The Dream Catcher Podcast

10 Ancient Civilizations that Thrived (and how it still benefits us)

Our efforts and hopes for building a better future are inextricably linked to our perception of history and how we use the treasures left behind by those who came before. 

While advances in technology, science, and medicine give us leverage to further our interests, it does not make us immune to all hazards as recent events have shown us. 

Looking at ancient civilizations and what they did right can offer us the foresight to fully utilize our resources. Get inspired by these ten ancient civilizations and how their people contributed to humanity.

[Interview] Creating a Life that Awakens and Feeds your Soul (feat. Mark Nepo)

Our soul’s journey is ultimately about awakening to our potential and authenticity - but that journey is not always easy.

According to my guest, Mark Nepo, it’s a process that takes place through the labor of a lifetime as we develop into more fully realized beings. 

And his new book, “The Book of Soul 52 Paths to Living What Matters,” is a powerful guide that can assist us in our transformation. 

Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 40 years. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, he has published 22 books and his work has been translated into over 20 languages. Mark has been interviewed several times by Oprah Winfrey and was also chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. 

In this interview, Mark and I discuss several themes from his book, including the role of courage, inspiration, creativity, and kindness in the evolution and elevation of our souls and how we can use it to experience the truth, harmony, and depth of life. 

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The Importance of Right Timing for Success

Right timing is all about being at the right place at the right time. It’s also about using your smarts and intuition to recognize when to make a move and when to wait until things are favorable. 

While it’s possible to do things when the timing isn’t perfect, you’ll most likely have to work harder and face more resistance. Like an airplane, you’ll take off into, rather than with the wind.

Learn about the different cycles that impact timing and how you can plan your life based on the flow of energies.

Fearless Love: Why Loving Fiercely is Worth it

Our experience of love is greatly impacted by how deeply we love another person and how committed we are to the connection. 

Today, most people tend to stay on the shallower end of the emotional pool to avoid vulnerability and appearing too keen in their connections. Being cool and saying the “right thing” has become the social norm. 

But loving fiercely is one of the most effective ways to experience bliss and spiritual alchemy. Find out what loving fiercely looks like and why it’s worth it.

[Interview] Bringing Your A-Game: How to Boost Personal Motivation & Succeed (feat. Brittany Wagner)

When it comes to pursuing our goals, mindset is everything. Whether we’re trying to find a new job, get fitter or develop healthier relationships – we need to think like a winner.

And that means stepping away from our excuses, developing practical strategies to grow, and overcoming obstacles that get in our way.

If that sounds like something you want to cultivate then you’re going to love what my guest, Brittany Wagner, shares on this episode.

Brittany Wagner is a nationally respected athletic academic counselor and motivational speaker best known for her role as the breakout star of the hit Netflix documentary series, “Last Chance U.” Brittany guided many young men to academic and professional success despite run-ins with the law, extreme poverty, abandonment, and often a complete lack of academic preparedness. Brittany has been featured in ABC’s Nightline, The Dan Patrick Show, GQ, The New York Times, The LA Times and Sports Illustrated — to name a few.

Brittany is going to motivate us with her experiential wisdom in everyday situations. She’ll offer tools, tips and strategies that will embolden us to pursue our goals and put in the work necessary to make our dreams come true.

If you liked what you heard don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast.

What is Karma and how it impacts your life

Karma can be interpreted in many ways, but it’s most commonly associated with cause and effect - what you put out into the world comes back to you. 

Over the years, karma has taken on other meanings beyond the law of causality and good or bad deeds. In some cases, it’s seen as a neutral force that we can work with.

Knowing the different perspectives on karma and how it applies to our lives will roll out various pathways to create the reality you desire and make ethical and kind choices.

5 Ways to Gain Momentum to Get Ahead in the New Year

The new year is a time when many of us experience the spirit of renewal and feel an urge to hit the reset button. No matter what’s going on in our life, new possibilities await us. 

Whether you want to start a new career, eat healthier, or spend more time with your loved ones, the energies of a new year can give you the push you need to get started.  

Use these five techniques to get a jumpstart in the new year so that when the clock strikes midnight, you’ll be ready to sprint ahead of the pack.

[Interview] How to Boost Your Happiness by Developing Healthy Mental Models (feat. Dr. Srikumar Rao)

Mental models are our perceptions of external reality and they determine our attitude and our choices in life. That’s why they’re critical to our success and wellbeing. 

My guest, Dr. Srikumar Rao, has been teaching people all over the world about how to develop healthy models for many years. 

Dr. Rao is a speaker, former business school professor, and head of The Rao Institute. He has taught at several leading business schools, including Columbia and the London Business School, and trained executives in top firms like Google, Microsoft and Merrill Lynch. He’s been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, and several others. 

During our conversation, Dr. Rao offers his insight into the mental models we habitually use and how we can become aware of them. He provides techniques and strategies to shift negative beliefs and cultivate healthier ones to experience more happiness and satisfaction. 

How to Recognize the Differences in Cultural Communication Styles

The ability to communicate between cultures can give you an edge in your professional life and make you a more empathetic communicator. 

Each culture has different ways of expressing themselves, both verbally and non-verbally. When you learn cross-cultural communication skills, you’ll be able to recognize similarities and differences among various groups that allow you to engage in a meaningful way.

These frameworks describe the traits you need to look out for to understand the customs, perceptual windows, verbal and non-verbal cues of your peers from other cultures. 

The Real Reasons Why It’s Hard to Stick to Things

The inability to stick to things before achieving the desired results prevents us from reaching success and undermines our confidence.

We all tend to fall off the bandwagon — life is unpredictable and human motivation is fickle and changeable. But we can prevent this from happening by knowing what drives us and how to use those drivers to roll up our sleeves and get things done.

In this episode, we’ll learn how to harness that and get rid of blocks that tend to get in the way.