Listening Well Podcast

I am so thrilled to welcome Sarah Powers to this episode! If you’ve dabbled in yoga—especially yin yoga—you’ve likely heard her name. Sarah is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute and author of Insight Yoga and Lit From Within. She has been teaching for over 30 years, blending yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and transpersonal psychology into an integrated approach that enlivens the body, heart, and mind. Sarah's teachings emphasize mindfulness and personal inquiry, drawing from psychological models like internal family systems and psychosynthesis. Her yin practices balance long-held postures with meditative awareness, offering a truly holistic way of being. Our Conversation Highlights: The Birth of Insight Yoga:We explore how Sarah weaves Buddhist insight meditation into yoga. This combination encourages students to go beyond the physical body, guiding them to develop deeper emotional and mental awareness. Sarah shares how yin yoga isn’t just about stillness—it’s about opening a window into the emotional body and confronting the discomfort many of us avoid. The Emotional Body and Maturity:Sarah discusses how most of us lack emotional maturity, often responding to life’s challenges with old, reactive patterns. Through mindful self-awareness, we learn how to engage with emotions in healthy ways rather than suppress or avoid them. She emphasizes that emotional well-being is essential—not secondary—to physical and mental health. Energy and Breath as Allies:We dive into Sarah’s relationship with the breath and how it serves as a refuge during moments of stress. She explains how breath connects us to the energy body, a subtle system often overlooked in modern life. Sarah shares her personal practice of using yin postures to align her energy, drawing on both Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teachings. Practical Mindfulness Tools:Sarah offers insight into Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the idea of subpersonalities—the parts of us that show up differently in various relationships and roles. Recognizing these inner parts can create greater emotional freedom and help us respond more authentically in any situation. Curiosity as a Lifelong Practice:One key takeaway from our conversation was Sarah’s emphasis on staying curious about ourselves, even during difficult moments. With curiosity, we can approach our emotions as opportunities for growth rather than burdens, embracing the full spectrum of human experience. This conversation felt like a masterclass in mindfulness and emotional health, reconnecting me with the tools I first learned during my 2020 yin yoga training with Sarah. Her insights reminded me how essential it is to integrate mindfulness into every part of life, not just on the yoga mat. It was also a beautiful reminder to let go of perfectionism—in yoga, teaching, and life. If you enjoyed this episode, I encourage you to check out Sarah's books, Insight Yoga and Lit From Within, and explore her trainings and retreats. Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a revelation for my mentor and teacher to mention how her views have changed from the ever common "belly breathing" cue to now "ribcage breathing." When we focus the breath around the ribs, naturally the belly becomes soft and receptive. By focusing on the ribcage when we do our breathwork, the diaphragm muscle too gets a juicy exercise, and afterall it is the diaphragm that is responsible for our deep belly breaths. I hope you enjoy this practice. Till next time, big love! Steph xx Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful episode I sat down with Sasha Heussler, an entrepreneur, engineer, and author of "Light Up Your Darkness: Be the Hero of Your Own Story." Sasha’s story is one of personal transformation, from navigating deep depression to rediscovering joy and purpose. Together, we explored the themes from his book and the practices that helped him rebuild his identity and find fulfillment beyond external achievements. Conversation Highlights: The fall and rediscovery of identity How Sascha's reliance on external validation set him to embark on a journey of inner exploration How he realised he has shift perspective and rewriting your story The Hero's Journey, inspired by Joseph Campbell He shared some tools for inner healing The power of Vippasana Sascha's spiritual journey - his experience in Peru Navigating setbacks with grace Sascha reminds us that life's journey is never perfect—it’s a constant ebb and flow. The beauty lies in having the tools to navigate both highs and lows with grace, calmness, and self-compassion. As he shared, “When I thought I lost it all, I found myself.” Thank you, Sascha, for your authenticity and for sharing your journey with us. If you, dear listener, are on your own path of self-discovery, know that you are not alone. We all walk this road together, learning and growing along the way. About Sascha’s Book: Sascha’s book, "Light Up Your Darkness: Be the Hero of Your Own Story," documents his personal transformation and offers insights for anyone on their own journey of healing. It’s available on Amazon in both Kindle and print formats. You’ll find diagrams, large print, and engaging storytelling—perfect for anyone seeking both inspiration and practical tools. Until next week! If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you enjoyed the episode, consider leaving a five-star review—it really helps spread the message. Stay well, friends, and see you next time on The Listening Well Podcast. 🌿 Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have to start somewhere with our meditation practice, and I have found that by focusing on the nostrils as a means of attention is the best way to access awareness in the body.  For 5 minutes, you will be gently guided through a practice that uses the tip of the nose as a focal point to concentrate.