Sacred Stories of the Spirit

Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

In this podcast, hosted by author and artist Jordan Harcourt-Hughes, we explore storytelling as a method of intuitive way-finding, and as a way to re-imagine our personal narrative. We aim to create a knowledge base of personal stories and experiences that show different ways to feel, experience, tune into, understand and perceive life.

  1. May 20

    Leadership, Presence and the Art of Listening with Digby Scott

    How leaders and facilitators can become more present, responsive and attentive in times of change In this episode, Jordan speaks with Digby Scott — leadership coach, facilitator, speaker, podcaster and author — about leadership, change and the practice of attendance. Together, they explore what it means to become truly attentive in conversations, facilitation and leadership spaces - particularly in times of uncertainty, complexity and rapid change. Digby shares his framework for the Four Ways of Listening: Personal ListeningRelational ListeningDirectional ListeningContextual ListeningThe conversation explores: noticing over predicting,presence over performanceemotional literacy and intuitionthe illusion of control in leadershipembodied communication,psychological safety,and how leaders can become more responsive to the people and dynamics around them.This episode is especially relevant for leaders, facilitators, coaches,educators, OD practitioners, and anyone working closely with people and groups. About Digby Scott Digby Scott is a leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, podcaster and author who works with senior leaders and leadership teams across Australasia. His work focuses on helping leaders create meaningful and lasting impact while sustaining momentum and energy. He is the author of Change Makers and Out There, and host of the Dig Deeper podcast. LinkedIn: Digby Scott on LinkedInWebsite: Digby Scott WebsitePodcast: Dig Deeper Podcast

    31 min

  2. Apr 2

    Curiosity, Consciousness and Hope- Reclaiming Our Humanity in the World of Work

    What happens when curiosity becomes more than a learning tool, and instead becomes a pathway back to ourselves? In this opening episode of Series 3: Consciousness in the World of Work, Jordan sits down with leadership coach and learning and development specialist Kathryn Jackson to explore the deeper human questions behind performance,engagement and leadership. Together, they reflect on the growing fatigue facing middle managers, the pressure to separate our personal and professional selves, and the quiet role that spirituality -understood as connection, meaning and hope - can play in helping people navigate uncertainty. This conversation invites listeners to reconsider what it means to feel aligned at work, to reconnect with curiosity, and to notice the signals from our own inner landscape in a world that is moving faster than ever. If you've ever felt squeezed between expectations, searching for meaning in your work, or wondering how to bring more of yourself into the workplace, this episode is for you. About our Guest Kathryn Jackson is a leadership coach and learning anddevelopment professional with deep experience designing programs that move beyond quick fixes and surface-level solutions. Her work focuses on helping leaders build resilience, connection and self-awareness — not just capability — and creating learning experiences that support people to navigate the complexity of modern work with clarity and strength. You can learn more about Kathryn’s work at: careerbalance.co.nz About This Series Series 3 of Sacred Stories of the Spirit explores consciousness in the world of work. This series examines how people are navigating identity, leadership, learning and wellbeing inincreasingly complex organisational environments. Through conversations with leaders, practitioners and thinkers, Jordan explores:This series is part of The Human Capability Project — a field study exploring how organisations build people, leadership and learning in a changing world.

    25 min

  3. 12/21/2025

    Entrepreneurship as Inner Work: Mental Health, Mindset & Right-Sizing Responsibility with Gretchen Hernandez

    Entrepreneurship is often framed as freedom, innovation, and success — but beneath the surface, it can quietly activate anxiety, burnout, people-pleasing, and a deep sense of over-responsibility. In this episode of Sacred Stories of the Spirit, I’m joined by Gretchen Hernandez, founder of My Freedom Grove, who helps entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs build sustainable businesses without sacrificing mental health. Together, we explore: Why entrepreneurship is also a personal evolution journey The hidden mental health costs of “just pushing through” Gretchen’s experience with generational depression, anxiety, and burnout How growth mindset language reshapes inner narratives What it means to right-size responsibility — especially for others’ feelings and results Tools like thought downloads and “thought shopping” Releasing the need to save the day Choosing want over should in life and work This conversation is an invitation to build in a way that supports your nervous system, your values, and your long-term wellbeing. Website: myfreedomgrove.comInstagram & Facebook: My Freedom Grove Jordan Harcourt-HughesWebsite: jordanharcourthughes.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharcourthughes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordaninthestudio/

    31 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Your Body Is Not Broken - and Cristie Robbins is here to show you why.

