The Light Watkins Show

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins sits down with Danielle LaPorte, best-selling author and spiritual thought leader, for an inspiring conversation about overcoming challenges, healing, and leading with love. Danielle shares the story of how she was unexpectedly fired from her own company, leaving her with massive debt and no savings. Instead of giving up, she turned this hardship into an opportunity, creating her Fire Starter groups and launching a successful career helping entrepreneurs find their way.Throughout the episode, Danielle dives into her personal experiences with business failures, book launches, and the pressures of achieving external success. She talks candidly about how these challenges shaped her path, leading her to create bestsellers like The Fire Starter Sessions and The Desire Map. Danielle also reflects on what it means to be spiritually mature, explaining how embracing both the light and shadow sides of ourselves is essential for true healing.Listeners will learn valuable insights about finding purpose through adversity, thinking with love, and moving from tolerance to reverence in their lives. Danielle offers practical advice on navigating difficult situations, healing emotional wounds, and taking full responsibility for your reality. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or someone looking for deeper self-awareness, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to expand your consciousness and lead a life that aligns with your true self.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins sits down with Cesalina Gracie, a member of the legendary Gracie family, best known as the creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As the granddaughter of Carlos Gracie Sr., the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Cesalina shares her unique journey of growing up in a family of martial artists and how that shaped her view on self-defense and empowerment.While she was immersed in Jiu-Jitsu from a young age, it wasn't until Cesalina left Brazil at 17 that she had a life-changing realization: women across the world often feel vulnerable to harassment, and the principles of Jiu-Jitsu could help them protect themselves—not only physically but also verbally. She introduces the concept of "Verbal Jiu-Jitsu," a tool for women to defend themselves through posture, boundaries, and self-assuredness.Beyond Jiu-Jitsu, Cesalina recounts her unexpected adventure climbing Mount Everest with only six weeks of preparation. She explains how she applied the principles of Jiu-Jitsu to overcome fear and push through extreme physical and mental challenges, showing that these teachings can extend far beyond the mats.Cesalina now runs the first all-female Jiu-Jitsu center in the world, helping girls and women from all walks of life develop confidence and strength. Her story of resilience, empowerment, and practical tools for self-defense is not only inspiring but also highly practical for anyone looking to build a stronger foundation in life. This episode is packed with lessons that apply to everyday challenges and is a must-listen for anyone seeking personal growth and empowerment.Tune in to hear Cesalina’s powerful insights and learn how the principles of Jiu-Jitsu can transform your life.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this bite-sized episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light shares a powerful "Plot Twist" moment from a past conversation with Manoj Dias, a mindfulness and meditation teacher who experienced a life-changing transformation.Manoj was on the fast track to success, working in marketing and climbing the corporate ladder. But behind the scenes, he was struggling. The pressures of his career, personal life, and a non-stop lifestyle eventually led to a panic attack that brought his world crashing down. What followed was a challenging journey through depression, addiction, and anxiety, as he desperately tried to hold it all together.In this episode, Manoj reflects on the moment when everything shifted for him — the plot twist that changed the course of his life. After hitting rock bottom, a chance encounter with a meditation teacher opened the door to healing and self-discovery. Manoj talks openly about his struggles, his search for meaning, and how mindfulness helped him rebuild his life from the inside out.Listeners will hear how even the toughest moments in life can turn into opportunities for growth and transformation. This episode is a reminder that plot twists aren’t setbacks — they’re often detours that lead us exactly where we need to go.Tune in for an inspiring and relatable story that shows how mindfulness and meditation can help anyone overcome life's toughest challenges. Whether you’re facing stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, this episode offers valuable insights into finding peace and purpose.And if you want to hear more about how Manoj navigated his mental struggles, click here.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins sits down with Tom Turcich, a man who achieved an extraordinary feat—walking around the world. Tom's incredible journey began with a dream at the age of 17, and after years of saving and planning, he set off on foot to circumnavigate the globe. His adventure took seven years and covered 28,000 miles across six continents. Along the way, Tom adopted a dog named Savannah, who walked 25,000 miles by his side.Throughout the episode, Tom shares the ups and downs of his journey, from battling extreme conditions and illness to experiencing the kindness of strangers. He talks about the profound lessons he learned while walking an average of 14 miles a day, pushing a cart filled with his belongings, and facing the unexpected twists and turns that came with living on the road. Tom opens up about the mental and physical challenges of such a demanding journey, as well as the moments of beauty and connection that made it all worthwhile.Listeners will be inspired by Tom's perseverance, his reflections on overcoming fear, and how following his heart led him to complete this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you’re looking for a story about resilience, self-discovery, and pushing the limits of what’s possible, this episode offers a deep dive into what it truly means to chase a dream and turn it into reality.Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will encourage you to think about your own journey and the steps you can take to achieve your goals.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this bite-sized episode of The Light Watkins Show, renowned mindfulness teacher Sharon Salzberg shares the incredible story of how a college trip to India completely changed her life. Light Watkins takes listeners back to that pivotal moment when Sharon, a young student with a passion for meditation, encountered several twists and turns that ultimately led her to discover her true calling.During this episode, Sharon recounts her journey, which started with meeting Tibetan Lama Trungpa Rinpoche and receiving life-changing advice. Her path was far from smooth—facing setbacks at meditation classes and attending a disheartening yoga conference. But it was at this low point that Sharon found what she had been searching for: a 10-day meditation course that introduced her to transformative practices like loving-kindness and mindfulness. She also crossed paths with iconic figures like Ram Dass, which shaped her future as one of the world's leading meditation teachers.Listeners will hear how even the most frustrating detours can be part of a bigger plan, leading you closer to your truest path. Sharon’s story is an inspiring reminder that life's obstacles often redirect us toward the experiences we need most. By the end of the episode, you'll learn about the importance of embracing unexpected changes, trusting the process, and staying open to life’s surprises.And if you want to hear more about how Sharon’s first 10-day meditation course led to the founding of one of the most renowned meditation centers in the U.S., click here.