Be Alive with Kate Manser

Kate Manser

There’s more to aliveness than just breathing. It’s a verb, an intention, a feeling. Kate Manser has spent the past decade studying life, death, consciousness, and transcendence. Be Alive with Kate Manser unveils profound insights on the art of being alive — how to be bold, creative, loving, and authentic. Join Kate and her guests to go beyond existing and hop on the ecstatic, fulfilling ride of being truly alive.

  1. MAR 29

    Voice:Vision:Visibility - Your Creative Liberation | Ayesha Ophelia

    This one’s for the people yearning to be FREE. Where are you bound? Which set(s) of golden handcuffs keep you stuck? Ayesha Ophelia is one of my favorite spiritual guides and digital creators. She makes me feel like I am capable of more. She helps me feel my inner fire. What she won’t do is make you feel 100% comfortable all the time. If you’ve got a dream but have been feeling apathetic or like you’ve lost the plot on it, listen to this episode. Ayesha makes living your most vibrant and expressed life INEVITABLE. We bonded over our shared love of Incubus, we talk about her Golden Handcuffs exercise, and she offers a 2-step process to starting down your most wild and wonderful dream path. IN THIS EPISODE: ➖ Spirituality as subtraction 🔮 The importance of somatic intuition 🍒 Novelty-based pattern interrupts 🛠️ How to build your “architecture” to support your dreams Timestamps 01:34 Incubus “Warning” IYKYK 04:06 “Harmonicity” Music Oracle 08:15 Audacity and Inner Genius 10:28 Body Terrain and Subtraction 15:31 Why You Need Novelty & Pattern Interrupts 22:09 Mortality and How I feel my Mom after her death 24:49 The Golden Handcuffs Exercise 31:17 WHO are your Dream Tenders? 33:58 Trusting Your Somatic Intuition 37:18 Dancing With Fear 37:42 The Addiction to Disassociation 38:40 The Egypt Purge Story 41:29 Devotion Over Achievement 46:34 ALIVENESS & “Brushes With Life” 50:54 Birthday Trauma and Transformation 55:37 Closing Reflections About Ayesha Ophelia Ayesha Ophelia is an author, guide, and spiritual provocateur. She’s the founder of Humanities The Unlearning Portal, a hybrid classroom altar where seekers gather to learn, teach, and transform. She works at the crossroads of creativity, myth, and embodiment, and her latest creation, The New Romantics, is a sound based divination system now available wherever books are sold. Ayesha’s Top 3 Areas of Expertise Creativity & Mythic Expression The intersection of art, intuition, and ritual. Turning imagination into embodied practice. Helping people find their voice, their story, and their creative identity. Transformation & Unlearning Somatic, spiritual, and psychological frameworks for shedding old identities, dissolving conditioning, and stepping into a deeper, more sovereign self. The Unlearning Portal, Vessel, and your teaching style all live here. Divination & Soul Technologies Systems of knowing that bypass the mind. Music as oracle. Dreams as maps. Archetypes, Gene Keys, nature, symbols, and sound as pathways into self revelation. The New Romantics sits at the heart of this. Follow Ayesha Ophelia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayeshaophelia/ Website: https://www.ayeshaophelia.com Get her book: The New Romantics: The Art of Musical Divination https://www.amazon.com/New-Romantics-Art-Musical-Divination/dp/B0D86Z3HRK FREE GIFT The Vessel Devotional Field Guide: Get oriented to what wants to flow through you https://societyofwildhearts.myflodesk.com/pzgan4syiu *** Thanks for being alive with me. ⚡️ Come find Kate in the wild: Instagram: www.instagram.com/thealivekate TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thealivekate www.katemanser.com Once a week, I’ll text you a nudge to help you feel alive wherever you are, on any ordinary day Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

