Another Way

Matt DeFina

Welcome to Another Way, a podcast where we explore how you can stop following the script that society has given you, and start to create your own. My intention is stoke your inner fire, expand the possibilities of what you could do with your life and help us shift the paradigm for what it means to live a meaningful life. On the podcast, we’ll explore ideas and meet pioneers that are challenging the status quo, and ultimately help you (and me), find another way.

  1. A completely different approach to shadow work - An introduction to 'Existential Kink' - Dr Carolyn Elliot (Part 1/2)

    6d ago

    A completely different approach to shadow work - An introduction to 'Existential Kink' - Dr Carolyn Elliot (Part 1/2)

    I am so excited to share this episode with you - Existential Kink is a practice that has changed my life and changed the lives of so many people and clients around me and this episode I'm talking to the creator and author of the practice. Dr. Carolyn Elliott, now known as Carolyn Lovewell, is a writer, educator, and expert in shadow integration, with a PhD in Critical and Cultural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She is best known for her book Existential Kink: Unmask Your Shadow and Embrace Your Power, which explores how embracing repressed parts of ourselves can unlock personal transformation. The book blends Jungian shadow work with a unique approach to finding pleasure in difficult or undesirable experiences. In addition to her writing, Carolyn runs online programs like the "Sleep Over Mystery School," teaching occult philosophy and practical magic. She also founded the online community Electric Yes, where she offers coaching and workshops focused on her "Existential Kink" practices. Carolyn has traveled extensively, lived as a digital nomad, and now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family​. On the episode, we talk about: What 'Existential Kink' is How Carolyn discovered the 'EK' practice Why we actually love and create our own suffering (and how to change this) How to use EK to create the life you truly want (and why you don't yet have it) How Carolyn uses EK in her everyday life and relationshipCarolyn's Links Instagram The Immortal College Buy the book: Existential KinkMatt's Links Another Way Instagram Matt Defina Instagram

    56 min
  2. How breathwork saved my life (and thousands of others) - Ryan Hubbard

    6d ago

    How breathwork saved my life (and thousands of others) - Ryan Hubbard

    It has been a hot minute, but we are back! This time we are welcoming Ryan Hubbard — Cool 2 Be Conscious Founder & Breathwork Facilitator Ryan is the founder of Cool 2 Be Conscious, a breathwork facilitator, and a dedicated community builder who has taken a movement from five friends in Christchurch to thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand. His events, tours, and workshops have created a thriving community united by breath, connection, and a shared desire to feel alive. Ryan's path here was anything but linear. He grew up on a farm in New Zealand, spent years operating heavy machinery, tried his hand at personal training, painting, kayak guiding, and eventually found his calling as a professional dive instructor on the Great Barrier Reef – until a serious ear injury brought it all crashing down. That loss, and the depression that followed, became the doorway to everything. Through breathwork, fasting, cold exposure, and a deep commitment to personal growth, Ryan transformed his life — and now dedicates himself to helping others do the same. His unique approach blends high-energy facilitation with raw vulnerability, making his events a genuinely life-changing experience for anyone who walks through the door. He's also a proud new dad and the visionary behind New Waves – an upcoming music festival set for 2027 that combines big-stage acts with ice baths, saunas, and breathwork for thousands. --- Cool 2Be Conscious - https://www.cool2beconscious.com/ Ryan Hubbard IG -https://www.instagram.com/ryanhubbards/ ---- Another Way - www.anotherway.au Another Way IG - www.instagram.com/anotherway_au Matt Defina - www.instagram.com/mattdefina_

    1h 30m
  3. How to truly discover your purpose through Vedic Meditation - Laura Poole

    07/03/2025

    How to truly discover your purpose through Vedic Meditation - Laura Poole

    I’m thrilled to be back on the podcast and this time, welcoming Laura Poole! Laura is a renowned Vedic meditation teacher, the visionary founder of Mahasoma, and a passionate community builder dedicated to weaving feminine-led Vedic wisdom into everyday life. Laura has spent over 15 years studying and training with revered masters across Australia and India, deeply immersing herself in the ancient lineages of Vedanta, Ayurveda, and Vedic meditation. Based on a beautiful three-acre homestead in Noosa, she also travels regularly to teach in Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, and India - leading thousands of sessions, retreats, and teacher trainings. Her unique approach combines simple, heart-based meditation techniques with embodiment practices, earth‑rooted living (she’s even growing a food forest!), and uplifting community events. Laura believes meditation is not just a personal tool — it’s a way to discover who you truly are, connect with your purpose, and live in loving service to the world. She’s also the host of the Mahasoma Podcast, where she shares transformative stories and ancient wisdom to challenge old beliefs and inspire a new way of being. And — I’m excited to say — Laura and I will be co-leading the COMPASS retreat together from 18th - 25th August in Bali. It’s a week-long journey into clarity, purpose, and deep reconnection… and we can’t wait to share it with you. ---- Mahasoma - https://www.mahasoma.com/ Laura Poole - https://www.laurapoole.com/ Laura Poole IG - www.instagram.com/laura_poole ---- Another Way - www.anotherway.au Another Way IG - www.instagram.com/anotherway_au COMPASS Retreat - www.anotherway.au/compass Matt Defina - www.instagram.com/mattdefina_

