The Cycle Breakers Podcast

Rachael
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Jordin Tootoo: From the North to the NHL, Mental Health, Masculinity & Vulnerability

    1D AGO

    Jordin Tootoo: From the North to the NHL, Mental Health, Masculinity & Vulnerability

    In this episode of The Cycle Breakers Podcast, I'm joined by Jordin Tootoo - former NHL player, mental health advocate, and the first Inuk athlete to play in the league. Jordin spent 13 seasons in the NHL, playing with the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks, where he became known for his toughness, grit, and relentless presence on the ice. But beyond the game, his journey is one of resilience, healing, and redefining what strength truly means. Growing up in Rankin Inlet, Jordin learned early lessons from the land - lessons that shaped his identity, discipline, and ability to endure long before professional hockey entered the picture.  He also shares why vulnerability is essential for Indigenous men, and how healing and sobriety didn't just change his life - they fundamentally changed how he showed up on the ice and beyond it. This is an honest conversation about masculinity, healing, and breaking cycles - on and off the rink. In this episode, we explore: Lessons from the land growing up in Rankin Inlet How failure can become a powerful motivator for growth Why mental health doesn't disappear with success or status The importance of positive encouragement in Indigenous communities Why Indigenous men need space to embrace vulnerability How healing and sobriety transformed Jordin's playing style and life LINKS Jordin's Instagram Jordin's Website Jordin's Book - All the Way: My Life on Ice Jordin's Books - Mind Over Matter 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 3m

  2. FEB 5

    MINI TIPI Co-Founders, Trisha Pitura & Mélanie Bernard: From Stay-At-Home-Moms to Dragon's Den & Building an Indigenous Brand

    MINI TIPI is a Canadian brand that brings authentic Indigenous designs to life through woven blankets and accessories that carry stories and traditions. Co-founded in 2016 by Trisha Pitura, a member of Nipissing First Nation, and Melanie Bernard, from Quebec City of settler descent, MINI TIPI is shaped by their professional and personal experiences. Finding the void of authentically designed Indigenous textiles back when starting their business has led them to create what we know MINI TIPI as today; an industry leading lifestyle brand that creates authentic designs and collaborates with Indigenous artists to share knowledge and create high-quality products locally.  In this episode, we discuss: the origin story of MINI TIPI & how it got started from "native-inspired" to designing authentic Indigenous textiles what matters most in seeking a business partner the strengths each woman brings to the brand BTS of the Dragon's Den journey (what you don't see on TV) advice to prepare your business for investors how they gifted Martha Stewart a blanket LINKS MINI TIPI Website MINI TIPI Facebook MINI TIPI Instagram Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Freedom Method™️ Certification (enrolling for Winter 2026 Cohort) Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    59 min

  3. JAN 29

    Cognitive Native (Angelo McHorse): Uncle's Advice, Uplifting Native Peoples & Adopting an Abundance Mindset

    Angelo McHorse, known as the Cognitive Native online, is a tribal member of Red Willow People of Taos Pueblo. He is a husband, father of 3, entrepreneur, and everyone's favourite uncle. He is the co-founder of Bison Star Naturals, alongside his wife, Jacquelene.  In this episode, we discuss: perceiving "riches" beyond money staying growth-minded while walking in two worlds Uncle advice for adopting a "glass half full" outlook overcoming victimhood through ancestral wisdom developing mental fortitude to thrive LINKS Angelo's Instagram Angelo's TikTok Bison Star Naturals Website (use code COGNITIVENATIVE at checkout) Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    59 min

  4. JAN 22

    Internal Capacity Building: Holding More Without Burning Out

    Capacity building is everywhere right now - in corporate spaces, community work, leadership conversations, and funding rooms. But most of the time, it stops at skills, strategy, and external preparation. In this solo episode, Rachael Hunt explores what's often missing from the conversation: internal capacity building - the ability for the nervous system to actually hold more responsibility, leadership, visibility, and expansion without tipping into survival. This is a grounded, trauma-informed conversation about leadership, sustainability, and what it really takes to grow without sacrificing yourself in the process. In this episode, Rachael unpacks: Why burnout has become normalized, even among high performers The difference between external and internal capacity How nervous system regulation expands your ability to hold more leadership, success, and visibility Why over-functioning and over-achievement are often trauma responses, not personality traits How somatic work and subconscious reprogramming create sustainable, embodied growth   LINKS Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification (Winter 2026 Cohort starts January 28th) Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    30 min

