Stay Grounded With Raj Jana

Michael Clark is a spiritual seeker, successful entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has dedicated himself to mastering the art of being alive. Michael has developed a philosophy centered on right action, service, and love – creating tangible impact while maintaining a playful spirit and deep self-awareness. In this conversation, we explore why we devote ourselves to inner work, how to build the muscle of service, and ways we can become kinder, more loving human beings.What You'll LearnWhy true service begins with knowing yourself deeplyHow service is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice - "start small"The power of recognizing heroes in everyday life and uplifting themWhy triggers and attractions are "treasure maps for your soul"How to find joy and humor even in the healing of deep traumaThe paradox of surrender: how letting go often brings more abundanceWhy helping just one person matters more than trying to "end homelessness"How disconnection from self leads to disconnection from others and from t

Dr. Zach Bush brings a unique perspective to understanding human emotions and healing, drawing from his 17-year background in academic medicine running ICUs and bone marrow transplant units, combined with his deep study of Chinese medicine, energy healing, and nature's intelligence. After leaving conventional medicine in 2010, he established an integrated medical center where he absorbed extensive knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. His discovery that emotions are at the root of all diseases, backed by 5,000 years of Chinese medical science, led him to develop innovative approaches to emotional healing. Dr. Bush's current work with Project Biome involves studying nature's patterns and cycles, giving him unprecedented insights into how human emotional patterns mirror larger natural systems.In this powerful episode, you'll learn:The crucial difference between emotions and feelings, and why this distinction matters for healingHow our addiction to emotional patterns keeps us stuck in victim-perp

Nasya Miller, a transition clarity coach and founder of Wide Open Spaces, brings years of experience helping people navigate major life changes with intention and purpose. Her unique approach combines practical frameworks with deep emotional intelligence, helping clients move from confusion to clarity during life's most pivotal moments.Key Takeaways:• The four crucial stages of transition and how to identify where you are in the process• Why rushing through change creates more suffering and how to embrace the "in-between"• The critical role of community support in accelerating transformation• How to use periods of neuroplasticity to create lasting positive change• Practical tools for staying grounded when everything feels uncertain• The difference between chosen transitions and unexpected changes• Why grieving is essential for creating new possibilities• How to mine transitions for their hidden gifts• The power of slowing down to speed up your growth• Ways to build trust in yourself during periods of uncertai

In this powerful episode of Stay Grounded, host Raj Jana delves deep into the transformative power of inner work and its profound impact on our relationships, particularly with family. Joined by his friend Alex, Raj explores the concept of using life's challenges as mirrors for personal growth and the importance of healing generational patterns. This conversation offers a raw, honest look at the journey of self-discovery and provides practical insights on how to navigate the sometimes messy, always rewarding path of inner transformation.Key takeaways from this episode include:• Understanding what "inner work" really means and why it's called "work"• The concept of life as a hall of mirrors and how to use triggers as data for personal growth• Why healing our relationship with family is the most important work we can do• The power of curiosity in facing our inner challenges• How to shift from symptom management to true transformation in mental health• The importance of reparenting our inner child• Practical tip

In this intimate conversation with Raj, Khalil Rafati, founder of SunLife Organics and author of the bestselling memoir "I Forgot to Die," shares his remarkable journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming a successful wellness entrepreneur and spiritual seeker. With 21 years of sobriety and 18 thriving juice bar locations across the country, Khalil brings raw honesty and hard-won wisdom to this conversation about transformation, authenticity, and the power of incremental change.Key Insights:Why hitting rock bottom might be the greatest gift for true transformationThe surprising truth about "losing everything" that most people missHow tiny daily habits can create monumental life changesWhat a near-death experience taught him about God and darknessThe unexpected way nutritional healing sparked spiritual awakeningWhy authenticity requires peeling back painful layers of conditioningThe counterintuitive approach to sustainable personal growthWhat building a multimillion-dollar business taught him about fai

