HolisticCircle Spiritual Conversation Host Philipp Kobald

philipp kobald
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You're here because something feels missing—faith, spirituality, or community. Holistic Circle is a place to begin that search. I’m Philipp Kobald, your grounded, open‑minded host, talking with academics and believers from all backgrounds to explore spiritual history, philosophy, rituals, and lived experiences. I offer clear, neutral insights to help you make better spiritual choices. If curiosity matters more than certainty, this space is for you.

  1. Are We Raising Conscious Children? Spiritual Parenting & Modern Society

    MAR 13

    Are We Raising Conscious Children? Spiritual Parenting & Modern Society

    Philipp’s Book🌐 https://www.holisticcircle.org Connect with Samantha Santiago and explore her work: https://confidencefaith.com/ Are We Raising Conscious Children? In this episode of the Holistic Circle Podcast, Philipp Kobald welcomes back Samantha Santiago, founder of Confidence Faith, for a deep and honest conversation about Spiritual Parenting & Modern Society, and the concept of the “higher self”. What happens to a child’s creativity and openness as they grow up?Is balance enough, or should we aim for something higher?And how do emotional imprints shape the next generation? Together, Philipp and Samantha explore spiritual identity, organized faith, inner harmony, capitalism, love as energy, and the responsibility parents carry, not through perfection, but through awareness. 🔑 Key Takeaways Children absorb far more from our actions than our words. Emotional imprinting shapes their worldview.The concept of the “higher self” is about harmony, selflessness, and inner alignment.Balance may feel safe, but growth often requires conscious intention.Spiritual parenting begins with self-reflection, before trying to shape a child.Curiosity is one of the most powerful spiritual tools we can preserve in children.Modern society often compresses creativity, but it can be intentionally cultivated at home.Community, hosting, nature, and timeless practices help ground children in real connection.💬 Quotes Samantha Santiago:“If everything is energy, and energy cannot be created or destroyed, then love is the force holding everything together.” Philipp Kobald:“Children copy us far more deeply than we dare to admit, and that realization should humble every parent.” 👤 About the Guest Samantha Santiago is the founder of Confidence Faith, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and families explore self-awareness, spiritual growth, and conscious living. Her work focuses on love as a transformative force — both personally and collectively — and she is the author of a book centered on raising spiritually conscious families. Through her research and lived experience, she bridges spirituality, personal healing, and community impact. 🌿 Topics Covered The higher self vs balance in spiritual developmentLove as energy and quantum metaphorsOrganized religion and modern spiritualityParenting with awareness and intentionEmotional imprinting in childhoodCuriosity as a spiritual foundationNature, timelessness, and conscious living⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:01 From Big Dreams to Compressed Creativity (Childhood to Adulthood)00:26 Welcome Back: Podcast Intro, Lost Recording & This Year’s Theme—Organized Faith03:06 Meet Samantha Santiago & Confidence Faith’s Mission04:42 Why Chase Your “Highest Self”? Higher vs. Lower Self Explained06:20 Is “Balance” Enough? Love as Energy, Purpose, and Quantum Metaphors10:19 Could a Higher-State Society Work? Economics, Marketing, War & Human Nature14:39 Books, Parenting & Spirituality: What We Teach Kids (and Why)22:10 Brutal Honesty for Parents: Mixed Messages, Outsourcing Kids, and the Power of Copying31:23 Parenting Starts With You: Modeling Calm, Consistency & Emotional Imprints33:03 Love as Action: Why You Don’t Have to Say the Word for Kids to Feel It34:33 The Book’s Core Theme: Raising Curious Kids Without Forcing Beliefs36:35 Practical Parenting Ideas: Food, Farms, Hosting & Family Culture38:02 Sport as Character-Building: Choosing Activities for Balance, Not Medals39:38 Maximizing Everyday Nature Moments + Timelessness & Alternative Education43:35 Basic Life Skills in the AI Age: Self-Sufficiency, Safety & Real-World Know-How49:19 Community, Group Work & ‘Therapy Without Therapy’ + Closing Thoughts#spiritualparenting   #higherself   #consciousparenting   #holisticcircle   #faithandfamily   #personalgrowth   #spiritualdevelopment   #parentingpodcast

    1h 3m
  2. We Crave Belonging. So Why Do We Keep Walking Away?

