New Dimensions

Sunny Strasburg explores the intersection of art, psychotherapy, and psychedelics in healing. She discusses creative expression in therapy, the potential of psychedelics for mental health, and the importance of trauma-informed approaches. Strasburg introduces the PANTHER protocol, emphasizing preparation, attunement, and integration in psychedelic-assisted therapy.  Sunny Strasburg, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and trainer. She is trained in Internal Family Systems and is an EMDR-certified trauma specialist. Her practice includes an integration of psychotherapy, art, archetypal psychology, and psychedelic-assisted healing. Strasburg is a graduate of the Certification for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She offers Ketamine Assisted Therapy and retreats and co-leads trainings with Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., the originator of Internal Family Systems. She is the author of The Theradelic Approach: Integrating Psychotherapy and Psychedelics for Healing (Sunny Strasburg, LMFT 2023)Interview Date: 06/26/24     Tags: Sunny Strasburg, psychotherapy, art therapy, psychedelics, mental health, trauma healing, group therapy, MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, hero's journey, archetypal psychology, Psychology, Health & Healing, Arts & Creativity

Here the many complex dimensions of home are explored including the human need to find a home in nature. Andrews says,” Once you find a home in nature, you are never lost.” She also shares insights on those caretaking family members and other loved ones to age in place including those who choose to die at home and many other aspects of home. Valerie Andrews is a writer, editor, and seminar leader specializing in Jungian psychology and the inner life of home. She’s a graduate of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance and the editor of the digital magazine Reinventing Home: Culture, Creativity, Character. She’s also a contributor to many journals and magazines and was the host of the PBS documentary featuring Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul. She is the author and editor of A Passion for This Earth (Harper Collins 1994) and Sanctuary: The Inner Life of Home (Editor) (Chiron Publications 2024)Interview Date: 7/19/2024.   Tags: Valerie Andrews, Jungian psychology, Sisyphus, Kaiser ACE study, plus-one proton, Ursula Le Guin, aging at home, Peggy Fleming, In the Evening of Life, Grassland Woman, Mary Reynolds Thompson, Eckart Tolle, James Hollis, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Gilda Frantz, storage lockers, Bayo Akomolafe, Starhawk, Community, Personal Transformation, Psychology

Thisdeep dialogue is rich with metaphors, bringing a sharp focus to imaginative healing possibilities for these threshold times. Meade regales us with many myths that illustrate how we can heal the multiple cracks in the world by finding our own gifts, our own ways to work meaningfully in the world, and how we can pour our gold into the cracks of the world. He distributes regular podcasts and his many books include The Genius Myth (GreenfirePress 2016), Why the World Doesn’t End: Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss (GreenfirePress 2012), Fate and Destiny: The Two Agreements of the Soul (GreenFire Press 2012), Awakening the Soul: A Deep Response to a Troubled World (GreenFire Press 2018)Tags: Michael Meade, soul, Hamlet, truth, backlash, dharma, war in Vietnam, fasting, Gandhi, Satyagraha, solitary confinement, eldering, the Goddess Clotho, River of Forgetfulness, Aletheia, initiation, rites of passage Mythology, Social Change, Politics, Indigenous Wisdom, Philosophy, Community

This writing process takes the raw material of our lives and transforms it into healing. Heller shares her journey of leaving home when she was thirteen years old and living on the streets to later guide others to use generative writing for self-discovery. Generative writing will reveal your inner wisdom for healing, creative magic, and personal transformation.  Meredith Heller is a poet, singer-songwriter, avid nature lover, and educator with degrees in writing and education. She leads writing workshops online and in person. She also teaches in schools, juvenile detention centers, women’s prisons, and wellness retreats. She is the author of. Write a Poem, Save Your Life: A Guide for Teens, Teachers, and Writers of All Ages (New World Publishers 2021) and Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery (New World Library 2024)Interview Date: 6/14/2024.  Tags: Meredith Heller, homelessness, poetry, generative writing, radical honesty, ancestors, prayer, the Moon, Health & Healing, Personal Transformation, Writing

Despite our strongest intentions, there are common reasons we may find ourselves defeated in our efforts to make sustainable changes in eating and exercise. Segar gives us new frameworks to finally achieve our goals as she outlines areas of behavior based on the science of sustainable change.  Michelle Segar, Ph.D., is an award-winning researcher at the University of Michigan and health coach. For nearly three decades, she has pioneered methods to create sustainable healthy behavior changes that are being used to boost patient health, employee well-being, and gym membership retention. She advises global organizations on these issues and delivers keynotes and trainings. Her books include: No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness (Harper Collins Leadership 2015) and The Joy Choice: How to Finally Achieve Lasting Changes in Eating and Exercise (Hachette Go, 2022)  Interview Date: 6/16/2023      Tags: Michelle Segar, sustainability, behavior change, habits, motivation, mindfulness, exercise, eating, self-compassion, flexibility, Health & Healing

