Soulful Impact with Brooks Barron

Hey everyone,This will be the last podcast episode I publish before my upcoming paternity leave, as Ashley and I prepare to welcome our second daughter! 🥳Thank you so much for being part of the first season of this podcast. Hosting the show has already been so enriching and expansive for me, and it feels like we are just getting started.I’m looking forward to being back at it in the fall/winter. An exciting new chapter for the show is already beginning to take shape, and I can’t wait to share it with you.Until then, soulfully yours,Brooks--Tom Morgan is the founder of The Leading Edge, a vibrant private community for leaders deeply committed to personal growth, consciousness exploration, and authentic connection. After only 15 months, The Leading Edge has nearly reached its full membership capacity, demonstrating the profound impact it’s had on its participants.Tom’s path to this purposeful work was anything but smooth. In this deeply revealing conversation, he opens up about his transformative journey from a conventionally “successful” Wall Street career to a profound spiritual awakening that shattered his previous identity and plunged him into a grueling dark night of the soul lasting several years.Tom candidly shares the intensity of his experiences—including profound suffering, mental health struggles, and a challenging period of existential crisis—highlighting how crucial it was for him to strike the dynamic balance between agency and surrender to ultimately break through to his deeper calling.We discuss how Tom navigated the uncertainty of leaving behind a highly successful financial career, faced the painful process of ego dissolution, and discovered that true freedom and fulfillment lay in authentically serving others. He explains how this led to creating The Leading Edge, which now serves as a safe haven and empowerment tribe for others who feel isolated on their own paths of awakening and transformation.This episode offers rich insights into the power of authentic community, the burdensome blessings of spiritual awakening, the courage required to embrace one’s true calling, and how our deepest wounds can become our greatest gifts.--Links & Resources* Watch this episode on YouTube* Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Follow Tom on X/Twitter* Subscribe to The Leading Edge’s Newsletter* Listen to The Leading Edge Podcast on Apple or Spotify* Join the The Leading Edge Community--Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction to Tom Morgan's Journey00:03:45 - From Wall Street Success to Breakdown00:07:30 - The Awakening Experience00:11:15 - Plunging into the Dark Night00:15:22 - Failed Attempts to Pivot Careers00:19:05 - Ketamine Treatments and Rock Bottom00:23:10 - The Turning Point and Healing00:27:20 - Understanding the Hero's Journey00:31:45 - Differentiating Necessary from Unnecessary Suffering00:36:10 - The Shamanic Archetype in Modern Context00:40:30 - Finding Joy in Authentic Work00:44:15 - The Birth of The Leading Edge00:48:22 - Building Community for Consciousness Explorers00:52:10 - The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership00:56:30 - Free Will and Personal Growth01:00:45 - Life as an Intelligent Response System01:05:10 - Embracing the Call to Adventure01:11:05 - Creating Containers for Transformation01:15:40 - The Wound as the Gift01:19:00 - Closing Thoughts on ConsciousnessThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Kelly Wilde Miller is a creative mentor, author, and soul-driven entrepreneur whose journey has been profoundly shaped by her quest to find authentic expression and deep belonging. I first met Kelly in May 2021, when she embarked on a Vision Quest with Animas Valley Institute—an experience that opened a transformative path toward manifesting her soul’s gifts through creativity.In this episode, Kelly shares vulnerably about her journey through profound self-discovery, including the powerful Vision Quest moment when encountering ancient handprints triggered her realization of longing and disconnection—the "song of the lost white people." She discusses the birth of Prismara, her new venture embodying her soul’s authentic expression, and how creativity has become her path toward integration and fulfillment.We explore creativity as a profound act of self-expression and healing, highlighting Kelly’s insight that our perceived blocks—what she calls our “maras”—are precisely the path our soul wants us to navigate to fully channel our unique gifts. Kelly also speaks candidly about navigating the complex dance between authenticity, visibility, and nervous system regulation, emphasizing the importance of creating from a place of grounded safety and embodied presence.Our conversation delves into deep questions around finding our true place—psychospiritually, metaphysically, and literally—and what it means to genuinely find oneself amidst the turmoil and opportunity of our times. Kelly shares her thoughts on conscious parenting, the journey of becoming oneself, and why choosing to live from soul is both a courageous and necessary act in today’s world.This episode will resonate deeply with anyone on a journey toward authentic expression, creativity, and soulful alignment amidst the challenges and potentials of modern life.