The Spiritual Perspective

On the outside, Jonathan Fields had it all. He was a successful New York City lawyer pulling in six figures, wearing tailored suits, and working on billion-dollar deals. But on the inside, he was quietly falling apart. Working 100-hour weeks and living on caffeine and takeout had taken a toll, and a sudden health crisis forced him to reckon with a hard truth: the life he’d worked so hard to build was slowly destroying him.That wake-up call didn’t just spark a career change—it sparked a full-on reinvention. Jonathan didn’t just switch jobs; he left law altogether to become a $12-an-hour personal trainer. Everyone thought he was out of his mind. But that decision opened the door to something far bigger: a journey into entrepreneurship, wellness, and ultimately, his life’s work.In this Plot Twist episode, Jonathan shares the raw truth behind his pivot from law to wellness to founding the Good Life Project. He opens up about ego, identity loss, starting over in your thirties, and why success often comes disguised as failure. You’ll hear how his Sparketype framework was seeded in the rubble of 9/11 and how teaching yoga reconnected him to a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt since childhood.If you’ve ever felt like you were climbing the wrong ladder, or wondered what it might be like to trade prestige for peace, this episode is for you. It’s a story about trusting your gut, letting go of expectations, and building a life that actually feels good on the inside—even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Light Watkins reconnects with Shaman Durek, now married to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, to explore what life looks like when love meets public scrutiny — and how to stay grounded through it all.Since his last appearance on the podcast, Shaman Durek has entered into royal family life, become a bonus dad to three daughters, and stepped further into the public spotlight. He shares candidly about the media attacks, betrayal by close friends, and navigating the pressures of fame — all while learning how to protect his peace without closing his heart.This episode isn’t just about headlines or spiritual theories — it’s about real-life growth, hard-earned wisdom, and the daily choices we all face when life feels overwhelming. Durek opens up about setting new boundaries, how his marriage has transformed him, and the importance of creating safe space in relationships where both partners can be vulnerable without fear.He also reflects on his long-term health challenges, including dialysis treatments, and how they’ve deepened his commitment to living with presence and love. From redefining masculinity to holding compassion for those who hurt him, Durek’s journey is one of radical accountability and spiritual maturity.Whether you’re in a relationship, navigating judgment from others, or just trying to be more of yourself in a noisy world, this episode is full of grounded insight and heart. Tune in to hear how Shaman Durek is building a life of sovereignty, service, and authentic connection — even in the global spotlight.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Most people chase success, thinking it will bring happiness. But what if the job that looks perfect on the outside is actually draining you from the inside?That’s exactly what happened to Sarah Grynberg. She had a dream job in radio—working with some of Australia’s biggest celebrities, attending glamorous events, and earning more than she ever had. But behind the scenes, she was burnt out, sleep-deprived, and deeply unhappy. Then, a breaking point led her to completely rethink her path.In this episode, Sarah shares:The moment she realized success wasn’t the same as happiness.How a career setback turned into her greatest opportunity.Why letting go of what isn’t serving you can open the door to your true calling.The role of intuition, meditation, and self-awareness in finding fulfillment.How she built one of the biggest podcasts in Australia by trusting her inner voice.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a life that looks good on paper but feels wrong in your heart, this episode will remind you that change is possible—and that sometimes, a breakdown is really a breakthrough in disguise.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Most of us want to do our part to help the environment. We recycle, we conserve energy, we bring reusable bags to the grocery store. But does any of that actually make a difference?Paul Hawken, one of the world’s foremost environmentalists and author of Carbon: The Book of Life, says that the way we think about climate change is all wrong.In this episode, Paul breaks down why fear-based climate messaging hasn’t worked—and what actually inspires people to take action. He reveals why carbon isn’t the villain we’ve been told it is, how nature is communicating in ways we’re only beginning to understand, and why reconnecting with the natural world isn’t just good for the planet—it’s essential for our well-being.Paul also shares surprising insights about soil, the intelligence of plants and animals, and how we’ve been conditioned to see nature as something separate from us rather than as part of us. If you’ve ever wondered whether small changes like cutting back on plastic or choosing organic actually move the needle—or if there’s a bigger, more impactful way to contribute—this episode is for you.Tune in for a mind-expanding conversation about the interconnectedness of life, the role we each play in shaping the future, and why the solutions to our biggest environmental challenges start with shifting how we see the world around us.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this Plot Twist episode, Dr. Neeta Bhushan shares her powerful journey of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. On the surface, she had it all—a thriving dental practice, financial success, and a picture-perfect marriage. But behind the scenes, she was trapped in an abusive relationship, living in fear, and hiding the truth from everyone, including herself.Neeta takes us back to the pivotal moment on New Year’s Eve in 2011 when she finally admitted to herself that she was in a toxic marriage. That night, she made the life-altering decision to walk away, leaving behind the illusion of success and stepping into the unknown. In this raw and emotional conversation, she opens up about the fear, shame, and self-doubt that kept her stuck for so long—and the courage it took to break free.From rebuilding her life from scratch to immersing herself in personal growth, stand-up comedy, and improv, Neeta shares how saying yes to the unknown led her to a purpose greater than she ever imagined. Now a best-selling author, emotional health advocate, and global speaker, she inspires others to turn their pain into power.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a life that looks good on paper but feels completely wrong inside, this episode is for you. Neeta’s story is a testament to the strength it takes to start over—and the magic that unfolds when you do.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode, Light Watkins sits down with Pippa Ehrlich, the co-director of the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. Pippa's journey is nothing short of remarkable—she left behind a stable, dream-worthy career as a marine journalist to follow an inner calling that defied logic. With no guaranteed funding and no clear roadmap, she took a leap of faith to help filmmaker Craig Foster tell an extraordinary story—one that would ultimately captivate millions.Pippa shares how diving into the great African seaforest transformed not just her perspective on storytelling, but also her sense of purpose. She describes the visceral experience of free-diving, the magic of witnessing underwater creatures in their natural habitat, and how these moments helped her find her creative voice. Light and Pippa also discuss the pressures of filmmaking, imposter syndrome, and the unexpected emotional weight that comes with massive success—including how winning an Oscar didn't make self-doubt disappear.If you've ever stood at a crossroads between comfort and passion, or wondered what it really means to follow your intuition despite uncertainty, this conversation is for you. Pippa's story is a testament to trusting your instincts, showing up fully, and embracing the unknown—even when the path ahead makes no practical sense.Tune in to hear how Pippa turned a wild idea into an award-winning film, how she’s navigating her journey as a filmmaker, and why sometimes the best opportunities come when you stop asking for advice and just say yes.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light sits down with Greg Scheinman, founder of Midlife Male, for a powerful conversation about navigating and thriving in midlife. Greg, now on his second appearance, opens up about his journey from burnout and unfulfillment to creating a life centered around purpose, health, and joy.Greg shares how, despite outward success—career achievements, family life, and financial stability—he found himself exhausted, unhealthy, and disconnected. It wasn’t one dramatic moment that sparked change but a series of eye-opening realizations: his best friend’s daughter drawing his birthday card in the shape of a tequila bottle, the dread of walking into his corner office, and the creeping weight gain that led to buying bigger pants. These moments pushed Greg to reexamine his life and embrace what he now calls the Six F’s: Family, Fitness, Finance, Food, Fashion, and Fun.Light and Greg dive into what it really means to "maximize midlife" without falling for the cliché advice to quit everything and chase your passion. Instead, Greg emphasizes the power of building a life around personal standards, not external expectations. They discuss how discipline—not motivation—creates lasting success, why planning for your "average busy day" beats waiting for the perfect conditions, and how small, consistent changes lead to big results.Whether you're navigating a career pivot, improving your health, or simply seeking more meaning in midlife, this conversation offers practical insights and relatable stories to inspire your next step forward.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Michael Sartain, a men's dating coach and founder of Men of Action, shares his insights on the complex modern dating landscape. He discusses the impact of evolutionary psychology on attraction and relationship dynamics, opening up about his 'red pill' moment in a strip club. The conversation reveals harsh truths about men's struggles in dating, how social media distorts expectations, and the importance of leadership in enhancing personal connections. Sartain challenges common misconceptions about hypergamy and offers advice on cultivating self-worth for healthier relationships.

Ken Nwadike Jr. is the founder of the Free Hugs Project, using the power of hugs to foster peace and connection. He shares how missing the Boston Marathon qualifying time by just 11 seconds twice led him to activate a transformative movement after the 2013 bombing. Inspired by his mother and the challenges of his upbringing, he now spreads kindness at protests and difficult moments. Ken discusses the significance of a single hug in bridging divides and his mission to create empathy and understanding, even in the most turbulent times.

In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, adventure photographer and storyteller Cory Richards takes us on a journey through his extraordinary life—one filled with raw honesty, unexpected pivots, and hard-earned wisdom. From a childhood marked by undiagnosed bipolar disorder and turbulent family dynamics to living in abandoned buildings and dropping out of school, Cory's path was anything but conventional.But it was that unconventional journey that led him to some of the highest peaks in the world—both figuratively and literally. After borrowing a simple point-and-shoot camera, Cory discovered a passion for photography that would eventually land him on assignment with National Geographic, capturing some of the most remote and treacherous landscapes on the planet. He became one of the most sought-after adventure photographers in the world, climbing Everest twice and documenting human resilience in extreme conditions.Yet, despite the accolades and success, Cory made a shocking decision: he walked away. In the middle of an expedition, at the peak of his career, he left. Not just the climb, but the entire identity he had built as a photographer and mountaineer. In this deeply introspective conversation, Cory opens up about why he chose to step away, how he navigated personal demons, and what it means to truly listen to your inner voice.We discuss the tension between passion and burnout, the struggle of defining oneself beyond external validation, and the courage it takes to let go of a version of yourself that no longer serves you. Cory also shares insights into storytelling, the power of imagery, and how his life experiences shaped the way he sees the world—both through a camera lens and beyond it.If you've ever felt trapped by success, struggled with mental health, or wondered when it's time to walk away from something you've outgrown, this episode will resonate deeply. Cory's story is a testament to the beauty of exploration—not just of the world, but of oneself.Tune in for a candid, unfiltered, and inspiring conversation about what it truly means to embrace change, redefine purpose, and find meaning in the unknown.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!