Are you truly resilient, or have you just mastered the art of survival? In this episode of Stepping into Soul Power, Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda sits down with Trauma Recovery Educator and therapist Barb Varcl Smith to explore the critical difference between "Fake Resilience,™" a common survival pattern—and the path to authentic living.

If you struggle with the long-term impact of past experiences on your relationships, parenting, or self-worth, this conversation offers a clear roadmap forward. Barb introduces her transformative Ascendance Method™, helping listeners dismantle hidden survival patterns and reconnect with their true inner strength.

We cover:

• Defining Fake Resilience vs. Authentic Resilience: Why your "strength" might actually be a protective mask.

• Trauma Response Patterns: Identifying the five trauma responses and how they influence your daily life.

• The Steps of Ascendance™: A practical framework for moving through recognition, awareness, release, absolution, acceptance, and rediscovery.

• Building True Resilience: Developing the inner strengths and self-love required for genuine self-discovery.

• Healing the Family: Practical tools for applying resilience principles to break generational patterns in parenting.

Connect with Barb Varcl Smith:

• Podcast: Way Out of Childhood Trauma

• Website: your-steps.co.uk

• Upcoming Book: Purposeful Parenting: How to raise a healthy mind

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbsvarclova/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbvarclsmith/

What if the key to cooling chronic inflammation and restoring your vitality wasn’t found in a prescription bottle, but in your own kitchen? In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern science. Dr. Shivani Gupta, an Ayurvedic practitioner, researcher, and author of The Inflammation Code, joins us to demystify the healing power of "super spices" like turmeric, ginger, and ashwagandha.

We dive into how to decode your unique "Elemental Design" (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) to move beyond generic health advice and into personalized wellness.

Whether you are dealing with burnout, hormonal imbalances, or the modern phenomenon of "inflammaging," this conversation offers a practical roadmap to help you calm the system, reset your nervous system, and return to your natural, vibrant state.

If you’ve been running on empty and looking for a bridge between clinical grounding and soul-centered healing, this episode is your invitation to step back into balance.

About Dr. Shivani Gupta:Dr. Shivani Gupta is an Ayurvedic practitioner, researcher, and author of The Inflammation Code (Hay House, 2026). With a Master’s in Ayurvedic Sciences and a PhD focused on turmeric and inflammation, she brings over 20 years of experience helping women reduce chronic inflammation, balance hormones, and restore energy. Her framework blends classical Ayurveda with functional medicine, offering proprietary tools like Elemental Design™ and Mental Inflammation™ resets. Dr. Gupta is a TEDx speaker, host of the The Inflammation Code podcast, and the creator of the Emmy-nominated TV show Vibrant Health with Dr. Shivani Gupta. Her mission is to help you move beyond "coping" and into a lifestyle of sustainable, soul-aligned vitality.

Connect with Dr. Shivani Gupta

• 🌐 Website: www.drshivani.com
• 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/drshivanigupta

Keywords/TagsAyurveda, inflammation, The Inflammation Code, Dr. Shivani Gupta, Ayurvedic medicine, ancient spice wisdom, elemental design, Vata Pitta Kapha, chronic inflammation, superfoods, holistic health, nervous system regulation, soul-led healing, functional medicine, hormone balance, turmeric benefits, seasonal detox, circadian rhythm health, Stepping into Soul Power.

Note: As a reminder, this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your health concerns.

