In this conversation, Courtney, Bert, and Jessica explore what it truly means to live intentionally and how setting intentions differs from traditional goal-setting. The hosts discuss intention as a way of directing life force energy through conscious awareness of thoughts, words, and actions—asking not just "what" we want to accomplish, but "for the sake of what" we're taking action.

The episode dives into practical ways to cultivate intentionality, from Bert's 30-second morning candle ritual to Jessica's annual intention word practice and Courtney's experience-based approach. The hosts examine how intention shows up in everyday moments—from the love poured into a handcrafted latte to the energy we bring into holiday gatherings—and how setting intentions in community amplifies their power. They also address the shadow side, discussing how negative intentions (whether conscious or unconscious) can impact relationships and communities, and why examining our true motivations matters more than justifying actions with "good intentions."

Ultimately, this conversation offers a roadmap for living more meaningfully: start small, stay flexible, embody your intentions through physical practices like altar-setting, and regularly reflect on how you want to show up in the world. The message is simple but transformative—30 seconds of intentional focus each day can genuinely change your life.

Bert Nelson is a spiritual counselor, Buddhist minister, and energy medicine practitioner. He works with individuals navigating change, grief, identity, and questions of meaning, supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves and living with greater clarity and intention.
On Substack @BrightRavenArts
https://www.brightravencounseling.com/

Jessica Luke is a Depth Counselor and Integrative Healing Practitioner, and founder of The Well Grounded Soul and the https://1440health.com/, an integrative healing center in Bethesda, Maryland. She works with individuals navigating transition and emotional complexity, supporting them in reconnecting with their bodies, intuition, and deeper sense of truth.
On IG @thewellgroundedsoul
https://thewellgroundedsoul.com/

Courtney Kaplan is a coach based in Oakland, CA. After years in the corporate world, she founded Iconic Leadership Coaching to help people navigate work complexities, leverage their strengths, and grow their authentic leadership style. She uses emotional, physical and spiritual tools to help clients find peace and power.
On Substack @courtneykaplan
https://www.iconicleadershipcoaching.com/

In this conversation, Bert Nelson, Courtney Kaplan and Jessica Luke explore the essential role of play in our lives, emphasizing its necessity for functionality and its deep connection to spirituality. They unpack how engaging in play can lead to a flow state, where individuals feel completely present and connected to a higher spirit or the universe. They talk about what play can look like for different people and how you can become more playful and creative in your life.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Play in Adult Life
00:45 The Impact of Play on Mental Health

Bert Nelson is a spiritual counselor, Buddhist minister, and energy medicine practitioner. He works with individuals navigating change, grief, identity, and questions of meaning, supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves and living with greater clarity and intention.
On Substack @BrightRavenArts
https://www.brightravencounseling.com/

Jessica Luke is a Depth Counselor and Integrative Healing Practitioner, and founder of The Well Grounded Soul and the https://1440health.com/, an integrative healing center in Bethesda, Maryland. She works with individuals navigating transition and emotional complexity, supporting them in reconnecting with their bodies, intuition, and deeper sense of truth.
On IG @thewellgroundedsoul
https://thewellgroundedsoul.com/

Courtney Kaplan is a coach based in Oakland, CA. After years in the corporate world, she founded Iconic Leadership Coaching to help people navigate work complexities, leverage their strengths, and grow their authentic leadership style. She uses emotional, physical and spiritual tools to help clients find peace and power.
On Substack @courtneykaplan
https://www.iconicleadershipcoaching.com/

In the first podcast episode, Courtney Kaplan, Bert Nelson, and Jessica Luke start from the beginning by talking about pain. They unpack how acknowledging pain can lead to healing and connection. They discuss insights on suffering and ways to alleviate it for themselves and others.

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, it's essential to confront the uncomfortable topics of pain and suffering. In this episode, we will explore the significance of acknowledging our struggles, how they connect us, and actionable steps we can take to alleviate suffering in our lives and the lives of others.

Why does this matter? Because when we acknowledge our pain, we open the door to healing. We can learn from our experiences and find ways to alleviate suffering in our lives and those around us.

Let’s share these conversations and learn how to support each other difficult times.

Join us as we explore how to relate to discomfort and transform it into understanding.

