In this engaging conversation, I welcome Rachel Rickards, an expert in embodied intimacy and facilitation training, to explore her decade-long journey in relational work and community building. Rachel shares her transition from co-creating workshops with her ex-partner to developing a facilitator training program called "the field." She highlights the importance of listening to the natural dynamics within groups and balancing action with receptivity. As a new mother, Rachel discusses integrating her daughter into her workshops and how motherhood has shifted her boundaries and perceptions, deepening her self-awareness and altering her facilitation approach for more authentic interactions. Rachel and I delve into the complexities of personal and professional relationships within intimacy and tantra, discussing her experiences with monogamous and polyamorous relationships. We explore the interplay of masculine and feminine energies and how Rachel reconciles these within herself, impacting her personal and professional life. A key theme is her approach to recognizing the soul's desire, reflecting on her journey into motherhood and accepting its timing. We also discuss the challenges of building intentional communities, drawing from Rachel's insights into sustainable communal living. Rachel emphasizes maintaining boundaries and integrity as a facilitator, sharing guidelines for ethically managing personal attractions in workshops.Discover more about Aaron at https://aaronkleinerman.com/Discover more about Rachel at https://rachelrickards.com/

I had the pleasure of sitting down with James Stevenson, the visionary behind Awaken as Love retreats, to delve into the transformative realms of Tantra, Biodanza, and spiritual retreats. James has spent over 20 years weaving ancient wisdom with integral theory, creating a unique approach that empowers individuals to embody their true power. As a leading organizer of Tantra festivals, with more than 30 under his belt, James shared his evolving mission to empower other teachers and help individuals unlock their potential. We explored the intersection of leadership, conscious living, and spiritual development, emphasizing the challenges of delegation and the necessity of systems that foster growth beyond individual involvement. Integral theory, described as a "theory of everything," offers a comprehensive framework that integrates with spiritual practices like Tantra, encouraging a balance between intellectual understanding and embodiment.James and I also discussed the concept of awakening as love, focusing on the importance of simplicity and removing ego-driven obstacles to access one's inherent nature. We explored love beyond romantic notions, emphasizing awakening to one's true self and the simplicity of being. Our conversation touched on the application of integral theory in understanding global leadership dynamics, referencing figures like Zelinsky and Trump, and how developmental stages influence political landscapes. We expressed a desire for leaders who embody deeper wisdom and inclusivity. The episode wrapped up with excitement for upcoming Awaken as Love projects, including retreats in Bali, highlighting the importance of integrating practices and theories for both personal and collective development.

Welcome to the latest episode of the "Love, Sex, and Leadership" podcast, where we dive into the theme of valuing oneself, particularly from a man's perspective in society. I invite you to examine your relationship with self-worth, energy, and time, and question if you allow others to undermine these aspects. We delve into the complex relationship many have with money, emphasizing the importance of knowing your value while remaining open to others' perspectives. Childhood experiences often shape beliefs about money, and through personal stories, we reveal deeply held perceptions. You're encouraged to reflect on your own journey and recognize the lessons money-related challenges can teach. We discuss understanding the somatic imprints of money to overcome recurring financial issues, emphasizing re-evaluating personal value and redefining financial goals. The conversation explores how societal and external influences impact self-perception and finances, challenging you to dismantle limiting beliefs around money, often inherited from family or society. Throughout our discussion, we provide examples of how reframing your value can alter external circumstances, leading to better financial outcomes. You're prompted to consider not just your monetary goals, but also what fundamentally inspires you. We stress that value is subjective and self-determined, rather than dictated by external standards, urging you to define success on your own terms. We explore how various external environments influence perceived value, encouraging you to find value that resonates personally. In different cultures and economies, the same work can have different financial worth, a concept we explore through personal anecdotes and global examples. We emphasize aligning your professional life with personal passion and purpose, allowing true fulfillment beyond monetary achievement. We also touch on the difference between valuing expertise and marketing abilities, encouraging critical assessment of the worth of services received. As the episode progresses, we reinforce the idea that everyone is unique, with distinct contributions that can command their chosen value. Through self-reflection, you're urged to align your offerings with your genuine identity and soul purpose, ending with an analogy of fluctuating currency values to illustrate subjective worth.