In this episode of Stepping Into Soul Power, Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda sits down with educator, author and parenting expert Rosemary Olender to explore what it really means to raise emotionally rich and resilient children in today's world.Rosemary, author of the signature talk "Put Your Wallets Away and Raise Rich Kids," shares how emotional richness differs from sensitivity, the lasting impact her father's legacy had on her own parenting philosophy, and the three things every parent needs to teach their kids to raise confident, happy, resilient humans.Together, Dr. Liz and Rosemary unpack the three pillars of intentional parenting, weaving personal stories with practical, soul-led strategies that parents, educators, and mentors can use today.In this episode:✨ Emotional richness vs. sensitivity — what's the difference?✨ The top 3 things every parent needs to teach their kids✨ The 3 pillars of intentional parenting✨ Real stories that bring these principles to lifeAbout Rosemary Olender:Rosemary Olender, MS, CAS, is an educator, consultant, speaker, and non-fiction author blending professional expertise with heartfelt guidance on child development. Her signature talk, "Put Your Wallets Away and Raise Rich Kids," helps parents, educators, and mentors raise resilient, independent, confident, and happy children in these difficult times.🔗 Website: www.rosemaryolender.com🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosemary-olender-227660356Her book, Coffee and Wisdom: A Father's Legacy to Leading a Rich Life can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Wisdom-Fathers-Legacy-Leading/dp/B0F63KVMJMAbout Stepping Into Soul Power:A podcast at the intersection of integrative psychiatry, consciousness, and soul-led living, hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda, helping listeners move from "what's wrong with me" to "what's possible for me."#EmotionalResilience #IntentionalParenting #RaisingResilientKids #ConsciousParenting #ParentingJourney #MindfulParenting #FamilyWellness #PutYourWalletsAway #SteppingIntoSoulPower #SoulLedLiving

Description:

In this episode of Stepping Into Soul Power, sound healers and Pure Love Frequency creators Olivier Maxted and Megan Shelby share what it really means to live a soul-led life, trusting your inner voice instead of overriding it.

Our conversation explores intuition and inner knowing, and what it takes to reconnect with that inner voice after years of ignoring it. Olivier and Megan share how this energetic intelligence shows up in everyday choices, not just the big, life-altering ones, and how this kind of embodied awareness can be cultivated through sound, stillness, and presence.

We also go into the harder parts of this path: what it takes to embrace change even when it's uncomfortable, and how consciousness and healing show up in daily practice rather than abstract theory. By the end, you'll hear how cultivating real love and joy becomes possible once you stop outsourcing your inner authority to everyone but yourself.

Whether you're new to energetic intelligence and soul-led living, or already on this path and looking for reflection and validation, this conversation offers real, practical wisdom for reconnecting with your intuition.

In this episode:

• What "trusting your intuition" actually looks like in daily life
• How to recognize and reconnect with your inner voice
• The role of this energetic intelligence in decision-making
• Why discomfort is often part of authentic growth
• Practical ways to move from spiritual theory into embodied practice

Bio:

Olivier Maxted and Megan Shelby are the creators of Pure Love Frequency, a channeled sound and music practice devoted to awakening peace, bliss, and deep loving connection.

Megan sings what she describes as the language of the stars; Olivier plays the didgeridoo. Together, their live and recorded transmissions, offered one-on-one, in intimate groups, and in concert, invite the nervous system to soften, expand, and reconnect through voice, sound, and silence.

They see themselves as guardians of a portal streaming with light and vibration, carrying Pure Love Consciousness to hearts and souls around the world.

Connect with Olivier Maxted and Megan Shelby:

🌐 Website: purelovefrequency.com

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/frequencyofpurelove

🎥 YouTube: @SoundBathHealing

💛 Support their work on Patreon: patreon.com/purelovefrequency

Description:Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda sits down with Olivier Maxted and Megan Selby, creators of Pure Love Frequency, to explore how sound and voice can open pathways to healing, emotional release, and spiritual connection. Together they discuss the physics behind sound healing, how frequency can support rapid physical healing, and the way voice mirrors and moves through the body. The conversation moves into using sound to access deep emotional states, healing trauma and grief through vibration, and why trust and safety are essential to this work. They also touch on the tools and instruments used in sound baths, and the deeper connection between sound, love, and universal energy.

