The Hoffman Podcast

In our season 6 finale, we host producer, songwriter, musician, author, and keeper of the American blues music flame, Shawn Amos. Shawn came to the Hoffman Process feeling like he was living his life while “… at the whim of all of these unseen forces and past traumas, and unconscious reactions to my parents…” A couple of days into the Process, Shawn realized he had to stop being cynical of the work if he was going to get the most out of his week there. He went all in, which opened him to the profound possibilities available for lasting change. Through the work of the Process, Shawn says he was able to “get control over” himself. He realized that the Process offered him an owner’s manual to himself, to his unique way of being. He shares that the tools and transformation he found at his Process have stayed with him over these 15 years since. In his words, the transformation from healing the pain of his past “was profound.” He now operates from a more grounded, conscious aware presence. Shawn also shares his inner conflict around race and identity. For many years, Shawn played the Saxophone. Then, he started playing the blues harp and singing blues music. It was then he felt a profound reconnection with his Blackness and his lineage, both backward and forward. At around 22:00, Shawn plays a bit of the blues harp for us. Listen in for a taste of the music he creates as Rev. Shawn Amos. Content Warning: This episode mentions child sexual abuse and might not be suitable for all listeners. More about Shawn Amos: For Shawn Amos, it’s about the story. He’s made a name as both a teller of tales and an astute shaper of others’ stories. He comes by the storytelling chops naturally. The only child of William Morris agent-turned-cookie entrepreneur, Wally “Famous” Amos, and singer Shirley “Shirl-ee May” Ellis, young Shawn spent hours in shadowy nightclubs, on the funky streets of 70s Hollywood, and in his own broken home, listening intently to people’s stories. He helped make his father’s cookie hustle real. In young adulthood, he jumped from screenwriting for A & M Films to the stage, crafting acclaimed Americana music that wrestled with race and identity. On the other side of the microphone, Shawn oversaw soul icon Solomon Burke’s last three albums, and produced seminal CD collections Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy Jones, and Grammy-nominated box set Rhapsodies in Black: Music and Words from the Harlem Renaissance, among others. Since 2014, as the Reverend Shawn Amos, with harmonica in hand, Shawn has brought blues to audiences from LA to Amsterdam, delivering unbridled joy – both live and through recordings. Blue Sky, the 2020 release by his band, The Reverend Shawn Amos & the Brotherhood, hit Number 6 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and scored four out of five stars from American Songwriter magazine. For his 2022 debut novel, Cookies & Milk, Shawn delves into his past to concoct a wildly entertaining story about the strength of family and the power of forgiveness – plus just the right amount of semisweet chocolate – to mend hearts. Shawn’s doppelganger, Ellis, embarks on hilarious and sometimes harrowing misadventures as he helps his dad open the world’s first chocolate chip cookie store in the multi-hued 70s landscape of music, ambition, and often-challenging elders. The book was awarded the NAACP Image Award in 2023. Discover more about Shawn: At his website, Facebook and Instagram, and YouTube. As mentioned in this episode: William Morris Agency Simon & Garfunkel The Animals Rona Elliot and Roger Brossy, Shawn’s dear friends. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Buddhism Taoism The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk Hillsong Church Documentary: The Secrets of Hillsong In America, the Richter-tuned Harmonica is called the Blues Harp. Bob Dylan Paul Simon Joan Armatrading        

.Eighteen years ago, faced with a painful change coming in his life, Erik Larson knew it was time for change within himself. He came to the Hoffman Process. Eight days later, upon his return home, he told his two small children he had been at Better Daddy School. He told them things were going to be different. From that day forward, they were because he had changed. This was the beginning of his new life, a life Erik now deeply loves. In this conversation, Erik and Drew go deep into the transformation that is possible through the work of the Process. Erik takes us through his experience of taking a painful moment of his life and using it to do the work to become the man, father, and businessman he knew in his heart he could be. Erik speaks about two pivotal moments of his Process. The first was when a few of his fellow Process mates offered reflections on what they saw when they looked at him. He had seen a similar image when looking at himself and wanted to change it, but did not know how. It was then that something amazing happened, something he could not explain but knew was profound.  