What if so much of what we think is “real” is actually just imagination?

In this conversation, my friend and colleague Dr. Amy Johnson explores the nature of thought, the illusion of self, and the felt truth of what’s here beyond the mind.

We talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways we live in imagination—how our minds narrate, label, and interpret life in ways that keep us removed from its raw, direct beauty. Amy shares how her understanding has shifted over the years, moving from helping people with habits and anxiety to now pointing more directly to truth… which, as she says, isn’t really something you can describe—but it can absolutely be felt.

Together we explore what it means to follow sensation, allow what is, and surrender to the mystery that’s always here when we stop trying to manage or figure it all out.

This isn’t a conversation about concepts. It’s an invitation to be in life, as life. And to rediscover what’s real—not in thought, but in presence.

I’m so grateful to share this one with you.

• [00:00] - Introduction and Personal Connection
• [04:30] - The Nature of Thought and Reality
• [10:05] - Experiencing Life Beyond Thought
• [15:46] - The Role of Sensation in Understanding
• [22:50] - Meeting Emotions Without Resistance
• [27:38] - Exploring the Concept of No Self
• [35:01] - The Journey of Inquiry and Curiosity
• [40:35] - Embracing What Is and Aliveness
• [51:13] - Exploring the Nature of Reality
• [52:09] - The Illusion of the Personal Self

• Visit Amy’s Website
• Follow Amy on Instagram
• Listen to the Changeable Podcast

In this episode of The Innerverse of Business & Life, I sit down with Lily Sais—founder of Peace From Within, former school psychologist, and TikTok creator whose videos have touched the lives of millions.

Lily and I explore her deeply personal journey with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and panic attacks—and how those experiences ultimately opened a door to her creativity, healing, and purpose. She shares how the Three Principles changed everything, how she moved from white-knuckling through life to embracing her true nature, and how her desire to serve others sparked a business and community that continues to grow.

We talk about:

• The moment that shifted her relationship with anxiety
• What gave her the courage to start sharing publicly (even when it felt terrifying)
• The surprising gift of going viral—and the backlash that came with it
• Letting creativity lead the way (and why less effort can bring more clarity)
• Navigating ADHD, business pressure, and visibility with grace
• And how, at the heart of it all, fun and aliveness are still guiding her path

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, building a business, or just craving more freedom in your life—this conversation is full of insights, humanity, and hope.

Lily is the real deal. I’m so grateful to share her story with you.

• [00:00] – Introduction to Peace From Within
• [04:29] – The Journey of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
• [08:55] – Discovering the Three Principles Understanding
• [12:35] – Insights on Anxiety and Mental Health
• [17:50] – Transitioning from School Psychology to Coaching
• [23:14] – Launching a Business During the Pandemic
• [29:31] – Embracing Creativity and Authenticity on Social Media
• [36:58] – The Impact of Sharing Personal Stories
• [41:04] – Navigating Vulnerability and Visibility
• [50:04] – Embracing Neurodiversity in Business
• [58:54] – Finding Joy and Lightness in Business

• Visit Lily’s Website
• Join the Peace from Within Community
• Follow Lily on Instagram
• Follow Lily on TikTok

Have you ever found yourself living in a smaller version of your life—not because you want to, but because of all the thoughts, rules, and self-protections you’ve piled up along the way?

In this short episode, I reflect on what it means to unknowingly “hoard” thoughts and beliefs that limit us. Inspired by a client story and my own insights, I explore how we innocently make conclusions about who we are and what we’re capable of based on past experiences—and how this inner clutter shrinks our world.

But here’s the good news: when we see thought for what it is, it begins to fall away. And as it does, we tap back into something deeper, more spacious, and infinitely more alive within us.

This episode is an invitation to clear some mental space, trust your deeper nature, and remember: you are not fragile. You have what you need to ride the waves and expand into new possibilities.

• [01:23] The Impact of Overthinking on Personal Growth
• [03:31] Expanding Our World Beyond Limitations
• [10:20] Embracing Uncertainty and the Human Experience
• [17:09] Discovering Potential Through New Experiences

• Visit Barb's Website
• Learn about the upcoming IMPACT Training
• Follow Barb on Linkedin

Is your mind working for you or against you? In this insightful conversation, Barb Patterson and Clare Dimond explore how our thoughts shape the way we experience business, leadership, and creativity. Clare shares how years of self-consciousness and overanalyzing kept her stuck in mental loops—until she saw the mind in an entirely new way.

In this episode, we dive into:

✅ The difference between real-world challenges and imagined problems

✅ Why self-consciousness limits our potential—and what happens when we move beyond it

✅ The role of curiosity in navigating uncertainty and decision-making

✅ How identity and fear shape our actions (and how to work with them differently)

✅ What a clear, engaged mind looks like in business and life

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by overthinking, self-doubt, or the pressure to get things right, this episode offers a fresh and freeing perspective.

In this deep and illuminating conversation, Rohini Ross shares the journey of her own evolution—from therapist to coach to transformational guide—exploring how our resistance to experience creates unnecessary struggle and how real change comes from allowing life to unfold.

Together, we explore:

• The transition from therapy to coaching and the insights that changed everything
• How we unknowingly resist our experience and why that leads to suffering
• The role of conditioning and coping mechanisms in shaping our patterns
• The power of presence, curiosity, and an open heart in unlocking healing and transformation
• Why trying to fix ourselves keeps us stuck—and what to do instead

Rohini beautifully articulates how we can move beyond overthinking, control, and the pressure to "get it right" and instead trust the deeper intelligence that moves through all of us. Whether you're a coach, a leader, or someone seeking more ease and flow in life, this conversation invites you to step into a new way of being—one of openness, trust, and deep inner wisdom.

• [00:00] The Journey of Transformation
• [05:43] From Therapy to Coaching: A New Perspective
• [08:14] Understanding Anxiety and Insecurity
• [10:54] The Power of Presence and Acceptance
• [14:07] Rewilding: Embracing Our True Nature
• [16:34] Patterns and Coping Mechanisms
• [19:28] The Role of Vulnerability in Healing
• [22:09] Navigating Trauma and Emotional Experience
• [24:38] The Impact of Relationships on Wellbeing
• [27:24] Trusting the Unfolding of Life
• [29:56] Awareness and the Present Moment
• [32:42] Curiosity as a Tool for Exploration
• [35:33] The Healing Power of an Open Heart

• Find Rohini at TheRewilders.org.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in decision paralysis—overanalyzing, second-guessing, and waiting for more certainty? In this solo episode, Barb Patterson dives into decision-making and why successful entrepreneurs embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. Through personal stories and insights, she explores how overthinking can slow momentum, why certainty is an illusion, and how you can trust your innate ability to adapt and navigate any outcome.

If you've been hesitating on a business idea, life change, or bold move, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover:

✔ Why no decision is ever completely risk-free—and why that’s okay.

✔ How to shift from hesitation to decisive action.

✔ The hidden reasons we delay decisions (and how to move past them).

✔ What happens when you trust yourself and step into the unknown.

Listen now and start making decisions with more confidence and ease. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs it!

• [00:54] The Art of Quick Decision Making
• [03:43] Understanding the Weight of Decisions
• [06:40] Navigating Hesitation and Overthinking
• [09:26] Embracing Uncertainty in Decision Making
• [11:18] Discovering Your Potential Through Decisions

• Explore the Website
• Learn about the upcoming IMPACT Training
• Follow Barb on Linkedin

In this episode, Barb sits down with Jacquie Moses to explore the profound connection between our inner world and outer experiences. Together, they discuss how tuning into our emotions, trusting inner wisdom, and embracing our life’s sacredness can help us face change and unlock new opportunities. Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can be sacred.

Jacquie and Barb explore the art of navigating life’s transitions through self-discovery and inner wisdom. Jacquie shares heartfelt insights on understanding emotions, creating inner stability, and learning to trust your intuition for both personal and professional growth.

Listen now to uncover how letting go of external dependencies and tuning into your inner guidance can open the door to fulfillment—and opportunities.

Tune in to explore a fresh, more peaceful way to approach life’s challenges.

• [00:00] Exploring the Inner and Outer Worlds
• [00:54] The Journey of Self-Discovery
• [05:52] Evolving Understanding of Emotions
• [10:49] The Sacredness of Life Experiences
• [16:56] Navigating Emotions and Inner Wisdom
• [23:07] The Power of Trusting Intuition
• [28:50] Transformative Moments in Business
• [34:57] Embracing Change and New Beginnings
• [40:07] Final Thoughts and Reflections

• Connect with Jacquie on LinkedIn

Sometimes, clarity arrives in ways we never see coming. In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Kirk Souder shares his journey of navigating a life-changing decision—one that required deep trust, surrender, and the willingness to let go. Faced with years of complications from a past cancer diagnosis, Kirk made a choice that redefined his path forward, not just physically but in how he relates to life itself.

In this episode, Kirk and Barb explore the intelligence behind life’s unexpected moments of clarity, the role of surrender in transformation, and how aligning with our inner knowing opens new possibilities. They discuss the tension between resistance and flow, how to recognize when life is guiding us toward change, and the freedom that comes when we trust what’s unfolding.

What if the clarity you’re seeking is already here, just waiting for you to see it? Tune in for a conversation that will shift the way you look at choice, surrender, and the hidden wisdom in life’s unexpected turns.

• [00:54] Introduction and Context of Kirk's Journey
• [04:29] The Decision to Amputate: A Personal Story
• [09:24] Identity and Letting Go: A New Perspective
• [15:28] Surrendering Attachments for Greater Clarity
• [21:00] Aligning with What Truly Matters
• [25:43] The Metaphor of Redwoods: Growth Through Letting Go
• [27:08] Letting Go of Identity and Control
• [29:24] Understanding Inherent Worth
• [31:45] Navigating Old Thinking
• [32:46] Embracing the Full Range of Experience
• [34:12] Defining True Freedom
• [35:42] Criteria for Decision Making
• [36:57] The Power of Action
• [40:03] Creating Possibilities Through Action
• [42:25] The Illusion of Certainty
• [45:14] Creating Our Reality
• [48:43] Invitation to Let Go

• Visit Kirk’s Website
• Connect with Kirk on LinkedIn

What happens when life disrupts our best-laid plans? When grief, transition, or uncertainty invite us to surrender instead of push forward? In this deep and inspiring conversation, Ruthie Zerai shares her journey of moving from corporate life to self-employment, navigating profound loss, and discovering the power of trust, play, and authenticity in both business and life.

We explore:

• The unexpected lessons of grief and how they opened new doors for Ruthie.
• Learning to trust life when control is an illusion.
• Breaking free from toxic productivity and embracing a more playful, expansive approach to work.
• Authenticity beyond the buzzword—what it really means to live and work in alignment.
• How stepping into our truth impacts not only our personal fulfillment but the way we serve and connect with others.

This is a conversation about what it means to evolve, listen deeply, and allow life to guide us in unexpected and meaningful ways. If you’ve ever felt the pull to let go of outdated narratives and lean into a more easeful, aligned way of working and living, this episode is for you.

Tune in to be inspired, grounded, and reminded that all is well—even when it doesn’t seem like it.

Show Notes:

• [01:40] Reconnecting and New Beginnings
• [04:29] Navigating Grief and Personal Transformation
• [07:43] The Power of Surrender and Trust
• [10:45] Challenging the Doer Mentality
• [13:35] Exploring Playfulness in Work and Life
• [25:43] Embracing Playfulness in Business
• [32:39] The Journey to Authenticity
• [42:43] The Importance of Self-Exploration

Show Links:

• Zanta Podcast - Spotify and Apple Music
• Connect with Ruthie on LinkedIn
• Follow Ruthie on Instagram

What happens when life delivers an unthinkable loss? In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Shawn Eagan shares his journey through grief after losing his son Kevin 11 years ago. He opens up about what helped him navigate the darkest moments, how he learned to lead his family through tragedy, and the unexpected ways music and movement became his lifelines.

Shawn reflects on the lessons he inherited from his father, the surprising messages that helped him stay grounded, and the raw, messy, nonlinear path of grief. He also shares what not to say to someone going through loss, the small but powerful ways to support a grieving friend, and how he found healing in playing music—eventually performing for family, friends, and special events.

This conversation is real, unfiltered, and full of hard-won wisdom about resilience, presence, and what truly matters. Plus, stay until the end for a special song performance by Shawn.