Tea Break With

The title of this episode is drawn from a Zen Buddhist text. As we close the year, I aim to do so with a meaningful opening to the world and the planet, inspiring a vision of unity and peace. In today’s new consciousness, traveling has become much more than relaxation, entertainment, or cultural exploration. A new dimension has emerged—travel as a catalyst for personal transformation and positive impact. Specific travel agencies now offer experiences designed to create change in your life while leaving a meaningful footprint where you go. As my guest, Jennifer Holmes, eloquently puts it, travel is about “making connections that build bridges between cultures, transforming your inner world, challenging your assumptions, igniting your passion for positive change, and possibly altering the course of your life.” Together with Jennifer, we’ll delve into this transformative vision of travel. How can this new paradigm of traveling align with your deeper life mission? Let’s explore how stepping into this conscious way of travel can spark profound personal and global transformation. “One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.'' -- Henry Miller Jennifer Holmes enjoyed a 20+ year career in the public sector with the State of Wisconsin, serving in a leadership role first in the Department of Corrections and then with the Department of Transportation. She has also worked in the business sector both as a Tour Business Manager with Feld Entertainment where she toured and conducted business globally with Monster Jam, Marvel Universe Live, and Disney on Ice, and with Ravn Alaska as Manager of Airports. Jennifer decided to take early retirement and realized that she could combine her passions for travel and creating a positive impact for the planet and start a travel agency rooted in meaningful, purposeful vacation travel. This is how Joyous Journeys was born. Now Jennifer spends her time helping others achieve their travel dreams. Besides the wonderful clients she has, Jennifer also partners with non-profits, life coaches, speakers, and others to create retreats and group trips that align with her mission of connecting hands and hearts with love globally through travel. During her spare time, when she’s not traveling herself, you can find her on or in the water, or at one of her volunteer assignments with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the National Kidney Foundation, Donate Life, and various ocean and beach cleanup organizations.

Life is made of continuous changes, both in nature and in human reality. Throughout history, humans have adapted to the planet’s transformations. So why is there such a focus on neuroplasticity today? Because, amid the profound shifts occurring in our environment and in social, political, cultural, and spiritual realms, our capacity for neuroplasticity is more crucial than ever. While neuroplasticity itself is not a new or mysterious concept, understanding its impact on our lives and mind-body evolution is essential. In this discussion with Isabelle Annick, a Healing Artist, Wellness Practitioner, and Educator, we explore how enhancing neuroplasticity can empower us to actively participate in conscious evolution. So, let’s take our mind-body connection to another level. “Our brains renew themselves throughout life to an extent previously thought not possible.” (Michael Gazzaniga)

Meditation is simply a tool not an end. In these challenging times, the need for inner peace, grounding, and centering in our lives—and for our mental health—has never been greater. But what exactly is meditation? In the West, the concept of meditation has often been adapted and diluted in various ways to serve personal wellness and achievement goals. However, meditation goes far beyond wellness. At its core, it is a practice that awakens you to your true nature and aligns you with your life’s mission. In this special podcast episode, I humbly offer answers to some of the most common questions I’ve received from clients and my community. Why has meditation become so popular today? I meditate, so what’s next? Let’s explore these questions from a Myoku perspective, a Zen mind-body practice designed to bring inner peace and self-realization. The 21st century is about connecting with the “Self”, rediscovering our true nature, expanding consciousness, and contributing to conscious evolution for humanity and the planet. It’s about embracing oneness as a new worldview—an awakening that is transforming our mindset, our relationship with ourselves, the environment, and the universe.

We all know that the era we live in is about breaking free from the dualistic mindset that traps us in suffering. However, this is not easy. The concept of “health” for example has become an obsessive focus in Western culture, to the point that we forget how to live—or even to live at all. Despite advances in quantum physics and neuroscience proving the “oneness” of the universe and in nature, we still approach the human body as a “machine” and attempt to control our health with strategic diets and lifestyles rooted in a dualistic view of life. But health is not merely the absence of disease, and the body is not a machine to be treated with a Cartesian mindset. Health is the powerful and harmonious integration of mind, body, spirit, and karma. What does this mean? Let’s explore the dynamic of health and aliveness with Sarah Lascano, a Master Energy Medicine Practitioner and renowned mind-body expert who works with cancer patients and other health concerns. Let’s realign “health” with our journey toward harmony in mind-body and Oneness in our lives. “The healing process is the awakening to the original wholeness of life.” (Zen master Soeng Hyang

