Episode 2: Suzannah Ohlune - An Indigenous Heart

Episode 2: Suzannah Ohlune - An Indigenous Heart

Unlike the story many of us inherited, we were never truly kicked out of the Garden. That's the wisdom at the heart of this conversation with Suzannah Ohlune — sacred song keeper, bhakti devotee, sun dancer, vision quester, and co-founder of Canción del Corazón, a regenerative living sanctuary nestled in the sacred valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador. Suzannah shares her journey from darkness to devotion — through addiction, breakdown, and a profound awakening — and how she found her way back to belonging. We explore the path of bhakti, the healing power of sacred song, and what it means to carry indigenous wisdom traditions with reverence and humility. This is a conversation about remembrance. About the indigenous heart that lives within all of us, waiting to recall what we always knew — that we belong to life, to each other, and to something far greater than our small stories. Chapter Markers 00:00  —  Welcome & introduction to Song Keepers 04:00  —  From darkness to devotion: addiction, overdose, and breakthrough 07:18  —  Childhood, Christian roots, and early spirituality 14:32  —  Bhakti: the path of devotion and union with universal consciousness 17:03  —  Sacred song as practice: chanting, kirtan, and the power of group voice 26:17  —  Indigenous traditions: the Camino Rojo and the Eagle & Condor prophecy 30:00  —  "We were never kicked out of the Garden" — belonging vs. colonial separation 32:00  —  Vision Quest: four days and four nights, facing your finite nature 37:58  —  Cultural reciprocity (Ayni) and holding the Sweat Lodge with feminine medicine 44:46  —  The feminine medicine of the Temazcal — the womb of the Great Mother 50:06  —  Coming Home: the vision for the retreat at Canción del Corazón 57:25  —  Closing prayer led by Suzannah 🌿  Connect with Suzannah Instagram: @suzannahohlune [https://www.instagram.com/suzannahohlune/] 🌿  Canción del Corazón Follow on Instagram: @canciondelcorazon [https://www.instagram.com/canciondelcorazon/] 🌕  Come Home — Ecuador Retreat Join John and Suzannah for Coming Home: A Celebration of Sacred Song — May 15–23, 2025 · Vilcabamba, Ecuador. A gathering of song, ceremony, and remembrance at Canción del Corazón. Come home to your voice, your belonging, and something far greater than your small story. Learn more and register: songkeepers.org/retreats [http://songkeepers.org/retreats] Book a free discovery call: Schedule here → [https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ1o__HFkuIWt6vF7VK79twq2TtaJFlTf8NOduP-yW2azNS0TtWACeDq2u85quX9niYFQtTsOB6u] Disclaimer: The conversations shared on the Song Keepers Podcast are for informational and inspirational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Practices discussed, including vision quests, sweat lodge ceremonies, and other physically and emotionally demanding spiritual traditions, carry real risks. Please consult with a qualified medical provider before engaging in any such practices, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Episode 1: Adam Kandel - Showing Up as Love

The inaugural episode of The Song Keepers Podcast features Adam Kandel — singer-songwriter, ceremonialist, and devoted song keeper based on the U.S. East Coast. In conversation with host John Flynn, Adam reflects on his early musical influences and spiritual journey, exploring the ineffable power of mantra and chant and how these sacred forms have shaped his life. Together they speak about the seeds of creative inspiration, encounters with indigenous traditions, and the importance of cultivating deep connection in an increasingly fragmented world. Adam shares his sense of responsibility to bring beauty into the world — something that becomes unmistakably clear when his music begins to unfold. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Songkeepers Podcast * 01:47 Meet Adam Kandel: A Journey Through Music * 03:27 Current Inspirations and Life Transitions * 08:04 The Evolution of Musical Expression * 11:49 Roots of Musical Passion and Influences * 17:07 The Power of Kirtan and Sacred Sound * 21:29 Connection to Shiva and Spiritual Remembrance * 28:32 The Creative Process Behind 'I Am That I Am' * 32:11 Exploring Indigenous Traditions and Spirituality * 40:39 The Role of Music in Healing and Connection * 49:01 The Power of Collaboration in Music * 52:49 Sustaining Passion and Purpose in Music All are invited to join Adam, John and other heart-led musicians for our first Song Keepers Gathering in Philadelphia on 2/22/26 at 7PM. Details and tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/song-keepers-presents-adam-kandel-and-friends [https://events.humanitix.com/song-keepers-presents-adam-kandel-and-friends] Adam's instagram: @adamkandelmusic Adam's facebook: Adam Kandel Song Keepers instagram: @song.keepers