107: Byron Katie: How to Stop Being Controlled by Your Ego

Byron Katie is a renowned teacher and creator of "The Work," a method of self-inquiry for ending suffering.In this episode, you're going to learn why believing your thoughts is the root cause of suffering, the four simple questions that can radically change your relationship to pain and conflict, how to deal with feelings of certainty and superiority in activism and health advocacy, why trying to change other people often reveals deeper fears within yourself, and what true personal responsibility looks like even in everyday moments like picking up socks off the floor.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:15] How victim consciousness creates suffering[04:45] Byron Katie’s moment of ego death[06:10] Discovering the cause of suffering[08:00] Moving stressful thoughts onto paper[10:00] Seeing the ego as a terrified child[12:00] Who you are without painful thoughts[14:10] The death of the victim identity[16:00] How inquiry brings relief in groups[17:45] Activism, certainty, and superiority[20:00] Applying inquiry to health and activism[22:10] Loving others through their own choices[25:00] Owning decisions without guilt[27:00] How fear fuels activism[30:00] Responsibility for your emotional experience[31:50] Picking up socks and ending resentment[34:10] Defense as the first act of war[36:00] Boundaries and selfishness[39:00] How drama and suffering lose appeal[42:00] Ego’s survival and waking up[45:00] Byron Katie’s experience of awakening[48:00] Freedom from stressful thoughts[50:00] How inquiry naturally changes your life[52:00] Living without complaint or resentment[54:00] Relaxation and the gift of the unknownResources Mentioned:The Work of Byron Katie | WebsiteAt Home Live With Byron Katie | ZoomLoving What Is by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell | Book or AudiobookA Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell | Book or AudiobookI Need Your Love—Is That True? by Byron Katie and Michael Katz | Book or AudiobookA Mind at Home with Itself by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell | Book or AudiobookYou can follow Byron Katie on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Threads. You can also check out her website and give her Podcast a listen to on Spotify or Apple.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.This episode is sponsored by Samadhi Moss. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off your sea moss!👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here

Ask Kelly your burning questions in our monthly Vital Life Project membership. Join hereIn this episode, you'll learn how to bring more joy and freedom into your current life, how to grow your capacity for pleasure and appreciation, how to create the feelings you’re chasing before your circumstances change, and how to uncover what you might really be getting from the life you say you want to leave.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[01:01] The fear of too much freedom and not knowing how to live it[01:37] How appreciation helps bridge your current life to your desired one[02:10] The myth that liking your now means you’ll get stuck[02:49] How to feel your future life now using small changes[04:00] Why today matters more than the dream[04:22] Journaling your ideal day to clarify what you really want[04:56] Identifying the feelings you expect to gain from your dream life[05:28] Finding small ways to experience those feelings now[06:19] Quality of life changes from small tweaks[07:10] How tiny changes improve daily experience[07:26] What you’re getting out of your current life that you might lose[07:57] Why we sometimes say we want things we actually don’t[08:20] Carolyn Elliott’s deepest fear inventory exercise[08:42] Using fear inventory to clarify what you truly want[09:00] Trusting the process and letting go of control[09:27] Cultivating faith in being supported and provided for[09:47] How trust turns into playful practiceResources Mentioned:Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott | Book or AudiobookInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here

