Soulful Impact with Brooks Barron

Brooks Barron
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Spirituality
  • Updated Monthly

Illuminating a path to building a better world while living a life of fulfillment and freedom.

  1. 07/23/2025

    Integrating Spiritual Awakening w/ Tom Morgan

    Hey everyone, This will be the last podcast episode I publish before my upcoming paternity leave, as Ashley and I prepare to welcome our second daughter! 🥳 Thank you so much for being part of the first season of this podcast. Hosting the show has already been so enriching and expansive for me, and it feels like we are just getting started. I’m looking forward to being back at it in the fall/winter. An exciting new chapter for the show is already beginning to take shape, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Until then, soulfully yours, Brooks -- Tom Morgan is the founder of The Leading Edge, a vibrant private community for leaders deeply committed to personal growth, consciousness exploration, and authentic connection. After only 15 months, The Leading Edge has nearly reached its full membership capacity, demonstrating the profound impact it’s had on its participants. Tom’s path to this purposeful work was anything but smooth. In this deeply revealing conversation, he opens up about his transformative journey from a conventionally “successful” Wall Street career to a profound spiritual awakening that shattered his previous identity and plunged him into a grueling dark night of the soul lasting several years. Tom candidly shares the intensity of his experiences—including profound suffering, mental health struggles, and a challenging period of existential crisis—highlighting how crucial it was for him to strike the dynamic balance between agency and surrender to ultimately break through to his deeper calling. We discuss how Tom navigated the uncertainty of leaving behind a highly successful financial career, faced the painful process of ego dissolution, and discovered that true freedom and fulfillment lay in authentically serving others. He explains how this led to creating The Leading Edge, which now serves as a safe haven and empowerment tribe for others who feel isolated on their own paths of awakening and transformation. This episode offers rich insights into the power of authentic community, the burdensome blessings of spiritual awakening, the courage required to embrace one’s true calling, and how our deepest wounds can become our greatest gifts. -- Links & Resources * Watch this episode on YouTube * Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Follow Tom on X/Twitter * Subscribe to The Leading Edge’s Newsletter * Listen to The Leading Edge Podcast on Apple or Spotify * Join the The Leading Edge Community -- Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction to Tom Morgan's Journey 00:03:45 - From Wall Street Success to Breakdown 00:07:30 - The Awakening Experience 00:11:15 - Plunging into the Dark Night 00:15:22 - Failed Attempts to Pivot Careers 00:19:05 - Ketamine Treatments and Rock Bottom 00:23:10 - The Turning Point and Healing 00:27:20 - Understanding the Hero's Journey 00:31:45 - Differentiating Necessary from Unnecessary Suffering 00:36:10 - The Shamanic Archetype in Modern Context 00:40:30 - Finding Joy in Authentic Work 00:44:15 - The Birth of The Leading Edge 00:48:22 - Building Community for Consciousness Explorers 00:52:10 - The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership 00:56:30 - Free Will and Personal Growth 01:00:45 - Life as an Intelligent Response System 01:05:10 - Embracing the Call to Adventure 01:11:05 - Creating Containers for Transformation 01:15:40 - The Wound as the Gift 01:19:00 - Closing Thoughts on Consciousness This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 20m
  2. Creativity, Soul, and Finding Ourselves w/ Kelly Wilde Miller

