Room to Evolve

Jessica Goulding
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Bimonthly

Room to Evolve is a contemplative podcast for pilgrims, seekers, yogis, creatives—and for those standing at a threshold without words yet. Rooted in yoga, contemplative, and spiritual practice, it offers a quiet place to listen, notice what is stirring, and discern what comes next. Each month features intimate conversations, and a Labyrinth Companion for reflective, intentional walking. Hosted by Jessica Goulding. Read, practice, and learn more at roomtoevolve.com

  1. Sep 9

    A Sure Path for Uncertain Times: A Conversation with Lars Howlett

    In This Episode, We Discuss: The History and Evolution of Labyrinths: From their ancient origins and earliest known examples to how labyrinth designs spread and evolved across cultures, including Chartres, the Baltic wheel, India, and the American Southwest. Sacred Geometry and the Labyrinth: What sacred geometry means, how universal patterns show up in labyrinth design, and how those same patterns appear in the human body. You also explore the labyrinth as a mandala that we can physically step into and experience. Why Labyrinths Matter in Times of Uncertainty and Change: The Labyrinth Revival, the connection between periods of social upheaval and renewed interest in labyrinths, and how the labyrinth can offer grounding, peace, and a sense of underlying order in a chaotic world. How to Approach the Labyrinth as a Personal Practice: Intention versus expectation, releasing as you enter, receiving at the center, and returning to the world with what you've experienced. A particularly beautiful conversation about why the center isn't the destination, the journey is. Lars’s Personal Story of Loss, Healing, and Letting Go: His creation of a temporary labyrinth during a profound life transition, the ritual of returning its stones to the sea, and the realization that the labyrinth remained even after the stones were gone. This becomes a powerful exploration of non-attachment, change, and carrying the labyrinth within yourself. About Our Guest: Lars Howlett Lars Howlett is a leading expert in the creation of custom labyrinths, from exact replicas of classical and medieval designs to one-of-a-kind art installations for healing, insight, and transformation. Lars builds, walks, and photographs labyrinths as a practice in mindfulness. He is a Veriditas Faculty Member and Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator, having trained with the leader of the labyrinth movement, Lauren Artress, at Grace and Chartres Cathedrals. For three years, he was the apprentice to Master Builder Robert Ferre, learning the art of sacred geometry and his methods of creating proportional and precise Classical and Medieval patterns. Recognized as a passionate speaker and inspiring teacher, Lars manages a vast image archive of diverse designs from past projects and journeys to sacred sites around the world. He leads webinars, workshops, and pilgrimages exploring sacred geometry, creative compassion, and evolutionary spirituality. Connect and Experience with Lars: Return to the Source: River of Life Online Workshop Online with Veriditas, November 14, 2026 enroll at Veriditas.org/calendar Discover Labyrinths at Mountain Light Retreat Center, near Charlottesville, Virginia Sept. 5/6th: Sacred Space and Time Dec. 4-6: Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator Training enroll at Veriditas.org/calendar Swedish Midsummer Labyrinth Retreat Gotland, Sweden, June 20-27th, 2027 interest list: https://www.mongata.org/midsummer-retreat#gotland27 Email: FindLars@Gmail.com                           Instagram @discoverlabyrinths Website: DiscoverLabyrinths.com               facebook.com/discoverlabyrinths Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bfjep1           youtube.com/c/DiscoverLabyrinths Practice With Jessica: Upcoming Events & Invitations Free "Back to the Mat" Week: Join our Online Yoga Membership for a completely free week of live Hatha classes, guided meditations, and community care to help you transition into a steady autumn routine. Classes start this Friday, September 11th!👉 Claim your free spot at: https://www.jessgoulding.com/backtothemat  Texas Yoga Retreat Workshop: Dive deeper into these ancient paths with Jessica’s upcoming workshop, 'Labyrinth Walking or Tracing as a Tool in Yoga Therapy.' 👉 Learn more and register at: texasyoga.com🎁 Community Gift: Use code JESSICA at checkout to save 10% on your registration! Connect With Room to Evolve Explore the Ecosystem: https://roomtoevolve.com  Subscribe & Read the Essays: https://roomtoevolve.substack.com/archive

