Learning from Trees

09 Loving ourselves: On self-touch, curiosity and the permission to play - a conversation with Caroline Oskarsson

This episode is an invitation to explore what it truly means to be in a committed relationship — not with another person, but with yourself. I am joined by Caroline Oskarsson - a brand creative and practitioner for holistic wellbeing - together we move through the landscapes of self-touch, body wisdom, and the courage it takes to stop bypassing your own physical experience. We explore what it looks like to turn toward the body rather than away from it — and why learning to touch yourself with care and curiosity may be one of the most quietly radical acts of healing available to us. And perhaps the most overlooked. Through sharing personal reflection and lived experiences, we venture into how the relationship we cultivate with our own bodies — through massage, self-massage, breathwork, and play — can give us access to both more softness and more aliveness in the face of life's harder seasons. It's an exploration for anyone drawn to the deeper currents of somatic healing and embodied self-development — and for those who are ready to move from self-love as a concept to self-acceptance as a lived, felt experience in the body.   About Caroline: Caroline Oscarsson is a manifesting generator in essence and creative witch who merges the worlds of holistic wellbeing and supportive sessions (that includes heart and body work) with supporting brands in building a stronger relationship to their audience by way of storytelling and creative expression.   Get in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholistically/ Email directly: hello@wholistically.se   This episode in headlines: * Rethinking Self-Love: From Idea to Relationship * The Body as Bridge: Including Physical Sensation in Healing * A Simple Self-Touch Practice to Start * Dreaming After Divorce: Reclaiming Joy and Play * Play as a Life Practice — Not a Reward * Reclaiming the Inner Rascal * Why Joy Needs Community * Touch, Massage, and the Nervous System * The Roots of Self-Massage: Ayurveda and Mayan Abdominal Therapy * Face, Belly, and What the Body Is Telling You * Breathwork, Release, and Choosing Kindness * The Off-Brand Seasons — When You Don't Feel Like Yourself * Curiosity Over Judgment: An Invitation to Meet Yourself Differently * From Self-Touch to Self-Acceptance: The Full Circle

08 Creating change by loving our humanity - a conversation with JJ Vega

This episode is an invitation to explore what it truly means to lead — not from the outside in, but from the inside out. Together with JJ Vega, leadership coach and facilitator, we move through the landscapes of inner healing, conscious leadership, and the quiet revolution of taking responsibility for your own experience. We explore what it looks like to stop trying to fix the world around you — and instead turn toward what is alive and true within you. And why that shift may be one of the most quietly radical things a leader, or a human, can do. Through personal reflection and hard-won insight, we venture into how the relationship we cultivate with our own pain, doubt, and ego can give us access to both more depth and more integrity in how we show up — for ourselves, for the people we lead, and for the structures we are part of. It's an exploration for anyone drawn to the deeper currents of self-development and embodied healing — and for those who sense that real change in organizations and the structures we are part of begins not with better systems, but with humans who are able to lead themselves in new ways.   About JJ: JJ Vega is a leadership coach, facilitator, and founder of Art of Unfolding, an organizational development firm for mission-focused technology companies. With over 20 years in leadership roles in diverse fields from software startups to the military, JJ's coaching practice focuses on leaders navigating significant life transitions: career pivots, relationship changes, identity shifts, and the quiet unraveling that often follows periods of high achievement. His approach to coaching integrates developmental psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic awareness, and presence-based methodology from his training in the Aletheia Advanced Coaching Program. Rather than treating clients as problems to be solved, JJ operates from the premise that people are already whole—and that transformation happens through revealing what's been blocked, not adding what's missing. Beyond his coaching practice, JJ is active in the self-organization and regenerative business communities, including cocreation.loft, a Berlin-based collective exploring new ways of working and belonging together. He's particularly interested in how organizations can move beyond command-and-control structures toward emergent, trust-based collaboration—and the inner development leaders need to steward that transition. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, JJ relocated to Berlin, Germany in pursuit of a different rhythm of life. When he's not coaching, he's likely exploring the city's music and creative scenes, practicing yoga, or engaging in the kind of deep conversations that make life feel meaningful.   Get in touch: Art of Unfolding Website: artofunfolding.org Cocreation.loft Website: https://www.cocreationloft.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-vega/   This episode in headlines: * Arriving and meeting ourselves * Embracing joy and fun — beyond the pursuit of positivity * Practicing inquiry — the art of listening inward * Turning toward pain - what does it mean? * Beyond optimization — choosing attunement * Exploring mastery as commitment, not arrival * How healing and work intertwine * Inside-out leadership — taking responsibility for inner experience * The challenges of being humans and leaders at work * Ownership versus stewardship — reframing what we hold * Ego, relevance, and why we need both * Final thoughts and invitations

