Exploring Magical Portals

Shannon Mary
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Life is full of transformative moments – those “magical portals” that shift timelines, fast-track our growth, and completely redefine the path we’re on. This podcast is for the deep thinkers, creatives, and leaders who want to meet life’s challenges with curiosity, courage, and compassion. I’m Shannon Mary. NeuroEmotional Coach and Brand Strategist for the ones who are here to make an impact. My work is rooted in the belief that most of what’s broken in our world comes from people leading from a survival brain state, and that self-awareness is how we change that. When we learn to recognise and shift our brain state, we access calm, creativity, and emotional steadiness. From that place, we lead differently, love more deeply, and create the kind of change the world needs most.

  1. 11/07/2025

    #13: The Power of Knowing Your Brain State (Especially When Everything Falls Apart)

    After a six month break, I’m back! And in this episode, I’m bringing you a raw, unfiltered catch-up on everything I’ve moved through since I last hit record. Part reflection, part reset, part reminder that you can walk away from what no longer serves you without guilt, without drama, and without needing to fix it. You just need to return to your Executive Brain. I talk about my trip to Spain, the end of a deeply meaningful friendship, the burnout that comes with holding space for others, and the moment I knew I was being asked to trust myself more than the system. I also revisit the power of Brain State Awareness as a way of navigating real-life moments with clarity, calm, and courage. This episode is about: Owning your burnout without shameMaking aligned decisions when values no longer matchSurviving winter (literal and emotional)Letting go of systems, people, or paths that no longer fitAnd remembering that you don’t have to justify your “no” when it comes from your Executive BrainIf you’ve ever felt like the standards in the world are painfully low - in education, in leadership, in how we treat each other - you’re not alone. This is a reminder that your awareness, your clarity, and your way of doing things differently is the work. This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    27 min

  2. 05/31/2025

    #12: Beyond Love & Light: The Path to Authentic Manifestation

    Most of what we hear about manifesting is all about love, light, and positive thinking - but that’s only part of the picture. In this solo episode of Exploring Magical Portals, I share why true manifesting means turning towards the shadows as much as the light. Drawing on Michael Beckwith’s four states of consciousness - to me, by me, through me, as me - I explore how our past conditioning and brain states shape what we’re able to create, and why working with the nervous system (not against it) is key to real transformation. I also share how this deeper, more embodied approach to manifesting has shaped my own life and work. This episode is an invitation to move beyond surface-level manifesting into a more grounded, integrated approach - one that honours your past, frees you in the present, and expands what’s possible for your future. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    25 min
  3. #11: Healed People Heal People: Purpose, Leadership, and the Power of Emotional Regulation with Dr Pepe Marais

    05/03/2025

    #11: Healed People Heal People: Purpose, Leadership, and the Power of Emotional Regulation with Dr Pepe Marais

    This episode is an invitation to rethink how much of your attention is truly devoted to living on purpose – in your personal growth, your business or career, and your deeper life’s purpose – and to consider how lasting transformation starts within. I sit down with my friend and purpose-driven leader Dr Pepe Marais on Exploring Magical Portals to explore the unseen forces behind real impact – and how our early emotional wounds often shape our greatest contributions. We discuss why true leadership begins with healing ourselves first. Pepe shares stories from his childhood, his evolution as a leader, and his powerful shift from chasing external success to building meaningful, sustainable impact. He’s the co-founder and Group Chief Creative Officer of Joe Public United, one of South Africa’s leading independent brand and communications groups, and the founder of One School at a Time, a non-profit transforming underperforming schools into centres of excellence. He’s also the author of Growing Greatness and 20 Habits That Break Habits, where he shares hard-won lessons on purpose, growth, and leadership. We explore the role of brain states in leadership and decision-making, the magic of top-down emotional regulation, and why conscious leaders must learn to regulate their nervous systems to truly serve the world. Along the way, we touch on the wisdom of Indra’s Net, the beauty of unseen connections, and the deeper journey of living in alignment with your purpose. This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    1h 22m

  4. 04/21/2025

    #10: The Blind Spot in Most Coaching Methods

    In this episode, I’m answering one of the most common questions I get: What exactly is NeuroEmotional Coaching? I’ll walk you through what I do as a coach, how this work differs from other forms of coaching or therapy, and why understanding your brain states – Survival, Emotional, and Executive – is the missing piece for so many people who feel stuck in looping patterns, emotional reactivity, or burnout. You’ll learn how brain state awareness can help you regulate in the moment, shift out of survival mode, and step back into creative, values-aligned decision-making. I also talk about why so many of us – including world leaders – are unknowingly operating from survival brain, and why that matters more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered how to move through emotional blocks without bypassing or spiralling, or if you’re curious about how this kind of coaching could support your leadership, relationships, or personal growth – this episode is for you. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    17 min