In this episode of Stay Grounded, host Raj Jana and guest Alex explore the transformative power of understanding our emotional triggers. Rather than viewing triggers as obstacles to avoid, they discuss how these moments of emotional intensity can serve as gateways to profound self-discovery and personal growth. Through their own experiences and insights, they reveal how developing awareness around our triggers can become our greatest tool for emotional resilience and authentic living.What You'll Discover:- Why awareness is the most powerful medicine for emotional healing and how it automatically increases your resilience- The surprising reason your triggers keep repeating and what this pattern is trying to tell you- How stored emotions from your past create present-day reactions (and what to do about it)- The three essential qualities needed to work with triggers effectively- Why the goal isn't to eliminate triggers but to expand your capacity to experience life fully- A fresh perspective on purpose and how i

In this intimate conversation with Raj, serial entrepreneur Miki Agrawal shares profound insights from her experiences in a darkness retreat and her journey of personal transformation. Miki is an author of "Disrupt-Her," and a trailblazing innovator known for founding TUSHY, THINX, and Wild. Named "Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business" and "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum, Miki shares her evolution from a hard-charging entrepreneur to an advocate of "soft power" leadership. Her latest venture, Hiro Technologies, exemplifies this approach by partnering with nature to solve the global plastic crisis through breakthrough fungi technology. Beyond her business accomplishments, she's a devoted mother, musician, and thought leader in the space of authentic leadership and emotional intelligence.Key Topics and Takeaways:How five nights in complete darkness revealed the mechanics of our emotional patterns and thought loopsWhy "soft power" might be the leadership paradigm our world desperatel

In this deeply reflective episode of Stay Grounded, Raj and Alex explore the delicate balance between taking action and letting go, diving into one of life's most challenging paradoxes: the art of releasing control. Through their personal experiences and insights, they examine how our relationship with control affects everything from our daily decisions to our spiritual growth, and why learning to surrender might be the key to feeling truly empowered in life.Key Topics and Takeaways:The surprising relationship between tension and control, and what your body is trying to tell you when you feel that familiar grip Why examining your attachments might be the most important spiritual practice you're not doing The counterintuitive connection between safety and security, and which one actually leads to lasting peace A profound perspective on "the subtle art of letting yourself die" that could transform how you handle life's challengesThe hidden reason why your triggers might be your greatest teachersW

As we wrap up 2024, this timeless conversation between Raj and Lindsay Sukornyk feels more relevant than ever. In a year marked by increasing social division and polarizing viewpoints, their discussion about unconditional love and acceptance offers crucial wisdom for navigating relationships with grace and understanding. Through their authentic dialogue, they explore how we can maintain genuine connections while honoring each person's unique journey.Key Takeaways:Understanding that everyone is on their own unique path and timeline of growth, especially vital in today's climate where social media often pressures us to conform to others' expectations or timelines.Recognizing that our desire for others to change often stems from our own unhealed wounds or unmet needs - a powerful reminder as we navigate increasingly complex personal and social dynamics in 2024.Cultivating the ability to hold space for others with compassion and understanding, even when their actions or beliefs trigger us - particularly relevant

As we close out 2024, we're revisiting this powerful episode where Raj shares his experience completing a 10-day silent meditation retreat. His insights on stillness and presence feel particularly relevant in today's fast-paced, digitally connected world.Key Takeaways:The critical distinction between "doing" and "being" - exploring how our modern lifestyle pushes us to fill every moment with activity, making it harder than ever to simply exist in stillness.The transformative power of confronting our inner world - how removing external distractions reveals the patterns, beliefs, and attachments that shape our daily experiences.The practice of expanding awareness - learning to step back from our thoughts and witness the mind's activities from a place of compassionate observation.Embracing uncertainty and flow - moving beyond the need to control outcomes and finding peace in life's natural unfolding, especially relevant in our increasingly unpredictable world.The power of perspective shifts - understanding how

