Get Real Zen

It’s Not a Money Problem It’s a Money

“Money is not separate from us. It’s a relationship that reflects how we learned to feel safe in the world.” In this episode of The Zen Den, Maggie Calder sits with financial therapist and money coach Brenda St. Louis to explore the quieter patterns beneath our financial lives. Brenda explains how behaviors like scarcity, control, avoidance, overspending, or over-giving are often learned early, shaped by family, culture, and the body’s need for safety. Together, Maggie and Brenda reflect on how these patterns form, how the body responds when money comes into focus, and how awareness begins to create space for something new. Brenda shares her intention to shift the way we relate to money, allowing it to support connection instead of stress. This conversation offers a gentle invitation to notice your own patterns with curiosity, rather than judgment, and to consider what a healthier relationship with money might feel like in your life. In this episode, you’ll explore: • Why money patterns develop and how they quietly shape our financial lives • The role the body plays in signaling stress, safety, or discomfort around finances • Why awareness and curiosity are more supportive than shame or judgment Timestamps: (00:00:00) Episode Snippet (00:01:49) Welcoming our guest, Brenda St. Louis (00:02:26) Money is a conduit for connection (00:04:10) Understanding our personal money relationship (00:08:26) Patterns show up in the body (00:11:14) Why logic alone does not change patterns (00:12:44) Shame blocks change (00:15:28) Learning in supportive spaces (00:18:21) Stress brings old money habits back (00:19:14) Intergenerational money patterns (00:20:07) Five common patterns: scarcity, control, avoidance, overspending, over-giving (00:24:17) Every pattern has another side (00:26:06) Rethinking our relationship with money (00:28:13) Money is a long-term learning journey (00:28:57) Connect with Brenda St. Louis (00:30:11) Closing breath and reflection Key Takeaways: * Money is not only about earning and spending, it is a relationship shaped over time. * Our money habits often come from early family patterns and a need for safety. * The body reveals a lot about our financial stress through tension, breath, and emotion. * Shame and judgment do not create change, awareness and safety do. * Each money pattern has a useful side that can guide healthier choices. * Reflecting on money with curiosity can open space for new patterns to form. About Brenda St. Louis Brenda St. Louis is an Accredited Financial Counselor, Financial Therapist, Certified Money Coach, and Trauma of Money Facilitator with over 25 years of experience in personal development and business. She focuses on financial and emotional literacy, helping people understand their money patterns and build confidence. Brenda is the founder of REWIRE, a speaker, and a published author based in Vancouver, BC. Connect with me: Website: https://www.brendastlouis.com/ [https://www.brendastlouis.com/]; https://www.moneyanddesire.com/ [https://www.moneyanddesire.com/] Email: maggiecalder.ca@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-st-louis-6b39b014/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-st-louis-6b39b014/] FB: https://www.facebook.com/brendastlouis [https://www.facebook.com/brendastlouis] YT: https://www.youtube.com/@brendastlouis7 [https://www.youtube.com/@brendastlouis7] About Maggie Calder: Maggie Calder is a former Buddhist nun and spiritual guide who has traveled the world with Eckhart Tolle and led a healing retreat center in Chicago. She helps listeners find their Zen state, a place of calm and presence, by sharing her wisdom on mindfulness and inner peace. Connect with me: Email: maggiecalder.ca@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder]  The Zen Den is a welcoming space for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs, where real conversations happen about how to find peace in a chaotic world. Each episode will explore a challenge or difficulty and guide you toward your own natural Zen state: calm, centered, and clear. Join Maggie in this conscious movement to awaken higher consciousness, live in harmony, and let your authentic truth shine. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How a Near-Death Experience Experience Awakened My Spirit