--Links & Resources* Watch this episode on YouTube* Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Subscribe to Kelly on Substack* Follow Kelly’s work at Prismara: prismaracircle.com* Check out Kelly’s book, Creative Dysregulation--Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome to Soulful Impact Podcast00:02:45 - Meeting Kelly: A Soul Journey Begins00:05:20 - Finding Authentic Expression in Modern Times00:08:17 - Introducing Prismara: Birth of a Soul-Aligned Business00:11:42 - Working the Mirror: Creative Projects as Transformation00:15:36 - The Power of Presence and Embracing the Wobble00:19:32 - Authenticity as the Path to True Expression00:23:10 - The Kelly of Four Years Ago: Lost and Searching00:28:07 - Intergenerational Patterns and Finding Yourself00:33:15 - The Quest for Self: What It Really Means00:37:54 - Vision Quest Revelations: The Wall of Handprints00:42:30 - Finding Belonging in a Disconnected World00:47:05 - Consenting to Life: Saying Yes to Existence00:51:37 - The Symphony of Being in Harmony00:56:10 - Motherhood and Not Losing Yourself01:00:28 - Soul-Centric Development and Necessary Darkness01:04:46 - Raising Children from a Place of Integration01:09:12 - Living in Integrity During Challenging Times01:13:45 - Creativity as Life Force Energy Expression01:18:22 - Creative Regulation and Clearing the Channels01:22:38 - Discerning Soul's Calling from Ego's Distractions01:27:14 - The Path of Authenticity: No Going Back01:32:05 - Future Collaborations and Closing Reflections01:35:45 - Final ThanksThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Marie Janicek is an intuitive movement, pleasure, and embodiment guide who combines her deep expertise as a physical trainer with a profound personal and spiritual journey. After participating in my 2022 Vision Quest program, Marie has stepped powerfully onto a path of embodying soul—described beautifully by her as living as a "magical, mythical being."In this episode, Marie opens up about how embracing her soul became the transformative "missing piece" in her spiritual and emotional journey. She shares intimately about her experiences during the Vision Quest, how the quest supported her in integrating and building upon a profound awakening of embodied intelligence that she had experienced years earlier, and her ongoing spiritual, personal, and professional journey since.We dive deep into the potent connection between sensitivity, embodiment, and vitality. Marie reveals how reclaiming her sensitivity—often misunderstood and dismissed by modern culture as weakness—has been central to her healing and growth. She speaks eloquently to the dynamic force of pleasure and sexual-creative energy, emphasizing its vital role in igniting aliveness and soulful leadership.Marie and I explore how her experiences in psychedelic guiding, intuitive movement, and her journey through the highs of visionary states (including her experiences connecting with her mythopoetic soul identity, "Soaring Fire Heart") and the lows of deep human struggle - even contemplating suicide - have guided her toward clarity about her unique soul gifts and purpose, and helped her cultivate a deep and grounded foundation of presence.This conversation will resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of embodying their soul, reclaiming sensitivity, wondering about their deeper purpose and whether there is something more magical and expansive to this life (there most certainly is), and/or stepping into greater vitality and impact in the world.--Links & Resources* Watch this episode on YouTube* Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Connect with Marie on Instagram--Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction and Spiritual Journey00:03:15 - Marie's Background and Vision Quest00:07:21 - Understanding Soul as Unique Entity00:12:05 - Balancing Spirit and Soul Work00:17:22 - Embracing Emotional Intensity00:21:48 - Reclaiming Innate Sensitivity00:26:30 - The Collective Pain of Disconnection00:30:15 - Marie's Transformative Quest Experience00:34:42 - Soul Name and Personal Calling00:38:54 - Navigating Spiritual Highs and Lows00:43:10 - Processing Emotions as Energy Waves00:48:30 - Evolution Through Feeling More00:52:45 - Embodied Intelligence and Movement00:57:20 - Discovering Orgasmic Capacity01:02:38 - The Sacred Nature of Pleasure01:06:50 - Soul Practices and Nature Connection01:11:25 - Defining Soulful Impact01:15:30 - Marie's Work and Approach01:18:45 - Closing Thoughts on Soul-Infused LivingThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.Jerry Colonna is a world-renowned and highly sought-after executive coach. After a successful early career in venture capital and private equity, he found his calling in coaching. Known in some circles as “the CEO whisperer” or “the Yoda of Silicon