The Dream Catcher Podcast

The Mirror Effect: Exploring the Impact of Projecting Insecurities on Relationships

The Mirror Effect refers to the tendency of individuals to see their own insecurities reflected in their relationships. 

Projecting insecurities onto a partner can profoundly impact the dynamics of a relationship and lead to feelings of mistrust, resentment, and emotional distance. 

The good news is that we can overcome the Mirror Effect with self-awareness and emotional regulation. Learn the signs of how your insecurities affect your relationships and five steps to deal with them.

[Interview] How Quiet Moments of Stillness Change Your Life and the World (feat. Tom Cronin)

Have you ever noticed how quiet moments, those with no noise or rush, feel different? Today, we’re discussing how these pockets of stillness can transform your life and even ripple out to impact the world around you.

I discussed this issue with Tom Cronin, a meditation expert who has helped thousands of people find more peace in everyday life. You’ll have the opportunity to hear his solutions for achieving true calm. Stick with us—you might see the simple moments in a brand new way.

Tom Cronin worked in finance for 26 years as a top bond and swap broker. Early on, stress pushed him to try meditation, which changed his life. Tom started The Stillness Project to help people find calm through daily stillness. Founder of The Stillness Project, a global movement to inspire one billion people to sit in stillness daily, Tom is passionate about reducing stress and chaos in people’s lives. His ongoing work in transformational leadership coaching and corporate training has seen him working with some of the top companies in the world like Amazon, Oracle, Harvard Business School, Qantas, UBS and Coca-Cola. He’s spoken at major events, written six books, and produced the hit film The Portal.

In this interview, Tom breaks down the mind-body connection, shows us how stillness can make a significant difference, and shares what he has learned from working with people around the world. We discuss practical ways to slow down, explore how quiet moments shape who we are, and explore how they can even contribute to creating a better world.

Feeling Low? Here are 5 Powerful Ways to Raise Your Vibration and Attract Positive Energy

We can all intuitively read energy vibrations. When we speak about the "vibe" of a specific person or environment, we refer to its unique vibration, either positive or negative. 

Reading vibes helps you stay in a positive vibration and can assist you in moving closer to your purpose. Attracting positive energy is within your reach if you raise your vibration. 

By implementing these powerful techniques consistently, you'll start to see a shift in your energy and attract more positivity.

[Interview] An Introduction to Sufism: How Its Teachings Can Enhance Our Spiritual Life (feat. Ayeda Husain)

Original airdate: November 24, 2022

Sufism may evoke the image of whirling dervishes or the sublime verses from Sufi poets such as Rumi and Hafiz. But most people have no idea about its teachings, practices and spiritual ethics.
Called "the path of the heart," Sufism provides a compendium of wisdom that's both practical and profound. In this interview, we'll look into the richness of this tradition with my guest Ayeda Husain.

Ayeda Husain is a senior teacher and guide in the Inayatiyya, a global organization dedicated to Universal Sufism. A long-time journalist specializing in Sufism, she now teaches Sufi meditation, chanting and philosophy with a special emphasis on Rumi's poetry as a means of healing and evolving. She has led spiritual retreats worldwide, taught Sufi meditation to Buddhist monks in Tokyo, and been invited to the UN as part of an international delegation of spiritual leaders.

In this conversation, Ayeda introduces us to the mystical world of Sufism. We discuss the main teachings and practices and how we can use them to navigate our day-to-day lives more effectively.

Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World: How Traditional Practices Can Combat Burnout Today

In a world that often feels like a relentless treadmill, burnout is becoming an all-too-familiar experience for many. While modern solutions like mindfulness apps and productivity hacks have their place, there’s a treasure trove of ancient wisdom waiting to be rediscovered. 

These time-tested methods are more than mere relics; they are powerful antidotes to today’s fast-paced, overstimulated lifestyles. 

In this episode, you'll learn how old-world knowledge can make life feel lighter and more balanced. If you’re tired of being tired, you’re in the right place.

