Permission to Flow

35 - The Science of Yoga: Why Yoga Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Compassionate with Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

As a yoga teacher and practitioner, I know how good yoga can make us feel, but my guest today understands precisely why the practice has such a positive impact on our brains. Dr.Jonathan Rosenthal is a clinical fellow in neurophysiology and one of my fellow yoga teachers at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York. Jonathan is particularly interested in the intersection of yoga and neuroscience, and in this episode, he explains how yoga changes our brains and improves our mood, memory, and sleep.
 
Topics discussed in this episode include:
[00:05:45 ] - Jonathan’s yoga journey
[00:17:35 ]  - Defining Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity
[00:25:05 ] - How yoga affects the brain
[00:37:47 ] - How yoga affects the stress response
[00:42:15 ] - How yoga affects depression and anxiety
[00:46:05 ] - Developing compassion and empathy through yoga
[00:52:07 ] - Embracing both yoga and modern medicine
[00:55:41] - Final Questions
Quotes from Episode: 
“Most people who practice yoga come back to it because it changes so many aspects of their lives. For me, I feel like I'm a much nicer person—I don't get angry. I'm just so much calmer about everything. I sleep better and am able to focus immediately when I need to.”
 
“People say that exercise is good for depression and anxiety, and that's true. However, when they compare yoga to aerobic exercise, yoga appears to be more effective for depression and anxiety. This is likely due to the self-regulation pathways and the ability to regulate stress.”
Get in touch with Jonathan:
Instagram: @neuroyoganyc
Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference: Registration 2023 
 
Announcements:
Sign Up for a Free Discovery Session
Donate to A Way of Thinking Podcast
Join me for Psychic Development at 9:30 a.m. and Yoga Nidra at 10:30 a.m. in-person and online. DM me for details
Jessica Hwang Coaching
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Ease of Mind Productions

34 - Redefining the American Dream: Crafting a Life of Purpose, Passion, and Creativity

In this episode, I explore what the American dream means to me and consider how the concept has evolved over the generations. For my immigrant parents, the American dream meant job security and financial success, but for me, it’s about living a life fueled by passion, purpose, and creativity. We all have our own version of the American dream, and as a purpose coach, I’m here to help you find yours. Listen in to discover how to move away from the traditional 9-5 and start doing what you love. 
 
Topics discussed in this episode:
 
[00:13:02] - Breaking free of societal constraints and parental expectations
 
[00:22:42] - Defining what you value and how you want to pursue your American dream
 
[00:23:18] - Learning from the example of successful role models
 
[00:29.09] - Building a supportive community of like-minded people
 
Quotes from Episode: 
“I love the idea of being able to redefine the American dream. There can be a million different versions of the American dream because there are millions of different people and we all get to define it in a way that makes sense for us.” 
 
“I could look at the 10 years I spent in my finance job as a waste of time, or I can see the ways that it served me. It gave me the financial stability and the career success to enable me to now pursue my version of the American dream.”
Announcements:
Sign Up for a Free Dream Job Discovery Session
Donate to A Way of Thinking Podcast
Join me for Psychic Development at 9:30 a.m. and Yoga Nidra at 10:30 a.m. in-person and online. DM me for details
Jessica Hwang Coaching
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Ease of Mind Productions
 

33 - Embracing ’Negative’ Emotions for Growth and Fulfilment with Gill Hasson

I'm so excited to introduce our guest today, Gill Hasson. She's not just an author and coach but a true expert in the art of helping individuals experience greater happiness, calmness, and confidence. Throughout the episode Gill imparts practical insights on how to avoid dwelling on the past or succumbing to future anxieties. Plus, we explore the art of embracing healthier thought patterns by delving into the practices of mindfulness, the cultivation of resilience, and the intentional steps that propel us forward with a profound sense of purpose and optimism.
 
Topics discussed in this episode: 
 
[00:07:52] - Recognizing the positive aspects of ‘negative’ emotions, such as jealousy, anger, guilt, or regret.
 
[00:13:39] - Setting big goals and breaking them down into manageable steps.
 
[00:19:03] - Adopting an abundance rather than a scarcity mindset
 
[01:02:36] - The psychological benefits of social connection and contributing to your community
Quotes from Episode: 
"I wrote a book about happiness, and all the research I examined revealed that little has changed since the time of Aristotle, who recognized over 2,000 years ago that to be happy, one must enjoy small pleasures and also have a purpose."
 
"Why do some people move forward while others can't? Research indicates that those with resilience and a positive mindset tend to view themselves as survivors rather than victims in tough situations. These people share characteristics such as seeking support, contributing to others, or feeling that they have a connection with something bigger and more eternal than themselves."
 
 
Announcements:
Sign Up for a Free Dream Job Discovery Session
Donate to A Way of Thinking Podcast
Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
​​Get in Touch with Gill:
Gill’s Website
Gill’s Twitter 
Gill’s Books
Gill’s Book Recommendation: Positive Thinking: Find Happiness and Achieve Your Goals Through the Power of Positive Thought
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Ease of Mind Productions

32 - Awaken Your Life’s Purpose: Open Up to New Possibilities

In this episode, we'll dive deep into the journey of uncovering your life's purpose and embarking on the path towards a more fulfilling career. Drawing from my own personal experiences and the insights I've gained as a purpose coach, my aim is to inspire you to follow your curiosity, embrace the unknown, and liberate yourself from the self-imposed constraints that might be holding you back in a job that is no longer serving you.
 
Topics discussed in this episode: 
00:03:43 - Discovering your interests
00:06:37 - Exploring fresh possibilities
00:13:33 - Summoning the courage to step beyond your comfort zone
00:21:32 - Conquering the fear of failure
 
Quotes from Episode: 
“We all have natural gifts and talents that we're meant to explore and utilize in work that brings us joy and happiness and just feels right.”
“I’ve learned to settle into discomfort and allow it to excite me rather than terrify me. When you do this, you start to believe that wherever you’re going will be so much better than where you’ve been.” 
 
Announcements:
Sign Up for a Free Dream Job Discovery Session
Starting this Sunday, join me for Psychic Development at 9:30 a.m. and Yoga Nidra at 10:30 a.m. in-person and online. DM me for details
Donate to A Way of Thinking Podcast
 
Links from the Episode:
Rumi
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Ease of Mind Productions

31 - Unraveling the Path: From Crime Journalism to Dharma Yoga with Jerome Burdi

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation with Jerome Burdi. Jerome is a Dharma yoga teacher and Bhakti musician.  His path first led him to writing as a newspaper crime journalist.  Jerome then found the spiritual path through ayahuasca ceremonies, which led him to vipassana meditation and yoga.  He is currently based in Barcelona, Spain where he leads yoga teacher trainings, workshops, and classes.
 
In the episode, Jerome and I talk about following your bliss to lead you to your purpose.  Jerome shares how his journey took him from crime journalism to teaching yoga.  We talk about the importance of enthusiasm and self-practice.  We also discuss releasing our attachment to the fruits of our labor.  Finally, we talk about the twist of fate that landed Jerome in his current city of Barcelona, Spain.
 
Highlights from the episode:
 
Following Your Heart: Jerome highlights that purpose is about listening to what your heart truly desires rather than conforming to external pressures. Many people follow paths that don't align with their inner calling, leading to a sense of discontent.
 
Letting go: Jerome shares how ayahausca ceremonies led him to spiritual path and how he could no longer be numb to the pain and suffering from his job as a crime journalist.
 
Enthusiasm and Tapas: Jerome defines enthusiasm as being filled with spirit or divinity, leading to a playful and joyful approach to life.
 
Consistency, Attachment, and Aversion: Jerome talks about how consistency is what leads to mastery.  He also shares the importance of releasing attachment to the fruits of ones actions and how there's always something you can practice.
 
Follow your Bliss: Jerome shares how following his bliss led him from NYC to Milan to Barcelona.
 
Don't miss this episode if you're looking to explore dharma, enthusiasm, attachment, and so much more!
 
Announcements:
 
Make a donation to A Way of Thinking podcast: Donate Here
Join Jessica for Dharma Yoga on Sundays at noon: www.dharmayogacenter.com
Book a Free Dream Job Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Episode Links:
Joseph Campbell - The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Jack Kerouac - On the Road
Vipassana Meditation
Sri Dharma Mittra
 
Get in Touch with Jerome:
 
https://omjerome.com
Follow @om_jerome on Instagram
 
Get in Touch with Jessica:
 
Visit www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow @jessicahwangcoaching on Instagram
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

30 - Finding Purpose in Transformation: From Yoga to Psychedelics with Henry Winslow

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation with Henry Winslow. Henry is a yoga instructor.  He is the 2018 winner of the World Yoga Asana Championships in Beijing.  He is the host of the Dharma Talk podcast. His latest project is Tricycle Day, a free twice-weekly newsletter covering psychedelic science, business, and policy.  He is currently based in Austin, Texas.
 
