The Dream Catcher Podcast

Life isn’t supposed to feel like a constant sprint. Most of us push through our days on autopilot — always rushing, rarely pausing — and wondering why we still feel behind. Nature tells a different story. Tides, trees, and seasons reveal the natural pace of life, reminding us that real growth has rhythm. In this episode, you’ll hear how those lessons translate to everyday life, and how adjusting your pace can bring more clarity, steadiness, and ease — without losing momentum or ambition along the way.

Original airdate: April 6, 2021 In recent decades, many people have grown distant from organized religion—disenchanted by its structures, yet still yearning for a meaningful inner life rooted in purpose, reflection, and depth. My guest today, Thomas Moore, reminds us that spirituality doesn’t have to be confined to rigid belief systems or purely rational thinking. He invites us to cultivate a personal spiritual style—one that can exist within religion, outside it, or somewhere beautifully in between. Thomas is the author of 24 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul. His own journey has been richly unconventional: once a Catholic monk, later a scholar with a PhD in religious studies, and eventually a psychotherapist and university professor. His work weaves together spirituality, mythology, depth psychology, and the arts, with a deep reverence for imagination and symbolic life. Through his writing and lectures around the world, he seeks to help restore soul to modern culture. In this thoughtful and expansive conversation, Thomas explores how we can personalize religion and make spirituality truly our own. He shares both traditional and unexpected pathways to mystical experience—and offers gentle guidance on how to bring soul and sacredness into everyday life.

Real love isn’t the cinematic rush we’re taught to crave — it’s quieter, steadier, and often shows up in the small, everyday choices two people make for one another.  In this episode, we unpack why “movie magic” can mislead us, what genuine emotional safety actually feels like, and how trust, repair, and self-respect create a love that lasts.  If you’ve ever wondered why sparks fade — and what grows in their place — this piece gently shows where the real magic lives.

Have you ever felt like life keeps throwing you into the arena before you’re ready — testing your resilience, your identity, and your sense of purpose? Today’s guest, Dariush Soudi, knows that battle well, and he’s turned his experiences into a powerful philosophy for rising stronger. After facing devastating personal and professional losses, Dariush rebuilt his life from the ground up — not just with strategy, but with heart. Today he leads with authenticity, compassion, and unwavering grit. His “gladiator” message has inspired a global community of more than a million people through his work as an entrepreneur, investor, keynote speaker, philanthropist, and host of the In the ARENA podcast. In this conversation, we explore his remarkable life story, the mindset of the modern-day gladiator, and the core principles behind his book. You’ll hear how these ideas can transform leadership, resilience, and the way we meet everyday challenges — especially when life feels like a fight. Let’s step into the arena together.

Your life can look great on paper and still feel heavy inside. You’re doing what you should, keeping up with responsibilities, and moving forward, but it still doesn’t feel like you. Your highest path is the one that lines up with your values, your strengths, and your current season of life. It’s not about being perfect but about feeling calm and clear in the choices you make. In this podcast, we cover seven common signs you’re off your highest path, plus simple, practical ways to realign without turning your whole life upside down, starting today. 

Original airdate: March 21, 2023 We’re all born with individual rhythms that go beyond the influence of our genes and upbringing. The Five Elements is one of the systems that we can use to understand our rhythms. The system originated in ancient Chinese medicine 2,000 years ago–when scholars theorized that the universe is composed of five forces: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.  Our guest Dondi Dahlin will help us understand the five elements better and how we can use it to transform ourselves. Dondi Dahlin is an award-winning public speaker and has been seen on Hay House, Shift Network, OMEGA Institute, Mindvalley, and ACEP. She is also a popular teacher spreading Eden Energy Medicine and the Five Elements through international workshops. She co-authored The Little Book of Energy Medicine and her book The Five Elements became a best-seller when it was released in 2016. Dondi is also an internationally-acclaimed dancer, actress, and teacher in television, film, and stage for over 30 years.  In this interview, Dondi explains the personality types represented by the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal and how we can use them to stay in balance physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. She also talks about how we can use it to improve our relationships with others.

In a world of chance and choice, the discussion of free will versus determinism makes us ask: do we control our destinies?  For centuries, thinkers have pondered the influences of our choices and how they shape our lives and destinies.  This episode sheds light on this age-old conundrum, highlighting the intricate dance between fate and freedom, and discovering what it ultimately means to take charge of your life and exercise free will.

Ever feel like nothing you do is enough, or your true self is not showing up in your day-to-day life?  My guest, Panache Desai, says there is a kinder, more intentional way to live. By unpacking the beliefs that hold you back, you can spot the false stories that fuel hustle and shame, then find your way back to who you are.He’s here to guide us on how to release pressure, build self-trust, and live with more ease. Panache Desai is an internationally acclaimed Mentor, Speaker, and Bestselling Author dedicated to unlocking human potential and fostering personal empowerment. brings over three decades of experience as a transformational thought leader, inspiring individuals worldwide to achieve greater connection, authenticity, and peace. Featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Emmy award-winning Super Soul Sunday and the host of the widely followed ‘Call to Calm’ meditations, Panache seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with a modern, relatable approach. In this interview, Panache and I will talk about feeling hard emotions without getting swept away, and what it means to live from wholeness while still growing. You’ll hear simple practices you can use today. Expect clarity, calm, and practical steps you can use the moment the episode ends, for you.

Success is rarely a stroke of luck; it's the result of cultivating lasting habits through unwavering consistency. It's not the monumental efforts we exert on rare occasions, but the small, consistent actions taken day after day that shape our destinies.  In this episode, we will delve into the transformative power of consistency, exploring how it acts as the secret ingredient in your journey toward sustainable change.

Original airdate: February 22, 2022 Our deepest common human desire is to be met deeply, intimately and with unconditional love. So why is it that what we most yearn for is one of the most elusive things to find and sustain? According to my guests, Elisa Romeo and Adam Foley, the problem is that many of us have lost connection with the authentic and unconditional part of ourselves — the Soul.  And the only way we can connect with another on a soulful level is by understanding ourselves personally and intimately. Elisa Romeo and Adam Foley are the authors of “Holy Love: The Essential Guide to Soul-Fulfilling Relationships” and cohosts of the Holy & Human Podcast. Elisa is a licensed marriage and family therapist, an intuitive, and an author. Adam is a certified somatic practitioner and yoga instructor who uses spiritual coaching, somatic healing, and his own intuitive abilities to connect people with the deeper aspects of themselves. During our conversation, Elisa and Adam offer their insight into what soul-based connections look and feel like and how we can connect with others on a soul level and identify our soul connections.

As adulthood begins, the whirlwind of responsibilities often sideline one of life’s most fulfilling pursuits: meaningful friendships.  Unlike the carefree days of childhood, making connections in adulthood comes with its unique challenges. Busy schedules, geographical moves, and evolving priorities can make it feel almost impossible, despite the desire for these lasting bonds remaining strong.  In this episode, we’ll explore strategies and insights to break down barriers and foster genuine relationships.

If you feel weighed down by emotional pain, you’re not alone. So much of your struggle may trace back to just three basic beliefs you might not even realize you carry. You can actually make real changes when you understand what’s behind your pain and learn what to do about it. In this episode, you’ll hear from Aaron Abke, author of The Three Beliefs of Ego: A Sufferer’s Guide to Freedom. Aaron doesn’t ask you to fight your ego but to see it in a new way and spot these patterns in yourself. Aaron Abke is a spiritual teacher and thought leader who delivers a fresh new perspective on self-realization, his online academy for consciousness expansion, 4D University, has more than 10,000 members. Multiple Gaia TV series, chart-topping spirituality podcasts, and SiriusXM radio programs have showcased Abke’s passion and purpose, which is to awaken this planet to the awareness of our oneness. Aaron’s approach to healing is straightforward and filled with hope. He believes that facing your pain teaches you more than running away from it ever could. In this episode he shares tools and a simple mindset shift, to help you let go of the old stories that keep you stuck. Tune in to learn how to step out of ego-driven suffering and start living with more freedom and clarity.

Life can feel complex. Self-awareness brings clarity and steadies your choices. Most of us only see the surface, missing deeper layers that explain our patterns. The five layers of self-awareness show who you are and why you act the way you do. They can strengthen relationships, sharpen decisions, and spark growth, building empathy and a clear sense of purpose. Ready to look closer? Learn the layers of self-awareness and use them in daily life. Name your thoughts and feelings, notice triggers, and link actions to values. Small checks add up.

