Natalie earned her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2006, shaped by years working with adolescents in Southeast Alaska — an experience that deepened her understanding of grief, loss, and chronic illness. Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 2009, she has since specialized in Ambiguous Loss, the kind of loss that isn't finite yet changes you forever. As a trauma-informed therapist and yoga instructor, Natalie brings a relational and somatic approach to her work, weaving together Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic healing to help individuals and families reconnect with themselves and the world around them. This episode dives deep into personal stories of near-death experiences, grief, and the journey towards spiritual healing. Natalie Bowker shares her transformative path through illness, loss, and spiritual awakening, highlighting the importance of community, ritual, and inner connection. Key Topics: Natalie's near-death experience and what it revealed about consciousness and the afterlifeThe role of grief and how various cultures navigate death and mourningThe significance of rituals, sacred spaces, and the healing power of communityHow personal trauma can spark spiritual awakening and purpose shiftsPractical ways to cultivate presence, connect with nature, and access inner guidanceThe use of modalities like EMDR, internal family systems, and the power of storytellingThe importance of elders, mentorship, and building intentional communitiesEmbracing ambiguity and the concept of tower moments in personal growthNavigating emotional release, vulnerability, and the significance of cryingThe holistic approach to healing: body, mind, spirit, and environmentTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and welcoming Natalie 1:07 - Natalie's near-death experience and its profound impact 4:23 - Engaging with grief and cultural rituals 9:15 - Hospice insights and helping Phil through loss 12:18 - Collective grief and cultural differences in mourning 16:01 - Natalie's journey through illness and spiritual calling 25:28 - Her near-death release and recovery 31:53 - Kintsugi and the metaphor of cracks filled with gold 36:06 - Nature, attunement, and spiritual connection 39:11 - Societal disconnection, elders, and community 44:36 - Mentorship, sacred spaces, and intentional living 55:44 - Spiritual teachers and the influence of Dr. Zach Bush 61:34 - Ritual, purpose, and evolving spiritual practice 66:38 - Transmuting emotions and safe emotional expression 71:04 - Family constellations and collective healing 75:20 - TED Talk, personal initiatives, and future plans Resources & Links: Natalie Bowker's TED Talk: Embracing AmbiguityEMDR TherapyInternal Family Systems (IFS) ModelDr. Zach Bush - Soil, Health, and ConsciousnessBrighton Bush Sacred WatersConnect with Natalie: InstagramTake a Yoga Class with NatalieConnect with Brooke & Matt: Brooke & Matt WebsiteBrooke’s InstagramMatt InstagramJoin Our Community: Upcoming Health and Detox programs starting Spring 2026: https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe Subscribe to the Podcast. Leave us a comment. Share your journey! Tag us!This conversation emphasizes that healing and growth are rooted in community, nature, and embracing all aspects of ourselves—our cracks, our shadows, and our light. It invites listeners to explore their own tower moments and find presence amid life's transitions.