In the episode, we talk all about purpose through the concepts of purpose, dharma, and ikigai.  We talk about Henry's path into entrepreneurship and creating Dharma Talk.  We also discuss his yoga journey and becoming the winner of the World Yoga Asana Champion.  Lastly, Henry shares his latest project, Tricycle Day, a  twice weekly newsletter on psychedelics. 
 
Highlights from the episode:
 
Purpose, Dharma, and Ikigai: Henry discusses the importance of being aware of our micro-level activities and macro-level life goals, constantly recalibrating our actions to align with our evolving priorities.
 
Entrepreneurship: Henry shares his early entrepreneurial ventures from selling stray golf balls back to golfers to kombucha accessories and how being of service is a critical part of the entrepreneurial journey.
 
Dharma Talk: We talk about why Henry started Dharma Talk and the gifts of doing the podcast.
 
Yoga Championships: Henry shares how he became the winner of the World Yoga Asana Champion and how his win ultimately came from surrendering.
 
Deepening the Practice: Henry highlights how love and constant practice transformed his yoga practice
 
Tricycle Day and Psychedelics: Henry shares his personal journey exploring psychedelics and connecting to simply existing.  We discuss the importance of integrating the peak experience into your life.  Henry also talks about how this led him to create his newsletter to share current events and stories in this evolving landscape.
 
Don't miss this episode if you're looking to explore dharma, entrepreneurship, psychedelics, and so much more!
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00:00 Intro
0:08:18 Purpose, Dharma, and Ikigai
00:16:37 Entrepreneurship
00:25:16 Dharma Talk
00:34:51 Yoga Championships
00:43:21 Deepening the Practice
00:48:12 Tricycle Day and Psychedelics
01:00:03 Final Questions
 
Announcements:
 
Make a donation to A Way of Thinking podcast: Donate Here
Join Jessica for Dharma Yoga on Sundays at noon: www.dharmayogacenter.com
Book a Free Dream Job Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Episode Links:
Jack Kornfield
Mary Jarvis
 
Get in Touch with Henry:
 
Subscribe to Tricycle Day
Follow @henrywins on Instagram
 
Get in Touch with Jessica:
 
Visit www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow @jessicahwangcoaching on Instagram
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

29 - Unlock Inner Fulfillment: How to Overcome Stress and Embrace Happiness with Don Joseph Goewey

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation with Don Joseph Goewey. Don is the managing partner of ProAttitude, a human performance firm focused on ending work stress.  He is also the executive director of the Center for Spiritual Exchange, which is the official archive for all the works of Anthony de Mello. He previously managed the department of psychiatry at Stanford University Medical School and is the former director of the International Center for Attitudinal Healing. He is the author of the book The End of Stress: Four Steps to Rewire Your Brain.
 
In the episode, we talk in-depth about how stress is a spiritual crisis causing us great unhappiness.  Don shares how stress is tied to fear for our survival and how awareness can help us rewire our brains.  We also talk about how to connect to courage when we are aware of the misery of our current situation. Don gives some incredible actionable steps and stories to bring this incredible knowledge into your life.
 
Highlights from the episode:
 
Stress as a Spiritual Crisis: Don shares how the current fast-paced, shame-based culture is causing people stress. We are programmed to upset ourselves when things don’t go our way or meet our expectations.  We are wired to believe that we can only be happy if we have all of these external things, but happiness does not come from outside.
 
Impact of Advertising: A study in Europe, involving 900,000 people, reveals that advertising tends to make people unhappy by constantly sending the message that they are not enough and need products or experiences to be happy.
 
The Source of Suffering is Attachment: Don shares how our belief that we will be happy when we have certain conditions leads to great unhappiness.  He shares that detaching from the outcome allows one to enjoy the experience rather than having our happiness and self-worth at stake.
 
Inner Fulfillment is Always Available: Don talks about how fulfillment isn't something that we have to earn. It is our very nature and we have blocked it. Fulfillment is an inner state that doesn't depend on external circumstances. Research supports that happiness leads to success, not the other way around.
 
Fear and stress: Don shares how the stress reaction is triggered when we perceive a threat to our survival.  He describes how we are often misperceiving a situation as a threat which is leading to chronic stress.  He emphasizes that awareness is the key to asserting self-control over the stress reaction.
 
