The Nature of Reality: Mystical Experiences, God Consciousness & the Search for Meaning with Michael Monk

The Nature of Reality: Mystical Experiences, God Consciousness & the Search for Meaning with Michael Monk

What happens when an experience is so profound that it changes the way you understand reality itself? In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with Michael Monk, spiritual teacher, healer, and founder of the Avatar Energy Mastery Institute. Michael shares a series of extraordinary experiences that began with what he describes as a direct communication from God and led him on a decades-long exploration of consciousness, healing, spirituality, and human potential.  Together, we explore mystical experiences, God consciousness, energy healing, out-of-body experiences, personal transformation, and the challenges of integrating extraordinary spiritual experiences into everyday life. Whether you find yourself deeply resonating with Michael's perspective, questioning it, or simply feeling curious, this conversation invites us to explore one of humanity's oldest questions: What is possible when we move beyond our ordinary understanding of ourselves and reality? In This Episode We Explore: *  Michael's early spiritual experiences and awakening  *  The role of faith and direct spiritual experience  *  Different understandings of God consciousness  *  Mystical and out-of-body experiences  *  Energy healing and human potential  *  The relationship between spirituality and self-empowerment  *  Discernment on the spiritual path  *  Integrating extraordinary experiences into everyday life  *  Curiosity, consciousness, and the mystery of being human Want to know more about Michael?   Website: www.michaelmonk.bio [http://www.michaelmonk.bio] Facebook: Michael Monk [https://www.facebook.com/avatarmonk?rdid=6lXyVcPVQ4zWRjQu&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F18JNU25d2A%2F#] Youtube: Michael Monk Avatar [https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelMonkAvatar] Tik Tok: @michaelmonkavatar [https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelmonkavatar?_r=1&_t=ZS-95S4qjxHpJJ.] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

Getting Out of the Way: Jessica Maitri on Trauma, Intuition, and the 3 AM Download That Changed Everything

Many of us can explain our patterns, understand our trauma, and tell the story of what happened—yet still find ourselves feeling stuck. In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with Jessica Maitri, LCSW, brainspotting consultant, certified yoga therapist, breathwork practitioner, intuitive energy healer, and creator of the Yothera Method, to explore what happens when healing moves beyond insight and into embodiment. Jessica shares her journey from therapist burnout to developing an innovative approach that integrates yoga therapy, somatic awareness, intuition, and brainspotting. Together, we explore why healing isn't simply about understanding our experiences intellectually, but about creating new experiences within the body and nervous system. We also dive into the role of permission, choice, movement, and attunement in trauma recovery, and discuss how practitioners can support deeper transformation by learning to let go of the agenda and trust the healing process. In this conversation, we discuss: • Jessica's journey from traditional talk therapy to embodied healing work • Why therapist burnout can be an invitation to deeper alignment • The principles of yoga therapy and how it differs from a traditional yoga class • How brainspotting and yoga therapy complement one another • The importance of nervous system regulation in trauma healing • Why choice and permission are essential ingredients for healing trauma • The connection between embodiment, intuition, and transformation • How the Yothera Method was born during a period of deep creative inspiration • The difference between understanding our stories and living a new one • Why healing often requires us to get out of our own way Whether you're a therapist, helping professional, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of what becomes possible when we stop trying to think our way through healing and begin listening to the wisdom of the body. Connect with Jessica: Website: www.yothera.com [http://www.yothera.com/] Email: hello@yothera.com [hello@yothera.com] instagram: @yothera_method [https://www.instagram.com/yothera_method/] Yothera Method Facilitator Training 26 CE's: (Self-study or Live cohort):  https://www.yothera.com/ymft-sp [https://www.yothera.com/ymft-sp] Professional Mentorships and Brainspotting Consultation: https://www.yothera.com/mentorship/professionals [https://www.yothera.com/mentorship/professionals] https://www.yothera.com/brainspotting [https://www.yothera.com/brainspotting] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

When the Pain Won't Go Away: Understanding Neuroplastic Symptoms, Fear, and Nervous System Healing with Georgia Thelen

What if chronic pain isn't always a sign that something is broken? In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with certified nutritionist, hypnotist, energy healer, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy coach Georgia Thelen to explore the growing field of mind-body healing and neuroplastic symptoms. After developing long COVID and a host of chronic symptoms herself, Georgia found her way beyond diagnoses, medications, and endless medical appointments into a deeper understanding of the nervous system's role in chronic pain and illness. Together, we discuss how fear, stress, hypervigilance, and nervous system dysregulation can contribute to persistent symptoms, and how healing may begin when we learn to relate to those symptoms differently. Whether you're living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the connection between the brain, body, and emotions, this conversation offers both insight and hope. In This Episode: * Georgia's personal journey through long COVID and chronic pain * What neuroplastic symptoms are and how they develop * The connection between fear, stress, and persistent pain * Why nervous system regulation matters for healing * How Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) works * Understanding the fear-pain cycle * The difference between acute and chronic pain * Why symptoms can persist long after an injury has healed * The role of somatic tracking and safety reappraisal * How emotions, stress, and unresolved experiences may influence physical symptoms * Why healing often requires curiosity rather than fear Resources Mentioned: * Dr. John Sarno * Alan Gordon and The Way Out * Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) * Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) * Boulder Back Pain Study Connect with Georgia Thelen: www.healyourchronicpain.org [https://www.healyourchronicpain.org] Instagram - @goodmoodnutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/goodmoodnutritionist/] Facebook- @ Peachy Keen Wellness and Nutrition [https://www.facebook.com/peachykeennutrition] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

