The Cycle Breakers Podcast

Rachael
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The Cycle Breakers Podcast is for those of us who have been chosen to be the ONE in our lineage to transmute pain into power & wounds into wisdom. Hosted by Rachael Hunt, First Nations Chippewas of Nawash, Intuitive Indigenous Mentor & founder of Freedom School & The Freedom Method™️. This is an homage to her roots as an Aniishnaabe Kwe (translated from Ojibwe, meaning indigenous woman) This podcast weaves in personal storytelling, amplifies Indigenous voices, and features the inspiring journeys of those who have been passed the torch by their ancestors to build legacies. Conversations range from finding & pursuing your purpose to overcoming adversity to divine & spiritual connection to walking the red road to manifesting your dreams to subconscious & energetic healing, and most importantly building relations with our kin.

  1. Susan Aglukark: Awakening the Dreamers, Confidence Over Arrogance & Healing Through Creativity

    2D AGO

    Susan Aglukark: Awakening the Dreamers, Confidence Over Arrogance & Healing Through Creativity

    In this powerful conversation, Rachael sits down with Susan Aglukark - renowned Inuk Canadian singer-songwriter, Juno Award winner, and Officer of the Order of Canada - whose music has shaped the landscape of Indigenous storytelling in this country. Best known for her iconic 1995 hit O Siem, Susan became the first Inuk performer to reach the Top 10 in Canada. But beyond her accolades - including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement and the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award - this conversation centers on the woman behind the music. Together, they explore how her career unfolded unexpectedly, the loneliness and lack of belonging that shaped her early life, and the deeper layers of healing, identity, and responsibility that came with becoming a voice for so many. Drawing from her memoir Kihiani, Susan shares what it means to move from survival into self-discovery, and how creativity became a pathway back to herself. In this episode we explore:  How Susan Aglukark's music career unfolded unexpectedly and what guided her path, including the impact of O Siem The impact of trauma, loneliness, and not belonging and how it lived in her body The shift from survival mode into intentional healing and self-awareness Writing, journaling, and creativity as tools for processing, expression, and release Confidence vs. arrogance and staying grounded while navigating visibility and responsibility Rediscovering joy through art, and what it means to return to yourself LINKS Susan's Website Arctic Rose Foundation Website Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing Susan's Instagram Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place ·

    57 min

  2. APR 2

    Lessons in Humility & Integrating the 7 Sacred Teachings

    In this solo episode, I share a deeply personal & vulnerable reflection on my journey with humility - from navigating many a ego death / rock bottoms in the past few years & being repeatedly humbled in ways that reshaped how I lead, live, and relate to myself. This is an honest conversation about what it actually means to walk in integrity, let go of needing to prove yourself, and lead in a good way. In this episode, I cover: 🧡 Being initiated into the Seven Sacred Teachings and why humility challenged me most 🧡 The ego, survival patterns, and blindspots I couldn't see before 🧡 The breakdowns that forced me to face myself and let go of the mask 🧡 What humility really is (and releasing the need to prove or perform) 🧡 Leading from honesty, groundedness, and connection to Creator LINKS Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place

    44 min
  3. Asha Frost: Honouring Our Inner Winter, Moon Medicine, Boundaries, Ancestral Wisdom

    MAR 26

    Asha Frost: Honouring Our Inner Winter, Moon Medicine, Boundaries, Ancestral Wisdom

    In this episode, I'm joined by Asha Frost - an Indigenous Medicine Woman, and the international best-selling author of You are the Medicine, The Sacred Medicine Oracle, and The Animal Elders Oracle. She has guided thousands of people through profound and lasting transformation as a healer, homeopath and ceremonial guide and has become a prominent speaker in the field of Indigenous healing, garnering recognition on both local and international platforms. Asha holds membership at Chippewas of Nawash First Nation and is a mama of two boys with whom she walks gently upon the earth. She loves sharing her Medicine in powerful ways through ceremonies, teachings, and speaking events. Through this work, she loves seeing people reclaim their roots, find their healing wisdom, and rise into their power. This conversation dives into boundaries as self-respect, the pressure placed on Indigenous women to carry more than is theirs, and how reconnecting with ancestors can guide purpose, clarity, and grounded leadership. In this episode, we discuss: Honouring the void space through a decolonized, Indigenous lens Navigating "inner winter" and cycles of rest, pause, and becoming The expectations placed on Indigenous women and the impact on well-being Boundaries as an act of self-respect, not disconnection Wisdom for women who struggle to take up space and be seen Connecting with ancestors as guides for purpose and direction   LINKS Asha's Website Asha's Instagram You Are The Medicine: Book Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place

    52 min
  4. Patricia June Vickers: Healing Childhood Trauma and Shame Through Neurofeedback

    MAR 19

    Patricia June Vickers: Healing Childhood Trauma and Shame Through Neurofeedback

    In this deeply intimate conversation, Rachael sits down with Patricia June Vickers - teacher, artist, psychotherapist, and spiritual director - to explore healing from childhood trauma through the lens of neurofeedback, relational repair, and embodied wisdom. Patricia shares personal reflections on early trauma and dissociative amnesia, reframing it as a protective intelligence of the nervous system. Together, they unpack how trauma imprints in the brain, how shame forms in two distinct ways, and why healing requires more than insight - it requires safety, repair, and relationship. Rooted in Northwest Coast Feast Hall teachings, Buddhist wisdom, and the teachings of Christ, this conversation bridges neuroscience and spirituality, offering a grounded, compassionate look at what it truly means to remember ourselves back into wholeness. In this episode, we explore: How childhood trauma organizes the brain and how neurofeedback supports neurological healing Dissociative amnesia as an intelligent survival response, not a pathology The two dimensions of shame and how they shape identity, self-worth, and belonging What it means to invite repair as a pathway to real, lasting transformation Why community and relational connection are essential for trauma healing LINKS Patricia's Website Raven's Calling Website Book: Singing to the Darkness Bessel van der Kolk: 3 Ways Trauma Changes the Brain Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place

    1h 4m

  5. MAR 12

    Former Grand Chief Kahsennénhawe Sky-Deer: Becoming a Leader, Claiming Identity as Two-Spirited Woman, Economic Development

    In her first attempt to attain public office in 2009, Kahsennénhawe Sky-Deer was elected to the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke. She served for fifteen consecutive years, culminating with her election as Grand Chief in 2021. She is CEO and President of Sky-Deer Consulting; Vice President at Dable Advisory and Consulting Services and Vice President at Panorama Real Estate Services. She is also the Co-Chair of the Northeast Grid Planning Forum, sits on the President's Advisory at Concordia University, and is a water protector of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River on the Biinaagami Circle. Kahsennenhawe is a proud member of (and advocate for) the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In this episode, we discuss:  what leaving community at 20 taught her about resilience the courage to be authentic & come out as Two-Spirited  making history as the first 2SLGBTQ+ woman elected as Grand Chief becoming a great leader in community trusting the path forward when doors are closing an outlook on creating wealth for our peoples   LINKS Kahs's LinkedIn Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Freedom Method™️ Certification (Winter 2026 cohort enrolling) Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    1h 3m
  6. Bob Joseph: Beyond the Indian Act, Self-Government & Sovereignty

    MAR 5

    Bob Joseph: Beyond the Indian Act, Self-Government & Sovereignty

    In this episode, I sit down with Bob Joseph, President & CEO of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., who has been educating organizations on Indigenous relations since 1994. He is the author of 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act and 21 Things You Need to Know about Indigenous Self-Government, and brings both lived experience and generational leadership to this work. An initiated member of the Hamatsa Society, Bob holds a chief's seat in the Gayaxala (Thunderbird) clan of the Gwawa'enuxw Nation, part of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. His chief name, K'axwsumala'galis - "whale who emerges and presents itself to the world" - reflects the depth and visibility of the leadership he carries. Together, we explore what it means to move beyond dependency on the Indian Act and toward self-governance and why this moment in history calls for a different level of responsibility, education, and action. In this episode we explore, Reclaiming the potlatch ceremony Understanding free, prior & informed consent An approach to training that creates behavioural change  Breaking the cycle of dependency on the Indian Act The evolution of Indigenous Relations since the 90's Moving toward self-government LINKS Bob's Website Bob's Instagram Bob's Books Bob's LinkedIn  Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    1h 28m
  7. Robin Wall Kimmerer: Braiding Sweetgrass, Lessons from Gift Economies, and the Reality of Windigo

    FEB 26

    Robin Wall Kimmerer: Braiding Sweetgrass, Lessons from Gift Economies, and the Reality of Windigo

    In this conversation, Rachael is joined by Robin Wall Kimmerer - writer, scientist, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation - to explore what Indigenous teachings offer us in a time shaped by overconsumption, disconnection, and ecological crisis. Drawing from her work in Braiding Sweetgrass & The Serviceberry, Robin reflects on reciprocity as a way of life, the consequences of living in a market economy, and what happens when consumption replaces connection. Together, they examine how the Anishinaabe tale of Windigo is not relic of the past, but mirrors the systems shaping our present reality. This episode is an invitation to rethink abundance, materiality, and belonging, and to consider what it truly means to live in right relationship with the natural world, and with one another. In this episode, we explore: Recognizing the material gifts of the natural world The difference between a market economy and a gift economy How the tale of Windigo reflects modern systems of excess and extraction What The Honourable Harvest teaches us about reciprocity & right relationship What we need to understand about the Seventh Fire Prophecy LINKS Robin's Website Plant Baby, Plant Website Robin's Instagram Plant Baby, Plant Instagram Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place

    57 min

  8. FEB 19

    How Trauma Impacts Manifestation: A Trauma-Informed & Science-Backed Approach

    Manifestation is everywhere, and a lot of it misses the point. If you've done the visualizing, affirming, and "doing the work" but still feel stuck, this isn't a failure of mindset or discipline. It goes deep into the nervous system and subconscious mind. In this episode, I break down manifestation through a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based lens, to address how complex and generational trauma can impact our ability to manifest the way we're taught in new age realms. We'll look at why survival patterns override our conscious efforts, and what actually creates the conditions for successful desire attainment & goal achievement. In this episode, we explore: How trauma reorganizes the system around survival instead of expansion Why affirmations and visualization fail when the body doesn't feel safe How generational and complex trauma shape what feels possible to receive What actually creates the conditions for sustainable manifestation   Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification (Spring 2026 cohort starts in May) Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program  Podcast Studio: Jilani Place

    33 min
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About

The Cycle Breakers Podcast is for those of us who have been chosen to be the ONE in our lineage to transmute pain into power & wounds into wisdom. Hosted by Rachael Hunt, First Nations Chippewas of Nawash, Intuitive Indigenous Mentor & founder of Freedom School & The Freedom Method™️. This is an homage to her roots as an Aniishnaabe Kwe (translated from Ojibwe, meaning indigenous woman) This podcast weaves in personal storytelling, amplifies Indigenous voices, and features the inspiring journeys of those who have been passed the torch by their ancestors to build legacies. Conversations range from finding & pursuing your purpose to overcoming adversity to divine & spiritual connection to walking the red road to manifesting your dreams to subconscious & energetic healing, and most importantly building relations with our kin.

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