Wisdom Teachers Episodes

How do we hold love in one hand and suffering in the other — without breaking? In this beautiful and soul-stretching conversation, Brian sits down with Zach Beach to explore the deep connection between our capacity to love and our capacity to hurt. Zach brings wisdom from spiritual traditions, psychology, and lived experience to illuminate why grief is not something to “fix,” but something to honor. This episode is rich with insights on compassion, presence, mindfulness, and the human journey th...

Send me a Text Message In this thought-provoking and heart-centered conversation, Brian D. Smith sits down with Sifu Boggie, a Taoist guide, healer, and lifelong student of energy medicine, to explore how ancient practices like Qigong, Taoist philosophy, and meditation can help us heal from grief, stress, and emotional pain. With over 40 years of experience — and a fascinating life journey from pastry chef to spiritual mentor — Sifu Boggie brings an accessible, playful approach to deep concep...

Send me a Text Message 🌱 Imagine this : What if our greatest pains and deepest grief are actually challenges designed to help us grow into what we were always meant to be? In this episode of "Grief to Growth," host Brian Smith welcomes James Parker, a distinguished staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the powerful new book, "Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes: Odes to Being Alive." 🖋️ James takes us on a journey through his unique odes—celebrations of life's raw and real experiences, fro...

Send me a Text Message Welcome back to another enlightening episode of Grief 2 Growth. Today, we have the honor of hosting Nicole Goott, a distinguished author, spiritual facilitator, and consultant whose life's work is dedicated to helping individuals achieve deeper understanding and personal growth. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nicole's journey took a significant turn when she moved to the US, leading her to explore theosophy, Indian philosophy, and various healing arts. In This Episode...

Send me a Text Message In this episode of Grief to Growth, Brian D. Smith sits down with Rob Wykes, a chaplain, charity chief executive, and author whose journey from building structures to building spiritual resilience is nothing short of transformative. Rob shares his profound insights on spirituality, exploring what it means to take a spiritual pause and how this practice can deepen our understanding of existence. Key Topics Discussed: - Rob's Journey: From traveling across Europe and Asia to...

Send me a Text Message Welcome to this transformative episode of **Grief 2 Growth**, where we delve into the profound mysteries of life, death, and what it means to truly live. Join host Brian Smith in conversation with Serge Beddington-Behrens, a man whose journey from privilege to spiritual enlightenment offers rich insights into the essence of personal growth and transformation. In This Episode, You’ll Learn About: - Serge’s Aristocratic Beginnings: How his early life in a world of wealth set...

Send me a Text Message If you've ever longed to lift the veil and understand what lies beyond this earthly realm, this profound wisdom from Frankie Key will open your eyes and heart. Tune in now to glimpse eternity and your divine connection to life. Frankie has been on the program before. I will continue to have her back because her message is just that important. I want everyone to understand it. Frankie has been passionate about spiritual growth from a young age. She shares extraordinary in...

Send me a Text Message I had a fascinating conversation with Kute Blackson, a man with wisdom beyond his years. We learn about Kute's background, and what motivates him, and get some of his wisdom. Kute Blackson is a beloved inspirational speaker and transformational teacher. He speaks at countless events he organizes worldwide and at outside events, including A-Fest, YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization). He is a member of the Transformational Leadership Cou...

Send me a Text Message Avikal's book "Who Is In?" will challenge you to discover who you truly are. Often the belief that we know who we are blocks us from discovering who we indeed are. Some of the things we discuss: The questions "Who is in?" and "Who am I?" You often use the word Koan, what is that, and is it different from an existential question or the same? Why would anybody start asking Who is in? or Who am I? What kind of benefit might that have? At the beginning of the second chapter, ...

Send me a Text Message What an episode I have for you today! Lisa Simone and Frances Key talk about The Team Books. Frances Key is the channel for the greatest series of books I've ever read. She's appeared on Grief 2 Growth multiple times, and I'll get her back whenever I can. In addition, today Lisa Simone, author, actor, singer, executive producer, and daughter of the great Nine Simone, joins us. Lisa became a fan of Frances and the books and is one of the narrators of the brand-new audiobook...

Send me a Text Message Clare Goldsberry has been a life-long student of religion and spiritual paths and has studied Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Gnosticism, Kabbalah, Ageless Wisdom traditions, and philosophy. Clare has looked outside of herself for answers. Now, she turns within. At one time she studied for the ministry prior to being called to Buddhism and taking up that path. She is a writer who has published several books including A Stranger in Zion, a book about her journey into and ...

Send me a Text Message This was an intriguing conversation about reconnecting with ourselves, our ancestors, our neighbors, and the land we live on. Many of us are feeling lonely, isolated, and lost. Becca shares how we can reclaim these lost connections. Becca guides us to understanding true belonging - to each other, to the earth, to our lineage, and to ourselves. As the author of Root & Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect with Land, Lineage, Community, and the Earth and host of the Belonging pod...

Send me a Text Message 365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World What a fascinating conversation with a most interesting man. Pierre shared wisdom he has gleaned from an incredible life. It was an honor to be in his presence. In this interview, we focus on his latest book. But, there is a lot more to him than this book. Can you imagine what it would feel like to never feel any resentment for any wrong done to you? To respond with full awareness of all situations rather than react from your gut?...

Send me a Text Message Grab some popcorn and get ready to be entertained. Lionel Friedberg is a man who has lived a full and adventurous life. We could hardly do it justice in this short format. But, we took a good shot at it. Lionel was born in South Africa. As a white boy growing up during apartheid, at an early age, he was introduced to African shamanism and it made a lifelong impression on him. As a young man, a Black friend took Lionel to see a sangoma, a medicine woman. This woman told Lio...

Send me a Text Message Srini Chandra is one of the wisest and most compassionate people I know. I met Srini several years ago when he reached out to me to review his book 3 Lives in Search of Bliss . It's a book I've read several times (we discuss it a little in the interview). I was struck by his knowledge of several religious traditions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Over the years, Srini and I have grown to be friends even though I hadn't spoken with him until...

Send me a Text Message Srini Chandra is one of the wisest and most compassionate people I know. I met Srini several years ago when he reached out to me to review his book 3 Lives in Search of Bliss . It's a book I've read several times (we discuss it a little in the interview). I was struck by his knowledge of several religious traditions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Over the years, Srini and I have grown to be friends even though I hadn't spoken with him until...

Send me a Text Message Robert Perry is one of the most respected teachers of the modern spiritual path A Course in Miracles. A Course in Miracles is a course that is intended to be a spiritual path. The material is claimed to be channeled from Jesus in the late 60s and early 70s. In this conversation, Robert and I discuss the teachings of the course and how closely they align with the lessons from Near-Death Experiences. Robert and I discuss what "the Course" says about God, reincarnation, judgm...

Send me a Text Message Mark Earlix is an internationally known healer, intuitive, author and ordained priest who was born in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 20, Mark was given a profound gift that dramatically transformed his life, and purpose forever. Mark has been initiated into two orders of Gnosticism. At the core of his teachings lies not only the awakening of the divinity and wellness within all, but also the experiential understanding of what is going on beyond the philosophical level. T...