  5. 04/02/2025

    #9: Why I Won’t Let My Child Watch "Adolescence" – A Perspective on Emotional Readiness

    In this episode, I’m sharing my raw, in-the-moment thoughts after watching the Netflix mini-series Adolescence – a gripping and controversial show that’s sparked a lot of conversation among parents around the world. As a NeuroEmotional Coach – and a parent – I couldn’t help but think about the emotional impact of this kind of media on developing nervous systems. While the show is powerful and thought-provoking, I explore why it might be more appropriate for adults than young teens, and how we often unintentionally place the burden of emotional awareness on kids before they’re ready. I also share some of my own story – growing up in the 90s, being exposed to trauma-focused content way too young, and what I’ve come to understand about emotional overload through both lived experience and neuroscience. This episode is really a gentle call to those of us who support young people – parents, educators, caregivers – to do the deeper work ourselves so we’re not unconsciously handing it over to the next generation. This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    13 min

  6. 03/19/2025

    #8: How to Stop Fighting and Start Communicating: Conflict Resolution for Couples

    Do happy couples fight? Or is there another way to handle conflict that doesn’t leave you feeling disconnected or defeated? In this episode, I’m diving into the real dynamics behind relationship arguments – and why some couples seem to spiral while others manage to stay connected, even through tough conversations. We’ll explore how brain states play a huge role in how we show up during conflict, and why so many arguments are really just survival brain responses on loop. I’ll walk you through how to spot emotional triggers before they explode, and share practical tools to help you move from reactivity into clarity – so you can actually talk to each other, not just defend or attack. This episode is especially for you if you’ve found yourself stuck in the same fights over and over, or you’re craving a way to communicate with more presence, compassion, and emotional maturity. Let’s unpack what it really means to navigate disagreements without blame or shame – and how to create a more peaceful, connected relationship, even in the hard moments. This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    20 min

  7. 02/27/2025

    #7: Byron Katie and Brain State Awareness Walk into a Bar...

    What do Byron Katie’s four questions and brain state awareness have in common? In this episode, I’m connecting the dots between these two powerful tools – and showing you how they can work together to completely shift how you think, feel, and respond to life. Following on from last week’s episode about how brain state awareness helps you tap into true intuition, I dive deeper into the practical side – using Byron Katie’s framework to question those sticky, repetitive thoughts that pull us into emotional reactivity. When you pair this practice with curiosity and self-awareness, real transformation becomes possible. I’ll walk you through how her four questions can help turn emotional triggers into growth moments, and I share examples from both life and coaching where this has made all the difference. This is a powerful way to move from survival mode into executive clarity – where you can actually choose your next step, rather than react from old wiring. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a negative thought loop or found yourself snapping before you even realise what’s happening, this episode offers a way out – one that’s kind, conscious, and empowering. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    24 min

  8. 02/11/2025

    #6: How Brain State Awareness Unlocks True Intuition

    In this episode, I’m unpacking something we all wrestle with – that little voice in your head. Is it your intuition? Or is it fear dressed up as guidance? The key to knowing the difference lies in understanding which brain state you’re in when that voice shows up. I’ll walk you through the three brain states – Executive, Emotional, and Survival – and how each one shapes your thoughts, your emotions, and the decisions you make. Once you start recognising where you’re operating from, everything changes. You begin to catch yourself before reacting, trust yourself more deeply, and make clearer, more aligned choices. I’m also sharing a super simple practice you can use daily to check in with your brain state – it’s like learning to speak your nervous system’s language. If you’ve ever second-guessed your intuition or felt hijacked by your own mind, this episode is here to give you a new lens – one that brings calm, clarity, and confidence back online. This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes. Got questions or insights to share? Email me at shan@shannonmary.com Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac Subscribe to my newsletter

    21 min
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About

Life is full of transformative moments – those “magical portals” that shift timelines, fast-track our growth, and completely redefine the path we’re on. This podcast is for the deep thinkers, creatives, and leaders who want to meet life’s challenges with curiosity, courage, and compassion. I’m Shannon Mary. NeuroEmotional Coach and Brand Strategist for the ones who are here to make an impact. My work is rooted in the belief that most of what’s broken in our world comes from people leading from a survival brain state, and that self-awareness is how we change that. When we learn to recognise and shift our brain state, we access calm, creativity, and emotional steadiness. From that place, we lead differently, love more deeply, and create the kind of change the world needs most.

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Mary
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Exploring Magical Portals
  • Show Website
    Exploring Magical Portals