The Dream Catcher Podcast

When Life Looks Fine But Feels Empty: What History Teaches Us About Meaning

Civilizations don’t usually collapse overnight — they erode quietly, through comfort, distraction, and forgotten values. In this reflective episode, we explore what history reveals about meaning, drift, and inner decline through stories like the Roman Empire and the Maya civilization.

But this isn’t just about the past. It’s about the subtle ways we lose our own sense of purpose while life looks “fine” on the surface. You’ll also walk away with five simple practices to rebuild meaning, return to what matters, and stay steady in uncertain times.

[Interview] Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Never Stops (feat. Israa Nasir)

Have you ever noticed how slowing down can feel strangely uncomfortable—even when you know you need it? Or how taking a break can stir guilt instead of relief?

In this episode, I’m joined by Israa Nasir, a psychotherapist, mental health educator, and founder of WellGuide, to explore the deeper psychology behind our relentless drive to stay busy. Drawing from her new book Toxic Productivity, Israa helps us unpack the hidden beliefs that link our worth to our output—and how to step out of that pressure without losing our sense of ambition.

Israa’s work bridges emotional well-being, modern life, and resilience-building, and she has been featured in NBC, Vox, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, and more. She has also been invited to speak at organizations including Mental Health America, Google, Meta, and Yale.

Together, we talk about where toxic productivity comes from, how it quietly shapes our self-esteem, and what it looks like to redefine success in a way that supports your mental health. You’ll also walk away with practical ways to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a relationship with productivity that feels grounded—not draining.

Pace, Rhythm, and Flow: What Nature Can Teach Us About the Natural Pace of Life

Life isn’t supposed to feel like a constant sprint. Most of us push through our days on autopilot — always rushing, rarely pausing — and wondering why we still feel behind.

Nature tells a different story. Tides, trees, and seasons reveal the natural pace of life, reminding us that real growth has rhythm.

In this episode, you’ll hear how those lessons translate to everyday life, and how adjusting your pace can bring more clarity, steadiness, and ease — without losing momentum or ambition along the way.

[Interview] Spiritual, Not Religious: Finding Meaning in a Secular World (feat. Thomas Moore)

Original airdate: April 6, 2021

In recent decades, many people have grown distant from organized religion—disenchanted by its structures, yet still yearning for a meaningful inner life rooted in purpose, reflection, and depth.

My guest today, Thomas Moore, reminds us that spirituality doesn’t have to be confined to rigid belief systems or purely rational thinking. He invites us to cultivate a personal spiritual style—one that can exist within religion, outside it, or somewhere beautifully in between.

Thomas is the author of 24 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul. His own journey has been richly unconventional: once a Catholic monk, later a scholar with a PhD in religious studies, and eventually a psychotherapist and university professor. His work weaves together spirituality, mythology, depth psychology, and the arts, with a deep reverence for imagination and symbolic life. Through his writing and lectures around the world, he seeks to help restore soul to modern culture.

In this thoughtful and expansive conversation, Thomas explores how we can personalize religion and make spirituality truly our own. He shares both traditional and unexpected pathways to mystical experience—and offers gentle guidance on how to bring soul and sacredness into everyday life.

What Real Magic Looks Like in Love (and Why It’s Not What You Think)

Real love isn’t the cinematic rush we’re taught to crave — it’s quieter, steadier, and often shows up in the small, everyday choices two people make for one another. 

In this episode, we unpack why “movie magic” can mislead us, what genuine emotional safety actually feels like, and how trust, repair, and self-respect create a love that lasts. 

If you’ve ever wondered why sparks fade — and what grows in their place — this piece gently shows where the real magic lives.

[Interview] Becoming a Modern-Day Gladiator: Principles for Unshakable Living and Leadership for Today’s World (feat. Dariush Soudi)

Have you ever felt like life keeps throwing you into the arena before you’re ready — testing your resilience, your identity, and your sense of purpose? Today’s guest, Dariush Soudi, knows that battle well, and he’s turned his experiences into a powerful philosophy for rising stronger.