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins welcomes back best-selling author Pam Grout for an inspiring conversation about creativity, spirituality, and manifesting miracles. Pam, known for her popular books like E-Squared and Thank and Grow Rich, shares her journey of following her heart and trusting in the power of possibility.Listeners will learn how Pam's thoughts on manifesting your reality, based on her deep understanding of A Course in Miracles, can inspire them to see life from a fresh perspective. She talks about overcoming self-doubt, finding creative ideas, and how to start a project even when you're feeling unsure. Pam also opens up about the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Taz, and how that experience deepened her connection to spirituality, leading her to create the 222 Foundation, which supports creative projects.Throughout the episode, Pam and Light dive into the idea that miracles can happen every day—if we’re open to seeing them. They explore practical advice for how to shift from focusing on problems to embracing the endless possibilities around us. Whether you're a writer, a creative, or someone looking to add more joy to your life, Pam’s wisdom is bound to resonate deeply.Tune in to discover how to tap into your inner power, quiet the voice of doubt, and take action on the ideas that light you up inside.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this bite-sized Plot Twist episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins revisits an inspiring conversation with spoken word poet and artist, Adam Roa. Adam shares a pivotal moment in his life when everything changed and he found his true path, leaving behind a comfortable career in advertising to pursue acting in Los Angeles. However, years of rejection and struggle in the acting world led him to hit rock bottom. This low point became the foundation of his spiritual awakening, ultimately setting him on a new journey as an artist and poet.Adam describes how a chance encounter at a FRED Talks event in Santa Monica introduced him to spoken word poetry for the first time, sparking a powerful creative shift. Within days of seeing his first spoken word performance, Adam wrote his first poems, one of which would go viral and be viewed over 200 million times, launching his career in an entirely new direction.Listeners will be inspired by Adam’s story of transformation and the powerful message that following your heart—even when it doesn’t make logical sense—can lead you to places you never imagined. Light and Adam also discuss the importance of taking leaps of faith, stepping away from fear, and embracing the unexpected plot twists that life throws your way.This episode is perfect for anyone looking for inspiration to follow their passion, embrace change, or navigate through life’s challenges with purpose. Adam's journey is a reminder that sometimes the toughest moments are the ones that lead to the greatest breakthroughs.And if you want to hear more about how discovering spoken word poetry led to his viral success and career shift, click here.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this special solo episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light dives deep into the idea of looking at life from a broader, spiritual perspective. Drawing from over 20 years of experience as a meditation teacher and spiritual practitioner, Light shares insights on how to shift from the everyday “ground-level” view of life to what he calls the “spiritual perspective.”He explains how the ground-level perspective focuses on who did what, when, and why, often leading to stress, anxiety, and judgment. In contrast, the spiritual perspective allows you to see the bigger picture—helping you become more empathetic, patient, and understanding of life's events. Through meditation, breathwork, and other inner practices, you can develop this wider view, which can transform how you navigate relationships, challenges, and your personal goals.Light also introduces a new YouTube series called The Spiritual Perspective, where he will tackle real-world issues like conflict, relationships, health, and purpose through this lens. He encourages listeners to explore how adopting a spiritual perspective can reduce worry, increase gratitude, and lead to a more fulfilled life.Whether you’re new to inner work or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights on how to move beyond day-to-day struggles and start seeing life with more clarity and peace. Tune in for a practical guide to connecting with your deeper self and living with more purpose.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this special “Plot Twist” episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins shares an inspiring conversation with Dr. Emily Morse, one of the world’s top sex therapists, authors, and media personalities. The episode features a pivotal moment in Dr. Morse’s life when she faced a major setback—losing all of her money, couch surfing, and driving friends to the airport for extra cash. But instead of giving up, Dr. Morse found this plot twist led her toward her true calling.Listeners will hear how Dr. Morse transitioned from working in politics alongside well-known figures like Barbara Boxer and Willie Brown to becoming a leading voice in the world of sex and relationships. She opens up about the ups and downs of her journey, sharing valuable lessons about perseverance, pivoting, and following her passion.This episode dives into Dr. Morse’s personal challenges, including financial struggles, burnout, and how she used these obstacles to fuel her purpose. Along the way, she also talks about the early days of her podcast Sex with Emily, the importance of open communication, and why it's essential to embrace life’s detours.Tune in for an inspiring and motivating story that reminds us all to lean into our own plot twists, as they often lead us to the path we were meant to take. If you’re looking for a story of resilience and transformation, this episode is for you!And if you’re curious to hear how Emily became Dr. Emily, click here.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light sits down with Shola Richards, a powerful speaker, author, and expert on workplace civility, to explore his incredible story of transformation. Shola opens up about surviving a toxic work environment, dealing with depression, and facing his darkest moment—a suicide attempt. What might have been the end of his story instead became a turning point that set him on a mission to create more kindness and empathy in the workplace.Shola shares the defining moments of his life, from growing up as a highly sensitive person in a household with a strong West African father to overcoming workplace bullying and abuse. He talks about how these experiences shaped him and led him to develop a deep sense of compassion for others. Shola also discusses his new book, Civil Unity, which focuses on the power of kindness in creating positive change at work and beyond.Listeners will gain valuable insights into how to handle difficult work environments, how to rise from rock bottom, and how small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect. Shola's journey is a reminder that even in the toughest moments, there's always hope and a way forward. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone struggling with work stress, mental health challenges, or simply looking for more empathy in their everyday life.Tune in to hear an inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and how embracing kindness can transform your life and the lives of those around you.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!