“Even when I couldn’t move or speak, I realized that the simplest acts of care, like the gentle touch of a nurse or the presence of my family, were full of love and quietly helped me heal in ways no medicine could.” In this episode of Get Real Zen, former Buddhist nun and spiritual teacher Maggie Calder shares her extraordinary near-death experience after a serious motorcycle accident left her in a coma for 18 days. Maggie describes awakening in a world beyond the physical, surrounded by love, light, and a deep sense of belonging. Joined by guest host Robin, she talks about returning to life with a fresh perspective, living with more presence, and discovering the power of stillness and connection. They explore how consciousness and healing are linked and how love can be felt in every moment, even through challenges. Listen to this heartfelt conversation about life after death, the beauty of awakening, and the reminder that no matter what, you are love. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The powerful story of Maggie Calder’s near-death experience and what she encountered beyond this life * How her time in a state of “creamy white light” transformed her understanding of peace, love, and oneness * The moment she returned to her body after 18 days in a coma and how it reshaped her perception of physical reality Timestamps: (00:00:00) Episode Snippet (00:02:32) A life of joy and passion before the accident (00:04:09) The day everything changed: motorcycle accident (00:10:39) Entering the light: meeting my deceased parents (00:14:25) The message to return to life (00:17:12) “You are love” (00:20:19) Seeing energy in everything (00:23:30) Reconnecting with the earth through energy (00:25:38) Love without exchange (00:28:03) Desire to communicate (00:30:13) Humans as energetic beings (00:32:17) Using visualization and meditation to activate healing (00:35:02) Discovering the body’s perfect design (00:36:13) A surgeon’s innovation restores her arm and renews hope (00:38:14) We are all perfect and made of love (00:42:14) Our bodies are our home Key Takeaways: * Even in a hospital room, love can show up through the hands and hearts of those who care. * We are all made of energy, connected by a divine thread that flows through everything. * The afterlife isn’t a place of fear but of peace, light, and belonging. * Healing happens not only through medicine but through the energy of kindness and compassion. * Coming back to life is a reminder that we are, and have always been, love itself. * Communication can happen even when you can't talk. About Maggie Calder: Maggie Calder is a former Buddhist nun and spiritual guide who has traveled the world with Eckhart Tolle and led a healing retreat center in Chicago. She helps listeners find their Zen state, a place of calm and presence, by sharing her wisdom on mindfulness and inner peace. Connect with me: Email: getrealzen.com@gmail.com [getrealzen.com@gmail.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder]  Get Real Zen is a welcoming space for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs, where real conversations happen about how to find peace in a chaotic world. Each episode will explore a challenge or difficulty and guide you toward your own natural Zen state: calm, centered, and clear. Join Maggie in this conscious movement to awaken higher consciousness, live in harmony, and let your authentic truth shine. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Finding Your Breath in the Middle of the Ironman of Life with Katherine Calder-Becker

“With each pedal stroke, each bit of run, all the small training days that led towards the event, it was building my self-confidence, making me realize what I was capable of.” In this episode of Get Real Zen, Maggie Calder sits down with 18-time Ironman finisher, artist, and community builder Kat Calder for a heartfelt conversation about courage, mindfulness, and endurance, both on the racecourse and in everyday life. Kat shares how training and racing alongside her husband, Kevin, taught her to transform fear into focus and chaos into calm. She explains the practice of staying within her “one square meter,” a simple yet powerful reminder to control what’s within reach while letting go of everything else. Their exchange goes beyond sport, touching on the universal lessons of resilience, balance, and the importance of finding stillness in motion. Kat also reflects on how the Ironman journey strengthened her relationships, deepened her gratitude, and inspired her to give back through coaching and community work. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how to slow the mind, steady the breath, and discover peace even in the race of life. Timestamps: (00:00:00) Life is Ironman (00:01:32) Introducing our guest, Katherine Calder-Becker (00:02:19) The beginning of a shared dream (00:04:38) The fear that came with every new challenge (00:08:05) Turning fear into courage (00:10:50) Finding calm through breath (00:13:23) Mastering the “one square meter” mindset (00:18:03) Bonding happens through shared challenges (00:19:11) Ironman mirrors life’s rhythm (00:20:46) Connect with Kat Calder-Becker  (00:21:19) Breathing into stillness Key Takeaways: * Life is Iron Man. We're all living Iron Man in a way. * When you accomplish a goal, it helps you train your mind and body to work together. About Kat Calder-Becker:  Katherine Calder-Becker is a world-class endurance athlete, adventurer, and Guinness World Record title holder who has redefined what’s possible through grit, courage, and joy. Alongside her husband, she has completed 18 Ironman races, multiple World Major Marathons, and two Grand Canyon double crossings. In 2011, the couple took their passion even further, competing in five Ultraman events and earning the Guinness World Record for the most Ultraman triathlons finished by a married couple. Connect with Kat Calder-Becker:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtrippers/ [https://www.instagram.com/runtrippers/] About Maggie Calder: Maggie Calder is a former Buddhist nun and spiritual guide who has traveled the world with Eckhart Tolle and led a healing retreat center in Chicago. She helps listeners find their Zen state, a place of calm and presence, by sharing her wisdom on mindfulness and inner peace. Connect with me: Email: getrealzen.com@gmail.com [getrealzen.com@gmail.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder]  Get Real Zen is a welcoming space for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs, where real conversations happen about how to find peace in a chaotic world. Each episode will explore a challenge or difficulty and guide you toward your own natural Zen state: calm, centered, and clear. Join Maggie in this conscious movement to awaken higher consciousness, live in harmony, and let your authentic truth shine. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Mindfulness Transformed a Coca-Cola Executive’s Leadership and Life