Our present media landscape poses significant challenges in the current political climate as they continue to exacerbate the perception that most U.S. citizens are hopelessly divided. Research shows this is not the reality. Outlined here are examples of many groups that have built alliances and have crossed boundaries to build a better future for all.  Diana McLain Smith, Ph.D. has worked with families, organizations, communities, and in some of America’s most iconic businesses and entrepreneurial nonprofits. She has developed an approach that converts debilitating intergroup conflict into constructive outcomes. This work is known as Leading through Relationships (LTR™). She’s a former partner at the Monitor Group and former chief executive partner at New Profit. Her approach is to educate practitioners to develop the skill for engaging and fact-based dialogues, learning from different perspectives, and partnering across boundaries. Her books include Divide or Conquer: How Great Teams Turn Conflict Into Strength (Portfolio 2008), The Elephant in the Room: How Relationships Make or Break the Success of Leaders and Organizations (Jossey-Bass 2011) and Remaking The Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together To Build A Better Future For All (Ballast Books 2024) Interview Date: 7/5/2024     Tags: Diana McLain Smith, Not in Our Town, Derek Black, Eli Saslow, friendship, Billings Montana, Patrice O’Neil, Allison Gornick, Media, Social Change/Politics

Guy Finley is the founder and Director of the Life of Learning Foundation. He explores deescalating painful disagreements and fights in our relationships and gives us tools to transform anger and blame into healthy and fulfilling communication. He shows us a way to stop old, negative patterns in their tracks and leads us into a landscape in which we can deepen the loving bond between ourselves and our partners. He is the author of many books including The Secret of Letting Go (Llewellyn Publications 2008), The Secret of Your Immortal Self: Key Lessons for Realizing the Divinity Within (Llewellyn Publications 2015), The Essential Laws of Fearless Living (Red Wheel/Weiser 2008), Forever Free CD set (Llewellyn Publications 2009), Life is Real Only When You Are (Audible Audio Edition 2014) and Relationship Magic: Waking Up Together (Llewellyn Publications 2018)Tags: Guy Finley, life-long learner, life-long learning, lifelong learning, Aesop’s Fable, fear, McKeever the dog, patience, blame, anger, coercion, Sir Laurens Van der Post, Spirituality, Relationship, Philosophy, Personal Transformation

When pain takes up residence in our lives there is no one-size-fits-all solution, no quick fix. Shockley has lived with pain over a long period of time and she can attest to the fact that when we create a new relationship with our bodies, our emotions, our minds, and our spirits, our healing can truly unfold. She is the author of The Pain Companion: Everyday Wisdom for Living with and Moving Beyond Chronic Pain (New World Library 2018)Tags: Sarah Anne Shockley, TOS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, chronic pain, bubble of pain, journaling, Health & Healing, writing, psychology 

Jonathan Robinson helps us discover how we may be become more effective communicators to create more empathy, intimacy, and understanding in all our relationships. One of the keys to fostering deep trust and intimacy is asking questions while being vulnerable enough to openly share details of what we are thinking and feeling. The techniques and stories Robinson shares here are like sacred medicine. Robinson is the author of many books including Life’s Big Questions: 200 Ways to Explore Your Spiritual Life (Conari 2011), Communication Miracles for Couples (Conari 2012), Shortcuts to Success: The Absolute Best Ways to Master Your Money, Time, Health, and Relationships (Red Wheel/Weiser 2000), Shortcuts to Bliss: The 50 Best Ways to Improve Relationships, Connect with Spirit, and Make Your Dreams Come True (Conari 2011), Find Happiness Now: 50 Shortcuts to Bring More Joy, Balance and Love into Your Life (Conari 2014), The Technology of Joy: The 101 Best Apps, Gadgets, Tools and Supplements for Feeling More Delight in Your Life (Self Published 2016, More Love Less Conflict: A Communication Playbook for Couples (Conari Press 2018)Tags: Jonathan Robinson, blame, intimacy, understanding, empathy, Oprah Winfrey, attitude,communicating, communication, trust, making assumptions, Spirituality, Relationship, Philosophy, Personal Transformation, Sexuality, Self-help

Liberman asserts, “Anything that catches your eye is actually looking for you.” He speaks about living in a choiceless way and following what attracts your eye. He says, “Life provides a way for us to continually experience meeting things, responding to things, completing things and in the process we gain an authentic security in our ability to meet everything.”Tags: Jacob Liberman, belief, truth, Arthur Zajonc, perception, energy, physics, David Bohm, frozen light, insight, precognition, intuition, meditation, breath, Science, Spirituality, Meditation

A few subjects covered in this dynamic dialogue include: How did Tadd discover her ability to be a clairvoyant? How did Tadd discover her spirit guides? What process can we use to move from anxiety to calmness? How can we manifest true fulfillment beyond mere happiness? What is the relationship between destiny and choice? How our deepest fears are linked to a core wound.Tags: Ellen Tadd, spirit guides, clairvoyance, chakras, inspiration, crown chakra, third eye, spiritual bypass, original sin, original imbalance, destiny, choice, affirmations, deep listening, deepest fear, desire, Personal Transformation, Meditation, Intuition, Psychic, Spirit Guides, Angels, Spirit, Spirituality

