Latest episode
From Car Accident to Awakening: Jennifer Pilates on Trauma, Healing, Empowerment & Authenticity
01:01:36|(Ai assist:) Jennifer Pilates and I explore the multifaceted world of Pilates, its holistic benefits, and the personal journey of Jennifer as a wellness expert. They discuss the origins of Pilates, the importance of core strength, and how trauma can lead to spiritual awakening and personal growth. Jennifer shares her insights on healing, identity, and the significance of being authentic in one's journey. The conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of healing and the impact of personal experiences on collective well-being.[Partial:]0:00:00 – Introduction & Welcome to Jennifer Pilates0:00:22 – Who Is Jennifer Pilates? Multi-Passionate Holistic Wellness Expert0:00:56 – The Story Behind the Last Name "Pilates" – Branding or Coincidence?0:03:37 – Seeking Permission from Joseph Pilates' Spirit0:04:20 – What Is Pilates? A Beginner's Guide0:04:43 – Jennifer's Origin Story: Traumatic Car Accident That Led to Pilates0:05:22 – Pilates Works from the Core Outward – Body, Breath & Spirit0:05:59 – From Dancers to Professional Athletes: The Evolution of Pilates0:08:51 – Joseph Pilates' Backstory: From Sick Child to Inventor of Contrology0:10:21 – How Pilates Equipment Was Born in a WWI Internment Camp0:12:28 – Why the Core Is Everything in True Pilates0:14:53 – The Famous Pilates Promise: 10, 20, 30 Sessions Transformation0:17:13 – Pilates as the "Gateway Drug" to Reiki, Intuition & Energy Work0:18:44 – Life-Changing Accidents & Spiritual Wake-Up Calls0:21:29 – Are We Living in Two Different Worlds? Awakening in 20260:31:40 – Allowing Emotions to Flow Through0:35:24 – Healing Trauma: It Doesn't Have to Define or Control You0:38:57 – Your Healing Ripples to Ancestors & Future Generations0:41:21 – Yes, Deep Healing Is Possible – You're Not Meant to Suffer Forever0:44:33 – The Danger of Over-Identifying with Illness or Trauma0:47:12 – When Someone Rejects Healing or Chooses a Different Path0:50:55 – A Heartbreaking Personal Story of Love, Cancer & Letting Go0:53:38 – Do We Pre-Choose Our Exit? The Hardest Spiritual Question0:55:52 – Turning Pain into Purpose – Everything Happens for a Reason0:58:12 – How to Work with Jennifer: Website, Reiki Sessions, Community & More1:00:21 – Final Message: Give Yourself Permission to Be 100% Authentically Youhttps://jenniferpilates.com -- Empowered Within Community (on-demand membership with Reiki meditations, Pilates fusion classes, and more; newsletter for first access to new offerings and expansionshttps://substack.com/@jenniferpilatesEmpowered Within with Jennifer Pilates – Spiritual Growth | Inner Empowerment | Transforming Mind-Body-Spirit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowered-within-with-jennifer-pilates-spiritual/id1566782790https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.pilates.1https://www.pinterest.ph/TheJenniferPilates/_created/https://www.youtube.com/@EmpoweredWithinJenniferPilateshttps://www.instagram.com/thejenniferpilateshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpilatesTakeaways:Jennifer Pilates is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and holistic wellness expertPilates focuses on strengthening and lengthening the body from the core outwardJoseph Pilates, the founder, had a unique journey that shaped the methodCore strength is essential for overall health and alleviating painSpiritual awakenings often come through trauma and significant life eventsHealing is a personal journey that varies for each individualRelationships can impact our healing process, and sometimes we must let goOur identities can be tied to our experiences, and letting go can be challengingHealing can ripple through generations, affecting ancestors and descendants alikeAuthenticity is crucial for personal growth and well-beingSound bites:"I'm a multi-passionate entrepreneur.""You are the lighthouse.""You can be free of all of this."
