WAKE UP! with Joni

We all want certainty—and yet we also want freedom, adventure, possibility, and a life that feels truly alive. So what happens when we realize that uncertainty is not something we can eliminate? In this episode of Coffee with John & Joni, we explore uncertainty through the lens of Ancient Toltec Wisdom and ask a deeper question: Can we learn to live powerfully without needing to know what happens next? John and Joni explore: ☕ Why the human being is wired to anticipate what could go wrong ☕ The difference between preparing for what might happen and living in fear of it ☕ How anxiety can become an attempt to control outcomes that are outside our control ☕ The collective dream—and why we are part of it without being bound by it ☕ What it means to "wake up" throughout the day ☕ Non-attachment and releasing our need to control outcomes ☕ How acceptance can transform our relationship with uncertainty ☕ The difference between acting from love and reacting from fear ☕ Tony Robbins' Six Human Needs and the fascinating tension between certainty and variety ☕ Why our personal power lies in how we show up, not in controlling the world around us ☕ And ultimately, the question: Who are you really? From the Toltec perspective, life is a dream—but that doesn't mean it isn't real. It means we have the opportunity to become conscious within it. We may not be able to control the collective dream. We may not be able to control other people, world events, or everything that happens to us. But we can wake up. We can take responsibility for our own dream. We can choose how we respond. And we can learn to act rather than react. As John says, the destiny of the human being is to experience divinity in the physical—to become aware of who we truly are. And perhaps that is where freedom begins. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who could use a little encouragement on their journey. And if you're ready to go deeper, John and Joni offer workshops and coaching through Paradise Ranch Retreat. Until next time, beautiful humans—go out and live your most alive life. Paradiseranchretreat.com visit here to see what is available for you! The upcoming retreats on "The True Nature of the Human Being"  To ask questions: [email protected]   

What if the people who frustrate you the most are actually showing you where your power is waiting to be reclaimed? In this episode of Coffee with John & Joni, we take a deep dive into one of the most powerful concepts on the Warrior's path: the Triangle of Disempowerment. John explains the three positions of the triangle—the Victim, the Rescuer, and the Perpetrator or Petty Tyrant—and how each role keeps us trapped in patterns of control, fear and suffering. We explore: • Why petty tyrants can become powerful teachers • How victims, rescuers and perpetrators can keep each other trapped • The hidden payoff of each position • Why rescuing someone can actually disempower them • How projection creates unnecessary conflict in relationships • What control has to do with fear • How to recognize the patterns we participate in ourselves • Why the common denominator in repeated patterns is often us • How to move from victimhood into personal power • The difference between fear-based action and love-based action • How "non-suffering" changes the way we respond to circumstances we cannot control • The Seven Deadly Sins as "missing the mark" rather than simply religious concepts • How mirrors can reveal the very behaviors we are trying to eliminate • And how to deal with petty tyrants—from the annoying neighbor to situations where physical safety is involved We also share a powerful story from John's own life about breaking a long-standing family dynamic and repairing his relationship with his father. And, as always, we end with the question: How do we go out and live our most alive lives? This time, the answer is beautifully simple: Love yourself. Not as an idea. As a practice. Coffee with John & Joni explores modern life through the lens of Ancient Toltec Wisdom—offering tools, questions and perspectives for becoming more conscious, empowered and free. Grab your coffee and join us. And then go out and live your most alive life.

What if the people who trigger you aren't simply annoying, difficult, controlling, judgmental, or frustrating? What if they're showing you something about you? In this episode of Coffee with John & Joni, Joni Lerner and John English explore one of the most powerful and practical concepts on the Toltec Path of Freedom: mirroring. John explains the idea of the universe as a mirror and how the people around us can reflect back behaviors, character traits, and even positive qualities that we may not yet recognize in ourselves. The key signal? Emotional charge. If someone else's behavior really gets under your skin, John suggests asking two simple questions: "How do I do that?" "Where do I do that?" Rather than immediately blaming, judging, taking something personally, or creating a story about another person, mirroring invites us to pause, become curious, and look within. Joni and John also explore: • Why significant relationships can trigger us more powerfully • The difference between a mirror and a "petty tyrant" • How mirroring can transform conflict in intimate relationships • Why admiration can be a mirror too • How judgment can become a signpost for self-awareness • The connection between emotional charge and personal power • How gratitude can replace blame • When mirroring should NOT be used to excuse abuse or unhealthy behavior • How working with mirrors can create more peace, freedom, and connection Joni shares a personal story from the pickleball courts, while John shares a powerful story about his relationship with his father and how years of working with mirrors changed that relationship. This isn't about making everything "your fault." It's about discovering where your power of choice lives. And sometimes the most useful question isn't: "Why are they doing this to me?" It's: "Huh… where have I done that before?" ☕ Coffee with John & Joni is an ongoing conversation about ancient wisdom, relationships, leadership, awareness, and the practical work of becoming more conscious human beings. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who might benefit from it. Send your questions for John and Joni to [email protected]. Ready to go deeper? Join us for The Warrior's Gate I: Seeing the Dream, October 8–11, 2026, at Paradise Ranch in southern Colorado. Learn more at ParadiseRanchRetreat.com. And remember: It's your turn, beautiful humans, to go out and live your most alive life.