Valley,” he brings a depth of soul-rooted presence, love, and fierce advocacy for the disinherited and the unseen.How did he get this way? Through a long journey of meeting his own fear and trauma with love, of course (see his book Reboot for that story). And through decades of personal work and dedicated spiritual practice (primarily Buddhism).There’s also a lesser-known aspect of Jerry’s journey, which I personally see as vitally important: he traveled the nature-based journey of soul initiation. I believe the tremendous contribution that Jerry is making to the building of a better world — including his groundbreaking books and his work with leaders and teams — is largely empowered by the journey he went on to find and embody his soul’s true purpose.I was really excited to get to draw out more from Jerry about his experience of that journey in this podcast.He describes it as going from being “dismembered” and “a complete mess” (as a financially successful investor in his 30s) to becoming “re-membered.” To remembering himself.Jerry shares how at one point the Earth literally pulled him down and swallowed him whole, initiating a wakeup call that brought him into contact with his deeper self and eventually led him onto a vision quest.Jerry's story is a deeply moving example of what’s possible through self-discovery and self-healing in nature. We discuss how the part of himself he discovered on that quest — the essence of his soul’s unique gift — has informed and empowered his life and work since.Jerry and I also unpack how the lessons learned from what helps us make it through our own personal dark times in a good way can also inform how we collectively approach the current dark times we are witnessing on the global stage right now.–Links & ResourcesConnect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedInSoulful Impact: soulfulimpact.coCheck out Jerry’s coaching firm, RebootRead Jerry’s two books, Reboot and ReunionConnect with Jerry on Instagram or LinkedIn–Chapters00:00 - Introduction: A Journey of Remembering02:30 - Early Years: Disconnection and Depression07:30 - Wakeup Call: Falling into the Crevasse11:45 - The Meaning of Soul16:30 - Vision Quest: Purging Pain, Finding Purpose24:30 - Integration: An Ongoing Process28:15 - Non-Directive Coaching: Allowing Emergence32:00 - Reunion: Belonging and Our Ancestors38:30 - Navigating the Dark Times44:15 - The Work That Is Never Done48:45 - Finding Joy Amidst the Darkness54:00 - Remembering Our Role in the Symphony59:30 - Final Reflections: Be Excessively Gentle With Yourself—Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.Ross Geiger is Co-Founder & President at Ciro, a YC-backed tech startup. His LinkedIn says he is “On a journey to understand & elevate the craft of Sales.” And he participated in the 2024 Soulful Impact Vision Quest.If that combination makes you raise an eyebrow, you’re not alone. Ross is a unique and deeply multifaceted individual. Which is part of why I was so excited to invite him onto the show.Through guiding Ross on his quest, I got to witness his incredible depth. I had the opportunity to walk beside him as he did a very scary and courageous thing. He stepped away from a very full life to spend several days alone in the wilderness with no food. He ceremonially released the control of his ego so that he could dive deeper within himself than ever before and connect with the truth at the center of his calling.The result was profound. I’m incredibly grateful to Ross for his willingness to share some of that experience with you directly through this episode.A core theme we explore in this conversation is how the setting and structure of the quest supported Ross in putting his ego aside, how this enabled a realization of his innate worthiness, and how that spark opened the door for his soul to speak.We also explore what integration has been like for him so far, what’s alive for him now in this next layer of his journey, and how he’s finding deep soulful alignment without needing to make major shake-ups to the external realities of his life (which is something people often expect to happen after a vision quest).In this way, Ross’ story is a powerful example of how it’s really the internal shift that counts. When we consciously live and act from a place of soul, we are guided to make soulful impact in beautiful and unexpected ways.Enjoy!Links & Resources* Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Connect with Ross on LinkedIn* Check out Ross’ company, CiroChapters00:03:28 Introduction and Journey Overview00:06:24 Personal Background and Call to the Quest00:09:30 Preparation for the Vision Quest00:12:31 Experiencing the Quest: Inner Work and Transformation00:15:22 The Role of Nature and Wilderness in Healing00:18:40 Insights Gained from the Quest00:21:28 The Importance of Authenticity and Self-Expression00:24:15 Messages from the Soul and Personal Craft00:27:21 Reflections on the Quest Experience00:30:32 Future Directions00:44:01 Believing You're Enough00:46:06 The Journey of Self-Discovery00:51:50 Nature as a