Stay Sparked

Stay Sparked

Stay inspired in the modern world.We are adventurers, psychonauts, Burners, and participants of examined lives. On this show we discuss our most profound lessons from Burning Man, Relationships, Entrepreneurship, Psychedelics, Spirituality, Travel & More. 

  1. "Creation Process" Birthing The Power Affirmation Journal #96

    FEB 23

    "Creation Process" Birthing The Power Affirmation Journal #96

    In this episode of Stay Sparked, longtime friends and co-hosts John and Betsy turn the conversation inward, offering listeners a deep, intimate look at the creation of the Power Affirmation Journal and the years-long journey that brought it into the world. Rather than an interview, this episode unfolds as a reflective dialogue between collaborators—one that traces Betsy’s evolution as a healer, creator, and guide, and the moment when a simple journaling practice transformed into a full system for reprogramming belief patterns and cultivating conscious change. Betsy shares how the journal arrived not just as an idea, but as something that felt alive—asking to be born—and how trust, accountability, ceremony, collaboration, and timing all shaped its development. Together, John and Betsy explore themes of creative conviction, imposter syndrome, discipline versus play, divine timing, and what it means to create in service rather than hustle. The conversation also dives into the structure and intention behind the journal and companion deck, touching on neuroplasticity, affirmation practices, gratitude, and how small, consistent inner shifts can reshape our lived experience. Woven throughout are stories of community support, ritual, sustainability, and the unexpected doors that opened when Betsy surrendered control and asked for help—ultimately leading the journal and deck into wider distribution and deeper impact. This episode is an invitation for creators, healers, and seekers alike to trust what’s moving through them, honor the slow unfolding of meaningful work, and remember that transformation happens when intention meets mindful action.✨☕ This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.   ✨🎶 MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.comBETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer, an author, and mindfulness guide who blends somatic healing, sound therapy, and mindset awareness to help people feel grounded, connected, and empowered. As a longtime practitioner and Insight Timer teacher, she weaves practical tools with intuitive presence, offering experiences that support personal transformation and intentional living. Betsy is the creator of The Power Affirmation Journal and Power Affirmation Cards, along with a growing library of products and audio practices that help people build healthy rituals, release old patterns, and cultivate a life of joy, clarity, and inner freedom.http://poweraffirmation.com/JOHN HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for people experiencing homelessness. In his free time he coaches groups and individuals on how to live joyfully and authentically. http://LifeStudent.com

    47 min
  2. "Tips for Socializing"  #95 (✨SPARKLE SNACK)

    JAN 13

    "Tips for Socializing" #95 (✨SPARKLE SNACK)

    In this Sparkle Snack episode of Stay Sparked, John Halcyon (Hug Nation) and Betsy Finkel (Power Affirmation Project) explore socializing, awkwardness, and simple tools for feeling more relaxed and confident in social situations. If parties, networking events, or even casual gatherings tend to spark anxiety or self-doubt, this conversation offers gentle, practical strategies to help you break the ice and stay grounded—without pretending to be someone you’re not. Together, they share: Easy “pocket stories” and specific questions to spark meaningful conversation How to steer conversations away from small talk and toward genuine connection Mindfulness tools for calming the nervous system in social environments Why curiosity and listening are more powerful than performing Letting go of self-judgment, social labels, and the fear of being “awkward” The surprising power of honesty and self-compassion in social momentsThis episode is a reminder that social ease is a learnable skill, not a personality trait—and that connection gets easier when we stop auditioning and start being present.✨☕ This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.    ✨🎶 MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com

    22 min
  3. "Season Changing Rituals" Ep. 94  (✨SPARKLE SNACK)

    12/19/2025

    "Season Changing Rituals" Ep. 94 (✨SPARKLE SNACK)

    This Sparkle Snack episode of Stay Sparked, is a warm, bite-sized conversation about seasonal rituals, reflection, and intentionally closing one chapter before opening the next. As the year winds down and we move toward the winter solstice, Betsy and John explore simple, meaningful practices for honoring seasonal transitions—without getting swept up in the rush, obligation, or overwhelm that often comes with the holidays. Together we share: End-of-year reflection rituals focused on wins and growth points Gratitude walks, journaling, and reviewing calendars and photos to integrate the year Nature-based solstice practices like walking a spiral A playful yet powerful “future gratitude” practice—writing from the perspective of the year ahead Why imagination, presence, and elevated emotion matter more than rigid goals or resolutionsThis episode is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and consciously spiral into the new year with intention, creativity, and compassion.✨☕ This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.   ✨🎶MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com  ✨ HOSTS  BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer, an author, and mindfulness guide who blends somatic healing, sound therapy, and mindset awareness to help people feel grounded, connected, and empowered. As a longtime practitioner and Insight Timer teacher, she weaves practical tools with intuitive presence, offering experiences that support personal transformation and intentional living. Betsy is the creator of The Power Affirmation Journal and Power Affirmation Cards, along with a growing library of products and audio practices that help people build healthy rituals, release old patterns, and cultivate a life of joy, clarity, and inner freedom.http://poweraffirmation.com/ JOHN HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for people experiencing homelessness. In his free time he coaches groups and individuals on how to live joyfully and authentically.   http://LifeStudent.com

