The Conscious Action Podcast by Brian Berneman
We believe that connection is the key to taking conscious action as individuals and to creating a better world. We're podcasting to raise awareness and inspire meaningful action and bring you stories, knowledge, and conversations with thought leaders and change-makers. We explore topics that range from sustainability to wellbeing and everything related to conscious living and we’re looking forward to bringing you these conversations during these challenging times. Find out more about Conscious Action & Stay in touch! https://www.brianberneman.com/ https://www.consciousaction.co.nz/ https://www.instagram.com/brianberneman/
You don’t listen (yet): the art of deep listening
Do you ever leave a conversation wishing you’d said the real thing? You meant to say it, and then didn’t. Many of us text all day and still feel strangely alone.
In this episode I talk with Guy Sengstock, co-founder of circling and co-owner of the Circling Institute. Circling is a relational practice. Guy calls it a dojo for connection, the way meditation is a dojo for awareness.
Guy shares a simple but confronting idea. Technology has made it possible to communicate without communing. Real connection has become optional, and we tend to take...
From hospital bed to healing: mold, heavy metals, parasites & taking back your health
In her mid-twenties, Shelley Gawith was a high-achieving accountant at an investment bank in Sydney. She thought she was healthy. She drank plenty of water, exercised hard and didn’t work weekends. Then her body collapsed. After a thyroid diagnosis, a severe bout of influenza and months of living in a mouldy apartment, she lost her cognitive function and was told nothing more could be done.
Her recovery started with something simple: bone broth and fermented foods. From there, she began studying natural health and slowly rebuilt her body. More than a decade later, she’s a prac...
When You Grow, Others Grieve: Healing, Relationships and Ancestral Patterns
Have you ever changed and felt the people closest to you pull back?
Growth changes our relationships. And often the people who love us are grieving the person we used to be.
In this episode, I'm joined by Serena Arora, author of Unbound and founder of a wellness retreat centre on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Serena shares her 50-year path. She grew up with yoga and Ayurveda in a mixed Indian and Chinese immigrant family in Calgary. She let those practices go to fit in. Then she burnt out as a teacher, and...
Reversing 'incurable': The body's hidden power to heal - Episode 239 with Karen 'ZuZu' Armes
What if the diagnosis you were given isn't the end of the story? ZuZu Armes reversed her own epilepsy in three months and healed her scoliosis in eighteen, and she's spent the last 24 years helping others do the same.
In this conversation, ZuZu and Brian Berneman talk about what your body already knows how to do, why organic food is often cheaper than it looks, and the simple, physical shifts that move you out of stress and back into a state where healing is possible. We also get into why your thoughts and expectations shape more of...
The Multidimensional Human: Channeling, Consciousness & Remembering Who We Are
What happens when a scientist begins to explore the mysteries of consciousness?
In this fascinating conversation, Brian Berneman sits down with Crystal Cassidy, founder of SoulPod, whose journey bridges two worlds that are often seen as separate: science and spirituality.
With a background in biochemistry, cancer research and genomic diagnostics, Crystal spent years working at the forefront of biotechnology. At the same time, a lifelong meditation practice led her into profound experiences of consciousness, including a Kundalini awakening, a near-death experience and eventually channeling the Blue Collective, an intelligence she describes as a group of...
Beyond Tough Love: A Compassionate Path to Addiction Recovery with Amber Hollingsworth - Ep 237
Addiction affects far more than the individual - it impacts families, relationships and entire communities. Yet many families are still told that their only option is "tough love," waiting for a loved one to hit rock bottom before change can happen.
In this insightful conversation, Brian Berneman is joined by addiction therapist and educator Amber Hollingsworth, creator of the popular YouTube channel 'Put the Shovel Down'. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Amber shares why traditional approaches often fail and how families can become powerful catalysts for change without judgment, confrontation or force.
Together...
Raising Unshakable Children: The Inner Work Every Parent Needs to Do with Jacqlin Richards - Ep. 236
In this powerful episode of The Conscious Action Podcast, Brian Berneman sits down with parenting alchemist, speaker and author Jacqlin Richards for a deeply honest conversation about parenting, trauma, healing and the journey from survival to self-awareness.
Drawing from her own life experiences (including adoption, childhood trauma, addiction, postnatal depression and profound personal transformation) Jacqlin shares how her greatest wounds became the foundation of her life's work supporting parents and families.