Let’s revisit our connection to language and expand our understanding of reality. We all know that language shapes our minds and the way we perceive the world. What if, during this shift in consciousness we are experiencing, our standard language was challenged by Deaf poetry as a unique art form? Hearing poetry vs. Deaf poetry introduces a new way of relating to the world, the art itself, and ourselves. Join me and my special guest, Kenny Lerner, as we explore how language in motion (Deaf poetry) can help us transcend the traditional boundaries of spoken words and communication. The new consciousness of the 21st century is challenging all the borders that Western societies have built—culturally, politically, metaphysically, and beyond. Let’s see how language can be challenged in turn, opening up something more empowering for all of us in our journey toward experiencing Oneness. “Poetry is stretching language to explore new ways.” (Kenny Lerner)

The planet’s frequency shift, combined with geological and astrophysical phenomena, forces us to rethink our reality and our relationship with ourselves and the universe. This new consciousness, as it is called, beautifully bridges science and spirituality, and in doing so, opens our minds and triggers our sensitivity to the Spirit Realm. As many masters have explained, the shift happening on the planet makes the veil between the visible and the invisible thinner and thinner, allowing many people to experience the spirit realm in various ways. The latter has become more real in our modern society, despite being discredited in the past. But what does it really mean, and how can we befriend it for self-transformation, awakening, and to help this world? Let’s explore what the spirit realm means with Vanessa Otadi, who was born with the gift and has compiled every lesson the spirit realm offered her to teach others and help them reconnect with their inner power and live a peaceful life. Like renowned psychics and metaphysical teachers such as Suzanne Giesemann and Patricia Cota Robles, Vanessa shares her mission to serve and coach gifted children in embracing their special gifts “Children are sent to Earth to help us see our divine potential. Let them teach us how to connect to the Universe and how to feel unconditional love instead of thinking we have to fill them with our humanity.” (Vanessa Otadi)

We all speak of “oneness” yet tend to divide our lives into categories like work life, family life, social life, personal life, hobbies, and so on. How can we achieve “oneness” in our own lives with such a mindset? There should be one life with a common denominator among all these categories. Let’s explore the fundamental conscious “why” that we should all perhaps ask ourselves. We know that knowing our “why” in business and branding is very important, but it should not be limited to business – it should be part of our entire life. There is the marketing “why” that helps you stand out from the crowd of competitors, and there is the conscious “why” that helps you truly ground and align yourself with your business and, more importantly, with life in general. This is the latter “why” we refer to in this June episode. The conscious “why” is very important in the 21st century as it keeps you on track in your journey to self-realization and keeps you well centered to help this world. Let’s explore this conscious “why” with Shiv Dutt, Tech Founder of Manifold Ventures, and discover what is his big “why” at the core of his inspiring mission with dashboards called MeaVana. What is MeaVana, and how can it support your daily life? “When you know why you do what you do, even the toughest days become easier.” (Becky Allen)

We already know that beyond gender and social attributes, there are energy types within all of us that are referred to as Feminine and Masculine. In a different context, we could call them Yin and Yang. However, knowing is not enough. We need to be in touch with them and use them not only to help us be aware of our hidden blocks but also to be empowered to journey through life and its challenges. We can also gracefully use them in our expansion phases in spirituality, personal development, and in business as well to reconnect with our inner conscious leadership and be in expansion. In this episode, Chizu Sakamoto sheds light on the fundamental differences between the ideological representations of masculine and feminine that generate polarities in our societies and that she calls the false, wounded ones, and the Divine energies of masculine and feminine that pertain to the higher levels of consciousness. Chizu’s work is about enhancing the energy of the Divine Feminine Essence in all of us that heals the wounds and brings back Unity Consciousness with LIFE itself, helping us thrive peacefully and gracefully. The most powerful mentor we could ever have is within ourselves. It is called LIFE.” (Chizu Sakamoto)

This month’s episode is about surrendering, healing, transmuting, forgiveness, being compassionate, and embracing your leadership. Here is the profile of another remarkable woman who was at the top of the corporate world and shifted her career to serve by helping women reconnect with their inner voice and feminine leadership. Blanca Vergara is a soul and business mentor for international female business owners. Her work integrates the wisdom of Aztec spirituality with contemporary science and business to help female entrepreneurs transform ancestral mental blocks into profound wisdom, happiness, and wealth. Let’s discover Blanca’s unique journey from her Mexican background to becoming a conscious healer and mentor in the Netherlands. QUOTE: “15 years ago, my inner artist took me out of the corporate world in search of meaning and beauty. I have found both in my work.” (Blanca Vergara)

