Thresholders Podcast

My guest this week is someone I've known through the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous since 2006, and who has taken the 11th step ("Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God...") to a whole new level with her commitment and devotion to Buddhist teachings and practices: Mary Stancavage.

Mary Stancavage has practiced meditation, yoga, and cultivated a spiritual practice for over 35 years and in 2009 was empowered to teach Buddhadharma. She teaches classes, retreats, coaches and mentors individuals and has facilitated several Year-to-Live groups over the years. She has served as a volunteer hospital chaplain and been involved with leadership in several non-profit organizations over the years both in meditation and in the social justice arena. She is currently a member of the Guiding Teachers Council for Insight Community of the Desert, serves on the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Interfaith Task Force and is a Board Member of both Meditation Coalition and CLUE: Clergy and Laity for Economic Justice. For the last several years, Mary has investigated what it means to live with an undefended heart and more information on this can be found on her website, marystancavage.org. Fun fact: Mary has an MA from UCLA and spent several seasons working as an archaeologist in Syria.

In this episode Mary and I discuss topics such as:

- meditation for nervous system regulation
- the “year to live” practice as a powerful way to shed what’s not important and turn toward what is
- 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows in Buddhism
- election day as just one day in our lives, and cultivating present time awareness
- the importance of resourcing ourselves well
- “Right now, it’s like this.” My favorite Mary quote which just so happens to be tattooed on her arm
- you cannot win a fist fight with reality, so you might as well say hi to it
- the 11th step in alcoholics anonymous talks about seeking through prayer and meditation, and AA was a gateway for Mary to meditation practice
- the practice of “coming back” and “being with”
- The Eightfold Path: foundational Buddhist teaching
- cultivating kindness and friendliness, not only toward others, but also toward ourselves
- the value of replacing “I am” with “this is”
- living life with an underfunded heart
- “You are a part of me that I do not know yet” as a way to help us meet the polarization of our times

following

Undefended Dharma: Living with an Undefended Heart marystancavage.org

Meditation Coalition
Insight Community of the Desert
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice
LA District Attorney Interfaith Advisory Board

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I’m so excited to be kicking off season two of Thresholders with someone I have admired from afar for years, Centehua Sage.

Centehua is a mother, traditional cook, dancer and embodiment guide.  Born and raised in Mexico City, to artist parents. She currently resides in Northern California near the Yuba river. She shares her musings on Substack and offers a yearly embodiment course on her website at centehuasage.com.

In this episode Centehua and I explore:

- raising a toddler in the midlife years

- the individualism of the wild woman phase that makes way for  cronehood

- Navigating the weirdness of social media

- Schooling versus Unschooling: where do we take a stand and where to we compromise

- Listening to our kids about their needs, and meeting them in the years of letting go

- The importance of peers and outdoor experiences for kids in the pre-school years and beyond

- Curating a child’s education based on their actual needs (rather than our own ideals)

- the letting go years: when to guide and when to surrender

- Centehua’s nutrition journey from veganism, to raw foodie to eating animals from the land (including a hog named Lacey she tended in life and witnessed in harvest)

- Nourishing children

- Not restricting “the cookie”

- The healing power of SOUP!

- Embodying our gift and our life through dance

- And so much more!

Connect with Centehua on Instagram: @centehuasage or on her website: www.centehuasage.com

In this episode Saoirse talks about season one, as well as what to expect for season two of Thresholders Podcast. Season two will begin on November 6th. Thank you for listening, and please reach out to Saoirse directly with comments or questions at [email protected] and follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thresholderspodcast/

My guest this week is Olivia Bareham. 

Olivia is a death midwife, interfaith minister, master teacher, and founder of Sacred Crossings: the Institute for Conscious Dying and Alternative Funeral Home in Los Angeles. 

For over 30 years, Olivia has been guiding individuals toward a conscious dying experience and empowering families to care for their loved ones after death with a vigil and funeral at home. She has published the Death Care Directive, which is a planning booklet for one’s funeral and final disposition. 

Olivia is now internationally renowned for her transformative death Doula and Death Midwife training programs. 

