Practice You with Elena Brower

Elena Brower
  • 4.7 (403)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Content and conversations for times of transition and change. Join me in discussion with renowned luminaries and dear friends to explore life's myriad transitions, our understandings and our responses. What does it mean to be present, to shift our perceptions, to engage with the world meaningfully, with dignity and care? With respect for the ancient practices and the modern wisdom that continue to inform and elevate our exchanges, each episode is an invitation to Practice You.

  1. Aug 29

    Charlotte Rotterdam & Pieter Oosthuizen

    On the wisdom of open awareness and the benefit of the simplest practices in our daily life.  0:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 1:57 - Machik Labdron and the Source Code of Life 7:47 - Mahayana and Vajrayana: Differences and Similarities 13:36 - Ground, Path, and Fruition: The Buddhist Path of Liberation 21:41 - Engaging with the Practices of Sky Mind 27:37 - The Paradox of Meditation and External Impact 36:31 - Sky Mind Meditation Practice Partners in life, practice, and parenting, Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen draw on decades of dedicated study and practice to share the rich teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and their application to modern life. They've served as faculty at Naropa University, are senior teachers at Tara Mandala Retreat Center founded by Lama Tsultrim Allione, and teach globally. Their recent book, Skymind: The Radical Path of Open Awareness (Shambhala, 2026), highlights the nature of mind teachings of the 11th century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdron and their relevance in our everyday lives. Amid life's relentless challenges, uncertainties, and endless striving, how do we find a sense of ease, clarity, and connection? Skymind offers a way to step back from life's constant push and pull and discover the spaciousness and wholeness that has always been within you. Inspired by the revolutionary teachings of Machig Labdrön, an 11th-century Tibetan yogini who pioneered a radical approach to inner freedom, this book introduces Skymind meditation—a practice that helps you cultivate clarity, compassion, and resilience by resting in the sky-like nature of your mind. Through simple exercises, contemplations, and Machig's powerful verses, you'll be guided to meet life's challenges with courage and radical acceptance. These teachings invite you to embrace every part of your experience—even the emotions and thoughts you'd rather avoid—and discover the freedom that comes from including everything in your awareness. Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, Skymind offers profound insights and practical tools to help you live with authenticity, ease, and a heart as vast as the sky.

  2. Aug 15

    Vanessa Barboni Hallik

    On ecosystem restoration; building coherent, sustainable supply chains into the garments we wear; creating resilience in our systems, our bodies, our hearts. 0:00 - Introduction to Vanessa Barboni Hallik and Another Tomorrow 2:49 - Exploring Another Tomorrow's Sustainability Practices 4:11 - Building Relationships and Technology in Fashion 13:20 - The Role of Education and Personal Journey 16:29 - Innovative Materials and Design 23:14 - The Power of Curiosity and Consumer Agency 32:30 - Personal Reflections and Future Directions Vanessa Barboni Hallik is the founder, co-CEO and Executive Chair of Another Tomorrow, a B Corp Certified end-to-end sustainable luxury brand with a mission to model a regenerative and resilient model for fashion, including a digitized blockchain-based product infrastructure delivering transparency, authenticated re-commerce, and additional digital to physical engagement. She is an active speaker on innovation, digitalization, regenerative supply chains, and new business models and has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Forbes, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cultured Magazine, and Vogue Business for her work among others, and is one of Wallpaper* Magazine's USA400, the Inc Magazine 500, and Worth Magazine's Worthy100. Prior to founding Another Tomorrow, Vanessa was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, where she held several leadership roles in the emerging markets institutional securities business. Throughout her career she has worked across global markets and managed culturally diverse and cross-border teams. While at Morgan Stanley, she served as a Trustee on the Board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and represented the firm at the Council on Foreign Relations. She likewise chaired the Fixed Income Philanthropy Committee, during which she initiated and subsequently led the firm's mentoring program with East Side Community High School, in partnership with PENCIL.org.

