The Space Between

Bevan Pfeiffer

In this episode, Bevan Pfeiffer sits down with Johnson Chong. Shamanic practitioner, author, and transformational guide, for a profound exploration of what it really means to wake up. Together, they navigate the terrain where ancient wisdom meets modern psychology, asking what it takes to live, heal, and grow in a time of deep collective change. Johnson opens up about his journey from a traditional upbringing to becoming a bridge between worlds, weaving together shamanic traditions, yogic insight, and therapeutic practice. The conversation touches the heart of consciousness itself: how we create meaning, the role of ritual in integrating experience, and the transformative potential of altered states, whether reached through ceremony, breath, or daily devotion. This dialogue is less about answers and more about remembering, the body as teacher, ancestry as guide, and presence as medicine. Listeners will find practical wisdom for navigating their own path of self-inquiry, from the challenges of letting go to the courage of coming home to who we truly are. If you’re drawn to the intersections of science, spirituality, and self-discovery, this episode offers both grounded insight and luminous perspective. For more on Bevan’s therapeutic work, visit www.theembodiedmind.com.au. To learn about Johnson’s retreats and teachings, visit www.johnsonchong.com.

Episodes

  1. FEB 2

    Group Therapist: Sara Schreiber - The Mirror Effect, How Groups Heal What Individual Therapy Can't

    What happens when we stop performing for each other and start being real? In this episode, I sit down with Sara, a group therapist who creates spaces where vulnerability becomes contagious in the best possible way—where the very thing that terrifies us, being exposed in front of others, becomes the doorway to profound transformation. We explore what group therapy does that individual therapy cannot, why shame loses its power when spoken aloud to witnesses, and how conflict—when held well becomes connection. Sara shares the unique magic of interpersonal process groups, where there's no curriculum, no theme, just the raw practice of staying present to what's happening inside you as it happens. In this conversation, we discuss: Why healing happens differently when witnessed by many instead of one The neuroscience of being seen by multiple people simultaneously How group therapy acts as a mirror for your interpersonal patterns The agreements that create safety for radical honesty Why the person who activates you most teaches you the most about yourself How social media and technology are reshaping our ability to connect The role of culture, projection, and shame in group dynamics Why conflict is essential for growth (and how to navigate it) The most powerful transformations Sara has witnessed in groups If you've ever wondered what it would be like to drop your mask in a room with strangers and speak the unspeakable, or if you're curious about how we learn to be human together in an age that's forgotten how to connect—this conversation is for you.   Bevan's therapeutic website:  https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/   Sara's Links:  Instagram: @groups_in_private_practice Website: www.groupsinprivatepractice.com

    1h 11m
  2. 12/07/2025

    Breathwork Practitioner: Mark Moon - Breathwork The Hidden Key to Healing, Presence & Transformation

    What if the key to unlocking your deepest vitality, healing old emotional wounds, and transforming the way you live was right under your nose—literally? In this powerful episode, psychotherapist and couples therapist Bevan Pfeiffer sits down with  Mark Moon, a seasoned breathwork practitioner whose journey has taken him from the rigidity of the fitness world to the profound freedom found in conscious connected breathing. Together, they explore why breathwork is far more than a wellness trend. It’s an accessible and science-supported pathway for nervous system regulation, trauma release, and self-inquiry. Bevan and Mark unpack how intentional breathing can help you reconnect to your body’s innate intelligence, shift long-held emotional patterns, and rediscover a sense of grounded vitality. Mark also shares his personal story—how he moved from disconnection and depression into a life filled with presence, energy, and playfulness. His lived experience brings nuance to the conversation as he and Bevan explore the myths, science, and subtle art behind transformational breathwork. You’ll hear practical insights on: The difference between breath techniques and true breathwork journeys Why integration and safety matter more than intensity How conscious breathing builds resilience, emotional clarity, and inner spaciousness Ways to begin or deepen your breathwork practice with intention and care Whether you’re a curious beginner, a committed seeker, or someone skeptical of breathwork’s bold claims, this conversation invites you to slow down, pay attention, and experiment with the most powerful tool you already have: your breath. Tune in to discover why, as Bevan Pfeiffer and Mark Moon teach, the journey inward might just be the most meaningful—and exciting—adventure of your life.   Bevan Pfeiffer's therapy website: https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/   Mark Moon's website:  https://thexbreath.com.au/

    1h 31m
  3. 12/01/2025

    Burnout Psychotherapist: Emilie Cocquerel - Why Stillness Scares Us, The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Ourselves

    Why do we run from stillness, and what might we discover if we finally stop? In this deeply honest episode, host Bevan welcomes Emilie Cocquerel, actor, storyteller, and psychotherapist specializing in burnout, for a conversation that goes far beyond surface-level self-help. Emilie brings a rare blend of creative insight and clinical wisdom, drawing from her experiences both on stage and in the therapy room. Together, Bevan and Emilie explore the hidden costs of high-functioning lives, the stories we tell ourselves about productivity and rest, and the quiet collapse that can happen when we ignore our need for presence. You will hear candid reflections on why sitting with discomfort feels so threatening, how our bodies and minds instinctively protect us from the unknown, and why true growth often begins in the moments we most want to escape. Emilie shares personal stories from navigating chronic illness to the challenges of giving up caffeine and reveals how even the smallest acts of slowing down can become powerful opportunities for healing. This episode is an invitation to rethink your relationship with silence, vulnerability, and the full spectrum of your emotions. Whether you are a high achiever on the brink of burnout, a creative searching for deeper meaning, or simply someone longing for a more grounded way of being, you will find practical wisdom and gentle encouragement here. Join us as we uncover the art of compassionate witnessing, the value of holding space for ourselves and others, and the surprising freedom that comes from embracing the messiness of being human. If you are ready to trade quick fixes for lasting transformation, this conversation is for you. Listen now and discover how presence, real and unfiltered and sometimes uncomfortable, can become the foundation for a more resilient and authentic life.   Emilie's therapeutic work:  https://www.emiliejaneservices.com.au/   Bevan's therapeutic work:  https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/

    1h 54m
  4. 11/18/2025

    Embodiment Psychotherapist: Rachel Pfeiffer - A Conversation on Love, Healing and Coming Home to Yourself

    What does it actually mean to come home to yourself? In this episode, Bevan sits down with his wife, Rachel, for a grounded and unfiltered conversation about the realities of love, the role of suffering and the inner work required to build a life with depth. They explore how our earliest patterns shape the way we show up in partnership, why discomfort is often the doorway to growth, and how awareness can shift the entire trajectory of a relationship. This is a conversation about the stories we inherit, the ones we unconsciously repeat, and the moment we finally choose to step into authorship of our own lives. Drawing on Bevan’s background in psychotherapy, their shared personal experiences and the spiritual frameworks that guide them, they unpack what it takes to build a conscious relationship built on honesty, presence and responsibility. If you’re navigating conflict, healing from old wounds or simply hungry for a deeper understanding of yourself, this dialogue offers a clear and compassionate path forward. They look at the art of asking better questions, the freedom that comes from telling the truth and the power of meeting your partner with openness rather than armor. This is a conversation for seekers, thinkers and anyone wanting to live with more intention, clarity and love.   For more on Rachel's therapeutic work:  https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/   For more on Bevan's therapeutic work: https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/

    1h 38m
  5. 11/12/2025

    Somatic Practitioner: Alanna La Cioppa - Grief, Growth & the Language of the Body

    What if your body has been speaking to you all along, and you just haven’t learned its language yet? In this powerful episode, Bevan Pfeiffer sits down with somatic coach and therapist Alanna to explore what it really means to live from the body. This is a conversation about feeling rather than fixing, presence over performance, and the radical act of slowing down in a world that keeps speeding up. Alanna shares her transformation from corporate life and gym culture into the world of yoga, mindfulness, and embodied healing. After heartbreak, stillness became her greatest teacher. “The body is a beautiful data source that we tend to forget about,” she reflects, reminding us that wisdom doesn’t just live in the mind, it pulses through every breath, sensation, and emotion. Together, Bevan and Alanna unpack the tension between mind and body, exploring how to rebuild trust in our inner signals through practice, patience, and compassion. They dive into grief as a teacher, with Alanna sharing her journey through profound loss, and how love and grief are two sides of the same truth. “The depth of my grief is a reflection of how deeply I loved.” They explore relationships and boundaries, the art of self-leadership, and the courage it takes to say “no” when the world tells you to keep saying “yes.” It’s a raw and honest dialogue about healing, growth, and what it means to come home to yourself. This isn’t self-help, it’s self-return. A reminder that transformation doesn’t come from doing more, but from feeling more deeply. If you’re drawn to conversations on embodiment, healing, grief, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, this one will stay with you long after it ends. “Live in such a way that you’d be willing to live the same life again and again for eternity.” “You are in the driver’s seat. It’s all within your control to design the life of your dreams. Just keep taking the next step.”   For more information about Bevan's therapeutic work: https://www.theembodiedmind.com.au/   For more information on Alanna's therapeutic work:  https://www.alignedbyalanna.com/

    1h 58m

About

In this episode, Bevan Pfeiffer sits down with Johnson Chong. Shamanic practitioner, author, and transformational guide, for a profound exploration of what it really means to wake up. Together, they navigate the terrain where ancient wisdom meets modern psychology, asking what it takes to live, heal, and grow in a time of deep collective change. Johnson opens up about his journey from a traditional upbringing to becoming a bridge between worlds, weaving together shamanic traditions, yogic insight, and therapeutic practice. The conversation touches the heart of consciousness itself: how we create meaning, the role of ritual in integrating experience, and the transformative potential of altered states, whether reached through ceremony, breath, or daily devotion. This dialogue is less about answers and more about remembering, the body as teacher, ancestry as guide, and presence as medicine. Listeners will find practical wisdom for navigating their own path of self-inquiry, from the challenges of letting go to the courage of coming home to who we truly are. If you’re drawn to the intersections of science, spirituality, and self-discovery, this episode offers both grounded insight and luminous perspective. For more on Bevan’s therapeutic work, visit www.theembodiedmind.com.au. To learn about Johnson’s retreats and teachings, visit www.johnsonchong.com.