    A Sure Path for Uncertain Times: A Conversation with Lars Howlett

  2. Sep 2 ·  Bonus

    A September Invitation: Free Day of Yoga + Back to the Mat

    September has always felt like a season of beginning again. This month, I’m inviting you back to the mat with two beloved traditions, both completely free. First, join me for Free Day of Yoga on September 7, a day when yoga teachers and studios across Austin open their doors, and Zoom rooms, to welcome everyone onto the mat. I’ll be teaching five classes throughout the day, from in-person Monday Morning Yoga in Southwest Austin, to Chakra Yoga + Labyrinth Tracing, a 30-Minute Flow, and an evening practice to Rest and Restore. Then comes one of my favorite September traditions: Back to the Mat. For one full week, you’re invited to explore my entire Online Yoga Membership, including live classes and a library filled with practices for every mood, season, and body. Whether you're craving Yoga Nidra, a challenging flow, contemplative yoga, chakra practices, or simply a reason to return to a regular rhythm, there may be something waiting for you. No pressure. No perfect attendance required. Just an invitation to show up, move, breathe, and see how you feel. Bring a friend. Try a class you've never taken before. Make a day of Free Day of Yoga, then give yourself a whole week to settle back into the rhythm of practice. Free Day of Yoga, September 7See my full schedule and register: https://www.jessgoulding.com/fdoy Back to the MatEnjoy a free week inside my Online Yoga Membership: https://www.jessgoulding.com/backtothemat I hope to see you somewhere along the way, on the mat, in the Zoom room, or tracing a labyrinth from wherever you are in the world. And stay tuned, my next interview episode features labyrinth creator and builder Lars Howlett, and I can't wait to share it with you. Much love,Jessica

    A September Invitation: Free Day of Yoga + Back to the Mat

  3. Jul 25

    WALK IN WELL-BEING

    In my previous conversation with Danielle Evans, one of the things she said has stuck with me ever since: remember your intrinsic well-being. To me, this means we have a memory deep inside us that knows we are essentially well and whole. Our body, mind, and spirit can come together to help us re-member the far flung places of ourselves that have forgotten our deepest self’s perfection.  The intention for this labyrinth walk is to release what blocks our ability to remember our intrinsic well-being, open to our essential health and wholeness, and return, walking in our own true well-being. Because remembering is an act of bringing forward something we once knew, we are going to connect with our back body, which is connected to our past. Join me in Chartres, France for Hidden Things: Pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral, October 3-10, 2026. www.jessgoulding.com/pilgrimage Paid subscribers to Room to Evolve on Substack can download and print the Labyrinth Walk Companion Guide.  Subscribe to Room to Evolve at https://roomtoevolve.com  Locate a labyrinth near you at labyrinthlocator.com, hosted by The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas: HERE Order a handheld labyrinth from Veriditas: HERE. Download a printable tracing labyrinth PDF: HERE

    WALK IN WELL-BEING

  4. Jul 14

    The Nervous System Responds to a Whisper: Polyvagal Wisdom, Bodywork, and the Art of Gentle Healing— A Conversation with Danielle Evans, LMT

