Today we present an anthology episode with SAND speaker, Dr. Elisabet Sahtouris (1936-2024) who passed in December 2024.

Internationally known as a dynamic speaker, Dr. Sahtouris was an evolution biologist, futurist, professor, author and consultant on Living Systems Design. She taught the relevance of biological systems to organisational design in business, government and society. She was a Fellow of the World Business Academy, an advisor to EthicalMarkets.com and the Masters in Business program at Schumacher College, also affiliated with the Bainbridge Graduate Institute's MBA program for sustainable business.

Dr. Sahtouris convened two International Symposia on the Foundations of Science and written about integral cosmologies. Her books include A Walk Through TIme: from Stardust to Us, Biology Revisioned, co-authored with Willis Harman, and EarthDance: Living Systems in Evolution.

sahtouris.com

Topics

00:00 Introduction to Elisabet Sahtouris

01:11 Indigenous Science and Wisdom

04:02 The Living Universe Concept

07:04 Western vs. Vedic Science

09:16 The Evolution of Scientific Assumptions

11:47 Mechanism vs. Organism in Biology

12:45 Genetic Engineering and Its Pitfalls

15:56 The Role of Consciousness in Evolution

17:33 Dying to Live: Evolution through Recycling

28:22 The Metaphor of the Butterfly

33:58 Advice for Future Generations

39:29 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

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This is a recording from the 2022 Community Conversation between with guest Iya Affo and SAND co-founders Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo.

Very few people are aware of the impact of historical trauma. Historical trauma is trauma so deeply rooted in the subconscious we may not even know it is there. It can leave us feeling anxious, irritable, sad, and hopeless… and we have no idea why. But once we begin to see the larger context of our trauma, then a more holistic healing can begin.

Iya Affo is a Culturalist and Historical Trauma consultant. She earned Western certification as a Trauma Specialist and is a descendant of a long line of traditional healers from Bénin, West Africa. Iya serves as an Executive Board Member for the Arizona ACEs Consortium, is an Adjunct Faculty member at the Arizona Trauma Institute, and is the founder of Heal Historical Trauma Culture & Indigenous Wellness Academy. She has visited more than 30 countries; living in Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Native American, and Yoruba communities, embracing aspects from each culture for personal evolution. She strives to transcend tolerance through cultivating love and respect in hopes of facilitating the decolonization and subsequent healing of indigenous people from all over the world. Iya advocates for the harmonization of Traditional Medicine and Western Medicine for true holistic healing.

Iya's passion is to cultivate intergenerational healing by connecting intuitive ancestral practices with modern neurobiology. As we delve into leveraging our neurobiology to facilitate the healing process, we will also explore re-culturing and the creation of self-harmonizing communities.

Iya Affo’s Website

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:51 Introducing Iya Affo

02:31 Iya's Personal Journey

05:57 Understanding Historical Trauma

10:14 Resilience and Cultural Connections

11:57 The Role of Names and Identity

16:25 Tools for Healing and Resilience

19:12 The Importance of Cultural Practices

24:35 Epigenetics and Generational Trauma

26:34 Storytelling and Historical Context

26:54 Ancestral Vigilance and Survival Instincts

29:05 Epigenetics and Generational Trauma

30:50 Impact of Historical Trauma on Modern Behavior

34:52 Challenges of Western Medicine in Indigenous Communities

43:51 Traditional Healing Practices and Neurological Regulation

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In this episode, Isa Gucciardi discusses depth hypnosis, combining shamanic practices, Buddhist psychology, transpersonal psychology, and energy medicine to assist individuals in healing from issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and more.

Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. holds degrees in cultural and linguistic anthropology, comparative religion, and transpersonal psychology. She is the creator of Depth Hypnosis™, a groundbreaking therapeutic model that blends elements of ancient wisdom and contemporary psychological thought. It has won rave reviews from psychotherapeutic and spiritual counselors alike. She is also the author of three books, Coming to Peace, The New Return to the Great Mother, and Depth Hypnosis. 

Topics

00:00 Introduction
02:13 Exploring Depth Hypnosis
02:42 Components of Depth Hypnosis
05:29 Case Studies and Applications
09:01 Acceptance of Alternative Healing Modalities
14:29 Integration and Plant Medicine
20:30 Applied Shamanism and Cultural Sensitivity
28:40 Ancestral Healing and Intergenerational Trauma
40:49 Learning and Practicing Depth Hypnosis

Resources

IsaGucciardi.org

Sacred Stream

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In this episode, our guest, Jeremy Lent, discusses the profound global upheaval in early 2025. We explore themes of hope and grief amid political, cultural, and environmental crises. Lent provides deep insights into systems thinking, emphasizing the importance of interconnectedness and unpredictability in complex systems. The conversation also holds space for the impact of reductionist thinking, the power of technology, and the potential for societal transformation through integrated intelligence. The episode concludes with discussions on individual and systemic change, indigenous wisdom, and the need for a life-affirming future.

