The Hoffman Podcast

Welcome to today’s episode with host Sadie and a medical panel of three Hoffman Process graduates who are also esteemed medical practitioners. Our host, Sadie, Carrie Levine, Dr. David Hanscom, and Dr. Kash Trivedi engage in this powerful conversation. They cover the connection between emotional health and physical health, the mind-body connection, finding the safety within needed to heal, and so much more. With her background as a licensed Nurse Practitioner, Sadie guides the panel with insightful questions. Our guests answer through their embodied learning from both the Process and their many years of medical practice. They share insights on what it means to practice medicine with awareness, compassion, and the knowledge that can help guide their patients to deeper healing. As the conversation goes deeper into the idea of healing needing a sense of safety, Sadie then asks the panel if we each can “take responsibility for our inner experience of safety?” Carrie responds, saying, “I think we have to. I don’t know that anybody else can do that for us. … I think it’s on us.” We hope you enjoy this conversation with Carrie, Davide, Kash, and Sadie. Please note: While this conversation is about medicine, healing, and health, please note that what is shared here is strictly for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please always seek the guidance of your physician or any other qualified health professional with any questions you have regarding your health or medical condition. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify More about Carrie E. Levine: Carrie E. Levine, CNM, IFMCP, is the founder of the Whole Woman Health clinic. She is the author of Whole Woman Health: A Guide to Creating Wellness for Any Age and Stage. A certified nurse midwife and Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, Carrie evaluates and treats the most common women’s health concerns by integrating gynecology and functional medicine. For more than two decades, Carrie has worked to help women find wholeness, connecting physical symptoms and test results with lifestyle choices and daily practices. Previously, Carrie practiced gynecology and functional medicine at the renowned Women to Women clinic in Maine (2006–2014). Before that, she provided full-scope midwifery at Miles Memorial Hospital (now Maine Health Lincoln) in Damariscotta, Maine. Patients know Carrie for her deep listening, “connecting the dots” among seemingly unrelated symptoms and emotions, and breaking personal health goals into attainable steps so clients can thrive emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Carrie earned a BS from Syracuse University. She has an RN and MSN from Case Western Reserve University. Carrie earned a Nurse-Midwifery certificate from what is now the Frontier Nursing University.  She is a member of ACNM (national and Maine chapters), the Maine Nurse Practitioners Association, and the Institute for Functional Medicine. Sign up for Carrie’s free weekly newsletters featuring recipes, podcasts, articles, and more at https://carrielevine.com. Follow Carrie on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. More about Dr. David Hanscom: David Hanscom, MD, practiced complex orthopedic spine surgery for 32 years. He quit his practice in Seattle, WA, to present his insights into solving chronic mental and physical pain. They evolved from his own 15-year battle. David escaped from the ordeal and discovered that mental pain was the biggest issue. Anxiety is the pain. His new book, Calm Your Body, Heal Your Mind: Transcend Pain, Anxiety, Anger, and Repetitive Unwanted Thoughts, is scheduled for release in June 2026. By understanding the neurophysiology driving unwanted thoughts and stimulating neuroplastic changes, they can be addressed and resolved. David’s book, Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain, systematically presents well-documented treatments for chronic pain. His self-directed action plan, which reflects the journeys of many successful patients, is available at www.thedocjourney.com. David launched a movement called “Dynamic Healing.” This movement recognizes the interactions between stress and one’s coping capacity, which leads to sustained threat physiology. Dealing with stress more effectively and increasing the nervous system’s resilience promotes healing. David is an active speaker, author, and consultant. Discover more about his work and resources at www.backincontrol.com. David’s articles: •   Why I’m Leaving Spine Surgery •   Dynamic Healing – The New Paradigm Medicine Needs More about Dr. Kash Trivedi: Dr. Kash Trivedi is a gastroenterologist in private practice. His interest is in the intricate relationship between the gut and the brain—how that connection contributes not only to physical symptoms but also to overall well-being. Kash completed his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego. He went on to do his fellowship training at the University of California, Irvine. With over a decade of experience in clinical medicine, he often sees how stress, trauma, and emotional health may influence gastrointestinal disease. Outside of medicine, Dr. Trivedi has long been drawn to personal growth and self-inquiry, an interest that began in his teenage years. In January 2025, he completed the Hoffman Process, which he describes as the most transformational experience of his life. Kash lives in Southern California with his wife of over 20 years and their 10-year-old son. He continues to explore how emotional and psychological insight can enrich both his personal life and professional practice. Kash Trivedi on the Hoffman Podcast: I Am My Own Resource More about Sadie Hannah (Host): Sadie Hannah, MS, CPNP-AC, is a licensed Nurse Practitioner and a member of the medical staff at Stanford University with a background in pediatric oncology, pediatric end-of-life, and children’s cancer research.  