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy this meditation. Love, Steph xx Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Listening Well Podcast, I’m reflecting on something deeply transformative—clearing out those old tapes. You know, the patterns and beliefs that replay in our minds, often holding us back from living fully and authentically. In this episode, I’ll walk you through my reflections on how these "old tapes" form, why they persist, and how we can re-record over them with curiosity, self-compassion, and mindfulness. I’ll share personal stories, insights from my journey, and practical tools to recognize and rewrite these unconscious loops. Episode Highlights: The power of awareness in uncovering hidden patterns Questions to help you identify and untangle emotional triggers The role of mindfulness and self-compassion in creating new pathways How small, mindful actions can lead to lasting change Life is a journey of learning, unlearning, and rewriting our stories. And as I remind myself (and you), it’s okay to grow, stumble, and embrace the messiness of it all. So, let’s dive in, reflect, and start clearing out those old tapes together. If this resonates, share it with a friend who might need a little reminder to hit pause, reflect, and rewrite. And as always, your five-star reviews mean the world to me. Take care, stay curious, and see you next time. Ciao for now! 🌟 Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I catch up with the incredibly funny and talented Shanice Stanislaus—award-winning clown, actor, and founder of Creatives in Spirit. We dive into her journey as a theatrical clown, how clowning isn’t just about red noses and circus tricks, and how it’s deeply rooted in embracing failure, play, and finding your inner child. Shanice shares the joy of rediscovering lightness in life, why making mistakes is essential, and how she found her way back to joy through clowning after a tough stint in the corporate world. We also chat about how clowning can break down mental barriers, support mental health, and even be used therapeutically in communities around the world—like with Clowns Without Borders. Her perspective on society’s fear of failure really hit home, especially in Singapore, where success is so emphasized. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by life’s seriousness, this conversation is a gentle nudge to laugh, play, and dance like no one’s watching. Shanice even shares practical ways to bring more playfulness into your everyday routines. I had so much fun chatting with Shanice, and I hope you enjoy it too! Don’t forget to check out her workshops, and as always, thank you for listening and remember: life doesn’t have to be so serious! 😊 Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've attended a yoga class, your teacher probably guided you through a nadi shodhana pranayama, where you use your fingers to block one nostril to isolate breath flow.The benefits are magnificent! Alternate nostril breathing can bring better balance to your nervous system and less stress response and activity over time. It also lowers blood pressure. But it's just as potent and powerful to visualise the breath traveling up and down each nostril if you're not in a class setting. Let me know how you enjoyed this! Enjoy your meditation, Love, Steph xx Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I speak to happiness scientisst, Sha-En Yeo. She is a 2x TEDx speaker and the first Singaporean to graduate from the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been featured on national multiple media channels, including TV, radio and print. In 2021, she was identified as one of LinkedIn Asia’s Top Mental Health Advocates to follow; and in 2022, she was identified as a LinkedIn Top Voice. She was also featured as a panelist on the Nobel Prize Dialogue, alongside Nobel laureates. As the Founder of Happiness Scientists, she has trained more than 30,000 people in Singapore & beyond. Her clients include VISA, Love Bonito, YPO, AAK, GIC & Shopee. Episode Highlights: What is a happiness scientist? Happiness in moments of adversity The masks we wear and losing touch with our authentic self Being happy vs. experiencing joy The flavours of contentment Questions to ask when you are stuck in feelings of emptiness Get in touch with Sha-En Yeo. Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simply put, we cannot live without our spine. The spine has been used as a reference point to navigate our energy centers or chakras, whereby each chakra associates with a different set of organs in our body that are vital for our overall health. This meditation does not focus on the chakras, but rather on the curve of our spine to heighten attention. By tracing our breath along the spine, not only do we feel a more intimate connection with our breath, but we also nourish our spine energetically with this visualisation. Lengthening and opening the spine on the inhalation, and relaxing all of our muscles on the exhalation. A wonderful meditation! I hope you enjoy. With love, Steph xx Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I speak to Sharad for the second time on the Pod! Sharad is an entrepreneur and coach based in Singapore. He has supported thousands of people through adversities, career acceleration, finding purpose, and  integrating deeper meaning in their life. Sharad started his career in Fortune 500 companies including Procter & Gamble and The Boston Consulting Group. He then moved to entrepreneurship, setting up multiple businesses across industries. Join me as I reconnect with Sharad Lal, entrepreneur, coach, and host of How to Live, for a thought-provoking conversation on The Listening Well podcast. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to live with purpose. Sharad shares insights on how to recognize when you’re aligned with your purpose, what it feels like in the body, and how to tap into intrinsic motivation to fuel your journey. We discuss the evolving nature of purpose—how it shifts with life stages, relationships, and personal growth—and the role of flow, impact, and community along the way. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or navigating a personal pivot, Sharad offers practical ways to find meaning in everyday activities, reduce stress, and bring more joy into your life. This conversation resonates deeply with my own journey, and I hope it offers you some valuable wisdom too. Don’t miss Sharad’s thoughtful advice on navigating transitions and building purposeful habits, one step at a time. Take a moment, tune in, and let’s explore what it means to live a life of purpose together. Connect with Sharad: Website | How To Live Podcast Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love meditating when it rains. The rain acts as an anchor for attention, but also it symbolises a sort of cleansing to my soul. I imagine the rain washing away all my worries, my stresses, anything that is tugging me on my heart... it's super powerful! It doesn't have to be raining for you to enjoy this meditation, you can instead use the rain coming out of my microphone to support your practice. With love, Steph Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I bring my partner on the Pod to discuss the world of wines. Personally, I love wine! And to understand more about the viticulture process and how wine gets made is something that I've found fascinating learning from this man. In this episode, we talk about the practical tips you can use to select your wine, and the etiquette that goes into wine appreciation. As a Sworn Wine Expert from the Commerce Court of Paris, Ramesh brings years of experience as a broker, marketer, and international wine judge. He’s worked on trade projects and viticulture with estates across France, New Zealand, and Switzerland, where he currently develops strategy for Vinattieri Ticino SA. In this episode, we explore wine selection tips, tasting etiquette, and the fascinating journey from vineyard to glass. Episode Highlights: The history of wine Viticulture and Enology and what that's all about Old World Wine vs. New World Wine Terrains, and how the soil plays a part in the growing of grapes The cycle of the wine harvest The etiquette of drinking wine How to choose which wine to drink on any occasion A live sample tasting of one of Vinattieri's wines Vivino App Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello friends, This meditation was inspired from a conversation I had with a close friend when she was telling me that her boundaries were overstepped and she felt she needed some help in building a stronger auric field so that she wouldn't feel so vulnerable in the real world. This meditation will help build that strong energetic bubble, so that you can walk around feeling more poised and assured through life. Also - with consistent practice, you will give off a "vibe" of "don't f*ck with me" and as a result help keep your boundaries in check. Enjoy the meditation! With love, Steph Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I speak to Dr. Martha Tara Lee, a highly respected and sought-after expert in  the field of positive sexuality. With a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and  a Masters in Counseling, she founded Eros Coaching in 2009 to empower individuals and couples to lead self-actualized and pleasurable lives. Dr. Lee’s extensive experience includes working with couples facing  unconsummated marriages, individuals with sexual inhibitions,  discrepancies in sexual desire, as well as men with erection and ejaculation concerns. She is also an ally for members of the LGBTQIA+  and kink communities. Dr. Lee’s expertise has garnered attention from the media, with frequent appearances in publications such as Huffington Post, Newsweek, South China Morning Post, and more. She is known for her engaging and informative events that promote fun and sex-positive education. In addition to her professional accolades, Dr. Lee is a published author with several books to her name. Her works include Love, Sex and Everything In-Between (2013), Orgasmic Yoga: Masturbation, Meditation and Everything In-Between (2015), From Princess to Queen: Heartbreaks, Heartgasms and Everything In-Between (2017), and {Un}Inhihibited (2019). These books serve as valuable resources for individuals seeking personal growth and sexual empowerment. In recognition of her work, Dr Lee was named one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women under 40’ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011.  With her expertise, compassion, and  dedication to positive sexuality, she is committed to helping you embrace your true sexual self and experience the joy and fulfillment you deserve. Episode Highlights: Martha's discovery of her purpose The challenges she faced around the topic of sexuality Martha's issues with certain gender roles Learning and growing from our sex mistakes What goes on in the mind of a sex addict Watching porn as a bandaid to other issues The three types of stimulation How much masterbation is too much masterbation? Using pleasure to heal trauma The vaginismus epidemic The orgasm gap The importance of your pelvic floor muscle health and orgasms Embracing our unique individualism Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi friend! This simple breathwork couples a simple arm movement with the breath. It was inspired by guru Mark Whitwell. "Try inhaling a strong, smooth ujjayi breath as you raise your arms and look up at your hands, keeping the shoulders relaxed. Exhale an even breath and bring the arms down again. After the first breath, try another. The first two breaths may be difficult, but the third comes sweetly. Inhale and receive God. Pause and be with God. Exhale and surrender to God. Pause after exhaling. You are surrendered. When you consciously participate in your own breath, you are connecting directly to That which is breathing you — and beating your heart and all the rest. Like sex, breath is a natural function of life that we cannot suppress without damage. The same