In this episode Olivia and I discuss topics such as:

- Why one might consider embarking on a Death Midwifery Training

- the larger umbrella of death midwifery, and finding your unique gift as a death worker

- Midwifing death in the culture, so people can embrace the gifts of death

- People typically die in the manner of their living

- Embracing death, so we can embrace our lives

- How being present to our discomfort can help us to die consciously 

- the importance of a presence practice

- conscious living often equals conscious dying

- similarities and differences between the birth and death experiences

- the importance of befriending the unknown

- choosing our thoughts wisely

- the healing power of sitting vigil for three days

- Making sudden or traumatic deaths sacred to through ritual practices that helped to move our grief

- “Bridging Heaven and Earth” (a deep dive retreat for Olivia’s training graduates 

- and so much more!

You can find Olivia at:

https://sacredcrossings.com/

In this episode I'm speaking with Esi Wildcat.

Esi is a somatic practitioner and ceremonialist, an ordained Priestess of Isis, a Shakta initiate and Yogini in the lineage of Sri Vidya, a certified health practitioner and interdisciplinary healing artist with over 20 years of expertise.

Esi envisions a world where all humans harness the power to intuit and maintain wellness and alive-ness in all areas of their lives. She's passionate about conversations that creat change, and is a space holder for the primal emotions that often have no place in our contemporary world (such as grief, rage, despair, anger).

As a bridge builder to the New Earth, Esi makes waves in the cultural somatic realm, and is injecting the social justice sphere with a much needed human-ness and nuance. Esi seeks to highlight the extraordinary in the ordinary, and how the power of presence in our lives can transform not only how we relate to ourselves, but to the world around us.

In this episode Esi and I discuss topics such as:

-Teaching humans how to human

- Integrating initiatory and transitional experiences

- A unique (and often judged) approach to social justice work

- Earth changes, and leaning into the sacred-ness of Nature

- Deconditioning our beliefs in order to live a life of alignment

- Contrary to popular belief, "We're right on time"

- The strangeness of these technological times

- The medicine of dissonance

- Clean power in the spiritual landscape

- Meeting this global moment with grace and mercy

- And so much more!

You can connect with Esi on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wildholyhuman or on her website at https://wildholyhuman.com

In this episode I speak to Andre Bolourchi, co-founder of PEAK Fit & Wellness located in Whitefish, Montana.  A lifelong student with a passion for self-improvement, Andre has occupied the role of tv/film actor, wellness entrepreneur, personal trainer, nutrition and life coach, and yogi. His passion for learning and sharing spiritual and metaphysical teachings continues to be his guiding compass North throughout his life. At PEAK Fit and Wellness, their mission in helping others make fitness, vitality, nutrition and recovery a part their everyday life. Join us for this discussion where Andre shares about: -Following our excitement -Moving from surviving to thriving -Nature as a guide to bridging the physical and the spiritual -Balancing surrender and control -The power of consistent practice -“Those who fight for their limitations get to keep them” -Owning the power of our thoughts and words creating our reality -The gym is neutral, your perspective is everything -Discipline versus motivation -Health as a lifestyle upgrade -Beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and action -And so much more! Connect with Andre on Instagram: Websites: https://peakfitmt.com/ https://peakwellnessmt.com/

This week my guest is Living Tea founder, Colin Hudon. Colin developed Living Tea through his lifelong immersion in Tea and Tao. As an herbalist, acupuncturist, and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he shares tea as a moving meditation, living art and plant medicine. In this episode Colin shares in depth about: - The Chinese Elements as a map to living seasonally - Daoist practice - Cha Dao (The Way of Tea) - The Earth Element as it pertains to the 5th season (you read that right - the 5th season!) - Cultivating a practice of presence - Tea Practice as a moving meditation - Remembering to remember yourself - The importance of exploring our interests, and developing the ones we’re most interested in, and so much more!! You can find Colin and his offerings at http://www.livingtea.net/

My guest today is Zenith Virago. Zenith is known as a Deathwalker, an educator and a ceremonialist, offering guidance, support and care to enable and empower people to be as informed, open and courageous as they can, and to experience their dying and their loss in the best way they can. Simply put, she accompanies and guides people in their losses. Zenith is the EO and founding member of the Australian Charity, the Natural Death Care Centre, Co-author of The Intimacy of Death and Dying, subject of the International independent documentary “Zen & the Art of Dying”, and Patron of the Good Funeral Guide, UK. In this episode Zenith and I discuss: - How caring for our own dead makes for a healthier bereavement - The role of the Deathwalker (also commonly referred to as a Death Doula - a term Zenith does not use) - Suffering as Love transformed - Vulnerability and Courage as two wings of the same bird - Death work as “Last Aid” support - Reclaiming the old ways of doing death - The funeral industry as “the old guard” - the unstoppable power of the “third wave” of death workers - The importance of preparing both on the outside and the inside for our death - And so much more! You can find Zenith and her offerings on her websites: https://www.zenithvirago.com/ https://www.naturaldeathcarecentre.org/ https://zenandtheartofdying.com/zenith-virago/

