In this expansive and humble dialogue, Scott Schwenk welcomes transformation facilitator Geoff Fitch for a luminous inquiry into awakening, embodiment, and the paradox of modern spiritual life. With humor and precision, Geoff explores how emptiness and form, compassion and clarity, self and culture all co-arise—and how awakening isn’t an escape from life but a deeper embrace of it. From dreamlike perception and financial stress to the grit of manifesting and the wisdom of community, this conversation is a treasure map for those choosing to grow with their whole being.

Geoff Fitch - Leadership Development, Late-Stage Guide, Master Coach

Geoff is a coach, trainer, and facilitator of growth in individuals and organizations, and a creator of transformative leadership education programs worldwide. He is a founder of Pacific Integral [http://www.pacificintegral.com/], where is was instrumental in the development of the internationally-acclaimed Generating Transformative Chang [http://www.pacificintegral.com/new/homepages/generating-transformative-change-gtc/]e program, now offered three continents and in it’s 24th cohort. Through these programs, he has researched and evolved novel approaches to individual and collective growth. He has been exploring diverse approaches to cultivating higher human potentials for over 25 years, including somatic and transpersonal psychology, mystical traditions, innovation and creativity, leadership, integral theory, and collective intelligence.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Geoff Fitch on the Embodied Realization of Freedom 

Writer, speaker, and “beauty hunter” Jennifer Pastiloff joins The Choice to Grow for a conversation about grief, letting go of perfectionism, the healing power of humor, and why telling the truth—especially the messy, human kind—can change your life. Jen opens up about her hearing loss, her journey as a mother, and how she’s learned to stop pretending and start truly living. This episode is a love letter to those who feel like they don’t belong and a call to anyone ready to show up as they are.

Jennifer Pastiloff - Writer, Speaker, Beauty Hunter

Jennifer Pastiloff trots the globe as a public speaker and to host her retreats in Italy, as well as her one-of-a-kind workshops, which she has taught to thousands of people all over the world.  The author of the popular Substack, also called Proof of Life, she

teaches writing and creativity classes called Allow, and workshops called Shame Loss, when she isn’t painting and selling her art. She has been featured on Good Morning America, and Katie Couric, and in New York magazine, People, Shape, Health magazine, and other media outlets for her authenticity and unique voice. She is deaf,

reads lips, and mishears almost everything, but what she hears is usually funnier (at least she thinks so). The author of the national bestseller On Being Human, Pastiloff lives in Southern California with her son, Charlie Mel

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com [https://scottschwenk.com/] and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

Jennifer Pastiloff on the 'School of Whatever Works'

What happens when you stop trying to outsmart life and start letting it teach you? In this wide-ranging and mind-expanding conversation, Scott Schwenk sits down with philosopher and spiritual provocateur Layman Pascal. Together, they explore how to navigate complexity without losing clarity, the difference between real growth and spiritual bypass, and why paradox may be the ultimate teacher. Expect to challenge your assumptions—and laugh a little along the way.

Layman Pascal - Metamodernist, Author, Alchemist

Layman Pascal used to be a Canadian meditation teacher, yoga instructor & philosopher of Integral Metatheory -- but he’s feeling much better now.  In his rapidly dwindling spare time, he leads the Metamodern Spirituality Labs, hosts The Integral Stage and Soulmakers+ podcasts, and provides unique online courses for the Parallax Academy.  He is a founding member of the Archdisciplinary Research Center, the Endemic Wisdom Council, the SPECTRA think tank for Metashamanics, Sky Meadow Institute, and the RSPND network.  He is senior editor of Emerge online and he operates as co-chair of the Foundation for Integral Spirituality and Religion.  His written articles can be found in various obscure journals and certain esoteric anthologies including Perspectiva’s Dispatches from a Time Between Worlds and Cadell Last’s Abyssal Arrows: Spiritual Leadership Inspired by Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Logic for the Global Brain.  He is the sole author of Gurdjieff for a Time Between Worlds, Sex, Death & the Occult, as well as an upcoming book about Nietzsche.  Layman is known for his philosophical work on the metaphysics of adjacency, analytic nonduality, coaxial developmental stage theories, neurological correlates of meditation, sacred naturalism, archaic futurism, many-one theology, embodied spirituality & emerging formulations of the human religious instinct suited to a post-postmodern civilization facing numerous accelerating and converging crises.  And he has started referring to all his work as the Serious Playground. 



Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect



Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.



Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.



Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.



Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).



You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.











Integrating the Infinite with Layman Pascal

Jeff Krasno joins Scott for a soul-centered conversation on what it means to live with integrity, openness, and heart in a collapsing world. They explore the sacred in the everyday, the power of grief to reveal truth, and how community and belonging start with radical honesty. This is a conversation for anyone longing to show up fully—in the mess, in the mystery, and in the magic of being human.



Jeff Krasno - Maverick Entrepreneur, Community Builder, Contemplative Writer



Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of health experts and luminaries from Andrew Huberman and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. Jeff pens a personal weekly essay titled “Commusings” that explores spirituality, wellness and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers every Sunday.

Jeff is the author of Good Stress, a collection of wellness protocols that he developed to reverse his diabetes, lose 60 pounds and reclaim his health at age 50.

Jeff and his better three-quarters, Schuyler Grant, own and operate Commune Topanga, a 10-acre wellness center and production lab where they host regular retreats together featuring yoga, cold plunging, sauna bathing, lectures and story-telling.

Jeff & Schuyler have three beautiful daughters, Phoebe, Lolli and Micah. They currently live in Los Angeles, California.



Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Leadership Consultant



Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

From Collapse to Connection with Jeff Krasno

What if most chronic symptoms—fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, even autoimmune disease—weren’t your body’s flaws, but signals of deeper imbalance?

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Dr. Alejandro Junger, founder of the Clean Program and pioneer of functional medicine, unpacks the root causes of modern illness and why our healthcare system is built to suppress, not solve. From detoxing emotions to healing the gut, this conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming your body’s natural intelligence.

Whether you're struggling with your health or seeking more vitality, this episode will shift the way you see your symptoms—and yourself.

Dr. Alejandro Junger - Functional Medicine Doctor, Cardiologist, Gut Health Expert

Dr. Alejandro Junger is a renowned cardiologist, functional medicine doctor, and the founder of the Clean Program, as well as a New York Times best-selling author. With decades of experience in medicine, Dr. Junger has dedicated his career to uncovering the root causes of complex health issues that often seem unrelated. His journey began with a profound intuition that a deeper understanding was needed, leading him to explore the intricate connections between Eastern and Western medicine, as well as ancient wisdom and modern science.

Through his extensive practice, Dr. Junger discovered that many health challenges are linked to one vital system: the gut. This insight propelled him to develop a holistic approach focused on healing the gut, supporting the body's natural detoxification processes, and restoring essential nutrients for optimal function. His innovative protocol has not only transformed his own health, resulting in a newfound vitality, but has also proven to be a powerful method for his patients.

Inspired by these results, Dr. Junger founded the Clean movement, which emphasizes the importance of gut health in overall wellness. His signature 21-day full-body reset program is meticulously designed to restore the body’s natural balance through nutrient-dense smoothies, supplements, and whole-food meals. Participants often report a significant shift in mindset and the cultivation of uplifting habits. On a cellular level, the program skillfully redirects energy and nutrition to enhance detoxification, reduce inflammation, and promote gut repair.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

Heal Your Gut: Transform Your Life with Dr. Alejandro Junger

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Scott sits down with breathwork practitioner and mental health advocate Jamie Clements. What begins as a conversation about the power of the breath unfolds into a deeper reflection on stillness, masculine identity, and what it takes to come back into the body. Jamie shares his own journey—from struggling with anxiety and dissociation to finding his voice through the breath—and the quiet revolution that happens when we stop running from our discomfort.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the work” but still not feeling safe inside your own life, this episode is for you.

Jamie Clements - Consciousness Guide, Breathworker, Thought Leader

Jamie Clements is the founder of The Breath Space and host of the Human Nature Podcast, recognised as a leading voice in the wellbeing space and an expert breathwork facilitator. His work explores the intersection of breath, consciousness, and human potential, drawing from Zen philosophy, non-dual approaches, modern neuroscience, and psychology to guide people towards deeper awareness and transformation.