Jeremy Lent is an author and speaker exploring the root causes of civilization’s crises and pathways to a sustainable future. Described by The Guardian’s George Monbiot as “one of the greatest thinkers of our age,” he is the author of The Patterning Instinct and The Web of Meaning, which integrate science and traditional wisdom to reimagine our place in the universe. He founded the Deep Transformation Network and Liology Institute to foster an ecological civilization and writes on cultural and political patterns at Patterns of Meaning.

Topics

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Introducing Jeremy Lent

01:50 Navigating Hope and Grief

03:18 Systems Thinking and Interconnectedness

10:08 Cultural Narratives and Political Polarization

17:37 Technology's Role in Connection

26:10 Blockchain and Decentralization

27:43 Integrative Intelligence and Human Flourishing

32:32 Indigenous Wisdom and Reciprocity

49:42 Conclusion and Future Engagements

Resources

Jeremy Lent’s Website

Deep Transformation Network

Patterns of Meaning

Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters by Brian Klaas

Sounds of SAND #108 Thrutopian Dreams: Manda Scott

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Today we explore the story of the Buddha’s awakening through a mythic lens with Buddhist writer and teacher, John Tarrant. We touch into topics like Zen koan, grief, death, art, and how this timeless parable of the Buddh’s story still resonants for thousands of years.

John Tarrant is a Zen teacher, writer, and poet who has studied koans for over forty years. He is director of the Pacific Zen Institute and teaches culture change in organizations. Tarrant holds degrees in human sciences and English literature and a PhD in psychology. For twenty years, he was a Jungian psychotherapist working on dream analysis. He is the author of several books, including The Light Inside the Dark: Zen, Soul, and the Spiritual Life and Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life and his most recent book The Story of the Buddha. He lives among the vineyards near Santa Rosa, California.

Topics

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Introducing John Tarrant

02:07 Discussing 'The Story of the Buddha'

03:36 The Mythic Universe and Dreamlike Qualities

08:25 Illustrations and Artistic Choices

10:24 The Living Dharma and Personal Reflections

15:23 Modern Life and Spiritual Growth

18:26 Embracing Suffering and Death

22:19 Catholicism and Mysticism

27:57 The Light Inside the Dark

33:48 The Power of Noble Conversations

34:10 Craving and Contentment

34:44 Collective Grief and Environmental Collapse

36:05 The Enlightenment of a Samurai

38:07 The Buddha's Awakening and Interdependence

40:09 Dreams and Their Significance

42:59 Meditation and Connection with Animals

51:00 The Intimacy of Not Knowing

54:54 Returning to the Fire

56:13 Sharing the Dhamma

Resources

John Tarrant’s Website: Tarrant Works

The Story of the Buddha by John Tarrant: Shambhala Publications

Roberto Calasso: Explore Roberto Calasso’s Works

Sounds of SAND #113 Ancient Rhythms Podcast: Pat McCabe & Francis Weller

Sounds of SAND #98 Glissando of Consciousness: Andrew Holecek

Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life by John Tarrant

The Light Inside the Dark: Zen, Soul, and the Spiritual Life by John Tarrant

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In this SAND Community Gathering (January 2025), journalist Naomi Klein and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté explored the complex intersection of collective trauma, political power, and memory in a discussion moderated by Cecilie Surasky.

Drawing from Naomi’s recent analysis of how trauma has been weaponized in current conflicts, and Gabor’s deep understanding of trauma’s psychological impacts, their conversation examined how media narratives and political rhetoric weaponize fear and trauma to gain public support for military and political crimes. The discussion addressed the troubling speed at which the Oct 7 Jewish trauma is now converted into a spectacle through virtual reality experiences, museum exhibitions, and immersive memorials, while questioning who gets to control these narratives and to what end. Together, they explored alternatives for remembering that might lead toward healing rather than perpetuating cycles of violence.

We hear from several Community Gathering audience members with their questions in the second half of the episode.

Gabor Maté, M.D. is a specialist on trauma, addiction, stress and childhood development. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. Gabor is also the creator of a psychotherapeutic approach, Compassionate Inquiry, now studied by thousands of therapists, physicians, counselors, and others in over 80 countries.

Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author. She is a columnist with The Guardian. In 2018 she was named the inaugural Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair at Rutgers University and is now Honorary Professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers. In September 2021 she joined the University of British Columbia as UBC Professor of Climate Justice (tenured) and co-director of the Centre for Climate Justice.