way that you love to dance, love to love, learn to love to breathe. Breathe to feel your intimacy with your partner and with yourself. Breathe to feel how you love and are loved, heal and are healed. Breathe to embrace the opposites in your body and in your life, and feel the current of all life run through you." - Mark Whitwell Enjoy this meditation. With love, Steph Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I speak to Nikki Muller is a Swiss-Filipina, Third Culture Kid. The FLY Entertainment Artist landed her first regional TV job when she was just 15 years old, hosting MTV@Mbassy. At 20 she was nominated as “Best Entertainment Presenter” at the Asian Television Awards while interning with Diane Sawyer for ABC News in New York City. She’s covered tennis and motor sports on Fox Sports Asia, talked food science on National Geographic and moderated discussions ranging from sustainability, inclusivity in the workplace and the future of tech. While working at the United Nations Headquarters, Nikki’s interest in organizational leadership and cultural competence was first sparked. Nikki now focuses her area of expertise on the Third Culture Kid (TCK) experience and the unique lessons that come from having lived a highly mobile and multi-cultural childhood. Nikki, and many TCKs like her, are acclimatised to disruption from an early age and seek out the opportunities that accompany change. As a trained journalist, Nikki’s research on identity, belonging and managing transitions is extremely relevant to today’s most significant workplace challenges. We’re seeing organisations prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion as they face remarkable changes within their own companies across all sectors. Nikki’s keynotes share small gearshifts that can make a big difference in reinvigorating collaborative teams amidst uncertainty. Her keynotes are brought to life through her own personal stories and interwoven with the latest science around the power of positive transitions and the tools to cultivate a culture of belonging. Having spent her formative years navigating copious change and grappling with a search for roots and community, Nikki has found a way to take the lessons of her childhood and make them relevant to today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. Episode Highlights: Life as the new Mrs. Nikki Muller Deciding on next moves as a TCK The need for restlessness, the anticipation for change Being acclimated to discomfort as a TCK The relationship to taking risks as a TCK The loss and grief that comes from a move What happens in our limbic system when experiencing culture shock Where do we feel a sense of belonging? Transition care for children Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All it takes is a few moments, even 5 minutes of your day to take a moment to yourself. The benefits of meditation are silent. We meditate to improve our life, not to improve our meditation practice. Thank you for practicing with me. Love, Stephanie Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I speak to Chardét Ryel, a wellness entrepreneur and the author of 7 Steps to Feel Good Naked who is on a mission to challenge mainstream expectations about fitness, nutrition, and body image. Over the last nine years, she has worked with women around the world to help them redefine confidence, beauty, and health on their own terms, outside of diet culture. She lives in Portugal (not the UK as I had mentioned in the episode), and we speak not just about body image issues, but entrepreneurship in general! I noticed I kept saying "entrepreneurialship" which is obviously not a word so a big woopsies from me on that front! Episodes Highlights: Chardet's experience in the corporate world From burnout to wellness Chardet's perspective on body image and why body dysmorphia is so prevalent Obsession vs. Discipline when it comes to wellness Ways to tackle body image issues Mix and match wellness habits to live an overall healthy life Chardet sharing her tips on how to combat unmotivation in her entrepreneurial journey Taking risks in your business and letting go of fear Why social media isn't the end all be all as an entrepreneur Connect with Chardet here. Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I speak to the Founder and Managing Director of Riviera Ozone Nicky André previously worked in the Pharmaceutical industry. It was at this point, she decided Pharma was not the only health option available. In 2017 and 2018 she suffered 2 strokes; the first whilst 8 months pregnant (but went on to have a healthy girl), however Nicky was left with acute hypertension and associated complications.  Her desire to find complimentary therapies to aid her health, amplified and finally in late 2017 she discovered ozone and PEMF (pulse electromagnetic field) therapies. In only one 30-minute session her blood pressure normalised and with weekly sessions, she was able to stop taking her medication (with her Cardiologists agreement) and has seen her health go from strength to strength. In late 2023 Nicky decided to make a move to Singapore where the Ministry of Health invited her to bring ozone into the country for the first time. Riviera Ozone Singapore has been incorporated and subsequently launched in May 2024. All listeners to the podcast get 50% off their FIRST VISIT to Riviera Ozone in Singapore! Just quote the Listening Well Podcast to receive the benefit! Get in touch with Nicky: Website | Instagram Get in touch with Stephanie: www.listeningwellpodcast.com | @listeningwellpodcast Thank you for Listening Well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi friend! I usually end my yoga classes with a smile meditation, as it allows for my students to really marinate in the essence of joy. It is a wonderful and accessible way to bring a little levity and good vibes into your day. So I hope you enjoy this meditation! With love, Steph Binaural beats by Listening Well Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.