More episodes
View all episodes
What Does "Care" Taste Like? David Deighton's Quest for Non-Confrontational Political Conversations
54:00|(Ai assist:) David Deighton and I explore the intersection of art, politics, and human connection. David shares his journey as an abstract artist who engages strangers in public spaces to discuss sometimes taboo topics like politics. We get into the limitations of free speech zones, the importance of active listening, and the transformative power of art in fostering dialogue while also touching on disillusionment with traditional politics, the role of AI in communication, and the future of human interaction in a digital age.00:00 Introduction to David Deighton and His Work02:28 Exploring the Concept of Free Speech Zones06:41 Engaging in Political Conversations with Strangers11:50 The Power of Listening and Finding Common Ground17:54 Transformative Experiences in Conversations24:00 Reflections on the Current State of Politics30:02 Artistic Practices and Personal Growth30:54 Transformational Listening and Self-Discovery32:02 Disillusionment and the Search for Meaning34:44 The Impact of Digital Communication37:38 The Power of Direct Human Interaction39:00 The Role of AI in Modern Communication41:42 The Future of Political Engagement45:52 The Dangers of AI and Authenticity49:40 The Importance of Compassion and Community52:27 The Power of Personal Connection55:34 Closing Thoughts and Future EndeavorsTakeaways:David Deighton is an abstract artist focused on fostering conversations about politics.He engages with strangers in public spaces to discuss taboo topics non-confrontationally.Free speech zones are often limited and can restrict genuine dialogue.Listening actively is crucial for meaningful conversations and finding common ground.Art can serve as a medium to facilitate discussions on difficult subjects.Disillusionment with politics can lead to a search for alternative solutions.AI's role in communication raises concerns about authenticity and human connection.The importance of face-to-face interactions in a digital age is emphasized.Transformative experiences can arise from engaging with others on sensitive topics.Small acts of political engagement can have a significant impact on society."Let's do the hardest one.""Free speech should be anywhere, right?""Courage and kindness are core values."https://youtube.com/@triptych-dialoguehttps://www.instagram.com/triptych_dialogue
Generosity and the Illusion of Security: Financial Wellness in a Flawed System with Jennifer Edwards
53:40|Note: I appreciate Jennifer taking and responding well to some hard and heavier questions(Ai assist:) This thoughtful and wide-ranging talk features Jennifer Edwards, founder and CEO of Breakthrough Financial Wellness. We explore the deeper emotional, psychological, and philosophical dimensions of our relationship with money, moving far beyond basic financial literacy.Jennifer defines true financial health not as hitting specific savings goals, but as living with awareness, mindfulness, and alignment—free from constant regret and conscious of the external forces shaping our financial lives. We discuss money as a "store of energy" that should flow (currency), the role of generosity, childhood money beliefs, and the illusion of ultimate security in a trust-based fiat system.The discussion expands into broader societal issues: the history of currency, fractional reserve banking, the fragility of modern financial systems, building real security through community rather than just wealth accumulation, ethical living, consumerism as numbing, and even touches on non-violence, fear-driven geopolitics, and living in alignment with core values. Jennifer emphasizes her 7-layer framework for financial wellness and the importance of conscious choices within an imperfect system.The episode ends on an uplifting note about personal contribution, cumulative positive impact, and accepting limitations while striving to live skillfully.**Key Themes**: Mindful money relationship, money as energy, systemic flaws in finance, security vs. illusion, generosity, ethical living, consciousness over accumulation.https://breakthroughfinancialwellness.