Cecilie Surasky is the Director of Communications and Narrative at the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI), where she leads an incredible team focused on integrating strategic communications and narrative strategies. With a background in Religious Studies and Semiotics, Cecilie views all narratives as sacred, and believes that leaders, for better or worse, often serve as modern-day high priests. As former deputy director of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) she led impactful campaigns aimed at building a co-liberation movement and garnering support for Palestinian human rights.

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:45 Panel Introduction and Moderator

01:31 Exploring Trauma and Its Impact

02:44 Weaponizing Trauma in Conflict

06:14 Historical Context and Jewish Identity

10:54 Challenging Narratives and Identities

15:09 The Role of Trauma in Shaping Perspectives

30:35 The Impact of Trauma on Palestinians

32:17 Structures of Deliberate Traumatization

37:48 Healing and Moving Forward

41:50 Debunking Historical Myths

42:12 Instrumentalization of Trauma

43:24 Hollywood's Role in Shaping Trauma Narratives

46:30 Economic and Political Motives Behind the Holocaust

48:27 Comparing Historical and Modern Genocides

49:59 Imagining a State Focused on Healing Trauma

51:00 Reclaiming and Reinterpreting History

58:29 The Role of Compassion in Addressing Trauma

01:05:44 Palestinian Perspectives on Healing and Storytelling

01:13:21 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations

Resources

Naomi Klein’s Website

Gabor Maté’s Website

Other and Belonging Institute

Jewish Voices for Peace

Naomi Klein’s Article on Israel Weaponizing Trauma: “How Israel has made trauma a weapon of war” (The Guardian)

Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté
 

Watch SAND’s Where Olive Trees Weep
 

Purchase SAND’s full 23-video series Conversations on Palestine

Watch SAND’s The Wisdom of Trauma
 

Learn more about the SAND Community Gatherings
 

Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Rawan Roshni is in conversation to discuss the recent ceasefire announcement affecting Palestine and offers a poignant and emotional reflection on the situation. She shares stories from her displaced Palestinian heritage, detailing her family's survival and the ongoing trauma faced by Palestinians. We explore the healing modalities of sound, music, and the human voice and listen to two of her newest live pieces of music and poetry, “Al-Tuyoor: Messages from the Birds” and “Prophecy of Remembrance”.

Rawan Roshni is a Palestinian/Balkan, Global Citizen, Arab Woman, based in Jordan. She uses her voice as an Artivist through her singing/songwriting and facilitation of brave spaces focusing her work in the SWANA region. She has co-founded multiple interfaith and world music projects and most recently has been touring her solo tri-lingual live-looping Music & Poetry performance Al-Tuyoor: Messages from the Birds for 2 years across 7 countries and counting! Her facilitation work over the past decade has ranged from issues such as conflict transformation, collective liberation, catalyzing community, emotional processing tools, conscious relating, consent and more! She fuses Sound, Movement and Intuitive Rituals as tools in her work, bringing elements such as group singing, sound work through vocalization, whirling dance, and intentional nature-based practices.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:29 Emotional Reactions to Ceasefire

01:38 Mixed Feelings and Skepticism

04:01 Personal Connection to Palestine

05:17 Family History and Displacement

09:21 Art and Music as Healing

11:43 The Power of the Human Voice

12:38 Artivism and Activism

19:20 “Prophecy of Rememberance” (song)

38:07 Birds as Messengers

57:50 Future Projects and Closing Remarks

Resources:

Website

Instagram

Nada Bramha

Aboriginal Song Lines

“Conference of the Birds” by Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr

Sacred Activism Course at Tamera

Sacred Activism Course in Montenegro

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In this live SAND Community Gathering (January 2025), SAND co-founders Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo welcome Darcia Narvaez, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, to discuss her interdisciplinary research on evolved morality, child development, and human flourishing. Narvaez shares insights from her book, The Evolved Nest, and explores the impact of modern parenting practices, the benefits of communal child-rearing, and the neurological and emotional development of children. The discussion also holds space for the importance of nature immersion, indigenous practices, and the detrimental effects of trauma on development. The episode concludes with practical tips for parents and communities to foster a nurturing environment based on centuries-old wisdom.

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:46 Guest Introduction: Darcia Narvaez

02:14 Darcia's Journey and Early Influences

05:32 The Concept of the Evolved Nest

08:34 Modern Birth Practices and Their Impact

14:08 Parenting and Child Development in Indigenous Communities

16:36 The Role of Community in Child Rearing

19:52 Education and Learning: Western vs. Indigenous Approaches

27:54 The Impact of Trauma in Modern and Natural Worlds

28:42 The Impact of Early Trauma on Male Elephants

29:04 Developmental Needs of Young Males

29:52 The Role of Older Males in Elephant Social Structure

30:43 Human Development and Mentorship

31:16 The Importance of Multi-Aged Groups

32:01 Rites of Passage and Ceremonial Transitions

33:03 Vertical and Horizontal Connectedness

34:10 The Influence of Christianity and Patriarchy

35:08 Creation Spirituality and Indigenous Worldview

36:05 The Evolved Nest and Modern Parenting

37:15 The Role of Community in Child Development

39:39 The Importance of Nature and Healing Practices

46:17 Learning from Octopus Intelligence

48:04 Restoring the Kinship Worldview

51:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

Resources

The Evolved Nest (website)

The Evolved Nest: Nature's Way of Raising Children and Creating Connected Communities (book)

Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Recorded live at a SAND Community Gathering (December 2024) hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo.