Jurs has been on a 30-year worldwide trek to join elders, activists, and diverse communities to ceremonially bury Earth Treasure Vases around the planet in service to Gaia. This practice is deeply rooted in the feminine, honoring indigenous traditions, and the teachings of an embodied, engaged, sacred activism dedicated to global healing and collective awakening. Cynthia Jurs is a Dharmacharya in the Order of Interbeing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. In 2018, she was made an Honorary Lama in recognition of her dedication in the practice of Earth Treasure Vases and her commitment in relationship with elders, activists, and diverse communities to ceremonially bury the clay vases all around the planet in service to Gaia. Jurs offers monthly full moon meditations, retreats, and pilgrimages through the Gaia Mandala Global Healing Community. She is the author of: Summoned by the Earth: Becoming a Holy Vessel for Healing Our World (Prospecta Press 2024)Interview Date: 5/24/2024    Tags: Cynthia Jurs, Earth Treasure Vases, Tibetan clay vases, Thich Nhat Hanh, Charok Rinpoche, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Gaia Mandala Global Healing Community, full moon meditations, Ganges, samsara, Buddhist Dakini Tara, The Buddha, Personal Transformation, Ecology/Nature/Environment, Community, Indigenous Wisdom, Buddhism, Global Culture

Little compares to the powerful spiritual force of joining voices to harmonize in songs of freedom. It's a transformative occasion when done with the fullness of our being that creates a sense of communal solidarity. We become part of something larger than ourselves. It plants the seeds of hope and compassion in the face of face of oppression and injustice. Benjamin Mertz is a bi-racial man who is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (BECI). He serves on the board of directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and is the founder and director of the Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers. He’s a composer, performer, and song leader who specializes in the music of the Black Spiritual tradition and is a human rights and racial justice activist. When not performing music he writes and speaks on issues of racial justice, economic justice and Black History, and he works on creating interfaith and interracial alliances. He can often be found leading songs at benefit concerts, vigils, protest actions, sacred services, and workshops. His albums include: Climbing Up the Mountain (Benjamin Mertz 2019) and I Dream: Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers (Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers 2020)Interview Date: 5/13/2024.   Tags: Benjamin Mertz, Michael Cochran, Sir Roland Hanna, The Drinking Gourd, Ysaye Barnwell, AME Church in Charleston, Ilana Simmons, Dr. Cornel West, Confederate monuments, Michele Norris, Africa, Kumbaya, Music, Social Change/Politics

Here we explore one of the most important aspects of being human—the power of friendship. Friendship is an island of safety and intimacy as we share our joys, sorrows, challenges, and authenticity. They give us the courage to be our full self, flaws and all, and love us even when we don't love ourselves.  Mark Nepo is a poet, philosopher, and a most eloquent spiritual teacher. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation and in 2016 was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the Most Spiritually Influential Living People. He was part of Oprah Winfrey’s The Life You Want Tour in 2014 and has appeared several times with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday program on OWN TV. As a cancer survivor, Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. He is the author of many audio learning projects and over 20 books including: Reduced To Joy (Cleis Press 2013), Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close To What Is Sacred (Free Press 2012), The One Life We’re Given: Finding the Wisdom That Waits in Your heart (Atria Books 2016), More Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World (Atria Books 2018), Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength (St. Martin’s Essentials 2023), You Don't Have To Do It Alone: The Power Of Friendship (St. Martin’s Essentials 2024)Interview Date: 4/19/2024   Tags: Mark Nepo, honor, friendship, compassion, Organ master Lonnie Smith, Endora Welty, E.M. Forster, Personal Transformation, Philosophy, Relationship

Buddha was a revolutionary and he left us with a map of how to effectively live our lives with skillful means. He gave us wise words for effective living through the Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, and the Thirteen Precepts. Here Coyote expands on the concept of "life is suffering" to mean life's afflictions cannot be avoided. Stuff happens. Peter Coyote is a master of many crafts, including being an award-winning actor, improv teacher, author, director, screenwriter, and narrator who has worked with some of the world's most distinguished filmmakers, including Ken Burns. He's won several Emmys for his narration and was ordained as a Zen priest in 2011. In 2015, he received transmission from his teacher making him an independent Zen teacher. His books includeThe Rainman’s Third Cure: An Irregular Education (Counterpoint 1998/2015), Sleeping Where I Fall: A Chronicle (Counterpoint 2015), Tongue of a Crow: A Book of Poetry (Four Way Books 2021), The Lone Ranger and Tonto Meet Buddha: Masks, Meditation & Improvised Play to Induce Liberated States (Inner Traditions 2021), Zen in the Vernacular: Things As It Is (Inner Traditions 2024)Interview Date: 5/3/2024     Tags: Peter Coyote, Gary Snyder, San Francisco Zen Center, David Brazier, David Harris, eight-fold path, 8-fold path, Zen Mates Fuketsu, James Carse, injustice, slavery , Buddhism, Meditation, Personal Transformation, Social Change/Politics