    What if your anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia or overwhelm weren’t signs that something is wrong with you — but signals your body is asking to be listened to? In this episode of Sacred Stories of the Spirit, I’m joined by Cristie Robbins, mental wellness coach, former HR professional, poet and author of Scars Like Constellations. Cristie shares her deeply human approach to healing — one that centres the nervous system, the wisdom of the body, and the courage it takes to slow down and listen rather than push through. In our conversation, we explore: Why the body holds intelligence we’ve been trained to ignore Nervous system dysregulation and what it’s really communicating Trauma-informed leadership and how the world of work is evolving Tapping, breathwork and simple practices that bring the body back to safety Grief, storytelling and the long arc of healing Why sensitivity isn’t a weakness — it’s a strength Releasing the belief that being “strong” means doing everything alone This is a gentle, grounded conversation for anyone who’s tired of fixing themselves — and ready to remember they were never broken. 🧭 Connect with CristieWebsite: https://thewellnessblueprint.orgInstagram: @cristie.robbins Connect with your host, Jordan Harcourt-Hughes 🔗 Website: https://jordanharcourthughes.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharcourthughes/✨ If this episode resonated, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, or share it with someone who might need to hear it today.

    28 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    Science and the Sacred: Life After an NDE with Ray Catania

    What happens when a near-death experience shatters your worldview and opens a doorway into a reality that blends science, spirituality, and consciousness? In this profound and deeply human conversation, Ray Catania shares the story of his NDE at just 20 years old and the extraordinary transformation that followed. Together, we explore: The moment Ray left his physical body and entered a field of pure love How his NDE initiated a lifelong journey into metaphysics, physics, and mentorship What it takes to awaken, integrate, and believe your own experience Why resonance, vibration, and emotion are keys to communicating with the universe The role of journaling in healing and rewriting your story How to discern what truly resonates — versus what you were taught to pursue How to navigate the fear of sharing spiritual experiences publicly The importance of finding guides, mentors, and a community that “gets it” Ray's story is a bridge between scientific curiosity, mystical experience, and the possibility of redefining who we are. Connect with Ray Catania:🔗 Website: https://raycatania.com🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raycataniaofficial🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raycataniaofficial/ Connect with your host, Jordan Harcourt-Hughes:🌐 Website: https://www.jordanharcourthughes.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharcourthughes/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordaninthestudio/

    27 min

  6. 11/27/2025

    Love That Lingers: Grief, Resilience and the Stories That Carry Us

    In this conversation, author and coach Joyce Sherry joins me to explore the universal experience of grief and the unexpected ways love continues to echo long after loss. Joyce shares her remarkable journey through layers of loss — from losing both parents young, to the passing of her life partner, to witnessing her son’s life-changing accident, and supporting him through love and heartbreak. We talk about:• the myth that we must grieve alone• how laughter keeps us human in our hardest seasons• why slowing down helps us reframe the stories we tell ourselves• how writing transforms the personal into the universal• the spiritual dimension of connection and "love that lingers"• why compassion is both a practice and a lifeline• finding permission to feel okay again after loss Joyce also shares the creative path behind her debut novel A Tale for the Shadows and what writing about ghosts, love, and lingering connection has taught her about resilience. This episode is a gentle reminder: you are not alone, and you are stronger than you know. Where to find Joyce:joycesheryauthor.com Her debut novel A Tale for the Shadows is available wherever books are sold.