    1h 9m
  4. How do you get the most out of yourself? - Alfie Robertson

    07/16/2024

    How do you get the most out of yourself? - Alfie Robertson

    This week's guest is a powerhouse! Alfie is an entrepeneur, fitness coach, model, actor and former corporate professional who left the rat race to pursure something more. Alfie shot to social media fame earlier this year (2024), after he created a Instagram account called @alfiegetshard, to share the journey of him completing the 75-hard challenge (go look this up if you don't know it!). In just a few months, Alfie's account grew to over 100k followers (now 247k), and he then used this momentum to launch a fitness, health and coaching business off the back of it. Originally from New Zealand, but relocated to Bondi Beach, Alfie is the epitomy of what's possible when you back yourself and create your own way. He's now living the life of his dreams with a bunch of other Kiwi mates who have all created the same lifestyle for themselves. He's team up with best mate Jake Blundell (aka @elastaboy - 661k IG followers) and they've now got their own IG accounts and businesses together, @purebodyeat and @trainpurebody (links below). I met up with Alfie at Waves Podcast Studio in Bondi while I was up for a trip earlier this year and the pleasure of going for a run with him and his run club while I was up. As you'll here in the episode, I first met Alfie because I complete one of his diet and fitness challenges and it had a real impact on me - I loved his philosophy and how much he simplifies things down. Naturally, I was keen to meet with him and start to uncover some his secrets. As you'll hear in the episode, Alfie's attitude to life, work and training are exceptionally positive and inspirational. In this episode, Alfie and I talk about: How he got into this world of health and fitness What it takes to actually show up day in, day out How to build a brand and business that's aligned with your life How to squeeze the most out of life, in all areasAlfie's got a heap of really accessible programs online, go and check him out at the links below. Alfie's Links IG - @alfiegetshard IG - @purebodyeats IG - @trainpurebody IG - @elastaboyAnother Way Our podcast and business exists to help purpose-driven professionals create a meaningful life and career, without burning out. If you know of any guests that you think should appear, or have topics you'd like us to cover, please let me know via my details below. Contact Details As always, I'd love to hear your feedback! You can find me at the links below: IG - @anotherway.au IG - @mattdefina_ Email: matt@anotherway.auWorking together Want to chat about collaborating or working together? Book a discovery call with me here Enjoy!

    1h 8m
  5. How to create a spacious, sustainable and purpose-driven life & career - Alison Rice

    04/16/2024

    How to create a spacious, sustainable and purpose-driven life & career - Alison Rice

    Alison Rice is a 10x award-winning leader, conscious career and business mentor, regenerative brand strategist and podcast host. It all started in 2018 with the launch of the now-acclaimed Offline, The Podcast. An antidote to hustle and grind culture, it remains dedicated to exploring more conscious and sustainable definitions of success. To date, it's been downloaded over 1.5 million times. Her ever-evolving body of work exists to serve anyone seeking a more spacious, sustainable and purpose-driven version of success. Which includes… Spiritually informed and highly strategic career mentorship and business programs.  Regenerative brand, community and content strategies that start with deep listening and emerge to meet the need of the time. Inclusive and aware community spaces that offer people a safe place to land, recover and redefine the role their work plays in the overall storyline of their lives. Prior to Offline, Alison held writing, editing, programming and publishing roles at The Walkley Foundation For Excellence in Journalism, ACP Magazines and Allure Media. In 2015 she led the award-winning localisation and launch of Who What Wear, Byrdie and MyDomaine into the Australian market and from 2013-2018, led POPSUGAR to become one of the country’s most-read women’s lifestyle websites. Key Projects Explore Alison's conscious career and business mentorship space at getoffline.co/off. Enrolments for the only four-month season she's running in 2024 are now open and will close at midnight on Sunday, April 28. Contact - Alison If you'd like to get in touch with Alison, the email address to write to support@getoffline.co. You can find her on Instagram @alisonlarsenrice.