Teacher00:53:43 Understanding Our Place in Nature00:59:51 The Power of Asking for Support01:04:51 Embodying Soul in Leadership01:10:36 The Importance of Personal Transformation01:14:40 Integration After the Quest01:20:33 Advice for Future Questers—Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.Today’s episode features my good friend and nervous system specialist, Jonny Miller.Jonny is the host of the Curious Humans Podcast and founder of Nervous System Mastery, Jonny is the host of the Curious Humans Podcast and the founder of Nervous System Mastery — a 5-week bootcamp to cultivate calm, boost resilience, and increase aliveness.I often talk about how one way to conceive of the soul journey is alchemizing our pain into purpose.Especially in the modern world, where most of us don’t have village elders around to guide us into the initiatory journey of soul when we are deemed ripe and ready, that initiation is sometimes catalyzed by external life circumstances that shake us up to wake us up.In Jonny’s case, this occurred through the tragic and sudden loss of his fiancé to suicide in 2017 — right after she returned to work from some time off and suffered a panic attack.In this episode, Jonny and I explore how that terrible event sent him on an inward journey — which initially helped him heal and fully submit to his grief, and eventually ended up leading him to the deep, soulcenteric place of purpose from which he leads and creates today.I view Jonny’s work — and Nervous System Mastery in particular — as sorely needed, heart-centered offerings that can help people like his former fiancé stay regulated even in the most challenging moments of life.Beyond that, I think Jonny’s work is a highly effective “Trojan Horse” to bring the crucial skills of emotional and somatic self-awareness and mastery into the mainstream — when, let’s be honest, these skills have historically been maligned and ridiculed in our culture, especially for high performing professionals.These skills are not only important to help us stay emotionally, psychologically, and physically safe in our lives — but are also crucial for equipping ourselves to successfully chart the dark and dangerous waters of the Journey of Soul Initiation.Jonny and I discuss the journey he’s been on since 2017, what it’s been like for him to build what he’s built, some key choices he’s made that have helped make him successful, and what he envisions for the future of his work.—Links & Resources* Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Follow Jonny on Substack or X* Nervous System Mastery—Chapters00:04:13 Exploring the Concept of Soul00:16:35 The Journey of Grief and Transformation00:27:28 Connecting Emotions and the Nervous System00:28:20 The Nervous System as a Bridge00:33:14 Creating a Course: The Journey of Expression00:43:47 Future Visions: Expanding the Curriculum00:53:52 Navigating Intensity: Growth and Balance00:56:27 Navigating Thresholds: Living in Stasis vs. Breakthroughs00:57:37 The Dance of Beauty and Terror: Embracing Obliteration01:00:18 Chaos and Nervous System Work: A Path Forward01:05:20 Envisioning a Future of Nervous System Mastery01:09:18 Partnerships and Soul Growth: The Alchemical Container01:16:32 Practical Steps to Nervous System Literacy: Starting Your Journey—Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and soulful impact happens when we slow down enough to live and lead from the deeper truth inside.We are so addicted to speed in our culture. It’s the water that we swim in. This is especially the case in the world of entrepreneurship — i.e. “Do More Faster” or “Move Fast and Break Things.”I love going fast when that’s what is called for. But too much of anything — even a good thing — gets out of balance.Slowing down can be really hard to do when you’re programmed to believe that moving fast equals success, and operating from a consciousness of scarcity and threat. But taking the time to slow down in a mindful, intentional, and soulful way is key to discovering and embodying the deeper truth of who we really are.And it’s only after we’ve done that that we become truly unstoppable.My guest on today’s episode is an incredible example of this.Steven Schlafman is the founder of Downshift, the world’s first decelerator — helping high performers slow down in times of professional transition.Formerly a partner at a New York Venture Capital firm, Steve (aka Schlaf) was forced to wake up and slow down due to a lack of sustainability in his own lifestyle.Now 10 years into a deep journey of self-healing and self-discovery, I believe Steve and Downshift are poised for a greater level of genuine impact, success, fulfillment and freedom than anything that the prior version of Steve could have imagined.And I that’s a direct result of the consciousness and soul-rooted place that he and his team are leading from.