Together, Brian and Jacqlin explore why so much parenting advice fails, the difference between knowledge and capacity, how unresolved childhood experiences shape our relationships...
Unloved, Unworthy, Unknown: Healing the Three Core Wounds with Allura Halliwell
Brian Berneman is joined by Allura Halliwell to share the spontaneous, non-drug-induced experience that changed everything: an out-of-body merging with source that left her unable to recognize herself, her preferences or her old life. From that disorienting awakening, Allura developed the Consciousness Method, a framework for bridging deep spiritual realization with the practical reality of being human.
Together, Brian and Allura explore the "interface," the space between our inner awareness and our outer life, and how unconscious patterns keep us looping in old wounds. Allura introduces the three core wounds she sees underlying almost all human suffering...
The Fertility Solution: Detox, Nourish, Flow with Sonia Ribas - Episode 234
What if fertility isn't just about hormones or reproductive health, but a reflection of your entire life?
In this insightful conversation, Brian Berneman is joined by fertility coach Sonia Ribas, founder of The Fertility Solution, to explore a truly holistic approach to fertility and conception. Drawing on over 16 years of experience and having supported women bringing more than 700 babies into the world, Sonia shares why fertility is what she calls a "luxury function", something the body prioritizes only when it feels safe, nourished and supported.
Together, Brian and Sonia discuss the powerful connection between stress...
Reframe: Challenging Limiting Beliefs Through Curiosity and Education - Episode 233
In this episode of the Conscious Action Podcast, Brian Berneman is joined by Tinsley Galyean a researcher, author, technologist and founder of Curious Learning for a profound conversation about curiosity, learning, limiting beliefs, compassion and the transformative power of literacy.
Tinsley shares his fascinating journey from studying computer science, mathematics, engineering and visual arts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to working with global media companies, educational technology and eventually launching initiatives focused on ethics, human development and global literacy. Together, Brian and Tinsley explore how curiosity can become a gateway for personal growth, self-reflection and social transformation.<...
The Leadership We Need For The Future - Episode 232 with Maria Brinck
What if the way we lead today is no longer fit for the future we’re creating?
In this episode of The Conscious Action Podcast, Brian Berneman sits down with Maria Brinck to explore a new paradigm of leadership - one rooted in connection, balance and long-term wellbeing.
Maria shares her journey from corporate success at General Electric and the biotech industry to living in the Congo Basin rainforest, where she discovered the missing piece so many of us feel today: connection.
Together, we unpack what’s broken in today’s leadership models, and wh...
Why I’m Launching Conscious Moments
In this episode of The Conscious Action Podcast, Brian Berneman shares the deeper “why” behind the creation of Conscious Moments - a platform designed to bridge the gap between powerful experiences and lasting transformation.
So often, we attend a retreat, a workshop or a class and feel inspired, expanded, and connected… yet struggle to carry that same awareness into our everyday lives. As Brian reflects from years of personal practice and working with others, the real challenge isn’t the experience itself, it’s the integration that follows.
This episode explores the truth that transformation doesn’t ha...
Embracing the Mystery of Life: From Loss to Awakening with Catia Batalha - Episode 230
Brian Berneman sits down with psychotherapist, yoga teacher and author Catia Batalha for a heartfelt conversation about grief, awakening, embodied spirituality and the courage to trust life’s unfolding.
Catia's personal journey: from growing up with a deep sense of emptiness and aloneness, to building what looked like the “perfect” life, only to have it collapse after the devastating loss of a pregnancy. In that darkness, where hope felt unreachable, something unexpected began to emerge. Through yoga philosophy, shamanic practices, psychotherapy and intentional ritual, Catia found a path not just out of despair but into a more awaken...
What To Do When Everything Is Changing - Episode 229
Life is full of change, sometimes gradual, sometimes sudden, and it can leave us feeling unsettled, anxious or even stuck. In this episode Brian Berneman explores how to navigate personal and societal change with awareness, resilience and trust in life’s natural flow.
Change is not a failure. It is a universal law. From a nervous system perspective, uncertainty triggers fight, flight or freeze responses. Feeling unsettled during transitions is normal, it’s how your body signals that old patterns, roles or beliefs are shifting.
But within disruption lies opportunity. When the familiar dissolves, you are...
Family Constellations: Healing Generational Patterns - Episode 228
In this powerful and heart-opening episode Brian Berneman explores the transformative world of Family Constellations, a therapeutic modality designed to heal the generational patterns, entanglements and unprocessed trauma we unknowingly carry from our ancestors.
Whether you are completely new to Family Constellations or already familiar with systemic work, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate introduction to how these invisible dynamics shape our emotional lives, relationships and sense of belonging, and how healing them can create profound shifts not only for ourselves, but across entire family systems.
What You’ll Learn:
...
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science: Bridging Neuroscience and Spirituality - Episode 227
In this episode of The Conscious Action Podcast, Brian Berneman explores the powerful intersection between ancient spiritual teachings and modern neuroscience - revealing how these seemingly separate worlds are now coming together to support our well-being and conscious evolution.
Drawing from his unique background in Tibetan Buddhism, meditation, movement practices holistic therapy and post-graduate studies in neuroscience, Brian shares how timeless wisdom is now being confirmed by cutting-edge research. From meditation’s impact on the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, to the way breathwork influences the vagus nerve, science is finally measuring what spiritual traditions have known for th...
Lessons from Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center - Episode 226
In this episode Brian Berneman shares profound lessons from his time living at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center. Far from being a religion, Brian approached Tibetan Buddhism as a philosophy of life: practical, experiential and deeply insightful.
Brian explores how daily practices and teachings can reshape our awareness, relationships and approach to life:
Skillful Means: How applying mindfulness to everyday tasks can reveal mental patterns and cultivate presence.Expanded Awareness: How deep presence can 'expand time', allowing more thoughtful responses and fuller engagement in each moment.Balance in Presence: The...From Disconnection to Conscious Living - Episode 225
In this deeply personal episode, host Brian Berneman opens up about his own journey - from a life of disconnection, stress and anger to one of balance, awareness and conscious living.
Brian shares how growing up in Argentina shaped his early experiences and how discovering Tibetan yoga, meditation and energy healing practices became turning points in his transformation. He reflects on pivotal moments of self-awareness, from learning to feel his body for the first time to understanding energy, compassion and presence through years of personal practice and spiritual study.
You’ll hear how li...
Reclaiming Your Power - Episode 224
In this episode Brian Berneman explores what it truly means to reclaim your personal power — to stop giving it away to others, to fear or to circumstances, and instead return to your inner strength and truth.
Drawing from his work in mindfulness, energy healing, and holistic living, Brian shares a heartfelt reflection on how we can move from disempowerment to empowerment through awareness, responsibility and conscious choice.
In this episode, you’ll explore:
Where you may be giving away your power - to authority figures, external expectations or inte...Beyond Positive Thinking: Emotional Wellbeing - Episode 223
On this episode Brian Berneman explores the concept of positive thinking and its potential drawbacks.
Key Takeaways:
Toxic positivity, the pressure to maintain constant happiness, can hinder personal growth and healingAcknowledging and allowing the full spectrum of emotions is crucial for well-being and authentic personal developmentGenuine optimism, rooted in reality and awareness, differs from toxic positivity which bypasses pain and negative experiencesPractical techniques like mindfulness, somatic practices and emotional check-ins can help integrate all emotions healthilyThe Pitfalls of Toxic Positivity:
Pressure to maintain a happy, optimistic state at all...Embracing Vulnerability: Sharing Your True Self - Episode 222
Have you ever held back from speaking your truth, afraid of being judged, misunderstood or rejected? We’ve all been there. But what if that fear is actually blocking the deep, authentic connections you long for?
In this episode, Brian Berneman explores the paradox of vulnerability - why we often see it as weakness, when in reality, it’s the ultimate strength. Drawing on holistic health practices, personal experiences and insights from years of guiding others on their healing journey, Brian shares how vulnerability can open the door to deeper relationships, greater resilience and a more balanced life...
Episode 221 - 2-Minute Meditation Practices for Busy Lives
On this episode Brian Berneman explores effective meditation practices for busy modern lifestyles, focusing on the power of brief, conscious moments.
Key Takeaways:
Short 1-2 minute meditation practices can be highly beneficial, even in busy schedulesQuality of awareness and presence matters more than duration in meditationMicro-moments of stillness help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve productivitySimple techniques like focused breathing, sensory awareness, and gratitude can be powerful tools for quick meditationThe Myth of "No Time to Meditate":
Common misconception that meditation requires long time commitmentsEveryone has 1-2 minutes available throughout the...Episode 220 with Holly Duckworth - Exploring the Wisdom of the Higher Self
On this episode Brian Berneman sits down with Dr. Holly Duckworth, a QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) practitioner and author, to explore the profound wisdom and healing potential of connecting with the higher self.
