The Funny Thing About Yoga

This week we’re joined by Danielle Barbeau, owner of The River Yoga in Denver, CO. We first met Danielle virtually during a team meeting, and later in person when we traveled to Denver to teach at her studio, where we also recorded an episode that (tragically) didn’t sound great. But the conversation stuck with us… so we’re back for round two.

At the center of this episode is a deceptively simple question Danielle asked: “Do you feel like you’ve arrived?” And honestly… it sent us spiraling (in the best way).

We talk about what it actually means to “make it” in the yoga world- from teaching full-time to running a studio, navigating burnout, and building something that’s sustainable long-term. Danielle shares her path from young teacher to studio owner, what it looked like being thrown into leadership early, and how she navigated the uncertainty of the COVID years while keeping her community intact.

We get into the real side of the business: getting paid, doing the paperwork, making hard decisions, and learning how to lead. We talk about building trust with teachers, creating jobs that are actually sustainable, and the constant dance between supporting your team and running a business that works.

There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at how things evolve- bringing on support (hello COO), shifting roles, and creating space to actually enjoy what you’ve built… whether that’s being more present on retreats or focusing on the parts of the job you love. And then we come back to it—arriving.

What does it actually mean? Is it owning a studio? Teaching full-time? Being “known”? Danielle’s answer is simple, grounding, and unexpectedly emotional in the best way. While Bradshaw and Giana think about what this means for them individually and together professionally.

Also… we couldn’t resist. We close with some very necessary comic relief: overheard student conversations, Bluetooth mishaps, and a rogue cat moment you won’t forget.

Find Danielle Barbeau and The River online:

https://www.weseektheriver.com/

@daniellen.barbeau

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

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🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by psychotherapist, up and coming author, and Giana’s sister, Maria Gambino, for a conversation on emotional maturity, pain intolerance, and why most of us aren’t as “emotionally evolved” as we think.

We unpack the difference between emotional intelligence and true emotional maturity- and how living in a pain-intolerant culture keeps us disconnected from our bodies, our biology, and our ability to actually process what we feel. Maria shares how she brings biology into the therapy room to help people get unstuck, and why so many healing modalities can only scratch the surface.

We also get personal- diving into our own coping mechanisms, from perfectionism and performance to addiction and high achievement, and how they can mask what’s really going on underneath.

This episode is a deep (and at times unhinged) look at what trauma actually is, why some people don’t even realize they’re stuck, and how to start rebuilding a real relationship with your emotions.

Plus: a little unsupervised couples therapy moment with Bradshaw and Giana that has Maria laughing by the end.

Find Maria Gambino online:

@mariagambinohq

https://mariagambino.com/

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erika Scribner is back on the pod, and we’re diving into all the things- we talk studio ownership, myofascial release, yoga therapy balls, yin yoga, fascia, dissecting bodies, and deeper somatic connection.

Erika is such a joy to talk to, bringing lightheartedness alongside real depth as she breaks down the science behind myofascial release and the differences between a yoga therapy class and yin yoga. We get into the nervous system, the many ways we can create change in the body, and how this work can feel both grounding and surprisingly intense. Erika also shares how her teaching has evolved and how she integrates therapy balls into her classes.

We also touch on sobriety, tuning in to your body more honestly, and what it really means to feel what’s going on beneath the surface.

And of course… Italy. 🇮🇹

We’re heading back to the Amalfi Coast this summer (well, Bradshaw and Erika are, while Giana will be busy giving birth). This episode gives you a taste of what’s in store: vinyasa, myofascial release, incredible food, ocean views, and a week of practicing, exploring, and connecting with an amazing group of people.

If you’ve been curious about this work, or dreaming about joining us in Italy, this one’s for you.

Find Erika Scribner online:

@anandayogapb

www.anandayogapb.com

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our partnership and have a real conversation about what happens when things shift. With Giana navigating pregnancy and needing to pull back in ways she never has before, we talk about what it means to ask for help, step up for each other, and move through moments when things feel uneasy, unequal, and unknown. Running a yoga school, a podcast, and a business together isn’t always balanced—and instead of pretending otherwise, we decided to talk about it openly as we navigate this new chapter.

From our original partnership vision to the expanding workload that’s come with new opportunities, things have grown in ways we didn’t fully anticipate. We talk honestly about how it reached a point where something had to change, and why it’s time for Giana to prioritize her health and well-being.

We reflect on our beginnings, where we might be heading, and the tides we’re navigating now. On the heels of the Nicaragua retreat, we also reflect on the challenges that surfaced there and how those experiences are influencing the shifts we’re making moving forward.

We get honest about our needs and fears, share advice for others navigating creative partnerships, and talk about the qualities we deeply respect in each other that help us stay in the room—even when we’re not exactly sure where things are going.

This one is vulnerable, a little messy, and very real.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re recording live from Nicaragua while hosting two retreats back-to-back retreats. Over the course of two weeks, nearly 50 teachers joined us from all over the world, creating one of the biggest and most dynamic retreat experiences we’ve ever facilitated.

After sharing a few updates from retreat life (including what it’s been like), we dive into a topic many teachers are curious about: the foundations of hosting a retreat.

