Free Your Inner Guru

Author and therapist Bridgit Dengel Gaspard explains how the double bind is often the cause of why we get stuck just short of accomplishing our goals. Have you ever been caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to find a palatable - let alone winnable - option? If you've ever felt this way, you'll recognize your situation as a double bind. "One of the best-kept secrets of your Inner Critic is that it plays both sides of the double bind. It tells you that you're not good enough as it pushes you to be better." No one enjoys being stuck and the misery is amplified when we have accomplished multiple steps toward a cherished goal - whether breaking a bad habit, losing weight, building a business, finding a mate, or finishing a degree - but just can't seem to complete it. In The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals,  Bridgit Dengel Gaspard guides readers through the process of identifying and speaking with their inner selves - such as the inner critic, perfectionist, art

K A Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. K A Tucker has published 31 books and is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. KEEP HER SAFE made Suspense Magazine's Best of 2018 list for Romantic Suspense. While her success as an author is impressive, K.A. is also a fierce advocate for children with autism and human rights. Kathleen also happens to be my sister-in-law. Every now and then we’d be talking life, and business, and I’d say something like “you should come on the podcast.” Well, we finally made that happen this past summer just a

Seth Godin is the author of 19 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. Seth’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip , Purple Cow, and This Is Marketing, an instant bestseller around the world. His newest book is The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. Conversation highlights: Why courses don’t work.The change Seth seeks to make.What marketing is and what marketing is not.What it means to pick yourself.Scarcity as a tenet of the industrial age.Why you get to pick yourself.Different kinds of fame and the smallest viable audience.Empathy and generosity as core values and compass of leadership.The solution for imposter syndrome and self censorship.T

Louise Karch is a name whisperer and the author of the multi-award-winning book Word Glue: Find your Million Dollar Brand Name. Louise Karch has been naming things all her life. She believes that naming and conscious leadership go hand in hand. Word Glue is like having an award-winning naming agency in your pocket. It’s a beautifully designed handbook that contains all of Louise’s naming secrets. Conversation highlights: Louise shares how she realized that naming is her superpower. Louise breaks down how the name Free Your Inner Guru® didn’t simply come from the ethers. The relationship between conscious leadership and the names you create. Self care: Rituals and practices that keep you in the best place to show up and serve with empathy, especially in turbulent times. Why Louise is giving away her secrets. Once you’ve got a name: Why a strong brand is not just a logo. It’s a small world after all: Louise and Laura’s common connection to Wade Gilpin of Sherpa Creative. The journey to become an author: Why Lo

John Larson wants to transform coaching from "all conversation" to something more tangible and meaningful in the world.  John Larson is the founder of CoachAccountable, a powerful tool designed to make coaching better, and bring it to the mainstream. In this high energy conversation, John shares how his own personal development journey led him to create CoachAccountable, a platform that turns coaching into documented wisdom.  John's enthusiasm for his work is unparalleled, and he's got an inspiring entrepreneurial journey to share. Conversation highlights John Larson shares his introduction to the self help industry through Landmark Forum and his subsequent desire to make coaching more reliable and tangible. How that desire led to creating CoachAccountable to bridge the gap in between powerful coaching conversations. The entrepreneurial journey between the 2009 launch of version 1 to crickets, to the successful launch of version 2 in 2012. How Laura found CoachAccountable and it became her main bus

Podcasts make us laugh, cry, learn and have the power to inspire.  In this special solo episode for International Podcast Day, I share all the reasons I'm grateful for podcasts - as a host and an avid podcast listener. At the end, I've got a special invitation for you to join me for a live celebration this coming Friday, October 2nd. Mentioned in this episode: Contact me on Instagram or on Facebook Want more big conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Psychic and spiritual advisor Julie Min is back for a deep dive into the role of personal responsibility in our healing journey. Julie Min is a psychic, spiritual counselor, and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the fatal sweat lodge led by James Arthur Ray. It's hard to believe it's been three years since Julie's first visit to Free Your Inner Guru. She is back to share wisdom gained from her life experience and commitment to the healing journey.  In this deep dive, Julie shares her backstory and throws the doors open on the life and thoughts of someone who has psychic ability. Conversation highlights: Julie's opinion of the Wondery podcast Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment. Why the being labeled a victim can be uncomfortable and unhelpful. What it means to "willingly give your power away." How personal responsibility is a key strategy in Julie's response to childhood sexual abuse. Red flags and psychic warnings leading up to the tragedy of the Sedona sweat lodge. Julie's key strateg

This is a continuation of the conversation with Brandy Amstel in Episode 70.  Listen to find out whether or not we saw James Arthur Ray as a guru, the dynamic between leader and learner on the personal growth journey, agency and self governance, and looking for the light side of self help. If you haven't listened to Part 1,  I suggest you back to Episode 70 for context.  Listening online?  You can find it here.. Mentioned in this episode: Wondery’s Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment on Apple Podcasts on Spotify Enlighten Us documentary on Youtube Connect with Brandy Amstel: Visit brandyamstel.com On Instagram On Facebook Connect with Free Your Inner Guru: On Instagram Facebook Group Want more big conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru    

Brandy Amstel is an award-winning sculptor, painter and filmmaker.  “Being expressed is my art.” Brandy Amstel has a passion for using her gifts, skills and talents to generate a deeper spiritual conversation about the human experience and what it means to live from love, freedom, and full self expression. Brandy is featured in episodes 1 and 2 of the Wondery podcast Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment.  I invited Brandy to be a guest so that she could have a voice on topics that have previously been left on the cutting room floor. We talk about her life's journey, before and after the tragic events of Spiritual Warrior in 2009, her current view of the transformational industry, and how tremendous healing is available, even when you express yourself and things don't go as expected. Mentioned in this episode: Wondery’s Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment on Apple Podcasts on Spotify Enlighten Us documentary on Youtube Connect with Brandy Amstel: Visit brandyamstel.com On Instagram On Facebook W

We can all do better than uphold the status quo. Laura Tucker reflects on her involvement in the Wondery podcast Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment. In this episode I share what it was like to participate in this huge podcast and why I lend my voice to projects that tell the story about what happened at James Arthur Ray's Spiritual Warrior retreat in October 2009 when Kirby Brown, James Shore, and Liz Neuman died after a "sweat lodge" ceremony gone wrong. I am so grateful to everyone who has become emotionally invested in this story, and who want more and want better for the industry that has sprung up around being your best self. Mentioned in this episode: Wondery's Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment on Apple Podcasts on Spotify At lauratucker.com Laura's Daily Letters Articles and podcast episodes related to Spiritual Warrior and Guru For Members Only - Read weekly installments of my memoir in progress. Want more big conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inn

Brad Warner and Free Your Inner Guru host Laura Tucker talk about Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen and the dangers of pushing for a spiritual breakthrough before you are ready. Brad Warner is a Soto Zen priest, bass guitarist for the punk band Zero Defex and the author of Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen. In his most recent book, Brad Warner introduces us to Zen Buddhism through the perspective of letters he writes to his friend Marky, who has died of cancer. But he’s not just talking to Marky, he’s talking to you in the frank tone and language of telling it like it is, to a close friend on borrowed time. First, I loved this book and highly recommend it.  Second, I've been saving this interview for just the right time. We recorded this interview three days after I sat for my interview for the just-released Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment podcast by Wondery. After speaking about Zen Buddhism and Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen, Brad and I get going about some of the issues in the spirituality an

Charles Wilson is a pianist and composer who believes music is medicine. Artist and composer Charles Wilson plays the piano and tours at the highest levels of the music industry.  He has worked with Justin Timberlake, Rhianna, John Mayer, Demi Lovato and Cirque de Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal. Charles shares his professional journey, including his recent return to his roots in classical music. At his publisher's request, began to compose a ten track classical piano album at the beginning of 2020. While the pandemic shut down everything around him, Charles got to work.  He made a promise that he would compose - for others to see - every day for 100 days in Seth Godin's The Creatives Workshop, where we met. After 107 consecutive days of composing, writing and sharing, Charles thought his album was complete.  But then he received a second request - to compose an eleventh track - a “George Floyd piece.” In this conversation, Charles Wilson shares what it was like to go back to the keyboard to compose a

Nafissa Shireen is an Income Growth Mentor and Coach, the owner of Believe & See Ranch, and the host of Living Forward TV on YouTube. I invited Nafissa on to pick her brain about why British Columbia has had a less dramatic experience of the COVID 19 pandemic compared to Ontario, Quebec, and much of the United States. We had a big conversation that touches on every theme that's important to this podcast:  conscious leadership, coaching, spirituality, marketing in the self help industry.  And then there is the pandemic, and a deep dive into how horses help raise consciousness and the transformation Nafissa wants to bring to the equine industry. Everything is moving so quickly these days, it's relevant to share the context of when our conversation happened.  We recorded on May 7, 2020, back when all anyone had on our minds was the pandemic. On June 5, Nafissa shared a post on Facebook with her response to George Floyd's murder, and subsequent events. Since its contents are relevant to every part of our conver

