The Hoffman Podcast

Stuntman, Ben Smith-Petersen, was originally a circus performer and flying trapeze teacher. Ben got his start in the stunt world after meeting a stunt coordinator who brought his children in to learn flying trapeze. In this episode, Ben shares vulnerably and beautifully about his time at the Process. Specifically, he talks about the moment when he was holding his ‘baby me.’ It was a moment of magical realization for Ben. He says in this realization within himself, that he is the one cared for and also the carer. “It’s like this real feeling of ‘You’ve got this. You have it all here to handle anything.'” Ben also shares about the healing he has experienced in relationships in general. He shares with us a bit about the stunt world and what it is like to be a stuntman. There is a real camaraderie in the stunt world and Ben shares how his Process work has already helped him draw closer to these colleagues. More about Ben Smith-Petersen Ben is originally from Australia and has been in the U.S. for the last seven years. He moved to the states after meeting his wife, Riley, on a film in South Africa. Follow Ben on Instagram.

For New Year’s Eve, 2020, we have an intimate conversation with our podcast co-hosts, Sharon Mor and Drew Horning. Listen in as they explore and share many aspects of their Hoffman experiences – as students, teachers-in-training, active teachers, and now as Hoffman Podcast co-hosts. TRANSFORMATION & LOVE What you’ll come to know from listening to this soulful conversation is how much Sharon and Drew love each other. They are friends, yes, but more than that there is a palpable sense of family between these two. This love is the kind of love we experience at the Process with our fellow Process mates. When we do this deep work together we come to love each other in a profound way. Sharon and Drew were also in Hoffman Process teacher training together, which, as they reflect on it here, grew them even closer. Sharon beautifully expresses her joy in realizing that, as teachers of the Process, they will grow old together. Drew speaks about how dangerous the Dark Side’s use of ‘weaponized awareness’ is and how the power of self-compassion is vitally essential to counteract this Dark Side tactic. Sharon talks about how, through the transformation she experienced at the Process, she is now the person she always wanted to be. SHARON AND DREW ALSO TALK ABOUT: The most powerful, pivotal moments in each of their Processes. Stories from their childhood years. How the transformation they experienced at the Process now looks in the day-to-day of their lives. What they would share with students as graduates on day six of the Process. A bit of what they’ve learned teaching the Process. Their insights and understandings about the power of the Process from the perspectives of both student and teacher. And…a little bit about podcasting! Toward the end, Sharon and Drew consider what it was like to share this time with each other and with you. They discover that intimate, soulful conversations help us learn more about each other in new and amazing ways.

Marni Battista is a dating and relationship coach and the author of Becoming Irresistible. How did she get into this line of work? Marni shares that her patterns, the way she was raised, and the way she experienced love, came together to create, what she calls, “a bad picker” when it comes to finding love. She came to the Hoffman Process because she did not want to pass these patterns on to her three daughters. Years later, Marni founded Dating With Dignity and the Institute for Living Courageously. Marni discovered that while people initially want to find dignity in dating, what it is really about is finding self-love. This requires, living courageously. More about Marni Battista Marni Battista is a certified professional Dating and Relationship Coach and Expert, writer, and nationally recognized print and online magazine expert. In her words, she’s “the queen of making her clients irresistible to men in today’s dating environment.” You can find out more about Marni, here. https://media.blubrry.com/the_hoffman_podcast/content.blubrry.com/the_hoffman_podcast/Sharon_and_Marni_Battista_Podcast.mp3