[Interview] Stoic Empathy: The Art of Balancing Reason and Connection For a Richer Life (feat. Shermin Kruse)

Imagine if the ability to change your life, lead with intention, and build connections with others was found at the crossroads of two timeless ideas: Stoicism and Empathy. 

My guest, Shermin Kruse, is convinced that this can be achieved. She will showcase how to harmonize resilience with kindness, helping us find the clarity and strength needed to face the challenges of our current world.

Shermin Kruse is an award-winning idea curator, a globally recognized negotiation consultant, law professor, and author, whose transformative work in empathy, stoicism, and complex negotiation has influenced audiences from corporate boardrooms to university classrooms and international stages. As a partner at the prestigious law firm Barack Ferrazzano, she spent nearly two decades representing Fortune 500 clients. Shermin is also the author of the critically acclaimed novel Butterfly Stitching, the textbook Global Transactions and Regulation, produced and scripted over 80 TEDx talks and performances, and given three viral TEDx talks on advocacy, stoicism, and strategic empathy.

In this discussion, Shermin will demonstrate how the seemingly opposing forces of Stoicism and empathy, when combined, can transform your life. We'll explore strategies and perspectives to tackle challenges, foster meaningful connections, and make ethical choices in a world that is becoming more complex.

Opportunity Costs in Life: Make Smarter Choices by Weighing Your Options

Every decision we make, big or small, comes with a hidden price tag: the opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is a powerful lens through which to view our choices, offering clarity and insight. 

By understanding them, we shift our focus from what we gain to what we forgo with each choice, helping us navigate the complexities of everyday life. 

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of opportunity costs and you'll discover how this knowledge can empower you to make more intentional decisions and harness your true potential.

[Interview] Practical Steps to Embark on Your Spiritual Awakening Journey (feat. Steve Taylor)

Original airdate: April 15, 2024

Awakening is the greatest adventure we can undertake as human beings. My guest, Steve Taylor, says it’s a voyage of discovery that reveals exhilarating beauty and richness but may also expose us to challenges.

As travelers, cultivating certain characteristics and perspectives can make our voyage more fruitful. Today, Steve will guide us on this path of enlightenment.

Steve Taylor, PhD, is the author of The Adventure: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Awakening and many other bestselling books. He’s a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University and the chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society. Steve’s articles and essays have been published in over 100 academic journals, magazines, and newspapers, and he blogs for Scientific American and Psychology Today.

In this conversation, Steve offers step-by-step practices for cultivating spiritual awakening and explains its impact on our lives. He touches on the eight essential qualities of wakefulness and how we can integrate those into our daily lives through rituals and practices.

10 Clear Signs You're Emotionally Intelligent and You Naturally 'Get' People

Ever wonder why some people just seem to understand what others feel or need without even asking? That’s usually not luck—it’s emotional intelligence at work. 

Emotional intelligence isn’t just about reading emotions; it’s about handling your own feelings. When you have strong emotional intelligence, relationships feel less confusing, work gets smoother, and you bounce back faster after rough days. If you can spot these signs in yourself, you likely get people on a deeper level. 

This episode will reveal how your everyday habits might show that you’re someone who just “gets” it and how to build your emotional intelligence muscles so you can experience more fulfillment and joy.

[Panel Discussion] Timing vs. Chasing Opportunity: Why Timing Isn’t Everything in Gaining Success

What matters more when it comes to success: perfect timing or making your own luck? Some people wait for the right moment. Others jump in and make things happen. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle.

In this episode, we discuss how much timing shapes our lives, and how much depends on our efforts. You’ll get real stories and smart insights to help you make sense of both.

Joining me are two special guests: Sahar Milani, an Experiential Brand Specialist and host of the Mindful Makers Podcast and Laura Roche, an experienced MC and a voice for mindfulness and self-compassion.

Together, we’ll look at where action meets timing. When is it best to trust the flow, and when should you cut in and move ahead? By the end, you’ll see how both can help you unlock new doors. Tune in for tips you can use, ideas to try, and a few prompts that might spark your own next step.