    06/23/2025

    Creativity, Soul, and Finding Ourselves w/ Kelly Wilde Miller

    Kelly Wilde Miller is a creative mentor, author, and soul-driven entrepreneur whose journey has been profoundly shaped by her quest to find authentic expression and deep belonging. I first met Kelly in May 2021, when she embarked on a Vision Quest with Animas Valley Institute—an experience that opened a transformative path toward manifesting her soul’s gifts through creativity. In this episode, Kelly shares vulnerably about her journey through profound self-discovery, including the powerful Vision Quest moment when encountering ancient handprints triggered her realization of longing and disconnection—the "song of the lost white people." She discusses the birth of Prismara, her new venture embodying her soul’s authentic expression, and how creativity has become her path toward integration and fulfillment. We explore creativity as a profound act of self-expression and healing, highlighting Kelly’s insight that our perceived blocks—what she calls our “maras”—are precisely the path our soul wants us to navigate to fully channel our unique gifts. Kelly also speaks candidly about navigating the complex dance between authenticity, visibility, and nervous system regulation, emphasizing the importance of creating from a place of grounded safety and embodied presence. Our conversation delves into deep questions around finding our true place—psychospiritually, metaphysically, and literally—and what it means to genuinely find oneself amidst the turmoil and opportunity of our times. Kelly shares her thoughts on conscious parenting, the journey of becoming oneself, and why choosing to live from soul is both a courageous and necessary act in today’s world. This episode will resonate deeply with anyone on a journey toward authentic expression, creativity, and soulful alignment amidst the challenges and potentials of modern life. -- Links & Resources * Watch this episode on YouTube * Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Subscribe to Kelly on Substack * Follow Kelly’s work at Prismara: prismaracircle.com * Check out Kelly’s book, Creative Dysregulation -- Chapters 00:00:00 - Welcome to Soulful Impact Podcast 00:02:45 - Meeting Kelly: A Soul Journey Begins 00:05:20 - Finding Authentic Expression in Modern Times 00:08:17 - Introducing Prismara: Birth of a Soul-Aligned Business 00:11:42 - Working the Mirror: Creative Projects as Transformation 00:15:36 - The Power of Presence and Embracing the Wobble 00:19:32 - Authenticity as the Path to True Expression 00:23:10 - The Kelly of Four Years Ago: Lost and Searching 00:28:07 - Intergenerational Patterns and Finding Yourself 00:33:15 - The Quest for Self: What It Really Means 00:37:54 - Vision Quest Revelations: The Wall of Handprints 00:42:30 - Finding Belonging in a Disconnected World 00:47:05 - Consenting to Life: Saying Yes to Existence 00:51:37 - The Symphony of Being in Harmony 00:56:10 - Motherhood and Not Losing Yourself 01:00:28 - Soul-Centric Development and Necessary Darkness 01:04:46 - Raising Children from a Place of Integration 01:09:12 - Living in Integrity During Challenging Times 01:13:45 - Creativity as Life Force Energy Expression 01:18:22 - Creative Regulation and Clearing the Channels 01:22:38 - Discerning Soul's Calling from Ego's Distractions 01:27:14 - The Path of Authenticity: No Going Back 01:32:05 - Future Collaborations and Closing Reflections 01:35:45 - Final Thanks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 38m
  3. Embodiment, Pleasure, and Soul w/ Marie Janicek

    06/09/2025

    Embodiment, Pleasure, and Soul w/ Marie Janicek

    Marie Janicek is an intuitive movement, pleasure, and embodiment guide who combines her deep expertise as a physical trainer with a profound personal and spiritual journey. After participating in my 2022 Vision Quest program, Marie has stepped powerfully onto a path of embodying soul—described beautifully by her as living as a "magical, mythical being." In this episode, Marie opens up about how embracing her soul became the transformative "missing piece" in her spiritual and emotional journey. She shares intimately about her experiences during the Vision Quest, how the quest supported her in integrating and building upon a profound awakening of embodied intelligence that she had experienced years earlier, and her ongoing spiritual, personal, and professional journey since. We dive deep into the potent connection between sensitivity, embodiment, and vitality. Marie reveals how reclaiming her sensitivity—often misunderstood and dismissed by modern culture as weakness—has been central to her healing and growth. She speaks eloquently to the dynamic force of pleasure and sexual-creative energy, emphasizing its vital role in igniting aliveness and soulful leadership.Marie and I explore how her experiences in psychedelic guiding, intuitive movement, and her journey through the highs of visionary states (including her experiences connecting with her mythopoetic soul identity, "Soaring Fire Heart") and the lows of deep human struggle - even contemplating suicide - have guided her toward clarity about her unique soul gifts and purpose, and helped her cultivate a deep and grounded foundation of presence. This conversation will resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of embodying their soul, reclaiming sensitivity, wondering about their deeper purpose and whether there is something more magical and expansive to this life (there most certainly is), and/or stepping into greater vitality and impact in the world. -- Links & Resources * Watch this episode on YouTube * Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Connect with Marie on Instagram -- Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction and Spiritual Journey 00:03:15 - Marie's Background and Vision Quest 00:07:21 - Understanding Soul as Unique Entity 00:12:05 - Balancing Spirit and Soul Work 00:17:22 - Embracing Emotional Intensity 00:21:48 - Reclaiming Innate Sensitivity 00:26:30 - The Collective Pain of Disconnection 00:30:15 - Marie's Transformative Quest Experience 00:34:42 - Soul Name and Personal Calling 00:38:54 - Navigating Spiritual Highs and Lows 00:43:10 - Processing Emotions as Energy Waves 00:48:30 - Evolution Through Feeling More 00:52:45 - Embodied Intelligence and Movement 00:57:20 - Discovering Orgasmic Capacity 01:02:38 - The Sacred Nature of Pleasure 01:06:50 - Soul Practices and Nature Connection 01:11:25 - Defining Soulful Impact 01:15:30 - Marie's Work and Approach 01:18:45 - Closing Thoughts on Soul-Infused Living This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 20m
  4. Exec Coach Jerry Colonna Shares His Soul Story