--Links & Resources* Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Downshift: Apply for the Spring ‘25 Decelerator Cohort* Follow Schlaf on X or LinkedIn* Schlaf’s Substack: Where The Road Bends* William Stafford Poem: The Way It Is* Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack--Chapters04:30 The Wisdom of Slowing Down07:36 Deceleration and Connection10:20 The Birth of Downshift13:17 Challenges of Modern Acceleration16:22 Facing the Fear of Slowing Down19:32 The Cost of Speed22:28 Confronting Personal Pain25:34 The Journey to Authenticity29:44 Facing the Pain of Addiction32:53 The Journey to Sobriety36:28 Embracing Life's Cycles38:36 Exploring the Concept of Soul43:40 Trusting the Inner Knowing50:53 The Four Windows of Knowing54:55 The Importance of Choice in Personal Growth57:11 Navigating Existential Questions in a Changing World01:01:02 Shifting Paradigms: From Extraction to Cultivation01:04:46 Nature as a Teacher: Insights from Soulcraft01:14:47 Fatherhood: Balancing Presence and AmbitionThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.I’ve loved recording all the podcast episodes I’ve done so far. But I have to say, this one left me feeling incredibly alive.Rebecca Wildbear is a Senior Soul Guide at the Animas Valley Institute, a psychotherapist, and the founder and creator of Wild Yoga, an organization that leads programs and retreats to help people connect with their bodies, dreams, and wild nature as gateways to creating soulful impact. Rebecca is also the author of the book Wild Yoga.Rebecca and I first met over 10 years ago, when she guided me on my very first vision quest. We reconnected 7 years later when I went back to Animas for a quest guiding apprenticeship, in which Rebecca and I guided a group of 10 questers in the same desert canyon where I’d quested with her 7 years before. I then convinced her to be my co-guide on the first couple of quests that I offered through Soulful Impact. She's a close mentor and a dear friend.In this conversation, Rebecca and I discuss how to build and deepen our connection to soul through the relationships we create with several very potent portals and gateways to soul, including:* Wild nature* Dreams* Our bodies* Our hearts* Our traumaTurns out that as human beings, we all come fully equipped with “soul hardware.” Meaning that we innately have everything we need to establish a profoundly deep, expansive, and powerful connection to soul. We don’t need anything outside of ourselves and our own natural wholeness to illuminate our life’s highest purpose and bring us fully alive.But in our modern day culture, we’ve distanced ourselves from the knowledge and understanding of how to put that God-given hardware to good use. The necessary skills are still out there and available to all of us, but thanks to centuries of censorship and oppression, we have lost the cultural infrastructure that could guarantee we all learn these things.The good news is that we are the lucky souls who get to turn this trend around. We get to remember and rediscover these ancient, deeply human pathways for ourselves, and then share them with others. We get to rebuild a new cultural fabric that is deeply rooted in soul and sings in harmony with the benefits of modern life.This conversation with Rebecca is a roadmap to that future, one human being and one human soul at a time.I hope you enjoy it!--- Links & Resources ---* Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Rebecca’s website: rebeccawildbear.com* Follow Rebecca on YouTube, Instagram or Substack* Wild Yoga Book* Check out Rebecca’s TedX Talk: The Visionary Power of Dreams & NatureGet newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.I’m so excited to share this new conversation with my good friend, colleague, and guide Quddus Philippe.Quddus is a sound facilitator, psychedelic guide and the founder of Sound Sanctuary Academy. Surrounded by the instruments he calls his “bandmates”, he guides individuals and groups through life-changing sound and psychedelic experiences. He is based in Amsterdam.Originally from humble beginnings in Canada, Quddus started his career as a campus radio DJ and then made a quantum leap, replacing Carson Daly as the host of MTV’s iconic show, Total Request Live. Describing his impact, TIME Magazine called Quddus “one of pop culture’s foremost tastemakers.”Q has been on quite a journey since then. After exploring the world of personal development and becoming a certified life coach, it was a shamanic training that inspired a more spiritual awakening and the spark to work with sound. Quddus proceeded to study under 3 of the best sound practitioners in the world and now he gets invited by people all over the world to deliver his uniquely empowering journey with sound.What I love most about Quddus is the conviction, audacity, and love with which he pursues his calling and amplifies others doing the same.In this conversation, we explore Q’s journey — what it was like for him going from being on TV in front of millions of people to facilitating small, intimate sound ceremonies.We discuss the power of sound, meditation, and psychedelics to open us to our deeper truth and reveal the calling and the power of our souls.We discuss the tension that can exist between soul and scale, and how to approach that tension in a creative, aligned way.And finally, we discuss the path of becoming a shamanic practitioner, what makes a true and trustworthy shaman, how to navigate choosing practitioners that you work with, and in general, demystifying the complex topic of shamanism through the simple lens of “working in service of love.”