Embracing Emotions: Don shares how instead of repressing emotions, it is vitally important to learn to fully feel emotions instead.  He describes taking on the role of the witness and observing yourself passing through an emotion.  This process helps emotions pass and leads to an open, light-filled space within, where happiness and peace naturally arise.
 
Shift in Perception: When people practice self-awareness and stay in this light-filled space, their perception of reality shifts. They start to see the beauty and divinity in themselves and the world around them.
 
Courage to Make a Change: Don shares how everyone has the courage to make big changes in their lives.  Once we see that the misery of the current situation is built on indoctrinated societal beliefs, then we can connect to the deepest need to step away from that and choose a different life.
 
Don't miss this episode if you're ready to embark on a journey toward unlocking your inner fulfillment and experiencing a profound shift in your life.  Remember that these changes and mindset shifts are available to everyone. 
 
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00:00 Intro
00:08:45 Stress as a Spiritual Crisis
00:14:47  The Source of Our Suffering is Attachment
00:18:44 Attachment Exercise
00:26:22 Fear and Stress
00:34:51 Embracing Emotions
00:42:17 Making External Changes
00:46:37 Stepping into Courage
01:04:54  Final Questions
Announcements:
 
Make a donation to A Way of Thinking podcast: Donate Here
Join Jessica for Dharma Yoga on Sundays at noon: www.dharmayogacenter.com
Book a Free Dream Job Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Episode Links:
 
Buy Don's book: The End of Stress: Four Steps to Rewire Your Brain
Learn more about Anthony De Mello: www.demellocenter.com
Victor Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning
 
Get in Touch with Don:
 
www.theendofstressbook.com
 
Get in Touch with Jessica:
 
Visit www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow @jessicahwangcoaching on Instagram
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

28 - The Journey to Authenticity: From Imposter Syndrome to Self-Love with Patti Dayleg

What is the thing that is going to nurture my spiritual growth in this moment?
 
Join me for this nourishing and energizing conversation with Patti Dayleg as we dive into the power of self-love, overcoming imposter syndrome, and showing up as our authentic selves.  Patti shares her transformative story of self-discovery, shedding light on her struggles with body image, societal expectations, and imposter syndrome.
 
Discovering Self-Love: Patti candidly opens up about her experiences growing up in a Filipino community where body standards were different from her own, leading her to feel both invisible and visible simultaneously. She shares a pivotal moment when a health scare forced her to reconsider her approach to self-love, ultimately leading to a profound change in her life.
 
Defining Love: Inspired by the book "All About Love" by Bell Hooks, Patti discusses the powerful definition of love as the act of nurturing one's spiritual growth, where the mind, body, and soul meet. This definition reframes self-love as an active and compassionate practice, encompassing care, awareness, honesty, respect, and trust.
 
Balancing Ahimsa and Tapas: We explore the delicate balance between Ahimsa (compassion) and Tapas (discipline) in one's journey to self-love. Patti emphasizes the importance of softening, embracing your journey, and learning to choose yourself, especially in challenging situations.
 
Confronting Imposter Syndrome: Patti provides insights into the common phenomenon of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome isn't a syndrome but rather a universal experience. We discuss how imposter syndrome can impact one's career and personal life, highlighting the importance of recognizing your worth and abilities.
 
Navigating Authenticity: We discuss the complexity of showing up authentically in various life situations. We share some personal experiences of making ourselves small and offer insights into how societal expectations can influence authenticity.
 
Crafting Purpose: The conversation explores the concept of purpose, emphasizing that it's not something predefined but something that evolves over time. Patti shares her own journey, revealing how looking back allowed her to discover her true purpose, supporting racial and social justice and empowering women of color leaders.
 
Join us on this enlightening journey of self-discovery, self-love, and authenticity. Learn how to embrace your unique journey, balance compassion and discipline, and take ownership of crafting your purpose.
 
Patti is a self-love coach and DEI consultant. She is a Dharma and hot yoga instructor and is currently based in New Jersey.
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
00:06:24  Finding Coaching
00:11:45 Self-Love
00:19:20 The Balance Between Ahimsa (compassion) and Tapas (discipline)
00:31:05 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Living Authentically
00:43:42 Crafting Purpose
00:56:09 Final Questions
 
Support the Podcast:
If you find this podcast valuable you can support it directly by visiting: https://donorbox.org/a-way-of-thinking-podcast
 
Reference:
Bell Hooks - About Love
M. Scott Peck - The Road Less Traveled
 
Follow Patti on Instagram: @malayacoaching
 
Learn more about Jessica: www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Book a Free Dream Job Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)