This month's episode is about remarkable individuals, like Sara Troy, who are dedicated to being in service to humanity through their unique talents and intuition. Here we present Sara's profile: a remarkable woman with diverse talents, spiritual experiences, and a longstanding commitment to serving humanity, even before this principle became a cornerstone of the new conscious business model. Sara is a healer, writer, speaker, teacher, podcast host, and more. With her extensive background and skills, she inspires our inner selves, uplifts spirits, and expands perspectives on life's wisdom. Let's delve into Sara's journey, exploring how life led her to utilize her skills and become the person she is today. We'll also discuss her reflections on today's reality, her experiences in the podcast industry, and her upcoming empowering projects. Alongside her platforms, Self-Discovery Wisdom and Orchard of Wisdom, Sara offers anthology books she authored and a directory for mentors/practitioners, all aimed at supporting those striving to make a difference in the world. QUOTE: “When we connect through the soul to an open heart and an ignited spirit, we allow the mind to see in a way that is truly illuminating.” Sara Troy

Modern life is challenging, marked by numerous multilevel societal changes. We have reached a point of global exhaustion, and in the West, mental health has become a significant concern. The pace of change is rapid, causing us to lose our reference points within a single decade. A global shift in the way we function, think, and interact with the world is imperative for a healthy evolution and future. We cannot remain in survival mode; our health and wellbeing are at stake. Let’s refocus as we possess the power within us to self-transform and turn our lives, communities, and societies into places of awakening. We are all interdependent, sharing this journey together. Let's explore this subject with Roshni Sharma-Fleming, the Founder of StillFire Healing Inc., and a holistic coach with a multidisciplinary approach to cultivating mind-body consciousness for personal leadership. Quote: “In our collective exhaustion, we can find collective healing. We must first begin with ourselves.” (Roshni Sharma-Fleming)

Let's kick off 2024 by steering our lives in the direction of conscious growth rather than mere resolutions. We all have heard about the importance of aligning ourselves with our essence (true Self), a principle that holds true in our personal, professional, and social dimensions. This is not a passing trend, a health fad, or a marketing idea; it's a genuine and necessary step if we aspire to elevate our lives to a higher frequency and contribute positively to the world. To help people in finding alignment at the onset of 2024, this podcast episode explores, in the context of entrepreneurship and money mindset, three fundamental questions also applicable to our personal, professional, and social lives: Who am I / What do I want to do / Why do I do what I do? Join us for an inspiring and friendly conversation with Sonia Charles (founder of Vimage Factory) to assist entrepreneurs in realigning their businesses and grounding themselves in the 21st-century paradigm. Additionally, with Angela Leone (money-mindset coach), we aim to encourage everyone to reassess their relationship with money through the alignment of their values with the new paradigm, which brings empowerment rather than victimization in one’s life. Quote: “Keep designing your world, but make sure who is the designer: your ego or your true Self. Who are you?” (Myoku quote from Viviane Casimir)

The year 2023 witnessed significant events across various societal and global realms. Let’s share our last 2023 cup of tea for peace, conscious leadership, and awakening on the planet. In this month's podcast, we focus on the intrinsic power of women that contributes to the emergent conscious paradigm in society of the 21st century. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sher Sing (Arts & Culture Chair of BPW International Standing Committee) and Jenny Gulamani- Abdulla (CEO & Founder of Gulamani-Abdulla & Co., Immigration Consulting). They will share with us their insights into women's organizations, self-empowerment, and conscious leadership. Quote: “Contrary to popular belief, the best way to climb to the top of the ladder is to take others up there with you.” Maria Eitel

When we hear the expression “voice coach,” we usually think of someone who helps improve our voice for singing, acting, public speaking, etc. However, Lynn Singer is a unique transformational voice coach who takes people even further for self-transformation. Lynn is a vocal coach, author, teacher, and healer who shares with us the importance of being aligned with our authentic voice to speak our true Self. She uses her talents and expertise to help us all bring our voice into a mission. It is a different approach to the self, the voice, and life itself. In that sense Lynn is a “conscious transformational voice coach” who has helped many people including celebrities and executives move beyond performance to self-realization. Quote: “There is no sense talking about being true to yourself until you are sure what voice you are being true to.” Marion Woodman

