The Greatness Machine 373 | Nathanael Chawkin (Part 1) | Awakened Leadership: Doing Deep Work
What if the real work of leadership wasn’t about climbing higher, but going deeper into the soul, the body, and the sacred responsibility of showing up fully alive?
In this soul-stirring conversation on The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Nathanael Chawkin for a deep dive into the sacred masculine, conscious leadership, and the power of integration. From personal initiations through plant medicine to the spiritual responsibility of leading in the modern world, this episode explores what it means to live a wholehearted, embodied life. Nathanael shares insights from his work guiding men through transformational rites of passage, and challenges the performative narratives of power and success. They also reflect on the rise of conscious capitalism, the illusion of enlightenment, and the true crucibles of growth—like marriage, fatherhood, and leadership itself.
In this episode, Darius and Nathanael will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction and Background
(02:57) The Journey of Fatherhood
(05:30) Exploring Masculinity and Leadership
(08:34) The Role of Plant Medicine in Personal Growth
(11:29) Integration and Spiritual Development
(14:11) Personal Experiences with Plant Medicine
(24:57) Exploring Plant Medicines and Spiritual Experiences
(30:13) The Shift from Materialism to Conscious Leadership
(36:56) Conscious Capitalism and the Role of Guardianship
(42:46) Integrating Spirituality and Material Life
(50:23) The Pathways of Development in Leadership
Nathanael Chawkin is a modern mystic, master coach, and martial arts instructor with over 15 years of experience guiding executives and leaders through transformational growth. He is the founder of Guardian Training, a men’s work methodology that blends MMA, conflict resolution, and depth psychology to awaken the sacred masculine. In 2021, he launched Awakening Leadership, a plant medicine journey for conscious leaders, and in 2025, co-founded Temple of The Living Truth with his life partner Elizabeth—a priestess of the sacred feminine. Together, they are building a decentralized spiritual community rooted in direct mystical experience. Featured in Entrepreneur and The Financial Times, Nathanael brings a uniquely embodied and integrative lens to leadership, spirituality, and human potential.
Sponsored by:
Constant Contact: Try Constant Contact free for 30 days at constantcontact.com.
Express VPN: Secure your online data today with ExpressVPN. Go to expressvpn.com/darius.
Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/darius.
Shopify: Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/darius.
Jerry: Save $1,300/year on car insurance with Jerry at Jerry.ai/greatness.
[DISCLAIMER:
*Based on drivers who switched and saved with Jerry over the past twelve months. Over 20% of drivers who switched with Jerry found a monthly premium of $87 or less. Not all drivers find savings.]
Connect with Nathanael:
Website: https://awakeningleadership.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nchawkin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanael.chawkin/
Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices