Podmasana: Spirituality, Awakening & Enlightenment

Welcome to Podmasana, a wisdom podcast exploring spirituality, awakening, and enlightenment. Host Brendon Orr blends awareness with deeply human storytelling, connecting global traditions through authentic conversations with authors, scholars, seekers, and practitioners. All depth, no dogma. Real stories. Real wisdom. Real transformation for the journey within. Join us to deepen your spirituality, ignite a personal awakening, and step into true enlightenment. This is your invitation to expand your awareness and discover that enlightenment is not a destination, but a way of being. Subscribe to awaken.

  1. 3d ago

    Wisdom & The Epicenter of Your Life | Cedric Bertelli

    Welcome to the wisdom podcast exploring spirituality. Today we discuss enlightenment and the ecoystem with Cedric Bertelli... Co-developer of Emotional Resolution (EmRes), Cedric Bertelli explores how true healing emerges when we break free from stagnant narratives and reconnect with the dynamic, ever-evolving ecosystem of life. In this profound segment, Cedric explains how unresolved fears pull us back into the past, trapping us in toxic routines and isolating us from the present moment. By resolving these outdated emotional responses, we can move from the periphery of our past trauma to the "epicenter" of our lives. Whether you are seeking deeper mindfulness in your daily routine or looking for the wisdom to navigate emotional suffering, this conversation reveals why true spirituality is expressed through presence, responsibility, and emotional maturity rather than transcendence. In this episode, we explore: How spirituality and emotional healing reconnect us to the global ecosystem. Why unresolved fears "stick" in the present and how to resolve them at their root. Moving from isolation to interconnection through deep mindfulness and presence. The wisdom of living from the "epicenter" of your life rather than reacting to past trauma. Follow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Wisdom & The Epicenter of Your Life | Cedric Bertelli
  2. Sep 2

    Authentic Spirituality, Yoga & Sanskrit Myths | Patrick McCartney

    Explore spirituality and awareness on this wisdom podcast. Uncover the truth behind enlightenment and Sanskrit with Dr. Patrick McCartney. Dr. Patrick McCartney is a cultural anthropologist and sociolinguist whose groundbreaking research challenges our most cherished assumptions about Sanskrit, yoga, and spiritual authenticity. In his new book, Sanskrit Speaking Imagining Sanskrit Land, he uses rigorous empirical analysis to investigate the myth of "Sanskrit-speaking villages" and the powerful symbolic meanings we project onto this ancient language. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork and census data analysis, Dr. McCartney reveals how the global wellness industry, yoga culture, and even nationalist ideologies have commodified and reshaped ancient traditions. Rather than just debunking myths, his work invites us to look deeper into the "sociocultural imaginaries" of our practices. He explores the tension between preserving heritage and fabricating tradition, asking what it means for spiritual seekers when sacred languages become tools of political and cultural identity. Recording date: May 26, 2026 In this episode, we explore: The empirical reality behind the myth of Sanskrit-speaking villages How the pursuit of enlightenment and mindfulness intersects with political ideologies The historical truth of Sanskrit, yoga's martial origins, and linguistic hybridity Cultivating awareness and wisdom when engaging with commodified spiritual traditions Whether critical scholarship and genuine spirituality can coexist Some sounds used in this episode include: Market in a small village, calling, motorcycle, horns, people, speaker by Virgile_Loiseau -- https://freesound.org/s/725412/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Chennai (India) Traffic Ambience 01 by Nielsvdb -- https://freesound.org/s/465712/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Computer Keyboard Keystrokes by visualasylum -- https://freesound.org/s/329776/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Camel Ride Through Pushkar India by RTB45 -- https://freesound.org/s/207280/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Shakti Ambient VOX Athmo - D2 by voxlab -- https://freesound.org/s/527296/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Myth | Hiphop Rnbass Instrumental by kontraamusic -- https://freesound.org/s/800252/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Chapters (00:00:00) - Meet Patrick McCartney: Sanskrit Speaking Imagining Sanskrit Land(00:06:28) - The Myth of Sanskrit Speaking Villages(00:08:15) - Exploring the Sanskrit language(00:09:15) - What does the census data actually tell us about who identifies as a(00:16:50) - Viparyasana: The Sanskrit Village Myth(00:20:46) - Sanskrit as a cultural language(00:31:40) - Language Revival and Nationalism in India(00:34:54) - The Sanskrit Village in India(00:44:49) - How Sanskrit has been politicised in the West(00:51:49) - In the World of Yoga: Authenticity, Legitimacy(00:55:01) - How do yoga gurus get rid of their disciples?(01:03:05) - In the Ashram, A New Face(01:03:58) - Sanskrit Revival: The Hybridity(01:15:39) - Podmasana: A Utopia of Support(01:16:34) - Sanskrit and Its Global Imagination(01:26:07) - Using yoga as an instrument for New Age ideology(01:30:18) - Understanding Sanskrit Myth in Modernity(01:33:11) - Podmasana: The Truth About Yoga(01:37:06) - Can You Tell The Real Yoga From a Hybrid?(01:42:19) - Critical Scholarship in Spiritual and WellbeingFollow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Authentic Spirituality, Yoga & Sanskrit Myths | Patrick McCartney
  3. Aug 26