Jamie has worked with top entrepreneurs, politicians, athletes, and global brands, sharing the life-changing potential of breathwork and altered states of consciousness. His approach is rooted in both scientific research and ancient wisdom, offering a unique blend of practical tools and profound insight.

After experiencing first-hand the profound impact of breathwork, Jamie is deeply passionate about helping others unlock its power. He believes that the breath is the most universal and accessible tool for shifting the mind, regulating the nervous system, and cultivating a healthier, more connected way of living.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Leadership Consultant

Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

Rewriting the Nervous System: Jamie Clements on What Breathwork Really Offers

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Wendi Michelle shares her personal and professional journey of healing—moving from chronic illness and childhood trauma to becoming a voice for embodied well-being. We talk about radical honesty, the body’s intelligence, the complexity of trauma, and why true healing takes more than mindset. If you’ve ever felt trapped by a diagnosis or disconnected from your body, this conversation offers an empowering reframe. Your body remembers, and it’s always trying to help you come home.



Wendi Michelle - Epigenetics Strategist, Product Formulator, Consumer Health Advocate

Wendi Michelle is an epigenetics strategist, product formulator, and consumer health advocate with a unique focus on the intersection of genetic expression, environmental inputs, and generational wellness. With a background in advanced human biology, functional nutrition and early childhood development, her work centers on providing tangible solutions and empowering individuals and couples to optimize their health and their families health for generations to come. 

At the core of everything she does is the principle of generational health—the understanding that the biological, emotional, and environmental choices we make today don’t just affect our immediate wellbeing, but shape the genetic, developmental, and epigenetic outcomes of future generations. Her mission is to interrupt patterns of silent inheritance and replace them with conscious preparation, informed stewardship, and generational strength.



As a product formulator and health industry consultant, she is known for her unwavering commitment to ingredient integrity and evidence-based standards in wellness product development. She combines scientific rigor with a deep understanding of real-world consumer needs, helping to close the gap between clinical efficacy and accessible, non-toxic living. https://www.wholehealthyandfree.com

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect



Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.



Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.



Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.



Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.



Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).



You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.



The Body Remembers: Wendi Michelle on Healing from the Inside Out

In this episode, somatic guide and facilitator Venita Ramirez invites us into a deeper dialogue with the intelligence of the body. We explore how true healing unfolds when we slow down, honor the mystery, and learn to trust the subtle signals within. Venita shares how grief, surrender, and stillness can become portals into wholeness—and why becoming “no one” is sometimes the most liberating path forward.

This is a conversation about reclaiming embodiment in a disembodied world. And about remembering that, no matter how fractured things may feel, you have never been separate from the sacred.

Venita Ramirez - Master coach, adult development guide, shadow work samurai

Since 2016 Venita has focused her coaching practice on supporting people who are at later stages of awareness, assisting transformation through the clarity, bliss and stillness of boundless Awareness. With a graduate degree in psychology, she has forty years of experience counseling and facilitating individuals and groups on relationships, conscious breathing, subtle energy, and awareness practices. From the mid-80’s through the mid-90’s she trained extensively in somatic approaches to awareness and healing. Her deep study and practice includes shamanism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Tantra, and the work of Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory, and Dan P Brown’s Stages of Meditation. She also assisted in Terri O’Fallon’s research on later stages of adult development and was in the first group of trained scorers for the Stages Assessment.

More resources - https://www.venitaramirez.com/blog-1

Healing and the Extraordinary Mind paper - https://www.venitaramirez.com/post/healing-the-extraordinary-mind.

To do the STAGES assessment - https://www.stagesinternational.com/stagesassessments . There are also numerous resources on the STAGES website for learning.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up), continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

The Body is a Doorway: Returning to Inner Knowing with Venita Ramirez

In this episode of The Choice to Grow, Suze Yalof Schwartz, founder of Unplug Meditation, shares the powerful story of how one mindful breath changed her entire life—and how it can change yours. From her high-fashion past at Vogue to becoming a leading voice in meditation, Suze invites us into the radical simplicity of the pause. She and Scott explore the science of stillness, the myth of “not enough time,” and how to shift from reactivity to presence, one breath at a time.



