146 - Double Fire, Double Intensity, Double Fun: Navigating the Fire Horse Year (2026) Through the Five Elements

We're celebrating our 150th episode! Jaye and Leta started this podcast in a little recording closet back in April 2018, wanting to start conversations about Wu Wei, Inspired Action, Alchemy, and Chinese Medicine. Eight years later, we're marking the milestone with exactly the kind of conversation that started it all. Our guest is our friend, colleague, and recent Master Alchemy Apprenticeship Program graduate, Dr. Julie TwoMoon. She's a naturopath, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and now an Alchemy Learning Center certified Alchemy practitioner, offering Alchemy treatments, the 13 Ghost Points, and Stages of Alchemy work at her clinic in Michigan. For more than 20 years, Julie has worked mostly with women who are frustrated and worn out from trying to find balance in their bodies, their lives, and their hormones. In this episode we talk about the state of modern medicine and where it's heading, especially for women. We also talk about why symptoms aren't punishments. Julie sees them as invitations, your body asking to reconnect. Julie shares how she went from wanting to be a geologist to naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine. She also talks about how her early training in functional medicine left her wanting to get more curious about what the body is actually trying to say, and how hearing Leta lecture on Alchemy made all the pieces click into place. This conversation will continue with our free live event, "From Pain to Possibility: The Alchemical Journey from Surviving to Thriving," on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM Eastern, with Leta, Julie, and Jaye. Key Themes Julie hears the same three things from most of the women she sees: they feel exhausted, they keep wondering whether there's more to life than this, and their bodies have stopped making sense to them. Seeing the body as a cooperative partner and the vehicle for your life's purpose, rather than a car that keeps breaking down, changes how you relate to every symptom. Julie describes Alchemy as bringing together the perfection of a person's spirit with the language of their DNA, which beautifully mirrors the Alchemical merging of Water and Fire. When biology and spirit end up in separate rooms, the body runs on its own with no governance, and Alchemy brings the governance back. Ghost Points reach the unconscious "hooks" that talk therapy can't easily touch, which is why therapists are sending their stuck clients for this work. If we don't work at that unconscious level, physical health turns into a game of Whac-A-Mole, where treating the thyroid leads to SIBO, and treating SIBO leads to joint pain. Menopause can be one of the greatest blessings of a woman's life, because it invites her to do the work she may have skipped while she was busy raising children and taking care of everyone else. With Alchemy you only have to do the stage you're in, which takes so much of the load off people who are already exhausted. Getting your choice back, and learning to hear your body's own answer, may be the most important part of healing. Once people move from surviving to thriving, they often need a new life strategy, because the strategies that got them out of hard situations aren't the ones that help them live an easy, thriving life. Free Meditation If this conversation stirred something in you, start with our free guided meditation, "What Do I Really Want?" It's a gentle way to begin hearing what your Heart has been trying to tell you. Find it at AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want. Homework This week, try what Julie does with her clients. The next time you catch yourself wishing someone would just tell you what to do, stop and ask, "What is my body's answer to this?" Give it a moment, and notice whether the answer surprises you. If you'd like to go deeper, sit with the question Jaye sometimes asks people: "Can you remember the last time you were happy?" Whatever comes up, or doesn't, is information, and it's welcome. Resources Register for the free live event, "From Pain to Possibility: The Alchemical Journey from Surviving to Thriving," on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM ET, which includes a bonus meditation and a look at the 2027 Master Alchemy Apprenticeship Program: REGISTER HERE If you missed Episode 149 on Rebellious Qi, it's a great companion to this one, so go back and listen. Our earlier Ghost Points episodes are a good place to start if you're new to this work. Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points by Leta Herman and Jaye McElroy is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cultivating-Thirteen-Ghost-Points-Self-Cultivators/dp/B0H2QM5Z7B/ Connecting Your Circle is a free course on the Five Elements: alchemylearningcenter.com/courses/connecting-your-circle/ You can learn about Alchemy Life Strategy Sessions here: alchemylearningcenter.com/alchemy-treatments-and-coaching-sessions/ Quotes "They're all just invitations, just their body speaking. If we just decide to stop and listen, we'd have the total answer to what needed to happen." (Dr. Julie TwoMoon) "It's not, 'Hey, I'm punishing you 'cause you didn't pay attention to me.' It's, 'Hey, we haven't had a great relationship for a while. Could we talk?'" (Dr. Julie TwoMoon) "Pain isn't the bad guy. It's telling you, 'Pay attention, this needs some better alignment.'" (Leta Herman) "Why do you wanna continue the life that has made you sick?" (Leta Herman) "Alchemy is hope, that there's a different way. It's not the only way, but we feel like it's a really good way." (Jaye McElroy) "You only have to do the stage you're in." (Dr. Julie TwoMoon) Support the Show Thank you for 150 episodes of listening! If this podcast has meant something to you, please subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. We read every review, and your words help other people find us. You can also join our Inspired Action Alchemy Facebook group, follow us on Instagram, and send your questions or episode ideas to [email protected] or [email protected]. Five Elements in This Episode Leta uses the Wood person as her example (much to Jaye's amusement). Wood people start many projects at once and get criticized for it, called too big, too bold, too bossy. In truth, that's the miracle of Wood. It's the Element that gets things started, and of all the seeds it plants, a few grow into tall trees. Jaye also talks about how mothers get pushed into an all-consuming Earth role, which drains anyone who isn't Earth by nature. Even Earth people need to nourish themselves. Julie uses the Five Elements with every client, because she's found nothing more powerful than telling someone that the way they respond is perfect for a Water or an Earth. Host Info Leta Herman and Jaye McElroy are the co-founders of the Alchemy Learning Center, authors, teachers, and Alchemists who have spent more than 25 years helping people connect with their Heart and live their full potential through Alchemical Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements, and the Nine Palaces. Dr. Julie TwoMoon is a naturopathic physician, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and an Alchemy Learning Center certified Alchemy practitioner based in Michigan. For more than 20 years, she has helped women restore their vitality and move from just surviving to truly thriving. Details Inspired Action Alchemy Podcast, Episode 150. Hosted by Jaye McElroy and Leta Herman. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms, and at InspiredActionPodcast.com and AlchemyLearningCenter.com. Next Steps Come join us live on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM Eastern for "From Pain to Possibility." It's free, everyone who registers gets the replay, and we'll close with a bonus meditation. REGISTER HERE

How can I do that??? That little three-letter word, HOW, is the question that throws many of us off from the thing we want most. It seems to come with a healthy skepticism and a sense of being sensible, but it's often the reason we don't do the things we're inspired to do. In Episode 149, Jaye and Leta explore what is really happening in that moment of deflation that comes after asking the How question. They explain why they think Alchemy has a different way to approach this, and what to ask first so the idea gets a fair chance. Some of what comes up in this episode may change the order in which you ask yourself questions. Listen with a pen nearby. Your Free Gift: The Releasing Rebellious Qi Meditation Jaye and Leta are giving away a free Releasing Rebellious Qi meditation with this episode. Listen to it here: https://alchemylearningcenter.com/release/ If you'd like to begin one step earlier, last episode's free What Do I Really Want meditation is still waiting for you at https://alchemylearningcenter.com/want. Next Step - Free Webinar Join Jaye and Leta live at the free pre-Halloween webinar, The Cauldron Is You, on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 PM Eastern: Register HERE More From Alchemy Learning Center Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points is now available in soft cover The 2027 apprenticeship is opening its doors soon, and for the first time it welcomes it's offering an Alchemy Life Strategy track as well as self-cultivator and practitioner tracks. Rate and Review If this episode landed for you, a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify makes a real difference in helping other people find the show. Send us a screenshot or an email, and we'll send you some swag.