Dr. John Churchill, co-founder of Planetary Dharma, integrates Western developmental psychology with Eastern contemplative traditions to create comprehensive frameworks for human growth and healing. With decades of experience studying both psychodynamic theory and meditation practices, Dr. Churchill offers a unique perspective on how early childhood experiences shape our relationship with ourselves, others, and spirituality.Key Topics:Why feeling "unseen" might be more than just a personal wound - discover the surprising connection to multi-generational traumaThe three foundational layers of human development that shape everything from self-trust to spiritual connectionHow your nervous system inherited patterns from your ancestors (and what to do about it)The overlooked connection between childhood attachment and adult spiritual experiencesWhy therapy alone might not be enough - and the missing piece in modern psychological healingThe revolutionary practice that can help you internalize positive experiences (

In this powerful episode of Stay Grounded, Raj and Alex explore courage as a fundamental vehicle for awakening and personal transformation. They dive deep into how choosing courage over comfort repeatedly in life not only leads to growth but serves as a catalyst for spiritual evolution. Through vulnerable personal stories and profound insights, they reveal how courage isn't just about taking bold actions, but about being willing to feel the emotions we most want to avoid.Key Takeaways:Every moment presents a choice between courage and comfort - growth happens when we consistently choose courageTrue courage often means letting go rather than holding on tighter to our desired outcomesFear can serve as a compass - the things we're most afraid of often point to our greatest opportunities for growthThe path of awakening requires us to feel the emotions we're most afraid of feeling, as this liberates us from their holdOur relationship with uncertainty and death underlies many of our fears around taking courageous a

Will Rezin, founder of Trauma and Somatics, has trained over 400 practitioners worldwide in natural, somatic approaches to healing trauma. With deep expertise in nervous system regulation and attachment theory, Will integrates cutting-edge neuroscience with ancient wisdom traditions to create comprehensive frameworks for human flourishing & transformation. His work draws from pioneers like Peter Levine, Dr. Steven Porges, and Bessel van der Kolk.Key Topics & Takeaways:Why trauma isn't what happened to you - it's what happens inside of you in responseThe surprising truth about catharsis and why it might not lead to healingHow your body stores memories you can't consciously recall (and what to do about it)The overlooked difference between pain and suffering that changes everythingWhy moving at "Earth Speed" might be the key to healingThe biological imperative we're ignoring in modern societyHow shame creates a feedback loop - and how to break freeWhy integration happens automatically when you're not try

Natalie Adele is a transformational guide and embodiment mentor who has spent the last five years helping women reconnect with their innate feminine wisdom and power. Through her unique approach combining somatic practices, energetic work, and ancient wisdom traditions, she guides women back to their authentic expression of leadership. Moving beyond traditional paradigms of feminine power that often mimic masculine structures, Natalie challenges our modern understanding of feminine leadership and offers women a pathway back to a natural state of power.Key Topics & Takeaways:• Discover why the most powerful woman in the room might be the most relaxed one - and what this reveals about true feminine leadership• The surprising truth about "security vs. safety" and how this distinction changes everything about how we show up in the world• Why digital clutter might be blocking your feminine power (and the ritual Natalie uses to clear it)• The "garden metaphor" that completely reframes how we think about feminin

In this illuminating episode of Stay Grounded, Raj Jana and Alex explore the transformative power of relationships as vehicles for spiritual awakening and personal growth. Rather than viewing relationships solely as sources of happiness, they discuss how relationships serve as mirrors that reflect our deepest wounds, beliefs, and patterns - offering unprecedented opportunities for healing and evolution.Key Takeaways:Relationships are not meant to make us happy, but to help us grow - happiness is a byproduct of doing the inner workWhere there is a trigger in relationship, there is an opportunity for deep healing and self-discoveryThe quality of our relationships is directly influenced by our beliefs and programming around love, much of which comes from our parents and cultural conditioningIt's easier to blame others or leave relationships than to take radical ownership of our patterns and do the inner workTrue lasting love requires dismantling unhealthy beliefs about "happily ever after" and embracing relation

