When Spiritual Work Feels Stuck — What to Do Next

The Gentle Yoga Warrior

Feeling stuck despite doing “the work”? This is the only podcast for spiritual, self-help-curious midlifers where you can explore hidden blocks, soulful practices, and actionable tools to find clarity, calm, and progress. We interview inspiring guests who share insights to help you move forward, and your host, The Gentle Yoga Warrior, knows what it’s like to be stuck for years — offering guidance, meditations, and practical practices to support your growth. Many episodes include a bonus optional meditation! Formerly Awakened Conscious Conversations, we’ve rebranded with a new title: When Spiritual Work Feels Stuck — What to Do Next. This updated name more fully reflects the heart of our work, and we’re deeply grateful to our longtime listeners for growing with us—and to our new listeners for joining us on the journey. We’re so glad you’re here!

  1. A Deep Dive into the Subconscious: Anxiety, Hypnotherapy, and Past Lives

    Jun 10

    A Deep Dive into the Subconscious: Anxiety, Hypnotherapy, and Past Lives

    Craig Meriwether is the founder of Sacred Mystery Hypnotherapy, specializing in past life regression and spiritual hypnotherapy. His work is dedicated to helping individuals experience emotional healing, spiritual awakening, and profound personal transformation.  The subconscious is built for safety, it may keep old pain like a smoke alarm that never got reset—firing anxiety, anger, or shutdown long after the original event has passed. In this episode, we unpack: How triggers form and why your nervous system struggles to distinguish real danger from remembered dangerRepetitive emotional loops and how they can turn into practiced survival responsesHypnotherapy as rewiring—updating childhood "instructions" so your body stops protecting you with strategies that no longer fit your lifeWe also take on the myths head-on: hypnosis is not mind control, you cannot be forced to do what you don't want, and stage hypnosis is a very different context than therapeutic change work. Then we widen the lens into spiritual hypnotherapy and past-life regression, exploring the research and stories that led figures like Brian Weiss and Michael Newton to reconsider what the subconscious might access. We touch on big questions about consciousness, memory, and even the idea of the brain as a receiver—including discussion of the pineal gland. We close with a guided meditation focused on self-love, calm breathing, and letting healing move outward into the world. If you're looking for practical insight on hypnotherapy for anxiety, trauma, and limiting beliefs—plus a meditation, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Craig's contact details: https://sacredmysteryhypnotherapy.com/ Social Media:  https://sacredmystery.substack.com https://www.youtube.com/@Sacred_Mystery_Hypnotherapy https://www.instagram.com/sacred_mystery_hypnotherapy https://www.facebook.com/sacredmysteryhypnotherapy https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-meriwether-44286718b/  Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    57 min
  2. Your Fear Is Loud But It Is Not The Boss

    Jun 3

    Your Fear Is Loud But It Is Not The Boss

    Six years of showing up has taught us something surprising: the biggest thing that limits our lives is rarely a lack of talent, it’s fear. Fear of judgment. Fear of getting it wrong. Fear that our gifts won’t be welcomed. What happens when old hurts turn into a “protective wall” that slowly blocks your confidence and dims your light? We get practical about overcoming fear and anxiety without pretending they disappear overnight. We talk about the trap of self-criticism, why you don’t need to “fix everything” to grow, and how to balance being a work in progress with celebrating who you are right now. We close with a reminder that support exists, and reaching out for professional help can be the strongest step you take. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s stuck, and leave a review. What fear are you ready to stop negotiating with? Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    14 min
  3. Small Wins, Gentle Resets & Finding Your Ikigai

    May 22

    Small Wins, Gentle Resets & Finding Your Ikigai

    When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to believe progress only counts if it’s perfect. In this episode, I share a personal reset from a tired, overbooked week and the mindset shift that helped me stop spiraling and start moving again. We explore the power of small wins, why five to ten minutes a day can protect your momentum, and how mindfulness, breath, and gentle movement can help you feel calmer, clearer, and more focused. We also reflect on Ikigai — the Japanese philosophy of purpose — and the quiet truth that your value doesn’t have to be huge to matter. The episode closes with a guided forest-at-dawn meditation to help you reconnect with what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what gives your life meaning. What’s one small win you can do today? Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    13 min

  4. May 12

    A Spring Reset For Mental Health With Simple Daily Habits

    Your mental health does not always need a dramatic breakthrough. Sometimes it needs a small reset you can repeat, especially when the world feels intense and your mind will not stop replaying everything at once. We start by grounding ourselves in May’s seasonal energy, whether you’re moving through spring brightness or an autumn shift toward letting go. From there, we share five practical mental health tips that are simple and realistic. The episode closes with a spring-inspired guided meditation and visualisation. If you’ve been craving direction, calm, and a doable next step, this practice can help you find it. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review with your one thing for the month. Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    22 min
  5. Men’s Mental Health: Why It Matters & How to Help

