The Hoffman Podcast

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.    

Barbara Burke, beloved Hoffman teacher and coach, is committed to helping people reconnect to their authentic selves. Content warning: This conversation makes reference to self-harm, eating disorders, child sexual abuse, and contains explicit language, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Barbara took the Process in 1996. She credits her work at the Process as a major contributor to rediscovering her creativity. Also an author, multimedia artist, and educator, Barbara became a Hoffman teacher in 2007. She says, “My Process changed the trajectory of my life, and I feel so privileged to witness others on this journey of a lifetime.” As so often happens with graduates’ Process journeys, the story of how Barbara came to Hoffman in the first place is a story of sibling love and care. How Barbara was able to do the Process is a story of a mother’s love. Barbara’s sister, Sally, did the Process first. Sally’s healing led to Barbara’s own Process journey and healing, which eventually became a family healing when multiple siblings and spouses found their way to the Process as well. Listen to this beautiful story of a family’s healing that came through doing the powerful healing work of the Process. **Barbara’s sister, Sally, has given her express permission to share her story here on the podcast. More about Barbara Burke: Barbara earned a BA and B-Ed from the University of Toronto. She taught for 29 years in the Toronto school system before becoming a Hoffman Process facilitator, initially for The Hoffman Institute Canada. In her lifelong pursuit of spiritual wholeness, Barbara has pursued a wide range of interests. Her experiences studying various modalities inform her current work. Her studies have included Dr. Helen Schucman’s A Course in Miracles (Temecula, CA: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1976), mindfulness meditation, energy healing, and most profoundly her work with the Hoffman Institute. In addition to enjoying words, she appreciates the intrinsic healing power of color. She is the author and illustrator of I Am Divine, a boxed set of 52 beautifully illustrated cards. The accompanying book of meditations expands on the affirmations from the cards. I Am Divine is now available through the Apple iTunes Store as an app that will work on the iPhone, iTouch, and iPad. Barbara’s also published an inspiring 12-month journal titled, “A Year of Living Your Divinity“. This unique journal includes beautiful watercolor mandalas, prose, and poetry to support each person to connect more fully to their divine essence. Barbara’s most recent creation is a set of children’s I Am Divine Cards, which are now available for purchase. Each set contains 32 beautifully illustrated cards and an accompanying booklet with a meditation for each one. These cards are guaranteed to bring a sense of wonder, spirituality, and mindfulness into the lives of children. Barbara has created an app for the children’s edition as well. Barbara lives in Toronto, Canada. As Mentioned in this Episode: A Course in Miracles “This course can be summed up very simply in this way: Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God Discover more here: A Course In Miracles Text Eckhart Tolle Spiritual teacher and NYTimes Best-selling Author. “Eckhart’s profound, yet simple teachings have helped countless people around the globe experience a state of vibrantly alive inner peace in their daily lives.” Read more… High Park, Toronto Hoffman Tools & Practices: Bashing/Expression Transference The need for Self-compassion      Also: Listen to Self-Compassion with Kristin Neff on the Hoffman Podcast Working with Shame      Listen to The Antidote to Shame with Chris Germer on the Hoffman Podcast Family photos and the Note From Barbara’s Mother: As Barbara shares, she supported her sister, Sally, in coming to accept there she needed healing. Sally learned about the Hoffman Process and was the first to do it in their family. Barbara’s mother paid for Barbara to attend the Process, in spite of their relationship difficulties at the time. This is the card Barbara’s Mother sent her. It contained payment for Barbara’s Process as well as her wishes for Barbara. Eventually, more of Barbara’s siblings and some spouses of their spouses completed the Process. A Sample of Barbara’s Photography:

Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander, The Voice of L.A. and the host of the wildly successful “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” did the Hoffman Process in July of 2022. There are many themes in this beautiful conversation with Kurt and Drew. One theme is Kurt’s realization that he knew very well who “Big Boy” is but didn’t know who Kurt really is. He continues to be determined to do the deep work to come to know Kurt. Another theme is the power of coming to see the unconscious and compulsive patterns we adopt to navigate our family systems and survive the difficulties of childhood. Kurt never knew his father so logically it would make sense that he didn’t even know where to begin to name the patterns he adopted from his dad. As you’ll hear, the very nature of absence creates deep unconscious patterning. Kurt’s story of how he came to see these patterns in his Process is poignant and tender. This conversation spirals through layers of understanding, echoing the nature of transformational work. As it goes deeper, the understanding Kurt shares about his life and who he is does, too. His generosity of Spirit shines through as his vulnerability gives us a glimpse into both his inner child and his Spiritual Self. More About Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander: “Big Boy” was born in Chicago and moved to California at the age of two. He became acquainted with the music world while DJing at parties.  Today, “Big Boy” is The Voice of L.A. and the host of the wildly successful “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” every morning on iHeart Media’s Real 92.3 the home of Hip Hop music in Los Angeles.   He has dominated the ratings in all of the timeslots he has occupied ever since he first started his career in radio, from nights, afternoons, and mornings.  The National Association of Broadcasters has recognized “Big Boy”s exceptional talent with the Marconi Award, a very rare three times. He is also an awarded member of the Radio Hall of Fame. “Big Boy” has been featured on many television shows including “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and “HBO’s Entourage.” He also debuted his own radio station in the wildly successful “Grand Theft Auto” video game and his YouTube channel, “BigBoyTV” has more than 200 million views of celebrity interviews. Along with various other charity work, “Big Boy” stepped up for his community during the COVID-19 pandemic. He fed hundreds of frontline essential workers at hospitals all over Los Angeles. As Mentioned in this Episode: Augie Johnson & Side Effect “Side Effect was an American disco and jazz-funk band that recorded between 1972 and 1982. The group was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1972 by Augie Johnson who became their leader.” Rick Dees “Rigdon Osmond Dees III…, best known as Rick Dees, is an American entertainer, radio personality, comedian, actor, and voice artist, best known for his internationally syndicated radio show The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown and for the 1976 satirical novelty song “Disco Duck“. Scooter Braun “Scott Samuel “Scooter” Braun…, is an American record executive, talent agent, and entrepreneur. Known as the manager for artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber…” Listen to Scott ‘Scooter’ Braun on the Hoffman Podcast The Hoffman App The transformational journey to discovering your authentic self does not end after the completion of a Hoffman program. Rather, it is just beginning. That is why we created this app, full of guidance, practices, and visualizations to inspire and help you achieve your personal goals. We like to think of it as “Hoffman in your pocket. Version one of our app is only available in the iOS App Store for all devices, but the same 30-day integration program is available here, on a mobile-optimized page, for all operating systems. Coming off the hill… Kurt is referring to our beautiful new retreat site in Petaluma, California. Our center sits atop a hill on 180 acres. Surrounded by nature, Hoffman Process students spend their seven days held deeply by the land. You can learn more about how the land at our retreat site creates a container for transformation from this beautiful episode with Trecey Chittenden, “Land as a Container of Transformation.” (We also hold the Process in Connecticut.)    

  Kani on the Yangze River Kani Comstock, beloved Hoffman teacher, first learned about the Process in 1985 from her brother who was working with Bob Hoffman. Her brother gave her Bob’s book to read. “Blown away‘ by what she learned, Kani completed the Process in January 1986. Kani became the Hoffman Institute’s Director shortly after and, together with Bob, started Hoffman International a few years later. Following this, she became a Hoffman teacher and taught until her retirement almost three decades later. Kani’s whole family has done the Process, including her mother, her three siblings, and some of her in-laws. She shares a particular moment from her Process when she fully realized the powerful hold negative patterns have on us. As she worked to release the patterns she had taken on from her mother, she realized they kept trying to reassert themselves within her. She was able to see and feel their tenacity. She came away realizing just how important the work of the Process is in helping people find the freedom to live from their own essential nature. Kani’s effervescent spirit and joy are evident in this conversation with Sharon. Kani has loved the Hoffman Process from the day she first learned of it. She loves that the Process offers a place where we can come to know ourselves as our true selves. Educated as a scientist, Kani shares how she has learned to listen to and follow the voice of her Spiritual Self or Essence as she sometimes refers to it. More about Kani Comstock in her own words: Kani and Bob Hoffman As a driven workaholic, I discovered an ease I had never known before when I completed the Hoffman Process. It was February 1986, just months of the new 7-day Process residential format. Soon after that, I was asked by Bob Hoffman to direct the Institute, organize its growth, bringing it to other countries around the world. In 1990, I also became a Process teacher which became my true love. I slowly transitioned into full-time teaching and coaching. Bob was delighted when Marisa Thame, Director of Hoffman Institute in Brazil, and I collaborated to write, Journey into Love: Ten Steps to Wholeness. Journey into Love is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Later in collaboration with my sister, Barbara Comstock, also a Hoffman Teacher, we wrote, Honoring Missed Motherhood: Loss, Choice, and Creativity. Initially, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s in cell physiology and biochemistry. I was working on my Ph.D. when a personal tragedy led me to dramatically change my path. I moved to Tokyo to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) and eventually became the first non-Japanese to direct the Japanese school. Four years later and back in the United States, I founded a college-based ESL center and internationalized the college curriculum. Next, as Vice-President of a student exchange organization, I designed programs and traveled regularly to Asia, finally experiencing China, a childhood dream As mentioned in this episode: Barbara Comstock, Kani’s sister and Hoffman teacher Ashland, Oregon What is Hospice? Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.    

