How to Transform Suffering Into Freedom | Spotlight Convo

When award-winning author Emma Gannon burned out writing a book redefining success, she took a radical year away from nearly all work. Hear her raw journey barely able to function, winding down her podcast, and stripping life's essentials.But one project remained: her Substack newsletter—a lifeline for creative rebirth. Emma shares the profound freedom of letting go, reclaiming her voice through solitude, and emerging with a "smaller but better" life of true integrity and ease.If you've ever felt disillusioned by society's idea of "making it," Emma's courageous reinvention is a bold masterclass in choosing yourself.You can find Emma at: The Hyphen Substack | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Cleo Wade on words for tender times.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As life and business partners, Jonathan and Stephanie Fields have gone through many different phases of life together. From moving cross country to Colorado to recently becoming empty nesters, exploring various parts of the world remains constant. Road trips like this allow them to find the time and space to experience new things together – no matter where they are in their lives.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trapped by thoughts and beliefs? Anger, grief keeping you stuck? Inspiring teachers Byron Katie and Lama Rod Owens overcame suffering through radical self-inquiry. Learn Katie's "The Work" method and Owens' "Radical Dharma" approach blending Buddhism and his Black, queer identity. Find clarity and freedom in every moment.Episode TranscriptYou can find Byron Katie at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Byron KatieYou can find Lama Rod Owens at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Lama RodCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exhausted, cynical, and ineffective? You could be experiencing burnout. In this candid conversation, Dr. Neha Sangwan provides a radical reframe, defining burnout as a profound mind-body disconnect from ignoring our core needs while chasing society's narrow "success."Drawing from her book Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life, Dr. Sangwan outlines a holistic "burnout triad" and life-changing 5-part framework to realign your energy across physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains. Discover potent yet simple ways to escape the cycle by reconnecting to your deepest values.You can find Neha at: Website | Instagram | “The Awareness Prescription for Burnout” interactive PDF | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Yvonne Ator on our sister podcast, SPARKED, about ways to reframe burnout.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Marisa Renee Lee dives deep into her book Grief Is Love: Living with Loss, recounting personal losses that sparked an awakening - grief stems from love, a vital truth for healing. She dispels myths about "moving on" from grief, instead advocating to embrace it.Marisa shares how marginalized communities face disproportionate grief with little support, underscoring the need for change. You'll learn about self-compassion, vulnerability, and creating "certainty anchors" amidst uncertainty.Whether facing deep loss or supporting a loved one, this conversation provides a refreshing perspective on an inevitable experience.You can find Marisa at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Claire Bidwell Smith about moving through grief.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the games we play reveal deeper truths about human nature and society? In this mind-expanding conversation, neuroscientist Kelly Clancy, author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World explores the profound role of games and game theory in understanding ourselves and actively shaping reality itself.Get ready to rethink what constitutes "winning" and embrace an "infinite game" philosophy focused on mutual flourishing over ego-driven conquests.You can find Kelly at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Nir Eyal about becoming indistractable.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stanford neuroscientist Sean Mackey, MD, PhD reveals pain is highly subjective, shaped by our beliefs and experiences - not just injury signals. He unpacks chronic pain's persistence, promising treatment strategies like brief behavioral therapies, and research toward personalizing care through biomarkers and digital platforms. An illuminating look at pain's complexities.You can find Sean at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. David Spiegel about the surprising science of hypnosis, pain & habit change.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-binary author Jeffrey Marsh shares their journey from childhood rejection to joyfully embracing identity. They explore finding life-changing language/community, the path out of self-hatred, and why pronouns matter for human dignity. Marsh dives into myths of control, self-acceptance beyond gender/sexuality, and actively cultivating happiness. Their hard-won wisdom offers an inspiring roadmap for living authentically from their groundbreaking book, How To Be You. An uplifting must-listen on belonging and being true to yourself.You can find Jeffrey at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Trystan Reese about living and advocating for your truth.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could rewire your brain to dismantle limiting beliefs and negativity? Neuroscientist Nicole Vignola reveals the power of neuroplasticity in this fascinating listen.Drawing from her book, Rewire: Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change (Your Neurotoolkit for Everyday Life), Nicole provides a roadmap to upgrade your neural circuitry through visualization, meditation, and science-backed practices.You'll learn to overcome subconscious programming and negativity bias. Imagine having more control over your reality by harnessing neuroplasticity. If you want to become the architect of your best life, this mind-expanding episode is essential.You can find Nicole at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Light Watkins about reclaiming a freer story and making big changes in life.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poet Maggie Smith candidly unpacks the lightning strike success of her viral 2016 poem "Good Bones" and how it strained her marriage, ultimately unraveling - an upheaval she unflinchingly explores in her vulnerable memoir You Could Make This Place Beautiful.Smith discusses metabolizing life's "unanswerable mysteries" through writing, going viral as an introvert, modeling authenticity for her kids, and our struggle to embrace life's "andness." With radiant honesty, she pursues the uncomplicated truth of simply being herself through stillness and creativity.This profound dialogue is a masterclass on upheaval, art, and what it means to truly live a good life from one of today's vital literary voices.You can find Maggie at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Liz Gilbert about writing yourself letters from love.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.