Library
On the Air: Accessing Higher Consciousness: Isa Gucciardi’s Techniques
Join interviewer Pranoy Mathew in this captivating exploration with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., a renowned spiritual seeker and shamanic practitioner.
From her early childhood experiences in Hawaii, where she found solace and guidance in the embrace of nature, to her explorations of shamanic practices and Buddhist philosophy, Isa’s life has been a constant quest for understanding and enlightenment.
Isa shares her profound experiences with shamanic practices, drawing inspiration from indigenous traditions and ancient wisdom. She delves into the healing power of nature, the transformative potential of altered states of consciousness, and the importance of connecting with the unseen realms.
Podcast: Episode 119: Lauren Markham: A Map of Future Ruins
Lauren Markham, journalist and author of A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging, is the guest on this episode. Lauren’s latest book draws on her career reporting on migration and the issues asylum seekers face in the US and abroad. It centers around the story of the fire that burned down the largest refugee camp in Europe on the island of Lesvos, Greece, and the six young Afghan refugees accused of arson in spite of scant evidence. It takes us deep into causes of migration and offers thoughtful ideas for more humane approaches to dealing with the issues. Lauren’s book turns the journalist lens on herself as she questions the effectiveness of her vocation in making change, and explores her own Greek identity and the journey of her grandmother who immigrated to the US as a young woman. Lauren and Laura’s conversation is at once informative, insightful, and compassionate, with a little bit of the mystical thrown in.
Podcast: Episode 118: Isa and Laura: The Power of Optimism
On this episode, Laura talks with Sacred Stream founding director, Isa Gucciardi, about the power of optimism. They cover topics that include staying positive in the face of difficulty and how to embody healthy optimism while avoiding false positivity, magical thinking, and spiritual by-pass. They dive deep on how you can change your life by changing your perspective! Isa and Laura are teachers, counselors, and have co-written several books including Coming to Peace and the soon to be released, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation. This talk was part of a live stream event that first aired on YouTube and Facebook. If you would like to join future live events you can subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter at sacredstream.org/subscribe.
Article: Harnessing Positive Intentions for an Empowered Life
By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.
Intentions hold a unique place in the landscape of personal transformation. Setting a clear intention is not simply about creating a positive thought. It is an active engagement with the self, a conscious choice to shape the inner narrative and align with the deeper truths of who we are. When approached thoughtfully, intention setting becomes a powerful catalyst for clarity, healing, and profound personal growth.
Podcast: Episode 117: Hogarth Brown: Stellar Predictions and Cosmic Trends
On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura is joined by Neo-Vedic Astrologer and author of The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is also the host of the popular YouTube channel, Hogarth’s Global Astrology. Hogarth is back on the show to talk about his new book, offer his astrological perspective on the upcoming U.S. election, what the stars reveal about the players involved and what twists and turns we should expect. Hogarth also talks about the spiritual significance of the Ketu Dasha, the impact of the planet Saturn in our charts, and the importance for women of embracing the power of their Saturn return. To stay up to date on his predictions and planetary trends, visit his YouTube channel Hogarth’s Global Astrology. And pick up a copy of his book, The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, on Amazon or at your local bookstore.
Podcast: Episode 116: Isa and Laura: Keeping Cool in Heated Times
On today’s episode, Laura Chandler and Isa Gucciardi, co-founders of the Sacred Stream, talk about Keeping Cool in Heated Times. Many of us are seeking balance in a world that seems to have lost its cool. Whether it’s political rhetoric, emotional volatility, or hotter than ever planet temperatures, remaining calm and cultivating peace can be challenging. On this episode, Laura and Isa take questions from the chat and offer their thoughts on ways to navigate the current climate. If you would like to join them for a live event in the future, check out the Sacred Stream calendar or register for the newsletter at sacredstream.org/subscribe.
Article: Harnessing the Power of Imagination for Positive Change
By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.
Imagination is one of the most profound tools we possess for personal transformation. It allows us to envision possibilities, explore solutions, and create change in ways that transcend the limits of our immediate reality. When intentionally directed, imagination becomes a bridge to transformation, unlocking new perspectives and helping us manifest our desired outcomes.
Podcast: Episode 115: Rick Korn: A Father’s Promise
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with Rick Korn, director of the new documentary, A Father’s Promise, about musician and gun violence prevention advocate, Mark Barden. Mark lost his son, Daniel, in the Sandy Hook School Shooting. Rick is a film and TV producer, writer, and director that works with entertainment companies on creating socially conscious documentaries. He has worked on many award-winning productions, including the Peabody Award winning documentary, Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream. He has produced benefit concerts with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, and Joan Jett to name a few. Rick, along with his business partner S.A. Baron, formed the production company, In Plain View Entertainment, and in 2020 they released a film about activist and musician Harry Chapin, Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something. A Father’s Promise is a moving portrayal of Mark Barden’s healing journey through music and activism. Learn more about Rick Korn and his film at afatherspromisefilm.com.