Key Highlights:
Holly's transformative journey from a family tragedy to discovering Dolores Cannon's work and dedicating herself to QHHTDetailed explanation of the QHHT process and how it facilitates deep trance states to access higher wisdomCommon themes that emerge from Holly's extensive QHHT sessions, including:The surprising simplicity of one's life purposeThe crucial role of forgiveness in physical healingThe concept of gratitude as...Episode 219 - The Purple Unicorn of the Family: Breaking Lineage Patterns
On this episode Brian Berneman explores the concept of the purple unicorn' or 'black sheep' in families - individuals who break patterns and bring healing.
The 'purple unicorn' serves a vital role in family healing and breaking unhealthy patternsThis role, while challenging, is a chosen responsibility to transmute intergenerational trauma and create positive changeSelf-care, support systems, and various healing practices are crucial for those in this position to maintain well-being and effectively impact their families- Reframing the 'Black Sheep' Narrative:
Brian introduces the 'purple unicorn' concept as alternative to 'black sheep'Emphasizes their role in carrying...Episode 218 - Healing Isn’t When the Pain Stops, It’s When the Patterns Do
On this episode Brian Berneman explores the concept of healing beyond the cessation of pain or suffering, and discuss the role of pain in personal growth.
Healing isn't just about eliminating pain; it's about shifting underlying emotional, behavioral, energetic, and ancestral patternsPain and suffering are messengers, signaling aspects of ourselves that need attention and transformationHealing is non-linear, often messy, and can initially intensify awareness of repressed feelings before leading to clarity and lightnessMultiple modalities (e.g., somatic work, mindfulness, energy healing) can be employed in the healing journey, tailored to individual needsRedefining Healing:
Healing goes...Episode 217 with Masati - Exploring Human Potential and Consciousness
On this episode Brian Berneman and Masati explore insights on human potential, consciousness expansion, and transformational practices.
Key Takeaways:
Masati gained profound insights through near-death experiences, accessing deeper levels of consciousness beyond typical human awareness"Inception frequencies" and "hypermeditations" can rapidly shift core patterns, allowing access to greater human potential without reliving traumaCurrent consciousness shifts are like a "software upgrade", requiring humans to adapt or risk being left behind as reality becomes more efficientSimple practices like spatial referencing can help people locate themselves in dimensions of reality and begin separating from limiting patternsMasati's Near-Death...
Episode 216 - Why Wait Until Rock Bottom?
On this episode Brian Berneman explores why many people wait until hitting rock bottom before making significant life changes, and discuss preventative approaches to personal growth.
Key Takeaways:
Society often glorifies "pushing through" and busyness, leading to crisis-driven changePreventative awareness involves noticing early signals from our body and mind before they escalateCreating daily spaces for reflection, connection, and rest can help prevent reaching rock bottomSeeking support and creating personalized structures/rituals can aid in maintaining alignment and preventing crisesThe Pattern of Crisis-Driven Change:
Many people seek help only when reaching a crisis point...Episode 215 with Jacqui O'Connor - Caring for the carers
On this episode Brian Berneman chats with Jacqui O'Connor about her journey and her work with Heart Place Hospital to support healthcare workers and carers.
Key Takeaways:
Heart Place Hospital provides multidimensional support for frontline workers, addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needsThe healthcare system often neglects self-care for carers, leading to burnout and stigma around seeking helpIntegrating holistic approaches with conventional healthcare can create more sustainable and effective care modelsThere's a growing need to normalize and support empathic, sensitive qualities in healthcare professionalsHealthcare System Challenges:
80% of frontline workers don't access support due...Episode 214 - Time & Presence: Slowing down
On this episode Brian Berneman explores the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world and discuss methods for incorporating slowness into daily life.