07 Courage to connect - a conversation with Carina Modéus

This episode is an invitation to explore what it truly means to connect — with ourselves, with the people we love, and with something larger than our own lives. I am joined by Carina Modéus, and together we move through the landscapes of presence, service, and the beauty and weight of being human together. We explore what it looks like to show up fully to life and relationships — and why the quality of our presence may be one of the most quietly radical things we can offer in a fragmented world. And perhaps the most necessary. Through our own experiences and reflections, we venture into how the relationship we cultivate — with our senses, with other humans, with our faith(s) — can give us access to both more grace and more grit in the face of life’s challenges.    It's an exploration for anyone drawn to the deeper currents of human connection — and for those who find their sense of purpose in being there for and with others, without neglecting themselves.   About Carina: Daughter of farmers in the deep forests of Småland, in the south of Sweden. She grew up in a big family - three siblings and 75 cousins. Moved to Lund. Met and fell in love with a tenor and theologist, married him and now had the grace of sharing 35 years together (and counting).  Mother of three grown up children. While also taking a winding way through professional life - always mirroring grace and grit: Biologist, physician, both oncologist and psychiatric, the last ten years working mainly in palliative care. Deeply committed to the exploration of existential perspectives and questions, and their impact on our well-being.   Get in touch: Carina says: “In person actually. I am striving to be as analog as reasonably possible. Meeting physical human beings in physical rooms is more and more my preferred way of living. I have an account on LinkedIn, but I am not at all good at keeping it updated, so I do not dare to promise anyone to be answered there but it is the best channel I have”. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carinamodeus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carinamodeus/]   This episode in headlines: * Morning rituals - a foundation for presence * What true presence means and how we cultivate it * Analog and digital - the push and pull of human connection * The Power of Human Connection * The courage to reach out and face rejection * Caring for others without losing yourself * Intention and Small Steps as a guiding light * Letting grace and grit guide you * Finding Comfort in Imperfection * Reflections on Life, Death, and Connectedness * Final Thoughts and Invitations

06 Evolving with playful compassion - a conversation with Maria Sundell

This episode is an invitation to play with our uniqueness - and the imprints that life has left on our brains. An honest conversation about how we can approach our self-discovery and growth with curiosity instead of judgement.    I am joined by Maria Sundell, physician and specialist in neurology. Together we venture into the brain - how it develops and shapes our perspectives and the ways in which we can reframe our experiences for better self-understanding, compassion and - if we want it - growth. And we talk about how a playful mind can enhance our ability to adapt and learn.   Through our own rabbit-holes and experiences we explore what it can look like to approach our evolution with kindness. Each offering our lenses to what it means to make sure we have the resources and support we need to actually be able to evolve.   It’s an exploration for anyone wanting to release the pressures of societal expectations and find their unique paths to self-discovery and fulfilment. About Maria: Maria is a specialist in neurology, research physician, podcast host and professional speaker. She has a deep interest in the neuroscience behind personal and professional development and loves educating others on this topic.   Get in touch: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-sundell-05b56a57 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sundell-05b56a57]Website: https://brainobservations.com/ [https://brainobservations.com/]    This episode in headlines: * Connecting to the moment * Fixed vs. Growth Mindset * Understanding Brain Filters * Self-help and privilege * Peeling onions - welcoming our growth layer by layer * Brain Differences: Nature vs. Nurture * Childhood Choices and Adult Patterns * The Role of Play in Adult Life * Exploring Playfulness and Creativity * The Power of Compassion and Kindness * Embracing Change and Individuality * Final Thoughts: Compassionate Playfulness

05 Growing softly - a conversation with Arianna Montanari

This episode is an invitation to self-compassion. An intimate dialogue on what it means to meet ourselves with softness, what it looks like when we get (too) comfortable in our own suffering and how removing force can actually welcome greater expansion. I am joined by Arianna Montanari, a Yoga Synergy teacher, Beekeeper and natural skin-care wizard and we talk about what it is to live connected to our own rhythm. And how one can lean into a practice of listening to ourselves instead of pushing, of cultivating presence rather than performance. Together, we explore the tender intersections between physical practice and emotional well-being: how our bodies mirror our states of mind, how fatigue and restlessness can speak before words do, and how healing and growth often begins in the smallest gestures of care. Surfacing moments from our own transitions — from travels, to the quiet ache of change, to disrespecting our boundaries, we explore how ease and joy can - too - be a form of resilience.  An honest conversation cultivating a kind and curious relationship to ourselves and braving the waves of life one fluid movement at the time.   Learn your own ways, because your ways are unique and you are the only one who has the possibility to learn them. Like for real, in depth.  You are the only one in the whole planet who moves like you do. And that's amazing. - Arianna Montanari   About Arianna: Arianna Montanari is a Yoga Synergy teacher. The core of her craft is leading people back to themselves, helping them reconnect with their own voice and inner guidance through movement and getting to know their body.  After her own personal journey from pain and pushing through, to ease and intentionality, Arianna draws from her decades of experience, to help others weave choices that give energy into their life - and find the people, activities and practices that encourage lasting wellbeing .  She is also a beekeeper, creating natural body products with some of what the hive offers.   Get in touch: Website: mielestrega.com [http://mielestrega.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mielestrega/ [https://www.instagram.com/mielestrega/]    This episode in headlines: * Reconnecting with the Body: From Pushing to Listening * The Mind–Body Conversation: Signals and Subtleties * Moving Through Emotional and Physical Transitions * Balancing Work, Life, and Self-Care * Boundaries, Self-Worth, and the Art of Saying No * Yoga, Longevity, and Non-Violence Toward Self * Lessons Lessons from Nature on Work and Rest * Learning to listen to our bodies * The Joy of Movement and Everyday Ease * Rethinking Work and Life Balance * Asking for Help as an Act of Strength * Resilience Through Softness * Embracing Self-Care and Boundaries * Returning to Compassion, Curiosity, and Joy