Wake Up, Human: Recent Episodes
Shannon M. Wills, Wake Up, Human
Wake Up, Human is an exploration of the native powers of the human being. This podcast examines the ways we humans have become disconnected—from our innate wisdom, from each other, and from the natural world—and explores practical strategies for reconnecting to wholeness. Drop in for information and inspiration to help us reawaken and heal ourselves, our relationships, and our planet.
In this commentary on the recent US election, I explore the politics of disconnection and the importance of reconnection and rehumanization. Themes include the power of thinking for ourselves, the value of curiosity and collaboration, and the wisdom of centering resilience and joy in our politics, our movements, and our lives.
In this episode I speak with life coach Irina Portnova about the power of manifestation: what it is, what it's not, and the importance of taking concrete action if we want to manifest change in our lives and world.
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Who here has felt a bit skeptical about "manifestation" as a life strategy? (Me: raises hand.)
This episode is a fun-yet-thoughtful conversation about the true nature of manifestation: what it is, what it's not, and how we can leverage its practical power to create a life that's aligned with our true and unique human desires.
Hint: it's not just about vision boards. (Though of course we're gonna talk about those.)
In this episode I personally am interested in exploring how manifestation can be tapped as an intuitive power that we can develop, in order to discern what is right and good for our lives amidst all the sociocultural manipulation of our desires. One topic Irina and I explore is the concept of developing our power of manifestation as a RESPONSIBILITY: the more we can tap our own inner guidance, the more we can manifest the change most needed in the world, rather than blindly following the herd (or the media, or the corporate agenda, or the algorithm...).
I'm especially pleased to share this episode, as it's the first interview I've done in over a year. (It was time.) Thanks for hanging with me through all those solo episodes; I hope they were a good listen too.
I created this episode in partnership with Irina Portnova with @lifepalette__coaching after she invited me as a speaker for her masterclass on "finding love after divorce." As part of that summit I'm offering a gift to registrants, a meditation I've created entitled "Rewilding the Heart." To listen in and gain access to the meditation, as well as summit recordings and gifts offered by other speakers, register here.
Thank you, Irina, for offering me space to share as part of your lovely masterclass! I wish you every success.
This episode speaks to the importance of honoring death as a fundamental aspect of being human. We explore the wisdom of grieving what has been lost; of letting go of what has died to make space for new life; and the power of having a "sacred compass" to guide us through the confusions of the death-averse modern world.
An exploration of how the political becomes personal in the light of self-awareness. What happens when we cease to judge and call others out during conflict or war, and instead turn toward the seeds of hatred and violence within ourselves? We can start by healing our own hearts first.
It's story time. In this episode I'm experimenting, telling a true story from my life that I hope will entertain and provoke some thought. I explore, among other things, the question: what's the "better" power to guide us when we find ourselves facing the unknown...our experience, or our intuition?
This episode explores the prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor, a gift from indigenous tribes of South America to all of humanity with the potential to heal our divided world.
SHOW NOTES: Resources mentioned in the episode:
Itzhak Beery, our guide on the journey:
http://www.itzhakbeery.com/
With deepest gratitude to master teachers Don Manuel Calazacon, of the Tsachila tribe of the Ecuadorian Andes, and Don Basilio Payaguaje, of the Siekopai (Secoya) of the Ecuadorian Amazon, for trusting us with their teachings and their medicines.
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YAKUM: This is the organization I mentioned toward the end of the episode, but could not remember the name of at that time (!). Arley Payaguaje works with YAKUM alongside his reforestation efforts.
YAKUM works to protects indigenous forest and build cultural, medicinal and food sovereignty, through reforestation with carefully selected native tree species and territory mapping.
https://yakum.org/
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"An Amazon Shaman's Dream to Recover His Peoples' Ancestral Land"
On Amazon Frontlines
An article honoring the life of Siekopai elder and healer Don Cesáreo Piaguaje (and elder of the community we visited in the Amazon who recently passed), and detailing his lifelong dream of reconnecting his people to their ancestral lands. (Amazon Frontlines is an organization defending indigenous rights to land,
life and cultural survival in the Amazon rainforest.)
https://amazonfrontlines.org/chronicles/an-amazonian-shamans-dream-to-recover-his-peoples-ancestral-land
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"Yagé is Our Life":
A documentary stressing the importance of Indigenous Peoples to be able to remain connected to their ancestral lands, and some of the influences that are threatening their ability to do so. This is the video I referenced with the quote, "Un indio sin territorio no es indio."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXpvWYCDpFc&t=5s
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Cultural Survival & Survival International:
Additional resources for those of us wanting to learn about and support efforts advocating for Indigenous Peoples' rights, and supporting Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultural traditions, and political resilience.