Welcome to Thresholders Podcast! In this episode I speak with Elaine Alghani, founder of “One Love Foundational Healing”, an integrative, Shamanic and Expressive Arts modality. Elaine and I discuss many aspects of self awareness, healing, the shifting nature of the now times, and being by in right relationship with all the experiences that life offers us. We explore the medicine wheel as a sacred cosmology to live by, the importance of embracing a “listening” practice, and how we might make a good home for the guidance we receive. Elaine is in the process of building her website, but you can reach her via email to inquire about her many offerings and to get on her newsletter. [email protected]

In this episode I speak to my brilliant friend, Dr. Vanessa Passov.  Dr. Vanessa has been in private practice for 25 years, helping people navigate chronic illness and autoimmunity. Her roots began with a degree in chiropractic and she went on from there to get a master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine, became a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, a Certified Autoimmune Protocol Coach, and is a Certified Functional Medicine Clinician. In this episode we discuss: -The best and the worst of healthcare -Iatrogenic diseases  -The tsunami of autoimmune diseases we are experiencing, and why they are so prevalent -Keeping hope alive -Tapping into the beautiful mystery of the universe -What we can do to support ourselves in both health and sickness -Epigenetics -When healing is no longer possible, and so much more!!! Dr. Vanessa sees people in person and remotely and is currently constructing a series of courses to help people DIY it with functional medicine for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, gut health, and autoimmunity.  You can find her offerings at https://drvanessapassov.com/

In this episode I speak to Rebecca Avrett Ulizio of Two Bear Farm in Whitefish, Montana. Rebecca is a woman grounded in nature, with a profound connection to plants and the thrill of the wild. This deep bond with nature has guided her towards organic farming, activism, plant medicine, indigenous culture and music. Rebecca strongly believes in the purpose of creating beauty on this earth and has devoted her life to this artistic pursuit. Rebecca and I have a wonderful discussion about organic farming, aligning with the earths cycles and seasons, the power of music and singing in community, creating beauty as a form of prayer, the drawbacks of “proficiency” and getting overly attached to personal/professional labels, community council as a ceremonial practice, the healing power of breathwork, and SO much more! I could have talked to Rebecca for another hour - I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! You can find Rebecca and her offerings on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.avrett.ulizio You can find her and her husband’s organic farm on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/twobearfarm

In this thought-provoking episode I speak with Soul Level Astrologer Mark Borax. Mark has been a nomadic poet his whole life, living a rich and wild story of adventure and discovery before he created Soul Level Astrology in 1987. Mark has authored and co-authored 3 books, most recently "The Ruby Heart of the Dragon". In 2008, Mark and his wife Marcella Eversole founded The College of Visionaries and Wizards which teaches students around the world to read birth charts the way Mark does, and to live by the soul. In this episode Mark and I discuss: -the birth chart as a multi-dimensional portrayal of the souls journey -entheogens as tools for awakening -the Karmic Theater currently playing out on the world stage - the "cusp" theory and why Mark doesn't subscribe to it -Lots of deep diving around the sun signs Libra (Mark) and Virgo (Saoirse) -The 60's movement and how it compares to the revolution of today -The-End-Of-Everything-That-Never-Worked-Right-In-The-First-Place -Invitations from the Year of the Dragon, and SO much more! You can find Mark and his work (and book a session with him) at: www.markborax.com To learn about Mark and Marcella's training program you can visit: www.soullevelastrology.com To purchase the companion series of podcasts that illuminate sections of his book The Ruby Heart of the Dragon, please visit: www.therubyheartofthedragon.com