We talk about the building blocks that actually make a retreat successful, beyond the dreamy photos and beach views. From choosing the right location and pacing your schedule to creating a container that fosters connection, rest, and meaningful learning, we break down what really matters when bringing a group together.

We also reflect on lessons we’ve learned from years of hosting retreats around the world, the mistakes we’ve made along the way, and why retreats can be one of the most transformative experiences for both teachers and students.

If you’ve ever thought about hosting a retreat or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating these experiences, this episode is a candid conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and why retreats continue to be such a powerful part of the yoga community.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Giana’s Corner, Giana sits down with Joe to talk about the decision to start trying (or not try) for a baby and what actually happened once It all worked out. From the shock of finding out about the pregnancy to the unexpected reality of the first trimester, they share the honest, messy, and sometimes chaotic side to early pregnancy.

They talk about everything from their decision to try, how quickly things changed, and what those first few weeks really felt like. Nausea, extreme hunger, shifting identity, and the strange in-between space of holding a big secret while your body is going through something huge. Plus, news about potentialy having twins!

Joe chimes in throughout the conversation, offering his perspective on supporting a pregnant partner and navigating the transition into parenthood together.

This episode is a candid look at the beginning of a major life shift. The funny thing about the first trimester is that no one really prepares you for how much it changes you before anyone else can even see it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re talking about sequencing mistakes - the common ones, the subtle ones, and the ones we definitely made ourselves.

Of course, sequencing is subjective. But after years of teaching, training teachers, leading retreats, and building classes that actually retain students, we’ve noticed patterns. Certain choices tend to create stronger classes, deeper learning, and more trust in the room. And certain habits… quietly work against you.

We unpack what happens when you do too much too soon, move too quickly, or walk into class without a clear intention. We talk about over-sequencing one side, changing your class every single week, teaching from ego instead of awareness, and why nervous system regulation matters more than flashy transitions.

We also dive into:

• Warming up slowly (and why most teachers don’t)

• Having a plan without being rigid

• Simplifying instead of stacking endlessly

• Setting a pace that actually matches the breath

• Not disorienting your students (they want to feel held, not confused)

• Why demoing the entire class might be disconnecting you

• How to keep things balanced without overdoing one theme or peak

This episode is honest, practical, and slightly confrontational in the best way. If you’re a teacher who wants stronger classes and more grounded students, or a student curious about what’s happening behind the scenes, this one’s for you.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, recorded a few weeks before our Denver trip, Bradshaw shares about reaching his one-year sober milestone. We talk about it all — the struggles that led him to drinking, what shifting away from alcohol looked like, how friends can truly support someone in recovery, and the tools that have helped him stay sober. We even reflect on retreats and running a business before and after drinking, and what has changed along the way.

Giana steps into more of an interviewer role, creating space for Bradshaw to share openly, and he does so with honesty and vulnerability. This conversation is real, sensitive, and deeply human. If you or someone you love is navigating addiction, please know you’re not alone. There are many paths and tools available, and we hope this episode helps you feel supported. And if you’re the friend walking alongside someone in recovery, we hope this offers insight into how individual and personal that journey can be.

Join us in celebrating Bradshaw’s one-year anniversary, and thank you for listening with an open heart.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we get philosophical, we debrief our throuple weekend in Vail after teaching at The River in Denver, including a podcasting mishap we absolutely did not plan, what we learned from a full weekend of workshops, and everything coming up next. Giana is dreaming up a new retreat, Bradshaw is diving into a restorative training, and we share more about upcoming collaborative events and teacher trainings.

Then we get into it. What does “advanced” actually mean in yoga? We look at it from both the teacher and student lens and unpack how our definitions have shifted over the years. What makes an advanced teacher? Is it complexity, or the ability to create class-to-class without ego? What makes an advanced student? Is it flexibility, or nervous system regulation?

We talk about the current inclination to move fast in yoga and the power of the pause. We explore teaching and practicing with versus without music, and how sometimes removing layers can create more depth. Giana reflects on how not needing music anymore feels like a personal marker of growth, especially since it once felt uncomfortable. We also explore the subtle internal markers that signal a deeper experience unfolding within the practice.

Because maybe advanced is not about harder shapes. Maybe it is about subtler awareness.

We also speak to those who love a sweaty feel-good workout and why that can be great, while also asking how we use practice to feel more, question more, and expand our capacity. Advanced evolves. It is personal. It is different for everyone. And it rarely looks the way we expect it to. 

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about mindful dating. Bradshaw is out in the world, dating with intention and looking for a primary partnership. Giana is deeply intrigued by his process and asks a lot of questions, while also reflecting on what she did differently when she met her partner, Joe.

We hear about Bradshaw’s recent dates, the challenges of navigating gay dating culture, what he’s actually looking for, and how he decides who’s worth meeting up with. Giana reflects on her first meeting with Joe and the soft rules that helped her stay present and open-minded, including cutting out alcohol, waiting to be intimate, and getting to know people beyond looks by paying attention to values and how someone makes you feel.

Plus, plenty of hilarious dating stories, from mansplaining yoga businesses to walking into a truly messy home.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Nicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026 
• Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026
• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.