In this engaging episode of the "Love, Sex, and Leadership" podcast, I dive into transformative concepts with Joshua Wenner, who brings a unique blend of emotional resilience and tantric wisdom to the table. Wenner defines emotional resilience as the ability to bounce back and maintain emotional flexibility under stress, emphasizing that many people operate in a state of emotional reactivity due to deep-rooted neural patterns. He introduces a framework called CPR (Conscious awareness, Pause, Regulation) to aid in emotional regulation, helping individuals disrupt habitual responses and foster a state of presence and choice. Throughout our conversation, Wenner underscores the importance of daily practices like breathwork to enhance personal awareness and presence, noting that many people live disconnected from their bodies, primarily operating from their heads. This disconnection is often worsened by unresolved grief and trauma, leading to a state of stress and emotional survival. We also explore the intricate relationship between emotional regulation and sexuality, particularly how shame and inadequacy can affect men. Wenner explains that confronting these vulnerabilities can lead to profound personal growth and deeper connections with partners. He shares insights from his documentary "The Gifts of Grief," which documents his personal journey through grief after losing his brother, aiming to foster a grief-informed world. Grief, as Wenner sees it, is a natural response to change and can be a powerful tool for personal transformation. Additionally, he discusses new ventures, including a women's program designed to foster stronger relationships with high-value men, emphasizing the importance of women learning to regulate their emotions and recognize healthy relationship dynamics. This episode is rich with analogies and life lessons, calling for a deeper awareness of our emotional states and how we navigate the complex spheres of love, sex, and leadership.

On this episode of the Love Sex and Leadership podcast, I sit down with my friend Nisarga to explore the concept of "felt sense," which refers to a physical experience of being that transcends mental understanding. Nisarga, a seasoned body-oriented therapist, emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with our body, emotions, and sensations, especially after traumatic experiences that often lead to disconnection. We discuss how society tends to prioritize cognitive engagement over somatic awareness, and Nisarga shares insights into how somatic therapy, including breath work and body work, can help individuals reclaim a sense of safety and ease in their bodies. This journey involves navigating through pain to rediscover joy and pleasure in physicality, cultivating a functional adult identity to reassess triggers and heal childhood defense mechanisms. Nisarga also shares his personal journey from engineering to bodywork therapy, driven by a desire to support others, and we touch on the impact of technology and societal changes on our relationship with physical touch, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Touch is highlighted as a fundamental aspect of healing and human connection, with studies and experiences underscoring the role of genuine connection and emotional expression in regulating the nervous system and overall health. Nisarga shares professional insights on dealing with sexual trauma, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in creating a safe and accepting environment for somatic healing. We discuss how practitioners can hold space for individuals dealing with trauma, focusing on creating environments of trust where individuals feel empowered to explore and heal at their own pace. As we delve into the interplay between sexuality, leadership, and intuitive wisdom, we share a belief in living purpose-driven lives and how personal and professional fulfillment impact one's ability to lead with compassion and authenticity. Nisarga discusses integral approaches in his work, focusing on embodiment as a channel to tap into inherent wisdom through breath, movement, and mindful touch, inviting listeners to explore further through his work and the offerings of the Integral Body Institute.