Article: Understanding and Healing Addiction: A Holistic Path to Recovery
By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.
Addiction is not simply a matter of willpower or behavior; it is a symptom of deeper emotional and spiritual imbalances. It often emerges as a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma, power loss, or soul loss—experiences that fragment the self and create a sense of disconnection. True healing requires addressing these root causes, empowering individuals to reclaim their wholeness and transform their relationship with themselves.
Podcast: Episode 114: Bob and Elizabeth Uslander: Empowered Endings
On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with the co-founders of Empowered Endings, Bob and Elizabeth Uslander. Bob is a medical doctor who worked in emergency medicine for over twenty years and Elizabeth is a social worker and spiritual counselor who spent many years working in hospice. Recognizing the limitations in the current healthcare model for people dealing with end of life, Empowered Endings provides an eco-system of support from medical assistance to counseling and other resources for people and their families navigating end of life. Their approach meets people where they are and offers assistance physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Empowered Endings is part of a movement to create a more informed and compassionate approach to ageing and death. You can learn more about Bob and Elizabeth Uslander and Empowered Endings at empoweredendings.com.
Article: Harnessing Affirmations for Positive Change
By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.
Affirmations hold a unique place in the landscape of personal transformation. These carefully crafted, intentional statements are not just words spoken into the void; they are an active engagement with the self, a way to shape our inner narrative and align with the deeper truths of who we are. When used thoughtfully, affirmations have the power to reprogram the subconscious mind, offering a pathway to clarity, healing, and profound personal growth.
Podcast: Episode 113: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 2
On this episode, Laura continues her interview with stylist and co-founder of the non-profit Fostering Connections, Fritz Clay. Fritz is a world-renowned stylist, owner of Hair Play Salon, and creator of the hair care product, “SET.” He grew up in foster care in the SF Bay Area, which he attributes to giving him a profound experience of love and family and he created Fostering Connections to give back to the foster care community. On the last episode, Fritz described how he was abandoned as a newborn outside of a hospital. In this conversation Fritz tells his remarkable story of finding his birth parents and the twists and turns that have come with that. His is an inspiring story of love, loss, abandonment, and belonging. It is a poignant and deeply healing tale that he shares to help others as they embark on their own journey to know themselves. You can learn more about Fritz and Fostering Connections at hairplay.com.
Podcast: Episode 112: Fritz Clay: Fostering Connections: Part 1
On this episode, Laura is joined by the co-founder of the non-profit Fostering Connections, Fritz Clay. Fritz is a world-renowned stylist, owner of Hair Play Salon, and creator of the hair care product, “SET.” Growing up as a foster child inspired Fritz to create Fostering Connections to support the foster care community with hair-care education and workshops. Recognizing that hair is an important part of a person’s identity, he hopes to help bridge the often overlooked gap of understanding about hair care that can exist between foster parents and kids from different ethnic backgrounds. Fritz has contributed to the fashion and entertainment industries for over thirty years and in 2023, the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce awarded him for his accomplishment in business. In this episode, Laura and Fritz talk about Fritz’s multi-cultural approach to hair, the connection between loving our hair and self-esteem, and his remarkable journey in the foster care system and eventual discovery of his birth parents. You can learn more about Fritz and Fostering Connections at hairplay.com.
Article: The Healing Potentials of Buddhist Philosophy in a Modern Therapeutic Environment
By Scott Menasco, Ph.D.
In articulating Buddhism primarily as a path of healing, the teachings at the Sacred Stream offer the living transmission of Buddhism accessible to individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds. The classes at the Sacred Stream combine accessibility and authenticity of Buddhist practice in a way that does not require a rigidity of cultural expression and does not sacrifice the authenticity of a living Dharma tradition. This is a tremendous contribution to all who desire to deepen their understanding of practice in Buddhism but have been uncertain at how they can practice genuinely, without appropriation, and without forcing themselves into unfamiliar cultural practices.
Podcast: Episode 111: Maria Giudice: Changemakers
On this episode of the podcast, Laura Chandler sits down with Executive Leadership Coach, Depth Hypnosis Practitioner, and the founder of Hot Studio, Maria Giudice. Maria is the co-author of Changemakers: How Leaders Can Design Change in an Insanely Complex World and Rise of the DEO: Leadership by Design. Maria talks with Laura about Maria’s rise from budding art student to running one of the most successful design firms of its time. She shares her vision of future leaders and the necessary qualities they must possess to succeed in the ever-changing business environment. They talk about the necessary qualities of leaders that include, among other things, creative thinking, risk-taking, self-care, and optimism. They even venture into a discussion about the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and leadership.