If you want a step-by-step roadmap to own your no, know your yes, and experience the specific pleasure of who you are, join Kelly's Reclaimed program.Check out these related episodes: Reclamation of Courtship and The Case Against the Sexual RevolutionIn this episode, you'll learn why reclaiming traditional gender roles can lead to deeper fulfillment, how sexual liberation may undermine relationships, why women hold the key to societal stability, and how men find purpose and success through commitment and fatherhood.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:45] Marriage as a covenant and devotion between two people[03:30] High divorce rates observed in clinical practice[04:20] Societal adoption of an “unmarried male pattern”[05:10] Comparison between male and female sexual cycles[06:00] Impact of feminism and sexual liberation on family and society[06:50] Defining marriage beyond legal contracts[07:30] Importance of safety and alignment with personal choices[08:10] The sacrifice and fulfillment within committed relationships[08:50] Role of men in transcending basic drives for societal integration[09:40] The importance of family in integrating men into society[10:30] Explanation of CMOs and their health benefits[11:30] Women’s role in cultivating relationships and their power dynamics[12:15] Women’s sexual superiority and its impact on society[13:00] The importance of complementarity between men and women[13:40] How adopting masculine values devalues a man’s role[14:20] Disconnection from motherhood due to societal pressures[15:10] The myth of status through independence and career achievement[16:00] Women as gatekeepers of sexual energy and access[16:50] The importance of setting boundaries in romantic relationships[17:30] The story of the princess and the barbarian as a metaphor[18:30] How sexual liberation has shifted societal norms[19:20] The impact of easy access to sex on male commitment[20:10] The idea that women’s role is fundamental to societal stability[21:00] The importance of female discipline and commitment[21:50] The connection between children and social immortality[22:30] Why a woman’s role is deeper and more personal than a man’s[23:10] The value of a woman’s “no” in creating social structure[25:00] Rejecting common misconceptions about femininity[25:40] Visualizing a more fulfilling and empowered lifestyle for women[26:30] Importance of intuition and alignment with personal choices[27:00] Why men need to be tamed and integrated into society[27:50] The productivity and fulfillment that marriage brings to men[28:30] Economic disparities between married and single men[29:00] Societal consequences of devaluing male roles[29:40] Technocratic marketplace’s impact on family and motherhood[30:20] Importance of a mother’s role in imparting moral values[31:00] How feminine values are foundational to all morality[31:50] The negative impact of prioritizing career over family[32:30] The illusion of equality through career-driven status[33:00] How society benefits from women embracing their natural roles[33:40] Why rejecting traditional roles leads to societal declineResources Mentioned:Men and Marriage by George Gilder | BookThe Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry | Book or AudiobookInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here

If you’re a stretched-thin boss babe, frustrated wife, or “do it all” mamma who just needs a second for yourself, join Kelly’s Free Exhale Masterclass.Monica Yates is the author of Becoming Her and an expert in masculine-feminine dynamics, especially how women can embrace their feminine essence while navigating success and relationships.In this episode, you're going to learn how Monica balances being the breadwinner in her relationship without feeling like the provider, why healing your relationship with men and other women is essential for stepping into your feminine, what it means to be an empowered submissive and why it requires deep confidence, how societal messaging has made many women feel like femininity is weak, and the importance of acknowledging your own desires without shame.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction   [03:20] Cycle breaking and redefining femininity[05:30] How media influences perception of femininity[07:10] Biological reality of men vs. women[09:15] Women’s emotional strength vs. men’s physical strength[11:15] Kelly’s realization of fear towards men[13:45] Monica’s conflict between wanting love and being a feminist[15:30] How idolizing her father influenced Monica’s view of femininity[17:20] Monica’s outward confidence as a form of self-protection[19:45] How Monica’s first boyfriend helped her realize her true desires[21:45] Understanding the difference between true confidence and external validation[23:10] The illusion of safety through control[25:20] Monica’s perspective on empowered submissiveness [29:20] Kelly’s experience of relearning her femininity[31:00] Why safety is foundational to feminine energy[33:10] The harm of overly rigid definitions of feminine and masculine[35:50] Monica’s thoughts on victim consciousness[38:00] How women are addicted to the adrenaline of being the victim[40:20] The value of men’s protection in women’s lives[42:30] Monica’s unique dynamic of being the breadwinner but not the provider[44:10] Managing household responsibilities without losing feminine energy[46:30] The importance of support in achieving feminine magnetism[48:10] The value of acknowledging what you desire[50:40] Why acknowledging your desires is the first step to alignment[52:15] Monica’s advice on finding your unique version of femininity[54:30] How to reframe femininity to suit your current life seasonResources Mentioned:Becoming HER by Monica Yates | Book or AudiobookFeminine as F*ck podcast by Monica Yates | Spotify or AppleCultivating Femininity In Women by Monica Yates | YoutubeThe 7 Pillars to Becoming HER Masterclass by Monica Yates | WebsiteMonica Yates Health | WebsiteLead Like a Woman with Andrea Heuston Episode on Embracing the Feminine and the Masculine | Spotify or AppleReclaim your power, transform your relationships, and step into the life you were destined for. Unlock the secrets to becoming your best self. Order Monica’s transformational new book, Becoming HER, today!If you want to connect deeper with Monica, check out her website, Youtube, and Instagram.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here 

