Love and Dreaming of Now, which Will produced—and the behind-the-scenes video series I created during that time, The Making of Sacred Love, available on YouTube.

This is a rich and wide-ranging conversation with a musical master whose influence continues to shape and inspire generations of artists and listeners alike.

Learn more about Will Ackerman and buy his CDs at williamackerman.com.

Learn more about Shambhu and Shambhu Sessions at shambhumusic.com

Watch the Making of Sacred Love on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXhffem0gtamRCAHOE2KWfMVh7AEx_ay1

🎶 Tune in and be uplifted.

Like and share this podcast.

Welcome to Episode 3 of Shambhu Sessions, a podcast of inspiring conversations with musicians, artists, and visionaries of our time.

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and musical collaborator Kristin Hoffmann, a classically trained singer, composer, and producer whose work lives at the intersection of music, healing, nature, and consciousness. She calls herself a "Sonic Alchemist" — and once you hear her voice and story, you'll understand why.

We explore:

• Her transformation from opera and folk-pop roots to a creator of ethereal, healing soundscapes

• Her groundbreaking work with Bella Gaia (in partnership with NASA)

• Vocal layering, improvisation, and the art of creating "sonic medicine"

• Collaborations with Peter Kater and Steven Halpern, and Shambhu

• Her recent releases RainShine and Ma-Ra-Va-Ti: Song of the New Earth

• The importance of listening — to the earth, the moment, and the music within

Kristin shares her thoughts on creativity, flow states, sound as medicine, and how to stay grounded as an artist in a shifting world. We also reflect on our own musical collaborations, including songs like "Gaia Sweet Divine", "Soothe", and "Knowingness".

✨ Whether you're a musician, seeker, or lover of soulful sound — this conversation will uplift and inspire.

🎧 Listen now and let the healing begin.

⸻

🔗 Explore more:

• Kristin's site: https://kristinhoffmann.com

• Kristin on Bandcamp: https://kristinhoffmann.bandcamp.com

• Shambhu's music: https://shambhumusic.com

• Support the podcast: Like, follow, and share!

#KristinHoffmann #ShambhuSessions #SonicAlchemy #HealingMusic #NewAgeMusic #BellaGaia #WomenInMusic #AmbientVocal #PodcastInterview #RainShine #MaRaVaTi #SpiritualMusic #SoundHealing

Welcome to Shambhu Sessions! In this episode, I sit down with RJ Lannan, one of the most respected voices in new age music for over 25 years. RJ is also the creator of Orphan Music – The Incomplete History of New Age Music, a ten-part documentary series that chronicles the origins, evolution, and future of new age music. Visit artisanmusicreviews.com for reviews and Orpan Music.

We talk about:

✨ What inspired RJ to start writing reviews

✨ His favorite new age artists and most memorable albums

✨ What he looks for when listening to music

✨ How new age has evolved over the decades ✨ Where the genre is headed in the age of streaming and AI

✨ The making of Orphan Music and why it matters today

✨ RJ's thoughtful reviews and his documentary work shine a light on the artistry and heart behind new age, ambient, and world music.

👉 Subscribe to Shambhu Sessions for more conversations with artists, producers, and visionaries shaping today's music.

👍 Like and share this episode to support the series.

🌐 More at: shambhumusic.com

📩 Follow me: @shambhumusic on all social platforms

In this episode, Shambhu sits down with guitarist/composer Leo Steinriede, co-creator of the ambient blues guitar duet Resilience. Recorded live in studio with no click or script, the track reflects a quiet strength and deep musical trust between the two artists.

Shambhu and Leo discuss their spontaneous recording process, Leo's jazz background and arranging work, and how music becomes a vehicle for emotional connection. A heartfelt conversation for musicians, listeners, and lovers of instrumental storytelling.

🎧 Listen to Resilience: https://ffm.to/resilience_single

📖 Read the blog post: https://www.shambhumusic.com/post/resilience-from-guitarists-shambhu-and-leo-steinriede-releases-august-29th.