Suze Yalof Schwartz - Meditation Maven, Wellness Pioneer, Transformer





Suze Yalof Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of the Unplug Meditation App, and the world's first drop-in secular meditation studio, Unplug in Los Angeles. She is also the author of Unplug: A Simple Guide To Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers. In 2012, Suze learned a three-minute meditation that changed her life forever. Prior to this, she was a fashion editor and "makeover guru" working at Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Glamour Magazine with regular appearances on GMA, The Today Show, CBS Early Show, and more. Once she discovered meditation, she was determined to keep doing it but could not find a place to easily learn and practice. After taking hundreds of hours of classes, reading every book possible, and listening to podcasts and lectures from the world's most famous meditation teachers, Suze realized that meditation needed a makeover and she was the one to do it. Suze's mission is to make meditation simple, accessible, powerful and interesting enough so that everyone will want to practice it and experience the benefits for themselves.



Scott Schwenk - Master coach, spiritual teacher, culture architect



Scott Schwenk’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.



Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.



Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.



Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.





One Breath Can Change Your Life with Suze Yalof Schwartz

In this heart-centered, mind-expanding conversation, Scott and Kim explore how releasing the rigid expectations of how life “should” be opens the door to greater presence, adaptability, and personal freedom. They examine how attachment to ideology—across politics, relationships, and even self-concept—limits our capacity to engage with what is real, emerging, and alive, opening the floodgates for presence, love and fulfillment.

Kim Barta - Psychotherapist, Shadow Work Expert, Evolutionary Guide

Kim Barta is a globally recognized psychotherapist, award-winning speaker, and international workshop leader. He is widely known for his expertise in shadow work, including his meta-model for shadow work, his unique Shadow to Spirit protocol (developed during his 30 years working on a Native American Reservation), and his shadow trilogy: Illuminating Shadow, Healing Shadow, and The the 7 modalities of Shadow work. Kim cofounded STAGES INTERNATIONAL with Dr Terri O’Fallon, an organization that researches and teaches the evolution of consciousness. His new work is focused on launching his meta-model on relationships. Kim founded kimbarta.org, where you can get a free shadow assessment and a free relationship assessment to help you start and deepen your consciousness journey.

Scott Schwenk - Master Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Culture Architect

Scott’s teachings, courses and private mentoring guide leaders, seekers and creatives to explore their deepest selves in service of thriving on all levels of being, both individually and relationally.

Host and creator of the podcast The Choice To Grow, Scott is known for his hugely popular courses and workshops with OneCommune.com, Younity.com, Wanderlust Festivals, and Unplug Meditation, Scott has been catalyzing the inner evolution of others for decades: helping them to grow, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find Love within.

Scott spent several years living and studying in a meditation monastery which introduced him to the core body of Tantric meditation traditions which continue to flow through each of his teachings. Scott continues to study and teach from two key Tantric lineage streams.

Apprenticeships in leadership development, meditation and philosophy training, shadow work/shadow resolution and spiritual awakening are all part of Scott’s development into the thought-leader that he is today. He continues to refine his offerings studying and practicing with key innovators at the leading edges of human development.

Scott’s teachings support the entire person to not only progressively recognize, stabilize and embody our inextricable oneness with the source of creation (Waking Up), but also to resolve the wounds of the past (Cleaning Up),  continually expand our capacities for wider and more inclusive perspectives on any moment (Growing Up) and creatively and joyfully participate and collaborate with all of life as a loving thriving human being (Showing Up).

You can receive a free guided meditation and explore Scott’s courses, workshops, retreats, training and master coaching at https://scottschwenk.com and can find him on Instagram @thescottschwenk.

Growing Past Illusions with Kim Barta

"It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to stay tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin

What tools, practices and perspectives can help you to thrive more in life? To build your abilities for using challenges and unfamiliar experiences as powerful opportunities to grow and add value?

The Choice to Grow tunes into stories of positive impact. Spotlighting change makers, innovators and trailblazers in wellness, leadership, music, and art whose continual choice to grow is adding value, forging innovation and opening up new possibilitiies around the world.

Each guest is someone who’s met plenty of obstacles and challenges and continues to make the key choice — The Choice to Grow and to keep on growing.

Dialogues, discoveries, tips and tools for an extraordinary life that feels great and inspires others to grow.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." ~Anonymous

Scott Schwenk

Shows