“When you focus on the present, the rest of the day flows with ease.” In this episode of Get Real Zen, host Maggie Calder welcomes Wayne Penny, who spent 42 years at Coca-Cola before retiring. Wayne reflects on his career, the challenges of leading through the uncertainty of COVID, and how mindfulness transformed not only his leadership but also his personal relationships. From bringing Maggie into corporate WebEx meetings to support his team, to discovering the beauty of stillness and presence in retirement, Wayne shares how mindfulness has been a grounding practice in both professional and personal life. Join us for a heartfelt conversation on slowing down, savoring the present, and embracing a more centered way of living. In this episode, you’ll discover: * How mindfulness can dissolve fear and uncertainty in high-stress environments * Simple practices to quiet a busy mind and find presence * Why starting the day with gratitude sets a powerful tone * How deepened family bonds can grow from mindful living * The ripple effect of bringing mindfulness into leadership and corporate culture Timestamps: (00:00:00) Morning gratitude and ocean views (00:02:53) Navigating uncertainty during COVID (00:03:39) Bringing mindfulness to a corporate team (00:06:09) Mindfulness practices that stick (00:08:00) Stronger family connections through presence (00:10:30) Training your focus to notice life’s details (00:11:52) Finding your Zen state Key Takeaways: * Starting the day with gratitude changes how the whole day flows. * Mindfulness doesn’t erase the bumps in your day, but it makes them easier to navigate. * Quieting the busy mind opens the door to deeper conversations and stronger relationships. * Nature is a gentle reminder to slow down and simply be. About Wayne Penny:  Wayne Penny is a retired Coca-Cola executive who spent over four decades in leadership, traveling the world for work and sports events. His journey into mindfulness began as a way to support his team through the uncertainty of the COVID era. Today, he continues to embrace mindful living in retirement, deepening his relationships with family and finding joy in life’s simplest moments. Connect with Wayne Penny:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-penny-6965654b [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-penny-6965654b]  About Maggie Calder: Maggie Calder is a former Buddhist nun and spiritual guide who has traveled the world with Eckhart Tolle and led a healing retreat center in Chicago. She helps listeners find their Zen state, a place of calm and presence, by sharing her wisdom on mindfulness and inner peace. Connect with me: Email: getrealzen.com@gmail.com [getrealzen.com@gmail.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder]  Get Real Zen is a welcoming space for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs, where real conversations happen about how to find peace in a chaotic world. Each episode will explore a challenge or difficulty and guide you toward your own natural Zen state: calm, centered, and clear. Join Maggie in this conscious movement to awaken higher consciousness, live in harmony, and let your authentic truth shine. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Plants Restore Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

“Nature is not outside of us. It is within us, sustaining us, guiding us, and reminding us who we are.” – LoriAnn Bird  Welcome to Get Real Zen, a space where we explore how to find real inner peace in the middle of life’s chaos. In this episode, I talk with my dear friend LoriAnn Bird, an educator, author, and plant wisdom guide, about the sacred reciprocity between humans and the natural world. LoriAnn shares her story of reclaiming ancestral teachings, her deep passion for native and medicinal plants, and how our relationship with nature impacts not only our physical health, but also our sense of peace, purpose, and belonging. Together, we explore how caring for plants restores balance in our lives, how nature heals our nervous systems, and why cultivating reciprocity with the Earth may be the key to finding our inner Zen. In this episode, you’ll discover: * How practicing reciprocity with plants brings peace, purpose, and a sense of legacy * The role of native and medicinal plants in supporting ecosystems and human wellness * The calming and restorative effects of birdsong, trees, and plant frequencies on the nervous system * Simple daily rituals that connect us to nature: walking barefoot, touching trees, and tending plants * How to build meaningful relationships with the plants in your home * Why respect, reverence, and reciprocity are essential teachings for modern life * The hidden benefits of “weeds” like dandelion, chickweed, and purslane * How forests model collaboration, generosity, and kindness for humans Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode Snippet 03:04 - Witnessing the loss of birds and habitat 05:30 - Emotional impact of diminished plant life 07:17 - Nature heals us 09:08 - Reciprocity with plants 12:25 - How to find inner peace through nature and stillness 15:03 - How nature activates all our senses 20:07 - Reclaiming cultural foods and medicinal plants 23:18 - Plants as teachers of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness 27:24 - Closing meditation: Gratitude for plant life and Earth About LoriAnn Bird: LoriAnn Bird is an Indigenous Métis herbalist and educator who shares the wisdom of wild, medicinal, and edible plants in our everyday spaces. Her work invites us to reconnect with the living world, restoring relationships with Indigenous plants, reclaiming true local foods and medicines, and fostering ecological healing.  Connect with Laurieanne Bird: Website: https://loriannbird.ca/ [https://loriannbird.ca/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthandcompany/ [https://www.instagram.com/earthandcompany/] Book: https://www.amazon.com/Revered-Roots-Ancestral-Teachings-Medicinal/dp/0760393257 [https://www.amazon.com/Revered-Roots-Ancestral-Teachings-Medicinal/dp/0760393257]  About Maggie Calder: Maggie Calder is a former Buddhist nun and spiritual guide who has traveled the world with Eckhart Tolle and led a healing retreat center in Chicago. She helps listeners find their Zen state, a place of calm and presence, by sharing her wisdom on mindfulness and inner peace. Connect with me: Email: getrealzen.com@gmail.com [getrealzen.com@gmail.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecalder]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.