    59 min
  2. MAR 23

    'Original sin is a lie'...but THIS is our real common thread | Bob Peck

    Bob Peck thinks the doctrine of original sin is a lie...a later institutional add-on. He argues instead that we're not inherently flawed -- we are inescapably loved. His ‘volcano’ metaphor for how spiritual insight can harden into institutional religion really hit me. We explore cyclical growth, “I am” language across traditions, a Swami Vivekananda quote on inner divinity, Robert Jay Lifton’s 5 modes of symbolic immortality, and non-duality’s view of material life as dreamlike. Bob describes practices that foster presence—writing, service, mindfulness, and humility—his interfaith “buffet” approach and his work on the Awareness and Compassion Project for schools. Bob’s big question these days for external and internal obstacles is, "can I just love my way out of this?" I challenge you to ask yourself that today. Is there some way you can love yourself out of what’s getting under your skin? Timestamps 00:30 Meet Bob Peck 01:22 Eastern wisdom on mortality 04:31 How to love the full spectrum of being alive 06:12 Original Sin Reframed 08:30 Volcano metaphor of religion 11:29 How to keeping the spark alive 15:02 The “I Am” reading of the Bible - on inner divinity 19:46 Bob reads from a mystical baseball card 21:57 The 5 modes of Symbolic Immortality (from Robert J. Lifton) 24:57 Mysticism And Nonduality 31:51 Alive Moments & presence 33:21 Awakening through small shifts 35:34 Service, creativity & humility 37:05 The Four Yogas Paths 40:14 “Buffet Line” Spirituality 46:30 Nondual beliefs - loosely 49:40 Can I just love my way out of this? 55:04 Loving Your Enemies Practice 57:31 Bob & his work About Bob Peck Bob Peck is an author, filmmaker, and mindfulness teacher exploring the thread of mystical wisdom that runs through all traditions. His book Original Sin Is a Lie argues we're not inherently fallen—we're inherently good. He's just a billboard pointing toward the masters. Follow Bob Peck Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobpeck/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeck TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iambobpeck Website: linktr.ee/bobpeck Get his book: Original Sin Is A Lie: How Spirituality Defies Dogma and Reveals Our True Self https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62338778-original-sin-is-a-lie *** Thanks for being alive with me. ⚡️ Come find me in the wild: Instagram: www.instagram.com/thealivekate TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thealivekate www.katemanser.com Once a week, I’ll text you a nudge to help you feel alive wherever you are, on any ordinary day. Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

    57 min
  3. MAR 8

    Use Spiral Movement to Come Alive | Ting Ting Guan

    After following Ting Ting’s work for a year, I am so excited to feature her on the show! Ting Ting’s GuanJing Method is aliveness in motion. This episode is for those who have been feeling stuck, stagnant, and lacking a sense of vitality. Or perhaps you’ve been feeling that your yoga or running practice isn’t making you feel as alive and strong as it used to. Ting Ting Guan’s GuanJing Method is a spiral-based practice at the intersection of Qigong, yoga, dance, and Chinese medicine. Ting Ting and Kate dive into how stress and disconnection show up in the body, how spiraling movement helps release energetic blockages, and how softness, play, and rest can coexist with real strength in both personal healing and how we show up in the world. Key takeaways 🌊How to keep emotions from getting stuck in your body 🌀What’s so special about spiral, dynamic body movement 🏵️How to feel strong in your softness and vulnerability 👯Why vitality lives in presence and play Timestamps (01:11) Meet Ting Ting Guan (02:26) The Birth of the GuangJing Method (07:09) Transformation Story (10:08) Understanding Stuck Emotions (17:29) Managing Disassociation and Emotions (22:49) Embracing Vitality and Aliveness (27:59) Overcoming Self-Judgment (28:53) The Power of Breath and Movement (30:14) Building Confidence Through Dance (31:19) The Michelangelo Approach to Self-Discovery (33:21) The Significance of the Spiral (37:45) Balancing Softness and Strength (46:04) The Future Vision for Guang Jing Method (48:26) Upcoming Retreats and Opportunities (53:11) Embracing Rest and Fun (55:06) Conclusion and Future Plans Engage with Ting Ting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one.with.soul/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@guanjingmethod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guanjingmethod Website: https://www.guanjingmethod.com/ Connect with Kate Manser www.instagram.com/thealivekate www.katemanser.com Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

