
Relating to Self
A podcast that helps you create a better relationship with yourself.
Latest episodes

Nov 3, 2022 • 50min
How to cultivate a growth mindset through TED Talks {with Amy}
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Amy, who cultivated a growth mindset through Ted Talks.
Amy is the Founder of Next Gen Facilitation and helps prepare the Next Generation for Modern Life.
Learn more about Amy and her work here:
https://linktr.ee/EducationAmy
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
The shortcomings of traditional education
Internal vs. external motivation
How Amy cultivated a growth mindset through Ted Talks
The importance of rest in personal development
The many benefits of exercise
Psychotherapy as a tool for self-exploration
Finding and updating your core values
Amy's advice for reaching out to people, seeking help, and finding your people
A parting quote from Amy:
"You can’t prepare the path for the person,
You can only prepare the person for the path."
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Follow Joachim on Twitter

Oct 13, 2022 • 50min
Transforming unremarkable into extraordinary 🚀 {with Stephen Ladek}
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Stephen, for whom daily happiness is entirely relationship-driven.
Stephen Ladek is an explorer & entrepreneur who helps others find focus, fulfillment, and freedom through radical accountability.
Learn more about Stephen here:
https://www.ladek.com/
Learn more about his work in online education here:
https://linktr.ee/lmspulse
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
How Stephen views relating to self as an act of introspection
What are the most important questions you have to ask to improve any relationship?
The limitations of online identities
Letting go of one identity to embrace your more authentic self
Why Stephen identifies first and foremost as an explorer
Joachim & Stephen discuss the different impacts of their childhood
How growing up in middle-class America prompted a path of exploration
Stephen's transformation from living an unremarkable life to becoming a person of extraordinary capacity
Why mediocrity is the word that gives Stephen the most fear?
The importance of intentionally investing in deep relationships
And much, much more!
A parting quote from Stephen:
"Why not commit to saying yes? Let's make this a moment. Let's make this extraordinary."
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Follow Joachim on Twitter

Oct 6, 2022 • 38min
A perspective shift about intimate relationships {special turn-the-tables episode with Eagan}
In this special turn-the-tables edition of the Relating to Self podcast, former guest Eagan interviews Joachim about trauma, healing, intimate relationships, and much more.
Eagan is an entrepreneur & digital marketer with a deep passion for philosophy. You can learn more about his Eagan and listen to Eagan's first appearance here:
Relating to Self - S01E05 - Eagan
Follow Eagan on Twitter
Caravan Digital
In today's episode, Eagan & Joachim speak about:
The success of the Relating to Self podcast
Joachim's journey of healing
Habitual patterns & hedonistic pleasures
The practice of stepping into pleasure
How trauma patterns can manifest differently
How to remove negative people from your life
Joachim's thoughts on intimate relationships
The value of deep human connections
The importance of sitting with hardships
How to work through trauma in intimate relationships
Holding space and taking ownership of responsibility
Joachim's 'controversial' take on traditional marriage
The perceived value of eternal life
An alternative approach to celebrating intimate human connection
And much, much more!
A parting quote from Eagan:
"There is so much we are not ready to hear."
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources
Follow Joachim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joachimbrackx

Sep 22, 2022 • 36min
Healthy habits, morning routines, and storytelling 📚 {with Maxwell}
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Maxwell who begins each day with journaling with poetry.
Maxwell is a storyteller, filmmaker and creative. He currently works as a partner and Creative Director at Telescope Studios.
You can learn more about Maxwell and his work:
Telescope Studios
https://twitter.com/Maxwell_Kang
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
The difficulties of relating to others
Morning routines (and how to create them)
Habit creation and sustained motivation
How to create and maintain a journaling practice
Reducing friction
Starting small and celebrating small victories
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Habitual cues and trigger action points
Habit stacking
Creating a wind-down routine
Learning from trauma
When is the best time to meditate?
Learning how to be a good partner
Listening and questioning stories that we tell ourselves
A parting quote - "Collect moments, not things."
Sign up for the newsletter to receive:
Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sep 15, 2022 • 48min
Imaginary suffering and the search for self-compassion {with Anna V}
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Anna, or is it a conversation with one of her parts?
Anna V is a clinical scientist, brainstormer, believer, and storyteller on a mission to bridge the gender health gap.
Learn more about Anna and her work:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annavyb/
https://www.instagram.com/the.sassytribe/
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
Menstrual leave policies
How startup culture catalyzed Anna's search for self-compassion
The importance of saying no
The societal notion that suffering is necessary to reach your goals
Anna's experience with burnout
How yoga taught Anna not to always go 100%
Lessons learned from hiking
Cold shower therapy
Internal family systems
And much, much more!
Parting quote:
“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality”
— Seneca
Sign up for the newsletter to receive:
Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sep 8, 2022 • 39min
What is your attention telling you? {with Ben Tirone Nunes}
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Benjamin Tirone Nunes for whom whatever he gives his attention has something to tell him about himself.
Creative at heart, Benjamin is passionate about giving expression to human possibility, always seeking to explore drivers of transformation. He is the Managing Director at Rebundance.
You can learn more about Benjamin’s work and listen to his curated playlist here:
https://rebundance.com/about-us/
https://twitter.com/BenTN
https://tinyurl.com/bensspotifyplaylist
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
Using conversations as a tool to understand yourself better
The benefits of having “annoying” friends
How to develop tools to understand your needs
The power of making delicious and healing food
Misconceptions about personal development and the importance of vulnerability
A Beginner's Guide to the 7 Chakras
How Benjamin finds peace at 1AM in the morning
Joachim and Benjamin’s shared the love of music
Ben’s experience attending more than 450 live acts in two years
Using music as a tuning fork for the current cultural zeitgeist
The relationship between the music and the lyrics
“What am I giving attention to and what is that trying to tell me”
How to broaden your concept of relationships to be more open and seen in the world
Sign up for the newsletter to receive:
Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sep 1, 2022 • 40min
Take responsibility and own your pleasure with Aurore Fagnen 💜
In this episode of Relating to Self, Joachim speaks to Aurore Fagnen who is consciously entering in a relationship with her own fingers.
Aurore accompanies women to heal and reveal themselves through the power of their sensual bodies and their sexual energy.
You can learn more about Aurore and her work here:
https://aurorefagnen.com/
https://www.instagram.com/aurore_fagnen/
To continue improving your relationship with yourself and receive a curated collection of resources, visit:
https://relatingtoself.com
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
Creating space for quality time for and with yourself
How your environment impacts your relationship to self
How to take responsibility and own your pleasure
The societal shame and guilt associated with self pleasure
Sex as an essential tool for self-knowledge and exploration
The difference between urban & rural life
The difference between apartments and houses
Self-partnership
The Inner Work of Partnership
How to craft an environment for thriving partnerships
Making conscious choices according to your hierarchy of values
If you do not address your needs, they will express themselves
Joachim’s Simple Mindfulness Meditation
Subtle embodiment practices to improve self-awareness and sexual intimacy
Ecstatic dance
Relating to body parts & Internal Family Systems
Proprioception
Rituals with essential oils
Using taste to deepen self-connection
And much, much, more!
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a rating or review.

Aug 25, 2022 • 42min
Psychedelic wellness, integration, & riding the wave of life with Amanda Efthimiou 🏄♀️
In this episode of the Relating to Self podcast, Joachim speaks to Amanda Efthimiou, who believes that slowing down can speed things up.
Amanda is a strategist & storyteller working at the intersection of mental health advocacy, technology, and psychedelic wellness.
You can learn more about Amanda and her work here:
https://www.amandaefthimiou.com/
https://www.instagram.com/amaiou/
https://medium.com/@amanda.amaiou
To continue improving your relationship with yourself and receive a curated collection of resources, visit:
https://relatingtoself.com
Topics, resources, and useful links mentioned in the episode:
Amanda’s personal history with mental health and how plant medicine became part of her story
The many benefits of plant medicine
Her journey moving from Berlin to Lisbon and the power of pausing during moments of transition
The importance of integration
Internal and external motivations
The influence of the ocean for Joachim and Amanda in relating to self
The idea of how we ride the wave of life is what really matters
The inner knowledge within the body
Rituals of meditation, yoga, dace and surfing
How psychedelics can shift your relationship with different parts
What are mentors and how to find mentorship?
To continue improving your relationship with yourself, visit and receive a curated collection of resources, visit:
https://relatingtoself.com
Sign up for the newsletter to receive:
Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources

Aug 18, 2022 • 45min
The Magic Zone of Boundaries with Natasha Figueroa
In this episode of Relating to Self, Joachim speaks to Natasha Figueroa, whose magic zone is the narrow gap between out of the comfort zone, but within the boundaries.
In this conversation, they explore a wide array of topics including:
The many benefits of being open to feedback
The differences between introversion and extroversion
The immense power of the voice for self-exploration
The f*ck yes mentality
Natasha’s “magic zone”
Stepping into fear
Intrinsic wisdom & self trust
Natasha’s identification as the queen and king of boundaries
The societal shame associated with saying no
Why the word “no” is among Natasha’s favorite words
The concept of damnation and its relationship to codependency
And much, much more!
Natasha Figueroa is the founder of Jellyfish Heart, whose mission is to:
Support people to embrace vulnerability
Lead to intimacy & connectivity
Foster a loving relationship with self
Realize & release judgements
Refocus on heart & body over mind
Share tools to be our most authentic selves
She also works with Art International as a facilitator for their program, “The Art of Being Human.”
You can follow Natasha on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jellyfishheart/
To continue improving your relationship with yourself, visit https://relatingtoself.com
Sign up for the newsletter to receive:
Free collections of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
Simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
Podcast updates and other valuable resources

Aug 11, 2022 • 52min
How improv can improve your most important relationship {with Mary Lemmer}
Mary Lemmer brings joy to empowering people to improve themselves and the world around them. She believes that improvisation is a practice that can lead to a better relationship with yourself.
Mary is the founder of Improve, a company that improves people’s lives by using techniques inspired by improv comedy and behavioral research.
In this fascinating conversation, Joachim and Mary explore:
The improv warm-up technique “Crazy Eights”
How to use rituals to prepare for podcasts or important events in our daily lives
The importance of letting go of thoughts and getting into our bodies
How Mary incorporates different breathing techniques like pranayama into her daily routine
Mary morning routine of meditation routine and “Morning Pages” the journaling technique popularized by Julia Cameron
Joachim’s experiment with lucid dreaming and maintaining a dream journal
The inspiration and insight of dream interpretation
How the fundamental improv principle of “Yes, and…” directly impact your relationship with yourself
Mary’s belief that improv provides a psychologically safe space to practice new beliefs, behaviors and habits.
How improv not only helped Mary with honing her skills as a comedian, but also allowed her to deepen her perspective, self-inquiry and exploration.
Talking to yourself (or your pet) as a technology for thinking
Joachim’s experience as a professional musician and the idea “that there is nothing that engages the brain more than performing music.”
The difference between rote memorization and improvisation
How improvisation allows you be more fully in the present
“We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are” ― Anaïs Nin
The benefits of shadow work and Internal Family Systems
The improv technique first word last word
To learn more about Mary Lemmer and her work, visit:
https://marylemmer.com/
Watch her debut comedy special “Living with my Parents”
Watch her Ted Talk "How Improv can Improve your leadership and life"
Learn more about her company “Improve”
To continue improving your relationship with yourself, visit https://relatingtoself.com
Sign up for Joachim's newsletter to receive:
a free collection of guided meditations, specifically created for improving your relationship with yourself
simple practices to improve your relationship with yourself
podcast updates and exclusive resources