Chris Germer, Ph.D. was terrified of public speaking and thought he had an anxiety disorder. He soon discovered, though, that what he had was a shame disorder. Through developing a self-compassion practice, Chris was able to heal his fear of public speaking and the shame that was behind it. While Chris’ personal story is remarkable, what is even more so is what he came to learn about healing shame. He shares that healing our negative core beliefs (like we do in the work of the Process) heals shame because they are one and the same. Healing our relationship with love and with ourselves and others leads to self-compassion. By developing this practice of self-compassion, we can know again our natural joy and playfulness. As a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in self-compassion, Chris’ work with self-compassion is well-aligned with the work done at the Hoffman Process. Prior to this conversation with Drew, he studied the research that has been done on the efficacy of the Process and the amazing results the Process brings about. Chris shares with us a bit about why the Process is so effective at healing what gets in the way of our relationship with love. More about Chris Germer: Chris Germer, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School.  He co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Kristin Neff in 2010. Together, they wrote two books, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. MSC has been taught to over 250,000 people worldwide. Dr. Germer is also the author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion. He’s also a co-editor of two influential volumes on therapy, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. He is a founding faculty member of the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, at Harvard Medical School, and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, Cambridge MA. Dr. Germer also maintains a small psychotherapy practice in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA. Learn more about Chris, here. Follow Chris on Instagram and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion on Facebook and LinkedIn. As mentioned in this episode: Compassionate Friend exercise: You’ll find the Compassionate Friend exercise Chris mentions, along with other meditations you can use to deepen your self-compassion practice, here. The instructions can also be found in The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, pages 134-137. Kristin Neff: “Kristin Neff is an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin’s department of educational psychology. Dr. Neff received her doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley, studying moral development. Read more… Listen to Kristin Neff on the Hoffman Podcast Harry Harlow: “…an American psychologist best known for his maternal-separation, dependency needs, and social isolation experiments on rhesus monkeys…” Learn more… Brené Brown podcast with Chris Germer    

Beloved Hoffman teacher and coach, Chris Sansone, completed the Hoffman Process in November 2013. Chris came to the Process feeling challenged in every area of his life, except for his good health. After doing deep work in the Process, Chris experienced a profound simplicity in how he healed his past and forgave his parents. Before Hoffman, Chris was in commercial real estate. He was well-educated and highly qualified and experienced great financial success. But, he wasn’t happy. As Chris thought about his career moving forward, he remembered the calling he felt when he first started working – helping guide people through transformational growth in some way. Once he landed at the Process, he felt that call again and answered by applying to become a Hoffman teacher. Now, Chris lives connecting to the frequency of his Soul. He shares that we each have a longing that can feel like melancholy, loneliness, and even wistfulness. As he says, we must attune to our Soul by attuning to this longing. By doing so, we learn to follow the call of our Soul. Listen in and hear how Chris connects with this longing and to a poem he wrote while in deep contemplation with his Soul. More about Chris Sansone: As a Hoffman teacher, Chris says, “To serve and see others open up to who they truly are is a remarkable experience. Students reach inside and find answers within themselves for living fully and authentically.” As for his own Process experience, Chris shares: “I unearthed two gifts – knowing that my own happiness truly is a personal choice, and deep forgiveness for both my parents and, of myself. These have opened me to loving and living as I had only previously imagined possible.” He adds, “Years ago I had a personal awakening about my role, as a highly advantaged cis-gendered white male in racial and gender inequities. That has broadened my own sense of responsibility and spawned greater personal and spiritual growth in my life.” Chris holds a doctoral degree in Human and Organization Development. He is blessed with his life partner and wife, Maria Velasco, two sons Kellen and Andrew, and stepdaughter Carina. He lives in Longmont, Colorado, where he enjoys the outdoors, especially fly fishing. As mentioned in this episode: *Rejuvenated Process: Originally, Bob Hoffman did the work that happens at the Process with people in individual sessions. Then, in the early ’70s, the Process was done in a group setting for the first time, with participants meeting weekly as they did the work of the Process. A few decades later, the Process became an in-person retreat with participants coming together for eight days. In 2013, the Hoffman Process was rejuvenated into the seven-day Process it is today. Hoffman Process Visioning: Visioning is a powerful aspect of the work you do at the Process. “Visioning can transform your life. Your life can expand and become more vibrant than you thought possible. You can call forth a vision for your life from your Spiritual Self – your essence.” continue reading and download here. CTI (Co-Active) Model of Coaching: “Since 1992 CTI has been working with coaches and leaders around the world, helping them navigate toward stronger relationships, integral solutions, and creating meaningful impact in the world.” Read more here. Sicilian: A Sicilian is a native or inhabitant of Sicily or a person of Sicilian descent. Sicily is one of the twenty regions of Italy. An island in the Mediterranean, it is located near the “toe of the boot” of Italy. Learn more… Fielding Institute Doctoral Program: Chris mentions the Fielding Institute where he earned his Doctorate in Human and Organization Systems. Discover more here. Myers-Briggs: “The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives.” Discover more about Myers-Briggs here. I Ching: “The I Ching or Yi Jing … is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics.” Learn more here.