    MAR 9

    We Crave Belonging. So Why Do We Keep Walking Away?

    We Crave Belonging. So Why Do We Keep Walking Away? Learn more about Philipp’s work and spiritual services:👉 https://www.holisticcircle.org Connect with our guest Aude Firmin:👉 https://www.audefirmin.com In the first episode of 2026, Philipp welcomes Aude Firmin, former tech strategist turned intuitive leadership coach, for a deep exploration of faith, capitalism, community, and the modern search for meaning. After more than a decade in the corporate world, Aude transitioned into holistic work as a Reiki master, psychic medium, and intuitive business consultant. Having worked with over 900 clients across industries — from entrepreneurs to executives — she brings a rare perspective: what happens when logic, spreadsheets, and quarterly targets stop being enough? This conversation moves across: The crisis of purpose in modern corporate culture The rise of intuitive leadership and psychic development Why communities are desired, but commitment is avoided Secular rituals, death doulas, and the transformation of religious functions The tension between capitalism and conscious values Whether a “hybrid spirituality” is emerging, and what that means for faithAre we witnessing the collapse of old systems, or the slow birth of something new? 🔑 Key Takeaways Many professionals are questioning traditional corporate definitions of success. Intuition, often dismissed, plays a major role in decision-making. Modern individuals want community, but resist rigid structures. Secular substitutes are increasingly replacing traditional religious roles. “Conscious capitalism” requires measurable integrity, not just branding. Alignment between values and action is becoming a central demand in leadership.💬 Quotes Aude Firmin:“We are all psychic. You are able to dream, you're able to channel inspiration when you write, when you paint, under your shower.” Philipp Kobald:“Nobody wants to commit. So this is the fascinating situation right now that we want the family, but then we are getting divorced.” 👤 About the Guest Aude Firmin is a French intuitive leadership coach, business strategist, Reiki master, and psychic medium based in London who spent over 12 years in tech and corporate strategy working with global organizations including Microsoft, Gucci, and Meta before transitioning to holistic practice, where she has now supported more than 900 clients across 20+ countries in aligning strategy with intuition. She now works with founders, executives, and entrepreneurs worldwide, integrating business strategy with intuition, energy awareness, and trauma-informed leadership development. ⏱️ Chapters 00:21 Welcome to Holistic Circle Podcast 00:47 New Year, New Focus 01:40 Guest Introduction: Aude Firmin 01:49 Transition to Holistic Practices 03:34 Spiritual Consulting in Business 04:55 Modern Spirituality and Corporate World 14:04 Community and Individual Spirituality 26:29 Rediscovering the Teachings of Joshua 27:42 The Quest for True Community 28:03 Commitment in Relationships and Religion 30:22 Embracing Psychic Abilities and Paganism 31:36 Balancing Modern Life with Spirituality 39:11 The Role of Money and Purpose in Life 41:55 Challenges in Corporate Culture 46:41 Concluding Thoughts on Spiritual and Corporate Integration#consciousleadership #intuitivebusiness #corporateburnout #holisticleadership #modernspirituality #purposedriven #energywork #holisticcircle P 01 26 (E 00107) - Jan 23, 2026