She is also a Hoffman Process teacher, coach, and podcast host. Sadie Hannah holds a Master’s in Science from the University of California, San Francisco. After a 20-year history in Western medicine, she is now committed to helping clients move past their most fundamental challenges (learned behavior). Where neuroscience meets heart, Sadie works with individuals and groups. She guides her clients not outward but inward, toward the depths of their own being as they navigate important transitions in life, relationships, careers, and culture. As mentioned in this episode: HeartMath Broken Heart Syndrome The mind-body connection Psycho somatic symptoms MUS – Medically unexplained symptoms The Way to Love: The Last Meditations of Anthony de Mello Therapeutic Reciprocity SOAP Notes: SOAP notes are a four-part, structured format for documenting patient visits. The acronym stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. They are used by healthcare providers to consistently and clearly record a patient’s health encounter. This format ensures all members of the care team have the same information about a patient’s condition and progress.  Hoffman terminology: Right Road/Left Road Visualization The Quadrinity: “I coined the word Quadrinity to represent the four aspects of a human being: the Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual. The unique capacities and functions of each aspect can be considered separately, but it is the balance of all aspects working together harmoniously that fulfills us as human beings.” – Bob Hoffman, Founder of the Hoffman Process      

“I can only describe the Process in poetry, because it’s that spiritual for me.” Jessica Harjo In July 2022, Jessica Harjo came to the Hoffman Process to learn how to parent after realizing the coping mechanisms she’d developed to help her manage the weight of motherhood and career no longer worked for her. And of course, she came for so much more than she could imagine. As a Native woman with a complex multicultural ancestry – Indigenous, San Carlos Apache, Indigenous, Chicana, Mexican, Filipina, Japanese, and European – Jessica found the Process to be deeply spiritual. She shares that she likens her Process experience to a sweat lodge. “Finding that moment where you’re in it and you’re closing your eyes, and you hear the songs, you can hear the prayers, and then you start to connect. You start to remember; you start to heal. And then when the flaps of that sweat lodge open, you crawl out on your knees, and when you come out into the life, you feel like you’re born again into the world. That was the experience of my Process. It reconnected me to my spirit in that way. It lit my inner fire.” Before the Process, Jessica realized that stress had caused her to forget her past and past self. Coming out of the Process, feeling born again, she realized she now had “new eyes.” Going home, Jessica saw each member of her family as a spiritual being.  She saw the light in nature. She’d found herself. A little over two years later, Jessica attended the inaugural BIPOC Q2, a weekend retreat. She worked to heal ancestral wounds. Over this powerful Q2 weekend, Jessica says she came home. We hope you enjoy this powerful conversation with Jessica and Sadie. More about Jessica Harjo: Jessica, daughter Rulan, and husband Tim. Jessica Harjo is a soul embodied human being and lifelong learner. She’s a proud homemaker and mother of three daughters, three stepchildren, and four grandchildren. For the past eighteen years, Jessica has worked in the nonprofit sector as the Director of Operations for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute. Her multicultural ancestry (Indigenous/San Carlos Apache, Indigenous/Chicana/Mexican, Filipina, Japanese, and European) has been a source of strength in her life and is reflected in her work to recognize and uplift multicultural and Indigenous knowledge. As a nonprofit leader, Jessica specializes in policy development, administrative infrastructure and team development, project management, HR implementation, business, and financial operations management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Film, Media, and Social Justice and a minor in Business Administration. Jessica also holds an MBA from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Mount Saint Mary’s is the only women’s university in Los Angeles, and is known for their annual report on the Status of Women and Girls in California. Jessica has volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards that serve Indigenous communities. She’s an active volunteer for the Hoffman Inner Work for Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle and the Indigenous outreach team. She provides support for other Indigenous Process fellows and graduates. A student of Yoga philosophy, Nichiren Buddhism, and Indigenous Mindfulness, Jessica is currently working on her RYT500 Yoga Teacher Training. She regularly uses her Hoffman tools to continue healing, visualizing, and growing. This has been the journey of her lifetime. The Process brought her to herself, and the BIPOC Q2 brought her home. Jessica and her husband, Tim Harjo, live in Oklahoma, where they balance their careers, family life, and running Sovereign Ranch, a first-generation, Native owned bison ranch. Follow Jessica on Instagram. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Tim Harjo, Jessica’s husband. Listen to Tim on the Hoffman Podcast: Amplifying Native Voices Asanas and The Eight Limbs of Yoga The Conscious Parent, by Dr. Shefali Tsabary Be-Do-Have vs. Do-Have-Be: The life we long for comes from Be-Do-Have; the life we are taught we should strive for comes from Do-Have-Be. Bruno Madrigal from Encanto Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr Apache Coming of Age Ceremony Hoffman Scholarships