Original airdate: January 02, 2024 Life is far from equal—and the evidence for that is endless. But one bias many of us struggle to accept, let alone talk about, is pretty privilege. It suggests that conventionally attractive people benefit in many areas of life because of their looks. So, in a world that remains highly fixated on outward appearances, how can we nurture our sense of self-worth and play to our strengths despite the unfair advantages better-looking people often have?  To tackle these issues and unpack solutions, I invited fellow podcasters Sami Dandachi and Tarek Abou Chakra from the Anything Everything Podcast and Mahreen Munir from Karak with Mahreen on the show. Join us for this exciting and uplifting discussion. Follow panel members: Sami Dandachi and Tarek Abou Chakra @aethepodcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-anything-everything-podcast/id1693128301  Mahreen Munir @KarakWithMahreen : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karak-with-mahreen/id1707351232 Seline Shenoy @SelineShenoy : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dream-catcher-podcast/id1336013258 Discussion points: What is pretty privilege and why are we psychologically subject to this bias? The impact of culture on beauty standards The commodification of people based on physical appearance The homogenization of beauty and social media contributes to these aesthetics The fickle nature of beauty standards and why we shouldn’t base our self-worth on it Beauty bias in the workplace How to keep your halo effect bias in check How to put your best foot forward Caveats in the body positivity movement How the media and society impact our perception of beauty The impact of beauty standards on men and women Why do you need to wrap your identity around other aspects of yourself The role of beauty in dating The wrong messaging of trophy wives, Only Fans, etc. The impact of beauty standards on men and how women view them Dating attractive people out of our age groups The importance of dating with intention

In a rapidly changing world filled with uncertainties, many of us seek clarity and resilience. Enter Stoic philosophy—an ancient Greek philosophy founded in the early 3rd century BCE that offers profound insights and transformative lessons for modern living.  By exploring the Stoic principles of acceptance, self-control, and perspective, we can shift our outlook and face life’s challenges with newfound strength.  In this episode, we’ll delve into five essential lessons from Stoicism that can empower you to unlock a new perspective.

Do you feel cut off from your family story and heritage, unsure where you belong? This weeks guest, Lorena Saavedra Smith, offers a grounded path back home. She transformed intergenerational pain into practical wisdom. Lorena will show how to reconnect with your roots through nature, reciprocity, and everyday rituals based on Andean teachings on living well that calm anxiety and shame.  Lorena Saavedra Smith is a pacha philosopher and ecopsychologist. Originally from Perú and replanted to the US, Lorena is a lifelong storyteller and keeper of Andean ancestral wisdom and medicine. With more than two decades of experience in the wellness industry, Lorena draws on a multidisciplinary background to help others find healing through inner wisdom and the healing powers of nature. Tune in to learn how to meet fear with steady presence, and weave your dreams with your deep roots. You will walk away with clear language for your story, nature-based practices you can try today, and a kinder way to hold yourself, your family, and your future.

Mastering life's rhythm can be the key to unlocking our fullest potential. Just as a musician finds their tempo, so too can we achieve balance in our choices by learning to navigate the subtle currents of time.  Whether you’re facing a career crossroads or personal dilemmas, understanding how to pace your decisions can transform the outcome.  In this episode, we will explore the art of pacing in decision making. You’ll learn how to orchestrate your decisions with finesse and confidence, embracing the power of timing and finding your flow in a world that often rushes ahead.

Original airdate: March 08, 2022 At some point in our life, we all go through difficult times when we experience pain, disappointments and loss. These experiences can have a profound impact on us, for better or worse. According to my guest, Stephen Cope, crises does not have to derail us. It can be the very thing that can help us find our purpose and step forward as our best selves. This is the central theme of his new book “Dharma in Difficult Times.” Stephen Cope is a psychotherapist, Kripalu Yoga teacher, scholar and best-selling author of several books on yoga and meditation. He is the founder of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living in Stockbridge, Massachusetts—the largest center for the study and practice of yoga in the Western world. Yoga Journal named him one of the most influential thinkers, writers, and teachers on the current American yoga scene. Stephen offers his insight into how we can identify purpose as we find our way through our darkest times. He explains what it means to find our Dharma using examples from his own life and the lives and teachings of some famous figures from history. 

In the quest for lasting relationships, two terms often surface: chemistry and compatibility. While they may seem interchangeable, understanding their unique characteristics can make or break a romantic connection.  In this episode, we explore the essential differences between chemistry and compatibility, equipping you with the insights needed to foster deeper, more meaningful relationships that stand the test of time.

Ever wonder if your dreams are trying to help you in real life? Today’s guest, Kelly Sullivan Walden, shows how to use your sleeping mind to shape your waking path. She teaches a simple method called Dreamifesting that moves past basic vision boards and affirmations. She'll share this clear, step-by-step way to guide your dreams toward what you want. Kelly Sullivan Walden (aka Doctor Dream) is an award-winning, international bestselling author of ten books and seven oracle card decks. Her fascination began at age five, with tandem dream experiences with her younger sister. She grew up to become a certified clinical hypnotherapist, earning a doctorate in spiritual counseling. Her joy in life is empowering her clients to awaken through the power of their dreams.  In this conversation, Kelly explains how to tap your subconscious, lift your mood, and follow your inner GPS so you meet the right people and choose the right steps. She also shares how to set Soul Goals, keep a dream journal, and build a bedtime routine that boosts dream recall and insight.