    51 min
  3. Gardnerian Wicca Explained: Witchcraft Beyond Stereotypes

    FEB 24

    Gardnerian Wicca Explained: Witchcraft Beyond Stereotypes

    Holistic Circle Podcast In this thought-provoking episode of the Holistic Circle Podcast, Philipp Kobald welcomes back two of the most engaging guests of the year, LadyE and Josh, for an intimate conversation on Gardnerian Wicca, Witchcraft Beyond Stereotypes, fertility religion, magic, and the search for spiritual truth. Together, they explore what it truly means to follow a mystery religion—a path where answers are not given, but discovered through lived experience, nature, ritual, and introspection. From the balance of male and female energies within the magical circle to the ancient roots of fertility religion, this conversation moves far beyond stereotypes of witchcraft and into its philosophical, psychological, and spiritual foundations. The episode also dives into modern struggles with belief, skepticism, and authenticity in a hyper-digital world. What does it mean to believe today? How do we reconnect with nature, ancestors, and spiritual forces in a society driven by convenience and distraction? And why is the journey itself more important than the destination? 🧠 Expect reflections on: Gardnerian Wicca as a living mystery traditionThe role of fertility, creation, and regeneration in magicNature as the foundation of spiritual experienceBelief, doubt, and the modern spiritual seekerWhy magic is practiced, not consumedAncestral memory, ritual, and embodied spiritualityThis episode is an invitation to slow down, question deeply, and reconnect with nature, spirit, and yourself. ✨ Memorable Quotes Philipp Kobald: "I've come to the point where I must choose to believe — and that's a strange thing for a modern, secular guy to admit." Josh: "We don't tell you the answers. If you, as a seeker, were to ask us questions about something, we might answer: It's a mystery. You're supposed to figure that out for yourself." 🔗 Links Subscribe: YouTube Channel Guest Links: Meetup: TanglewoodBlog: PhergophYouTube: @phergoph⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:22 Welcoming the Guests 01:14 Reflecting on the Past Year 01:32 Diving into Witchcraft and Magic 02:52 Understanding Mystery Religions 08:39 Male and Female Energy in Witchcraft 12:04 The Importance of Nature and Ancestral Connection 19:13 Motivations and Spiritual Growth in Wicca 30:03 The Question of the Year 31:23 Modern Secular World vs. Spiritual Beliefs 31:47 Nature as an Escape 34:15 The Role of Faith and Signs 36:18 Authenticity in Modernity 39:58 Science and Spirituality 50:01 Respect and Command in Magic 57:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell #holisticcircle #wicca #wiccancommunity #wiccans #witchcraft #spiritualpodcast #pagan #mystery #modernspirituality P 83 25 (E 0104) Dec 10, 2025

    1 hr
  4. Talking About Death on Christmas 🎄| The Taboo Conversation Nobody Wants to Have

    FEB 16

    Talking About Death on Christmas 🎄| The Taboo Conversation Nobody Wants to Have

    Link to our guest: https://theawakeningofdeath.com/Christmas Eve is usually wrapped in warmth, tradition, and the unspoken agreement that difficult emotions can wait until January. This conversation doesn’t follow that agreement.In this episode, David Jones returns to the Holistic Circle to speak about death not as an abstract idea, but as a lived reality — one that shapes how we grieve, how we love, and how honestly we allow ourselves to exist. From death cafés and public conversations about dying, to suicide, suppressed emotion, and the quiet loneliness many people carry through life, this dialogue moves steadily toward what is normally left unsaid.David reflects on what happens when grief has no witnesses, when vulnerability feels unsafe, and when society teaches people — especially men — to endure silently. Drawing from personal experience, soul-doula work, and countless conversations with strangers and clients alike, he describes how unexpressed emotion accumulates, how fear can become guidance rather than paralysis, and why truth-telling may be one of the most healing acts available to us.This episode aims at creating spaces — whether in cafés, families, or quiet conversations — where people are allowed to speak honestly about death, guilt, regret, love, and survival.As the year closes, the conversation turns gently but firmly toward reflection:What are we still carrying?What remains unresolved?And how might facing death directly help us live with more clarity, responsibility, and compassion — now?🔍 Key Takeaways• Why many people are grieving in isolation despite being surrounded by others• How suppressed emotions shape both mental health and the dying process• Why vulnerability often feels unsafe — and what that costs us• How suicide connects to shame, silence, and disconnection• Why talking openly about death can transform how we live, relate, and let go💬 Quotes“Fear isn’t the enemy. It’s guidance.” — David Jones“How you live your life is how you will die.” — David Jones👤 Guest BioDavid Jones is a soul doula, speaker, and author who works with individuals and communities around grief, death, emotional honesty, and end-of-life transitions. Through death cafés, public speaking, and one-on-one work, he creates spaces where people can explore what is usually avoided — and, in doing so, reconnect with life itself.🎧 Watch the full conversation on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel and enter a different kind of Christmas Eve — one where reflection replaces distraction, and honesty takes precedence over comfort.________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:39 Guest Introduction: David Jones01:12 David's Journey and Soul Doula03:56 The Awakening of Death and Life04:43 Death Cafes and Safe Spaces07:07 Reflections on Grief and Community11:35 The Impact of Isolation and Vulnerability19:37 Discussing Suicide and Emotional Pain29:23 Understanding Emotional Rejection29:34 Men and Emotional Training30:14 Societal Influence on Male Emotions31:14 Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Suppression32:51 Gender Differences in Grief36:30 Stages of Dying41:04 The Importance of Death Planning47:28 Soul Transition and Final Thoughts________________________________________#holisticcircle #spiritualconversation #griefandhealing #deathawareness #soulwork #emotionalresilience #consciousliving #christmasspecial #mentalhealthjourney P 76/25 (E0094) - Nov 04, 2025