The other pivotal moment was during a heart-to-heart exercise. Suddenly, his confusion and feelings of ‘not getting it’ disappeared and he began to Erik apply himself completely to the work. Hundreds of people found their way to the Hoffman Process through Erik’s recommendation and how he speaks of the change that is possible. Life is a process of coming back to the Right Road again and again, and as for each of us, Erik’s is no exception. He speaks of his life, including the hard parts, with honesty, gratitude, and love. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Erik and Drew. More about Erik Larson: Erik grew up in the Pacific Northwest where he learned to love the outdoors. After graduating from the business school at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he moved to San Francisco where he began his first career with Ernst & Young.  He raced Sailboats on a national champion yacht for 5 years before relocating to Aspen, Colorado for the next 27 years.  Erik became a partner in a firm in Aspen. He was married and has two magnificent children who are thriving in university life in Sydney, Australia where Erik lives part of the year. Erik loves to be an inspiration and motivating force for people to become the best they can be.  His tagline at Aspen CrossFit was “Igniting Human Potential” and Erik did just that for thousands of people along the way. Now, Erik is in the process of figuring out what his next chapter in life holds.  He is obsessed with photography and is self-taught. Take a look at Erik’s photography on Instagram to see what he has accomplished. Erik’s favorite mantra is “I LOVE MY LIFE!!! And it certainly is evident. As mentioned in this episode: SealFit US Tactical CrossFit CrossFit  Kettlebell swings Thrusters Burpees Hoffman Graduate Groups The primary purpose of grad groups is for graduates to do their Hoffman tools work together. Each group has a Hoffman-trained volunteer group leader. This leader oversees and leads the programs in alignment with the principles of the Process and Hoffman grad group protocols and standards. Daily Instagram Live Quad-checks and Appreciation & Gratitude Practices with Hoffman teachers and teacher candidates. Hoffman Q2 Intensive: Beyond Mom and Dad    

Britt Lightning, the lead guitarist for the all-female, Platinum-selling, 80’s rock band Vixen, is our guest this week on the Hoffman Podcast. Listen in as Britt regales us with stories of how the guitar and playing music came to be her life’s work. Her journey to playing guitar was supported by many, including her parents, and spotlights many synchronistic moments. In wonderfully uplifting ways, her story highlights how when we follow our inner calling, we find that the Universe is indeed conspiring on our behalf. Britt came to the Hoffman Process because she was feeling creatively stifled and felt a sense of stuckness in her life. She heard herself thinking, “This can’t be it” about her life.  And even though she’d been on stage for years, Britt still wasn’t comfortable expressing herself with her voice. As she tells Liz, expressing herself through music has always been easier than through words. At the end of her Process after doing all of the cathartic expressive work, Britt shares how her voice finally broke through in a wholly authentic way. This capped off her Process journey and carried her forward into her life post-Process. A few days later, directly following the Process, Britt and her band played on stage. She shares how she stood on stage with complete self-confidence and ease. A few days later, Britt found her creativity renewed and flowing in powerful ways. Finding her Spiritual Self in the Process is something that now guides Britt in her life. Her image of her Spiritual Self is a beautiful being, goddess-like, dressed all in white. Now when Britt is faced with life choices, she thinks of her Spiritual Self’s goodness and makes her choices accordingly. She chooses not to do things that she cannot envision her Spiritual Self doing. We hope you enjoy this wonderful conversation with Britt and Liz. Our creativity is a vital aspect of living joyful lives. And as Britt shares, it’s all within you. More about Britt Lightning: Britt Lightning is the lead guitarist for the all-female Platinum-selling 80’s rock band Vixen. She is also the Musical Director at Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. During COVID Britt hosted and helped to produce over 160 online Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp masterclasses with legendary artists including Roger Daltrey (The Who), Alice Cooper, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and more. From 2015 to 2016, Britt played guitar for Rachel Platten, performing live at festivals and on national TV shows promoting the single “Fight Song”, which charted at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Britt performed live on Good Morning America, the Today Show, Live with Kelly and Michael, VH1, the Teen Choice Awards, and Nickelodeon. She also performed on the 2016 finale of America’s Got Talent, which took place at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. Britt also performed on Live with Kelly and Michael with Jason Derulo to promote his new album “Tattoos”. From 2012-2015 Britt performed for 22-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alejandro Sanz in his stadium-level world tour. She is featured in Sanz’s “La Musica No Se Toca – En Vivo” CD/DVD. Britt joined Sanz at the 2013 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas performing the single “No Me Compares”, and performed with the band at prestigious festivals, venues, and international TV specials. Britt recorded “Live At The Roxy”, a live CD/DVD with Alejandra Guzman, an iconic Latin artist who has sold over 30 million records. Labeled the “Closer” by Lady Gaga, Britt has followed her dreams by striving to grow and evolve as a musician while simultaneously earning a degree in Music Business from Northeastern University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude. Britt continued her education at the Berklee School of Music. She also has experience working in the music industry with Live Nation and Universal Music Group. Follow Britt on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Vixen on Instagram. As mentioned in this episode: Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Van Halen Alejandro Sanz Barcelona, Spain Jaded Lady Gaga    

A world-renowned expert in the mind-body connection, Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., completed the Hoffman Process in 1990. This conversation with Joan and Sharon is a deep exploration into the nature of callings through the lens of Joan’s life. The callings of her Spirit first showed up early in her life. At the age of ten, Joan experienced a very difficult journey through childhood OCD. At one point, she had profound realizations of how she could help heal herself and did so. Through this, as a child, she realized she would become someone who could help others heal from similar challenges. Through the wisdom of her Spiritual Self, Joan has been guided into and along a life of self-discovery and deep service to the world. Joan became one of the first to work directly with AIDS patients, even when we didn’t yet know much about AIDS itself. She tells us that her courage to step into this role without medically knowing the risks came from listening to Spirit. Her story is a moving recollection of this time when so many suffered greatly from this epidemic. Joan has been on the cutting edge of scientific inquiry into Mind-Body well-being. With clarity and candor, she shares how her journey has been a labor of science and Spirit. As Joan shares, our calling isn’t a single thing. Our calling changes as life changes. Our job is to listen deeply and to allow our Spiritual Self to flow through us into the world. As she has for many years, Joan leads Hoffman’s Advisory Council acting as its Chair. Content warning: This episode mentions experiences with OCD and suicide, and may not be suitable for all listeners. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please reach out to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. More about Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.: Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Harvard Medical School trained cell biologist with postdoctoral fellowships in cancer cell biology, psychoneuroimmunology, and behavioral medicine. She synthesizes cutting-edge science and practical tools for well-being with deep humanity.  Joan, a sought-after international speaker, is a New York Times bestselling author of 17 books. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Public Television, and numerous websites. She is president of Mind-Body Health Sciences, LLC in Santa Fe, NM -the Land of Enchantment- where she lives and tends her outdoor gardens, indoor gardens, and gardens of the heart with her husband Gordon Dveirin, EdD, and their two standard poodles, Mitzi and Lola. You can register for her live online course series, the Gifts of Spiritual Memoir, and find out about other courses and appearances at her website, www.joanborysenko.com. Joan is also Chair of the Hoffman Institute’s Advisory Council; learn more about Hoffman’s Advisory Council here. As mentioned in this episode: Advaita Vedanta Hinduism Buddhism Mind Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School Herbert Benson (the first person to introduce meditation into medicine) Meditation Goes Mainstream, Washington Post – 1987 Jon Kabat-Zin, His mindfulness mind-body meditation clinic. 1982 AIDS Epidemic Positive Psychology and Character Strengths LGBTQ Community OCD Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception Lisa Miller, Psychologist at Columbia University    

Nationally recognized thought leader, Bernard Franklin, completed the Hoffman Process in June 2022. As Bernard shares, he was a man who had blocked his emotions, feelings, and energy, and “all of those channels were ready to explode.” He was shaky. He wasn’t comfortable in his own skin. And having arrived at the world’s best educational institution and at the height of his career, he found himself profoundly needing something he could not yet name. He found it at the Hoffman Process. At Bernard’s Process: Bernard beautifully shares a story from the first night of his Process. In the first few hours, something did not sit right with him. Old childhood memories were triggered. At that moment, Bernard spoke up from his belly. He said what he couldn’t say as a child. And at this moment, he was met by his Process teacher with kindness, gentleness, and the invitation to look deeper. Bernard stayed and had a profoundly transformative experience. His story is an example of how surrender to the Process does not imply or insist on acquiescence. The recurring theme woven throughout this rich conversation with Bernard and Sharon is that of healing the wound left by a father who could not love his son in the way his son needed. Bernard takes us into the journey of healing his relationship with his father and in turn with his own masculinity. Through his Process, Bernard was able to truly embrace the reality of his parents’ lives as they were, not as he’d wished they’d been. In this embrace, he found a deep and lasting compassion for both his parents. Consequently, the direction of his life’s work has changed. After integrating the work of the Process, Bernard realized he must follow a new path. He is now bringing his lifetime of work and his open, vulnerable heart to what he names “our world’s toughest men.”  Content Warning: This episode does mention abuse and might not be suitable for all audiences. More about Bernard Franklin: Dr. Bernard Franklin is a nationally recognized thought leader on issues confronting urban trauma and violence, mental health, resilience, boys’ and mens’ development, and K-12 and higher education issues. His 40-year career includes leadership at five higher education institutions and a Kansas City philanthropy. In 2022, Bernard completed a Fellowship with Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative focused on urban mental health research, specifically on violent and marginalized urban individuals. He is the Managing Director of Uncornered, a Boston-based organization transforming urban communities into violence-free neighborhoods. Bernard earned an MS in Counseling and Behavioral Studies from the University of South Alabama. He obtained a Ph.D. in Counseling and Higher Education Administration, with an outside emphasis in family studies from Kansas State University. Bernard earned a master’s Professional Training Certificate focused on the trauma/resilience theory model of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) from Texas Christian University. He has been a speaker, taught courses, and consulted K-12 and higher education organizations on social-emotional teaching and learning, trauma, attachment disorder, resilience, and neuroscience. Bernard served as Chaplin and a member of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs professional counseling team. He is a member of the distinguished advisory board of The Center for Law, Brain & Behavior at Harvard. Bernard is a widowed and proud father of a daughter and three sons; and has seven adorable grandchildren. Discover more about and connect with Bernard on LinkedIn. Among Bernard’s many awards and honors: Bernard was twice honored among the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Kansas City (1998, 2009). The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Distinguished Leadership Award for contributions to urban education. The Kansas City Downtown Council awarded him “Urban Hero” for his urban public education work. Morehouse College Research Institute presented Bernard with the “Vision Award” for “pioneering work in the area of educating men on the importance of fatherhood.” As mentioned in this episode: Hoffman’s tagline: “When you’re serious about change.” Bernard had arrived at the world’s best educational institution, Harvard. The Korean War    

Natalie Lumpkin, the creative force behind Finding You, a gathering dedicated to Anti-Oppression work for Black Women, completed the Hoffman Process in early 2020. Content warning: This episode does contain a discussion of racial violence and the use of the N-word and may not be suitable for all audiences. After experiencing betrayal and doing the work to heal this betrayal, she came to the Process to understand the patterns of her relationships. Indeed, Natalie was serious about change. On day one of the Process, Natalie felt the deep and painful experience of entering an unknown group and seeing, after scanning, that she was the only Black person there. Even though she was part of a group of people doing their deep work together, as the only Black person present, Natalie immediately knew she would be doing her personal work alone in a way she was all too familiar with. Then, on the second day after doing her morning check-in, she heard a powerful message. “I am carrying the weight of my ancestors and it’s embedded in my bones. This is deeper than just your parents.” She drew a visual picture of the message (see below). After sharing this message with her teacher, Natalie followed their guidance to focus on the parental patterns. Upon completing the Process, she came away with a new sense of who she truly is. Natalie then began the journey of healing the patterns of her ancestors. After her Hoffman work and the events of 2020, Natalie’s work in the world deepened. She honed her ability to create and hold gatherings for Black women to awaken, heal, and see their conditioning. This work is the most important way she can use her voice and the most powerful work she can do. More about Natalie Lumpkin: Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Natalie worked for some of the most iconic brands of our generation. Natalie uses her life and career experience to inform the arc of her program, Finding You.  She creates a space for Black Women to explore the ways we are prepared for racial oppression, and uncover survival tactics learned early in life. They spend time identifying social narratives, orientating their internalized conditioned biases, and naming invisible generational traumas carried and passed forward in their lives. With a foundation in various wellness modalities and continuous education, Natalie equips attendees with valuable tools for regaining balance and a sense of their truth when they complete this deep work and re-enter the ongoing systems of oppression. Gatherings are held a few times per year. Participants are curated through an interactive registration process.  Groups are kept small so attendees are safely able to create new ways of seeing themselves and seeing each other. The objective of Finding You is to create a safe space for internal reflection, group connection, and deep awakening that allows Black women to take their intended shape, and share their unique gifts in the world. We collectively heal our past while simultaneously establishing a legacy for future generations by identifying and deprogramming the effects of conditioned oppression. Natalie lives in the Seattle area. When she’s not working one one-on-one with clients in her coaching practice The Art of Whole Being, or guiding small groups of women through Finding You, she’s most likely traveling, spending time with family or friends. She enjoys the natural beauty of her surroundings, writing, and making pottery in one of her local art studios. Discover more: Natalie on Instagram, Btrayed on Instagram, The Art of Whole Being on Instagram, and Finding You on Instagram. As mentioned in this episode: Natalie’s message from her Spirit Guide on Day 2 of the Hoffman Process. Umi – Mother of Mothers, origin: Arabic, Japanese Tara Brach, Meditation Teacher, Psychologist, and Author The Office TV show Jen Atkin, Hairstylist, Influencer, and Entrepreneur Jen on the Hoffman Podcast: My Rise to the Top The Infidelity Project, Anonymous sharing for those who are experiencing betrayal. George Floyd Kwanzaa Artful Belonging Natalie’s mission at Artful Belonging is “to strengthen the sense of belonging we have to each other and to ourselves through the creation of safe spaces for honest conversations about our collective Black experience, which includes celebrating the beauty of our culture. Through the study and creation of art, we instill a deeper sense of self that results in true belonging for Black youth.”    

  Sheila Ohlsson Walker, Ph.D., who graduated from the Hoffman Process in 2019, shares her sense of what purpose is and how we can come to know it. Content warning: this episode does contain references to child sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. Sheila shares how purpose can change over time, meaning we can have many purposes in our lifetime. In this warm and uplifting conversation, Sheila gives tangible examples of what she means by this definition by sharing her own personal and professional life story with all of the twists and turns that a human lifetime contains. It is clear that Sheila is passionate about guiding children through the power of sports to find their YODA code (Your Own Decision Advisor) so they can grow into adulthood and live their lives with this ‘personal GPS.’ When we have our own YODA code, we can find our way back home when we get off track, something that happened to Sheila at a young age. In response to this event, through her resilience and the help of caring adults, she found her way. Sheila lives a purposeful life of service, learning, and joy. Accordingly, her work is focused on parents, sports coaches, teachers, and other adults who impact youth during powerful developmental chapters when lifelong habits are most seamlessly embedded. Relatedly, she seeks to empower young people with mindsets, knowledge, and skills that support them in building self-narratives that catalyze holistic flourishing across life. More about Sheila Ohlsson Walker, CFA, Ph.D. : A competitive tennis player since childhood, Sheila Ohlsson Walker, CFA, Ph.D. knows first-hand the power of sport to embed life skills and mindsets that transfer into careers, relationships, and wellness habits that foster health and well-being across life. She knows that adults can activate passion, possibility, and a sense of purpose in young people through the relationships they form with them. Dr. Walker received a B.S. in Finance at the University of Colorado, Boulder. After a career as a portfolio manager for a buy-side investment firm in Denver, she pivoted to academia. She earned a doctorate in Behavioral Genetics from the Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre at Kings College London, where she learned that the headline of biosocial science was clear: nurture (the environment) shapes nature (DNA) across life. Dr. Walker is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She serves on the boards of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation and the Youth Performance Institute, is a trustee of the Kent Denver School, and is a member of the United States Tennis Association’s Sport Science Committee. Sheila lives in Denver. Her greatest pride and joy is being a mother to her three sons, Jack, Charlie, and Wyatt. Learn more about Sheila here.www.sheilaohlssonwalker.com As mentioned in this episode: Joan Borysenko Ph.D., Chair of Hoffman’s Advisory Council The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk MD Quote: “Don’t worry that your child isn’t listening to you; worry that they are always watching you.” Robert Fulghum Pretoria, South Africa Apartheid Outward Bound PsyD Program, University of Colorado at Denver Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs) Wise Decisions: A Science-Based Approach to Making Better Choices by Dr. Jim Loehr and Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker Human Performance Institute Amanda Visek, Ph.D., Associate Professor at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Fun Maps by Dr. Visek  

In the Fall of 2022, Richard Raymond, British Filmmaker, graduated from the Hoffman Process. Yes, Richard is a filmmaker, but as you’ll discover listening to this conversation with Liz, Richard is a masterful storyteller, and he has stories to tell. From a very young age, films enthralled Richard. When he realized he wanted to be involved in making films, he took action. To that end, he made his own introduction to the world of filmmaking. Then, as he followed his heart’s vision, he learned from amazing actors, directors, and other filmmaking artists (see some listed below). Eventually, his vision led him to Australia and then America. Two main threads weave this conversation together. The threads are finding where we belong and learning to trust one’s creative voice enough to give it free rein. Through his rich storytelling, Richard takes us along on his journey of finding belonging from childhood to those seven days at the Process. Eventually, at the end of this conversation, you’ll hear the wisdom of belonging Richard has discovered. You’ll also hear how he came to trust in himself and his voice as an artist through the deep work of the Process. This was one of the biggest gifts and takeaways from Richard’s week at the Hoffman Process. More about Richard Raymond: Richard Raymond is a British filmmaker known for his visually striking and emotionally impactful works. Born and raised in London, to a Jewish Indian family, Raymond developed a love for film from a young age and began making his own short films at the age of 15. In 2015, he made his feature film debut with “Desert Dancer,” starring Freida Pinto, a biographical drama about the Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and received critical acclaim. Raymond’s follow-up film, “Souls of Totality”, was released in 2018 and starred Tatiana Maslany. It was the first film in history to be shot during a real solar eclipse. The film won awards at 12 International Film Festivals and was long-listed for the Oscar. In 2020, Raymond directed “A Million Eyes”, which was released to widespread praise for its thought-provoking and visually stunning portrayal of a young gifted photographer. As a filmmaker, Raymond is not only dedicated to his craft but also to giving back to the community. Through organizations such as YoungArts, he is a fierce advocate for arts education for young people in underprivileged areas and has taken on the role of mentor to many young artists who may not have had access to guidance and support otherwise. Additionally, Raymond has made a significant impact in the autism community through the creation of the Celebrity Chef Gala for Autism Speaks. Over the past 15 years, this event has raised $16 million to support its efforts to provide solutions for individuals with autism and their families throughout all stages of life. Richard Raymond resides in Malibu with his better half, Nousha, and their two children, Rumi and Bodhi. Learn more about Richard and his work here. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. As mentioned in this episode: Bhagdadi Jews: “The former communities of Jewish migrants and their descendants from Baghdad and elsewhere in the Middle East are traditionally called Baghdadi Jews or Iraqi Jews. They settled primarily in the ports and along the trade routes around the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.” Wikipedia Bombay/Mumbai, India Hertfordshire Countryside Pinewood Film Studios / Shepperton Studios – London, England Fox Studios Australia /now Disney Studios Australia Sundance Film Festival Paravision Film Equipment Akram Kahn, Choreographer Hoffman Part 2: Toward the end of this conversation, Richard mentions  that he is looking forward to doing “Part Two.” The next step for Hoffman graduates is to do the Hoffman Q2 Intensive- Beyond Mom and Dad, a three-day retreat that takes you beyond the Mom and Dad patterns and into a deeper vision for your life. The Q2 is also offered in a virtual format. Hoffman terminology: Awareness Hell: In awareness hell, we know we are aware of our patterns and the things we do we wish we didn’t do, but we are still unable to change. We understand but feel stuck in this place of hell even though our awareness keeps expanding.  To get out of awareness hell, our work to grow and transform must include three additional steps for change to take place. These three steps are Expression, Compassion, and New Ways of Being. All four make up the Cycle of Transformation. Actors, Directors, and movies Richard has worked with: Blake Edwards (Pink Panther Movies) Roberto Benigni (Son of the Pink Panther, Life is Beautiful) Dick Pope, Director of Photography Neil Jordan, Interview With the Vampire Agnieszka Holland, The Secret Garden Derby (Luc) Besson, The Fifth Element Anthony Hopkins, Richard Attenborough, Shadowlands James Cameron Richard Donner, Superman Movies Tim Burton, Batman Tom Harvey Benedict Cumberbatch Evan Rachel Wood Things in Richard’s USA Box: Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum MC Hammer Stickers Vanilla Ice    

Mary Arden, a beloved Hoffman Process teacher and coach, taught the Process for nearly 30 years. In this spirited and delightful conversation with Drew, Mary shares her experience taking the Process, teaching the Process, and working directly with Bob Hoffman. She also, lovingly, shares her experience of being with her beloved partner, Jim, while he was alive and now after his passing. Mary bridges Earth and Spirit as she speaks of her life, relationships, and work to help facilitate wellness and healing in people so that our world can know this profound and practical relationship between the two, between Earth and Spirit. One of Mary’s profound experiences during her own Process was feeling deeply rooted in the Earth. The work she did there brought her into her own body and a direct embodied relationship with Earth. Mary also shares that the Process teaches us “that there is a whole realm that is a spiritual realm and we get to be in that by choosing.” From an early age, Mary learned that we are here to be of service. Her older sister had an intellectual disability. (Mary uses the term, mentally retarded, which was the predominant term used in Mary’s early years as a child in the 1940s.) She shares how very different things were then and how remarkable her parents were in their response to how to raise Mary’s sister, during this time. Her parents’ response had a direct impact on Mary and her life. Those of us who know Mary, and truly all who have taken the Process since Mary started teaching and working to help shape the Process into what it is today, have deeply benefited from her dedication to serving her students and this beautiful relationship between Life and Spirit. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Mary and Drew. More about Mary Arden: Mary Amrita Arden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, a certificate in Secondary Education, and a Master’s degree in public health. She is also a certified Neuro-Lingustic Programming coach. Mary taught the Hoffman Process from 1991 to 2019. She once shared that what was most meaningful for her about teaching the Hoffman Process was “facilitating people to a healthy way of holding their life – listening to their inner wisdom, finding strength in their essence/spirit, learning true self-compassion, and living a fulfilling life of connection, love, and presence.” In Mary’s own words, what she got from taking the Process was “a deep sense of my essential worthiness, separate from any role or achievement, and a way to live passionately with an open heart, connected to spirit.” Mary is now retired and lives in California. As mentioned in this episode: 1970 Book, Diet for a Small Planet Bob Hoffman, Founder of the Hoffman Process The Negative Love Syndrome: Watch this video Describing the Negative Love Syndrome Download A Path to Personal Freedom and Love, which describes the Negative Love Syndrome Book by Bob Hoffman: No One is to Blame Human Potential Movement An awakening to the understanding that… “we are more than just these human beings who have a job and raise a family. That we’re spiritual beings having a human experience.” Mary Arden Enneagram (Type2): THE HELPER The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive Francis Weller Francis Weller, MFT, “is a psychotherapist, writer, and soul activist. He is a master of synthesizing diverse streams of thought from psychology, anthropology, mythology, alchemy, indigenous cultures, and poetic traditions.” The Wild Edge of Sorrow and the First Gate of Grief: Mary reads a section on the first gate of grief from Francis’ book, The Wild Edge of Sorrow. You can learn more about these stages of grief from Francis Weller here.  

B David Cisneros, professor and author, shares that the Hoffman Process, without question, was the single most impactful thing I’ve ever done for myself.” The Process put David on a “path to happiness, to joy, to finding joy.” When speaking of his childhood, David shares with Sharon that blame was a deep familial pattern. In his family, “any problem you had was someone else’s fault.” But in the Process, David quickly came to see that blame was no longer an option if he truly wanted to meet the challenges he was facing. He credits the Process with opening him to the power of taking responsibility for his own life, one of the cornerstones of the foundational work of the Hoffman Process. After the Process, David followed his heart and found his new career teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). It was his work at the Process that gave him the confidence to apply for this job even though he was sure didn’t have what they were looking for. He followed the guidance he got and was hired. David did in fact have what they were looking for. David also speaks of the beautiful angels in our lives. He shares a story about his roommate at the Process who helped him through a difficult moment during the week. David expands on this, sharing how others are angels for us and we can be angels for others as we navigate life. He highlights this wisdom in his book about reincarnation, “Between Here and There.” This beautiful book was the result of a spirit-led dream he had years after completing the Process. More about B David Cisneros: David grew up in a small farming town along the Central Coast of California. Then and there, he learned about hard work by watching family members rise before the sun to break their backs in the fields. Spiritual but not religious, David somehow found his faith by surfing up and down California’s coastlines, searching for the perfect wave. David received a degree in economics from San Diego State University. After college, he worked in the tech and gaming industries at companies like Oracle and IGT. All the while, David struggled to connect the corporate world with his spirituality. Today, he considers himself a Silicon Valley refugee. He lives in the high desert of Northern Nevada, teaches at the University of Nevada, Reno, writes as much as possible, and spends his free time cycling on the road and mountain trails, playing with his Vizsla, listening to his vinyl collection, sipping fine tequila, and laughing with friends and family. And David is still searching for that perfect wave. More about David’s book: David’s recently published book, “Between Here and There,” is a tale of a hero’s journey of spiritual growth … about a boy searching for the meaning of life. He learns about Love, forgiveness, and trust. But he also discovers what happens to us in the afterlife. David shares that the story came to him in a dream. However, he could never have written it without the emotional and spiritual growth he developed from the Process. And he still remembers the Love and the support he received all those years ago. As mentioned in this episode: The Dark Side – Learn about the Dark Side and Hoffman Tools and Practices here. Larry Ellison, Founder of Oracle The Gaming Industry Rate My Professors Gratitude Tune into Hoffman’s daily Gratitude and Appreciation practice at 6:00 pm PT on Instagram.