The Choice to Grow

What happens when you stop trying to outsmart life and start letting it teach you? In this wide-ranging and mind-expanding conversation, Scott Schwenk sits down with philosopher and spiritual provocateur Layman Pascal. Together, they explore how to navigate complexity without losing clarity, the difference between real growth and spiritual bypass, and why paradox may be the ultimate teacher. Expect to challenge your assumptions—and laugh a little along the way.

Layman Pascal - Metamodernist, Author, Alchemist

Layman Pascal used to be a Canadian meditation teacher, yoga instructor & philosopher of Integral Metatheory -- but he’s feeling much better now.  In his rapidly dwindling spare time, he leads the Metamodern Spirituality Labs, hosts The Integral Stage and Soulmakers+ podcasts, and provides unique online courses for the Parallax Academy.  He is a founding member of the Archdisciplinary Research Center, the Endemic Wisdom Council, the SPECTRA think tank for Metashamanics, Sky Meadow Institute, and the RSPND network.  He is senior editor of Emerge online and he operates as co-chair of the Foundation for Integral Spirituality and Religion.  His written articles can be found in various obscure journals and certain esoteric anthologies including Perspectiva’s Dispatches from a Time Between Worlds and Cadell Last’s Abyssal Arrows: Spiritual Leadership Inspired by Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Logic for the Global Brain.  He is the sole author of Gurdjieff for a Time Between Worlds, Sex, Death & the Occult, as well as an upcoming book about Nietzsche.  Layman is known for his philosophical work on the metaphysics of adjacency, analytic nonduality, coaxial developmental stage theories, neurological correlates of meditation, sacred naturalism, archaic futurism, many-one theology, embodied spirituality & emerging formulations of the human religious instinct suited to a post-postmodern civilization facing numerous accelerating and converging crises.  And he has started referring to all his work as the Serious Playground. 

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

Jeff Krasno joins Scott for a soul-centered conversation on what it means to live with integrity, openness, and heart in a collapsing world. They explore the sacred in the everyday, the power of grief to reveal truth, and how community and belonging start with radical honesty. This is a conversation for anyone longing to show up fully—in the mess, in the mystery, and in the magic of being human.

Jeff Krasno - Maverick Entrepreneur, Community Builder, Contemplative Writer

Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of health experts and luminaries from Andrew Huberman and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. Jeff pens a personal weekly essay titled “Commusings” that explores spirituality, wellness and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers every Sunday.

Jeff is the author of Good Stress, a collection of wellness protocols that he developed to reverse his diabetes, lose 60 pounds and reclaim his health at age 50.

Jeff and his better three-quarters, Schuyler Grant, own and operate Commune Topanga, a 10-acre wellness center and production lab where they host regular retreats together featuring yoga, cold plunging, sauna bathing, lectures and story-telling.

Jeff & Schuyler have three beautiful daughters, Phoebe, Lolli and Micah. They currently live in Los Angeles, California.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Leadership Consultant

Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

What if most chronic symptoms—fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, even autoimmune disease—weren’t your body’s flaws, but signals of deeper imbalance?

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Dr. Alejandro Junger, founder of the Clean Program and pioneer of functional medicine, unpacks the root causes of modern illness and why our healthcare system is built to suppress, not solve. From detoxing emotions to healing the gut, this conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming your body’s natural intelligence.

Whether you're struggling with your health or seeking more vitality, this episode will shift the way you see your symptoms—and yourself.

Dr. Alejandro Junger - Functional Medicine Doctor, Cardiologist, Gut Health Expert

Dr. Alejandro Junger is a renowned cardiologist, functional medicine doctor, and the founder of the Clean Program, as well as a New York Times best-selling author. With decades of experience in medicine, Dr. Junger has dedicated his career to uncovering the root causes of complex health issues that often seem unrelated. His journey began with a profound intuition that a deeper understanding was needed, leading him to explore the intricate connections between Eastern and Western medicine, as well as ancient wisdom and modern science.

Through his extensive practice, Dr. Junger discovered that many health challenges are linked to one vital system: the gut. This insight propelled him to develop a holistic approach focused on healing the gut, supporting the body's natural detoxification processes, and restoring essential nutrients for optimal function. His innovative protocol has not only transformed his own health, resulting in a newfound vitality, but has also proven to be a powerful method for his patients.

Inspired by these results, Dr. Junger founded the Clean movement, which emphasizes the importance of gut health in overall wellness. His signature 21-day full-body reset program is meticulously designed to restore the body’s natural balance through nutrient-dense smoothies, supplements, and whole-food meals. Participants often report a significant shift in mindset and the cultivation of uplifting habits. On a cellular level, the program skillfully redirects energy and nutrition to enhance detoxification, reduce inflammation, and promote gut repair.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Scott sits down with breathwork practitioner and mental health advocate Jamie Clements. What begins as a conversation about the power of the breath unfolds into a deeper reflection on stillness, masculine identity, and what it takes to come back into the body. Jamie shares his own journey—from struggling with anxiety and dissociation to finding his voice through the breath—and the quiet revolution that happens when we stop running from our discomfort.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the work” but still not feeling safe inside your own life, this episode is for you.