    57 min
  5. The Calm Approach to Mental Illness No One Talks About Kate Purcell

    FEB 11

    The Calm Approach to Mental Illness No One Talks About Kate Purcell

    The Calm Approach to Mental Illness No One Talks About [Kate Purcell] Link to our guest: www.katepurcell.com Most conversations about mental illness feel urgent, overwhelming, or chaotic. This one doesn’t. In this episode of Holistic Circle Podcast, mental-health peer worker and author Kate Purcell offers something rarely heard in discussions about recovery: steadiness. Kate has lived through anorexia, addiction, psychosis, and a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. After more than a decade navigating hospital systems, medication, and stigma, she rebuilt her life and now supports others using the same grounded, lived-experience approach. Her calm is earned. This conversation explores what happens when healing is approached without panic, and why recovery doesn’t have to look dramatic to be real. Kate shares her journey through mental illness and recovery, her work as a mental health peer support worker in Australia, and how she helps people with anxiety, depression, psychosis, addiction, and eating disorders move forward one grounded step at a time. Rather than focusing on crisis narratives, this episode returns the conversation to what actually helps: hope, courage, resilience, boundaries, and meaning. If you’re searching for a mental-health conversation that cuts through fear, urgency, and clichés and replaces them with clarity and realism, this episode offers a different way in. 🔹 KEY TAKEAWAYS Why calm can be a powerful recovery tool, not denialWhat lived experience offers that theory and textbooks cannotHow hope, courage, and resilience shape long-term mental health recoveryWhy early intervention matters in eating disordersHow spirituality can support healing without losing groundingThe overlooked emotional toll on families and loved onesWhy recovery is non-linear and still possible at any stage🔹 QUOTES “I’m very good at leaving work at work.” —Kate Purcell“You sound very calm… like you know it can be done.” —Philipp Kobald🔹 GUEST BIO Kate Purcell is an Australian mental health peer support worker and author of three books on recovery, spirituality, and eating disorders. Drawing from over 12 years of lived experience and professional peer work, she supports individuals navigating mental illness, addiction, and recovery—while also advocating for hope-based, grounded approaches to healing. 🔹 WATCH NOTE You can watch the full conversation on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel. Guest link: [www.katepurcell.com ────────── CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Holistic Circle Podcast00:41 Meet Kate Purcell: Mental Health Advocate02:09 Kate's Professional Journey in Mental Health03:01 A Day in the Life of a Peer Worker03:38 Reintroduction and Technical Difficulties04:15 Kate's Work and Publications10:42 The Inspiration Behind Kate's First Book13:09 Keys to Mental Health Recovery15:45 Spirituality and Recovery: Level Up16:51 Practical Spiritual Practices19:10 Upcoming Book: Eating Disorder Recovery20:36 Understanding Eating Disorders21:53 Advice for Parents and Loved Ones25:54 The Importance of Family Support30:47 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks────────── #holisticcircle #philippkobald #mentalhealthrecovery #peersupport #eatingdisorderrecovery #healing #schizoaffectivedisorder #hopeandresilience #spiritualgrowth P 77/25 (E 0095) - Nov 05, 2025

    33 min
  6. The Victorian Obsession With Egypt, Mediums & the Occult: Women Found Their Voice in the Dark

    JAN 5

    The Victorian Obsession With Egypt, Mediums & the Occult: Women Found Their Voice in the Dark

    Why Do We Love a Scary Mummy? 🏺 The Victorian Obsession With Egypt, Mediums & the Occult created much of the spiritual imagination we carry today—and most of it was performative. In this episode, Dr Eleanor Dobson sits down with Philipp Kobald to explore curses, ghosts, seances, and how the mummy became the West’s go-to supernatural villain. This shows how each era reshapes spirituality—sometimes adding insight, sometimes adding spectacle—and how knowing the history makes our modern practices clearer. You’ll leave this conversation with a better sense of where spiritual trends originate, why they shift over time, how Women Found Their Voice in the Dark, and how to enjoy the mystical without confusing fact with performance. Key Insights ✨ How Victorian narratives built modern ideas of ghosts, curses, and Egypt Why spiritual movements reflect social pressures rather than ancient truths How seances gave women a voice in a male-dominated society Why each generation layers new myths and stories onto old ones What the “mummy curse” reveals about fear, empire, and fascination How historical awareness sharpens contemporary spiritual practiceMemorable Quotes 💬 “People have been rehearsing the mummy’s curse for decades before Tutankhamun.” —Dr Eleanor Dobson “We can finally separate what is real in spirituality and what is theatre.” —Philipp Kobald Guest Bio 👤 Dr Eleanor Dobson BA, MA, PhD, FHEA is a 19th-century literature expert focusing on Egypt, Tutankhamun, and the spiritual imagination surrounding them. Link to our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-dobson-16037420b/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Empowerment Through Spiritualism 00:28 Introduction to the Holistic Circle Podcast 00:41 Meet Eleanor Dobson 02:03 The Fascination with Egypt 03:39 The Mummy's Curse 11:11 The Rise of Spiritualism 12:10 Victorian Seances and Mediums 23:14 Egyptology and Interpretation 25:36 Egyptian Beliefs in the Afterlife 26:23 Mythology and Mummification 27:12 The Egyptian Concept of the Soul 28:03 Victorian Spiritualism and Science 29:57 The Rise and Fall of Spiritualism 34:27 The Dark Side of Spiritualism 37:19 The Occult and Secret Societies 47:31 Modern Spirituality and Gender#spiritualism #mummycurse #spiritualhistory #egyptologist #spirituality #occulthistory #holisticcircle #philippkobald #tutankhamun P 80 25 (E0099) - Nov 26, 2025

    52 min
  7. How Mediumship Really Works (And Why It’s Not What Hollywood Shows)

    12/23/2025

    How Mediumship Really Works (And Why It’s Not What Hollywood Shows)

    👤 Link to our guest: https://www.channelingwhitelight.com/ Psychic mediumship is often misunderstood — seen as either entertainment or blind belief. In this episode of the Holistic Circle Podcast, we explore what mediumship actually is, how it works, and why discernment matters more than belief. How Mediumship Really Works (And Why It’s Not What Hollywood Shows). Philip Kobald sits down with Kelly Palmatier, a professional evidential psychic medium, to discuss how communication with spirit happens, why it cannot be forced, and how both the living and the spirit world must actively participate for a connection to occur. This conversation covers the reality behind psychic and mediumship work, including the limits of accuracy, the role of intuition, and why even legitimate mediums are never perfect. You’ll also learn how to recognize ethical spiritual practitioners, avoid common psychic scams, and understand the difference between intuition, developing ability, and fraud — especially during periods of grief. 🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:How mediumship works beyond Hollywood portrayalsWhy spirit communication isn’t available on demandWhat happens to consciousness after deathWhy grief can affect psychic readingsHow to identify real mediums versus con artistsWhat ethical mediumship looks like in practice🧠 Key InsightsMediumship is an energetic interaction, not a performanceAccuracy in psychic readings fluctuates and evolvesDiscernment is essential when seeking spiritual guidanceConsciousness may continue beyond the physical body💬 Quotes“Spirit lowers their vibration. We meet somewhere in between.” — Kelly Palmatier“The illusion that we are separate collapses the moment the body falls away.” — Philip Kobald👤 Guest BioKelly Palmatier is a full-time professional psychic medium with decades of experience working in the energetic realm. She specialises in evidential mediumship, providing detailed, verifiable connections intended to bring clarity, comfort, and healing. 🎧 Subscribe to @HolisticCircle YouTube channel!📚 Access Kelly’s free Psychic Credibility Scoring System via her websiteCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Mediums and Psychics00:24 Welcome to Holistic Circle Podcast00:38 Meet Kelly Palmatier02:28 Kelly's Background and Mediumship04:28 Society's View on Psychic Abilities09:54 Developing Psychic Abilities11:50 Kelly's Journey to Mediumship19:38 Identifying Authentic Mediums23:31 Exploring the Concept of the Soul24:07 Connecting with Spirits: A Medium's Perspective25:14 The Role of Spirit Guides26:03 Challenges in Spirit Communication28:12 Reincarnation and the Afterlife37:16 The Importance of Grieving and Mediumship39:24 Ethics and Red Flags in Mediumship46:18 Services Offered by a Medium#holisticcircle #spiritualconversation #medium #afterlife #consciousness #spiritualawakening #healingjourney #energywork P 79/25 (E 0098) - Nov 24, 2025