In this episode, I speak with Ahram Arya about his initiatory journey through toxic mold poisoning as well as some aspects of Human Design and plant medicine, both of which he discovered to be immensely helpful for healing, self awareness and spiritual evolution. Ahram is a coach, intuitive, and healer who helps people and teams optimize themselves. Recently, he founded Toxic Mold Hero, a service to educate and support others to successfully navigate the journey through toxic mold and back to a healthy life. You can find Ahram and his offerings at his website: https://ahramarya.org/ You can also find his work and offerings for toxic mold support here: https://www.toxicmoldhero.com/

In this episode I speak with Andrea Terrones, a mother, healer, and educator dedicated to feminine embodiment and supporting women through various life stages. Andrea works at the intersection of traditional healing practices from her Mexican indigenous lineage and modern science. From this place, she created a unique hands-on, hands-in bodywork healing practice. We discuss Andrea’s journey which includes starting (and ultimately discontinuing) medical school, becoming a doula, her dedication to postpartum care, her holistic approach to healing (such as scar tissue remediation and pelvic care), and the necessity of reconnecting with our bodies for profound transformation and radical self-care. She is the founder of Ma, a project dedicated to supporting women’s sexual and reproductive health throughout the womb continuum. She is also co-founder of Ma School, where she trains others in hands-on care that supports women's physiology and the female pelvis.   You can connect with Andrea and her work via the following links: http://www.mawomenshealth.com http://www.maschool.co

In this episode, licensed midwife Marcy Kuntz and I discuss a range of topics relating to birth midwifery including misconceptions people have about homebirth, the importance of informed consent, building trust and relationship through pregnancy, the birth/death portals as sacred entrance/exit to human life, babies having an appointed time, and so much more! Marcy is a licensed midwife in the state of Montana.  After a crazy birth experience with her first child in 1984, she vowed to become an avid supporter of birth choices.  She began attending births as a doula in 1986 and eventually started her own Midwifery practice in 2005 to continue supporting birth choices and to offer women love and care during pregnancy, labor, delivery and beyond. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, as I got to experience firsthand via the birth of my son in 2022 the beautifully solid space that Marcy holds in her work. Marcy’s website: http://www.birthwithinsight.com

In today’s episode I speak with multi-talented Finnish healing practitioner Tanjariitta Anttila. We discuss a plethora of topics including the powerful nature of the old Finnish healing traditions (in which Tanjariitta is trained) such as sauna, cold plunging, peat moss treatments, wet cupping and leech therapy, as well as her background as a clinical therapist with a focus in somatics. We also speak about our rather similar dark night of the soul experiences via death of a parent, what these changing times might be asking of us, and how we can meet the unknown with grace and acceptance, even when it’s scary. Tanjariitta has an expressive arts retreat upcoming in September of 2024 called “Sacred Chaos” which will be a residential retreat on the gorgeous land that holds Blue Star Resort and Retreat Center in Columbia Falls, Montana. I loved every second of this conversation and I know you will too! Tanjariitta’s website: https://www.tanjariitta.com Sauna 60 website: https://www.sauna60.com Blue Star Resort and Retreat Center website: https://www.bluestarresortmt.com

In this episode, Stella Davies and I discuss her transition from the female archetype of “Mother” to what she calls “Cronette” or Crone-in-Training, which came on the heels of her hysterectomy. Stella’s journey through grief, acceptance and healing has landed her in a renewed place of fresh inspiration and reinvigorated purpose in her life’s work. We explore many other topics including energy healing, the power of ceremony in community, harnessing the energies of menstruation, how we can support young girls coming into their cycles, the gifts of working with the seasons and cycles of nature, and much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation which I feel is a must-hear for women, particularly those who are moving into menopausal years. Stella is a Reiki Master, a Sound Healer, and a Shamanic Practitioner who offers one on one sessions and group gatherings in Los Angeles, and has a very exciting “swim with the dolphins” retreat offering in May of 2025. Stella’s Website: https://www.stelladavies.com

In this episode, I talk with Danielle Patrick about her rare tongue cancer diagnosis that came just 2 months after she gave birth to her first born child. We discuss the journey of her suffering and her healing, as well as the spiritual rebirth that came as a result of the experience. We also discuss evidence-based disease mitigation (such as fasting, a ketogenic diet and cold plunging) as well as ways that she stays mentally and emotionally well (via micro dosing, spiritual meditation and a renewed connection to God). You can find Danielle and her offerings at the following links: Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredsightwellness YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sacredsight?si=OUJlaEJizdkrWAUU General link: Linktr.ee/helloDanielle