--If you enjoyed this conversation and are seeking deeper purpose and presence in your life, you’d likely be an amazing fit to join me on The Vision Quest I am leading next month in Southern Arizona.The quest is a weeklong wilderness-based ceremony that helps you travel more deeply within yourself than you have ever been before and get the answers you’ve been longing for.If Quddus’ message about transforming pain into purpose resonates with you, I couldn’t recommend The Vision Quest more highly.I feel the same way about guiding quests as Quddus feels about facilitating with sound. This was the journey that fundamentally changed my life for the better ten years ago, when I was depressed, stuck, and lost. There is nothing more fulfilling in the world for me than guiding others on this same journey and witnessing the incredible magic, purpose, and presence it brings into their lives.What gifts and insights will you uncover when it’s just you and nature?Check out the full details and apply here: https://soulfulimpact.co/quest--Links & Resources* Follow Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Follow Quddus on Instagram* Sound Sanctuary: soundsanctuary.org* The Creator Incubator: quddus.co/mastermind* Beyul Retreat: beyulretreat.com* New York Times magic mushrooms brain scan article* Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

Watch this episode on YouTube.Our bodies might be the most powerful and important tool we have as human beings when it comes to the journey of remembering our deeper truth and living in alignment with our souls.In modern culture, which is still largely dominated by the ego, we are often conditioned to create a really unhealthy relationship with our bodies. We see our bodies as limited, we criticize them and wish they were different. We experience their needs as inconvenient and contrary to what we need to get done or how we think we should be. We get confused between the genuine needs of our bodies, which can be met the vast majority of the time, and the insatiable needs of our egos.It’s not our bodies that drive us into unhealthy behavior like overeating and addiction. Those are the ego’s doing — and then our bodies get stuck in habit and inertia as they attempt to adapt.Learning to listen to and follow the genuine needs and deeper knowing of our bodies can be a long road when we’ve spent most or all of our lives ignoring or working against them. But it is so incredibly worth it.Because a clear relationship with a healthy body is a dynamite connection to our intuition.When we learn to listen and develop healthy relationship, our bodies become divine tuning forks that we can use to navigate everything from practical decisions in everyday life to the mysterious calling of our souls.My guest on today’s episode is a master of this terrain.Franziska Gonder is an executive and somatic leadership coach to high-performing founders, CEOs, investors and elite political operatives. She is recognized around the world as a leading voice on the intersection between somatics and leadership.Like just about anyone I know who has developed a strong connection to soul and a genuine capacity for somatically-attuned leadership, Franzi’s wisdom was initially earned the hard way.In her particular case, it was the unexpected death of her father that interrupted her unrelenting young-professional achievement drive, forced her to face how burned out she really was, and ultimately gave her the opportunity to connect fully with her body and begin a deep healing journey.In this episode, Franzi and I unpack what that experience was really like for her, and how it informs the powerful leader, coach and mentor she is today. Franzi offers the compelling reflection that Soulful Impact creates success on a wholistic level, while narrower versions of impact are likely to include negative side effects.One of the most inspiring moments in this episode for me was the opportunity to talk to Franzi about the journey of parenting. Her level of attunement to her kids — a natural outcome of her own somatic journey and awareness — is nothing short of remarkable. She shares how that has allowed her family to navigate a journey of healing that goes beyond what is currently explainable by science.—Links & Resources* Follow Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Franzi’s website: franziskagonder.com* Franzi’s Substack: Leadership That Heals The World* Follow Franzi on LinkedIn or Twitter/X* Forbes Article* If you like this episode and want to hear more from these two, check out Franzi’s interview with Brooks on her podcast from last year—Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on SubstackThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog