What Matters: Conversations Craig Behenna and Christina Gustafson hosted by Synthesis Center San Francisco

How  can psychosynthesis inspire and fuel the creative process and the manifestation of artistic expression for a world-wide audience?

In this episode, we are joined by composer and psychosynthesis-trained counselor, Steve Banks to discuss his stirring, evocative and enlightening composition Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio which will be premiering May 14, 2022 in London and streamed live and on demand for a few days after the concert. 

Steve shares about what brought him to psychosynthesis over 20 years ago and how Psychosynthesis and Ken Wilber's Integral Theory influenced and inspired his creation of Blue Pearl. 

We learn about his own creative process during the years he spent composing this powerful piece of music, the psychospiritual inspiration that fueled this process and the act of will that has and continues to guide him forward in introducing Blue Pearl to an ever-expanding audience. 

To listen to Blue Pearl and/or any of the movements discussed in this interview, please visit: http://www.stevebanks.info/integraloratorio/blue-pearl-listen/

About Steve Banks:
Steve Banks is a violinist, drummer and singer, and has performed classical, folk, and world music with ensembles as diverse as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Carnival Band. He worked for a time as an economist. 

Steve trained in psychosynthesis counseling, graduating in 2000, going on to work as a counsellor and also applying psychosynthesis in leadership development. He is deeply immersed in Ken Wilber’s ‘Integral’ theory and has presented at the Integral European Conference. He has practiced meditation in the Buddhist tradition (Theravada and Chan) on and off for over 30 years.

14th May 2022 will see a profound confluence of Steve’s musical and psycho-spiritual lives, with the world premiere of his major new choral work, ‘Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio’ in London and streamed live. www.stevebanks.info
Your Hosts:
Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching.
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com


The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.

How  can psychosynthesis inform our unfolding in life and work?

Karen Randall is a Transition Life Coach, Creative Arts Facilitator, and Director of Coaching Internships and Supervision at Synthesis Center San Francisco. She has walked many paths in her life and work.

In this episode of What Matters, Conversations, Craig Behenna talks to Karen about her path to psychosynthesis and the importance of her work as a coach.

Karen also discusses the importance of sports coaching in her life and as an unexpected path to life coaching, sharing her insights into the world of volleyball based on her chapter: "The Bump-Set-Spike of Being a Psychosynthesis Coach: Lessons From the Sports Coach to the Life Coach," published as a chapter in the book: The Call of Self:Psychosynthesis Life Coaching"  from Synthesis Center Press.

Please enjoy our conversation with Karen Randall.

About Karen Randall:
Karen has served as a psychosynthesis teacher and mentor for The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Mass,  as college professor teaching in the School of Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University and SCSF.
As a recovering CPA with an extensive resume’ of business experience, Karen employs her varied life experience and her transpersonal psychology and psychosynthesis education and experience in her coaching, teachings, and group creative experiences.  She encourages her clients and students to creatively explore how they can answer their unique Call of Self.
Karen has the tools and life experiences that encourage her students and clients to dig deep and discover what is calling, and what is stopping the full expression of purpose in life and work.  She has extensive business experience as well as a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on Creativity and Innovation.
She is also a Yoga Teacher, an Energy Psychology practitioner, a Wife, Mother and Grandmother.
KarenRandallCoaching.com
Your Hosts:
Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.

Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching.
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com


The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.

How  can psychosynthesis coaches and therapists become allies through an understanding of the fluidity of gender identity?

In this podcast, host Craig Behenna talks with Leyza Toste about her journey into Psychosynthesis, her work with people in professional and personal life who have ‘embodied their gender’, coming out as transgender in the workplace.   

Craig and Leyza discuss the undivided life, how we can use privilege to be an ally with transgender clients and the ways a transpersonal perspective can help us become allies by increasing our own education, including a valuable exercise on these themes, for coaches and therapists.
 
Enjoy this conversation with Leyza Toste!

To learn more, visit https://www.sundarapathways.com/

About Leyza Toste:
Leyza Toste is a life synthesis coach, Reiki master, astrologer, and founder of Sundara Pathways, LLC. ‘Sundara (Sanskrit for beautiful) Pathways’ speaks to the beauty in every life path, and the understanding that no two are the same. Leyza’s client work blends complementary techniques in a welcoming space for all. She trusts in the power of what is possible when an individual aligns with their truth and she is passionate about helping others experience that joy.

Leyza is on sabbatical, starting Summer 2021, as she makes space for a welcome period of creative inquiry to delve deeper into life’s big questions.
Your Hosts:
Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.
Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching.
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com


"The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.

How do Igniatian Spirituality, Yoga and Psychosynthesis enhance and expand our experience and quality of consciousness?