Register for Kelly’s live Reclaimed Relationship Masterclass April 15th at 12PM ET at kellybroganmd.comLauren Geertsen is an author who overcame her autoimmune disease naturally.In this episode, you're going to learn about Lauren’s journey of overcoming an autoimmune disease naturally, the complex dynamics of the narcissistic and psychopathic abuse she experienced, and how she redefined the word love. You’ll also learn how she distinguishes soul connections from genuine love, her reflections on the Me Too movement, and how victim consciousness can hinder personal empowerment. Plus, you’ll hear how she now experiences joy, peace, and fulfillment by choosing love and sovereignty over seeking justice.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[05:00] Realizing the connection between childhood illness and family dynamics[07:00] Children’s illness as a reflection of parents’ unresolved issues[09:00] The breaking point and choosing to change the environment[11:00] Moving from fixing health to exploring romantic relationships[13:00] The beginning of Lauren’s abusive relationship[15:00] Understanding trauma bonding and coercion[17:00] Navigating the trauma of sexual and financial exploitation[19:00] Realizing the importance of choosing joy over justice[21:00] Choosing peace and trusting others to learn their lessons[23:00] Navigating loneliness and fear of being alone[25:00] Discerning the difference between trauma bonds and healthy relationships[27:00] How healing requires letting go of the need to change others[29:00] The role of consciousness in overcoming trauma[31:00] Avoiding bitterness, finding empowerment by focusing on inner joy[35:00] Balancing the desire for justice with choosing a joyful life[37:00] Transforming the pain into spiritual growth[39:00] Embracing femininity and sensuality as part of the healing journey[41:00] Accepting that some relationships serve as lessons, not lifelong commitments[43:00] Gratitude for painful experiences as a path to growth[45:00] How the pursuit of justice can block inner peace[47:00] Reflecting on the connection between love and allowing freedom[49:00] Understanding how fear of loneliness can lead to self-betrayal[51:00] Breaking away from the collective victim consciousness[53:00] Moving beyond anger and hate to find deeper emotional states[55:00] Choosing to live a joyful and peaceful life[57:00] Balancing self-awareness with compassion for others[59:00] Rejecting the binary view of good versus evil[61:00] Reclaiming sensuality as a part of personal liberation👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call hereIf you want to connect more with Lauren, visit her website and follow her on Instagram Resources Mentioned:The Scorpion and The Lion by Lauren Geertsen | Book or AudiobookInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.This episode is sponsored by Samadhi Moss. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off your sea moss!

Learn more about Dr. Kelly Brogan's signature health protocol, Vital Mind Reset.Register for Kelly's live Reclaimed Relationship Masterclass April 15th at 12PM ET at kellybroganmd.comDr. Joe Dispenza is a New York Times bestselling author, researcher, and lecturer known for his work on neuroscience, epigenetics, and personal transformation.In this episode, you're going to learn how emotions shape your health, why chronic stress can keep you stuck in illness, the process of rewiring your brain to create real physical change, the role of belief in healing and how people have regrown lost organs. You will also learn why most people struggle to change their habits and identity, plus the surprising way that brainwaves and meditation influence the body’s ability to repair itself.A New York Times best-selling author, researcher, lecturer, and corporate consultant, Dr. Joe Dispenza has developed a practical formula to help people transform their lives. Dr. Joe’s mission unifies complex branches of science in an approachable way – focused on proven research, “Stories of Transformation” testimonials, and the scientific data behind spontaneous remissions. Inspired by the latest findings in neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, epigenetics, and quantum physics, his work integrates essential knowledge about the mind-body connection – which teaches people how to heal various health conditions and make significant changes in their lives. Since 2010, he has partnered with renowned scientists and universities – including the University of California San Diego, Harvard University, Stanford University, and others – to perform extensive research on the effects of meditation on the brain and body.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:45] Why people start seeking alternatives when medicine fails[06:12] How beliefs influence healing[08:45] Regrowing tissue after surgery[11:00] The role of emotions in healing[13:20] How meditation changes the body[16:05] Why most people stay stuck in old habits[18:30] Overcoming emotional addiction[21:15] How stress keeps you sick[23:40] Changing your personality to change your reality[26:55] The impact of subconscious programming[29:20] The process of breaking old patterns[32:05] How meditation rewires the brain[34:40] Why most people struggle with change[37:10] Emotional addiction and the body’s response[39:55] The power of elevated emotions[42:30] What happens in the brain during deep meditation[44:50] The connection between energy and healing[47:15] How trauma is stored in the body[50:05] The role of belief in long-term healing[53:20] Group healing and collective consciousness[56:45] How Dr. Joe Dispenza’s events create measurable change[59:30] The future of healing beyond traditional medicineLearn more about Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work on his website, Youtube and Instagram.Resources Mentioned:Calm Body, Clear Mind Masterclass with Dr. Kelly Brogan | YouTubeDr. Joe Dispenza’s Progressive Online Course | WebsiteDr. Joe Dispenza’s Retreats | WebsiteDr. Joe Dispenza’s Books | WebsiteThe ‘Four-Minute Mile’ – She Regenerated Rectal Tissue After Cancer Surgery | YouTubeInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.This episode is sponsored by Samadhi Moss. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off your sea moss!

Ask Kelly your burning questions in our monthly Vital Life Project membership.In this episode, you'll learn how to support a friend stuck in a victim mindset, how to create agreements in friendships that encourage growth, how to recognize when storytelling keeps you stuck, and how to reframe victim narratives for empowerment.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[00:42] Agreements in friendships for growth[01:08] No longer speaking negatively about men[01:31] How agreements shape personal identity[01:54] Breaking the cycle of toxic relationship stories[02:12] Using humour to reframe negative narratives[02:38] The importance of self-awareness in conversation[02:53] How to support a friend in a victim mindset[03:15] Understanding personal communication preferences[03:38] Asking for consent before giving feedback[03:59] Recognizing when someone is stuck in their story[04:21] The emotional attachment to victim narratives[04:42] When validating past experiences is necessary[05:04] How to shift from venting to problem-solving[05:26] Creating a supportive friendship dynamic[05:48] Rejecting the culture of powerlessnessWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call hereInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.

Join Kelly's sovereignty-minded community, Vital Life Project.In this episode, you'll learn how Family Constellation Therapy can reshape your perception of men, how early conditioning affects your relationships, how to cultivate emotional self-mastery, and how to create a sense of safety within yourself.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[01:10] Understanding Family Constellation Therapy[02:45] How beliefs about men are shaped in childhood[04:12] The impact of mother’s influence on father perception[05:30] Healing phrases that shift perspectives[06:42] Seeing your father through your own eyes[08:05] The role of nervous system regulation in perception[09:18] How unresolved emotions affect relationships[10:25] Projecting past wounds onto partnersWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call hereResources Mentioned:Family Constellations | WebsiteAnother Self | NetflixInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.

Join Kelly's sovereignty-minded community, Vital Life Project.Mark Gober is a researcher and author known for questioning mainstream scientific and societal narratives.In this episode, you're going to learn why Mark believes the shape and motion of Earth might not be what we've been told, how mainstream physics relies on unproven assumptions like dark matter and dark energy, why the heliocentric model of the solar system has major inconsistencies, how NASA's imagery and space missions raise serious questions, and what rethinking cosmology means for understanding our place in the universe.Mark Gober is an award-winning author of 7 books spanning the topics of consciousness, politics, economics, medicine, cosmology, and more. He is also a former New York investment banker, a former partner in a Silicon Valley strategy firm, and a magna cum laude graduate from Princeton University.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[06:18] Why dark matter and dark energy might not exist[08:45] Problems with Einstein's relativity and gravity[11:02] Why physics struggles to unify its theories[13:26] The role of assumptions in modern cosmology[15:14] Why the Copernican principle might be flawed[17:08] Does the cosmic microwave background prove geocentrism?[19:42] Why Earth’s motion has never been conclusively proven[22:19] The Michelson-Morley experiment and its implications[24:06] Issues with how gravity is explained[26:34] Density, buoyancy, and electromagnetism as alternatives to gravity[28:57] The problem with the vacuum of space next to Earth’s atmosphere[31:21] Why mainstream explanations for planetary motion are questionable[33:10] Earth’s supposed speed and why we feel no motion[35:48] How time zones and magnetic declination challenge the globe model[38:12] Why Antarctica is heavily restricted from private exploration[40:29] Issues with NASA’s official images and CGI use[42:15] The moon landing telemetry data mysteriously missing[44:03] The International Space Station and zero gravity inconsistencies[46:11] Why Earth’s curvature calculations don’t match real-world observations[48:35] Examples that contradict the globe model[50:42] Why airplane emergency landings don’t align with globe projections[52:17] The problem with eclipses and mainstream explanations[54:09] Why history and mainstream science might be deeply flawed[56:45] What Mark believes about the earth’s shape and the nature of reality[59:12] How questioning cosmology leads to bigger philosophical questions[61:30] The implications of being misled about where we live[63:18] Why mainstream institutions suppress certain lines of inquiryWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call hereConnect with Mark on Telegram, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Facebook and his website.Mark’s Books:An End to the Upside Down Cosmos | Book or AudiobookAn End to Upside Down Medicine | Book or AudiobookAn End to the Upside Down Reset | Book or AudiobookAn End to Upside Down Contact | Book or AudiobookAn End to Upside Down Liberty | Book or AudiobookAn End to Upside Down Living | Book or AudiobookAn End to Upside Down Thinking | Book or AudiobookResources Mentioned:A Fool’s Wisdom by Steve Young | Book or AudiobookThe Principle | DocumentaryMagnetic Declination | WebsiteThe Blue Marble | WikipediaInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.

Let’s alchemize our shame and have an exquisite time doing it! Get ready to experience your body as a divine container and wholeheartedly accept yourself in Audacious Embodiment.Om Rupani is a teacher and practitioner in the realm of BDSM and conscious kink, known for his work on power dynamics, trauma, and erotic healing.In this episode, you're going to learn how BDSM can be used to revisit past trauma and reshape personal narratives, why jealousy and abandonment fears can be worked through in a controlled scene, how body shame can be addressed through role-play and worship dynamics, what parent-child scene design looks like in BDSM and how it helps people heal childhood wounds, and why cultural misconceptions about kink limit its potential as a tool for self-awareness and empowerment.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:05] How BDSM intersects with trauma, pleasure, and healing[05:12] Understanding the father-daughter dynamic in relationships[06:08] How childhood experiences shape adult desires[07:20] Why reenacting childhood wounds can be healing[08:14] Common father-daughter wounds and their emotional impact[09:05] Revisiting painful childhood memories in a controlled way[10:18] How a dom can rewrite past trauma[12:02] How reenacting childhood wounds changes self-perception[13:15] The role of psychodrama in BDSM[14:09] How women can relive and heal rejection from their fathers[15:30] Why BDSM scene design is structured like a play[16:22] Examples of how childhood wounds show up in adult relationships[19:02] The impact of revisiting parental rejection in scene play[20:10] The emotional release that comes from reenacting past pain[21:04] The psychological effects of feeling preferred or not preferred[22:15] The deep-rooted nature of childhood wounds in adult life[23:09] How re-experiencing childhood emotions can reframe memories[24:03] The importance of acknowledging that parents are human[25:12] Using BDSM to address self-worth issues rooted in childhood[26:08] Why people carry childhood pain into adulthood[27:00] The difference between memory, narrative, and reality[28:15] The role of the dom in guiding emotional catharsis[29:05] How the body holds onto past trauma[30:10] The connection between physical sensations and emotional healing[31:12] How BDSM can address and release stored trauma[32:20] The impact of feeling powerless as a child[33:08] How physical expression can help process past pain[34:04] Why talk therapy alone cannot resolve deep trauma[35:10] Jealousy as a common relationship challenge[36:02] How BDSM can be used to work through jealousy[38:00] How playing out jealousy can lessen its intensity[41:08] Why understanding your fears can give you more agency[42:04] How women can shift their perspective on their partner’s attraction to others[45:02] How body shame impacts relationships and intimacy[46:10] How BDSM can help heal body insecurities[47:15] Why body shaming is common in BDSM play[48:02] How men and women experience different types of body shame[49:08] The role of worship and cherishment in healing body shame[50:05] Why aftercare is essential in BDSM scenes[51:10] How physical play can anchor emotional healing[52:02] Why BDSM is not just for “kinky” people[53:08] How scene play can be an effective tool for personal growth[54:12] Why BDSM should not be stigmatized in therapeutic settings[55:05] How this approach can complement traditional therapy[56:02] The importance of embracing taboo topics for healingWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call hereLearn more about Om Rupani’s School for Dominance & Submission on his website, YouTube channel and Instagram.Listen to the Om Rupani Podcast on Spotify or AppleInstagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here and join the companion program, Reclaimed, here.