    56 min
  4. FEB 25

    The Life & Death Storyteller: Niki DiGaetano

    Niki is a death doula, writer, designer, and backpacker who came to death work following a career and existential crisis in 2019. By day, she works in design and copywriting. By night and by passion, she helps her clients tell the stories of their and their loved ones' lives. She also helps the bereaved navigate loss through individual grief support sessions. In her free time, she is working on a book that explores death's transformative call to live - and how that call once saved her life - all set against the story of her 900 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. Additional information about her death doula practice and her upcoming book can be found at numbered-days.com Key takeaways 🪴Grief never just “goes away”—we grow around it, learning to hold loss over time. 👯‍♀️Support from others, including professionals and peer mentors, is invaluable in heavy times. 🌅There’s no set timeline for healing; everyone’s process is different and deserves respect. 🌊Expressing grief and seeking validation helps counter shame and unnecessary suffering. 🥾Embracing uncertainty and “wandering” is essential both in recovery and in everyday life. Timestamps (00:00) Introduction and Personal Reflections on Mortality (01:10) A Journey into Death Work (02:43) Early Life and Career Path (04:01) The Turning Point: Discovering a New Path (08:09) Volunteering and the Birth of a Death Doula (11:28) Blending Passions: Graphic Design and Storytelling (16:44) Personal Transformation and Overcoming Darkness (19:12) The Appalachian Trail Adventure (29:17) New Beginnings in Utah (30:52) Transition to Death Doula Work (31:26) Starting Grief Support (32:55) The Power of Letting Go (37:43) Lessons from Grief Work (45:31) Embracing the Wandering (53:38) The Importance of Pattern Disruption (57:34) Concluding Thoughts on Aliveness (01:02:29) Closing Remarks and Future Plans Engage with Niki Visit Niki's grief support website to learn more or book sessions: numbereddays.com Subscribe to Niki’s newsletter (writing + grief insights): https://nikielle.substack.com/ Connect with Niki on Instagram: @numbereddays.doula What are your top 3 topics & areas of expertise? - Grief work/support/education: no, you're not "crazy" for not being "over" the death of your loved one after 2.5 months. It's neuroscience. - Legacy and storytelling: how to document and capture your stories, your loved one's stories, and why it matters. - Death's call to Live: we are impermanent. Everything and everyone we love is impermanent and will die someday. Sound morbid? It's not. It's a way to laser-focus your priorities, get clear on priorities, and enhance your relationships. Connect with Kate Manser www.instagram.com/thealivekate www.katemanser.com Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

    1h 4m
  5. 11/03/2025

    Be Unshakeable - Haters, Confidence, & Resilience | Juls Bindi

    Juls Bindi is an entrepreneur on fire. Featured on one of the funniest episodes of Shark Tank, a former celebrity massage therapist, inventor, and author...Juls has been on the receiving end of a lot of haters throughout her journey. What do you do when you get death threats online, lawsuit threats, and people making fun of you? Listen to this episode to hear Juls' take on how to manage online and offline resistance to you, your business, invention, book, outfit - whatever. Juls Rule #1: Not everyone will like you or your product. In this episode, learn: ✅ How to make better decisions in business and in life ❤️‍🩹 The 1 essential element to emotional freedom and breaking generational trauma 🧒 How to build children’s emotional intelligence 🔁 How to see yourself as an evolving work of art rather so you can grow and realign over time. (01:08) Introducing Juls Bindi (03:02) My 1st Invention (04:48) Going Viral and Shark Tank Success (07:07) Handling Criticism and Death Threats (10:00) Personal Growth Through Adversity (15:22) Forgiveness and Childhood Trauma (23:04) Empathy and Breaking Generational Trauma (29:35) Empowering Children with EQ Kid Books (32:21) Discovering Life Lessons (33:52) A Life-Altering Divorce (34:46) The Birth of a Children's Author (36:34) Rebuilding a Business (42:37) Embracing Emotional Intelligence (44:12) The Power of Forgiveness (48:34) Living a Vibrant Life (57:38) Final Thoughts and Gratitude 🌐 Engage with Juls Attend Juls Bindi’s "Unshakeable" Zoom coaching sessions held first and third Thursday of each month, donation-based: www.eqkidbooks.com (under the "Unshakeable" section) Explore and purchase Juls’s children’s books, including My Body, My Rules and related activity/coloring books at www.eqkidbooks.com Instagram: @julsbindi Website: www.eqkidbooks.com ⚡️ Connect with Kate Manser www.instagram.com/thealivekate⁠ www.katemanser.com⁠ Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

