The Self-Explorers Club Podcast

with Zack Bodenweber
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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A space for nourishing, real, and deep conversations to help you rediscover yourself. www.selfexplorersclub.com

  1. I used to be a spiritual seeker

    4D AGO

    I used to be a spiritual seeker

    I used to be a spiritual seeker. A man on a sacred quest. A pilgrim moving toward something holy just beyond the horizon. There was a time when I lived as though the next book would unlock my freedom. The next teacher would reveal the path. The next spiritual practice would grant me peace. The next breakthrough would finally deliver me into the version of myself I was trying to become. It looked like growth. It looked like ambition. It even looked like devotion. But underneath it was a quiet assumption: I am not there yet. There is something I do not have.There is something I must find.There is somewhere else I need to arrive. Seeking implies disconnection. It is fueled by lack, even if dressed in good intentions. Seeking implies something is missing. And I no longer believe that. I am not a spiritual seeker. I’m a spiritual explorer. A Self-explorer. Exploration is different. Exploration does not assume absence. It assumes wholeness. When I explore, I am not chasing something that’s missing. I’m curiously moving through what’s already here. I am curious about the terrain of my own being. The valleys of grief. The sharp cliffs of fear. The quiet lakes of contentment. The enchanted forests of desire and doubt and creativity and love. Nothing is missing. It’s all right here within me. The breath in my lungs.The thoughts moving through my mind.The sensations in my body. An explorer does not walk into a forest to find something missing, but to experience what’s there. That’s how I relate to life now. I am not trying to transcend my humanity. I am not trying to purify myself into some enlightened abstraction. I am not climbing toward a spiritual summit where I will finally plant a flag and declare myself whole. Wholeness is the starting point. The invitation is not to become complete. The invitation is to Know that I already am, and live from that place. There is something deeply relieving about this shift. When nothing is missing, there is no frantic searching. No desperate hunger. No sense that time is running out. There’s no hurry toward some illusory solution to a problem that I created. Instead there is curiosity. What happens if I look here?What happens if I feel this fully?What happens if I try this? Exploration invites presence. Seeking invites tension. The same tension created from trying to pull a piece of fabric apart, from trying to separate something from what it already is. When I was seeking, I was often bypassing the moment in front of me in favor of a better one I imagined somewhere else. I was optimizing my consciousness. Upgrading myself. Engineering my enlightenment. Working toward an outcome, a different version of myself. A different experience of reality. Now I am interested in the texture of this moment. The way sunlight hits the floor. The way my chest tightens before a difficult conversation. The way my heart sparks when I do what I enjoy. The way love feels when I let it in. The way the tension from my shoulders releases when I remember I’m inseparable from God. Exploration is intimate. It requires courage too. Because if I realize nothing is missing, then I can no longer seek resolution in the future. I have to meet what is here in all its forms. But that is the adventure, the one I’ve found to be the greatest of all. Because when I stop seeking what’s missing, I realize what’s here. And I move through my inner landscape the way an explorer does. Attentive. Engaged. Sometimes uncertain. Always curious. Often surprised. I’m not looking for treasure. I’m playing in it. I am here. And what a miracle it is to be here.I used to be a spiritual seeker.Did I find what I was searching for,or did I simply realize I never had to search at all? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    6 min
  2. Episode 20: Michelle Charles

    FEB 4

    Episode 20: Michelle Charles

    This is one of those episode introductions that I struggle to write because there is so much to say. There are so many directions I could take. I could talk about how Michelle met me at a pivotal time in her life. I can talk about how much has changed since then. I could talk about how inspired I am by her. I could talk about the power of the path she has chosen. How she’s now helping others in similar situations. I could talk about how she’s one of the strongest woman I know. Instead, I’ll keep this simple and let the conversation speak for itself. A couple of years ago I decided to run an experiment. I offered something that I had never offered before. That offer put me in touch with many beautiful souls. It elicited deep connection from several people who were following me, who I didn’t know. People who I’m now deeply grateful to know. Michelle is not only one of those people, she was the person I selected to be a part of that experiment with me. I didn’t know why at the time. I was just listening to my heart. And now it’s crystal clear. I trust you’ll see why in this conversation. To learn more about Michelle you can follow her on Instagram (@michelledcharles) and on Substack. Here’s a post she shared about our time together. Enjoy Episode 20 of The Self-Explorers Club Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    58 min
  3. Episode 19: Alejandro Arango

    JAN 28

    Episode 19: Alejandro Arango

    I’m deeply grateful to know Alejandro. We first met about two and a half years ago when he booked a session with me. What transpired since is more than he or I could have ever fathomed. Alejandro Arango is a health coach, father, husband, and leader. He’s a force for good in this world, who illuminates hope for many at a time when they need it most. Alejandro’s story is the hero’s journey. He’s turned his own experience with Type 1 Diabetes into a heart-centered mission, one that extends beyond his family and positively impacts that lives of clients around the world. From supporting his daughter to joining forces with an incredible company called Risely Health, this conversation spotlights Alejandro’s story and how he guides others through times of fear, uncertainty, and change.I’m honored to release this episode today, on Alejandro’s fifth anniversary of being diagnosed with T1D. As you’ll learn in this conversation, that’s truly something to celebrate. Learn more about Alejandro on his website: www.coachdediabetes.com Follow along with him on Instagram at @coachsaludydiabetesAnd please share this episode with anyone you know living with T1D or navigating a new diagnosis of any kind. There is tremendous value here for them. Enjoy Episode 19 of The Self-Explorers Club Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    1 hr
  4. Episode 18: Deanna Fournier

    JAN 18

    Episode 18: Deanna Fournier

    Many people in my sphere know that Deanna Fournier is the Executive Director at the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Far less know that Deanna was my first boss when I joined the team at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Over the years she has become a friend, a trusted leader, and an influential peer advocating for the advancement of health and wellness coaching. This conversation was refreshing. She and I had several conversations recently that we’re business meetings and professional calls. But this? Just us connecting as two curious souls asking big questions and exploring the answers. Enjoy Episode 18 of The Self-Explorers Club Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    56 min
  5. Collapse the Gap (Meditation)

    12/24/2025

    Collapse the Gap (Meditation)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com I had that feeling come through me again and grabbed the mic. This meditation collapses the gap between what you want and what you have, instantly aligning your frequency with your desired outcomes so you can experience yourself as the Source of what you’re seeking.

    6 min
  6. Episode 17: Garret Kramer

    12/16/2025

    Episode 17: Garret Kramer

    I can’t remember how long ago it was, but I can clearly remember the moment I started following Garret Kramer. I read one paragraph of his writing and I was hooked. He shared something that flew in the face of my training as a therapist, so much so that it amused me. If it had come earlier, it would have angered me, but I had long stopped attaching my identity to any labels. I actually quite enjoyed those illusions being dismantled. And Garret dismantles a lot. He spoke to something deep within me and, ever since that moment, I’ve appreciated his unwavering dedication to Truth… all while encouraging each of us to reference our direct experience to determine what’s true for us. In my opinion, this is the highest form of coaching. When I asked myself, “Who would I love to have a conversation with on this podcast?” Garret Kramer came to mind immediately. And here we are. The result? The most interesting conversation I’ve ever had. The type of conversation this podcast was made for. Garret Kramer is the founder of Inner Sports, a visionary who for nearly three decades, has been providing transformative consulting services to athletes, coaches, actors, doctors, and business leaders. His extensive career also includes conducting workshops, daylong symposiums, and retreats for teams, organizations, universities, and schools. Having introduced the “Direct Path of Self-Exploration” to the high-performance community, Garret has played a pivotal role in redefining the way we approach excellence, passion, and maximizing potential. He also now shares with global audiences his unique perspective on the Consciousness-only model and its profound implications for creating a more harmonious world. Garret resides in New Jersey, USA, with his family. His insights have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Forbes, and he has appeared on major media platforms, including ESPN, FOX, NPR, WFAN, NBC, and The Golf Channel. Garret is the author of three transformative books, True Self: Notes on the Essence of Being, Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life, and The Path of No Resistance: Why Overcoming is Simpler than You Think.Learn more about Garret at www.garretkramer.com. Follow him on Instagram @garretkramer_ Enjoy Episode 17 of The Self-Explorers Club Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    1h 37m
  7. A Moment of Gratitude (Meditation)

    11/27/2025

    A Moment of Gratitude (Meditation)

    Before I share an update, I want to say this: I’m genuinely grateful for every single person who reads my writing, listens to the podcast, and sends me messages on how my work has resonated with you. I create for me, but I share what I create for you. For quite a while, I’ve brought meditation into my work with others. In fact, I still have one client who simply wants to meditate together every session. They find it the most valuable part of their week, so that is what we do. I recently made a meditation for my father to help him with the fear he experiences at the end of the day when his muscles have failed him and he can’t hold his head up and he feels like he can’t breathe. He has a condition called Kennedy’s Disease. And he’s the last person I ever thought would meditate. I thought making a meditation for him would be a waste of time. But I felt otherwise. And I follow what I feel. So I made it for him and I sent it to him. Now he meditates every night to the sound of my voice. He’s sticking with it, and it’s helping. Immensely. I’ve had more than a few people tell me I will use my voice as a vehicle for expansion, healing, or well-being. I said I suppose I already do, but there seems to be another layer. And when I drop in, something else takes over and speaks through me. Something that is both me and beyond me. It’s all been enough to listen to. I want you to close your eyes and have an experience with me… one that is different from a post or conversation.So I’m starting a meditation membership, right here on Substack. It’s very simple. One new meditation every week.$6 a month.Cancel anytime. This will offer a steady place where you can go inward and rediscover yourself. A weekly companion designed to offer stillness, remembrance, and inner exploration. A new channel to tune into and see what comes through. To begin, I’m giving you something from the heart so you can experience it for yourself.Although there isn’t anything pre-planned—I just create the space to be present with a microphone and see what happens— this meditation embodies the frequency of gratitude, the same frequency I’m holding as I write this. This meditation is free for everyone. You can listen to it right now in this post. If you’d like a weekly moment like this, a moment of breath, quiet, reflection, and inner clarity, you can join the membership by subscribing (or upgrading) below. You’ll receive each meditation straight to your inbox, and you can access them anytime here. Thank you again for being here with me in this corner of the internet I call The Self-Explorers Club. It means a lot to me. With gratitude,Zack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    11 min
  8. Episode 16: Lindsay Keosayian

    11/25/2025

    Episode 16: Lindsay Keosayian

    Lindsay Keosayian is a holistic health coach who creates exceptional, valuable content loved by millions around the world. Behind her wildly popular instagram page, there’s a woman with a big heart who’s been through pain and loss and has come out the other side with an undeniable gift and a mission to use it for the wellbeing of others. Lindsay is authentic, kind, and wise. Her story and her work is an example of what’s possible when we follow our curiosity, lean into faith, and lead with our heart. I highly recommend you check out Lindsay’s IG page (@lindsay.keosayian) if you like delicious and nutritious food. Lindsay recently launched a cookie ebook (yes, you read that right) just in time for the holidays, click here to check it out. I personally can say this is the best $10 I’ve spent in 2025. If you’re looking for support with inflammation, I also highly recommend her digital guide, The Inflammation Reset, which has been receiving great feedback and supporting people with feeling their best. Enjoy Episode 16 of The Self-Explorers Club Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.selfexplorersclub.com

    58 min
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A space for nourishing, real, and deep conversations to help you rediscover yourself. www.selfexplorersclub.com

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