In this episode of What Matters, Alan C. Haras joins host Craig Behenna in a wide ranging conversation that includes Ignatian Spirituality, the practice of Ignatian Yoga, and  psychosynthesis founder Roberto Assagioli’s own thoughts on the asana practice of yoga.

Alan also shares his work with clients using psychosynthesis techniques, the importance of understanding and working with the ego to allow Self-expression, and the quality of consciousness he finds necessary for teaching.

About Alan C. Haras:
Alan C. Haras, MA, MSW, LLMSW, is a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, Psychosynthesis coach, 800-hour Dharma Yoga teacher, and an Ignatian-trained spiritual director. He is also a contributing author in the book: Call of Self: Psychosynthesis Life Coaching.  With graduate degrees in both Religious Studies and Social Work, Alan has spent over 20 years immersed in the study of human development.  His work takes place at the nexus between psychology and spirituality - with a special interest in how religion and spiritual practice can support recovery from PTSD and moral injury and foster posttraumatic growth.
Alan has received extensive training in various psychological and spiritual traditions including: 
Didactic Psychosynthesis training with Tom YeomansPsychosynthesis Coach Training with Didi Firman and Jon SchottlandIgnatian Spirituality with Fr. Bernie Owens, SJ, Ann Dillon and Fr. Justin Kelly, SJHatha-Rāja Yoga with Sri Dharma MittraBhakti Yoga and Śuddhādvaita Vedānta with ShyamdasJñāna Yoga and Advaita Vedānta with Dr. John Grimes Alan's courses, seminars and workshops are suffused with a deep appreciation for the world's wisdom traditions; joyfully drawing upon a host of stories, anecdotes and teachings to illustrate shared themes of growth and transformation.  He lives in Rochester, Michigan.
www.alanharas.com
Your Hosts:
Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.
Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching. 
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com
"How The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.

How do we hold the alignment between Light and Shadow/Trauma and Healing?

Join us for this deeply personal interview with Wim as he shares his own journey through illness and loss and how Psychosynthesis found him during a most challenging and difficult time in his life. 

He discusses his own realization about the importance of both descending and transcending in the process of personal growth, "We should be able to hold both our Light and our Shadow, our Love and our Fear - this is a process" of our own unfolding. 

Wim also talks with us about how he holds this alignment between Light and Shadow, between trauma and healing, both within himself as a therapist and for his clients and highlights the necessity for maintaining alignment of mind/heart/body in Presence.  To learn more about Wim and his work, please visit: https://www.psychosynthese.amsterdam/en/about-wim-verbeek/

About Wim Verbeek:
Wim Verbeek Bio: Based in Amsterdam, Wim Verbeek worked in health care for over 15 years as a male nurse, 7 years in a general hospital and later as principal male nurse in a care center for the elderly. In 1998 he completed the Social Work & Services training at the ‘Hanze Hogeschool’, Graduate School of Groningen. After that he worked for several years as a corporate social worker for various organizations. He undertook Psychosynthesis training at the Institute for Psychosynthesis and professional training at the Psychosynthesis Academy. After intensive years of therapy and training, his personal experiences with illness and loss have become the basis of his work as a coach, counselor and therapist in his own practice where he specializes in Bodywork, Individual systemic work, IoPT Constellation method, counseling in sexual abuse and trauma, Primal Wounding and early childhood trauma.             
Recorded April 11, 2021

Your Hosts:
Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.
Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching. 
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com
"How The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.

How can we  function at our best in our lives and in our work?

 How can acknowledging and be in harmony with our nervous system  to enhance our well being and fullest expression of self in the world?

Sara  Vatore shares how she has woven her in-depth experience with education, performance coaching, somatic experiencing work and psychosynthesis  into a cohesive, beneficial and robust approach to coaching practice. 

In conversation with Sara, we learn tools to help us regulate our own nervous systems during a time when we are all being asked to manage significant stressors and still show up effectively in our lives, our work and in the world.

About Sara Vatore:
Sara Vatore, M.Ed, SEP, BCC is a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, Peak Performance Coach, Somatic Educator, MELT Method® Instructor and Multidimensional Guide and Healer. By integrating diverse healing modalities, Sara supports her clients and students to (re)connect to their innate biological intelligence, expand their capacity to negotiate life's challenges, rewire old patterns of behavior and move through fear and stuckness, so they may harness their potential and step forward fully empowered and embodied in their authentic expression in the world. She works with coaches, leaders and educators to facilitate deeper embodiment, presence and connection, so they may tap into flow, confidence and ease in their service with others. To find out more about Sara and her work, please visit www.saravatore.com and www.peakperformwithsara.com

Recorded February 8, 2021

Your Hosts:
Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France.  He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.
Christina Gustafson is a  is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach.  She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.   

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco  is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops,  group and individual coaching. 
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com
"How The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.