In the episode titled Love, Sex, and Leadership, I engage in a conversation with Emile Steenveld, a human behavior specialist who focuses on the emotional body. We explore the themes of human potential, personal growth, emotional expression, and self-awareness, with a particular emphasis on men's experiences. Emile shares his personal journey from feeling inadequate due to a lack of paternal affection to becoming a self-aware individual who values emotional intelligence. He discusses the importance of self-validation and recognizing one's emotions to achieve authentic self-expression. Together, we highlight the significance of breaking familial patterns and creating new paradigms of self-love and expression, especially for high achievers who often equate success with conditional love and approval. Emile recounts his transformational experience, beginning with the Landmark

Exploring the intricate dance of masculine and feminine energies, I guide listeners through a grounding exercise that visualizes the ida and pingala channels, representing these energies within us. Our conversation among a group of men delves into the anatomy of these energies, emphasizing the importance of mastering the art of receiving, a feminine trait, alongside the masculine's penetrative nature. By embracing both sides, men can achieve personal growth and empowerment. I share my journey of overcoming resistance to my own feminine energy, highlighting the transformative balance achieved when these energies are reconciled. We confront societal expectations and personal fears, urging men to explore vulnerability and the less comfortable territories of receiving. I illuminate the "light" and "dark" aspects of masculine energy, discussing societal praise for compassionate traits while often ignoring the shadow aspects. By acknowledging these shadows, men can wield their power responsibly. We explore societal conditioning that discourages healthy masculinity, leading to repression and disconnection. Real-life experiences underscore the need for inner work, encouraging men to channel their "dark" power constructively. The concept of inner safety emerges, where the inner feminine finds solace in the protective dark masculine. Balancing these energies leads to healthier relationships and diminishes projections onto women. I reflect on societal expectations shaping male behavior, advocating for embracing emotions and understanding femininity within. This holistic approach fosters individual growth and a balanced representation of masculinity. I invite listeners to introspect their relationship with inner archetypes, setting the tone for deeper exploration of masculinity and femininity.

Our conversation with Crystal Dawn Morris takes us on a captivating journey through her experiences with shamanism, midwifery, and spiritual awakening. Crystal shares her story of a spiritual awakening at 16, which led her to become a midwife. This role served as a bridge between worlds, allowing her to assist in births and engage with women's fears and empowerment during pregnancy. Her transition from midwifery to shamanic practice involved studying with influential teachers like Michael Harner and participating in diverse spiritual traditions. A Kundalini awakening further deepened her spiritual connection, guiding her to explore teachings that blend shamanism and feminism, eventually leading her to Tantra as a new spiritual direction. Crystal emphasizes the spiritual awakening inherent in birthing experiences and the importance of trusting the body's wisdom, while also reflecting on the challenges within modern midwifery and the broader health care system. As we explore leadership, Crystal discusses how life experiences can open doors to mystical awakenings, guiding one's authentic self in leadership roles. She highlights the natural emergence of leadership when guided by spirit and addresses modern challenges such as integrity and power dynamics. Crystal advocates for soul-centered leadership, emphasizing responsibility, accountability, and alignment with personal values and integrity. Reflecting on her own life journey, she speaks to the vitality of embracing life beyond youth, savoring life, maintaining wonder, and embracing transitions authentically. Crystal expresses her wish for leaders to inspire joy, simplicity, and ease, hoping society finds more pathways into conscious awareness in leadership.

I had the pleasure of hosting Frank Mondeose on the podcast, where he shared his unique insights on authentic leadership and the intersection of love, sexuality, and consciousness. Frank emphasized the importance of being genuine and raw in our interactions, urging leaders to prioritize truth and authenticity over seeking validation. He recounted his personal journey of self-discovery, influenced by early familial experiences around sexuality, which led him to explore various facets of this complex topic. Frank highlighted the transformative power of accepting and embracing one's erotic energy to fuel personal growth and self-awareness, advocating for individuals to release shame and fully engage with their erotic selves to live more ecstatic, fulfilling lives. He also shared his critical perspective on political and global events, emphasizing the need for broader awareness and the preservation of individual freedoms, while encouraging a questioning of established systems and exploration of alternative viewpoints.Frank and I delved into the concept of shadow work, particularly around sexuality, and the necessity of acknowledging and integrating these hidden aspects of ourselves to foster real transformation. He advocated for loving oneself and others deeply, acknowledging and accepting the darker elements of human nature as a pathway to greater freedom and authentic expression. Additionally, Frank introduced the concept of "Living Temple Culture," where individuals embody temple teachings and practices daily. He is actively working on initiatives in Costa Rica to build sex-positive, conscious communities that empower people to integrate these ideals into everyday life. Frank expressed hope and excitement for the future as more individuals become aware and engaged with these principles, highlighting the importance of inclusive, transparent, and heart-centered leadership in fostering meaningful societal and personal change.

In today's episode, I explore the complexities of setting boundaries and the difficulties many face in saying 'no.' We dive into the fears and societal conditioning that make it challenging to assert oneself, such as fears of rejection, abandonment, or upsetting others. I discuss the struggle in saying 'yes' to things people truly desire, often hindered by concerns about worthiness and people-pleasing tendencies. I emphasize the importance of deeply knowing oneself to confidently stand by one's desires and choices unapologetically. I guide listeners through an exercise to connect with their bodies and acknowledge their unique essence, stressing that authenticity includes understanding that saying no to things that do not serve you is, in essence, saying yes to yourself. By prioritizing personal truth over people-pleasing, individuals create a healthy environment both for themselves and those around them, highlighting that boundaries help maintain personal integrity and teach others to respect them. I delve into the consequences of changing one's behavioral patterns, noting that others may initially react negatively or feel uncomfortable when boundaries start being enforced. However, I remind individuals that they are not responsible for others' emotional reactions. By setting healthy boundaries, people can foster safer and healthier interpersonal dynamics, and this non-negotiable self-care ultimately benefits everyone involved. I encourage listeners to recognize past moments when they prioritized others' needs over their own, leading to internalized frustration. Exercises are suggested to help release this built-up tension and reclaim personal power. I cover the interplay between expression and masculine energy, recognizing that historically, vocal assertiveness has been linked to power. Through rebuilding one's voice, individuals can better navigate personal and professional relationships by articulating needs and boundaries effectively. Practical tools are offered to support listeners in managing emotional and energetic responses to boundary-related conflicts, allowing for the healthy processing of emotions triggered by unmet needs or unexpressed boundaries.

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.