    49 min
  8. 100 Episodes of Asking Why: What Drives the Spiritual Search?

    12/16/2025

    100 Episodes of Asking Why: What Drives the Spiritual Search?

    100 Episodes of Asking Why: A hundred conversations later, and the question remains the same: why do some of us keep searching? What Drives the Spiritual Search?In this milestone 100th episode, Philipp Kobald sits down with Svetlana Ćopić—the first guest he has ever met in real life—to explore why certain people are pulled toward deeper questions, while others move through life without ever stopping to look underneath the surface. This is a conversation about restless curiosity, the intersection between creativity and spirituality, the growing spirituality marketplace, and the delicate balance between evidence, intuition, and belief.If you’ve ever lived in the tension between skepticism and longing, between wanting proof and feeling the truth anyway—this episode will feel like recognition. ⭐ What you’ll take from this episode Why some people are wired to ask the questions others avoidHow spirituality and creativity often open the same doorwayThe risks vulnerable people face in today’s booming spiritual industryWhy birth rituals, de*th rituals, and shared meaning matter more than we admitWhere evidence ends—and how intuition and faith begin📝 Memorable lines “I was tormented with these questions since I was born.” — Svetlana Ćopić“At some point, when evidence runs out, you still have to decide whether you dare to believe.” — Philipp Kobald 👤 Guest Bio Svetlana Ćopić is a Belgrade-based creative director with more than twenty years of experience in branding and advertising. She is the founder of a creative agency focused on socially positive, culture-shifting projects.Guest link: https://noagency.club/ If you’re drawn to conversations about meaning, consciousness, intuition, creativity, and the inner life, the full episode is now available on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts00:41 Celebrating 100 Episodes02:35 Guest Introduction: Svetlana Ćopić02:48 Svetlana's Professional Journey04:32 Exploring Spiritual Curiosity05:52 The Spiritual Industry and Vulnerability09:10 Balancing Spirituality and Real Life21:03 Trust and Intuition in Spirituality25:09 The Paradox of Clairvoyance26:17 Scientific Research on Clairvoyance27:57 Skepticism and Faith28:55 The Role of Organized Religion32:04 Rituals and Community Support37:17 Modern Society and Death41:28 Artificial Intelligence and Society46:18 Creativity as Spirituality#holisticcircle #spiritualconversation #modernspirituality #innerwork #searchformeaning #creativelife #awakeningjourney #consciousliving P 81/25 (E0100) 28. November - 2025

    50 min
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About

You're here because something feels missing—faith, spirituality, or community. Holistic Circle is a place to begin that search. I’m Philipp Kobald, your grounded, open‑minded host, talking with academics and believers from all backgrounds to explore spiritual history, philosophy, rituals, and lived experiences. I offer clear, neutral insights to help you make better spiritual choices. If curiosity matters more than certainty, this space is for you.

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