    19 min
  4. "Permission to Create" with Autumn Skye - #93

    12/08/2025

    "Permission to Create" with Autumn Skye - #93

    In this episode we sit down with visionary painter Autumn Sky (@autumnskyeart, AutumnSkyArt.com) for a heartfelt conversation about creativity, courage, and trusting the process. 🎨 Autumn shares how art has been a guiding force since childhood, how she turned creativity into a livelihood without losing the magic, and why giving ourselves permission to create is some of the deepest healing work we can do. We explore: Art as both spiritual practice and career Perfectionism, productivity, and staying playful The “crunchy” parts of the creative process and what they teach us How creativity helps us walk through mystery, change, and big life pivotsAutumn also talks about her retreats on the Sunshine Coast of BC and the next evolution of Heartwood Cove, an off-grid eco-retreat for art, healing, and deep reconnection. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “good enough” to make art, or how to protect the soul of your creativity while building a life around it, this episode will feel like a loving, wise mirror.  ✨ If this conversation nourished you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow creative.✨☕This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.   ✨🎶MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com ✨HOSTS  BETSY FINKLEHOO is a healer, an author, and mindfulness guide who blends somatic healing, sound therapy, and mindset awareness to help people feel grounded, connected, and empowered. As a longtime practitioner and Insight Timer teacher, she weaves practical tools with intuitive presence, offering experiences that support personal transformation and intentional living. Betsy is the creator of The Power Affirmation Journal and Power Affirmation Cards, along with a growing library of products and audio practices that help people build healthy rituals, release old patterns, and cultivate a life of joy, clarity, and inner freedom. http://poweraffirmation.com/ JOHN HALCYON is full-time Love Ambassador. He is the founder of Hug Nation youtube channel and daily zoom gratitude circles. He is co-founder of the Pink Heart Burning Man camp and the 1st Saturdays project for people experiencing homelessness. In his free time he coaches groups and individuals on how to live joyfully and authentically.   http://LifeStudent.com

    1h 6m
  5. "Gratitude Live"  #92 (special episode)

    11/24/2025

    "Gratitude Live" #92 (special episode)

    In this special in-person episode of Stay Sparked, Betsy and John Halcyon team up for a live Hug Nation broadcast all about gratitude as a daily practice – even in hard times. Together we explore: ✨ Practical Woo & SobrietyHow opening to “practical woo” helped John in early sobriety, and why being willing to admit “I don’t know what’s best for me” can change everything. 💧 Water as MedicineFrom water ceremonies to hurricanes and RV life, we talk about how easy access to running water is not a given—and how remembering that can radically deepen our gratitude. 💪 Gratitude as a MuscleWhy gratitude gets stronger with repetition, how to build “gratitude muscles,” and how practiced gratitude naturally shifts our self-talk and conversations. 🧠 Complaining vs. ReframingWhat happens to our brains when we rant, and how regular gratitude practice helps us reframe challenges without bypassing our feelings. 🃏 Affirmations & Mind VitaminsBetsy introduces her Power Affirmation deck and a quick practice to feed your mind short, powerful “mind vitamins” instead of endless social media scrolling. 🎵 Song, Mantra & Flow StateWe talk about music, mantras, and the movie Soul—how singing and sound can bypass the thinking mind and drop us into a deeper spiritual awareness. (Yes, John sings a spontaneous gratitude song!) ✨ Stay Connected📲 Instagram: @staysparked🎧 Podcast: Stay Sparked – available wherever you listen⭐ If this episode lit you up, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend who could use a spark. Thank you for being part of this wave of love, gratitude, and practical woo. 💖This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com  Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash.  MASSIVE Thank you to Dub Sutra for their beautiful opening music. Check out their incredible music catalogue online. https://dubsutra.com

    29 min
5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Stay inspired in the modern world.We are adventurers, psychonauts, Burners, and participants of examined lives. On this show we discuss our most profound lessons from Burning Man, Relationships, Entrepreneurship, Psychedelics, Spirituality, Travel & More.