“I reclaimed my Power to create. … There’s no amount of suffering that is beyond what can’t be healed.” Dr. Angela Le Dr. Angela Le specializes in women’s reproductive and hormonal health through acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, and Somatic Experiencing. In 2014, Angela was going through a Dark Night of the Soul. She was desperate. She then remembered hearing about the Hoffman Process twenty years earlier. Feeling great relief to finally ask for help, she registered and then arrived for her Process three weeks later. In hindsight, Angela shares she “would have had a miserable life” if she hadn’t done the Process. But she wanted something more. Angela as a baby “There was just this fortitude in me that wanted more and actually knew I could have more, but I was just in this cycle and this pattern that needed major disruption, and that’s really what Hoffman was, for me. It just disrupted patterns in a way that allowed for tremendous change and transformation.” On the other side of the Process, Angela found that one of the gifts of doing the Process was that it “opened up the permission field to have a different experience.” She learned that she had the power within her to change her own experience. These many years later, Angela has come to embrace the mystery of life. Letting go of the need to control, to be good, to be “all the things,” has ushered in a new way to live. The change she found through the Process brought a reclamation of her power to create. At its root, the work Angela does supports and heals the deepest of creativity – that of women’s reproduction. Angela, a healer, experienced healing through her Process, and she, in turn, deepened her ability to heal others through her love’s everyday radius. More about Dr. Angela Le: Dr. Angela Le is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, biohacking and longevity coach, specializing in women’s reproductive and hormonal health. With over two decades of clinical experience, she has supported thousands of women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. She trained in Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy under Master Ni and his sons, esteemed healers with a lineage dating back to the Han Dynasty. This foundation in ancient wisdom shapes her approach to medicine, human potential, and consciousness. Dr. Le has long been drawn to spiritual exploration and self-inquiry, an interest that began in her childhood. A committed meditation practitioner for decades, she has studied across Eastern, indigenous, and contemplative traditions. In 2014, she completed the Hoffman Process, which she describes as a profound milestone in her lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery. Based in New York City, learn more about Angela at www.fafwellness.com. Follow Angela on Instagram. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Hoffman Graduate Groups •   New York Hoffman Grad Group Dark Night of the Soul Vipassana Meditation Parentification or Parentified Child Hero/Victim Dynamic – The Karpman drama triangle Spiritual Bypass Liza Ingrasci, Hoffman Institute Foundation CEO and President The Shadow Share the Process with someone What is fertility? Perimenopause Mystic Crone Years: •   ” The Crone represents the ability to see, more than just with one’s eyes alone, but to see with the heart’s eyes, with the soul’s eyes, through the eyes of the creative force and the animating force of the psyche.” Clarissa Pinkola Estés •   Crone years are typically from 50 on.

“We’re 100% Divine and 100% human. It’s in that shared common connection between the two of those that real magic happens.” Drew Horning Hoffman teacher, coach, and podcast host, Drew Horning, sits in the guest chair today to share about his time in the Process and so much more. Drew originally came to the Process in 2013 for support with marital relationship issues, having heard about Hoffman from someone in his men’s group. Looking back, Drew says Hoffman was one of the most profound experiences of his life. Just a year later, in 2014, he began his training to become a Hoffman teacher. Drew shares two vulnerable moments from his week. He shares about the profound student-teacher relationship he experienced with his teacher, Raz. More like a mentor or coach than a teacher, Drew knew Raz had his back all the way through the Process. Drew, age 4 The deeper story here, though, is how the Process opens the way for us to experience the full range of being human. Drew sees the Process as an exploration into what it means to be human, both the light and the dark within us. In one experiential exercise, Drew says he “touched this part, this base part of being human,” and it “caused him to recoil.” In the very next moment, he and his group were led directly into a compassion exercise. And what transpired was the transformation so key to the Hoffman Process. Moments after he touched into this darkness, he found himself held in love. Love is always embracing us, even in our darkest moments as human beings. Here we witness Drew’s vulnerability and wisdom as a human being and a Hoffman teacher. He holds the human heart with gentleness, dignity, and respect. We hope you enjoy this conversation. More about Drew Horning: A former licensed private practice psychotherapist, Drew has a Master’s degree in clinical work from the University of Michigan. He is trained in EMDR, Mediation and Dispute Resolution, Gottman Couples Counseling, and Brené Brown’s Daring Way. He hosts his own podcast on relationships. Drew has also coached high school basketball. Drew published his book, Grappling: White Men’s Journey from Fragile to Agile, in May 2021. He is currently a manager of the faculty as a core faculty member of the Hoffman Institute. Drew is on the board of his extended family’s real estate business. He is committed to his own family, his two adult children, and his wife of nearly 25 years. Drew is committed to his own personal growth work and supporting others on their own journey towards wellness. Healing requires incredible courage and a commitment to kindness. The alchemy of these is what Hoffman and Drew are all about! Follow Drew on Instagram. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Raz Ingrasci, Founder of the Hoffman Institute and Hoffman teacher, was Drew’s teacher. •   Listen to Raz on the Hoffman Podcast: Husband, Father, Son The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk MD White Sulphur Springs •   “All things change when we do.” This is the quote Drew mentions from the fountain at White Sulphur Springs, our former retreat site. Dr. Dan Siegel, “feeling felt” •   “Wonderful things happen when people feel felt, when they sense that their minds are held within another’s mind.” Dan Siegel •   Listen to Dr. Dan Siegel on the Hoffman Podcast: A Rabbit, Doe, & Fawn Become Partners in Transformation Listen to Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor on the Hoffman Podcast: Your Brain From the Inside Out • Dr Bolte Taylor’s 90-second rule “Ed” McClune, retired Hoffman teacher and coach: •   Listen to Ed on the Hoffman Podcast: A Good Hoffman Geek Out “I close my eyes so that I may see.” Paul Gauguin, French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer… “This will grow inside you.” Liza Ingrasci, CEO of the Hoffman Institute Foundation. She has been with the Hoffman Institute since 1990. Drew speaks of “the surprising power of Self-compassion,” also called Inner-Compassion by Dan Siegel. Carl Jung and the power of Paradox “…only paradox “… comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life.” Read more… Original Sin •   Drew shares that for him, the Hoffman Process is the story of original love. Hoffman Terminology and Tools: Vindictiveness – “…part of what it means to be human.” •   Definition: a strong desire for revenge or to punish someone who has wronged you. It is characterized by holding grudges, a vengeful spirit, and the tendency to seek retaliation. Synonyms include vengefulness, spitefulness, and rancor.  The Cycle of Transformation: The four steps in the cycle are Awareness, Expression, Compassion, and New Ways of Being. All four make up the Cycle of Transformation.               “You can act yourself into a new way of thinking, but you cannot think yourself into a new way of acting.” Quote from the Hoffman Process Left Road, Right Road •   Hoffman tool •   Spirit and Human, Spirit Embodied Process Integration Weekend: Two days following the Process, graduates take time alone to integrate the deep work they’ve just accomplished. Listen to our panel speak about the Integration weekend on the Hoffman Podcast. The Ceremony of Integration: A guided, experiential ritual during the Process to bring everything together and integrate the Quadrinity. Hoffman Pre-calls: Each student attending the Hoffman Process has a pre-call with their Hoffman teacher before coming to the retreat site. What is Transference? The Quadrinity: “I coined the word Quadrinity to represent the four aspects of a human being: the Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual. The unique capacities and functions of each aspect can be considered separately, but it is the balance of all aspects working together harmoniously that fulfills us as human beings.” – Bob Hoffman, Founder of the Hoffman Process Hoffman Feelings and Body Sensations List (PDF) Essence Be-Do-Have vs. Do-Have-Be: The life we long for comes from Be-Do-Have; the life we are taught we should strive for comes from Do-Have-Be. “I am love, loving, and lovable.” The Hoffman Process

“If the age of AI is anything, it’s the age of relationship.” Nichol Bradford Nichol Bradford shares her love’s everyday radius with us – the arc of how the deep work she’s done throughout her life now informs the impactful work she’s doing in the world. At the forefront of human potential and AI, Nichol’s work is accelerating human transformation through technology investments, research, and global thought leadership. In this conversation with Drew, she weaves together technology, AI, and the Hoffman Process. Nichol has done a great deal of transformational work. The Hoffman Process was one of her chosen healing modalities. Nichol is passionate about her quest to advance human potential through ethical and empowering AI. In this conversation, she calls us forth to the inner work necessary so we can each be part of a movement to create technology that supports the thriving of humanity and the greater world. “…where we’re going is that work is going to be about human beings creating things together. That’s what jobs will be. That’s where we’ll be. And in that place, like, you know, the way to be irreplaceable is it’s really all about, are you adaptable? Can you adapt? Can you change? … it has everything to do with who you are being and who you’re being stands right on top of the types of things that Hoffman gets right at, as well as other deep work.” This aligns with the impetus behind Love’s Everyday Radius. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to attend Hoffman have experienced profound personal change. That change now ripples out into the world through how we share our gifts with others. And it will ripple out in how we create the future together. We hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation with Nichol and Drew. More about Nichol Bradford: Nichol Bradford stands at the forefront of human potential and AI, accelerating human transformation through technology investments, research, and global thought leadership. Currently, Nichol serves as Executive-in-Residence for AI + HI at The Society for Human Resource Management, shaping global thinking on human-AI collaboration. She is also Co-Founder and Partner of Niremia Collective, an early-stage venture fund focused on human potential technologies, and she co-founded TransformativeTech.org, the largest global ecosystem of founders, investors, and innovators building tech for human flourishing. Previously, as a senior interactive entertainment executive, Nichol held strategy, operations, marketing, and production roles at major brands including Epic Games, Activision-Blizzard, Vivendi Games, and Disney. She led operations for World of Warcraft China and Blizzard properties in China, played a key role on the Vivendi team responsible for the landmark $18B Activision-Blizzard merger deal, and helped produce record-breaking events in the metaverse at Epic Games. Nichol has an MBA from The Wharton School, is on the Faculty at Singularity University, a Trustee at CIIS, and has been a Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at Stanford University. Moving forward, Nichol is focused on advancing human potential through ethical and empowering AI — catalyzing a global ecosystem of innovators to create technology for human thriving. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Human tech is the evolution of transformative tech: Human + Tech Week – Where Human Potential and AI Innovation Converge. •   Human Tech Week 2026:  April 27 – May 2, San Francisco  – How do we help humans heal, grow, and thrive? Six focus areas: 1. Vital – Preventive health and wellness, “because you can’t separate the mind of the body.” 2. Mesh – Mental, emotional, and social health. 3. Peak – Individual and organizational performance. 4. Sync – Collective intelligence, collaborative collaboration at scale, digital well-being, “How can we make sure that we can be well with all of these tools that we have?” 5. Soul – Purpose, meaning, and consciousness, both from a scientific, neuroscience standpoint, and from a spiritual standpoint. “(Spiritual defined as a better relationship to self, other, and the environment).” 6. City – The built environment, both physically and metaphorically. “How can we leverage technology in the spaces around us to enable and empower all of the areas that I described before?” Other mentions in this episode: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) “We build our cities, and then our cities build us.” Mike Frost “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Proverb from Luke 12:48 in the New Testament. A Brief History of Aluminum. Human Microbiome: “The human microbiome, often called the ‘forgotten organ.’ Snow Leopard: “What are the trends and happenings going on right now that may turn out to be more significant than they seem to us at this moment? The Atlantic Council, an American Think Tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., has coined the term “Snow Leopards” to classify these phenomena that may have world-changing impact, but seem ordinary to us now.” Read more… Utopia and Dystopia Pattie Maes, MIT Your Brain on ChatGPT study at MIT Khan Academy‘s Khanamigo The Socratic Method Self-optimization The Art of Accomplishment with Joe Hudson Conscious Leadership Group •   CLG Coaching Training Diana Chapman – Listen to Diana on the Hoffman Podcast: Experiencing More Heaven on Earth Myanmar (formerly Burma) Mahasi Sayadaw Dr. Dan (Daniel) Brown, Western Tibetan Bön teacher Hunger Games or Star Trek

“I can’t say that in 34 years I have enjoyed my life in the way that I do now. That is the shift. That’s the shift post-Hoffman. It’s the shift of doing this work. It’s the shift of my life.” Madison Utendahl Six months before Madison Utendahl arrived at the Hoffman Process, she closed her business. The immediate question that came to her in the wake of closing it was, Who am I without this job? She’d realized that her company and her work had become part of her identity. Feeling a complete disconnect from herself without this company she’d worked so hard to build, Madison realized she needed to do something different. Therapy, something she’d done a lot of, wasn’t going to cut it. She needed a serious change. She turned to Hoffman. In this engaging and spirited conversation, Madison leads us through the before, during, and after periods of her Hoffman Process experience. As we listen in, we’re able to glimpse not only her journey, but some of the Process journey itself as seen through Madison’s eyes. One of the significant negative patterns that Madison transformed was “control,” one that plagues so many of us. In her brilliant words, she shares the big Aha! she had behind the transformation of this pattern, wisdom that’s true for many patterns. Madison explains, “I learned at Hoffman that control was a survival instinct. If it was a survival instinct that meant I could unlearn it. … I learned that young Madison, to no fault of her own, developed control to deal with her childhood.”  A major takeaway from Madison’s Process transformation is the realization that the Universe, or whatever you want to call it, has your back. As she says, “the unlock for me, post-Hoffman, is like realizing that God, the universe, whomever, has your back.” So, go enjoy your life! More about Madison Utendahl: Madison Utendahl is a multi-hyphenate: founder, CCO, writer, and creative director who, above all, is tired of faking fine. She’s the Founder of Utendahl Creative, a Brooklyn-based creative agency that has built brands for a lot of cool people. She’s also the creator of BURNT, her popular Substack where she writes about burnout with equal parts humor and truth-telling. Madison is a two-time Webby Award winner, AdWeek 100, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and has been on the founding teams of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Refinery29’s 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream. These days, she’s less about chasing accolades and more about dismantling hustle culture’s nonsense, one candid essay, brand, or conversation at a time. She lives in New York City with her husband, two dogs, and a cat who runs the household. Follow Madison on Instagram. Read her writing at Burnt on Substack. Find out more at madisonutendahl.com. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Madison’s IG post about the closing of Utendahl Creative. April McDaniel – Listen to April on the Hoffman Podcast: Being Real With Yourself Hoffman Retreat Site in Connecticut – Guest House Hoffman Faculty: •   Claus Radlberger •   Marc Kaplan Ketamine Therapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Somatic Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) The Quadrinity… …is a simple yet powerful model for understanding ourselves and our behavior, encompassing all four aspects of self: body, emotions, intellect, and spiritual self. The Quadrinity is our whole, integrated, balanced self, embodying all four aspects. Madison mentions the “Hoffman Questionnaire.” This is the pre-Process assignment, required homework for attending Process. Our pre-Process assignment is due three weeks before the start of your scheduled Process. The assignment materials take approximately 10 hours to complete. Listen to Blake Mycoskie, Toms Founder, on the Hoffman Podcast: A Deep Surrender to Spirit Quad Check: A practice to support you in checking in with all four parts of your Quadrinity: Spiritual Self, Intellect, Emotional Self, and Body. To practice Quad Checks with others, join our virtual Quad-Check at 8:00 am PT on Instagram. We also hold an Appreciation and Gratitude practice daily at 6:00 pm on Instagram. Ricola cough drops are available to students during the Process. Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Hotel Tonight Integration Weekend It’s highly suggested that each graduate take two days after their Process to integrate the deep work they’ve done. As Madison shares, it is an important time before re-entering their lives. Gabor Mate  – Addiction Expert, Speaker, Bestselling Author •   “No Two Children Have the Same Parents” – YouTube short video “I see you and I love you.” – the Hoffman Process

Award-winning and celebrated filmmaker Jeff Orlowski-Yang is a masterful storyteller who documents the profound stories of our time. Founder and Creative Director of Exposure Labs, Jeff came to the Hoffman Process after hearing about it through many friends. One of Jeff’s friends knew a woman who was offering to pay for anyone ready to step into parenthood to attend the Process. Jeff was curious about and deeply moved by the nature of her offer. He felt there must be something important about the Process he’d heard so much about. A key theme in this conversation is the power and nature of the stories we tell. The ones we carry on our backs, feeling like we cannot let them go, even knowing they are weighing us down. The ones we tell in hopes of changing hearts and minds. And the ones we create anew in our hopes for a different future. As a documentarian, Jeff knows both how to tell a great story and to listen to others telling their story. At his Process, he was able to listen deeply to the stories being shared around the classroom by his classmates. This helped him realize the nature of the story he has carried within. In recounting his Process experience, Jeff weaves in the wisdom he’s gained from his work. He highlights the difference between communication and connection, a distinction that became clear to him while directing The Social Dilemma. And he speaks to the nature of change and how powerful stories can be great catalysts of change, both personally and collectively. We hope you enjoy this illuminating conversation with Jeff and Drew. More about Jeff Orlowski-Yang: Photo by Larissa Rhodes Jeff Orlowski-Yang is the Founder and Creative Director of Exposure Labs, a film and impact production studio that uses stories to change the world. Most recently, he directed Chasing Time (2024), a 40-minute short documentary currently screening at festivals around the world. Previously, he directed one of the most-watched documentaries on Netflix, The Social Dilemma (2020), which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for seven primetime Emmy awards, winning two. He was the director, producer, and cinematographer of the award-winning feature documentaries Chasing Coral (2017) and Chasing Ice (2012), both of which screened at Congress and the United Nations and have garnered awards and accolades worldwide. Jeff has several directorial projects currently in development and continues to support other filmmakers from concept to impact campaign as an executive producer and mentor. Orlowski-Yang won the 2017 Champion of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental honor, and serves on the boards of Green 2.0 and Netflix’s Sustainability Advisory Group. He has traveled on tour representing the Sundance Institute, President Obama’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts, among many other speaking and press engagements. Jeff lives in Boulder, Colorado. Learn more about or get in touch with him at JeffOrlowski-Yang.com. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: eTown Studios •   Take a video tour of eTown Studios. Staten Island, New York National Geographic Magazine James Balog, National Geographic Photographer Guinness World Record •   Greenland – Largest calving event ever filmed: “CHASING ICE” Official Video Coral bleaching in Australia – Coral turns white due to heat The Adventure of Jason and the Argonauts from the Argonautica Chasing Ice Trailer at Sundance •   Nominated for an Academy Award Existential Crisis Tristan Harris – Tech ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT). Thoreau quote, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…” Sundance Film Festival is moving from Sundance, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado. The Unpredictable Award and Dopamine Addiction. •   Article: Hooked: The Psychology of Variable Rewards •   Article: Online Marketers Take Note Of Brains Wired For Rewards Instagram Lives: Each day, we host two Instagram Lives. Join our virtual community Quad-Check at 8:00 am PT on Instagram. A Quad Check is a practice to support you in integrating and honoring all four parts of your Quadrinity: Spiritual Self, Intellect, Emotional Self, and your Body. Join our daily Appreciation and Gratitude practice at 6:00 pm PT on Instagram. You’ll find the Appreciation and Gratitude practice to be a beautiful way to reflect on your day. This practice will support your Spiritual Self’s natural desire to appreciate and give thanks for all that life brings you.  

“We understand each other, and we are saying we share the same humanity.“ In this episode, Drew sits down just outside Shanghai with Rao Rao,  Hoffman China teacher trainee, co-founder and CEO of the Hoffman China Center, and seasoned business leader. In June of 2024, life pushed Rao Rao in the direction of Hoffman. She’d been doing healing work after a series of events that caused her to turn inward. Already immersed in the world of Vipassana meditation when she came to the Process, she was determined to end her suffering and felt that would happen if she could get to the ego-less state. But at her Process, her teacher told her she needed to be messier. That she needed to let herself grow, to speak up for herself, to do what she wants rather than what she thinks she should do. This was the beginning of her big internal transformation. Listen in to hear the beautiful, embodied stories of this transformational shift, including a moment with a hawk while seated on Guardian Rock at the Petaluma retreat site. This is exciting news about the establishment of the first Hoffman Process center in China. Rao Rao describes why there is a great need for Hoffman in China at this time. She shares that we are all the same in our capacity to feel and be present in our hearts. You can discover more about China Hoffman in this article: Hoffman Process® Launches in China.  More about Rao Rao: Rao Rao holds an M.Sc. in Management Research from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. She also holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University. She is the co-founder and CEO of the Hoffman China Center and a Hoffman teacher trainee. She is a seasoned business leader with nearly two decades of experience in consulting, marketing, strategy, and operations across industries such as consumer goods, TMT, and internet ventures. Driven by her passion for human consciousness and organizational transformation, she transitioned from corporate leadership in 2022 to pursue this mission. Since April 2024, she has served as a consultant for Evolve Foundation Fund and has spearheaded the launch of the Hoffman Process in China. Rao Rao resides in Shanghai with her husband, Yuekui, their two daughters, Yaoyao and Nannan, and their golden hamster, Xiaobai. Listen on Apple Podcasts As mentioned in this episode: About Bo Shao: Bo Shao is a successful serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. In 2018, he stepped away from all commercial activities to devote himself entirely to philanthropy. Bo invested his own money to start the Evolve Foundation. Evolve aims to increase the happiness of the entire society and raise the consciousness level of humanity. Hoffman teachers: Raz Ingrasci – Listen to Raz on the Hoffman Podcast: Husband, Father, Son Volker Krohn – Listen to Volker on the Hoffman Podcast: Re-Initiated Into the Family of Humanity Caroline Guan – General Manager for Evolve Institute in China More on the research done on the Hoffman Process Vipassana meditation and retreat Ego death “The way out is through.” (From the Hoffman Process Integration Manual) Guardian Rock, photo by Drew Horning Guardian Rock Hoffman Process Retreat Center, Petaluma, California Guardian Rock can be accessed by following a hiking trail up one of the hills on the site. It overlooks a stunning valley. Petaluma’s name originates from the Miwok village of Péta Lúuma, located on the banks of the Petaluma River. read more… Eagles in Petaluma, California – Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles.    

“The goal is freedom. The goal is your own happiness. The goal is joy, and it’s hard to have as much joy and lightness as you can if you’re holding onto old resentments.” Simbi Hall, Storyteller, Screenwriter, Director, and Producer, sits down with Hoffman Podcast host Sadie Hannah to share her life journey of healing. While Simbi completed the Process in 2022, her journey of self-reflection began at the age of seven, when she had her own subscription to Psychology Today. From a young age, she tried to analyze things in her head and figure things out. Somewhere within her, she felt there was something she needed to address. For Simbi, one of the main transformations at the Process was the shift in her relationship with her father. Raised by her mom, her nana (technically her step-great-grandmother), and a dog “who helped raise” her, her father was absent. Simbi felt abandoned by him. She could count on her hands the number of times she’s seen him in her life. As Simbi says, you idealize what you don’t have. She grew to resent him and what she could never have. It’s been “the homework of her life” to attempt to resolve the pain of her childhood. Her birthday is always right around Father’s Day. Each year, this has been a big trigger for Simbi. This past year, just a few years after doing the Process, Simbi had a very different birthday experience. She discovered that she had let go of her deep resentment toward her father. Listen in as Simbi shares wisdom learned from doing the homework of a lifetime. Be sure to listen for Simbi’s mic-drop moment at the end. More about Simbi Hall: Simbiat Hall is an award-winning Nigerian-American filmmaker who divides her time between LA and NYC. Born in Chicago and raised in Virginia, Simbi graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a double major in film and dramatic writing. She is also a graduate of AFI’s “Directing Workshop for Women” and the Bill Cosby-sponsored “Guy Hanks/Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship at USC. Simbi is well-known for Long Story Short (2004), Bring It! Vegas Dreams and Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration (2016). Follow Simbi on Instagram at @simbihall. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Daily Buddhist Practice Buddha-nature Buddha-nature in Hoffman terms: The Spiritual Self, or the Light that’s within you. This is the foundation from which growth can evolve. The Divine Mother Positive Legacy: While much of the work of the Hoffman Process involves disconnecting from negative parental patterns, we also receive a positive legacy from our parents. This is also addressed during the 7-day retreat. Black woman tropes/stereotypes – What is Transference? A couple of great quotes from Simbi: “If you’re open and seeking, you can get guidance from a stop sign.” “If you don’t do the work, life adds Miracle-Gro to the belief systems.”    

