Why We Live

Shannon Strong
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Formerly known as Why We Travel - Why We Live is a podcast exploring humanity. Each episode features a guest that shares about life, ideas, thinking centered on a topic that is meaningful to them. We explore why people think the way they think and why they think that way. Nothing is off topic here. This is a dive into the psyche and the human experience. Wecome to Why We Live.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why We Need An Intimacy With Grief

    In this episode, I sit down with Paula Gasparini-Santos, a Portugal-based author, artist, and trauma therapist whose work explores grief through the lens of impermanence. We dive into how her experience working in prisons and domestic violence centers shaped the foundation, and evolution, of her theory on grief today. A theory I believe could impact the world. Nothing is off limits in this conversation. We explore the great unknown, curiosity, surrender, spirituality, love, and what it means to move through and truly understand grief. We also touch on creation, embodiment, and the lessons Paula has gathered through her travels and research. With profound insight and grounded wisdom, Paula offers a perspective that invites us to live more fully—arms open to the mystery. To follow more of Paula's work connect with her on Instagram @paulagdos , or check out her website: www.theconsciousconnection.org for more information on her upcoming book and ways to work with her.

    1h 12m

  2. 09/25/2025

    Why We Look to the Stars for Guidance: Astrology ft. Taylor MacKenzie

    In this episode, I sit down with astrologer Taylor MacKenzie, who I first met at a music festival over a year ago. Taylor helps guide people back to remembrance through the teachings of the stars and the wisdom of the body. Together, we explore the deeper “why” behind astrology—why so many of us look to the stars for guidance, where to begin if you’re curious about your own chart, and how astrology can be a tool for reconnecting with ourselves and alchemizing our struggles into our own superpowers. Taylor shares insights, practical starting points, and timeless wisdom that goes far beyond a daily horoscope.

    42 min

  3. 07/24/2025

    Why We Share ft. Joe Bjornsen

    In this episode, I sit down with my friend Joe Bjornsen — the guy who, along with his friend Noah, handed me the keys to their old shuttle bus and unknowingly changed the course of my life. We dive into the full story of how that wild act of generosity came to be, and the ripple effects it's had since. From there, we open up a much bigger conversation around sharing — from prehistoric communism to sharing space in relationships (yep, we get into non-monogamy), to how it shows up in the financial world with things like cryptocurrency. This one's a thoughtful, curious, and at times hilarious journey into what it means to live in a world where "mine" and "yours" might not be so separate after all.

    2h 5m

  4. 06/26/2025

    Why We Have Faith In God ft. Erika Ray

    In this episode, I sit down with my friend Erika Ray, someone who walks through life with a deep and steady faith in God. So much so that she has her own podcast called Let Go Let God, which you can listen to on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Since getting to know Erika, I saw a person rooted in love, devotion, and a genuine relationship with God. As someone who doesn't consider myself religious, Erika was unexpectedly healing for me — she helped me reclaim a better relationship to the word "God," which I had distanced myself from, thinking it was too loaded, too divisive, too triggering. Through knowing Erika, I began to see that being Christian doesn’t always mean being judgmental of others who don't believe in the same thing— a belief I had unconsciously picked up over time. She was disarming for me to be able to look at the bible, Christian faith, and the word God again in a new light. In our conversation, Erika shares what faith means to her: not perfection, not dogma, but a daily, personal relationship with God. She reflects on how religion might fall short at times in translating divine biblical truth, but how a spiritual connection with God is worth seeking. If you’re curious about faith, religion, or the idea of God — especially if you’ve been hesitant or skeptical — I invite you to listen with an open heart. You don’t need to agree with everything to find something meaningful here. This is a conversation about belief, devotion, and why someone might place their trust in something greater and how that has transformed her own life and purpose. Welcome to a conversation on why we believe in God.

    1 hr

  5. 06/12/2025

    Why We Heal ft. Rachel Godwin

    Welcome to the first episode of Why We Live! I’m so excited to kick off this new season and rebrand with a conversation that’s close to my heart — with one of my very best friends in the world, Rachel Godwin. In this episode, we dive deep into what healing really means — not as a destination, but as a lifelong, unfolding process. Rachel shares her powerful personal journey through disordered eating, grief, and the many layers of inner work. Together, we explore practices like yoga, psychedelic healing modalities, healing in relationships, and the moments that have shaped our understanding of self and transformation. Whether you’re in the thick of your own healing or just beginning to ask the big questions, this conversation is for you. We also share some favorite books and quotes that have supported us along the way.

    47 min

  6. 10/06/2023

    Season 1 Wrap Up: A Love Letter to Listeners (Solo Episode)

    In this episode, Shannon Strong (host), shares a quick travel story from Micronesia, where she's traveling to next, and more about the break between seasons. This episode is a big thank you and wrap up on Season 1 of Why We Travel! If you enjoyed this episode please consider giving WWT a rating or review. For more updates on episodes and guests give us a follow on Instagram, Tiktok, or Facebook. Check back in every two weeks for more episodes! Intro/Outro music by Jason Conforte. Cover art by Lauren Cordova.

    21 min

  7. 10/03/2023

    Living Abroad, Reverse Culture Shock & Travel Journalism

    In this episode, Ashely Liliana Gavilanes shares about her experiences navigating living abroad in different countries, including during Chile's social uprising in 2019, how to get through reverse culture shock, and her experience studying and becoming a travel journalist/content creator in today's times. To follow along more of Ashely's travels check out her Instagram: @itsashelyliliana or her Youtube: @AshelyLiliana. If you enjoyed this episode please consider giving WWT a rating or review. For more updates on episodes and guests give us a follow on Instagram, Tiktok, or Facebook. This is the final episode of Season 1 - check back in a couple months for a new season and episodes. Intro/Outro music by Jason Conforte. Podcast art by Lauren Cordova.

    55 min

  8. 09/20/2023

    Content Creation & Solo Travel W/ One Girl Wandering

    In this episode, Lindsay Mukaddam - better known as One Girl Wandering online- shares about her experience getting into solo travel in her adult life, how she got into full time content creation as her career, what she loves about Japan, and more on the group trips that she runs today. If you'd like to follow along more of Lindsay's travels and adventure's, follow her on all social media channels: @onegirlwandering (Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.), or check out her website: If you enjoyed this episode please consider giving WWT a rating or review. For more updates on episodes and guests give us a follow on Instagram, Tiktok, or Facebook. Check back in every two weeks for more episodes! Intro/outro music by Jason Conforte Cover art by Lauren Cordova

    53 min
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About

Formerly known as Why We Travel - Why We Live is a podcast exploring humanity. Each episode features a guest that shares about life, ideas, thinking centered on a topic that is meaningful to them. We explore why people think the way they think and why they think that way. Nothing is off topic here. This is a dive into the psyche and the human experience. Wecome to Why We Live.

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Strong
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shannon Strong
  • Show Website
    Why We Live