In this special episode of the Sacred Wild podcast, I'm joined by my dear friend, soul sister, and accountability buddy Martha Lucius. We dive deep into our 10-year journey of supporting each other through life's ups and downs, both personally and professionally. Martha and I met through a business program in 2014, but our connection quickly transcended the typical "accountability buddy" relationship. We explore the importance of having soul friends who see you, believe in you, and provide wise counsel, especially when embarking on creative endeavors or purpose-driven work.

Key Takeaways:

* Having soul friends is crucial when pursuing purpose-driven work, as they provide support, encouragement, and honest feedback

* A true soul friend connection goes beyond surface-level accountability – it's about being seen, heard, and supported on a deep level

* Vulnerability and trust are key ingredients in a soul friend relationship

* Soul friends can wear many hats – cheerleader, strategist, mentor, confidant – and help you navigate both the big picture and minute details of life and business

* When seeking a soul friend or accountability buddy, look for someone who sees you the way you honestly need to be seen, not just the way you want to be seen

Soundbites:

* "You need your people – the people who can believe in you when you don't believe in yourself."

* "We want to be very real to the people that are around us. And if there's anything that came through, that's what attracted us – that soul track."

* "This is actively living in the world the best version of what you want to be and being vulnerable enough to be that."

Resources:

* Martha Lucius' website: MarthaLucius.com

* Martha's Instagram: @MarthaLuciusStrategist

* Martha's podcast: Restaurant Whisperer

Connect with me:

* Sacred Wild Substack: The Sacred Wild

* Instagram: @KrishSurroy

* Website: KrishSurroy.com

I'd love to hear from you! Have you experienced the power of a soul friend or accountability buddy in your own life? What qualities do you think are most important in this type of relationship? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

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Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of the Sacred Wild Podcast! I'm thrilled to bring you today's guest, the wonderful Sanne Giesen. Sanne is a nature-based somatic coach, herbalist, and author who embodies the archetype of the modern wise woman. Our conversation was a beautiful exploration of reconnecting to ourselves and nature, tapping into the healing power of plants, and reclaiming ancient earth-based wisdom.

Sanne's journey into this work began with her own health struggles, which led her back to the restorative embrace of the natural world. She shared fascinating insights on how nature acts as a master regulator for our nervous systems, helping us find safety and wholeness. We explored practical ways to connect with nature, even in urban environments, the magic of herbal medicine as a path for healing and growth, and how aligning with natural rhythms can be a profound spiritual practice. Sanne's perspective is rooted in science, psychology, and embodied wisdom - a potent combination that I found deeply enriching.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation:

* Nature is the master regulator of our nervous systems, helping us feel safe, whole, and able to access a full range of human emotions and experiences

* Reestablishing a loving relationship with nature is crucial not only for our own wellbeing, but for our ability to care for the earth and each other

* Even in cities, we can attune to the nature that surrounds us - the plants pushing through cracks in the sidewalk, the migrating birds overhead, the phases of the moon

* Herbal medicine is a powerful tool for healing and transformation, especially when we connect directly with the plants as our teachers and allies

* Aligning with natural rhythms like the seasons and cycles of light/dark can be a profound spiritual practice that grounds us in something bigger than ourselves

Some of my favorite soundbites:

"I deeply feel that coming back to ourselves and coming back to nature are intertwined." (1:29)

"Nature helps us to feel calmer, feel less pain, feel more focused - it boosts our immune system." (6:00)

"We care for what we love. That's my core mission - to reestablish that sense of connection and love for nature." (22:31)

"We as humans are deeply spiritual beings. When we go outside and take time to slow down and connect with nature, spiritual experiences happen - every single time." (42:06)

Resources:

* Sanne's website The Wild Roots Guide - https://www.thewildrootsguide.com/

* Sanne on Instagram @runningwithsheep - https://www.instagram.com/runningwithsheep/

You can find me online at krishsurroy.com and on Instagram @krishsurroy.

As always, thank you so much for listening and being part of the Sacred Wild community. Until next time, take good care and remember - your wild essence is waiting to be reclaimed.

I always love hearing your reflections! How do you connect with nature in your daily life? What part of this conversation resonated with you? Leave a comment and let me know.

Hey Wild Ones! In this deeply insightful episode, I had the pleasure of diving into the complex world of change, leadership, and authenticity with my dear friend and provocateur, Steve Hearsum. Fresh off the launch of his thought-provoking book, "No Silver Bullet", Steve shared his wisdom on the absurdity of searching for simple solutions to complex problems. Together, we explored the role of shame, shadow, and vulnerability in our lives as change-makers and the importance of embracing discomfort in service of genuine growth and transformation.

Throughout our conversation, Steve's authenticity shone through as he candidly shared his own struggles and revelations on his path to self-discovery. We discussed the power of holding space for contradictions, the courage to admit when we don't have all the answers, and the necessity of finding safe spaces for sense-making and reflexivity. Steve's insights serve as a potent reminder that true change begins with our willingness to confront our own shadows and sit with the discomfort that often precedes profound growth.

Key Takeaways:

* Embracing the absurdity and complexity of life is essential for navigating change and leadership with authenticity and resilience.

* True growth and transformation often require us to sit with discomfort and confront our own shadows and vulnerabilities.

* Holding space for contradictions and admitting when we don't have all the answers are signs of genuine authenticity and courage.

* Finding safe spaces for sense-making, critical reflection, and reflexivity is crucial for change-makers to process their experiences and continue growing.

* Experimentation and a willingness to "throw some of the swamp back in" are key to deepening our insights and moving forward in our change-making efforts.

Soundbite:

"Unless you have some kind of appreciation or capacity to recognize and see in yourself and in others the total and utter absurdity of much of what it is we worry about, then you're probably going to be stuck." - Steve Hearsum

Resources:

* "No Silver Bullets" by Steve Hearsum, available on Amazon and in UK bookshops

* Learn more about Steve and his work at www.hearsum.com

Connect with Me:

* Visit KrishSurroy.com to learn more about my coaching and programs

* Follow me on Instagram @KrishSurroy

* Join me on Facebook @KrishSurroy

I’d love to hear from you. In the comments, share a time when you've faced discomfort or confronted your shadows on the path to authentic growth and transformation. How did navigating that complexity ultimately lead to meaningful change in your life or work as a leader?

Thanks for tuning in, and I'll see you next time!