In this intimate conversation with poet and philosopher David Whyte and his wife, cultural architect Gayle Karen Young, explore the tender territories of grief, belonging and rest.

Drawing from David’s new book Consolations II, this unique dialogue offers a glimpse into how two lives intertwine in both understanding and living these essential human experiences and how loss and heartbreak can become doorways to deeper belonging.

The conversation weaves together poetry, contemplative wisdom, and the authentic experience of two people who have walked the path of partnership through its many thresholds. It offers both practical insight and spiritual nourishment for anyone seeking to understand how we grow through love’s many faces—from its first tender beginnings to its most profound depths of kinship.

David Whyte, raised between his Irish mother’s imaginative influence and his father’s Yorkshire landscapes, now calls the Pacific Northwest home. He is the author of twelve books of poetry and five books of prose, holding a degree in Marine Zoology and bringing rich experience from his years as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leader of expeditions in the Andes, Amazon, and Himalaya.

Gayle Karen Young is a cultural architect and catalyst for human and organizational development who believes the world needs leaders who are “able for” what lies ahead. With over two decades in leadership development, she focuses on both the visible, practical aspects of leadership and the invisible work of creating spaces where others can thrive.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 Meet the Guests: Gayle Karen Young and David Whyte

02:41 The Power of Poetry and Reflection

03:37 Exploring Grief and Intimacy

09:02 Collective Grief and Global Suffering

27:20 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

30:14 Exploring Grief and Progressive Patriotism

30:52 The Everyday Invitation to Vulnerability

31:42 Understanding the Path of Care

35:34 The Seasonality of Care and Grief

39:19 The Overwhelming Nature of Modern Connectivity

41:53 The Essence of Loving Your Neighbor

43:32 The Bell and the Blackbird: An Irish Koan

52:04 The Importance of Silence and Relationship

54:33 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

Resources:

David Whyte’s Website

Gayle Karen Young’s Website

David’s new book Consolations II

Mary Frances O’Connor - The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss

Martin Prechtel - The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise

Dacher Keltner - Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

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Join us as we journey into the depths of winter’s sacred darkness with renowned wisdom keepers Pat McCabe (Woman Stands Shining) and Francis Weller. Recorded on December 21, 2024, at SAND’s Winter Solstice gathering, this episode invites you into a virtual ceremonial space that honors the winter solstice as a powerful moment of transition and transformation.

 Through poetry, storytelling, and profound dialogue, McCabe and Weller guide us in exploring the sacred landscapes of loss and regeneration. Drawing from Indigenous wisdom and archetypal psychology, they illuminate how embracing grief and releasing what no longer serves can awaken the tender seeds of renewal within us. This is an invitation to witness and metabolize both personal and collective transitions, understanding death not as an end but as a sacred dreaming—a portal to transformation.

This episode offers a contemplative space to embrace life’s cyclical nature, reflecting on the solstice as a time for inner alchemy. Together, we honor the rhythms of descent and renewal, finding meaning and hope in the fertile darkness of winter. Whether you are seeking solace, inspiration, or deeper connection, this conversation is a profound offering for anyone navigating the thresholds of life.

Pat McCabe (Weyakpa Najin Win, Woman Stands Shining) is a Diné (Navajo) mother, grandmother, activist, artist, writer, ceremonial leader, and international speaker. She is a voice for global peace, and her paintings are created as tools for individual, earth and global healing. She draws upon the Indigenous sciences of Thriving Life to reframe questions about sustainability and balance, and she is devoted to supporting the next generations, Women’s Nation and Men’s Nation, in being functional members of the “Hoop of Life” and upholding the honor of being human.

Francis Weller, MFT, is a psychotherapist, writer and soul activist. He is a master of synthesizing diverse streams of thought from psychology, anthropology, mythology, alchemy, indigenous cultures and poetic traditions. Author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief; The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation, (with Rashani Réa) and In the Absence of the Ordinary: Essays in a Time of Uncertainty, he has introduced the healing work of ritual to thousands of people. He founded and directs WisdomBridge, an organization that offers educational programs that seek to integrate the wisdom from indigenous cultures with the insights and knowledge gathered from western poetic, psychological and spiritual traditions.

Topics

Resources from Episode

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