After facing devastating personal and professional losses, Dariush rebuilt his life from the ground up — not just with strategy, but with heart. Today he leads with authenticity, compassion, and unwavering grit. His “gladiator” message has inspired a global community of more than a million people through his work as an entrepreneur, investor, keynote speaker, philanthropist, and host of the In the ARENA podcast.

In this conversation, we explore his remarkable life story, the mindset of the modern-day gladiator, and the core principles behind his book. You’ll hear how these ideas can transform leadership, resilience, and the way we meet everyday challenges — especially when life feels like a fight.

Let’s step into the arena together.

7 Signs You’re Off Your Highest Path (and How to Realign)

Your life can look great on paper and still feel heavy inside. You’re doing what you should, keeping up with responsibilities, and moving forward, but it still doesn’t feel like you.

Your highest path is the one that lines up with your values, your strengths, and your current season of life. It’s not about being perfect but about feeling calm and clear in the choices you make.

In this podcast, we cover seven common signs you’re off your highest path, plus simple, practical ways to realign without turning your whole life upside down, starting today. 

[Interview] The Chinese Five Elements: Identify Your Elements & How it Can Benefit You (feat. Dondi Dahlin)

Original airdate: March 21, 2023

We’re all born with individual rhythms that go beyond the influence of our genes and upbringing.

The Five Elements is one of the systems that we can use to understand our rhythms.

The system originated in ancient Chinese medicine 2,000 years ago–when scholars theorized that the universe is composed of five forces: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. 

Our guest Dondi Dahlin will help us understand the five elements better and how we can use it to transform ourselves.

Dondi Dahlin is an award-winning public speaker and has been seen on Hay House, Shift Network, OMEGA Institute, Mindvalley, and ACEP. She is also a popular teacher spreading Eden Energy Medicine and the Five Elements through international workshops. She co-authored The Little Book of Energy Medicine and her book The Five Elements became a best-seller when it was released in 2016. Dondi is also an internationally-acclaimed dancer, actress, and teacher in television, film, and stage for over 30 years. 

In this interview, Dondi explains the personality types represented by the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal and how we can use them to stay in balance physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. She also talks about how we can use it to improve our relationships with others.

Free Will vs Determinism: How Much Control Do We Have Over Our Destiny?

In a world of chance and choice, the discussion of free will versus determinism makes us ask: do we control our destinies? 

For centuries, thinkers have pondered the influences of our choices and how they shape our lives and destinies. 

This episode sheds light on this age-old conundrum, highlighting the intricate dance between fate and freedom, and discovering what it ultimately means to take charge of your life and exercise free will.

[Interview] Soulful Living Made Simple: Unveil Your Soul Signature and Cultivate Self-Acceptance (feat. Panache Desai)

Ever feel like nothing you do is enough, or your true self is not showing up in your day-to-day life? 

My guest, Panache Desai, says there is a kinder, more intentional way to live. By unpacking the beliefs that hold you back, you can spot the false stories that fuel hustle and shame, then find your way back to who you are.He’s here to guide us on how to release pressure, build self-trust, and live with more ease.

Panache Desai is an internationally acclaimed Mentor, Speaker, and Bestselling Author dedicated to unlocking human potential and fostering personal empowerment. brings over three decades of experience as a transformational thought leader, inspiring individuals worldwide to achieve greater connection, authenticity, and peace. Featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Emmy award-winning Super Soul Sunday and the host of the widely followed ‘Call to Calm’ meditations, Panache seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with a modern, relatable approach.

In this interview, Panache and I will talk about feeling hard emotions without getting swept away, and what it means to live from wholeness while still growing. You’ll hear simple practices you can use today. Expect clarity, calm, and practical steps you can use the moment the episode ends, for you.