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/
https://www.survivalinternational.org/
Inspired by a poem by Rumi, this episode explores the wisdom of leaning in to the painful times of our lives: the ways we avoid pain, the beauty of embracing it, and practical ideas for engaging with pain on the journey to becoming more whole and more alive.
This episode is inspired by the loss of a beloved friend and mentor, who recently died unexpectedly of cancer. It's a call to action, a reminder of the importance of living fully while we can, and not waiting for "retirement" age to pursue our dreams. Other themes include honoring the value of every person's contribution, the web of relationship that connects us all, and the importance of telling others what's on our heart before it's too late.
In this episode I'm having some fun with a topic that's 'serious but not serious...' I'm talking about movies, and what they can teach us about ourselves, about waking up, and about the "real world." Join me for Barbie vs. The Matrix.
I talk with Lorin Peters, a physicist, teacher, and lifelong activist for nonviolence and peace. Our conversation centers on themes of war, peace, and religion, and some of the ways in which nonviolence can wake us up as a spiritually and socially transformative power. It's inspiration for questioning the status quo.
In this episode we'll explore the modern-day worry about 'wasting time," question cultural narratives around success that don’t serve us, and reclaim our own definition of what is worth pursuing in life.
In this episode I talk with Rose De Dan: animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author. We'll explore our ancient relationship to animals, and their power to teach, heal, and transform us.
In this episode I have the pleasure of talking with Mr. Jack Roberts, an independent researcher and publisher on the landscape, mythology, and sacred sites of Ireland.
I talk with Matthew Busse on the theme of Love as a Spiritual Path: reconnecting to our hearts and reclaiming the power of love, not only as a healing path for the individual, but as a tool for the activist working for a more just and loving world.
In this episode I narrate one of my own written works, a piece entitled, "We Are All Indigenous." I humbly offer this story as a contribution to the important conversation in this country about healing the wounds of the peoples of this land, both those who have been historically oppressed and those who are descended from the oppressors—and everyone in between.
I talk with artist and teacher Denise Kester about the fundamental power of creativity. We'll explore creativity as a doorway to the unconscious, the relationship between creativity and dreaming, and the notion that creativity is not a luxury, but an essential need of the human being.
This episode explores the theme of meditation as a "medicine" to bring us into wholeness, clarity, and sovereignty over our minds. I'll give a short overview of meditation, share some personal stories from my journey, and provide some practical tips along the way.
I talk with Gajananam, a long-time student and teacher of the ancient Indian tradition of Yoga. We'll explore some basic definitions and misconceptions about yoga, but we'll also dig deep into the timeless wisdom and philosophy of this perennial tradition.
I talk with author and editor Jeffrey S. Cramer of the Walden Woods Project. We explore the life and legacy of Henry David Thoreau, including discussions on themes of Walden and Civil Disobedience, the power of the moral compass, and the art of living deliberately in a distracted world.
I talk with movement specialist Janis Isaman on the theme of body awareness: shifting our attention from outward appearance to the inward experience of our bodies that is our birthright—and our empowerment.
I talk with Travis Steffens, a teacher and practitioner of breathwork. We'll cover the science behind breathwork, the mechanics of breathing practices, and the gifts that breathwork offers to the mystic and the spiritual seeker.
I'm joined by the delightful Marci Brockmann, an author and teacher whose work empowers people to live more fulfilled lives through the healing power of expressive writing. Our conversation centers on the theme of giving ourselves permission: permission to be who we are, to chart our own path, and to seek inside ourselves for validation, instead of waiting for the outside world to give it to us.
I talk with Solala Towler, a modern American teacher of the ancient Chinese philosophy and practice of Taoism. Our conversation centers on the theme "Taoist Tips for Getting Back to the Garden": exploring Taoism as a practice for returning to our true nature—and our true knowledge—within the complex and sometimes overwhelming modern world.
In this episode of the Wake Up, Human podcast, I give an introduction to Wake Up, Human: the philosophy and background of the project in general, and the intention behind the podcast.
My conversation centers on the topic of separation sickness: what it is, where it comes from, and why we need to address it if we are to find a way to heal ourselves, our relationships, and our planet.
In this inaugural episode of the Wake Up, Human podcast, I talk with Tonja Reichley, an herbalist, ritualist and author in the Irish Celtic tradition. Our conversation centers on the theme of the mythic resistance: exploring myth as portal to finding our place – and our strength – within the often confusing matrix of modern cultural and social identities.
I'm pleased to announce the inaugural episode of the Wake Up, Human podcast. Like the WUH project itself, the podcast is dedicated to reawakening the essential powers of the human being.