In this profound episode of Stay Grounded, host Raj Jana sits down with Dr. Zach Bush to explore the deep interconnectedness of human health, emotional well-being, and our relationship with nature. Dr. Zach Bush, MD, is a renowned physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. His work integrates a deep understanding of human biology, environmental science, and emotional health. Dr. Bush is a pioneer in the field of intrinsic health, with a focus on the microbiome and its connection to overall well-being. As the founder of the Journey of Intrinsic Health, he advocates for a holistic approach to healing, emphasizing the interdependence of emotional resilience, the microbiome, and planetary health. This conversation delves into the root causes of disconnection in modern society and presents a compelling vision for reconnecting with our intrinsic health.Key insights from the episode:The surprising link between human disconnection and ancient historical eventsHow unprocessed emotion

In this special episode, host Raj Jana takes listeners on a journey through the evolution of Stay Grounded, sharing his personal growth, the podcast's development, and his vision for this platform and how it aims to help people move forward. Raj opens up about his mission to inspire self-love, healing, and spiritual growth on a global scale.Key insights:Stay Grounded began as a tagline for Raj's coffee company before evolving into a podcast focused on personal developmentRaj's entrepreneurial journey sparked deep inner work and exploration of spiritual technologiesThe podcast shifted from teaching coping tactics to helping people become more grounded beingsRaj believes accessing our inner light and divinity is the path to lasting fulfillmentTechnology and scalable solutions are seen as key to accelerating global awakeningTrue purpose isn't about doing or building, but accessing deeper levels of love within ourselves. This inner journey is the path to lasting fulfillment that leaves an indelible imprint of imp

In this episode of Stay Grounded, Raj and Alex dive deep into how health crises can be powerful catalysts for personal growth and transformation. They explore the mindset shifts and approaches that can turn a health challenge into an opportunity for awakening.Key points discussed:The importance of curiosity over fear when facing a health crisisHow symptoms are messages from the body, not something to simply suppressThe role of belief systems in shaping our approach to health and healingThe challenge and importance of asking for help during health strugglesHow health crises can force us to reconnect with our bodies and emotionsThe danger of identifying too strongly with an illness or diagnosisThe interconnection between our thoughts, beliefs, and physical healthThe potential for profound personal growth and purpose discovery through health challengesTune in to discover how a health crisis, or even minor symptoms, can be powerful catalysts for personal growth, self-discovery, and a more vibrant life. This episo

In this special episode of Stay Grounded, Raj introduces an upcoming three-part series exploring how life crises can lead to profound awakenings and personal growth. The series aims to provide listeners with tools and insights to navigate challenging times in health, relationships, and work/entrepreneurship, transforming these struggles into opportunities for evolution and freedom.As we embark on this transformative journey together, stay tuned for the upcoming in-depth episodes in this series. Each installment will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for turning life's challenges into opportunities for growth. To stay connected and gain even more from this experience, follow us on Instagram for episode clips and join our newsletter for exclusive, deeper insights and specific tools tailored to each crisis point. Together, let's learn how to not just survive, but thrive through life's most challenging moments.Connect with Raj:Newsletter – Sign up here: https://www.rajjana.com/staygrounded/W

In this profound episode of Stay Grounded, Raj Jana delves deep into the transformative power of emotional hygiene and its impact on personal growth, relationships, and overall well-being. Reflecting on the past three months of his life, Raj shares valuable insights on how maintaining emotional clarity can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful existence. This conversation with Alex King explores the importance of inner work and its ripple effects on our lives and the world around us.Key insights from the episode:• The unexpected benefits of expanding reflection periods from monthly to quarterly• Why "hurt people hurt people" and how healing ourselves can create positive change• The connection between emotional hygiene and attracting like-minded individuals• How courage acts as a catalyst for personal growth and community healing• The role of self-love in unlocking our innate healing potential• Why the path from the head to the heart is "the greatest spiritual journey of a lifetime"• The paradox of the ego'