We all know the expression “think outside the box. It means to think more creatively and off the beaten path if we want to solve a difficult problem. But what about “living outside the box” to transform one’s life completely? To simply think outside the box implies that you will come back to the box after the job is done because you split mind and heart. Living outside the box offers an empowering way to relate to yourself and others and experience the world on a higher vibration. Jane Ramsey, an artist and transformational coach, and Andrea Swanner, a conscious business coach, give their perspectives on what it means for them to live in your creativity and off the beaten path. Quotes: “The world needs creativity more than ever. There is a creative force that calls to each of us, inspiring meaning and beauty in our lives. ~ Deborah Anne Quibell

The title of this episode alludes to the well-known documentary about quantum physics, “What the Bleep Do We Know?” Quantum physics questions our perception of reality and the universe, always wanting to “know” the truth. But even at the level of quark, what do we really know? And what is the truth? From a spiritual perspective, we take a different route to the same goal--it’s not about knowing but deepening our practice to reach the state of “don’t know” mind. In this beginning of the 21st century, science is now confirming what spirituality has always said: The universe is one field of consciousness in which we are part of, and even made of. The Indra’s net is the holographic, conscious universe. But what does it mean to our regular life, or what does it add to our practice? With Zen master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes) and Reiki master Wendy Lipson we are looking at the space of “don’t know” mind where true consciousness and healing spring. Quote: “Created by mind alone” is not a philosophical point about whether everything is inside or outside, or whether outside even exists. The point is that we experience everything in our minds, nowhere else.” (Zen master Wu Kwang)

Embarking on a journey of self-transformation (journey to oneness) occasionally brings challenging moments as we may feel at times pulled back into the dualistic mindset of society. It is all about “self-image” and our relationship both with ourselves and others. This August episode titled Facing the Conscious Mirror is a metaphor to address our self-paradigms, including self-image, self-confidence, and self-esteem through a conscious perspective, distinct from society's reductive ideological view. Tammy Kohlschmidt, a Body-Talk coach, and Anna Lee Ambrose, an Integrative coach, share with us their insights and tools for more grounding in our self-transformative journey to be less pulled into the dualistic mindset of society. Quotes: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched – they must be felt with the heart.” (Helen Keller) “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” (Edith Wharton)

This July special podcast episode presents Steve Farrell, visionary CEO of Humanity’s Team organization, with his latest book “A New Universal Dream.” As the subtitle of his book states, Steve explains his shift from a successful career at Silicon Valley to a life in service to humanity. What does “in service” mean, why Steve believes awakening is important on the planet now, how Humanity’s Team contributes to creating a conscious culture, and what is the “universal dream” that Steve speaks about? Let’s explore the major concepts in Steve’s latest book that resonate with the new consciousness and be inspired for a personal and global transformation. Zen Quote – “The most important thing is that you must help your center to become strong so that you can digest all these experiences (good or bad) and turn them into some kind of wisdom for others. That is very, very important.” Zen master Seung Sahn

Everywhere, from science to spirituality, we hear about the chaotic phase we are going through on the planet. Our social, political, economic, environmental, and philosophical reality is changing. Our own existence is at stake. Scientists and spiritual masters agree that an awakening is essential on the planet to move humanity to another stage of evolution – we call it “conscious evolution.” But how do we face this new reality? How can we find centeredness, balance, and even thrive in such times? Kathy Park (Zen master) and Sapna Donthi Dutt (yoga master) are sharing with us their thoughts and insights. Zen Quote – “Any kind of action is not good and not bad and should not be a problem. The most important thing is that you must help your center to become strong so that you can digest all these experiences and turn them into some kind of wisdom for others. That is very, very important.” Zen master Seung Sahn

In the new consciousness, the concept of health has been redefined to include the dynamic of mind, body, and spirit. In the same way, “mental health” includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is about how we handle stress, relate to others, and how we think, feel, and act. In our modern societies, mental health has become a serious concern with the increasing suffering we see on personal, psychological, and social levels. In this time of global crisis, an “awakening” is necessary to help humanity move forward in a more conscious way. Frida Schneider, a medical doctor in the field of psychiatry, and Mary Sise, a clinical social worker, share with us how their spiritual angle in their respective fields opens the gate to self-transformation and healing. Zen Quote – “Our discomfort, our suffering, come from defending and protecting our delusional separate selves. This is the healing process—awakening to the original wholeness of life.” Zen master Soeng Hyang