Guest Bio:Olivier Maxted and Megan Selby are the creators of Pure Love Frequency. They describe themselves as guardians of a portal streaming with light and vibration — channeling music and song that touches hearts and souls around the world, awakening elevated states of peace, bliss, and deep loving connection. Megan sings what she calls the language of the stars, while Olivier plays the didgeridoo, together transmitting a field of Pure Love Frequency through voice, sound, and silence.

Connect with Olivier & Megan:Website: www.purelovefrequency.comFacebook: facebook.com/frequencyofpureloveYouTube: @SoundBathHealingPatreon: patreon.com/profile/creators?u=75499433

What does it mean to live a soul-led life? In this episode of our Soul Led series, wellness author Joey Lott shares his deeply personal transformation story, from decades of struggling to discovering the power of acceptance, inner guidance, and radical authenticity. Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or searching for more meaningful connection, Joey's story offers a powerful reminder that vulnerability is not weakness, it's the path forward.

In this episode:

Definition of a soul-led life

Joey Lott's personal transformation story

The role of acceptance and trust in healing

The importance of inner guidance and intuition

Redefining leadership and community in a soul-led context

Bio: Joey Lott is a wellness author and self-help voice who writes from hard-won personal experience. After a successful career in software development during the dot-com era, Lott spent decades privately battling anxiety, restrictive eating disorders, and OCD, reaching a breaking point around age 30 before finding his own path to recovery. That journey became the foundation of his work. Drawing on more than 20 years of lived experience and extensive communication with tens of thousands of readers, he has written prolifically on topics ranging from obsessive-compulsive behavior to nutrition, gut health, and metabolic wellness.

You can contact Joey Lott at:

Website: www.joeylott.com

#SoulLed #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #Wellness

In this episode of "Stepping into Soul Power," ​Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda is joined by author and educator, Joey Lott, who shares his transformative journey from living with anxiety to guiding others toward self-awareness and group healing. We explore how personal honesty, community connection, and the act of dreaming together can foster profound healing and collective growth.

Our conversation delves into:
  - Joey Lott’s Personal Journey: Moving from deep suffering to a life dedicated to guiding others.
  - Honesty and Self-Awareness: Understanding their pivotal roles in the healing process.
  - Group Dynamics: The power of community and collective intention in personal transformation.
  - Integrated Healing: Balancing individual inner work with the strength of the group.

About Joey Lott
Joey Lott is a prolific author and educator who has published numerous books and hundreds of videos on his YouTube channel dedicated to self-discovery. Through his one-to-one and group coaching, Joey provides valuable insights that have helped many navigate their own paths to wellness.

You can connect with Joey and explore his work at www.joeylott.com.

#healingjourney

What does spiritual awakening really look like... and what does it have to do with your mental health? Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda speaks with quantum energy healer and spiritual counselor Hanh Nguyen about the practical side of awakening: the tools that help, the myths that mislead, and why healing in community changes everything.

If you've been searching for solace, clarity, or simply a sign that you're not alone on this path, this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll discover:

• What spiritual awakening actually is... and what it isn't
• Simple, practical techniques to support your awakening journey
• Common misconceptions that can derail you
• Why community and guidance are essential

About Hanh Nguyen:Hanh Nguyen is the founder and executive director of the Center for Self-Discovery, a certified quantum energy healer, healing touch facilitator, spiritual counselor, and life coach. He leads healing communities in both Vietnam and the United States, bridging Eastern and Western approaches to inner transformation.

You can connect with Hanh Nguyen at:

📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://center-for-self-discovery.org/

#SpiritualAwakening #MentalHealth #SelfDiscovery #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #SpiritualGrowth #InnerHealing

This episode of Stepping Into Soul Power arrives in the sacred space just before Juneteenth, a moment that invites us to reflect not only on history, but on healing.

Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda sits down with Dr. Jermaine Thomas, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of MindScribber™, for a conversation that is both timely and timeless: How do you build genuine self-worth when the world you live in was not always built to affirm your value?

Together, they explore the real psychological toll of systemic racism on self-esteem, and more importantly, the very real pathways toward wholeness. This isn't just a conversation about what's broken. It's a roadmap for what's possible.