What If It Isn't Yours? Intuition, Conditioning, and Coming Home to Yourself with Gwyneth Flack

How do we know what is truly ours? Our thoughts. Our fears. Our beliefs. Our reactions. In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with transformational teacher, intuitive development guide, and author Gwyneth Flack to explore the role intuition plays in helping us reconnect with ourselves beneath the noise of conditioning, expectation, and fear. Gwyneth shares stories from her childhood, including a near-death experience that shaped her understanding of consciousness, her early awareness of the deeper layers of people beyond their outward appearance, and how she learned to distinguish her own feelings from the emotions she was absorbing from others. Together, we explore: * What intuition actually is—and what it isn't * The difference between intuition and anxiety * Why highly sensitive people often carry emotions that don't belong to them * How conditioning can disconnect us from our inner knowing * The importance of embodiment in spiritual growth * Grounding practices that help us access intuition more clearly * The relationship between presence, awareness, and healing * Why learning to ask "Is this mine?" can be transformational Throughout the conversation, we examine the connection between intuition, self-awareness, and living a more aligned life. Whether you're a therapist, healer, highly sensitive person, or simply someone curious about the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, this episode offers an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the wisdom that may already be within you. About Gwyneth Flack Gwyneth Flack is a transformational teacher, soul-body alignment guide, and author of Limitless: Transform Your Life with Intuition and Creativity. Since 2007, she has helped thousands of people develop their intuitive abilities, strengthen self-trust, and create more authentic and fulfilling lives through private sessions, courses, and retreats. Connect with Gwyneth Website: gwynethflack.com [https://gwynethflack.com/] Book: Limitless: Transform Your Life with Intuition  [https://gwynethflack.com/praise-for-limitless-transform-your-life-with-intuition-and-creativity-book/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwynethrflack/  [https://www.instagram.com/gwynethrflack/ ] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554714303930 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554714303930] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

From Ego to Embodiment: Spiritual Bodybuilding, Identity & the Search for Self with Nahum Vizakis

In this follow-up conversation, Nahum Vizakis returns to The Spiritually Curious Therapist to go deeper into the philosophy behind his book, The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding. If you missed part one (released April 20), I highly recommend going back and listening first. In that episode we explored Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped his path. This time, we move into the deeper questions: * What happens when the pursuit of strength is driven by pain? *  Where is the line between discipline and self-abandonment? *  And what changes when the body shifts from something we control… to something we listen to? Nahum shares his journey from competitive bodybuilding, military life, and performance enhancement into bodywork, somatic experiences, spirituality, and what he now calls spiritual bodybuilding—not building muscles, but building consciousness, embodiment, and self-mastery.  We explore: ✨ Ego versus embodiment in fitness culture  ✨ Bodybuilding as a hero’s journey  ✨ Identity, external validation, and the search for worth  ✨ Performance-enhancing drugs and their physical, emotional, and developmental impacts  ✨ Masculinity, body image, and social media pressures on young men  ✨ Somatic release, stored emotion, and the body as messenger  ✨ Learning to move from intellectual understanding into lived experience  ✨ Nervous system regulation and the importance of slowing down  ✨ Acceptance, self-mastery, and the path back to the heart  ✨ Why Nahum believes “spiritual bodybuilding” is really about mastering body, mind, and consciousness  This episode also touches on something I care deeply about in my own work: How we widen our capacity to be with discomfort, move toward fear instead of away from it, and learn to listen to what the body has been trying to say all along. Whether you come from the world of fitness, trauma healing, nervous system work, spirituality, or simply being human… there is something here. Links & Resources 📖 The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding – Nahum Vizakis [https://www.amazon.com/Biohackers-Guide-Spiritual-Bodybuilding/dp/B0G99N5NNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YQ9P267XWXLO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s2sYoXjN8OTOpMaZaFRVa_Mi_NhR0FceaNoDCwkeaFGjaVPJk3wvNZrsMcIVPHQo.GBymX1W8-WOKso6yYYGRqbpKXduAGKb-m5u0jJHjSnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=biohackers+guide+to+spiritual+bodybuilding&qid=1779552177&sprefix=biohackers+%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1] 🌐 Nahum’s website and socials: IG: Spiritual_Bodybuilder  [https://www.instagram.com/spiritual_bodybuilder/] Youtube: Spiritual Bodybuilder  [https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritualBodybuilder] Tiktok: Spiritual Bodybuilder Website: www.optimizinghuman.com [http://www.optimizinghuman.com] 🎙️ Missed Part One? Go back to the episode released April 20 where we explore Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped this work.  Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]