    Spirituality & The Myth Sanskrit is the Oldest | Patrick McCartney

    Welcome to the wisdom podcast exploring spirituality and awareness. Discover the enlightenment of ancient texts and Sanskrit's true history. Cultural anthropologist Dr. Patrick McCartney brings rigorous empirical analysis to the myths surrounding Sanskrit, yoga, and spiritual authenticity. In this fascinating deep dive, Patrick debunks the popular belief that Sanskrit is the oldest language or the mother of all modern tongues. By examining linguistic evolution, Indo-Aryan migrations, and prehistoric South Asian cultures, he reveals the complex, hybrid reality of ancient texts like the Rig Veda. Whether you are a yoga practitioner, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking deeper wisdom in your spiritual journey, this episode challenges us to separate myth from reality. Discover how understanding the true history of these traditions can actually deepen your mindfulness and appreciation for the profound enlightenment they offer. In this preview episode, we explore: The linguistic evolution of Sanskrit and the reality of ancient enlightenment texts Why understanding true history deepens our mindfulness and wisdom in modern yoga practice The fascinating prehistoric roots of South Asian culture that predate Vedic Sanskrit How cultivating awareness of language myths transforms our approach to spiritual authenticity Follow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Spirituality & The Myth Sanskrit is the Oldest | Patrick McCartney
  4. Aug 19

    Awakening & Seeking the Infinite Within You | Yakub Mathew

    Welcome to the wisdom podcast exploring spirituality and awareness. Discover enlightenment and mindfulness with author Yakub Mathew. Yakub Mathew spent 35 years in global finance, but a severe near-death experience at age 58 radically shifted his perspective. To mark his 60th birthday, he took his wife and 17 friends to the Mahakumbha Mela in Prayagraj—a sacred, once-in-144-years gathering of 660 million seekers. What began as a birthday celebration evolved into a profound exploration of the infinite. Drawing from his book Seeking the Infinite: Mahakumbha 2025, Yakub shares how childhood encounters with Mother Teresa and Archbishop Gregorios shaped his worldview, and how facing mortality in a Delhi ICU taught him the true meaning of detachment and service. He explores the unifying message of Ek Onkar (oneness of divinity), the difference between religion and spirituality, and why the infinite is not a destination to reach, but an inward journey where "within you lies a horizon without end." Recording date: April 2, 2026 In this episode, we explore: How a near-death experience reshapes our understanding of enlightenment and presence The unifying power of spirituality and India's multi-faith diversity Why mindfulness and selfless service (seva) are the ultimate expressions of faith Finding awareness and wisdom through the philosophy of "zero" (Shunya) and cosmic consciousness The difference between religion and spirituality, and why "God is love" Thanks to Yakub Mathew for sharing the music sources that were used during parts of this episode. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Secret to Seeking the Infinite Maha Kumbha(00:01:23) - Seeking The Infinite(00:09:04) - Turning 60: The Kumbh Mela(00:12:28) - Participants in the Kumbh(00:13:28) - After suffering a pancreatic attack,(00:18:40) - Seeking the Infinite(00:24:00) - The Book of Kumbh(00:31:16) - Philip Gregorius(00:34:26) - Padmasana: Interfaith Dialogue and Spiritual Inquiry(00:40:10) - Mahakumbha(00:49:22) - Understanding the tenets of religions(00:51:35) - Religion is not bad(00:59:06) - Maha Kumbh: Leadership, Legacy and the Infinite Within(01:06:41) - Dying of pancreatitis(01:12:02) - Three role models(01:14:05) - A message from the book(01:16:24) - A message from the book(01:18:14) - Pushing My Child's Quest for PurposeFollow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Awakening & Seeking the Infinite Within You | Yakub Mathew
  5. Aug 12

    Spirituality, Mahakumbh & 660 Million Seekers | Yakub Mathew

    Welcome to the wisdom podcast exploring spirituality and awareness. Discover how 55 global thought leaders define the infinite and the path to true enlightenment with Yakub Mathew. In this clip, Yakub unpacks the cosmic significance of the Mahakumbh Mela—a sacred gathering occurring only once every 144 years—and shares the surprising common thread he discovered across Hindu, Islamic, Christian, and Judaic traditions. Drawing from his book Seeking the Infinite: Mahakumbh 2025, he reveals that the infinite is not an external destination, but an inward journey where "within you lies a horizon without end." Whether you are deepening your mindfulness practice or seeking wisdom across global faith traditions, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that true spirituality points to the same inner truth. In this preview episode: The cosmic mathematics behind the Mahakumbh's 144-year cycle How 55 multi-faith thought leaders define the nature of the infinite Why enlightenment is an inward journey, not an external destination The universal thread connecting global faith traditions Finding awareness and mindfulness through the power of faith and seekership Follow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Spirituality, Mahakumbh & 660 Million Seekers | Yakub Mathew
  6. Aug 5

    Spirituality, Faith & The Birthplace of Blessings | Hadassah Treu

    What if spiritual awakening begins in our deepest pain? Today, we explore the wisdom of suffering and finding enlightenment with Hadassah Treu... Hadassah Treu is an award-winning bilingual author and faith blogger from Bulgaria whose book, Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings, offers a profound roadmap for navigating life's trials. From the platform of her own greatest pains—including the loss of her husband and seasons of intense anxiety—Hadassah delivers a powerful message of comfort, showing how adversity is not an interruption to spiritual growth, but its primary training tool. In this deeply moving conversation, we explore the power of biblical lament, the "ministry of presence," and how to cultivate spiritual awareness when prayer feels impossible. Hadassah shares how drawing near to the divine during our darkest moments transforms our grief into resilience, and why honest expression is the first step toward true healing. Whether you are in the midst of acute loss, walking alongside someone who is struggling, or simply seeking a deeper spirituality in your daily life, this episode offers a compassionate framework for transformation. In this episode, we explore: How painful experiences become birthplaces of blessings and spiritual maturity. The vital role of biblical lament and why honest struggle is essential for healing. How to cultivate self-awareness and peace when anxiety and grief feel overwhelming. The difference between "fearing" God and being afraid of God, and how it leads to true peace. Practical spiritual disciplines for the "absolute bottom" of depression and loss. Recording date: April 1, 2026 Chapters (00:00:00) - Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of(00:02:28) - Draw Near: The Personal and Universal Journey Through Suffering(00:07:10) - What brought you to Write Your Pain(00:10:58) - Draw Near: A Christian Memoir(00:13:42) - How to grieve in a Bulgarian society(00:15:35) - How To Write About Suffering in a Multicultural World(00:18:10) - How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings(00:21:04) - Primary Instrument of Suffering in the Bible(00:27:07) - Holding Both Realities(00:30:19) - The Bible's Stories of Suffering(00:38:41) - What is the Christian faith regarding suffering?(00:39:53) - Lament for Grief and Hope(00:44:39) - How to Talk Spiritual Growth after Grief(00:50:35) - Spiritual Practice for People in Pain(00:53:26) - Understanding Fear of the Lord(00:57:16) - How to Balance Real Hopes and Dreams(01:00:52) - What Do We Say to People in Pain?(01:04:22) - What Keeps You Spiritual?(01:07:00) - What Would You Do For Someone Who's Suffering?Follow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    Spirituality, Faith & The Birthplace of Blessings | Hadassah Treu
  7. Jul 29

    The Spirituality & Wisdom of Suffering | Hadassah Treu

    In the next episode of Podmasana, explore the Draw Near book and biblical suffering with author Hadassah Treu. Discover spiritual maturity and faith in adversity through Christian hope. This Podmasana conversation reveals how painful experiences become birthplace of blessings through lament, surrender, and drawing near to God. Learn practical spiritual disciplines for grief, anxiety and fear of the Lord, unmet expectations spiritual growth, and how Joseph Paul Jeremiah suffering stories guide transformation through trials. Key Topics Hadassah's journey through infertility, anxiety, and loss that shaped her biblical understanding of suffering as spiritual training The transformative power of biblical lament—honest expression of grief to God while holding hope for healing and restoration How painful experiences like rejection, loneliness, and unmet expectations create specific spiritual gains when we draw near rather than pull away Practical spiritual disciplines for navigating acute pain: journaling, prayer with thanksgiving, renewing the mind, forgiveness, and cultivating joy Why the fear of the Lord brings peace rather than anxiety, and how trusting God's sovereignty redirects hope from earthly desires to eternal satisfaction Follow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    The Spirituality & Wisdom of Suffering | Hadassah Treu
  8. Jul 22

    How Spirituality Helps Navigate Darkness | Gina Cavalier

    What if spiritual awakening begins by healing the soul? Today we explore the wisdom of energy healing and deep awareness with Gina Cavalier... Gina Cavalier is a former Hollywood studio executive, wellness program director at Sedona Mago Retreat Center, and author of Planet Walking: A Handbook for the Living. Behind her successful exterior in the entertainment industry, Gina battled chronic illness and persistent suicidal ideation that conventional approaches couldn't fully resolve. Her breakthrough came through spiritual and energy healing practices, leading her to reframe suicidal ideation not as a wish to die, but as the soul's desperate call for the death of an unhealthy identity. In this deeply compassionate conversation, we explore how understanding yourself as energy can bridge the gap between surviving and truly living. Gina shares practical, life-saving tools from her six-week program, including grounding cords, chakra reading, and the "protection rose," to help listeners clean, protect, and strengthen their personal energy fields. Whether you are navigating your own mental health challenges, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking a deeper spiritual perspective on suffering, this episode offers profound hope and actionable wisdom. In this episode, we explore: How energy work and spiritual awareness complement traditional mental health care. Why suicidal ideation is often a call for the death of an unhealthy identity, not the physical body. Practical energy tools like grounding cords and the "protection rose" to build inner resilience. The spiritual perspective on soul blueprints, shadow work, and finding your true life purpose. How understanding yourself as energy shifts your relationship with suffering and unlocks deep compassion. Episode recorded March 24, 2026 Chapters (00:00:14) - How to Heal Suicidal Ideation(00:06:33) - How to Heal Suicidal Ideation(00:09:16) - Gina's Energy Healing Process(00:11:31) - How to Get Out of the Dark Pit(00:14:48) - Why Suicidal People Don't Die(00:17:27) - The Desperate Thoughts of Harry Potter(00:20:31) - Gina on the Hollywood Drama(00:26:03) - The New Monk: Energy Protection and Grounding(00:29:14) - The Protection Rose(00:31:36) - Asking the Questions of Depression(00:37:39) - How to Get Clear With Yourself(00:38:39) - The Power of Divination for Mental Health(00:40:39) - Ideas for a More Human World(00:43:02) - Soul Blueprints: How to Live Your Life(00:46:27) - How to Stop Accepting Dark Energy(00:51:42) - The Wellness Program Director at Sedona Mago(00:55:37) - Gina on From The Edge Of LifeFollow Podmasana wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exclusive group chat, live Q&As and more by becoming a Podmasana+ member at podmasana.com/plus. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey.  Support the show: > Join Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks > Say Thank You and Donate to the Show > Shop the Podmasana Store Thank you for listening and thank you for your support!  Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Past Episodes: podmasana.com/archive Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Check out Podmasana Media’s other show’s: YogaScussion and My Mindful Moment.

    How Spirituality Helps Navigate Darkness | Gina Cavalier

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Podmasana, a wisdom podcast exploring spirituality, awakening, and enlightenment. Host Brendon Orr blends awareness with deeply human storytelling, connecting global traditions through authentic conversations with authors, scholars, seekers, and practitioners. All depth, no dogma. Real stories. Real wisdom. Real transformation for the journey within. Join us to deepen your spirituality, ignite a personal awakening, and step into true enlightenment. This is your invitation to expand your awareness and discover that enlightenment is not a destination, but a way of being. Subscribe to awaken.

More From Podmasana Media