In this engaging episode of Love Sex and Leadership, I explore the journey of self-discovery and the importance of embracing our primal, intuitive selves to foster empowered and harmonious relationships. We delve into the significance of being present with our bodily sensations, whether challenging or pleasurable, and the dangers of avoiding these experiences through distractions like technology or substances. By doing so, we risk self-abandonment, which can negatively impact our physical and emotional well-being. I discuss how these avoidance patterns often stem from childhood, where we were not allowed to fully express ourselves, and emphasize the necessity of re-parenting our inner child by providing the unconditional love and safety we may have lacked. Through mindful presence and staying with uncomfortable sensations, we can release stored tension and emotions from our nervous system, leading to healing and transformation. I introduce the concept of ‘pattern interrupting’—pausing and taking a deep breath when tension arises to allow for awareness and presence. This practice helps us embrace our feelings, much like children and animals naturally do, releasing pent-up energy and achieving a state of peace within the body. By sitting with our emotions, we open the door to healing past traumas and patterns, ultimately rewiring our nervous system and redefining our relationship with concepts like money, sex, and power. I stress that addressing underlying emotional blocks is crucial, as repeating affirmations alone can be ineffective if unresolved energies remain within us. The episode highlights the importance of being both witness and caregiver to our experiences, approaching ourselves with compassion and validation. True healing and transformation require embodying these changes physically and emotionally, allowing us to return to our authentic selves and experience life fully. Through this inner work, we can embrace our full power, resulting in more love, joy, and purpose in our lives and relationships.See more about Aaron at www.Aaronkleinerman.comsee more about Tara at www.embodiedawakeningacademy.com

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Baba Dez Nichols from Sedona, where we delved into the principles of emotional mastery and its significance in personal growth, particularly concerning masculinity. Dez shared his insights on integrating emotional awareness with the mind and body, emphasizing that this integration is essential for developing authentic leadership and living an empowered life. We explored how societal structures have historically disconnected individuals from their emotional selves, leading to a diminished capacity for authentic connection and empowerment. Dez highlighted that emotional mastery involves embracing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of humanity as a cohesive whole. Through heartfelt conversations, we shared personal experiences illustrating the power of emotional embodiment, challenging the notion that emotions undermine strength and instead presenting sensitivity as a valuable asset for true empowerment.We also discussed the importance of challenging traditional masculine norms, advocating for a balanced approach that values emotion as part of true masculinity. This theme is further explored in my newly released book, The Embodied Man, which calls for men to embrace their emotional selves for stronger personal and relational outcomes. We stressed the importance of community, where shared values around emotional expressiveness can dismantle traditional beliefs about masculinity, creating an environment where emotional exploration is celebrated. Additionally, we addressed the link between emotional awareness and physical health, noting that unexpressed emotions can manifest as physical ailments, reinforcing the necessity of emotional flow for holistic well-being. Our conversation ventured into the connection between emotional mastery and other life aspects, including sexuality and spirituality, positioning emotional awareness as foundational for personal development. Baba Dez shared resources for further learning in emotional mastery, including ISA Training programs and his collaborations in literature and film, leaving listeners with a nuanced understanding of emotional mastery as crucial for personal and collective evolution.Find out more about Aaron at: https://aaronkleinerman.com/Find out more about Dez at: https://babdez.comInterview recorded Dec, 2021

In our latest exploration, I dive into the intricate dance between heart, purpose, and manifestation, focusing on how aligning one's heart and seed with their soul's purpose can lead to a more congruent life. We journey beyond the physical, encouraging deeper connections between erotic energy and the heart. This episode highlights the importance of male brotherhood in uncovering personal blind spots that obstruct one's life purpose. Through shared experiences, we create a growth laboratory to transcend limitations. I reflect on societal norms surrounding male sexuality, contrasting them with the mysticism of female gatherings like red tents. We discuss the sacredness of the male seed as an elixir of life, sharing anecdotal stories while confronting personal judgments and beliefs. The conversation challenges listeners to reassess their perceptions and relationships with their seed and how it relates to their purpose on this planet. I invite listeners to consider that genuine purpose stems not from ego but from aligning with a grand design, tapping into a soulful impulse rather than intellectual identification. We encourage harmonizing soul and seed energy, free from societal constraints, and embodying one's purpose authentically. Practical exercises are offered to connect masculine and feminine energies within oneself, advocating for the mind as a tool rather than a leader. This evolution of purpose emerges from deeper listening and aligning with heart and seed, beyond superficial constructs. Maverick therapeutic techniques are introduced to further dismantle societal imbalances, recognizing the feminine as a guiding force within masculine pursuits. By finding purpose through vulnerability and exploring the void, one learns to activate their potential energetically. The community is portrayed as a vital space for removing distractions and revealing truths that guide each member towards authentic purpose, where self-awareness is heightened through communal reflections. This episode serves as a foundational guide, providing tools and discussions to embody leadership from an integrated place, allowing purpose to unfold naturally, leading to a life inspired by the heart and seed in harmony.