  3. Aug 1

    May Lindstrom

    On learning how to be in your skin, one surprisingly human tale, and ways to care for our tender selves. 0:00 - Introduction and Welcome 2:51 - Educational Emails and Product Usage 6:13 - Formulations and Hero Ingredients 8:54 - Personal Journey and Skincare Philosophy 31:03 - Impact of Skincare on Self-Care 31:26 - Community and Client Experiences 42:25 - Final Thoughts and Gratitude May Lindstrom is the Founder, Skin Chef, and CEO behind the luxury organic skincare brand, May Lindstrom Skin. Since its official launch in 2011, this small-batch, indie-beauty movement leader has been featured in Vogue, W, BAZAAR, The New York Times, GOOP, Town & Country, and coveted by a deeply loyal following. May's mission is to inspire a relationship and connection to sense and self, and in her world, this happens through the loving and intentional care of the skin. The invitation? Skin is intimate: lean in. This episode will surprise and delight you. Instagram: @maylindstromskin  maylindstrom.com.  As a listener of the Practice You Podcast, when you purchase $150 at this link, you'll receive your choice of a travel-sized gift.

  4. Jul 18

    Episode 247: Dr. Jessica Shepherd

    Generation M brings education and clear inspiration for perimenopause into menopause and beyond.   0:00 — Introduction and Guest Introduction 1:55 — Overview of "Generation M" and Its Purpose 4:33 — Koenenki and the Importance of Being Present 8:13 — Hormone Checks and Their Importance 10:52 — Preparing for Menopause: Practical Tips 16:11 — Meditation and Mindfulness 19:22 — Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) 24:37 — Self-Experimentation and Self-Awareness 27:12 — Metabolism and Nutrition 33:40 — Sexual Health and Exercise 36:56 — Protein Sources and Nutritional Needs Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a menopause expert and board-certified OBGYN specializing in menopause and longevity care. She is the Chief Medical Officer for Hers and founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness, her Dallas-based holistic practice focused on optimizing women's health and aging. Her book Generation M has helped shape the modern menopause conversation, and she is a trusted media expert featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, and more. Through her clinical work and education, Dr. Shepherd empowers women to take a prevention-forward, science-backed approach to physical, sexual, and emotional wellness. Generation M https://www.jessicashepherdmd.com/generation-m-womens-health-book Modern Meno community https://modmeno.circle.so/join?invitation_token=1bdfdcea015373b875eec4288728a8c1c9bb88a5-4202f1d9-6273-474d-8c99-1ad27caf425d

  5. Jul 4

    Kristoffer Carter

    On the path to power through peace, our surprising energetic fingerprint, and practicing self-compassion.  0:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome 1:39 — Discussion on "Permission to Glow" 3:50 — Exploring the Four Permissions 6:17 — The Difference Between Shining and Glowing 10:32 — The Pause Button and Personal Practices 13:23 — Meditation and Personal Transformation 19:28 — Self-Compassion and Personal Growth 19:40 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts Kristoffer Carter ('KC') is the author of Permission to Glow: A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership, which guides his team's coaching of Fortune 500 executive leaders. He is the CEO and founder of Epic Leadership, which has created a meditation practice for thousands. Kris's teachings have been featured in Men's Health, Fast Company, Thrive Global, and Good Life Project podcast. Kris sits on the Board of Directors of Yoga Alliance, and serves the global work of Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi. He teaches at Kripalu, and on Substack, via his column Permission to Chill. Kristoffer lives in Northeast Ohio with his three children.