    1h 1m
  6. 10/12/2025

    You're overthinking your art | Monika Filipek, Artist & Gallerist

    I met Monika while walking the streets of Oxford on a trip in 2024. I was immediately enchanted by Monika, her art, and her story. I'm thrilled to bring her wisdom on artmaking, sustainability, and creativity to the show. In this episode of Be Alive with Kate Manser, Kate interviews Monika Filipek, an artist known for her unique upcycled cart gallery discovered in Oxford, UK. Monika shares her journey from Poland to the UK, detailing her passion for sustainable living, upcycling, and creating art from found objects. She discusses her artistic process, the importance of intuition, and the impact of embracing creative freedom. In this episode: 🫠How to overcome self-criticism 👁️ On following one's creative intuition 🗑️ Finding beauty in trash, sustainability, & everyday life 00:00 Introduction to Art Creation 00:59 Meet Monika Filipek 02:00 The Journey of the Cart Gallery 02:56 Sustainable Living and Upcycling 03:48 The Magic of Oxford 04:39 Creative Intuition and Process 20:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists 26:37 Embracing Artistic Possibilities 27:06 Dealing with Criticism and Haters 27:50 The Collective Project of Art 29:54 Observations on Humanity 36:11 The Decision to Move to the UK 43:33 The Influence of English Art and Culture 48:08 Conclusion and Future Plans About Monika Filipek, artist & founder of CArt Gallery I am a Polish artist living and working in the UK, with a focus on ecophilosophy and sustainability. Over the last six years, I have been connected to Oxford and London, where I’ve developed my creative practice, experimenting with sustainable art movements and initiatives rooted in the circular economy and sustainable development. As the founder of The CArt Gallery—a mobile art space—and active participant in other initiatives supporting sustainability, I actively engage in creating innovative projects that bridge art, ecology, and social movement. Connect with Monika: monikafilipek.com cartmobileartgallery.com @cart_gallery on Instagram Monika's answer to, "What does it mean to you to be alive?" To be alive means to me to create my own vision of reality, where even small steps and actions have a powerful impact on the rest of the world and can make a big change. I believe that we are all connected somehow, and only through our unique skills and individuality we can make a change. By sharing our unique gifts and ideas with the world we can grow all together as a society. I believe that even small actions and initiatives have the potential to change the world. For me, being alive is to be aware of your mission and what your skills are and follow this path without fear, even if it seems to be uncomfortable. By choosing trust over fear, risk over conformism, and, by seeing the results of this, you can really feel alive:) Connect with Kate Manser: www.instagram.com/thealivekate⁠ www.katemanser.com⁠ Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

    51 min
  7. 08/18/2025

    ICU Nurse: What I Learned about Dying | Megan Titcomb

    What are the lessons about living and dying that stick with an ICU nurse for life? Megan Titcomb shares the challenges of navigating the survival-focused medical system, the importance of listening to one's intuition about when it’s time to "call it," and her own journey transitioning career paths. The episode highlights the beauty and courage in facing mortality honestly and using that awareness as a catalyst to experience life fully. ⚕️Why navigating the healthcare system requires understanding about its survival-driven mindset. ❤️‍🩹What to do to prepare for unexpected illness or death (for you and the people you love) 🌻How an ICU Nurse lives after being around illness & death for years 👉Key points (01:10) Introducing Megan Titcomb: A Journey from ICU Nurse to Life Coach (03:03) The Realities of Nursing and Burnout (04:41) Transitioning to Coaching: Finding New Purpose (05:44) Defining Holistic Nursing (07:44) Experiences in the ICU During COVID (09:16) The Importance of Accepting Mortality (12:35) Navigating the Medical System and End-of-Life Decisions (22:43) Living in Alignment: Coaching for a Fulfilled Life (30:25) Introduction to Dr. Irvin Yalom's Work (31:36) Transition to Physical Wellness Coaching (34:18) Personal Growth Through RV Renovation (35:15) Facing Fears and Building Confidence (40:55) The Nomadic Community Experience (43:59) Reflections on Alternative Lifestyles (49:10) Future Plans and Affirmations (54:55) Closing Remarks and Gratitude ⚡️Megan’s answer to: What does living your most alive life mean to you? It means living a life that is in line with my values and not a life of fear or hiding my true self. It means embracing the fact that one day I will die and I want to be prepared for that in both the logistical ways ("having affairs in order") and emotional and spiritual ways. I've had many experiences with death throughout my life, each shaping my beliefs around it. A few particularly profound moments during my time working in the hospital have stood out, offering me great comfort and deepening my understanding. About Megan Titcomb Megan is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Yoga teacher, and Certified Critical Care nurse. For years, I've straddled the divide between conventional medicine and holistic healing. Unfortunately, these worlds often operate independently. My passion is bridging that gap. I'm dedicated to helping others navigate the complex world of Western medicine while uncovering their own inner compass, allowing them to make informed life (and end-of-life) choices. Thus empowering them to live a more purposeful life that honors them and their uniqueness. 🌐Follow Megan Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flowstate_meg/ LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-titcomb-0749542b6 Connect with Kate Manser: www.instagram.com/thealivekate⁠ www.katemanser.com⁠ Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

    56 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

There’s more to aliveness than just breathing. It’s a verb, an intention, a feeling. Kate Manser has spent the past decade studying life, death, consciousness, and transcendence. Be Alive with Kate Manser unveils profound insights on the art of being alive — how to be bold, creative, loving, and authentic. Join Kate and her guests to go beyond existing and hop on the ecstatic, fulfilling ride of being truly alive.

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