    26 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    From Broadway Publicist to Ivy League Witch: Tarot, Neurodivergence & New Identities

    From Broadway red carpets to spiritual psychology at Columbia, Emily McGill has walked a wild, winding path. In this episode, Emily – also known as the Ivy League Witch – shares how she moved from being a successful Broadway publicist to embracing her work as a spiritual psychologist, tarot reader, and creator of the Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot. We explore what it really feels like to shed an old identity, unmask neurodivergence in high-pressure workplaces, and reintroduce yourself to people as you change. Emily also reframes tarot as a psychological tool – “like texting yourself a meme from your subconscious” – rather than a fortune-telling gimmick, and shares insights from her Master’s thesis at Columbia on tarot as a tool for self-reflection. At the end of the episode, Emily offers a playful “pick-a-card” reading just for listeners, using the Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot deck that weaves together Broadway archetypes, theatre history and spiritual symbolism. In this episode, we explore: Emily’s journey from theatre kid to Broadway publicist to Ivy League Witch Masking neurodivergence in traditional PR culture – and what happens when you stop The uncomfortable, brave work of reintroducing yourself as your identity shifts Tarot as a mirror and psychological tool, not a prediction machine Insights from Emily’s Master’s thesis on tarot and increased clarity for clients How the Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot brings together theatre archetypes and the major arcana A live “pick-a-card” reading for listeners using The Hermit and The Magician Connect with Emily Instagram (spiritual psychology & tarot): @emilyannemcg Website: emilymcgillentertainment.com Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot: via Emily’s website and linked from her Instagram Connect with Jordan & the podcast Podcast: Sacred Stories of the Spirit Website: jordanharcourthughes.com If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, or leave a review – it helps these stories find the people who need them most.

    43 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Mentorship and Meaning: Redefining Success Through Connection with Tina Fox

    How do women redefine success through mentorship, connection, and service? In this heartfelt conversation, Tina Fox, Founder and CEO of TERN Mentoring, joins Jordan Harcourt-Hughes to explore mentorship as a sacred act of connection and return — a journey symbolised by the Arctic Tern’s migration home. Mentorship isn’t just a professional exchange — it’s an act of return, of coming back to serve the next generation with the wisdom gathered along the way.In this conversation, Tina Fox shares her journey from corporate leadership to founding TERN Mentoring, a platform built on the belief that mentorship transcends hierarchy and technology to meet our deepest human need for connection. Together, we explore: How the Arctic Tern became a symbol for the mentor’s journey Why mentorship is a sacred act of connection and return The challenges women face in finding authentic mentors in executive spaces What younger generations are seeking in mentorship today How redefining success through joy and service transforms leadership Whether you’re a mentor, a mentee, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to reflect on what it means to come home — to yourself, and to those who follow. 🎙 Guest: Tina Fox — Founder & CEO, TERN Mentoring🌐 https://ternmentoring.com/ ✨ Host: Jordan Harcourt-Hughes — Sacred Stories of the Spirit Podcast Time stamps: 00:00 Welcome & introduction01:02 The origin of TERN Mentoring02:30 The Arctic Tern metaphor07:15 Mentorship as sacred connection & return09:20 COVID & the hunger for human connection10:20 Cross-cultural perspectives on connection11:27 Mentorship challenges for women in leadership13:30 The golf story — and entering unfamiliar spaces14:45 Executive mentorship: vulnerability over perfection17:05 What young mentees want today18:50 Redefining success beyond titles20:40 Gentle wisdom for the “in-between” chapters

    22 min
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About

In this podcast, hosted by author and artist Jordan Harcourt-Hughes, we explore storytelling as a method of intuitive way-finding, and as a way to re-imagine our personal narrative. We aim to create a knowledge base of personal stories and experiences that show different ways to feel, experience, tune into, understand and perceive life.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
  • Show Website
    Sacred Stories of the Spirit