LINKS:

Sacred Stream: https://www.sacredstream.org/
Circle of Shamanic Practioners: https://www.appliedshamanism.org/
Book: The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate

Bert Nelson is a spiritual counselor, Buddhist minister, and energy medicine practitioner. He works with individuals navigating change, grief, identity, and questions of meaning, supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves and living with greater clarity and intention.
On Substack @BrightRavenArts
https://www.brightravencounseling.com/

Jessica Luke is a Depth Counselor and Integrative Healing Practitioner, and founder of The Well Grounded Soul and the https://1440health.com/, an integrative healing center in Bethesda, Maryland. She works with individuals navigating transition and emotional complexity, supporting them in reconnecting with their bodies, intuition, and deeper sense of truth.
On IG @thewellgroundedsoul
https://thewellgroundedsoul.com/

Courtney Kaplan is a coach based in Oakland, CA. After years in the corporate world, she founded Iconic Leadership Coaching to help people navigate work complexities, leverage their strengths, and grow their authentic leadership style. She uses emotional, physical and spiritual tools to help clients find peace and power.
On Substack @courtneykaplan
https://www.iconicleadershipcoaching.com/

In this conversation, Courtney Kaplan, Bert Nelson, and Jessica Luke explore the profound connection between humans and nature, emphasizing the healing and restorative qualities of the natural world. They discuss the importance of reconnecting with nature in a modern, often disconnected society, and how this relationship can foster personal growth, resilience, and a sense of community. The conversation also addresses the challenges of feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world and how grounding practices can help individuals reclaim their power and find balance in their lives.

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting with Nature
09:06 Healing Through Nature's Wisdom
19:53 Nature as a Teacher
29:57 Overcoming Overwhelm and Burnout
39:55 Finding Balance in Nature
52:52 Nature's Role in Personal Power

Bert Nelson is a spiritual counselor, Buddhist minister, and energy medicine practitioner. He works with individuals navigating change, grief, identity, and questions of meaning, supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves and living with greater clarity and intention.
On Substack @BrightRavenArts
https://www.brightravencounseling.com/

Jessica Luke is a Depth Counselor and Integrative Healing Practitioner, and founder of The Well Grounded Soul and the https://1440health.com/, an integrative healing center in Bethesda, Maryland. She works with individuals navigating transition and emotional complexity, supporting them in reconnecting with their bodies, intuition, and deeper sense of truth.
On IG @thewellgroundedsoul
https://thewellgroundedsoul.com/

Courtney Kaplan is a coach based in Oakland, CA. After years in the corporate world, she founded Iconic Leadership Coaching to help people navigate work complexities, leverage their strengths, and grow their authentic leadership style. She uses emotional, physical and spiritual tools to help clients find peace and power.
On Substack @courtneykaplan
https://www.iconicleadershipcoaching.com/

In this conversation, Courtney Kaplan, Jessica Luke, and Bert Nelson explore their personal journeys into healing, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature, understanding the multifaceted nature of healing, and reclaiming agency in one's life. They discuss the challenges of navigating a modern world filled with distractions and the significance of play and joy in the healing process. The dialogue highlights the transformative power of self-discovery and the potential for growth and wholeness through various healing modalities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing Paths
06:01 Personal Journeys into Healing
11:13 The Role of Nature in Healing
33:39 Understanding Healing and Wholeness
44:44 Agency and Responsibility in Healing
55:47 Finding Joy and Play in Healing

Bert Nelson is a spiritual counselor, Buddhist minister, and energy medicine practitioner. He works with individuals navigating change, grief, identity, and questions of meaning, supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves and living with greater clarity and intention.
On Substack @BrightRavenArts
https://www.brightravencounseling.com/

Jessica Luke is a Depth Counselor and Integrative Healing Practitioner, and founder of The Well Grounded Soul and the https://1440health.com/, an integrative healing center in Bethesda, Maryland. She works with individuals navigating transition and emotional complexity, supporting them in reconnecting with their bodies, intuition, and deeper sense of truth.
On IG @thewellgroundedsoul
https://thewellgroundedsoul.com/

Courtney Kaplan is a coach based in Oakland, CA. After years in the corporate world, she founded Iconic Leadership Coaching to help people navigate work complexities, leverage their strengths, and grow their authentic leadership style. She uses emotional, physical and spiritual tools to help clients find peace and power.
On Substack @courtneykaplan
https://www.iconicleadershipcoaching.com/