In this episode:

• How systemic racism shapes self-perception, and how to reclaim your narrative

• The power of relational assets in psychological healing and development

• Expressive writing as a tool for processing pain and building inner clarity

• Why community and self-awareness are foundational to lasting resilience

Whether you're on your own healing journey or you support others on theirs, this conversation offers both validation and practical tools to help you rise.

About Dr. Jermaine Thomas:

Dr. Jermaine Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, creator, and deeply committed advocate for psychological wholeness. As the founder of MindScribber™, he has spent over a decade providing therapeutic support at a nonprofit in Chicago — walking alongside individuals navigating depression, anxiety, relational trauma, and more.

But Dr. Thomas doesn't stop at the therapy room. He is the author of the Amazon Best Seller The Examined Life: A Journal of Questions and Quotes, the creator of the YouTube channel Djehuti - Kemet University, and the voice behind the Patreon blog Promoting Wholeness in a Partisan World. He also brings beauty into everyday spaces through his African-inspired wall art shop, KemetyuArt, and has built an accessible mental health tool through the MindScribber™ app.

A Georgetown University graduate with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Adler University, Dr. Thomas is a husband, father, and living example of what it looks like to heal — and to help others do the same.

Connect with Dr. Jermaine Thomas:

📱 Instagram: @mindscribberapp

▶️ YouTube: MindScribber App

🎵 TikTok: @mindscribber

💼 LinkedIn: Jermaine Thomas, PsyD

Hashtags:

What happens when death becomes a doorway?

In this luminous episode of Stepping into Soul Power, Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda sits down with Amy Marohn — medium, spiritual hypnotherapist, author, and founder of Sensorium Hypnosis — for a conversation that reaches beyond the ordinary into the sacred territory where healing, consciousness, and soul purpose converge.

Amy shares the life-altering near-death experience that cracked her open, awakened her gifts as a medium, and set her on a path she didn't choose — one that chose her. Together, Amy and Dr. Elizabeth explore how spiritual hypnotherapy becomes a portal to deep soul healing, how soul contracts quietly shape the arc of our lives, and what it means to truly align with your divine self.

Whether you're navigating a spiritual awakening, called to serve as a healer, or simply feeling the quiet pull of something greater — this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

In This Episode

· Amy's near-death experience & the spiritual awakening it ignited
· How spiritual hypnotherapy works as a channel for soul-level healing
· Understanding soul contracts and their role in personal growth
· Practical tools for connecting with higher realms
· Amy's books: Whispers Beyond the Veil & The Whispers Within

Guest Bio

Amy Marohn is a medium, spiritual hypnotherapist, metaphysical healer, and founder of Sensorium Hypnosis — a sanctuary for deep soul healing and divine alignment. With over 25 years in rehabilitation and more than a decade devoted to spiritual transformation, Amy guides lightworker entrepreneurs, visionary leaders, and awakening souls to step into authentic alignment with their higher purpose. Her journey began with a profound near-death experience that opened the channels to the spirit realm and confirmed her calling as a metaphysical teacher and healer. Through one-to-one sessions, advanced workshops, and international retreats weaving mediumship, energy healing, and hypnotherapy, Amy creates sacred space for others to release old patterns and awaken to the wisdom of their soul. She is the author of Whispers Beyond the Veil: Channeled Teachings Inspired by the Spirit World and The Whispers Within: A Journal for Personal Reflection and Spiritual Workshop Facilitators. Discover her world at SensoriumHypnosis.com.

Social Media: 

Website: https://sensoriumhypnosis.com/

#SpiritualPodcast#NearDeathExperience#SpiritualHypnotherapy#SoulContracts#MediumshipHealing#SoulPower#AwakeningPodcast#LightworkerPodcast#MetaphysicalHealing#SpiritRealm#SoulAlignment#SteppingIntoSoulPower