I'm Awake! Now What?

This week, I conclude my interview with Anika Spencer.  Anika shares a beautiful A-HA moment she had when she discovered Divine was still with her; in every moment. Anika talks forgiving the Mormon Church. Realizing as humans we are all flawed no matter our practice. Anika shares loving and healing herself through Yoga and spiritual practices. We discuss how it’s not easy to leave your religion of origin and how rebellion is necessary. Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ianwpodcast

This week I interview Yoga Instructor Anika Spencer. Anika was raised as a Mormon and left at the tender age of 19. Anika shares her departure from her Church. She speaks of the challenge of navigating away from her religion of origin while simultaneously shielding her parents from the inevitable suffering and disappointment one can feel when their child decides to leave their faith. Anika opens up about how in a sacred moment how she reconnected with The Divine and moved her life and her spirituality in a different direction.  

Flint and I continue our conversation discussing some of the psychological and perceived obstacles that can get in the way of loving and being love. Flint reminds us that no matter what type of love we received in our early childhood development years, we still have the capacity to love without fear. Flint walks us through both waking up and growing up! He introduces the idea of interdependence and the wise teachings of the Buddha---how everything rises together. Find out more about Flint at www.flintsparks.org Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ianwpodcast

This week I interview local Austin spiritual giant, psychologist and Zen priest Flint Sparks. Flint founded both Appamada and Austin Zen Center. Flint’s life focus, has been creating awareness about the dual convergence of healthy human development and contemplative spiritual practices.Which he believes forms the complementary strands of the double-helix of full human maturity. Simply put, the art of growing up and waking up. He’s carried this very important message around the world and most notably in 2011 as a guest speaker on the TED stage. Find out more about Flint at www.flintsparks.org Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @ianwpodcast

Kate and I continue our interview and she shares her self-care practices for seeing oneself clearly. Kate explains how--no matter what our upbringing, we already know God. She shares intimately her brush with cancer, death and perching closely to God during that difficult time. Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @ianwpodcast

This week I interview, Kate Bares-Cochrun who founded The Center for Well-Being. (www.centerforwellbeing.com) Kate helps people relinquish their limiting beliefs, self-doubt & uncover their true nature in order to live in alignment with their true path & purpose. Her trademark therapy called "Soul Integration" has helped 100’s of individuals & couples. She facilitates retreats focused on healing, inner restoration & internal renewal. Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @ianwpodcast  

Dr. Gena Minnix and I discuss the etymology of the word "Homosexual." Gena walks us through the reconciliation process that happens when one’s religious views come into conflict with their life experience.  She explains how empathy needs to flow to the places of greatest vulnerability, especially during conversations around gender, sexuality and faith. Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ianwpodcast

This week, I interview Dr. Gena Minnix--co-founder of The Human Empathy Project (tHEP). (http://www.thehumanempathyproject.com) The Human Empathy Project was created to fulfill a need to have open conversations between members from the #LGBTQ and #Christian communities who are reconciling their beliefs and faith. It started as an intimate dinner with a few community members curious and invested in understanding each other empathetically. Their mission: To create healing, connection, conversation and change between these diverse groups. Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @ianwpodcast 

Sweet Souls! I'm Awake! Now What? Podcast will return July 15, 2018 for Season 2!!! With all new guests and amazing new content to help you on your spiritual journey! Make sure to keep your podcast subscription up to date! Rate, review and share this podcast. Follow this podcast on Twitter at @ImAwakeNowWhat1 and Instagram at @ianwpodcast. Love and Light! 

Betty Maldonado, returns to the podcast for an all new episode to discuss her work and service to others through her spiritual retreats. Betty walks us through leaving her religion of origin. She shares her daily spiritual ritual and the comedy and laughter that her inner journey has taught her. You can find Betty at www.thecenterforwellbeing.com Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ianwpodcast  

This week I interview, mother, spiritual guru & close friend Betty Maldonado. She candidly discusses the identity crisis that can happen for first-time Moms. She walks us through how she found her way back to herself. She also discusses setting her children on a different spiritual path--from her religion of origin. Check out Betty at  www.thecenterforwellbeing.com Follow this podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ianwpodcast 

Lara and I continue our conversation around connecting with your body. Lara talks about a tough conversation she had with her parents and how she had the courage to ask for what she needed from them in order to heal her body image.  Follow Lara at www.thepinkkadillak.com and @thepinkkadillak. Follow this podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ianwpodcast

Lara Kadillak is a fashion blogger, stylist, positive-body expert and comedian. Lara and I dive into fashion and how she uses fashion to express herself to create a beautiful narrative with her clothing. We tackle letting go of body shame, positive body talk and finding your way back into your body. Follow Lara at www.thepinkkadillak.com and @thepinkkadillak. Follow this podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ianwpodcast

I continue my conversation with Billy Lee Myers, Jr. Billy takes us through his accident on Austin City Limits and how his internal and external suffering transformed him. We discuss what it means to see oneself clearly, he shares wise words for anyone on a journey. Billy's professional practice is centered around loving kindness, discovering your authentic self and empowering people to create loving and healthy relationships. Follow this podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ianwpodcast

I sit down with local Austinite Spiritual Psychologist Billy Lee Myers, Jr.  We discuss what spiritual psychology is, how our faith of origin shape us as adults and cultivating tolerance for others. Billy's professional practice is centered around loving kindness, discovering your authentic self and empowering people to create loving and healthy relationships. You can find Billy at www.therapywithbilly.com 

This week's episode features actor, model, comedian Tyson Faifer. He's appeared on American Ninja Warrior, The Steve Harvey Show, America's Got Talent and this summer (2018) catch him on ABC's "The Proposal" Tyson and I discuss what it means to be authentic in the entertainment industry. Tyson tells us how being agnostic, has helped him carve out his own practice of kindness. Check out Tyson at www.tysonfaifer.com 

Welcome back for Part 2 of my interview with Mark Van Buren! Mark imparts more deep wisdoms and shares a hilarious story about being on a retreat. Don't forget to check out Mark, on his youtube channel where he gives weekly meditation lessons. He can also be found on social media @authormarkvanburen or www.authormarkvanburen.com

This week’s episode of I’m Awake! Now What? Feature’s Mark Van Buren. Mark is a published author, father, husband, yoga and meditation instructor and singer. Mark shares how he found the middle way in his journey. We connect on this week’s show by discussing our Catholic roots and how they shaped the beginning of our journey. Stay tuned to next week's episode, where we conclude our conversation in Part 2!  Mark can be found on social media @authormarkvanburen or www.authormarkvanburen.com  

Welcome to the first episode of I'm Awake! Now What? A podcast about Life, Love, Laughter and Enlightenment. On this weeks episode; I interview Deborah, whom I met at the beginning of my spiritual journey in a small Ashram in Eastern Washington. We discuss how meditation lifted her out of one of the darkest moments in her life.