What if love doesn't require attachment? What if grief doesn't have to become suffering? And what if discernment—not judgment—is what actually protects our peace? In this episode of Coffee with John & Joni, John English and Joni Lerner respond to a thoughtful listener question about several powerful Toltec concepts before diving deeply into Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements. Together, they explore: • Attachment vs. Love — the difference between unconditional love and the expectations, conditions, and stories we attach to relationships. • Suffering vs. Grief — how grief can become an expression of how deeply we love rather than another story about what has happened to us. • Judgment vs. Discernment — moving away from making people or situations "good" or "bad" and instead asking a much more useful question: Do I want this in my life? Then John and Joni unpack the Four Agreements: Don't Take Anything Personally Other people do what they do for their own reasons. Their projections don't have to become our reality. Don't Make Assumptions Our minds create stories based on our filters and beliefs. What happens when we stop pretending we know how things will turn out? Be Impeccable With Your Word The words we speak to others—and the words we speak to ourselves—have power. What would change if we became kinder to our own internal dialogue? Always Do Your Best Your best changes from day to day. Letting go of perfectionism and simply showing up fully can free us from the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" cycle. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful invitation: Stop. Look. Choose. Pause. Become aware of what is happening. Notice the story you're telling yourself. And then choose how you want to participate in your own life. If you're ready to explore these teachings more deeply, join John and Joni at Paradise Ranch Retreat in Trinidad, Colorado, or explore Joni's book, STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedom. 🌿 Retreats & workshops: paradiseranchretreat.com ☕ Podcast & resources: wakeupwithjoni.com 📖 STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Look-Choose-Journey-Freedom/dp/B0D8RWF251  

What if the things causing you the most suffering are also the places where you're giving away your power? In this second episode of Coffee with John & Joni, we go deeper into the Toltec understanding of power and explore the Four Practices of Power: non-attachment, non-judgment, non-suffering, and walking in beauty. John English, bestselling author and longtime teacher of the practical Toltec Path of Freedom, explains how these four practices can transform the way we experience relationships, challenges, decisions, and everyday life. We talk about: • How attachment creates expectations—and suffering • The difference between connection and attachment • Why letting go doesn't mean giving up • How non-judgment opens the door to discernment • Why the need to be right creates conflict • How to distinguish physical pain from emotional suffering • Why talking about our challenges can help us see more clearly • What it means to "walk in beauty" • How the Four Practices connect with The Four Agreements • How to use these teachings as practical tools rather than simply ideas Joni also shares personal stories about relationships, people-pleasing, learning discernment, and discovering the freedom that comes from no longer needing to be right. These are the kinds of conversations John and Joni have been having over coffee for years. Now they're inviting you into the conversation. And perhaps the most important invitation from today's conversation is this: Dare to believe that you are so much more than you ever dared to dream—and that walking in beauty is your birthright. The next Coffee with John & Joni conversation will explore The Four Agreements and how they can be applied to everyday life. Learn more about coaching, retreats, and Warrior's Gate 1: Seeing the Dream at ParadiseRanchRetreat.com.

What if everything you've been taught about power is backwards? In the very first episode of Coffee with John & Joni, we explore one of the most misunderstood concepts in personal growth: Power. Most people think power means control, dominance, or getting others to do what they want. Ancient Toltec wisdom teaches something radically different. True power is unconditional love in motion—the creative force flowing through every thought, feeling, and action. Together we explore: • Why power isn't about controlling others • How your thoughts create more of what you focus on • What it really means to live impeccably • Why regret and self-judgment diminish your personal power • Practical ways to reconnect with your highest self • Ancient Toltec principles that can transform your relationships, leadership, and daily life This conversation is the first of many authentic morning coffee discussions between husband and wife, teachers and lifelong students of the Toltec Path. Join us as we explore timeless wisdom and practical tools for living with greater freedom, awareness, and purpose. If this episode inspires you, please subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Learn more: 🌿 WakeUpWithJoni.com 🌿 ParadiseRanchRetreat.com Joni's Book: STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedom John's Books: The Little Book on Relationship or The Shift Remember... You are so much more than you've ever been told, taught, or even dared to dream.

