Shamanism: A 21st Century Approach To Energy Medicine Podcast

In this deep and heartfelt episode, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore the spiritual paradox of surrender—not as giving up, but as letting go of the illusion that we were ever in control. Through personal stories, Vision Quest experiences, and teachings from the Lakota tradition, they reflect on how spiritual breakthroughs often come not through strength, but through surrender, trust, and deep humility. Jan shares vivid stories of illness, injury, and discomfort during Vision Quests that pushed her beyond ego and into the hands of Spirit, while Micah reflects on the difference between control and true trust—from financial surrender to the surprising peace that comes when you stop wrestling with the universe. Together, they unpack the semantics and stigma around “surrender,” revealing it instead as a sacred practice of receptivity, presence, and alignment. This episode invites listeners into an honest inquiry: Do I truly trust Spirit? Can I surrender to the unknown without fear? With humor, depth, and