In this episode, we explore the role of desire and wanting in the Alchemy journey. While some spiritual traditions teach desirelessness, Alchemy actually begins with igniting your passion and understanding what you truly want from life. This episode clarifies why wanting isn't something to transcend—it's the fuel that powers transformation. We discuss the Nine Stages of Alchemy, the concept of "un-peopling" for clarity, and why the Alchemists in the caves knew that the real work starts with ordinary human nature, not transcendent experiences. Key Themes: Desire as fuel, not the enemy Why Alchemy doesn't ask you to kill your passion Beyond the "spiritual bypass" The Alchemist caves and retreating from distractions Beginner's mind The Nine Stages of Alchemy as a roadmap Stage one: Is your life flowing or is it hard? Stage two: What are you guarding against? Stage three: What did you inherit? Why the fast track doesn't work (and why that's good news) The role of Wood energy in forward momentum What "un-peopling" means and why Alchemists needed it Free Meditation — Start Here What Do I Really Want? (20-minute guided meditation) Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want How to use: Do this meditation 2-3 times if nothing comes up the first time. There's no pass or fail. You're just slowing down and opening to what your heart truly wants. Homework for Listeners #1: Notice How You Reach Catch yourself trying to skip ahead Are you looking for shortcuts or the fast track? Are you trying to bypass steps? No judgment—just observe #2: Name Something You're Still Guarding Against Reflect on what you're protecting against You might think you already dealt with it (through therapy, meditation, etc.), but notice if you're still triggered Don't try to fix it; just admit it's there This observation is often the most important part of the work #3: Free Meditation What Do I Really Want? (20 minutes, guided) Give yourself permission to want whatever you actually want If nothing comes up the first time, do it again There's no pass or fail—you're just slowing down Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want Resources & Links Learning Programs & Courses From Seeker to Alchemist (Self-Paced Online Program) A self-paced online program for anyone new to or deepening their alchemy practice Includes: Nine Stages of Alchemy, modules, and exercises you can do at home at your own pace Status: Almost complete (launching soon) Link: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/courses/from-seeker-to-alchemist Alchemy Life Strategy Sessions 1-on-1 sessions with Jaye Focus: Applying the Nine Stages to your life, building momentum, and discovering ease Learn more: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Alchemy Learning Center Full catalog of courses, workshops, and resources Website: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Books Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy) Available: Soft cover edition (newly released for wider accessibility) Where to buy: Amazon and other major retailers Special campaign: Leave a review and receive Inspired Action Alchemy or Alchemy Learning Center swag (T-shirts, hats, mugs, including the limited edition "Gui Are People Too" tee) How to participate: Send review screenshot to [email protected] or [email protected] Connecting Your Circle (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy) — FREE What it covers: How to balance all Five Elements and become flexible and fluid in any situation Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/connecting-your-circle Also available: In soft cover on Amazon Other books by Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman: Through the Mystery Gate The Energy of Love The Big Little Gua Sha Book Previous Episodes Referenced Episode 147: Plant Spirit Alchemy with Brittany Chowning Topics: Connecting with plant spirits, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel, shamanic journeys Workshop: 3-hour live workshop on using artemisia (mugwort) and plant spirits to enhance alchemical journeys Pre-Order in the Alchemy Learning Center Episodes 140 & 141: Alchemy Stone Medicine with Mikhael Oskarrson Topics: Connecting with stone spirits, Alchemy Stone Medicine, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel FREE Alchemy Stone Medicine Workshop: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Upcoming Episodes Episode 149: Rebellious Qi — What Happens When You Declare What You Want Teaser: The moment you identify what you really want, your mind builds a case against it (I can't do it, I don't have enough money/time, etc.). This is called "rebellious qi" in Chinese medicine—and it's not a metaphor, it's a real physical phenomenon you can work with. Episode 150: The Wu Wei State Teaser: A major milestone episode diving deep into Wu Wei (inspired action) and pure presence—the state Jaye and Leta work toward in their Alchemy practice. Quotes & Memorable Moments "The passion or the wanting isn't the challenge here. The passion is the fuel. It's what we do with it that gets interesting." "There is only now. That's all we have—every day of our lives, all we have is now." "Nobody ever built anything because they were content." "The ordinary human work in the beginning levels of Alchemy brings the most transformation, and quite quickly in the big scheme of things." "When you spend a lot of time with your monsters, you begin to see right through them—they're not that scary, big monster you thought they were." "Some things don't move when you just sit with them. They move by being met." "No hurry, no right, no wrong, no good, no bad, no fast or slow. It's what you bring to it." Ways to Support the Podcast Leave a Review Helps the podcast reach more people through algorithms Leave a star rating or written review on your podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) Review the Book & Win Swag Read and review Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, take a screenshot, and send to [email protected] or [email protected] Receive: T-shirts, hats, mugs, or limited edition "Gui Are People Too" tee Subscribe Click the Subscribe button on your podcast platform Stay updated on new episodes and content Suggest Topics & Questions Email ideas to [email protected] or [email protected] Connect on Social Facebook: Inspired Action Facebook Group Instagram: @inspiredaction  The Five Elements Quick Reference Wood: Growth, forward movement, vision, planning, anger (blocked), decisiveness Fire: Joy, passion, connection, anxiety/inflammation (blocked), intimacy Earth: Grounding, nourishment, thought, worry (blocked), stability Metal: Structure, order, respect, judgmentalne (blocked), letting go Water: Flow, frozen (blocked), wisdom, rest, deep listening Read more in Connecting Your Circle or explore courses on the Five Elements at the Alchemy Learning Center. Guest & Host Information Hosts: Jaye McElroy — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher and Alchemy Life Strategist Leta Herman — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher, Five-Elements specialist, and Alchemy/Chinese Medicine practitioner Podcast Details Podcast Name: Inspired Action Alchemy Hosts: Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman Frequency: Weekly (ish) Duration: 25-45 minutes per episode Format: Conversations, teachings, interviews, and guided meditations Distribution: Libsyn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms Website: InspiredActionPodcast.com or AlchemyLearningCenter.com Contact: Leta: [email protected] Jaye: [email protected] Next Steps Take the meditation: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want Do the homework: Notice how you reach, name what you're guarding Leave a review to help others find the podcast Tune in next week (Episode 149) for Rebellious Qi Explore the Learning Center: AlchemyLearningCenter.com      

In this episode, Jaye and Leta are joined by acupuncturists and plant spirit practitioner Brittney Chowning for a deep dive into Alchemy Plant Spirit Connection: the magic of plant spirit, moxibustion and Alchemical treatments featuring Artemisia Vulgaris (Mugwort). Brittney shares her journey from acupuncture school into Plant Spirit Medicine, tracing her lineage back to Eliot Cowan's Plant Spirit Medicine work and her studies with practitioner Suzanne Burnell. Leta, who began studying with Eliot Cowan in 1999, connects their shared roots in the tradition. Together, the three explore what Plant Spirit Connection actually is, how indigenous traditions have long communicated directly with plant spirits, and how this practice fits within the Daoist Alchemy framework of seven dimensions. The conversation covers: What Plant Spirit Connection means, and how it differs from conventional herbalsm Multidimensional travel: drumming, meditation, and altered states as ways to access plant, stone, and spirit worlds Daoist Alchemy's seven dimensions and where humans, plants, and immortals fit within them Personal stories of direct communication with plant spirits, include Leta's roadside encounter with a plant that "waved her down" before a treatment Why Artemisia Vulgaris (Mugwort) is considered a uniquely generous, universally healing plant How plant spirit moxibustion offers an alternative for practitioners who can't burn moxa in their clinic (due to smell sensitivies, shared office space, or building restrictions) Links: Episode 146 (Part 2 of the Firehorse Year discussion) - the context of 2026's Firehorse Year. Eliot Cowan's Plant Spirit Medicine book (the foundational text/lineage for both Leta and Brittney) Upcoming Workshop: Alchemy Plant Spirit Connection - The Magic of Plant Spirit Moxibustion in Alchemical Treatments, featuring Artemisia Vulgaris Date: Friday, July 25, 2026, Noon - 4:00 PM Includes: Journey work, meditation, drumming, a guided meeting with the spirit of Artemisia Vulgaris, and practical guidance on incorporating more Plant Spirit Connection into clinical practice Promo code for listeners: Moxa99 Register / replay after July 25: AlchemyLearningCenter.com

The Fire Horse is at a full gallop as we are halfway through 2026. The question is: are you enjoying the ride, or letting go of the reins? The Fire Horse year in the Chinese calendar is associated with Double Fire... that's a lot of Fire even for the people who have a Fire Element energetic stack-up. It's no wonder things have felt fast, intense, and sometimes overwhelming. In episode 146, Jaye and Leta break down what the Fire Horse year actually means energetically, why the same year can feel like a gift to one person and an assault to another, and how your Five Element nature shapes your personal experience of it. Leta explains how each Element is likely to experience this year, from Fire people running hot at the starting gate to Earth people being quietly nourished, Wood people feeling pulled in every direction, Water people finding unexpected steadiness, and Metal people being asked to yield to something bigger than themselves. Then Jaye and Leta get into the method they use to help ease the overwhelm of the Fire Horse year: the Daoist concept of Xuan Fu, the mysterious openings throughout the body that determine whether Cosmic Qi flows freely through you or whether you're running on your own limited reserves. Plus an update on the newly launched 2026 Summer Alchemy Lab Workshop Series, a preview of the upcoming Alchemy Plant Spirit Connection workshop featuring Artemisia Vulgaris with Brittney Chowning on July 25th, and a tease for next episode's interview all about multidimensional healing with plant spirit connection. What is multidimensional healing? Join us next time to find out! Summary of this episode: What makes 2026 a Fire Horse year, and why that combination amplifies everything Fire represents, including joy, passion, and forward momentum. The difference between controlling your outer world and creating from your inner center, and why the heart is called the supreme controller in Chinese medicine.  How each of the Five Elements, Fire, Earth, Wood, Water, and Metal, is likely to experience the Fire Horse year differently. The Daoist concept of Xuan Fu, the body's energetic openings, and how closed doors leave you running on your own reserves while open doors connect you to Da Qi, or unlimited Cosmic Qi. Why the free Open Your Doors Meditation can support you through this year's energy. Links: Alchemy Learning Center: https://alchemylearningcenter.com Open Your Doors Meditation (free): available inside Your First Alchemical Meditations Alchemy Plant Spirit Connection Workshop, July 25th, 12:00–4:00 PM ET Alchemy Healing Center: https://alchemyhealingcenter.com Inspired Action Alchemy Facebook Group Instagram: @inspiredaction Email us your questions or suggestions: [email protected] and [email protected]

After almost a year of wandering the world, we're back! And honestly? We were teaching, traveling, deepening our own Alchemy practice — and somewhere in the middle of all of it, we realized: we really missed you! We missed these conversations and the deeper dives, not to mention all the nerding out together! So in this episode, we're easing everyone back in to the Inspired Action world. We share where we've been, what shifted for us, and why Season 10 feels different. We also get into: Why Daoist alchemy is not spiritual bypass — and why that distinction actually matters The two most important questions in Stage 1 of the Nine Stages of Alchemy What it means to become a Zhen Ren — a fully realized, authentically yourself human being Why this Year of the Fire Horse is asking something specific of all of us A teaser of what's coming in Episode 146 (including a Daoist meditation on opening your doors) If you've been listening since the beginning, welcome home! If you just found us — perfect timing. We're so excited that you're here. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 142: How to Navigate This Fast-Changing World Based on Your Elemental Nature June 27 Workshop: From Seeker to Alchemist (Alchemy Lab Workshop Series) → alchemylearningcenter.com Reach us: [email protected] [email protected] If this episode lands with you, please leave a review — it truly helps other seekers find their way here.

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Continuing the Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao Guest: Deng Ming-Dao (Daoist philosopher, author, and artist) Episode Overview In this powerful continuation of Episode 143, hosts Jaye McElroy and Leta Herman dive deeper into their transformative conversation with renowned Daoist philosopher and artist Deng Ming-Dao. This episode explores the intersection of creativity, healing, and daily practice, offering profound insights for artists, healers, and anyone seeking to live more authentically. This episode is essential listening for artists, healers, and anyone interested in living a more creative, authentic life. The conversation bridges ancient Daoist wisdom with practical modern applications for reclaiming creativity and attention in our distracted world. Key Topics Discussed The Art of Listening to Inner Voices Distinguishing between inspiration and other internal chatter The importance of waiting and discernment in creative and healing processes How meditation creates space to reassess and clarify authentic inspiration Trusting Your Inner Compass Why external validation (money, success) cannot replace inner knowing The courage to follow your heart despite societal pressures Self-cultivation as the ultimate measure of success Reclaiming Your Attention How society has co-opted our natural capacity for attention The difference between being told what to focus on versus choosing your focus Practical steps to redirect attention from consumption to creation Everyone is an Artist Why 99% of people have had their natural creativity "beaten out of them" The myth of talent versus the reality of daily practice Starting small: simple tools like pencil and paper, humming, or describing experiences The Progression of Practice Why beginners should expect and embrace being "no good" initially The power of daily practice and incremental improvement Using constraints and limitations to stimulate creativity Art as Healing How both artist and audience are transformed through creative expression The gift of art as a form of healing exchange Creating "messages in bottles" for future generations The Spiritual Dimension of Art Art as a response to the world and inner experience The importance of not pandering to audiences How authentic expression naturally carries spiritual essence Memorable Quotes On Trusting Your Heart: "If you trust your heart, if your heart tells you this is where you need to go, then that's what you need to follow. Because no external rewards and no external rejection is going to be a guide for what you need to do in life." On Getting Started: "It's as simple as picking up a pencil and a piece of paper. It's as simple as humming something. It's as simple as saying, this just happened to me. How do I describe it?" On Attention: "We are completely capable of attention, but attention has been co-opted by our society. We have not been allowed to say we deserve attention for our own purposes." On Defining Art: "Art is a response to the world. And from that, other people can see that shape [and] think about how they might want to respond to the world." Practical Takeaways Start a Daily Practice: Get a sketchbook and write or draw in it every day, even if it's "crap" Examine Your Screen Time: Notice how much attention you give to others' content versus your own creative expression Embrace Beginner's Mind: Allow yourself to be "no good" initially and focus on the process, not the outcome Set Constraints: Use limitations to spark creativity (small canvases, limited time, simple materials) Create Space for Reflection: Spend time looking at and contemplating your work, not just producing it Resources Mentioned AlchemyLearningCenter.com - Hosts' website with courses and resources New Book: "Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points" by the hosts The intersection of Daoist philosophy and creative practice The concept of the Nine Palaces and the Creativity/Children Palace About the Guest Deng Ming-Dao is an author, artist, and teacher. He is the author of: 365 Tao; Chronicles of Tao; Scholar Warrior; Everyday Tao; The Lunar Tao; The Living I Ching; Zen: The Art of Modern Eastern Cooking; and The Wisdom of the Tao, Every Journey Begins With a Single Step, and The Way of Heart and Beauty. His books have been translated into a variety of European and Asian languages.  Deng Ming-Dao has trained in Chinese martial arts since 1975. His teachers have come from Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and two Taoist mountains, Huashan and Wudangshan. He has been most involved with the internal systems of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Taijiquan, and he has given many workshops to introduce Chinese martial arts and Taoist wellness techniques. Episode Themes Creativity as Spiritual Practice Healing Through Art Attention as Sacred Resource Daily Practice as Transformation Authentic Expression vs. Commercial Art

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Art as Self-Cultivation: A Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao Guest: Deng Ming-Dao (Daoist philosopher, author, and artist) Episode Overview In this episode, Deng Ming-Dao, esteemed author of the Wandering Taoist and several other Daoist-based books—(including our favs Spiritual Warrior and 365 Tao), joins Leta and Jaye as they have an inspiring conversation together. This episode explores the concept of how art isn't separate from self-cultivation—it is self-cultivation. Ming-Dao dives into what it means to self-cultivate and how creating art, practicing Tai Chi, or even making mistakes can be the fire that transforms us. From poetry to Tai Chi to painting—everything becomes part of the Alchemical process of becoming our authentic selves. If you've ever wondered whether your creative life is as important as a spiritual practice—this podcast is for you. Key Topics Discussed Self-Cultivation as Repair The Chinese concept of self-cultivation literally means "repair" How life and socialization tear us down and obscure our natural self Why Daoists believe our natural self is already perfect The parallel between health in Chinese Medicine and spiritual wellness Art as Personal Transformation Why every piece of art changes the artist who creates it The continuous process of learning through creating How mistakes in the studio become opportunities for growth The discipline and perseverance required for artistic practice Qi and Artistic Expression The ancient Chinese concept of "lively movement and qi resonance" in art How an artist's qi becomes visible in their work (especially calligraphy) The difference between original energy and reproduced forms Art as alignment with the energy of the universe Tai Chi as Art Form How Tai Chi transforms martial violence into self-cultivation The role of qi circulation in both Tai Chi and artistic practice Why practitioners from the same school look different (personal infusion) The connection between movement, medicine, and creativity Expression as Human Nature Why every human being gives testament to their experience on earth The role of creative expression in reconciling individuality with the collective Cave paintings as evidence of humanity's innate creative impulse How great artists help us put overwhelming feelings into form The Challenge of Daily Practice Why significant achievement requires daily commitment Breaking free from society's consumer mentality The difference between external motivation and internal necessity Understanding practice as the ultimate gift to yourself Authentic Inspiration and Inner Voices How to distinguish between authentic inspiration and other mental chatter The reality of multiple "voices" within ourselves Why inspiration is just the beginning, not the end The role of problem-solving and technical skill in bringing ideas to form Memorable Quotes On Self-Cultivation: "Self-cultivation is about recovering from those problems and getting back to your natural self. The Daoists feel that your natural self is perfect." On Daily Practice: "You're not doing this for a job, you are not doing this for a certificate. You're not doing this to be famous. You are doing this for yourself, and until you understand that, it's always going to be difficult." On Consumer Culture: "We have been so warped by our society that our only role is to be a customer... We need to get away from this kind of materialism and return to ourselves." On Artistic Inspiration: "Just because you get inspired is not the end of it. It's just the start of it... The voice is an idea. It's not a form. Your job as an artist is to make it form." On Expression: "Every human being has to work to live... But is that all you have to do? Everybody gives testament to their experience on this planet." Practical Takeaways Understand Art as Repair: View creative practice as healing and recovery of your natural self Commit to Daily Practice: Recognize that significant growth requires consistent daily commitment Practice for Yourself: Do creative work for your own development, not external validation Embrace Qi in Your Work: Align your creative practice with life energy and universal flow Learn to Distinguish Voices: Develop the ability to recognize authentic inspiration through experience Accept the Problem-Solving Process: Understand that turning inspiration into form requires technical skill and perseverance Resources Mentioned AlchemyLearningCenter.com - Hosts' website with courses and resources New Book: "Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points" by the hosts 365 Tao: Daily Meditations - Ming-Dao's daily practice book The Wandering Taoist - Available as audiobook Scholar Warrior - Currently being read by the hosts Hua Shan and Wudang Shan - Traditional Daoist mountain lineages About the Guest Deng Ming-Dao is a Chinese American author, artist, philosopher, teacher and martial artist. He is the author of eight books, including 365 Tao, Everyday Tao, Scholar Warrior, and Chronicles of Tao. His books have been translated into fifteen languages. Background & Training: He studied qigong, philosophy, meditation, and internal martial arts with Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years, and with two other masters before that. From a young age, he studied Taoist internal arts such as Qigong and Kung-Fu. Artistic Career: He is an award-winning graphic designer and fine artist whose work is in several collections, including those of the Brooklyn Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Currently transitioning into retirement, he paints daily and continues his writing practice, focusing on landscape paintings that combine Asian ink and watercolor techniques. Episode Themes Art as Spiritual Practice Self-Cultivation vs. Socialization Daily Practice as Transformation Qi and Creative Expression Authentic vs. Consumer Living The Artist's Journey of Discovery What's Coming Next This conversation continues in Episode 144, Part 2, where the discussion deepens into topics of healing through art, the role of artists in society, and practical guidance for reclaiming creativity in daily life. This episode is essential listening for anyone who has ever questioned whether their creative pursuits "count" as spiritual work. Ming-Dao's insights reveal that art isn't separate from the spiritual path—it may be one of the most direct routes to recovering our authentic nature.  

In this episode, Jaye and Leta invite you to take a little time out — not in a punishment sort of way, but in a take-a-step-back-and-breathe kind of way. We're kicking off a brand-new five-part series on the Alchemy, Five Elements & Overwhelm, starting with Wood — the Element of Hope, Renewal, and of Inspired Action. What We Talk About: Why overwhelm is sometimes the new normal — and why is/isn't it OK  What ancient Daoist Alchemists did during times of political chaos (hint: it involves retreats, mountains, and silence) Why wind represents change in Chinese Medicine — and how to work with it instead of being blown away Wood Element traits under pressure: survival mode, strategy overload, and full-on gorilla mode The concept of "Opti-mystic" — embracing the mystic and the optimistic during chaotic times Practical advice for Wood types (and everyone with Wood in their chart, which is… everyone) on how to re-center, breathe, and find meaning in challenge A sneak peek into how the other elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) handle overwhelm — next up: Fire and the fear of losing love 00:25 Dealing with Overwhelm in Today's World 04:31 Embracing Change and Technological Advances 12:48 Navigating Overwhelm with Elemental Energies 13:13 Understanding Yourself in Chaotic Times 13:53 The Essence of Wood Energy 14:27 Survival Mode and Wood People 15:52 Strategies for Wood People 18:59 Embracing Challenges Positively    

Could ancient stones be the missing link in your modern-day transformation? In this episode, Jaye and Leta explore the mysterious—yet surprisingly practical—world of Alchemy Stone Medicine. We're talking crystals, gemstones, and minerals, and how these ancient Earth allies can support healing, self-cultivation, and real energetic change. From Five Element colors to sacred shapes to the way stones are formed deep within the Earth, you'll discover that stones have personalities—just like humans. This episode is all about building relationships with stones as transformational partners, not just keeping them around as pretty shelf candy. Whether you're brand new to stone medicine or already knee-deep in crystal clusters, you'll leave with fresh insights, a few laughs, and maybe a new favorite rock to carry in your pocket.