    What if your favorite massage style says more about your nervous system than your muscles? In this episode of Room to Evolve, Jessica Goulding sits down with Austin-based licensed massage therapist Danielle Evans to explore Polyvagal Manual Therapy, the subtle language of the nervous system, and why healing begins with invitation rather than force. Danielle shares how the body holds the stories of our lives, from our earliest experiences onward, and invites us to consider the skin as the outermost part of the brain. Together, Jessica and Danielle consider what it means to remember our intrinsic well-being, why the nervous system responds to a whisper, and how a state of hypervigilance can leave us less connected to the wisdom of our own bodies.Their conversation weaves together neuroscience, embodied wisdom, compassion, and the surprising power of gentleness. In This Episode The difference between sympathetic activation, rest and repair, and social connectionSensitivity as a spectrumHow the nervous system communicates more than we realizeWhat it means to "remember intrinsic well-being"Why permission, not pressure, creates the conditions for healingWhy Danielle believes the only healer is the selfHow understanding the nervous system can deepen compassion for ourselves and othersWhy the body responds to very gentle pressureDanielle's threshold of grief and loss About Danielle Danielle Evans, LMT, believes healing is invitational. Since graduating from the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage in 2012, she has provided therapeutic bodywork informed by an interwoven lineage of teachers, mentors, and modalities.Drawing from Polyvagal Manual Therapy, craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, Thai bodywork, Swedish massage, sports massage, and neuromuscular therapy, Danielle meets each client with an approach tailored to their unique needs. In recent years, her work has become increasingly focused on nervous system function and the body's remarkable capacity for resilience.Rather than using force or heavy pressure, Danielle creates space for the body to unravel from the inside and remember its intrinsic well-being. Learn More Website: https://balancing-bodywork.square.site/ Instagram: @sistermoonshadow If you're in the Austin area, Danielle is offering 20% off your first session when you mention this episode. Stay Connected Visit Room to Evolve for weekly reflections, contemplative practices, podcast episodes, and upcoming retreats:https://roomtoevolve.com Subscribe to receive new essays, guided practices, and resources for living with greater presence, curiosity, and intention.

    The Nervous System Responds to a Whisper: Polyvagal Wisdom, Bodywork, and the Art of Gentle Healing— A Conversation with Danielle Evans, LMT

  5. Jun 1

    Core Connection and Whole Body Health: Creating Ease from the Inside Out — A Conversation with Dr. Sandi Russom

    In this episode of Room to Evolve, Jessica Goulding sits down with Dr. Sandi Russom to explore core connection, pelvic floor health, and whole body wellness through the lens of movement, breath, posture, and nervous system regulation. Together, they discuss how the deep core influences stability, pain reduction, balance, and overall well-being, and why creating support from the inside out can lead to greater ease in everyday life. This conversation weaves together yoga therapy, embodied healing, functional movement, mindfulness, and the deeper relationship between physical alignment and emotional grounding. In this episode, we explore: • Core connection and whole body health• Pelvic floor support and nervous system regulation• Breath, posture, and functional movement• Creating stability, strength, and ease• Healing chronic tension and imbalance• Yoga therapy and embodied wellness practices• Returning to your center through awareness and support If you’re interested in yoga therapy, holistic wellness, mindful movement, nervous system healing, pelvic floor health, or sustainable practices for whole body support, this episode offers practical insight and thoughtful reflection. Dr. Sandi Lynn Russom, PT, DPT, C-IAYT (she/her) Dr. Sandi believes deeply in the transformative power of yoga. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. In that time, she became a yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, a licensed massage therapist, and completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at UTMB. She began teaching yoga at Yoga Yoga in Austin in 2005 where she met Donna Farhi, who continues to be her primary teacher. Currently, she is founding faculty of the yoga therapy program at Practice Yoga Austin and runs a private yoga therapy practice called Dr. Sandi. She resides in south Austin with her partner, their two daughters, and approximately 30 potted plants. Sandi is currently launching a summer virtual course: Core Connection. It focuses on establishing and maintaining a truly supportive core for whole body health. Because when the core is healthy, a thousand things just fall into place. Her main goal is to make the tools and practices that she offers in one-on-one therapy sessions more accessible. So you can practice in your own space, at your own pace.  Discount Code for 20% off: ROOMTOEVOLVE20 Website: drsandi.yoga Contact Dr. Sandi: drsandi.yoga/contact

    Core Connection and Whole Body Health: Creating Ease from the Inside Out — A Conversation with Dr. Sandi Russom

  6. Apr 29

    RELAX AND RECEIVE: A Labyrinth Walk Companion

    This Labyrinth Walk Companion is inspired by my conversation with Abi Robins and their description of working with the Enneagram and Yoga Therapy. One of my favorite things Abi said was “the more we can find ways to relax and shed our sense of urgency, the faster we get to where we want to go.” And although we were talking about figuring out Enneagram types, this immediately makes me think of walking a labyrinth.  Enjoy this walk to release the hurry, and receive the wisdom within you that is waiting to emerge. Join me in Chartres, France for Hidden Things: Pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral, October 3-10, 2026. Paid subscribers to Room to Evolve can download and print the Labyrinth Walk Companion Guide.  Subscribe to Room to Evolve at https://roomtoevolve.com  Locate a labyrinth near you at labyrinthlocator.com, hosted by The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas: HERE Order a handheld labyrinth from Veriditas: HERE. Download a printable tracing labyrinth PDF: HERE