  6. Jun 20

    Dr. Lauren Tober

    On bridging psychological insight into the yoga space, infusing everything with choice and invitation. 0:00 — Introduction and Background of Dr. Lauren Tober 2:36 — Dr. Tober's Journey and Integration of Disciplines 4:29 — Evolution of Trauma-Informed Yoga 7:24 — Rescuer Mentality and Mindful Communication 11:30 — Adapting Yoga Practices for Trauma Sensitivity 16:06 — Training and Supporting Yoga Teachers 19:56 — Personal and Professional Evolution 24:20 — Mentorship and Private Work 27:53 — New Book and Its Impact 31:11 — Podcast and Final Thoughts Dr. Lauren Tober (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers, host of the A Grateful Life Podcast, mother-of-two, spiritual seeker, beach-lover, book-reader, world-traveller and an eternal student of life. She has been a practicing psychologist and yoga teacher for over 20 years and is the founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute where she teaches yoga teachers about mental health, mental health professionals about yoga, and offers programs for anyone interested in the intersection of yoga, psychology and living a good life. With a passion for health, healing, happiness and awakening, Dr Lauren integrates the best of western psychology with yogic wisdom, both on and off the mat. Her work is soulful without being new-agey. It's evidence based without being clinical. It's authentic, heartfelt and life changing. Find out more at www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com. Lauren's new book - Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers - www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Lauren's masterclass - How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation - www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

  7. Jun 6

    Amy Kurtz

    On navigating chronic illness with grace, the courage it takes to name what's invisible, and the quiet revolution of believing yourself. 0:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 2:40 - Chronic Resilience and Medical Trauma Brain (MTB) The Importance of Recovery and Processing 9:05 - Practical Tools for Nervous System Regulation 18:11 - The Role of Convalescence and Healing Space 26:34 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement Amy Kurtz is a trailblazing author, certified health coach, patient advocate and speaker dedicated to empowering patients to reclaim agency over their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A distinct voice in the health space, Amy's work has been heralded by Dr Mark Hyman, Kris Carr, and many more. Lena Dunham named Kicking Sick one of her "Top 10 desert island books of all time" in New York Magazine. Amy has been featured on Oprah Daily, Good Morning America, The Boston Globe, NYMAG, Fox, and more. In her debut book, "Kicking Sick: Your GO-TO GUIDE for thriving with chronic health conditions," Amy shares her journey of living with chronic health conditions and provides a roadmap and actionable guidance to help readers manage debilitating conditions and live fully. Amy's second book, But You Look Fine, Trapped in the Hell between Sick and Well and How to Break Free, breaks the silence about the crucial, painful, pervasive, and yet all too common phase of healing from chronic illness that has long gone overlooked… until now. https://amykurtz.com/

  8. May 23

    Merissa Nathan Gerson

    On the nuances of grief and loss, personal rituals, and our willingness to be transformed.  0:00 — Introduction and Guest Introduction 3:04 — Marissa's Personal Story and Grief Journey 7:38 — Building a Grief Plan 13:24 — Understanding Trauma and Its Impact 17:27 — Boundaries and Self-Care 22:52 — The Role of Prayer and Rituals 28:22 — Memorializing Losses and Rituals 32:18 — Connecting with Nature and Finding Support 37:46 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts Merissa Nathan Gerson is the author of Forget Prayers, Bring Cake: A Single Woman's Guide to Grieving, and her writing appears in Modern Love for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Playboy, Tablet, CNN.com and beyond. Merissa trained in Shambhala Shamatha meditation, graduated with an MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University, is a certified Sivananda yoga teacher, and holds an MA in Jewish Studies with a focus on inherited trauma as well as sex and gender from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She was the Inherited Trauma consultant to Amazon's Transparent and is the daughter and granddaughter of war refugees. She is currently training to be a rabbi. Forget Prayers, Bring Cake: A Single Woman's Guide to Grieving came out in 2021 from Mandala Press for Simon & Schuster. This book is a companion for these times. As McArthur Genius Kiese Laymon describes: "Merissa Gerson has created a neon treatise on the art and necessity of grieving."

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Content and conversations for times of transition and change. Join me in discussion with renowned luminaries and dear friends to explore life's myriad transitions, our understandings and our responses. What does it mean to be present, to shift our perceptions, to engage with the world meaningfully, with dignity and care? With respect for the ancient practices and the modern wisdom that continue to inform and elevate our exchanges, each episode is an invitation to Practice You.

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