Braving the Elements Podcast with Tracy James

At a time when our daily lives often feel disconnected from the natural world, our guest today offers a path to reengagement. Joining us is Jade Miles, author, regenerative heritage fruit farmer and CEO of Sustainable Table, a funding organization for change makers in the field of regenerative farming. In her book, Futuresteading: Live Like Tomorrow Matters, Jade models a lifestyle deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature and the cycles of growth. She is a powerful voice for sustainable living and an advocate for making small positive changes in our daily lives that lead to a more resilient future. In her homeland of Australia, Jade is a champion for community sufficiency, ecological balance and a more thoughtful approach to consumption.  Jade's insights beautifully weave together practical guidance with a philosophy deeply anchored in respect and reverence for the earth. Her approach is born from a profound love for the land and an understanding that healing our ecosystems goes hand in hand with our own healing journey. Join us as we explore with Jade how to truly 'live like tomorrow matters'.   “Every decision we make has an impact - on other humans, creatures and ecosystems. How do you make your decisions and will their impact be degenerative, sustainable or regenerative?" - Jade Miles   For more about Jade and her work visit the show notes at... podcast.livingelemental.com/S3E14

Stress, dysregulation and anxiety plague modern life with origins that lie deep in human psychology and physiology. In this episode, Human Performance Specialist Jesse Coomer, helps us understand the unconscious processes and survival mechanisms that drive our experience of stress and offers us tools to restore balance. Blending neuroscience with breath-work practices, Jesse maps the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind. He details how techniques like controlled breathing can "speak" to the unconscious, quieting stress responses and restoring calm. Jesse trains athletes, CEOs, first responders, military, and everyday people who seek to optimize their performance, reduce their anxiety levels, and live a healthier life.  In this episode, Jesse discusses his new book, The Language of Breath, and inspires us to take an embodied path to reducing chronic stress and restoring balance.  Whether you grapple with anxiety or simply seek deeper self-awareness, this episode offers practical tools to engage with the inner forces shaping your state of mind and body.  For more about Jesse or about coaching with Tracy, visit podcast.livingelemental.com  

In a time when pressures to do more, faster and better inundate us, it’s refreshing to find tools to help us address the demands of modern life without compromising our well-being. Our guest today, Steven Puri, Founder of The Sukha app, is deeply engaged in the movement to transcend burnout and toxic productivity, and restore happiness in work and life. Alongside his tech career, Steven has a rich background in the entertainment world, having served as a studio executive and producer at companies such as 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Pictures. In this episode, we dive deep into what actually helps us be more focused, productive and happy and how The Sukha app was designed to make the process easier. So, whether you're looking for ways to achieve sustainable productivity, seeking a greater sense of well-being in your day-to-day life, or are looking for solutions to burnout, this conversation is for you.   To check out The Sukha app, use this link for a free trial and use the code TRACY to get 20% off when you become a member... https://www.thesukha.co/g/sukha-tribe   Find the links and quote mentioned in the episode in the show notes at... https://podcast.livingelemental.com

While meditation and mindfulness promise peace, the reality of these practices can involve more struggle than serenity.  From meditation cushions in India and Burma to her role as Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, our guest has navigated both the traditional and scholarly worlds of mindfulness and has come to embrace an expansive, objectless, and effortless approach. Diana Winston is the author of The Little Book of Being and co-author of Fully Present, and is here on the podcast to share a practice that I resonate deeply with and have wanted to share with you.  Join us as as Diana discusses Natural Awareness and offers us a direct experience of the luminous as she guides us in meditation.  Whether you're a seasoned meditator seeking a fresh perspective, or someone newly venturing into this territory, today's episode offers an alternative and accessible approach to the practice of mindfulness. 

Arianna Bradford is an ADHD Coach and author of the book Shame on You: Big Truths from A Bad Mom. Whether or not you have ADHD, Arianna’s perspectives on being a mulitpassionate person are an inspiring invitation to live into your uniqueness and work with your nature. From how to get motivated to the links between hormone changes and ADHD symptoms, we explore neurodiversity from many angles in this episode. Tune in as Arianna brings practical wisdom, compassion and humor to the process of embracing who you are and how your brain works. 

For all of us navigating the stresses of modern life, my guest, Casper ter Kuile shares a path to wellbeing and connectedness through the familiar terrain of our everyday activities. Casper is the author of The Power of Ritual, co-founder of The Nearness and the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. As a fellow at the Harvard Divinity School, Casper researched the effects of the digital age on connectedness and community. In this episode we explore how cultivating simple rituals and practices can restore your peace and connection with what matters most.

Is technology the enemy or a mirror reflecting the best and worst aspects of its creators and users? In this episode, we explore this question as well as the role of attention and mindfulness in navigating our modern digital landscape. I’m joined by Jay Vidyarthi, an attention activist and the founder of Still Ape - the world's first UX design studio focused exclusively on mindfulness, compassion, and wellbeing. He envisions a society where access points to self-care and collective transformation are as diverse as the people who need them. He also teaches mindfulness, inspiring people to reclaim their freedom of attention in the face of constant distraction.

