The Common Thread Podcast

Everyone wants an “aligned” life…

but most people are still overwhelmed, burned out, and pushing harder than ever.

So what if the problem isn’t alignment?

In this conversation, Scott sits down with Cato Vermeulen—business astrologer, leadership mentor, and mother—to explore the deeper truth behind success, identity, and self-trust.

From scaling a six-figure business to losing it all…

from hustle to surrender…

from control to deep self-trust…

Cato shares what it actually takes to build a life that works—without losing yourself in the process.

This episode dives into:

The hidden wounds driving entrepreneurs

Why alignment without execution leads nowhere

The difference between hustle and true power

How to rebuild when everything falls apart

And why self-trust is built at your lowest point

This is a conversation about leadership, healing, and becoming someone who can actually hold the life they say they want.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure of your path…

this one might hit deeper than expected.

You can follow her @catcaitlinn and catovermeulen.com

In this episode of The Common Thread, Scott sits down with Megan Chapman, founder of Scape Maui—a wellness space devoted to reconnection, healing, and reset.

Megan shares her journey through grief, depression, and self-discovery after losing her father at a young age. From early mental health struggles to transformative experiences with meditation, yoga, and plant medicine, she reflects on what it truly takes to heal—and why that process is never complete.

Together, they explore grief, imposter syndrome, sobriety, building a wellness business, and learning to trust your inner voice.

This conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, growth often comes through chaos, and real change begins when we learn to sit with ourselves.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – search The Common Thread Podcast
#thecommonethread #thecommonthreadpodcast #podcast #youtubepodcast #spotifypodcast #spotify #podcast #instagrampodcast #applepodcast

What happens when a man who has everything and then loses it all?

In this conversation, I sit down with Jorge Yant—CEO of Plexis Healthcare Systems and founder of Quepasana. On paper, Jorge had built a wildly successful life. But when everything unraveled, he didn’t run—he went inward.

Jorge shares how he turned to Vipassana meditation not just as a practice, but as a path. What began as curiosity became devotion. Through tens of thousands of hours in silence, he dismantled his identity, confronted his deepest suffering, and discovered a different way of being.

This episode explores:

The truth about meditation beyond the surface-level calm.

What actually happens when you sit with yourself in silence for that long.

The collapse of external success and the birth of something deeper.

Why some people choose to dedicate their lives to inner work.

And what it really means to “find yourself”.

This isn’t a conversation about escaping life.

It’s about meeting it fully—without distraction.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

In this solocast episode, I share my experience of sitting in my first Vipassana retreat.

10 days with no talking, reading, writing, eye contact or touch. I give the day by day run down of what came up for me, both the highs and the lows on this inward journey.

If you’ve ever wondered what can come up during this type of introspective exploration, then this one’s for you.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Markus Blettinger, a grief doula, movement specialist, and integration coach who helps people navigate deep emotional healing and transformation.

Markus shares his recent experience of spending 100 hours alone in complete darkness and solitude — no light, no phone, no external stimulation — as a way to confront himself on the deepest level.

The conversation explores grief, emotional integration, the power of stillness, and what happens when we remove all distractions and are forced to meet the parts of ourselves we often avoid.

You can find Markus on social media at @MarkusBlettinger and learn more about his work at 

www.universoulintegration.com.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with LaRell Herbert, a speaker and advocate who shares his deeply personal story of transitioning, detransitioning, and rebuilding his life after years of living with an identity that ultimately did not align with who he truly was.

LaRell shares his journey of discovering transgender ideology in his twenties, transitioning later in life, and living as a woman for seven years after undergoing gender reassignment surgery. He also opens up about the moment of realization that led him to question everything and begin the difficult process of detransitioning.

The conversation explores identity, childhood trauma, faith, the search for belonging, and the emotional and relational impact of making irreversible life decisions.

You can find LaRell on social media at @LaRellH and learn more about his work and story at www.larellherbert.com

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Schromm, the voice behind the Meathead Hippie Podcast and a host of the TV Series The Challenge, and the founder of her newest company, Peel.

Emily shares the story behind Peel, her new platform connecting people with locally grown, nutrient-rich food and the farmers who grow it.

The conversation explores food sovereignty, reconnecting with nature, healing the body through a relationship with the land, and the deeper responsibility of being human in today’s world.

You can find Emily on social media at @EmilySchromm or at www.joinpeel.com.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

In this episode, I sit down for a second time with Drew McManus, the voice, lyrics and soul behind Satsang.

Over a decade ago, he set out on a backpacking trek through the Himalayas which resulted in the transformative album “The Story of You”. We peel back the stories of the highs and lows of the past 10 years.

Come celebrate the 10 year anniversary of The Story of You with Drew on tour in a city near you. Find tour dates, hear the music and more at www.satsangmovement.com

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast#thecommonthreadpodcast #podcast #youtubepodcast #spotifypodcast #spotify #podcast #instagrampodcast #applepodcast #thecommonthread

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker and musician Nick Waraksa.

We discuss his lifelong journey and love of music. Starting generations ago with his grandfather sharing the healing aspects of music with the men of the Air Force between battles, all the way to now sharing and making music with his daughter Paikea.

You can find Nick on Instagram @nickwaraksa as well as on Spotify. On the day this episode drops, his new single Aya is being released in collaboration with his daughter. Go steam in a million times over.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Embracing Human Podcast!#thecommonthreadpodcast #podcast #youtubepodcast #spotifypodcast #spotify #podcast #instagrampodcast #applepodcast

I have exciting news. The podcast is getting rebranded. In this episode, I discuss why I’m changing the name, the new direction for the platform and what’s coming with new guests, new topics of conversation and a big commitment to all of the listeners. I hope you like it as much as I do and I look forward to growing with all of you in 2026.

🎧 Watch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube – just search The Common Thread Podcast

#thecommonthreadpodcast #podcast #youtubepodcast #spotifypodcast #spotify #podcast #instagrampodcast #applepodcast