    Apr 29

    Men’s Mental Health: Why It Matters & How to Help

    Men’s Mental Health: Why It Matters and How to Help. We’re joined by Stefanos Koutsoumpis, a PhD who left physics and multinational IT after realising success doesn’t guarantee happiness. We talk openly about how depression can hide behind a “good life,” and why many men don’t notice it until it shows up as stress, numbness, or shutdown. We explore what actually helps—moving beyond surface-level self-help to deeper needs like meaning, values, and emotional awareness. Stefanos shares why therapy works when quick fixes don’t, and how to better support the men in your life by creating emotional safety without pressure. We also dive into the power of men’s groups, being truly heard, and simple ways to shift your state—like moving your body. The episode closes with a calming water-based guided meditation to help you release what you’ve been holding. Stefanos contact details: https://www.mindfullife.coach/ Free guide from Stefanos: https://www.hopp.bio/mindful-life-coaching If this resonates, subscribe, share, and help more people find real support for men’s mental health. Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    32 min
  6. Why Willpower Doesn’t Work (And What Does Instead)

    Apr 13

    Why Willpower Doesn’t Work (And What Does Instead)

    We are joined by  Positive Psychologist & Creator of Psychosomatic Intelligence Max Weigand.  He helps us to break down the science of decision fatigue and the deeper truth behind self-control. In this episode, we unpack some of the biggest misconceptions around stress, motivation, and willpower—and why pushing harder isn’t always the answer. We explore Psychosomatic Intelligence™ (PSQ) and what it really means to work with your nervous system instead of against it. We talk about how your emotional state shapes your focus, decisions, and performance, and why even high achievers can still find themselves stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, and self-sabotage. You’ll also hear a simple breakdown of the core principles behind PSQ, what “psychosomatic coherence” actually means in real life, and how to start applying it in a practical way. If you’re looking to feel more in control, think more clearly, and perform at your best without burning out, this episode is packed with insights—and a simple daily practice you can start using right away. Max's website: https://www.psychosomaticintelligence.com/ If this helped you rethink motivation, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s stuck in the willpower loop, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one habit you want to make easier this week? Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    35 min
  7. Resistance Can Be Sneaky!

    Apr 5

    Resistance Can Be Sneaky!

    Resistance can be sneaky. It shows up right before the things that actually make us feel better, like rolling out the yoga mat, lacing up running shoes, sitting to meditate, or picking up a pen to write. On an Easter weekend with that early-spring buzz in the air, I talk through what resistance feels like in real life and why it doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes the “I don’t want to” moment is the practice. I share how I work with it using small, practical steps instead of willpower speeches: getting the gear ready, making the first move tiny.  The second half is a calm, guided five-minute meditation you can repeat daily. We use breath counting to train focus, then shift into a simple gratitude inhale and release exhale practice to settle the mind and clear mental clutter. If you’ve ever said “I can’t meditate,” this offers a gentle on-ramp that still builds discipline. If this helps, subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s guest, share the episode with a friend who’s feeling stuck, and leave a review. What’s one habit you’re meeting resistance around right now? Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    19 min
  8. Healing Starts with Pleasure, Not Pain: Learning to Listen to Your Body

    Mar 22

    Healing Starts with Pleasure, Not Pain: Learning to Listen to Your Body

    Healing doesn’t have to start by ripping open old wounds. Sometimes the most honest first step is simpler: notice what your body is already doing to help you, then let that support grow. I’m joined by Steven Hoskinson , founder of Organic Intelligence and a leading voice in post-traumatic growth. We explore why the standard “dig into the trauma” model can backfire for some people, and what it looks like to build real capacity instead. Stephen explains how your biology constantly sends signals of regulation, comfort, and reorganization, small shifts in breath, posture, attention, and memory that he calls “postcards from home.” When we learn to catch and savor them, we create the state shifts that make deeper work possible. From there we unpack one of the most practical ideas of the conversation: “bandwidth.” If you feel like your battery is flat by the end of the day, it may not be a personal failing, it may be a threshold issue. We talk nervous system regulation, sensory orientation, predictive regulation, and how reducing allostatic load can make anxiety, stress, and relationships feel less costly.  You’ll also get a short meditation inspired by these themes, focused on widening your inner sky and reconnecting with moments of joy and steadiness. If this supports you, subscribe, share it with a friend who feels depleted, and leave a review. What’s one “postcard from home” your body has been sending that you want to notice more often? Steven Hoskinson's contact details: https://organicintelligence.org/ Send us a message Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show A note for every episode:  we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they  do or don't agree with. Want to be a guest? Send The Gentle Yoga Warrior a message on PodMatch, here:

    36 min
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About

Feeling stuck despite doing “the work”? This is the only podcast for spiritual, self-help-curious midlifers where you can explore hidden blocks, soulful practices, and actionable tools to find clarity, calm, and progress. We interview inspiring guests who share insights to help you move forward, and your host, The Gentle Yoga Warrior, knows what it’s like to be stuck for years — offering guidance, meditations, and practical practices to support your growth. Many episodes include a bonus optional meditation! Formerly Awakened Conscious Conversations, we’ve rebranded with a new title: When Spiritual Work Feels Stuck — What to Do Next. This updated name more fully reflects the heart of our work, and we’re deeply grateful to our longtime listeners for growing with us—and to our new listeners for joining us on the journey. We’re so glad you’re here!

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