    05/27/2025

    Exec Coach Jerry Colonna Shares His Soul Story

    Watch this episode on YouTube. Jerry Colonna is a world-renowned and highly sought-after executive coach. After a successful early career in venture capital and private equity, he found his calling in coaching. Known in some circles as “the CEO whisperer” or “the Yoda of Silicon Valley,” he brings a depth of soul-rooted presence, love, and fierce advocacy for the disinherited and the unseen. How did he get this way? Through a long journey of meeting his own fear and trauma with love, of course (see his book Reboot for that story). And through decades of personal work and dedicated spiritual practice (primarily Buddhism). There’s also a lesser-known aspect of Jerry’s journey, which I personally see as vitally important: he traveled the nature-based journey of soul initiation. I believe the tremendous contribution that Jerry is making to the building of a better world — including his groundbreaking books and his work with leaders and teams — is largely empowered by the journey he went on to find and embody his soul’s true purpose. I was really excited to get to draw out more from Jerry about his experience of that journey in this podcast. He describes it as going from being “dismembered” and “a complete mess” (as a financially successful investor in his 30s) to becoming “re-membered.” To remembering himself. Jerry shares how at one point the Earth literally pulled him down and swallowed him whole, initiating a wakeup call that brought him into contact with his deeper self and eventually led him onto a vision quest. Jerry's story is a deeply moving example of what’s possible through self-discovery and self-healing in nature. We discuss how the part of himself he discovered on that quest — the essence of his soul’s unique gift — has informed and empowered his life and work since. Jerry and I also unpack how the lessons learned from what helps us make it through our own personal dark times in a good way can also inform how we collectively approach the current dark times we are witnessing on the global stage right now. – Links & Resources Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co Check out Jerry’s coaching firm, Reboot Read Jerry’s two books, Reboot and Reunion Connect with Jerry on Instagram or LinkedIn – Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: A Journey of Remembering 02:30 - Early Years: Disconnection and Depression 07:30 - Wakeup Call: Falling into the Crevasse 11:45 - The Meaning of Soul 16:30 - Vision Quest: Purging Pain, Finding Purpose 24:30 - Integration: An Ongoing Process 28:15 - Non-Directive Coaching: Allowing Emergence 32:00 - Reunion: Belonging and Our Ancestors 38:30 - Navigating the Dark Times 44:15 - The Work That Is Never Done 48:45 - Finding Joy Amidst the Darkness 54:00 - Remembering Our Role in the Symphony 59:30 - Final Reflections: Be Excessively Gentle With Yourself — Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 6m
  5. Vision Quest Story: Being Enough & Clarifying Purpose w/ Ross Geiger

    04/18/2025

    Vision Quest Story: Being Enough & Clarifying Purpose w/ Ross Geiger

    Watch this episode on YouTube. Ross Geiger is Co-Founder & President at Ciro, a YC-backed tech startup. His LinkedIn says he is “On a journey to understand & elevate the craft of Sales.” And he participated in the 2024 Soulful Impact Vision Quest. If that combination makes you raise an eyebrow, you’re not alone. Ross is a unique and deeply multifaceted individual. Which is part of why I was so excited to invite him onto the show. Through guiding Ross on his quest, I got to witness his incredible depth. I had the opportunity to walk beside him as he did a very scary and courageous thing. He stepped away from a very full life to spend several days alone in the wilderness with no food. He ceremonially released the control of his ego so that he could dive deeper within himself than ever before and connect with the truth at the center of his calling. The result was profound. I’m incredibly grateful to Ross for his willingness to share some of that experience with you directly through this episode. A core theme we explore in this conversation is how the setting and structure of the quest supported Ross in putting his ego aside, how this enabled a realization of his innate worthiness, and how that spark opened the door for his soul to speak. We also explore what integration has been like for him so far, what’s alive for him now in this next layer of his journey, and how he’s finding deep soulful alignment without needing to make major shake-ups to the external realities of his life (which is something people often expect to happen after a vision quest). In this way, Ross’ story is a powerful example of how it’s really the internal shift that counts. When we consciously live and act from a place of soul, we are guided to make soulful impact in beautiful and unexpected ways. Enjoy! Links & Resources * Connect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Connect with Ross on LinkedIn * Check out Ross’ company, Ciro Chapters 00:03:28 Introduction and Journey Overview 00:06:24 Personal Background and Call to the Quest 00:09:30 Preparation for the Vision Quest 00:12:31 Experiencing the Quest: Inner Work and Transformation 00:15:22 The Role of Nature and Wilderness in Healing 00:18:40 Insights Gained from the Quest 00:21:28 The Importance of Authenticity and Self-Expression 00:24:15 Messages from the Soul and Personal Craft 00:27:21 Reflections on the Quest Experience 00:30:32 Future Directions 00:44:01 Believing You're Enough 00:46:06 The Journey of Self-Discovery 00:51:50 Nature as a Teacher 00:53:43 Understanding Our Place in Nature 00:59:51 The Power of Asking for Support 01:04:51 Embodying Soul in Leadership 01:10:36 The Importance of Personal Transformation 01:14:40 Integration After the Quest 01:20:33 Advice for Future Questers — Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 15m
  6. Touching God Through Grief w/ Jonny Miller

    03/21/2025

    Touching God Through Grief w/ Jonny Miller

    Watch this episode on YouTube. Today’s episode features my good friend and nervous system specialist, Jonny Miller. Jonny is the host of the Curious Humans Podcast and founder of Nervous System Mastery, Jonny is the host of the Curious Humans Podcast and the founder of Nervous System Mastery — a 5-week bootcamp to cultivate calm, boost resilience, and increase aliveness. I often talk about how one way to conceive of the soul journey is alchemizing our pain into purpose. Especially in the modern world, where most of us don’t have village elders around to guide us into the initiatory journey of soul when we are deemed ripe and ready, that initiation is sometimes catalyzed by external life circumstances that shake us up to wake us up. In Jonny’s case, this occurred through the tragic and sudden loss of his fiancé to suicide in 2017 — right after she returned to work from some time off and suffered a panic attack. In this episode, Jonny and I explore how that terrible event sent him on an inward journey — which initially helped him heal and fully submit to his grief, and eventually ended up leading him to the deep, soulcenteric place of purpose from which he leads and creates today. I view Jonny’s work — and Nervous System Mastery in particular — as sorely needed, heart-centered offerings that can help people like his former fiancé stay regulated even in the most challenging moments of life. Beyond that, I think Jonny’s work is a highly effective “Trojan Horse” to bring the crucial skills of emotional and somatic self-awareness and mastery into the mainstream — when, let’s be honest, these skills have historically been maligned and ridiculed in our culture, especially for high performing professionals. These skills are not only important to help us stay emotionally, psychologically, and physically safe in our lives — but are also crucial for equipping ourselves to successfully chart the dark and dangerous waters of the Journey of Soul Initiation. Jonny and I discuss the journey he’s been on since 2017, what it’s been like for him to build what he’s built, some key choices he’s made that have helped make him successful, and what he envisions for the future of his work. — Links & Resources * Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Follow Jonny on Substack or X * Nervous System Mastery — Chapters 00:04:13 Exploring the Concept of Soul 00:16:35 The Journey of Grief and Transformation 00:27:28 Connecting Emotions and the Nervous System 00:28:20 The Nervous System as a Bridge 00:33:14 Creating a Course: The Journey of Expression 00:43:47 Future Visions: Expanding the Curriculum 00:53:52 Navigating Intensity: Growth and Balance 00:56:27 Navigating Thresholds: Living in Stasis vs. Breakthroughs 00:57:37 The Dance of Beauty and Terror: Embracing Obliteration 01:00:18 Chaos and Nervous System Work: A Path Forward 01:05:20 Envisioning a Future of Nervous System Mastery 01:09:18 Partnerships and Soul Growth: The Alchemical Container 01:16:32 Practical Steps to Nervous System Literacy: Starting Your Journey — Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 19m
  7. The Wisdom of Slowing Down w/ Steve Schlafman

    02/05/2025

    The Wisdom of Slowing Down w/ Steve Schlafman

    Watch this episode on YouTube. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and soulful impact happens when we slow down enough to live and lead from the deeper truth inside. We are so addicted to speed in our culture. It’s the water that we swim in. This is especially the case in the world of entrepreneurship — i.e. “Do More Faster” or “Move Fast and Break Things.” I love going fast when that’s what is called for. But too much of anything — even a good thing — gets out of balance. Slowing down can be really hard to do when you’re programmed to believe that moving fast equals success, and operating from a consciousness of scarcity and threat. But taking the time to slow down in a mindful, intentional, and soulful way is key to discovering and embodying the deeper truth of who we really are. And it’s only after we’ve done that that we become truly unstoppable. My guest on today’s episode is an incredible example of this. Steven Schlafman is the founder of Downshift, the world’s first decelerator — helping high performers slow down in times of professional transition. Formerly a partner at a New York Venture Capital firm, Steve (aka Schlaf) was forced to wake up and slow down due to a lack of sustainability in his own lifestyle. Now 10 years into a deep journey of self-healing and self-discovery, I believe Steve and Downshift are poised for a greater level of genuine impact, success, fulfillment and freedom than anything that the prior version of Steve could have imagined. And I that’s a direct result of the consciousness and soul-rooted place that he and his team are leading from. -- Links & Resources * Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Downshift: Apply for the Spring ‘25 Decelerator Cohort * Follow Schlaf on X or LinkedIn * Schlaf’s Substack: Where The Road Bends * William Stafford Poem: The Way It Is * Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack -- Chapters 04:30 The Wisdom of Slowing Down 07:36 Deceleration and Connection 10:20 The Birth of Downshift 13:17 Challenges of Modern Acceleration 16:22 Facing the Fear of Slowing Down 19:32 The Cost of Speed 22:28 Confronting Personal Pain 25:34 The Journey to Authenticity 29:44 Facing the Pain of Addiction 32:53 The Journey to Sobriety 36:28 Embracing Life's Cycles 38:36 Exploring the Concept of Soul 43:40 Trusting the Inner Knowing 50:53 The Four Windows of Knowing 54:55 The Importance of Choice in Personal Growth 57:11 Navigating Existential Questions in a Changing World 01:01:02 Shifting Paradigms: From Extraction to Cultivation 01:04:46 Nature as a Teacher: Insights from Soulcraft 01:14:47 Fatherhood: Balancing Presence and Ambition This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 23m
  8. Deepening Relationship to Soul, Trauma Healing, and Connecting to Nature w/ Rebecca Wildbear

    12/05/2024

    Deepening Relationship to Soul, Trauma Healing, and Connecting to Nature w/ Rebecca Wildbear

    Watch this episode on YouTube. I’ve loved recording all the podcast episodes I’ve done so far. But I have to say, this one left me feeling incredibly alive. Rebecca Wildbear is a Senior Soul Guide at the Animas Valley Institute, a psychotherapist, and the founder and creator of Wild Yoga, an organization that leads programs and retreats to help people connect with their bodies, dreams, and wild nature as gateways to creating soulful impact. Rebecca is also the author of the book Wild Yoga. Rebecca and I first met over 10 years ago, when she guided me on my very first vision quest. We reconnected 7 years later when I went back to Animas for a quest guiding apprenticeship, in which Rebecca and I guided a group of 10 questers in the same desert canyon where I’d quested with her 7 years before. I then convinced her to be my co-guide on the first couple of quests that I offered through Soulful Impact. She's a close mentor and a dear friend. In this conversation, Rebecca and I discuss how to build and deepen our connection to soul through the relationships we create with several very potent portals and gateways to soul, including: * Wild nature * Dreams * Our bodies * Our hearts * Our trauma Turns out that as human beings, we all come fully equipped with “soul hardware.” Meaning that we innately have everything we need to establish a profoundly deep, expansive, and powerful connection to soul. We don’t need anything outside of ourselves and our own natural wholeness to illuminate our life’s highest purpose and bring us fully alive. But in our modern day culture, we’ve distanced ourselves from the knowledge and understanding of how to put that God-given hardware to good use. The necessary skills are still out there and available to all of us, but thanks to centuries of censorship and oppression, we have lost the cultural infrastructure that could guarantee we all learn these things. The good news is that we are the lucky souls who get to turn this trend around. We get to remember and rediscover these ancient, deeply human pathways for ourselves, and then share them with others. We get to rebuild a new cultural fabric that is deeply rooted in soul and sings in harmony with the benefits of modern life. This conversation with Rebecca is a roadmap to that future, one human being and one human soul at a time. I hope you enjoy it! --- Links & Resources --- * Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn * Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co * Rebecca’s website: rebeccawildbear.com * Follow Rebecca on YouTube, Instagram or Substack * Wild Yoga Book * Check out Rebecca’s TedX Talk: The Visionary Power of Dreams & Nature Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog

    1h 10m
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Illuminating a path to building a better world while living a life of fulfillment and freedom.

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