On this episode of the Love Sex and Leadership podcast, I sit down with Lindsay, the founder of Alive and Awake, to explore the realms of conscious leadership and personal evolution. Our conversation is rooted in our shared journey and personal growth, as Lindsay discusses her mission to help individuals activate their highest potential through transformation. She employs a blend of coaching, leadership strategies, yoga, and ancient wisdom to guide this process. We delve into how life experiences can serve as a modality for growing into one's best self, with Lindsay emphasizing the concept of edge play—meeting discomfort head-on to spur growth and transformation. She candidly shares her personal shadows and highlights relationships as powerful grounds for self-discovery, noting that divorce and separation offer profound opportunities for inner work and learning. Lindsay underscores the importance of addressing interpersonal dynamics as they provide chances for healing and evolution, and we discuss the necessity of turning inward to understand personal triggers in relationships. Our dialogue extends into the integration of lessons from the bedroom into leadership, with Lindsay acknowledging that authentic leadership requires vulnerability akin to intimate relationships. She explains that the principles of love and authenticity transcend into the boardroom. We explore the intricate dance between masculine and feminine energies, emphasizing that the future of leadership requires a balance between these forces in both personal and professional realms. Together, we examine the role of light and dark aspects of the self, proposing that they be viewed as energies rather than binaries, and stress the importance of having a relationship with both for holistic growth. Lindsay shares her optimism about the current global transformation towards more integrated and conscious leadership, viewing the present turbulence as an opportunity for positive change. With a strategic and spiritual mindset, she describes humanity's journey towards an integrated state marked by empathy, authenticity, and leadership driven by holistic principles. Through personal insights, shared wisdom, and experiential anecdotes, we offer a rich dialogue encouraging listeners to embrace their journey with curiosity, courage, and compassion.

In this engaging episode of the Love Sex and Leadership podcast, I am joined by Malaika for a deep dive into self-love and body acceptance as part of our Conversations with Queens series. We explore the idea that self-love is essential to the human experience and propose that a society built on these principles could alleviate many of today's issues. Malaika, drawing from her experiences in transformation and dance, emphasizes the importance of authenticity and integrity, advocating for an environment of non-judgment and compassion. She shares her journey as a mother and grandmother, enriching our conversation with personal and professional insights. Malaika also discusses her role in the Integrated Feminine Symposium, where she leads workshops like Wild Woman Awakening, aimed at reconnecting with one's natural self. Her experiences with indigenous cultures highlight the significance of self-acceptance and nature connection, offering a fresh perspective on self-love.We delve into the concept of self-love through practices like honoring our physical selves and recognizing our bodies as temples, while critiquing societal pressures that fuel insecurity. Malaika recounts her transformative experience in Africa, where time away from mirrors allowed for genuine self-engagement. Our discussion shifts to feminine embodiment and leadership, challenging patriarchal and media-driven distortions. Malaika uses nature metaphors to illustrate how women can embrace individuality without competition. She stresses the importance of returning to nature for wisdom and aligning self-awareness with physical experiences for profound transformation. By balancing masculine and feminine energies, we envision a harmonious society. Malika offers practical self-love steps, such as mirror work and intuitive body tuning, encouraging listeners to deepen their connection with themselves and the world.