Jamie Clements - Consciousness Guide, Breathworker, Thought Leader

Jamie Clements is the founder of The Breath Space and host of the Human Nature Podcast, recognised as a leading voice in the wellbeing space and an expert breathwork facilitator. His work explores the intersection of breath, consciousness, and human potential, drawing from Zen philosophy, non-dual approaches, modern neuroscience, and psychology to guide people towards deeper awareness and transformation.

Jamie has worked with top entrepreneurs, politicians, athletes, and global brands, sharing the life-changing potential of breathwork and altered states of consciousness. His approach is rooted in both scientific research and ancient wisdom, offering a unique blend of practical tools and profound insight.

After experiencing first-hand the profound impact of breathwork, Jamie is deeply passionate about helping others unlock its power. He believes that the breath is the most universal and accessible tool for shifting the mind, regulating the nervous system, and cultivating a healthier, more connected way of living.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Leadership Consultant

Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Wendi Michelle shares her personal and professional journey of healing—moving from chronic illness and childhood trauma to becoming a voice for embodied well-being. We talk about radical honesty, the body’s intelligence, the complexity of trauma, and why true healing takes more than mindset. If you’ve ever felt trapped by a diagnosis or disconnected from your body, this conversation offers an empowering reframe. Your body remembers, and it’s always trying to help you come home.

Wendi Michelle - Epigenetics Strategist, Product Formulator, Consumer Health Advocate

Wendi Michelle is an epigenetics strategist, product formulator, and consumer health advocate with a unique focus on the intersection of genetic expression, environmental inputs, and generational wellness. With a background in advanced human biology, functional nutrition and early childhood development, her work centers on providing tangible solutions and empowering individuals and couples to optimize their health and their families health for generations to come. 

At the core of everything she does is the principle of generational health—the understanding that the biological, emotional, and environmental choices we make today don’t just affect our immediate wellbeing, but shape the genetic, developmental, and epigenetic outcomes of future generations. Her mission is to interrupt patterns of silent inheritance and replace them with conscious preparation, informed stewardship, and generational strength.

As a product formulator and health industry consultant, she is known for her unwavering commitment to ingredient integrity and evidence-based standards in wellness product development. She combines scientific rigor with a deep understanding of real-world consumer needs, helping to close the gap between clinical efficacy and accessible, non-toxic living. https://www.wholehealthyandfree.com

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

In this episode, somatic guide and facilitator Venita Ramirez invites us into a deeper dialogue with the intelligence of the body. We explore how true healing unfolds when we slow down, honor the mystery, and learn to trust the subtle signals within. Venita shares how grief, surrender, and stillness can become portals into wholeness—and why becoming “no one” is sometimes the most liberating path forward.

This is a conversation about reclaiming embodiment in a disembodied world. And about remembering that, no matter how fractured things may feel, you have never been separate from the sacred.

Venita Ramirez - Master coach, adult development guide, shadow work samurai

Since 2016 Venita has focused her coaching practice on supporting people who are at later stages of awareness, assisting transformation through the clarity, bliss and stillness of boundless Awareness. With a graduate degree in psychology, she has forty years of experience counseling and facilitating individuals and groups on relationships, conscious breathing, subtle energy, and awareness practices. From the mid-80’s through the mid-90’s she trained extensively in somatic approaches to awareness and healing. Her deep study and practice includes shamanism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Tantra, and the work of Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory, and Dan P Brown’s Stages of Meditation. She also assisted in Terri O’Fallon’s research on later stages of adult development and was in the first group of trained scorers for the Stages Assessment.

More resources - https://www.venitaramirez.com/blog-1

Healing and the Extraordinary Mind paper - https://www.venitaramirez.com/post/healing-the-extraordinary-mind.

To do the STAGES assessment - https://www.stagesinternational.com/stagesassessments . There are also numerous resources on the STAGES website for learning.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Suze Yalof Schwartz, founder of Unplug Meditation, shares the powerful story of how one mindful breath changed her entire life—and how it can change yours. From her high-fashion past at Vogue to becoming a leading voice in meditation, Suze invites us into the radical simplicity of the pause. She and Scott explore the science of stillness, the myth of “not enough time,” and how to shift from reactivity to presence, one breath at a time.