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-edwards-cfp0:00 Introduction and Welcome0:17 Who Is Jennifer Edwards? Founder of Breakthrough Financial Wellness0:36 Healing Your Relationship with Money: Beyond Just Literacy1:46 What Does True Financial Health Look Like?2:06 Living Mindfully: Awareness, Consciousness, and Alignment with Money3:20 Money as Energy: A Store of Value That Needs to Flow5:22 Generosity, Circulation, and Why Money Isn't the Root of Happiness8:45 Childhood Beliefs About Money and Writing Your Own Obituary10:19 The Origins of Currency: From Barter to Fiat Money12:32 Building Real Security in an Unpredictable System15:03 Retirement, Nest Eggs, and the Illusion of Total Independence17:20 Community vs. Monetary Resources: Preparing for Collapse Scenarios19:23 Off-Grid Living, Homesteading, and the Limits of "Exiting" the System22:04 Land Ownership, Taxes, and Historical Trust Issues24:44 Cultural Values: Independence vs. Family Support in Old Age26:06 Caregiving, Struggle, and Why Humans Need Challenge (Anti-Fragility)29:33 Amassing Wealth for Big Projects Without Traditional Debt31:48 Private Equity, Accredited Investors, and Crowdfunding Alternatives36:15 Freedom vs. Security: The Eternal Human Tension38:23 Fear, Trust, and the Cycle of Exploitation in Society40:11 Non-Violence, Conscience, and Living by Your Values44:22 Ethical Dilemmas: WWII Lessons and the 2008 Financial Crisis46:58 Future of Money: Crypto, AI, Cashless Society, and Trust Again48:37 Adding Consciousness to Your Money Relationship (7-Layer Framework)50:08 Closing Thoughts: Your Unique Contribution and Cumulative Impact51:21 Where to Find Jennifer: Breakthrough Financial Wellness Programs
From Allergic to the World to Healing Suppressed Trauma: Cindy Costley's Transformation
59:19|Cindy Costley spent 34 years chronically ill, labeled "the girl allergic to the world." At 48, her body forced a reckoning. Through a revolutionary desensitization technique, she discovered her allergies weren't real—they were her body's way of protecting her from suppressed childhood trauma.In this powerful interview, Cindy shares how muscle testing, homeopathic remedies, and cellular-level healing transformed her life. Learn why your symptoms are messages, how your body holds onto trauma, and why traditional talk therapy alone may not be enough. A must-listen for anyone healing from trauma or struggling with unexplained chronic illness.https://theunderlyinganswers.comhttps://www.instagram.com/theunderlyinganswershttps://www.facebook.com/cindycostley5https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindycostleytheunderlyinganswershttps://www.tiktok.com/@theunderlyinganswers0:00 Introduction & Cindy's Story1:49 34 Years With Chronic Allergies: Life in a Bubble3:00 The Breaking Point & Seeking Answers3:55 The Breakthrough: Your Body Isn't Allergic—It's Protecting You4:20 Childhood Traumas & How Dissociation Protects Us5:06 The 5-Year Desensitization Journey Begins7:51 How Suppressed Memories Resurface During Healing8:29 Why Trauma Processing is Different for Everyone10:18 Understanding Your Trauma Response Patterns11:36 Brain Shutdown: Protecting Yourself Through Dissociation13:07 The Mystery Rash: Uncovering Hidden Memories14:44 Muscle Testing Reveals the Perpetrator15:44 The Unlocking Process: When Your Body Remembers17:01 Desensitization vs. Reliving: The Difference18:47 How Timeline Desensitization & EBDT Works19:49 The Six Frequencies of Healing Explained20:41 How Your Cells Hold Patterns (Not Just Memories)21:49 Why Physical Symptoms Show Up Last in Healing22:20 One Size Doesn't Fit All: Individualized Healing Paths24:49 Depression as Brain-Body Disconnect26:32 Operating From Patterns vs. Operating From Truth27:06 Your Symptoms Are Messages: Decoding Your Body's Communication27:48 Can EBDT Work Beyond Trauma?28:34 "Restore the Design"—Your Body is Built to Heal29:19 Lineage, Past Lives & Why Symptoms Develop29:43 Energy Sensitivity: When Being Sensitive Isn't a Flaw32:37 Why Are People Sensitive? Breaking the Belief Pattern33:47 Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: How Beliefs Compound Symptoms34:26 Calming Your Nervous System: The First Step35:19 Stop Normalizing Symptoms & Start Asking Why35:58 How Sensitivity Transforms Into Healthy Intuition36:21 Triggered Responses: What Your Reactions Really Mean36:49 Shared Responsibility in Relationships37:41 The Power of Intentionality & Looking Past Blame39:22 Skillful vs. Unskillful Intention: Why It Matters40:44 When We're Operating From Past Patterns & Trauma41:46 Taking Responsibility While Practicing Compassion43:51 The Intake & Assessment Process: Understanding Your Life Events44:21 Ancestral & Parental Trauma: Starting From Conception45:15 Custom Homeopathic Remedies: How They're Created45:40 Using Remedies in Your Electromagnetic Field46:16 The Magic of Releasing Without Suppressing47:27 Homeopathy 101: How It Actually Works48:30 Muscle Testing: The Body Doesn't Lie49:43 Finding Where Trauma is Stored in Your Body50:19 Case Study: How Childhood Trauma Creates Chronic Illness51:34 The Comprehensive Assessment: Covering All Aspects52:56 From 5 Years to 6-12 Months: How She Accelerated the Process53:36 EBDT Is Born: A Spiritual Download54:40 Becoming a Guide: How Healers Emerge From Their Journey55:46 The Support System That Sustains Healing56:35 The Certification Program & Future Vision57:26 Combining Science With Intuitive Abilities58:03 Final Message: Your Body is Your Biggest Tool58:26 The Four Pillars of Healing: A Complete Framework59:05 Ask Your Body From Your Heart, Not Your Brain
Turning Crisis Toward Awakening: Whistleblower Blair Abee's Path to Spiritual Writing and Meditation
52:21|(Ai assist:) Inner Skilled welcomes author and meditation teacher Blair Abee whom shares his personal story of becoming a whistleblower in a government-affiliated small business program in San Diego nearly nine years ago. After exposing a psychopathic boss for employee abuse and fund mishandling, Blair was fired alongside her, ending his 25-year career abruptly. This traumatic event plunged him into deep meditation and spiritual journaling, leading to unexpected "downloads" of higher wisdom and soul contact—an experience that transformed his life.What initially felt like devastation became a profound gift, propelling Blair to write seven books, develop "Higher Consciousness Meditation" (an inquiry-based practice bypassing traditional mind-taming for direct illumination), and embrace the core message that we are all eternal beings temporarily in human form. The discussion dives into metaphysics: reincarnation vs. rebirth, the nature of the self/soul, non-duality, ending suffering, and the middle way between eternalism and nihilism. Blair and Josh explore discernment in spiritual experiences, the role of trust and faith, ego's relief in surrendering control, and practical mindfulness triggers.Blair emphasizes meditation as the most direct path to soul contact and enlightenment, sharing how his practice evolved from yoga in the 1970s to a deeper dive post-trauma. The episode highlights turning adversity into awakening, the importance of truth, and finding one's unique spiritual path—whether through Buddhism, Christ consciousness, or personal inquiry.https://www.blairabee.comhttps://www.instagram.comhttps://www.facebook.com/authormeditation0:00 - Introduction and Handling Technical Delays with Meditation Mindset0:43 - Who Is Blair Abee? Author, Meditation Teacher, and Retired Consultant1:14 - Blair's Whistleblower Story: Exposing Corruption in Government Program2:08 - The Psychopathic Boss, Investigation, and Unexpected Firing3:59 - Career Ends Abruptly: Trauma Leads to Deep Meditation Dive4:20 - Journaling for Therapy Turns into Soul Contact and Spiritual Downloads5:36 - Core Message: We Are Eternal Beings Seeking Soul Recognition on Earth7:00 - "The Worst Thing" as the Greatest Gift: Reframing Adversity7:55 - Parallels to Modern Whistleblowers and Disclosure Projects9:50 - Psychopaths in Power and Challenges of Whistleblower Protections10:49 - Debating Eternalism vs. Nihilism: Trap or Opportunity?13:14 - Reincarnation, Graduation from Earth Lessons, and Rising Consciousness16:07 - Reincarnation vs. Rebirth: No Permanent Self and Bad Habits Reborn17:18 - Beyond Existence/Non-Existence: Buddha's Tetralemma18:09 - Non-Duality, Oneness with the All, and Waking Up This Lifetime20:52 - Investigating the Self: The Five Aggregates and No "I" Needed25:02 - Soul as Eternal Spark vs. Impermanent Processes28:08 - Why Forget Eternity? Deception, Loosh, and Gnostic Views30:24 - Experience vs. Concepts: Trusting Your Direct Knowing34:38 - Blair's Meditation Journey: From 1972 Yoga to Higher Consciousness Practice36:34 - Higher Consciousness Meditation: Inquiry for Direct Illumination38:03 - Daily Practices: Morning/Evening Sits, Mindfulness Triggers, and Ego Relief41:37 - Adversity as Blessing: Thanking the Trauma for Awakening43:02 - Wise Relationship to the Thinking Mind: Surrender and Trust in Spirit44:41 - Faith as Trust in Your Highest Intention and Evolution47:14 - Where to Find Blair: Books, Courses, Quiz, and Newsletter at blairabee.com48:20 - Discernment in Downloads: Light vs. Dark and Heart/Gut Check51:54 - Final Thoughts: Trust Your Experience Above All Else
Coherence And Consciousness Over AI Control And Indoctrination: Aaron Scott's Evolutionary Blueprint
01:03:18|Towards the end of October 2025 I reconnected with Aaron Scott, a former Wall Street executive of nearly two decades who experienced a profound awakening about two years ago. Aaron discusses his new Amazon #1 bestselling book, Before We Forget: The Guide to Personal and Collective Awakening, which blends practical tools from his finance background with metaphysical insights to create a coherent path for reclaiming sovereignty.Key topics include:• Defining Awakening: Moving beyond esoteric buzzwords to practical awareness—peeling back societal indoctrination (e.g., over-identification with jobs, money, or performative life) to reconnect with one's true self/soul and divine intelligence.• Systemic Detachment: How economy, education, religion, and medicine disconnect us from natural rhythms, coherence, and internal alignment, leading to trauma and fragmentation.• AI as the "apex of disembodiment," rooted in scientific materialism, reducing humans to metrics and utility. It mirrors greed-driven systems (venture capital, military-industrial complex) and risks replacing human connections (therapy, tutoring) for efficiency/profit. Benevolent potential exists for augmenting consciousness, but current paths lead to control via data mining, predictive models, and technocracy.• Insights from Wall Street on greed, manufactured scarcity, central banking as power retention, and risks of digital IDs/crypto as new control mechanisms. No "grand cabal"—more nuanced competition among ego-driven players.• Consent & Power: We embody and consent to systems; reframing reality (inside-out living) revokes power from externalities.• Paradigm Shift: Quantum physics validates ancient hermetic principles (vibration, polarity, reciprocity), proving consciousness as reality's foundation—not materialism. This demands evolution beyond old epistemologies.• Practical Tools: Breathwork, meditation, somatic practices as daily essentials; finding internal coherence to radiate collective change.Aaron emphasizes empowerment: Anyone can transcend limitations by seeing the world clearly, living from inner truth, and fostering higher consciousness. We close with a shared aspiration for universal awakening and freedom.[ Hermeticism was also brought up and the huge Thoth presentation I mentioned even though I don't really connect much with the manner of presentation the info has depth I hadn't heard much of elsewhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6RDcWNUTNE ]Our previous chat: Conscious Investing and The Illusion of Performance-Based Identity with Aaron Scotthttps://shows.acast.com/innerskilled/episodes/conscious-investing-and-the-illusion-of-performance-based-idhttps://www.theaaronscott.comNew Book: https://www.amazon.com/Before-We-Forget-Collective-Awakening/dp/1969372230/The Evolved Podcast With Aaron Scotthttps://www.instagram.com/theaaronscottofficial
Shine On and Off the Mat: Veronique Ory on Yoga, Generosity, Connection & Why You're Already Worthy
55:46|(Ai assist:) Veronique Ory – dancer, theater founder, yoga guide, and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors – shares one of the most romantic family love stories you’ll ever hear, how intergenerational trauma can become intergenerational strength, and simple daily practices that help us remember: we are already worthy, we can choose joy on purpose, and we don’t need one more thing to shine.0:00 – Intro & Welcome Veronique Ory0:19 – Who is Veronique? Dancer, storyteller, theater founder & yoga guide2:04 – The ancient power of gathering around stories3:18 – Yoga, “right view,” and becoming your own ophthalmologist6:30 – A beautiful Holocaust-survivor love story: the motorcycle & honest intentions9:58 – Is old-fashioned romance coming back?14:15 – Intergenerational trauma & choosing empowerment instead of victimhood19:20 – You don’t have to DO anything to shine – the worthiness conversation24:11 – Aspirations vs affirmations & rejoicing in others’ joy26:37 – Morning routine: no phone until you’re centered30:14 – Feeling the feeling you want WITHOUT the “thing” – non-attachment practice33:07 – The stolen sneaker story & purging one item a day36:49 – Generosity, Lakshmi energy & giving is receiving41:10 – Holidays, homemade gifts & cooking with what you already have44:14 – Energy leaks, delegation & the “ice vs steam” full-body yes test49:38 – How to work with Veronique – book, membership, retreats & Italy 202655:31 – Closing blessing: May all beings realize awakeningIn this soul-nourishing conversation, Veronique Ory takes us from 1940s Hungary to modern-day Los Angeles, sharing the motorcycle courtship story of her Holocaust-survivor grandparents, how storytelling around the fire is the original human gathering, and why everything starts with “right view.”We dive into:Healing intergenerational trauma without falling into victimhoodWhy worthiness isn’t earned – you were born with itTurning jealousy into vicarious joyThe morning routine that keeps social media from hijacking your nervous systemFeeling the feeling you want NOW (without waiting for the job/partner/thing)The sneaker story that cured a shopping urge and sparked daily declutteringGenerosity as the ultimate happiness hackCooking and giving from what you already have“Ice vs steam” – the full-body yes/no test for every decisionVeronique’s book & membership “Shine On and Off the Mat” → https://yogawithveronique.comInstagram → https://instagram.com/veroniqueoryhttp://facebook.com/theveroniqueory7-day free trial of the Shine membership (live classes + global community) → link in bioItaly Yoga Retreat 2026 → details on websiteIf you’ve ever felt “not enough,” rushed, or addicted to buying the next thing – this episode is medicine.Which moment resonated most with you? Drop it in the comments – we read every single one. 🧡