  5. JAN 15

    Two-Eyed Seeing: Neuroscience Meets Indigenous Worldview

    This is the first solo episode back for Season 2. Today's conversation is rooted in Two-Eyed Seeing - the ability to hold Indigenous worldview (the medicine) and modern science (neuroscience) at the same time, without one overriding the other. This episode explores how Indigenous women can remain rooted in culture and values while navigating modern systems, and how the Freedom Method™ bridges these two worlds in a liberating, empowering way. In this episode, Rachael discusses: the gift of not belonging in western systems the origins of Two-Eyed Seeing  how The Freedom Method™️ disrupts western norms in a good way using neuroscience as a tool to undo what colonization did to the nervous system intersecting modern tools with Indigenous wisdom is the movement LINKS Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Cycle Breakers YouTube The Freedom Method™️ Certification (Winter 2026 cohort start Jan 28th) Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    26 min
  6. Dr. Gabor Maté: The Root of Trauma, Addiction & Autoimmune in Indigenous Communities

    JAN 8

    Dr. Gabor Maté: The Root of Trauma, Addiction & Autoimmune in Indigenous Communities

    Gabor Maté is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver's Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of five books published in 43 languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. For his ground-breaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country's highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His most recent book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture is a New York Times and international bestseller. His next book, Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and their Adult Children is expected to be published in late 2027. In this episode we discuss: how to understand the root of trauma  the biology of trauma generationally & in utero the link between colonization & addiction debunking Indigenous stereotypes around abuse & alcoholism why Indigenous women have higher rates of autoimmune illness how to heal our trauma (it's possible) how Indigenous culture has impacted Gabor's journey LINKS Gabor's Website Gabor's Instagram The Cycle Breakers YouTube Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    1h 3m

  7. 2025-10-30

    Being Creator-Guided (Season 1 Finale)

    As we close Season 1 of The Cycle Breakers Podcast, Rachael reflects on what it truly means to live and lead from a place of being Creator-guided - trusting in divine timing, surrendering control, and walking in alignment with Spirit. This episode is a gentle reminder that even when the path feels unclear, Creator is always showing us the way. Stayed tuned for Season 2, coming early 2026! In this finale, Rachael shares: What it means to live Creator-guided from an Indigenous worldview How to recognize the calling from Creator What to do when you feel disconnected or unsure of the path How Creator-guidance transforms the way we lead, create, and build legacy LINKS Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn The Freedom Method™️ Certification Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    32 min

  8. 2025-10-23

    Cyber Security & Financial Literacy for Indigenous Communities w/ Darion Ducharme

    Darion Ducharme is the founder and Owner of Teqare, a proudly Indigenous-owned education company based in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba). Through Teqare, Darion empowers communities across Canada with engaging workshops on cyber safety, financial literacy, and city life skills, bridging the digital divide for youth, adults, and elders in both urban and remote communities. A recognized national speaker and Mastercard Game Changer Award recipient, his work has been featured by Global News, CBC, The Globe and Mail, and SAY Magazine. With over 70 First Nations and hundreds of schools trained in the 2024–2025 school year alone, Darion continues to inspire digital confidence, safety, and opportunity for the next generation of Indigenous leaders. In this episode, we discuss: Darion's journey to entrepreneurship  from making to stewarding money  2 key financial literacy tips we all need why cyber security for First Nations communities is needed the latest scams to watch out for  the future of tech & AI LINKS Darion's Instagram Darion's LinkedIn Teqare's Instagram Teqare's YouTube Teqare's TikTok Rachael's Website Rachael's Instagram Rachael's LinkedIn Private Mentorship for Indigenous Leaders  Indigenous Employee Empowerment Program

    54 min
See All (95)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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.

Information

You Might Also Like