    1h 31m
  6. From Event Specialist to Meditation Teacher (How meditation saved Sammy's life) - Sammy Swayn

    04/02/2024

    From Event Specialist to Meditation Teacher (How meditation saved Sammy's life) - Sammy Swayn

    Meet Sammy, a dynamic individual who has worn many hats and experienced a multitude of life's adventures in a remarkably short span of time. Stepping off the conventional path at an early age, Sammy ventured into the realm of electrical work, instilling in him a profound appreciation for the value of hard work.  However, fate had a different calling, and at the ripe old age of 20, he bid farewell to the electrical trade to immerse himself in the vibrant world of music. This career change ignited his creative spark, inspiring him to craft and produce events that resonated with his own unique vision.  Over the past decade, Sammy has poured his heart and soul into curating extraordinary music festivals, food extravaganzas, and captivating community shows. His biggest triumph to date? An awe-inspiring long weekend gathering that united a staggering 35,000 people in Melbourne. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour of the event scene, Sammy confronted his own battles with mental health, a struggle that had plagued him since his formative years. It was during his lowest point, when hope seemed to elude him, that he realized a transformation was essential.  Introduced to mindfulness by his family doctor, Sammy began to venture down a new path.  The transformative tools of meditation and mindfulness became the bedrock for nurturing and sustaining his mental well-being, elevating his overall quality of life to new heights. Driven by an unwavering passion, Sammy's mission is clear: to share the profound benefits of meditation and mindfulness with the world. Through his own remarkable journey, he aspires to guide and inspire others on their path to finding balance, cultivating inner peace, and unlocking their true potential. Sammy's story is a testament to the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness, and he stands ready to empower individuals from all walks of life to embrace a higher quality of existence Connect with Sammy One Minute Meditator Sammy SwaynConnect with Matt Matt Defina Another Way Mt Kilimanjaro RetreatSupport Services Lifeline - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

    1h 10m
  7. How do you answer the call to adventure? - Andrea Beck

    03/06/2024

    How do you answer the call to adventure? - Andrea Beck

    How do you actually say YES to the adventure of life? What do you do when life keeps throwing your curveballs, hurdles and stop, wrong way signs? What do you do when life keeps whispering in your ear and nudging you to go another way? Well, my guest this week knows a thing or two about the above! On this episode, we spoke about: How Dre got into marketing and made some bold moves in her career at an early age The health challenges Dre navigated as a result of not choosing her true path The magic that has transpired in Dre's life since she did say YESAndrea Beck Andrea is a Cultural Futurist, Business Strategist, Creative Mentor, and CEO. She’s the founder of All Rise, the next gen business development agency that innovates for impact (or “idea lab for transformational leaders and orgs”). There, she helps purpose-led brands launch, scale and establish themselves in their market, so they can become more influential and make a real difference in the world. From working for the Big 4 Management Consultancies, to pursuing art as a law school drop-out, to designing the strategies for major multinational brands like Barbie, Colgate and Chanel, to changing the law multiple times with marketing (e.g. removing taxes on tampons, introducing new Power of Attorney legislation to prevent abuse). Andrea has worked in every corner of the creative industry, as a researcher, analyst, business / brand / marketing strategist, content creator, partnerships manager, sales representative, brand ambassador, and business owner. With business of all sizes. She’s fascinated by the power of stories to drive change, here to give future visionaries a voice, and raise the leaders our world needs. According to Andrea, we live in an extremely exciting time, where anyone has the opportunity to get their message and idea out there. But, having worked with many first-time creators, she also knows how daunting this can be! 30-day challenge To remove some of the barriers many aspiring business owners and thought leaders have, she’s leading a 30-Day Challenge, where she’ll be building a completely new brand and community from scratch, covering the exact steps it takes, from defining your vision, to finding your edge, to growing your audience, and beyond. She invites those who have always wanted a side hustle, or to take their brand to the next level, to join her. The creative revolution is here, and there has never been a better time to pursue your purpose or passion project! Dre's Links IG - @andreabeck www.allrise.com.au Matt's Links IG - @mattdefina_ www.anotherway.au

    1h 15m

About

Welcome to Another Way, a podcast where we explore how you can stop following the script that society has given you, and start to create your own. My intention is stoke your inner fire, expand the possibilities of what you could do with your life and help us shift the paradigm for what it means to live a meaningful life. On the podcast, we’ll explore ideas and meet pioneers that are challenging the status quo, and ultimately help you (and me), find another way.