Joey Gauld enrolled in the Hoffman Process in 2007 at the age of 80. During his Process, he reclaimed his childhood nickname. Once home, he returned to work as headmaster of Hyde School in Bath, Maine and asked his colleagues to call him Joey. In this episode, Joey shares wisdom gained from his long, full life. His laugh is infectious, his view on educating children inspiring, and his philosophy on how to move forward even when you aren’t sure whether or not what you want to do will work enlightening. Hyde School’s founding principle was, and continues to be, “Every individual has a unique potential that defines their destiny.” This clearly aligns with the Process. In fact, many of Hyde’s educators, parents, and students have done the Process. An educator since 1951, Joey founded the Hyde Family Learning Center in Bath, Maine in 1966, and has been the headmaster then since that day. Joey founded Hyde Leadership Charter Schools in New Haven, CT, in 1994, Washington DC in 1999, and the Bronx, NY in 2006. He served his country in World War II as Quartermaster and Seaman 1st Class in the U. S. Navy. More About Joey Gauld Joey has written numerous books around kids, parenting, and in particular, character, including, What Kids Want –and Need—from Parents: How to Bond With and Mentor Children, published in 2012. He appeared on The Donahue Show, 1975; NBC The Today Show, 1975, 1979, 1986; CBS 60 Minutes, 1989; ABC 20/20, 1998. Joey has a BA in Economics from Bowdoin College and an MA in Mathematics from Boston University. Joey is widowed with three children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. https://media.blubrry.com/the_hoffman_podcast/content.blubrry.com/the_hoffman_podcast/Drew_and_Joey_Gauld_Podcast_Final.mp3

In today’s episode, Cara Jones shares her powerful life story. Cara is a filmmaker, former Emmy Award-winning journalist, and a story coach. She grew up in the Unification Church, often called the ‘Moonies’, and adopted this spiritual belief system. Cara’s real journey began when she left this religious movement. As she did, everything she’d been taught and had come to believe in about the world fell out from under her. In completing the Hoffman Process, Cara found great healing. She came to see that, “You can’t be haunted by a ghost you know.” Listen in as Cara shares about finding her inner messiah, healing her relationship with her family, and the freedom that comes when you own your story. Cara Jones’ work in the World: After completing the Process, Cara was finally able to tell her story to the world in her feature-length film, Blessed Child. Cara’s film production company, Storytellers for Good, produced this personal journey documentary. The seven-year journey of making the film inspires her current coaching work helping entrepreneurs untether their voices and get visible with their stories and bold messages. She works with people to guide them to own their stories. She invites you to “own your story so your story doesn’t own you.” Cara is also a MOTH story slam winner. Her writing has been featured in the Washington Post, HuffPo, and the Boston Globe. You can find out more about Cara here or follow her on Instagram.

Jen Atkin is a hairstylist, influencer, and entrepreneur. Just over a year ago, she had a powerful Process that changed her life. Jen grew up in a religious family in a small town in Utah. Listen in as she shares about moving to Los Angeles and her rise to the top of her field. With candor and vulnerability, Jen tells us what she’s discovered working in the world of fashion and celebrity. Jen is building a beauty empire with her award-winning hair care line, OUAI, and editorial destination Mane Addicts. Named “the most influential hairstylist in the world” by The New York Times, Jen has more than five million social media followers. Jen has worked for over fifteen years in salons and backstage at Paris and New York Fashion Weeks. She’s also worked on set with some of the world’s biggest celebrities. These include the Kardashian-Jenners, the Hadids, Gwen Stefani, Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, and Jennifer Lopez. Jen’s new book, Blowing My Way to the Top: How to Break the Rules, Find Your Purpose, and Create the Life and Career You Deserve, was released on December 8th, 2020. When she’s not juggling clients and her thriving companies, Jen tries to maintain a personal life at home with her husband and dogs. She enjoys hiking, meditating, and using funny memes to inspire her followers not to lose their sh*t. Photo of Jen by Mike Rosenthal.

Our guest this week is Anat Baniel. Anat is a trained clinical psychologist, and dancer, and was a close professional associate of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais for over a decade. She is perhaps best known today as the founder of Anat Baniel Method®NeuroMovement®. Listen in as Anat shares a fascinating story of how she came to work closely with Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, as well as how she feels about the Hoffman Process. Anat’s work is at the forefront of movement sciences and brain change. Her work provides breakthrough outcomes to athletes, musicians, those suffering from pain and injury, and children with special needs. She worked closely with Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, learning from him while planting the seeds of her own emerging work. Anat’s work has evolved from over 30 years of experience with thousands of clients using practical applications of brain plasticity principles. Anat is the author of the bestselling books, Move Into Life: The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality and Kids Beyond Limits: The Anat Baniel Method for Awakening the Brain and Transforming the Life of Your Child With Special Needs. She is a longtime member of The Hoffman Institute’s Advisory Council. Find out more about Anat here.

Anita Sanchez, Ph.D., Aztec, and Latina, is devoted to bridging Indigenous wisdom and modern times. In this episode, Anita shares the four sacred gifts she offers in her book, The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times. Anita then tells a story from her childhood that shows the power of The Gift of the Power to Forgive the Unforgiveable. She also shares a big AHA moment during her Process. She learned of the power that a pattern of rebellion ‘against another’ can hold. It takes a lot of energy to stay connected through rebellion. Anita speaks of how we are all indigenous in the anthropological sense. We are all “from the Earth”, she tells us. She goes on to say that “some of us have, for thousands of years, consistently lived the tradition of the original knowledge.” She invites us to learn about who we are and where we came from. Anita Sanchez is an author, trainer, and speaker. She works with Fortune 500 corporations, businesses, educators, and non-profit organizations.  Her work focuses on cultural transformation, diversity and inclusion, and empowerment of women. She also focuses on bridging indigenous wisdom and science for business and societal renewal. Anita’s international award-winning book, The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times, is published by Simon & Schuster. You can download the free song based on Anita’s book at www.FourSacredGifts.com. Anita leads an annual journey into the sacred headwaters of the Amazon to learn from the Achuar and Sapara people and reconnect to nature. She is a member of the board of Directors of Evolutionary Business Council, Bioneers, and the Pachamama Alliance. Find out more about Anita here.

Dr. Jennifer Ashby was raised between NYC and Appalachia by parents who were exotic animal trainers. She moved away from her family at the age of 14 and has been on her own ever since. She’s now a city girl who’s worked in traditional Chinese medicine in the medical healing arts for 25 years. In this episode, Jennifer shares her Process experience vulnerably and evocatively. In her words, the Process was the greatest gift that “has ever been afforded to me besides the birth of my kids. I found myself based on allowing myself to become empty…I just let it all go.” Jennifer is passionate about bringing humanism back to medicine. She’s been actively fighting COVID since the pandemic first hit. In March, she was a front-line worker screening for COVID cases. She shares her stories about treating people during this time and how Chinese medicine can help fight this disease. Jennifer finds she can be a grounding presence in her patients’ lives. Jennifer received her master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine in 1995 and has had her own private practice for 25 years. As part of her work, she’s taught women’s health to master’s students for 10 years. She also works as a clinician and in research at UCSF for the past six years. Jennifer’s specialties are women’s health, oncology, and polycystic kidney disease. Jennifer is a mother of three fabulous folks and a friend to all. She’s lived in California since 1981 and has owned a bar, a nightclub, and a wine bar. She loves riding motorcycles and still likes good, ole punk music. Nature is her church. Jennifer says, “through it all, she remains ‘counter to all culture.’

Emmanuel Fortune grew up in the Little Haiti community of Miami Florida, a child of Haitian immigrants. His family was 12 – a single mom and 11 siblings (including him). He learned to work hard and to do whatever was needed to help his family. Listen in as Emmanuel shares stories of what this was like and how it impacted his childhood and adolescent years. During a particular moment in his Process, Emmanuel could feel a breakthrough was possible. He stayed with himself as that moment unfolded into a profound understanding and deep healing took place. By transforming patterns deeply rooted since childhood, Emmanuel’s vision for his life and his professional path is blossoming. His story reflects the power of the Process to create real change within ourselves and in our lives. Emmanuel completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. He completed his graduate studies at Stanford University. He is a lifelong educator with a belief in people’s ability to learn and grow. As you listen to this episode, you will see Emmanuel, himself, is a beautiful example of this. Emmanuel’s professional career spans time working in education, the social sector, management consulting, and most recently six years in philanthropy. He is passionate about economic justice. An educator at heart, his vision is to pursue a Ph.D. He plans to study a business-related discipline to research its relationship to justice and social change. Emmanuel Fortune is a family man, in all its forms. A giving and compassionate man, Emmanuel knows the power of the heart. He sees the wisdom that lies within each of us.