    RELAX AND RECEIVE: A Labyrinth Walk Companion

  7. Apr 15

    The Enneagram and Yoga Therapy: Why We Do What We Do — A Conversation with Abi Robins

    What if the way you move through the world is shaped by something deeper than you realize? In this episode of Room to Evolve, Jessica Goulding sits down with Abi Robins, certified Enneagram teacher and yoga therapist, to explore the Enneagram as a path of self-understanding, compassion, and transformation. Together, they explore the Enneagram not as a personality label, but as a living system—one that reveals the deeper motivations, patterns, and unconscious fears that shape how we show up in our lives. Abi shares how the Enneagram and yoga therapy intersect, offering both insight and embodied practice. In this episode, you’ll hear:~ What the Enneagram actually is (and what it isn’t)~The difference between behavior and motivation~How unconscious patterns shape our relationships~Why compassion is essential for real change~How to begin working with your patterns This conversation is an invitation to become more curious about your inner world—and to meet yourself with greater awareness and compassion. Continue the journey:A labyrinth walk companion inspired by this conversation is coming next. About Abi Robins (they/them):Abi Robins is a certified Enneagram Teacher who studied with Helen Palmer, Marion Gilbert, Peter O’Hanrahan and others through The Narrative Enneagram. They are also a CIAYT Yoga Therapist. Abi’s teaching combines the deep and transformative insight of the Enneagram with the holistic and down to earth practices of Yoga Therapy. Learn more:www.consciousenneagram.com www.abirobins.substack.com www.instagram.com/consciousenneagram www.instagram.com/queergravel

    The Enneagram and Yoga Therapy: Why We Do What We Do — A Conversation with Abi Robins

  8. Mar 27

    WISDOM OF NATURE: A labyrinth Walk Companion

    This Labyrinth Walk Companion, Wisdom of Nature, invites you to slow down, listen, and reconnect with the quiet intelligence of the natural world. It is inspired by my conversation with Nancy Herlin on the recent episode, Sacred Places and Eco-Spirituality. Through breath, reflection, poetry, and the rhythm of the labyrinth, this practice opens space for insight, subtle awareness, and a deeper sense of connection. Step into the walk and discover what nature might be communicating to you. Whether you are tracing a handheld or printed labyrinth, or walking one of the thousands of labyrinths around the world, these recordings are here to help you pause, reflect on what life is calling you into right now, and meet yourself exactly where you are before taking the first step. You might also use them as meditation prompts, or as preparation for a yoga or movement practice. You will begin with centering and breath, open the labyrinth with awareness, and step forward with reflective guidance to accompany you. If you are practicing from home, you can download a printable tracing labyrinth below. Paid subscribers to Room to Evolve receive access to downloadable Labyrinth Walk Companion Guides. May your walks in nature be a conversation, and may that conversation bring you wisdom and insights for your journey ahead. Much love, Jessica Locate a labyrinth near you at labyrinthlocator.com, hosted by The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas: HERE Order a handheld labyrinth from Veriditas: HERE. Download a printable tracing labyrinth PDF: HERE Access this episode’s Labyrinth Walk Companion Guide by becoming a paid subscriber.   Thank you!

    WISDOM OF NATURE: A labyrinth Walk Companion
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
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About

Room to Evolve is a contemplative podcast for pilgrims, seekers, yogis, creatives—and for those standing at a threshold without words yet. Rooted in yoga, contemplative, and spiritual practice, it offers a quiet place to listen, notice what is stirring, and discern what comes next. Each month features intimate conversations, and a Labyrinth Companion for reflective, intentional walking. Hosted by Jessica Goulding. Read, practice, and learn more at roomtoevolve.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Goulding
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jessica Goulding
  • Show Website
    Room to Evolve

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