Suze Yalof Schwartz - Meditation Maven, Wellness Pioneer, Transformer

Suze Yalof Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of the Unplug Meditation App, and the world's first drop-in secular meditation studio, Unplug in Los Angeles. She is also the author of Unplug: A Simple Guide To Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers. In 2012, Suze learned a three-minute meditation that changed her life forever. Prior to this, she was a fashion editor and "makeover guru" working at Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Glamour Magazine with regular appearances on GMA, The Today Show, CBS Early Show, and more. Once she discovered meditation, she was determined to keep doing it but could not find a place to easily learn and practice. After taking hundreds of hours of classes, reading every book possible, and listening to podcasts and lectures from the world's most famous meditation teachers, Suze realized that meditation needed a makeover and she was the one to do it. Suze's mission is to make meditation simple, accessible, powerful and interesting enough so that everyone will want to practice it and experience the benefits for themselves.

Scott Schwenk - Master coach, spiritual teacher, culture architect

Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

In this heart-centered, mind-expanding conversation, Scott and Kim explore how releasing the rigid expectations of how life “should” be opens the door to greater presence, adaptability, and personal freedom. They examine how attachment to ideology—across politics, relationships, and even self-concept—limits our capacity to engage with what is real, emerging, and alive, opening the floodgates for presence, love and fulfillment.

Kim Barta - Psychotherapist, Shadow Work Expert, Evolutionary Guide

Kim Barta is a globally recognized psychotherapist, award-winning speaker, and international workshop leader. He is widely known for his expertise in shadow work, including his meta-model for shadow work, his unique Shadow to Spirit protocol (developed during his 30 years working on a Native American Reservation), and his shadow trilogy: Illuminating Shadow, Healing Shadow, and The the 7 modalities of Shadow work. Kim cofounded STAGES INTERNATIONAL with Dr Terri O’Fallon, an organization that researches and teaches the evolution of consciousness. His new work is focused on launching his meta-model on relationships. Kim founded kimbarta.org, where you can get a free shadow assessment and a free relationship assessment to help you start and deepen your consciousness journey.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

In this heart-opening episode of The Choice to Grow, Scott Schwenk is joined by mystic and transformational guide Bea Rubli for an unforgettable conversation that bridges the seen and unseen realms. Bea shares her lifelong journey from resisting her gifts as a medium to embracing a life of deep energetic service and soul remembrance. Together, Scott and Bea explore the collapse of the old matrix of fear and separation, the return of mystical knowing, and how each of us can reconnect with our own unique soul signature—our fractal of the divine.

Bea Rubli – Mystic, Medium, Transformational Guide

For three decades, Bea Rubli has dedicated her life to the extraordinary practice of channeling beings and streams of consciousness. As a world-class medium, she shares these powerful energies with individuals seeking deeper connection and transformation. Her gift allows her to guide people through profound transformational processes that reconnect them with their unique potentials and soul signatures.

Bea expresses deep gratitude for the opportunity to support others through channelings, workshops, and specialized training programs. Her work focuses on helping individuals rediscover their innate gifts and allowing their uniqueness to shine with full power and magic. She considers it a privilege to witness the transformation, radiance, and mystical brilliance that awakens within her clients—describing each journey as a wondrous and magical experience.

Her thirty years of experience have established her as a respected voice in spiritual channeling and transformational guidance, touching countless lives through her compassionate and insightful approach to spiritual development.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

In this deeply intimate episode of The Choice to Grow, Scott sits down with beloved teacher, author, and artist Elena Brower. Together they explore the rich terrain of grief as an expression of love, the transformative power of daily practice, and what it means to live — and die — with Presence. From the alchemy of long meditations facing the wall in silent Zen practice to serving tea during a final goodbye, Elena opens her heart and offers fierce, unflinching grace. This is a conversation about what really matters — and how to stay close to it.

Elena Brower – Teacher, Author, Artist

Mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author and host of the Practice You Podcast, Elena Brower graduated Cornell University in 1992, designed textiles and apparel for almost a decade before shifting her focus to yoga, meditation, writing and art. Teaching asana since 1999, studying and practicing Zen meditation since 2020, she received the Buddhist Precepts from Roshi Joan Halifax at Upaya Zen Center in 2023. Now a candidate for Buddhist Chaplaincy, Elena offers her time in hospice and penitentiary settings. Her bestselling journals and books explore stages of life and listening. Her next book, Hold Nothing, will be published by Shambhala Publications in late 2025. 

Elena's Perceptive Parenting audio course is a key resource for parents; her signature course Simplify serves hundreds in reimagining priorities in order to experience more meaning every day, and she's also the founder of free global podcast The Matter of Menopause. Her weekly live yoga practices and meditations are featured on Glo; she offers retreats and workshops a few times a year, and her spoken word poetry can be heard on Above & Beyond's Flow State albums, for which she's received an RIAA-certified Gold Record for her writing on "Don't Leave." Elena works to elevate bright futures for girls, women and children through her support for Girls on Fire Leaders, On The Inside and Free Food Kitchen.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).