Listen. Empathize. Amplify. In this episode, host Laura Tucker shares her point of view on racism, the role of shame in suppression, and how we can all use our power of influence for good. Mentioned in this episode: Written version of "Where Can We Use Our Power for Good?" with Map of Consciousness David R Hawkins, Power vs Force:  The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior

Jill Castle says every child, from toddler to teen, wants some level of autonomy and agency. She says it’s all very normal, but it can throw parents for a loop.  It’s difficult for parents to know in their heart that they are struggling, and not know where to get help. In this episode, Jill Castle and Free Your Inner Guru® host Laura Tucker talk about the dance between getting what you need as a parent, raising an independent, autonomous child, and how systemic change is needed to raise more physically and psychologically empowered humans. Meet Jill Castle: Jill is one of North America’s premier child nutrition experts. Known as a paradigm shifter who blends current research, practical application and common sense, Jill inspires audiences to think differently about child nutrition and feeding kids. A sought-after speaker, advisor, and media contributor, Jill has inspired TEDx, government, medical and parent audiences. She serves on the Board of Advisors of Parents Magazine, and a handful of privately held c

The expression "pandemic pivot" is making me nauseous. Especially when it's used in marketing. Apparently I'm not alone on this one. How we use our words says a lot about us, literally, figuratively, and spiritually.  And some things are just cringe-worthy. Whether the cause is the words themselves, how they're being used, or the person using them, we should pay attention. Would you want to know if you are triggering a barf reflex? Mentioned in this episode: Free Community, Connection & Coaching Zoom Calls Free Your Inner Guru® Patreon Community Laura Ambrozic, aka LA's LinkedIn post for sanitation stations and reasonably priced sanitizer

James Victore is a MoMA artist, designer, and author of Feck Perfuction - Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life. James Victore joins Laura to explore his book Feck Perfection and creativity as an essential leadership skill in our suddenly changed world. Highlights from this conversation, recorded on March 26, 2020: How social isolation and physical distancing have affected James Victore's day to day life and business. Why we can’t operate out of fear and resistance. The importance of establishing a new normal. Why being weird is our original default, and a source of power. What happens when creatives choose to fight. What James would like to see come out of our time of challenge. Fear and scarcity vs becoming resourceful The role of creativity, innovation and humour in emerging as a leader. Memorable Quotes: On leadership: “Part of the problem with the world right now is creativity on a cultural level comes from top down. The world has very few creative leaders right now.” On his role

Have you been feeling disconnected in this time of physical isolation? We can be physically isolated and still use one of our superpowers - creativity - to connect with others in new ways.  In this unprecedented time of physical isolation, Free Your Inner Guru host Laura Tucker explores the importance of community and connection. Mentioned in this episode: Want something to make you smile?  Here's Laura's family singing Happy Birthday on Zoom Want an opportunity to connect with others?  You're invited to the Free Community, Connection and Coaching Calls  

Dr Stuart Eisendrath is the author of When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Alleviate Depression and the founding director of the University of California San Francisco Depression Center. "One of the most important ingredients in self compassion is realizing that you are part of a large community. So if you’re suffering from depression, you’re not alone. It’s not a strange or unique illness. That’s not to say it’s not a painful condition. Many people are suffering from it. And there is no need to be harsh and critical of yourself for having a condition that is so common in the world." - Dr Stuart Eisendrath A senior clinician and research psychiatrist at UCSF, Dr Eisendrath's lectures on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy have been viewed more than 1.5 million times. We take on some serious topics in this interview, and you may find that I am more subdued than usual. There were a couple of things going on! I was a little intimidated, but even more so, I was also reflect

Feeling bored is an opportunity to look within and make a shift. "I'm bored!" It's tempting blame outside factors like the season or the weather when we're feeling stuck or restless.   In this week's episode, you'll hear what Laura's mother said to her as a teenager that still rings true today. Boredom and stagnation can be an opportunity to look within for solutions on the personal growth journey.  We can take responsibility for our inner state and wake up to new possibility.  It may be time to dig deeper and play bigger. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 58 with Lee Harris Free Your Inner Guru on Instagram Free Your Inner Guru on Facebook