As humans, our needs for connectedness and safety run deep. Painful experiences and trauma shape our nervous systems in ways that make it difficult to truly meet those needs. My guest on the podcast helps us navigate the complex terrain of the nervous system. Deb Dana is a clinician, consultant and author of books and programs including the book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory. She is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both understandable and accessible. Join us as we explore ways to engage the nervous system for greater wellbeing, safety and connectedness. 

It’s easy to compartmentalize aspects of ourselves. To separate out mind from body from spirit and attempt to address challenges we face from our parts instead of our wholeness. My guest, Allison Pelot helps us explore a more integral approach to health and wellbeing. As the author of Finally Thriving and host of the Integrate Yourself podcast, Allison has inspired thousands of people to take ownership of their wellbeing by integrating the diverse aspects of their nature, honoring their values and making space for what brings them joy. Join us as we explore a range of topics from recovery after injury to the role creativity and spontaneity can play in wellbeing. 

From the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in our lives to challenges cultivating focus in a landscape of distractions, my guest Steven Puri and I explore how to stay human in an increasingly technology-oriented world. He’s the co-founder of Centered, an app for finding focus and getting things done with mindfulness, intention and with the support of community. Join us as we discuss ways to reduce stress and burnout and make more space in your life for what matters most. 

We’re all faced with pressures to over-extend ourselves. Whether it’s career, family commitments or too much screen time, there are no shortage of ways that we can burn ourselves out. But how do we restore and regenerate? My guest today is Devorah Brous, she is an Urban Homesteader & Herbalist and Executive Director of Temple Emanu El in Burbank, CA. In our conversation, Dev shares her Nature-based model of the regenerative change cycle and how we can apply it to restoring and sustaining balance in our lives. 

Megan Hayes is an author, researcher, mentor, and teacher of joyful writing habits. Her PhD explored the links between writing, psychology and happiness and her latest book is titled The Joy of Writing Things Down. In this episode Megan shares ways to cultivate wellbeing by integrating simple writing practices into your life.

Natural Mindfulness: The restorative power of cultivating nature awareness. Ian Banyard is a well-being author, nature connection guide and guide trainer as well as creator of the online platform and community Nature Connection World. He describes the leaders of the future being edge-walkers... people who navigate on the edges of their comfort zones which requires being really good at being mindful and cultivating balance under pressure. Ian shares his process of finding his way back to nature from a fast-paced and high stress lifestyle and tools for how you can too.  

Tracy returns after a long break with a new name and vision for the podcast. In this first episode of the new season, she outlines her nature-based approach to cultivating clarity and alignment in all areas of your life.

Stephanie Jameson is an intuitive psychic empath, a reiki master, and author of The Happy Empath's Workbook. Are you an empath? Well, Stephanie is the perfect person to help you find out. In this episode, we explore what it is to be an empath, the challenges different types of empaths face, and inspiration and resources for harnessing your intuitive and empathetic abilities. For more episodes and inspiration for your spiritual path, visit www.formodernmystics.com

Maimah Karmo is an author, philanthropist, and Founder and CEO of the Tigerlily Foundation. Over the last 10 years, Maimah has transformed herself from being a 32 year old mother with a young child and a diagnosis of breast cancer to an inspiration, guiding others in being fearless in transcending any life circumstance into an opportunity for personal evolution and bliss. For more information on Maimah and her work, visit www.MaimahKarmo.com.

Nicole Doherty is the founder of the Shamanic Healing Arts Academy, as well as an Empowerment Coach, Yoga Instructor, and Shamanic Reiki Master Healer. In this episode, Nicole shares her perspectives on shamanism and how to step into your power and be your own inner healer. She also guides us through a grounding meditation you can use to center and balance yourself moving forward. For more information on Nicole and her work, visit www.nicoledoherty.com

Transitioning from Corporate job to full-time mixed media artist, Catherine Rains is an inspiring example of the process of making profound shifts in your life through embracing what currently is. Cat shares the story of finding her way to her deepest desire through the practices of asking for clear signs from the Universe, taking action on those signs, and falling in love with her life exactly as it is in every moment, no matter how difficult things might appear to be. For more information on Cat and her art, visit www.catherinerains.com

Hanson Tse is a master healer and the developer of WAMBI Exploration™, an experiential approach to listening to your own wisdom through awareness and the integration of mind and body. He harnesses wisdom from many modalities including the fields of energy healing, martial arts, and acting. On this episode, Hanson shares his perspectives on tuning to your own wise body/mind and the process of allowing life to be an unfolding exploration. For more information on Hanson’s workshops and healing, visit www.HansonTse.com

Hetal Sheth is a Silicon Valley techie turned animal advocate. Since founding her company, Curry & Pepper, Hetal has been on a mission to create more happy and healthy dogs by increasing access to Ayurvedic resources. She reminds us that our pets have a spiritual path and deserve attention at the levels of mind, body, and spirit. On the podcast, she shares insights into the ancient science of Ayurveda and the history and practice of using Ayurvedic techniques to heal animals. For more information on Hetal and Curry & Pepper, visit www.currynpepper.com