Category: Self-Compassion

Mirabai Starr: Naked with the Beloved

Tami Simon speaks with Mirabai Starr, author of God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and the inspiring translation of Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross. With Sounds True, she has created a series of books highlighting many famous mystical figures including Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Teresa of Avila. In this episode, Tami speaks with Mirabai about interspirituality (practicing within many faith traditions simultaneously), the connection between grief and longing, the dark night of the soul in the modern world, and the experience of “being naked with the beloved, unknowing.” (61 minutes)

The Neuroscience of Change

Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist, award-winning lecturer at Stanford University, and leading expert on the mind-body relationship. Dr. McGonigal is the author of The Willpower Instinct and Yoga for Pain Relief, and with Sounds True she has created an audio learning program called The Neuroscience of Change. In this episode, Tami speaks with Dr. McGonigal about how we can consciously change the “default settings” of our brain, what we can do to tune into ourselves at a physiological level during difficult emotional situations, and how self-criticism can hinder our attempts to change our behavior. Dr. McGonigal also shares a practice of cultivating self-compassion. (57 minutes)

Invoking Spirit and the Power of Ritual

Tami Simon speaks with Sobonfu Somé, a teacher, author, and leading authority on African women’s spirituality in the West. Originally born into the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso in West Africa, Sobonfu is the founder of Ancestors Wisdom Spring. She has written the books The Spirit of Intimacy, Welcoming Spirit Home, and Falling Out of Grace, and with Sounds True she has published the six-session audio learning program Women’s Wisdom from the Heart of Africa. In this episode, Tami talks with Sobonfu about the use of rituals for our health and happiness, how we can see our wounds as potential gifts, and what we can do to invoke help from the spirit world and connect directly with our ancestors. (67 minutes)

On the Creative Life

Tami Simon speaks with Julia Cameron, an award-winning writer and director. In addition to her many films, television episodes, plays, and articles in publications such as Rolling Stone, Vogue, and the New York Times, Julia is the author of the bestselling book The Artist’s Way. With Sounds True, she has recorded the audio teaching program Reflections on the Artist’s Way and, along with Natalie Goldberg, The Writing Life. In this episode, Tami speaks with Julia about how to break through creative blocks, how to deal with the internal censor that we all have when we write, and why creativity requires that we take risks. (50 minutes)

A Courageous Spirituality

Tami Simon speaks with Matthew Fox, a teacher, writer, and theologian. An outspoken pioneer whose books include Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, and The Pope’s War, Matthew was expelled from the Dominican Order and is now an Episcopalian Minister. With Sounds True, Matthew has published the audio learning course Radical Prayer: Love in Action. In this episode, Tami speaks with Matthew about how we can apply the four spiritual paths in every part of life, the value of grief rituals, the reinvention of Christianity, and what spirituality might look like in the future. (60 minutes)

The Trickster Redeemer: Woof, Woof, Wanna Play?

Tami Simon speaks with Caroline Casey, whose unique fusion of astrology, compassionate social activism, esoteric spiritual wisdom, and humor is known to audience internationally. Caroline hosts “The Visionary Activist Show” on KPFA in the San Francisco Bay area. With Sounds True, she is the author of the audio learning course Visionary Activist Astrology and the audio program Making the Gods Work For You: The Astrological Language of the Psyche. In this playful yet insight-filled discussion, Tami speaks with Caroline about the myths that are most relevant to our culture at this time, the cultural forces surrounding 2012, and how we can invite the “trickster redeemer” to play an essential role during this time when we most need it. (67 minutes)