For centuries, many of us have inherited spiritual beliefs without ever asking whether they truly resonate with our hearts. What happens when we begin asking deeper questions? In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with spiritual teacher, minister, and founder of the Academy for Spiritual Awakening, David Hulse, to explore what it means to move beyond fear-based religion into a direct experience of the Divine. Together we discuss: ✨ The difference between religion and spirituality ✨ Why awakening often begins with discomfort ✨ Childhood beliefs that quietly shape our lives ✨ Healing emotional and energetic patterns ✨ Why breakdowns often precede breakthroughs ✨ Divine consciousness versus ego consciousness ✨ The hidden wisdom behind ancient spiritual teachings ✨ How love—not fear—becomes the foundation for true transformation Whether you come from a religious background, consider yourself spiritual but not religious, or are simply searching for greater peace and authenticity, this conversation invites you to explore your own inner knowing with curiosity and compassion. Guest: David Hulse Learn more: DavidHulse.com Host: Joni Caldwell Lerner wakeupwithjoni.com Joni's Book - "STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedom"

Have you ever wondered if everyone else got the handbook for life except you? Even the most successful leaders often struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the nagging fear that someone will discover they're not as capable as they appear. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with executive coach and conflict analyst Dr. Liz DuBois Erskine to explore why so many high performers feel like imposters—and why the answer isn't becoming more qualified. It's becoming more authentic. Together we explore: • Why imposter syndrome isn't a sign you're failing • The hidden relationship between perfectionism and safety • How our childhood stories become the "belief containers" that shape our lives • Why feelings are not facts • The surprising connection between conflict, trauma, and leadership • How to stop seeking validation and start trusting yourself • What it really means to be "all of yourself, all of the time" If you've ever felt like you needed to earn your worth, prove yourself, or become someone else before living the life you're called to live, this conversation is for you. Dr. Liz reminds us that authentic leadership begins the moment we stop making life about ourselves and start focusing on the unique contribution only we can make. If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that they are already enough. Where to find Dr. Liz: https://drlizdubois.com/ linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bizdrliz/ Insta: @thedrliz Where to find Joni: paradiseranchretreat.com wakeupwithjoni.com @wakeupwithjoni Book: STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedon  

In a world filled with noise, opinions, and endless demands on our attention, how do we reconnect with our own inner knowing? In this deeply nourishing conversation, I sit down with Martina Tisljar, founder of MediTap™, speaker, Angel Intuitive, and EFT and Matrix Reimprinting Master Trainer. After a life-altering medical misdiagnosis nearly cost her life, Martina was forced to confront a profound question: What happens when we ignore our inner voice? Together, we explore why so many of us override our intuition, how fear and emotional overwhelm disconnect us from ourselves, and practical ways to regulate our nervous systems so we can make decisions from clarity rather than pressure. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why intuition gets drowned out by fear and conditioning • The hidden cost of living by "should" and "must" • EFT tapping and emotional regulation explained simply • How Matrix Reimprinting helps release old emotional patterns • Why silence, nature, and stillness are essential for healing • The surprising role humility and surrender play in transformation • How to build lasting self-trust in an uncertain world • Why there is nothing wrong with you—and you are never alone This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and remember the wisdom that has always lived within you. Connect with Martina: https://divineselfawakening.com/ insta: https://www.instagram.com/martina_tisljar/ linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-tisljar-905327a4/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martina.tisljar9 youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZymITCkbeQ wake up with joni youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIxgP6c8jrQ Connect with Joni: www.wakeupwithjoni.com www.paradiseranchretreat.com Joni's Book: https://www.amazon.com/stop-look-choose-journey-freedom/dp/b0d8rwf251

In this episode of Wake Up! with Joni, I sit down with entrepreneur, author, and frequency pioneer Sigmar Berg—known to many as "Mr. Frequency"—to explore the fascinating connection between breath, vibration, heart coherence, and human potential. Together we discuss how conscious breathing can regulate the nervous system, why living from the heart creates a different experience of life than living solely from the mind, and how authenticity may be one of the highest frequencies we can embody. Sigmar shares his personal journey from Austria to creating the Love Tuner, a simple tool designed to combine breathwork and sound frequency to help people quickly return to the present moment. In this conversation, we explore: • The connection between breathwork and nervous system regulation • Heart coherence and why it matters • How frequency influences our emotional and energetic state • The role of gratitude in raising our vibration • Authenticity as a pathway to wholeness • Practical ways to become more present and grounded • Why sustaining growth requires lifestyle alignment Whether you're new to breathwork or have been walking a conscious path for years, this episode offers practical insights for living with greater awareness, peace, and vitality. Connect with Sigmar Berg or get his book and the Lovetuner: https://lovetuner.com Connect with Joni: https://wakeupwithjoni.com Get Joni's book: STOP LOOK CHOOSE: Your Journey to Peace and Freedom Retreats: https://paradiseranchretreat.com