Shirin Oreizy, engineer and coach, found herself hindered by a pattern of perfectionism as she embarked on a career transition. She’d known about the Hoffman Process for five years, but she didn’t think she needed it. When she saw the effects of this pattern of perfectionism and how it was blocking her from creating her dream and vision, she knew it was time. Concurrently, over these five years, Shirin and her husband had been on a long, painful IVF journey. At the time of her Process, Shirin was beginning to recover from the trauma of this journey and the grief of loss from four miscarriages. She was in the process of accepting that she and her husband would never be parents. Namaki During her Process, everyone knew Shirin as Namaki, which was her childhood name. Since no one in her Process knew her given name, her classmates and teachers called her Namaki. As her week at the Process unfolded, Shirin found that rekindling her relationship with Namaki was the path back to her true self and self-love. As she tells Drew: “I think what I really love about Hoffman specifically was that there’s this imprint. There’s this somatic, felt, body-sense imprint of love in me. That it will never go away; and you know, the patterns come … and I forget myself, but I have access to come back to this deep imprint of self-love.” At the Process, Shirin worked with Namaki’s moments when she felt deeply unsafe. Through this, Shirin was able to experience a “falling back into trust with my place in the world.” She realized there’s a larger arc to her life story than she had been holding onto through control. Content Warning: Before you begin, please know that this conversation contains descriptions of “reproductive trauma, loss, and grief.” Please use your discretion. More about Shirin Oreizy: My journey began as an engineer at Nvidia, where I learned the art of solving complex problems. Later, I founded and led a behavior design agency, partnering with both scrappy startups and Fortune 500 giants for two decades. Along the way, I became fascinated by how people truly transform. How real change happens within both teams and individuals. Today, I focus on coaching and speaking because I know how pivotal life’s transitions can be. My work draws on a lifelong passion for understanding what drives us as humans, shaped by years of hands-on experience with leaders, teams, and individuals. I weave together insights from a range of disciplines: Personality Profiling: Enneagram & Big Five (self-understanding and connection) Hoffman Process (healing old patterns, renewing a sense of “enough”) Neuroscience (building resilience and hope) Positive Psychology (cultivating optimism and curiosity) Behavioral Science (creating sustainable habits and agency) Conscious Leadership Group (leading with awareness and presence) Outside of coaching, I’ve shared my work on human behavior with audiences at TechCrunch Disrupt (Audience Choice Award), as a guest lecturer at NYU, Columbia, and Stanford, and as a keynote speaker at major industry events. I live in San Francisco with my husband—also a Hoffman grad—and our dog, Pickles, a Hoffman grad in spirit (he’s mastered the art of welcoming love, especially when treats are involved). We love exploring stunning landscapes around the world that challenge us physically and mentally. Since Hoffman, we’ve launched a passion project, Life of Adventure and Change, where we’re mapping out a decade of travel adventures to share with friends. Our goal is to build a community of conscious travelers who inspire each other to embrace new adventures and experiences. Learn more about Shirin at her personal website. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Conscious Leadership Group •   Diana Chapman, Co-Founder •   Listen to Diana Chapman on The Hoffman Podcast: Experiencing More Heaven on Earth The Enneagram •   Enneagram type 3: “Threes try to deny their shame, and are potentially the most out of touch with underlying feelings of inadequacy. Threes learn to cope with shame by trying to become what they believe a valuable, successful person is like.” Read more about the Enneagram 3 and other types. Core shame messages •   Read more about how students work with shame at the Hoffman Process. Experts on shame on the Hoffman Podcast •   Chris Germer on the Hoffman Podcast: The Antidote to Shame •   David Bedrick on the Hoffman Podcast: Unshaming Your Shame Farsi, or the Persian language In vitro fertilization (IVF) •   Thaw, the documentary on egg freezing that Shirin participated in. Positive psychology Neuroscience The Hero’s Journey Denali National Park, Alaska •   Maintaining the Character of the Denali Park Road Beyond Mile 15 Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt quote from his Citizenship in a Republic speech given on April 23, 1910: •   The quote is from this passage called “The Man in the Arena.“ “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds;…” Read more… Shirin, her grandfather, and family: