The Hoffman Podcast

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.

Natalie Kuhn is Co-CEO and a founding teacher of The Class. Listen in as she shares about spirituality, the human body, and the incredible healing power of expression. While Natalie grew up with Catholicism and Buddhism, it was in her biology class that she realized the profound power of the spiritual nature of life. Natalie saw the power of the human body to heal as a doorway to the mystery of the unseen power of spirituality. In her work today, the power of her spiritual insight has come full circle in her work in The Class. It truly is a physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual expression of the reach of Natalie’s love’s everyday radius. In this conversation with Liz, Natalie speaks a lot about the power of expression. During her week at the Process, she discovered that all of her emotions were finally set free when she was able to express the fullness of her anger through her cathartic work there. She goes on to tell us how expression frees emotion, which frees our vitality, life force, and creativity. In other words, it frees our Spirit. Natalie found that her work at the Process brought even more of her vitality and joy to her work with people and The Class. Tag along on this joyful ride with Natalie and Liz, and stay with them to the end. You’ll be glad you did because Natalie has a special gift for you. More about Natlie Kuhn: Natalie is Co-CEO and a founding teacher of The Class, a global digital wellness company whose innovative workout combines fitness and mindfulness in order to strengthen the body, become aware of the mind, and create a deeper connection to self. As the first employee of the business, she helped grow it from its inception in 2013 when it was originally taught in the founder’s apartment building to what it is today. Natalie is known for being the category creator of mindful movement, practiced in-person in NY & LA, and digitally in 71 countries across the globe. As mentioned in this episode: The Cycle of Transformation Expression: “To let go of our patterns, we must exercise our free will – choose to step out of a pattern and take action using our Voice, Body, and Intention. We use our Voice to say “No” to the pattern and “Yes” to what we are moving toward. We use our Body to physically express ourselves. All the while, our Intention is to free ourselves of the pattern(s) we are working with and get back in touch with our aliveness and authenticity. Our expression is not necessarily about anger – it’s about “claiming” your life. It’s about taking a stand. Sometimes that includes anger, but it can also be about joy, love, commitment, and empowerment.” Learn more about the power of Expression through the Hoffman Process by downloading this PDF. Qigong Yoga  

In his youth, Bobby Africa, business mentor and ultra-endurance athlete, earned his nickname “Too Fast Africa” racing motocross for Kawasaki. Ironically, and perfectly, it was Regina‘s (his Process teacher) loving invitation to, “Slow it down, Bobby” that opened the door, even wider, to the healing that took place during his Process. In the first few days of his Process, Bobby (Bob’s childhood nickname) began to feel safe and content. He realized he didn’t have to be anything or anyone but simply himself. It was in this safety that he began to slow things down, feel his feelings, and dig into this profound healing work. Bobby courageously and vulnerably began to shine a bit of light into what was and what is in his words, “very dark.” As he shares his story, you can hear, feel, and sense the profound Light within him that he re-discovered through the work of the Process. Bobby goes on to share with us how in his post-Process life he is using the Process tools to heal trauma and the associated patterns. Some of the deep understanding he came to realize at the Process – safety, loveable exactly as he is, and deep contentment – now support him as he heals even more within himself. Content warning: This conversation mentions violence and sexual abuse, and while not explicit in nature, may not be suitable for all audiences.” More about Bobby Africa: Bobby Africa has been moving fast most of his life. Born in Pennsylvania as the youngest of three, he spent most of his time outside or playing competitive ice hockey, soccer, and racing motocross. His love for the outdoors took him to Colorado, where he earned degrees in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Planning to attend medical school, Bobby deferred to travel the world for a year, spending nine months climbing, surfing, and working as a mountain guide in Africa and another three months in Europe. While in Europe, he visited Salomon, a company he was product testing for, and, as they say, the rest is history. He moved to France to work for Salomon and race professionally as a mountain athlete finding himself on a new path combining his love for playing in the mountains, product creation, and business. Bobby went on to hold key positions and lead companies such as Pearl Izumi, Kidrobot, Roofnest, and PopSockets. While at PopSockets, he was instrumental in their extraordinary growth from a small garage operation to the second fastest-growing company in the country in 2018. After leaving PopSockets in 2020, he had his “kitchen coffee moment” that ultimately led him to the Hoffman Process. Bobby continues leading businesses, mentoring leaders, and fostering authentic connections through TFA (TooFastAfrica) Strategy Partners. In addition, he co-founded Suffer Better, a Colorado-based nonprofit offering the endurance athlete community opportunities to preserve and protect their natural environment and support local communities. Most importantly, he continues to play in the mountains and be a dad to his daughter Sophia. Discover more about Bobby: Bob Africa on LinkedIn Interview with Bob at PodiumRunner.com Life Lessons with Boulder Athletes at DailyRunner.com Leadville Race Series: Meet your run camp guides with Bob Africa As mentioned in this episode: Leadville Race Series Safety Bobby and other Process graduates talk often about how safe they felt at Hoffman Process. Safety in healing work is absolutely necessary. Often, people haven’t ever really felt safe in their lives. Read more about psychological safety here… Contentment A quote from Bobby about the contentment he found… “Contentment is a practice. It’s not a feeling of accomplishment from doing something. Contentment is just being complete in the moment. In the moment there is just presence, no future, no past – just happy to be here, in the moment. Contentment is an attitude of the soul.” ~ Ram Dass  

Linda Hartka, beloved Hoffman teacher, shares her story of how doing the work of the Process healed her seemingly intractable self-loathing. As a therapist for years, Linda did many workshops and types of training to deepen her capacity and ability to hold others in their healing. And yet, her tendency to feel self-loathing didn’t budge. Through the Process, she was able to finally melt away the patterns that held it in place. This same outcome has been true for so many who do the Process. The tendency to feel self-loathing is common. The Process can get to the heart of it. Linda grew up during the rise of the human consciousness movement. As a young girl, she was deeply religious until she had a realization that caused her to leave religion at eleven years old. Something didn’t sit right with her big, compassionate heart and she said no and walked away. As she grew into adulthood, her heart took her deeper into compassion and spirituality, leading her to a beautiful life in service to the healing and realization of many human beings. In 1998, Linda became a Process teacher. She led students through the Process until she retired at the end of 2022. This episode gives us a glimpse into the deep love that Linda has for her family as well as for those she has worked with and continues to support. She’s worked with many different communities, including women at the City of Hope in the Congo. Linda is not only a natural facilitator of healing but also a storyteller extraordinaire. Listen in as she shares fascinating, heart-opening stories about her life and the lives of those she has been fortunate to know and work with, both at the Hoffman Process and other places around the world. More about Linda Hartka Linda has been with the Hoffman Institute since beginning her training in 1998, as a teacher, coach, and program designer. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychotherapy and has studied and worked in psychology and spirituality for over forty years. Before she found Hoffman, she began her career as a childbirth educator and doula, trained as a Waldorf Education teacher, and settled into a private transpersonal therapy practice specializing in Psychosynthesis until taking the Process in 1996. The transformative impact of the Process was so life-changing, that Linda wanted nothing more than to bring that change to as many as possible. Her years as a teacher have been filled with love, joy, and miracles! Linda lives in rural upstate New York, surrounded by her large family of five children, their spouses, eight grandchildren, and abundant birds and wildlife. She semi-retired in December 2022 to enjoy her family and artistic endeavors. She continues with her private practice and occasionally guest teaches for the Hoffman Institute. As mentioned in this episode: Consciousness Revolution Doula Transpersonal Psychology and Psychosynthesis Unlocking Futures (previously Youth At Risk) John Bradshaw Sharon Kennedy, Hoffman teacher/coach Barbara Comstock, Hoffman teacher/coach Listen to Barbara on the Hoffman Podcast Kani Comstock, Retired Hoffman teacher/coach Listen to Kani on the Hoffman Podcast Negative Love Syndrome: The Negative Love Syndrome is the adoption of the negative behaviors, moods, attitudes, and admonitions (overt and silent) of our parents to secure their love. It includes the subsequent compulsive acting out or rebellion against those negative traits throughout our adult lives. Download: The Negative Love Syndrome: A Path to Personal Freedom and Love Self-Realization Fellowship Buddhism Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach City of Joy, Congo The Alternatives to Violence Project – USA    

Susan Beaulieu, Healing Justice Director, is Anishinaabe and an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation. Listen in as Susan shares her powerful healing journey, including her journey at the Hoffman Process. Content warning: this episode mentions suicide. Susan has worked directly with Indigenous communities for over 17 years. For the last seven years, her focus has been helping others understand the impacts of unresolved individual, ancestral, and collective trauma, and developing strategies to support healing. When Susan came to the Hoffman Process, she was well-versed in the ways to heal trauma. Susan’s Experience during the Process: What called Susan to come to the Process? She heard Hoffman grad Tim Harjo speak about healing our connection with our child within. When she heard his words, she felt a deep longing to reconnect with this child within her. At this moment, she could see that it was “a critical next step” in her healing journey. In the Process, Susan did reconnect with this little one within her. She didn’t expect to find her in the ways she did. This little one was carrying so much rage and terror within her. The cathartic work was a doorway to a new relationship with her little one. Susan also experienced a pivotal moment in the Process when she found herself drumming and singing back her Spirit. Susan was given her Spirit name when she was about twelve. She shares with us, “I could feel my Spirit starting to come back in as I was drumming and singing that name, Niigaani-Binesi-Ikwe, Niigaani-Binesi-Ikwe. This is a beautiful, rich conversation with someone who has done a great amount of work to heal herself and now shares not only her own experience but also her vast knowledge about healing. Susan shares that her work at Hoffman helped give her a more grounded healing language to share with those she serves. We hope you enjoy this beautiful conversation with Susan and Drew. More about Susan Beaulieu: Susan Beaulieu (She/Her), Healing Justice Director, is Anishinaabe and an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation. Susan has worked directly with Indigenous communities for over 17 years in a variety of capacities including project development, training, and facilitation. Her primary focus for the last seven years has been helping communities, organizations, and individuals understand the impacts of unresolved individual, ancestral and collective trauma, and develop strategies to support healing. Susan is passionate about creating opportunities and encouraging processes for reconnecting to the mind, body, heart, and spirit to support well-being. She was a 2016 Bush Leadership Fellow, is an ACE Interface Master Trainer, and is a certified Mind-Body Medicine Facilitator. She has a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota. Discover more about Susan on LinkedIn. As mentioned in this episode: Susan’s Spirit name: Niigaani-Binesi-Ikwe or Niigaanibinesiikwe (Leading Thunderbird Woman) ACE Interface: Dr. Robert Anda, Co-founder ACE Interface Laura Porter, Co-Founder Ace Interface Dr. Bruce Perry, Child Trauma Academy University of Minnesota, Humphrey Public Policy Institute Zero Foundation The Horizon’s Program/Project Tim Harjo – Listen to Tim’s episode on the Hoffman Podcast Susan’s earrings:  

Eliot Wajskol did the Process in 2022. Listen in as he shares an intergenerational story of hardship, a desire to build a better life, and the hope to one day live fully alive. Eliot’s grandparents’ and parents’ lives were filled with persecution and hardship during the holocaust beyond anything most of us will ever know. Somehow, his father and mother, and her mother, survived. Eventually, they made the journey to America as refugees in 1968, with no money and very few belongings. Growing up in Ohio, one of the things Eliot struggled with in his youth was the feeling of not belonging. He realizes his parents had this feeling, too. Here in America, there was no place where they could fit in. Their experiences prior to coming were so different than everyone around them. Eliot shares that one thing he learned from Hoffman was that no matter how unique your story we all share similar feelings and emotions that are like threads through our lives. Eliot came to the Process because he felt like he had never truly lived. He shares that on the surface, everything in his life looked wonderful. But underneath the surface, there was turmoil. He was going through a divorce, hadn’t been able to foster strong relationships with his two children, and was trying to rebuild his business after the Covid lockdown. Eliot shares that “…the more he was trying to hold everything together, the more he was losing absolutely everything.” Just before coming to the Process, Eliot immersed himself in things that could support him in what he was feeling. He had a vision of who he knew he was deep inside but couldn’t find a way to actually be. At one point, three things happened that all pointed him to the Hoffman Process. Listen in to discover more about Eliot’s journey to, through, and after the Process. More about Eliot Wajskol: Eliot lives in Portland, Oregon. Woven into his weeks, you can find him at 6 am cross fit workouts, hiking, catching special moments with his high school daughter, traveling, and living life more and more fully. You can learn more about Eliot and his work helping businesses implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System here and follow him on LinkedIn. As mentioned in this episode: The USSR: “The Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991.” The Lódz Ghetto: History & Overview (1939 – 1945) Auschwitz and Bergen Belson Escaping 1968 Poland In 1968, Poland’s communist government forced Jews to leave. Eliot’s parents had to leave with only a few belongings, no passport, no documents, and were stateless. Relatives sponsored them and his Dad had to begin again in obtaining his medical license as an anesthesiologist.