Return of Ritual Podcast

Interview with Jon Rasmussen. Jon lives in Monterey, CA. He is a full-time Shaman, advisor, speaker and author of the book, “Dreaming Your World into Being”. His trainings and initiations as a Shaman includes multiple traditions and most notably those of the Andes and Amazon of Peru through the Four Winds Society Healing the Light Body School.

Jon and I discuss how he had a very unique childhood and how he believes people are born with certain gifts. Additionally, we unpack how awakenings can be super subtle and yet we’ve come to expect a dramatic Hollywood display but in reality things can be very nonchalant and reverent. He reminds us to pay attention to the subtleties.

Jesse Van Der Velde is the author of two #1 best-selling books on health and nutrition in the Netherlands, he’s the owner of the vegan, organic health food company Superfoodies with a presence in 4 European countries. Jesse is a modern medicine man.

The theme from our thought-provoking dialogue was: to do less. This resonated. I feel like I do so, so much and I know you do too! As a society we’ve been rewarded by how much we do. Being busy is almost a badge of honor, a sign of importance. I can’t tell you how many times when I’ve asked how someone is doing, the response is always “good, I’m so busy!” It’s as if people attach their self-worth to how much they do in a day. What if it was the opposite? What if we slowed down, and did less? But what we did do, we did with absolute focus and attention. What if there wasn’t so much guilt associated with simply be-ing and non-doing? In this episode, we chat about allowing spirit to get in the driver’s seat of our lives among so much more!

In this episode I interview Imelda Almqvist. Imelda is an international teacher of Sacred Art, Seidr and the ancestral wisdom teachings of Northern Europe.

I’ve read her book, Natural Born Shamans and for the first time was able to put a vocabulary to some of the profound spiritual experiences I was having, specifically psychopomp work. I immediately connected to the work Imelda does with spirit children. She defines what spirit children are and how deep healing work can occur for families that have lost children (through miscarriage, abortion, etc.).

Tune in to hear Imelda’s invitation to turn the most mundane actions like shopping for groceries and opening your front door into a beautiful offering and prayer.

In today’s episode I interview Tonje Naess. Tonje is a new mom and thriving business owner in Norway!

We discuss how her Sacred Rituals changed when she had kids and how she uses the time breastfeeding her son as a Sacred Ritual and time to meditate! I found this super inspiring and such a wonderful way to connect with your newborn.

Additionally, we discuss how our society is painfully individualistic and we are all craving the feeling of “coming home” and being surrounded my community. AND how we can use curiosity as a tool when we aren’t feeling 100%. In theory this is a great concept but pretty challenging to do, hear how Tonje unpacks how to actually do this and show up more vulnerably and authentically.

I’m delighted to introduce you to Maia Toll. She is an amazing woman and published Author. You may have heard of her books or seen them in stores: The Illustrated Beastiary, The Illustrated Herbiary and The Illustrated Crystallary. If not, I adore them and highly suggest you check them out.

Maia studied with a medicine woman in Ireland and learned the ways of living close to nature. She describes how immensely lonely this process can be and how easily we can romanticize an experience like this, but in actuality how deep inner work often requires the unglamourous.

Listen to hear how Maia communes with nature daily and her advice about how we can each find a way to commune with nature in our own busy lives. She also believes Rituals choose you, not the other way around, and how important it is to connect our energy to our Ritual.

In this episode I interview the lovely Jenn Malecha. Jenn supports busy, health-minded professionals in taking back control of their health. She helps them access the right lab tests and resources so they can find the missing pieces of their health puzzle, actually fix what is wrong, and get back to feeling like themselves again.

We discuss the importance of finding the right time when it comes to exercise, diet and our routines and how she has designed a schedule that really works for her in supporting her health and well-being.

I’d like you to meet Jeanne-Marie Paynel, M.ED, she is a Parenting Mentor and Home Consultant helping parents let go of the overwhelm so they can enjoy raising self-sufficient and resilient children with ease.

She is also the host of The Art of Parenting podcast and Founder of Your Parenting Mentor where she guides expectant parents, caregivers and parents of young children on how to better prepare their homes and themselves for their children to thrive during the first years of life.

In this episode, we talk about children, parenting and Rituals. Children are eager to participate in Rituals and Ceremonies and we discuss how we can invite children to participate in our Sacred Rituals. Jeanne-Marie has some incredible tips for new and aspiring parents and even for parents whose children have left the nest. I truly think you will enjoy our conversation.

Interview with Maria Clara Castaneda. I met Maria-Clara in Germany (during a particularly painful time) while I was studying Shamanic Energy Medicine with the Four Winds. Maria Clara helps men and women leap fearlessly into the unknown. Initiated on the Shamanic path, after intense personal healing, she completed the Four Winds Light Body School training which integrates ancient Shamanic teachings with leading-edge neuroscience.

Nowadays she assists The Four Winds and Los Quatros Caminos as an Ambassador and is a member of the Four Winds Office staff and faculty.

In this episode, we talk about Shamanic Rituals. Particularly the Despacho ceremony of the Quechua Shamans of Peru, a ceremony Maria-Clara connects deeply with. Maria Clara has generously offered to create a Despacho with one lucky listener. If you found this episode inspiring, leave a comment below and be entered to win this unique opportunity to connect with Maria Clara!

Our conversation reminded me of our elders. It was a gentle reminder that our elders need to be honored and cherished. What they have to share is so important. I encourage you to connect with the wise women and men in your communities and listen to their stories, hold their hands, thank them for sharing their wisdom.

An interview with Amanda Collins. I’d like to introduce you to one of my teachers. Amanda Collins hails from Ireland, is a Celtic Priestess and Feng Shui Expert. I studied Classical Feng Shui with her five years ago and am so happy to introduce you to her!

During this episode we discuss how everything in life is Sacred. From waking up in the morning and lighting a candle, to making a cup of tea, to gazing into your children's eyes.

I particularly liked our discussion around Nettles! The Nettle plant is native to Europe but can now be found worldwide. I remember being a girl in England and playing in the woods and getting stung by the stinging nettles, little did I know they have amazing healing properties! Amanda forages for them in her nearby woods and connects to the sacred medicine of this plant. Listen to our discussion to learn about their amazing health benefits and how you can incorporate this Sacred Plant Medicine into your daily Ritual.

We also discuss ‘the dark night of the soul’ and what that actually means... ultimately how we can use our darkest moments as a source of inspiration, rebirth and transformation. We share a few stories about how we’ve connected to our shadows and how it can be pretty terrifying and yet one of the most healing and transformational things we can do.