The Lark

I recorded this podcast to coincide with the documentary short I did on Christina for MTS TV's series, Stories From Home.Christina and I discuss what she refers to as her "strange talent" and talk about what it was like having a film done about her. We also reflect on vulnerability and how we both put ourselves out there to make this film come together. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element You can watch Christina's video she submitted to the Ellen Show on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElAGAdcmBbkYou can also find her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaTheCrazyHooper/Or, book Christina for an event here: http://www.farcoentertainment.com/performer_christina1.htmlAnd, watch the film I did about Christina here: 

Pause and think about the last time you opened your heart to create. How did it make you feel? If there were consequences, what were they?During this podcast, my guest Heather Goertzen shares why her younger self stopped writing despite being told by a professor she was like Kafka and why truth telling can be dangerous. We also brush on the subject of why women should gather to create rather than consume and maybe instead of going to that party to buy mascara we could paint with it instead?  If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element  Selected links from the podcast:Word Made Flesh-the organization Heather worked for in Bolivia.Thanks to the Prelinger Archives at archive.org for the audio clip, "Consuming Women (Women as Consumers)".

"I came here to fight", she told him. He looked at her and smiled. "Then I'll teach you how to fight. Weakness is no longer an option." And with fierce determination she discovered her strength.In this podcast my guest shares how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu changed her life. In her words, "Part of the charm of Jiu Jitsu is you get to break a whole bunch of social norms that are shitty to start with."We get into it all, including grappling with 200lb men, and how she almost lost a nipple. Photo Credit: Brad Coy, Flickr

Success to avoid suffering? Been there, done that. I bet you have too. All of us have gone out of our way to avoid suffering. It's what our relentless species does. But, for Nicole Haworth, suffering to avoid suffering was a way of life. As Nicole put it, "The biggest, scariest thing for me was not having enough. Like not feeling financially secure and not suffering through illness or the process of death. Those were the scariest things to me. Just suffering in general." So, Nicole ran around stressing herself out to acquire more things to avoid suffering, which in turn caused her more suffering. Teetering between feeling "meh" or depressed, the anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications couldn't dispel her dis-ease.Then in 2014, Nicole's entire world shifted. Have a listen to us talk about her journey away from attachment and desire toward a more spiritually conscious, connected sense of being with help from Ayahuasca. Listen. You'll hear it in Her voice.   Selected links from the podcast:The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina BlairNicole sang the beginning of this icaro by Jim Sanders. Listen to the full song here: Return to the Centre by Jim Sanders, aka Tonkiri.

For this episode, my guest is Niki Trosky--photographer, stylist, writer, filmmaker and healer from Winnipeg, MB, Canada who shares her story about a personal sexual revolution she had in India. She says, "India for me, as much as I found some beautiful lovers along the way on that trip, it was more about landing into understanding of my true self and my love of life."Niki's story grew from a seed planted by her younger self to live life by her own rules. The roots took hold from a passion for living and a love of life. Following her heart across the globe to India watered her spirit and nourished her soul, growing into a book titled, "Love Life", which is available on bookshelves and online at McNally Robinson and Prairie Sky Books in Winnipeg.Like a Fairy Godmother, Niki uses her magical stardust powers to help others. Her glamorous photo shoots, image consulting and healing sessions are just a few of the ways her creative forces are helping others honor their highest selves. Go to her website lovelifeproductions.ca to check out her stunning portfolio. While you're there, schedule yourself a Feather Heart Healing session to bring forth balance and harmony. A necessity in this world of possessiveness. Selected links from the podcast:Tantra Yoga and truth talkingFeminine business mentor and sensual start up strategista Sherry RothwellMaestro Juan Flores, Ashaninken shaman working in the Peruvian amazonInternational teacher of Ayurveda and founder of the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda and Mother Om Mission, Maya TiwariILLUMINATION was the first retreat hosted by Niki at La Vita Bella Soul Spa in Mexico. Although done for the year, you can find out about it here and gaze lovingly, like I did, at the pictures!Healing Earthquakes by Jimmy Santiago Baca

2014 was the year Wellness Coach, Kirbie Cooper, dropped her bullshit excuses to focus on her health and well-being. And she has quite the story to tell about it. Have a listen to us talk about self-healing, empowerment, limiting belief systems, meditation, high school stoner days, and childhood memories-some good and not so good. But at least they're real."Real isn't how you are made, it's a thing that happens to you"....."Because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." Skin Horse, Velveteen RabbitSelected links from the podcast:You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen SinceroDoreen VirtueThe Art of Conversation by Catherine BlythWant to know more about the sisters that hosted the Mexico retreat Kirbie talks about? Visit satorisisters.comFind Kirbie on Facebook under Kirbie Cooper, or follow her Facebook page-Team Eternal Optimist. You can also track this nature junkie's journey on Instagram under gypsiejuicer.

At the age of 29, business coach Beth Martens was VP of her family's corporate marketing firm and traveled to India for yoga and meditation at least eight different times. Her life was a perfect balance of work and play. Or so she thought. Her double life of corporate chaos and spiritual solitude came crashing to a halt with the diagnosis of stage IV lymphoma. Surviving was now her newest pursuit. Beth says, "I could keep fighting against the reality of my death but it was pulling my death in closer and closer to me."Have a listen to Beth tell her story of surviving cancer and then thriving in her life's purpose--mentoring women on overcoming fear and expressing themselves authentically through their love based businesses.In this podcast, Beth uses the Release Technique on me, which is something she incorporates in her business coaching to help women confront their fears. At first I was skeptical, then I felt vulnerable. BUT, it helped. My subconscious ejected a fear that was embedded in my psyche from, I believe, the time I was conceived. So crazy. Photo credit: Niki TroskySelected links from the podcast:Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Caroline MyssLester Levenson, discoverer of the Release TechniqueConnect with Beth here. 

In this episode (from April 2014) we discuss natural childbirth, informed choice, midwives, author Marsden Wagner's "Born in the USA", ego trips, free standing birth centers and masculine women."The problems that we're facing need creativity. They need respective nature. We need the feminine qualities in order to solve the problems that we're facing." Erin ZaffisPhoto credit: Robb CyrSelected links from the podcast:Visit Erin's website erinzaffis.com to learn about her kickstarter campaign, view her MAMA exhibit, and read her blog. You can also link up with Erin via Facebook at Erin Zaffis or her Facebook page Mamamore.Check out Erin's etsy shop too. Her art can be given as gifts for pregnancy, midwives, doulas, natural childbirth, home birth, mother blessing party, mothers day, metaphysical healing and meditation. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element

In this episode, Sarah and I talk about her experience with Ayahuasca and how it healed her. For Sarah, this is the first time she's really opened up about herself. And it's beautiful. It's real. At one time in our conversation, tears rolled down my face listening to her sing a lullaby. What's even greater is that this lullaby came to her during a ceremony, a gift brought forth from her baby son, Kuma. And she shares it with you and I. I'm so honored to share this delicate piece of pure soul medicine.In the beginning of the podcast our Skype call dropped, but we were able to pick up where we left off. It just sounds weird at first. But, you know, that's how things work at The Lark.