The Gathering Room Podcast

On a recent morning walk, I wondered what would be recognized as king of the forest: Oaks? Bears? Bambi’s father? As it turns out, it’s fungus! In this Gathering Room, I explore Suzanne Simard’s discovery of the “woodwide web” underground, and why our lives are better seen as a compilation of connections than of achievements. I’ll also guide you in meditation and answer your questions on yearning, creativity, and finding glimmers. If you’re tired of always striving to achieve, come connect with me.

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As life in this day and age gets more unpredictable, the best plan you can make is one you’re willing to change. On this episode of The Gathering Room, I talk about the paradox of living by signs and symbols, and why absolutism, whether in science or religion, will tank you when life keeps right-angle-turning. I’ll share what Asian traditions taught me about the present moment, and how the American football trick “calling an audible” can help you trust yourself and let the day unfold. Come join me!

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I’ve spent a lot of my life “reconstituting” my memories, and I didn’t even know I was doing it! On this episode of The Gathering Room, I talk about Memory Reconsolidation Theory—how we can change the emotional impact of painful memories without changing the facts of what happened. I’ll help you look for one tiny good thing connected to a difficult experience, then guide you through a meditation to discover how a memory that once dragged you down may become something that lifts you up. Come join me!

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We’re living through a “phase transition,” but I believe it’s what our souls signed up for. In this “Listen Again” episode of The Gathering Room Podcast, I explore why the chaos of our times isn’t a sign of collapse, but of metamorphosis. Using the metaphor of ice to water to steam, I talk about how relaxation is the key to navigating radical change. I’ll also guide you in meditation—and share why your wackiest fascination may be your best compass right now. Join me, and let’s learn to fly.

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I’ve discovered a new favorite psychologist, Dr. Marisa Franco, and in this Gathering Room, I’m talking about her book Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment. We’ll get into how self-esteem differs from self-worth, why praise can backfire, how sitting with our wounded feelings helps build self-worth, and why the Tao Te Ching says success can be as dangerous as failure. I’ll also guide you in meditation and answer listener questions about parenting, shame, and money. Join me!

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Did you know you were born a creative genius? All of us are, but we’ve been socialized out of it by the structures of culture. Why? Because the culture wants everyone the same, and genius doesn’t homogenize well. However, I believe our genius never stops calling us, and in this favorite “Listen Again” episode of The Gathering Room, I share how you can recognize—and follow—its call. Join me!

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As many of you Gatherers know, lately I’ve been feeling that something is changing in this world in a profound way...and I don’t think I’m the only one. There’s a sense of irrational hope, a strange joy, an anticipation that something wonderful is happening amidst all the horrors. On this favorite Listen Again episode of The Gathering Room, you’ll hear about my “Pyramid and the Pool” metaphor and discover if you’ve experienced any of the 12 signs of “pool consciousness.” Join me!

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Everything’s shifting in our world today—like ice turning into water turning into steam—and we don’t know what’s coming next. This time on The Gathering Room, I share why doing what you know doesn’t work in unprecedented times, and what our timid new shelter dog is reminding me about taking small, slow steps. I also talk about quelling anxiety and broadening our imagination to see new possibilities. If you’re in transition now and don’t know what to do next, this is the episode for you. Join me!

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This time on The Gathering Room, I offer up a thought that’s helped me and my clients for years: We’re all meant to live in peace—that’s our real home. I share why chasing the future keeps us anxious, and how dropping into peace in the present moment is what actually allows good things to find you. We also do our guided meditation, and I answer listener questions on time, manifesting, skepticism, and staying peaceful through annoying tasks. Come join me and let’s all find our way home to peace.

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Sometimes in life, things go bash and bonk us right in the face, knocking us completely out of the way we were living. When life shatters our familiar patterns this way, we look around in panic and ask, “Oh my God, what do we do now?” In this episode of The Gathering Room, I share how to step onto what I call Square One—the magical, liminal threshold where your old identity dissolves, your new life hasn’t kicked in yet, and you learn to catch messages dropped straight from your future self. Join me!

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• Follow Martha on Instagram
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