SoulTalk with Kute Blackson

"Teachers and teachings come in and out of our lives at all times, designed to hold a mirror up to reflect back to us the places within ourselves that disconnected from God. Because we can't change it until we can see it." Episode Summary: Seane Corn has been a yoga teacher for over 25 years. In this soul-warming interview, she shares the importance of acknowledging feelings and sensations to begin healing trauma and addictions. She talks about the relationship between numbing sensation and lack of empathy. As well, she shares her thoughts on the use of drugs to enhance the spiritual practice and how self-esteem is the key to inner wisdom. Some Questions I Ask What inspired you to teach and get into activism? Was there a moment when you woke up and decided on sobriety? What was that process like? Is there a line between not judging where you're at and using this as a 'cop-out'? How can one discern? What are your thoughts on the impact of marijuana use on the brain and nervous system? How did you deal with the need for external validation and move through it? In This Episode You Will Learn How to begin the process of emotional healing. A key question to ask yourself to begin getting unstuck from any situation. Two different kinds of trauma and how to deal with them. How to deal with the cravings that are detrimental for our spiritual development. The important first step towards healing trauma.

"What excites me the most is not things that are giving us more power, but things that are increasing the love and wisdom so that we can hold the already tremendous power we have better." Episode Summary: Humanity as a whole is facing really challenging times on all fronts, environmental, political and social issues all over the world. In this insightful episode with Daniel Schmachtenberger, evolutionary philosopher and systems designer, he shares with us how a shift in the way we ask questions could lead to a new civilization that does not cause all the problems that we have today. How we can learn a different way of solving issues by changing the incentives and walking a mile in someone else's shoes. Some Questions I Ask: What do you see as the primary cause of the problems with humanity today? How do you go about shifting a situation without it being at the expense of something else? Are there any key questions that you ask yourself when looking at a problem that help you see a problem differently so you can get a higher perspective? Is our ability to understand the problem determined by our level of consciousness? As you look at the world, what excites you? What do you see as the possibility and potential for humanity? In This Episode You Will Learn: The main reason humanity needs a new problem solving process. The first thing to do when trying to solve a problem that affects any number of people. One of the most potent exercises you can do from a spiritual perspective. How technology can promote new economic thinking. The most important thing to focus on in education.

"When you stop judging yourself and allow yourself to just do the best that you can do, you free yourself and allow yourself to enjoy the process." Episode Summary: Creativity is an elusive thing. It's not something that can be touched or tasted. It is often thought that creativity is reserved for artists and specially gifted people. However, we have all felt that burst of energy, just being in the flow and feeling alive. Listen to this podcast and learn simple keys to become more creative and feel more alive. Some Questions I Ask: What are you doing that is working but also limiting your creative expression? What might be something that is terrifying to do, but you know would cause you to grow? What would you be doing and expressing if money wasn't an object? What would you do if you were to begin from scratch? Would you be doing what you are doing? Have you become so ingrained that you keep doing the same things even though they no longer inspire you? In This Episode You Will Learn: The one thing that is a creativity killer. The reason you should mix up your routines. One action that will be inspire your creative flow. How traveling can affect your creativity. The relationship between growth and experiencing new things.

"Anything you devote yourself to completely and thoroughly will help the heart be healthy and connected to the life force." Episode Summary: Creativity is an elusive concept. In this Part Two episode with Mark Nepo, author of his new book, "Drinking From the River of Light", he explores the relationship between our creative expression and simply being alive. He shares openly about his writing habits and touches upon topics like success, perfection and authenticity; as well as the importance of feeling the entire range of emotions to connect with the source of life. Some Questions I Ask: How do you define creativity? What is your creative process like? How do you face resistance? How much do you plan your day? Your week? How do you define success? ....the success of your work? Do you have a piece of advice for the artist that you wish you had known at the beginning of your career? In This Episode You Will Learn: Rituals for writing and the creative process. How to deal with your inner critic. The true purpose of your soul. How to stay centered and authentic in your expression when being interviewed. The true definition of creativity. How to avoid the trap of getting comfortable in success. Guest links: www.marknepo.com CLICK HERE to order Mark's new book, "Drinking From The River of Light"

"The river of light is the light of life force and love that flows through every living being. When we drink from the river, we experience oneness." Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, poet, philosopher and author of "Drinking from the River of Light" and "More Together than Alone", Mark Nepo shares how surviving the painful process of an aggressive cancer changed him fundamentally. He speaks of how he found the courage to face death and translate that courage into a daily, creative practice in life. Some Questions I Ask: What is the path to being a philosopher? Were there any specific practices that kept you going through your cancer treatment? Did there come a point when you were able to make peace with facing death? How do we prevent getting stuck in a rut of familiarity and sameness? As you write, how do you deal with validation and approval? How do you deal with vulnerability? In This Episode You Will Learn: The real importance of planning and strategizing in life. How to develop courage and break free from unhealthy habits. The difference between discernment and judgment and why this is so important. What is "centrism", how it is affecting our ability to learn and how we can prevent it. The importance of having "right-sized" fears. Guest links: www.marknepo.com CLICK HERE to order Mark's new book, "Drinking From The River of Light"

"There comes a point when the life you are living is too small for who you are seeking to become." Episode Summary: Quitting is frowned upon in our culture. From a very tender age, we are taught that winners never quit. However, sometimes the cost of persevering and not quitting can be very high. It often means staying in situations that are not right, for longer than necessary. Listen to this episode to learn 3 simple keys that will help you know if it's time to quit. Some Questions I Ask: Have you ever had an experience when no matter how hard you try, things just don't seem to work out the way you want them to? Where is the line between persevering and letting go? Have you ever invested so much into something that even though it doesn't work out you can't let it go? What do you need to quit today? How do you know when it's time to keep persevering and insisting or when it's time to quit? What is it that you are needing to let go of? In This Episode You Will Learn: Two questions to ask yourself if you are thinking about quitting. The downside of persevering through anything. The key reason you should not get attached to the outcome of any endeavor. Two reasons we often ignore dissatisfaction with our current situation. The advantage of quitting a situation that is no longer aligned with your true self.

"There is a high chance that everything you're looking for is in how you serve the world. It's all in the giving." Episode Summary: New York Times best-selling author of White Hot Truth and Fire Starter Sessions, Danielle LaPorte shares how she went through what she calls a 'living death' and came out stronger on the other side. She talks about her relationship with validation, how to deal with disappointment, as well as sharing some of her secrets to access the creative zone as a writer. Some Questions I Ask: How did you start on the path of personal growth? What triggered it? During your time of crisis, how did you move through negotiation with life to that space of acceptance? In those dark moments, what did your prayers sound like? What were you praying? As you went through this time, did your definition of success shift? How do you define success? What's your relationship with goal setting? How do you deal with disappointment? In This Episode You Will Learn: A new definition of freedom. The key reason you should work from enthusiasm. The real purpose of life and the effects of living a life without purpose. 4 ways to deal with the feeling of envy. A simple practice to improve your productivity. How to deal with public criticism.

"To love is the greatest freedom. When you love, you set yourself free and transcend your circumstance." Episode Summary: The media today is constantly bombarding us with negative news. It is easy to get discouraged for humanity, to give into judgment and to let your attention be hijacked by all the negativity. Listen to this short, powerful episode to learn 3 simple keys that will allow you to stay centered and loving in the midst of a chaotic world. Some Questions I Ask: How do you remain centered and loving amidst all the tragedy we hear about in the news? What is in your control and how can you affect change? Are you focusing on the problem or the solution? What can you do to make a difference? What would be the most loving act now? In This Episode You Will Learn: How to prevent your emotions from being enslaved by what happens in the world. The first step to begin changing your reality. Where to find a real sense of peace. The key reason you should choose to bring compassion to a challenging situation. The two ways you can make a difference in the world.

"When you surround yourself with people who have great excuses for not having the things they want to be having it gives you permission to not work hard." Episode Summary: Born with a rare condition that stunted his growth and made his bones extremely fragile, Sean Stephenson was not expected to survive after his birth. Since then he has become the best-selling author of Get Off your "But" and a renowned speaker and therapist. In this heart-opening episode, he shares how he struggled with love, contemplated suicide and came out stronger on the other side of it. He shares the simple and doable way to battle insecurity, one day at a time. Some Questions I Ask: How did you get to be where you are today? Did you always have a "no victimhood" mentality or did something happen at some point? What kept you going when you felt like giving up and contemplated suicide. What would you say to people in that position? Based on your life experience, how would you define success? How did you know that this was your purpose? In This Episode You Will Learn: The importance of listening to your body. The key practice to getting rid of depression. 4 daily things to practice in order to conquer your insecurities. The far-reaching consequences of feeling enough. How to move beyond needing external validation for your life. The importance of surrounding yourself with people who inspire you.

"If we can be honest about the little things that bring us some degree of aliveness, then we build a pipeline to the place inside of us that is already passionate." Episode Summary: Alan Cohen, best-selling author of The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Any More and A Deep Breath of Life, talks about the circumstances that led him to start writing. He also shares some advice for aspiring authors. In this heartfelt conversation, he talks about the power of authenticity and the simple ways to connect with our inner passion and achieve miracles without struggling. Some Questions I Ask: What was your path to becoming a personal development author? Was there a turning moment in your life? How much of your life do you feel you plan and how much do you just go with the flow? How do you cultivate non-attachment? What kept you going when you felt like giving up? How does someone know when to surrender and when to fight for something? What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a coach and/or writer? In This Episode You Will Learn: Two questions to ask yourself to help you work through your fears. How to determine if you are on the right path. A simple practice to get you in touch with your true passion. How to move beyond the craving for external validation. The power of authenticity in your life.