Key Takeaways:
Slowing down is essential for well-being, connecting with natural rhythms, and combating burnout and anxietyAncient cultures and wisdom traditions recognized the cyclical nature of time and the importance of restIntroducing daily rituals of presence and aligning with nature's cycles can help reintegrate slowness into modern lifeSlowing down isn't about doing less, but being more present and creating space for deeper understanding and connectionThe Lost Art of Slowness:
...Episode 213 with Kate Kripke - Insights on Maternal Mental Health
Brian Berneman and Kate Kripke discuss maternal mental health, conscious parenting, and strategies for mothers to navigate challenges and connect with their children.
Key Takeaways
Focusing on "how to feel" as a mother, rather than "what to do", leads to better outcomes and connectionsAddressing deep-rooted beliefs and nervous system regulation is crucial before implementing parenting strategiesMothers have innate wisdom and intuition, but need tools to access it amidst societal pressures and expectationsEmotions are never the problem; learning to regulate them internally enables better parenting and secure attachmentChallenges in Mainstream Parenting Approaches:
Many women...Episode 212 - Should I focus on the future or the past?
On this episode Brian Berneman explore thes importance of focusing on the present moment in personal development while addressing past experiences and future aspirations.
Key Takeaways
Present moment focus is crucial: it's the only time we can take actionHealing the past in the present creates positive change for the futureSomatic practices and mindfulness enhance present-moment awarenessPersonal growth involves balancing past reflection, present action, and future visionThe Present Moment as the Focal Point:
Only the present moment truly exists; the past is gone, the future is not yet hereFocus on "present moment forward" for...Episode 211 with Olivia Johnson-Lee - Reconnecting with your cycle
On this episode Brian Berneman talks with Olivia Johnson-Lee about reconnecting with our cycles and the power we have in aligning to natural cycles.
Olivia's journey:
She describes her journey of seeking answers for her mental health challenges as a teenager, which led her to explore yoga, women's circles, and eventually birth doula training. This inspired her to dive deeper into the menstrual cycle and bring awareness to the womb space.
Understanding the menstrual cycle:
Olivia explains the four phases of the menstrual cycle - menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal...
Episode 210 with Harrison Meagher - The power of presence & purpose
On this episode Brian Berneman and Harrison Meagher explore the power of presence, purpose, alignment in business and more.
The power of presence:
The discussion delves into the concept of "presence" - the deep, divine essence within each person that can be consciously infused into one's work and interactions to create greater impact and resonance. They explore how to tune into and embody this presence.
Aligning business with purpose:
Supporting spiritual business owners and entrepreneurs to expand their impact, ensuring their purpose, presence, and heart are fully expressed through their offerings...
Episode 209 with Jenny Morgan - Communication with empathy & compassion
On this episode Brian Berneman and Jenny Morgan explore approaches to challenging conversations, emphasizing empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.
Key Takeaways:
Empathy & self-awareness are crucial for effective communication across differing viewsFear & shame are counterproductive; curiosity and compassion foster connectionCreating time/space to understand others' experiences is vital, despite perceived urgencyLanguage & labels can both connect and divide; nuanced understanding is keyUnderstanding Self and Others:
Self-awareness enables better understanding of others' perspectives & experiencesRecognizing common human experiences (e.g. trauma, survival mechanisms) builds empathyEmpathy, Fear & Shame in Conversations:
Fear stems from feeling unsafe...Episode 208 - Are you choosing your life?
On this episode Brian explores the concept of personal choice and responsibility in self-development and life circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
Many people live on autopilot, driven by unconscious conditioning and survival mechanisms rather than conscious choicesChoosing oneself involves taking responsibility, prioritizing personal needs, and creating healthy boundariesUnlearning conditioned behaviors and healing work are crucial for authentic self-choice and empowermentQuestioning everything is a powerful tool for personal growth and conscious livingThe Unconscious Autopilot:
Majority of people live unconsciously, driven by survival mechanismsChoices often stem from childhood conditioning, cultural/religious programming, and emotional baggageUnconscious living leads...Episode 207 - Trusting the right timing in your life
Brian explores the importance of trusting life's timing and how to balance faith with action.
Key Takeaways:
Trust that experiences, knowledge, and opportunities arrive at the right moment for personal growth.Balance trust in universal timing with proactive efforts to create favorable conditions.Avoid comparing personal progress to others' timelines; each journey unfolds uniquely.Healing and integration processes have individual timelines; there's no universal "right" duration.The Universe's Timing:
Requires trust and faith in the process, even during challenging timesAcknowledge limitations of personal knowledge and controlCo-creating with the Universe:
Balance between...Episode 206 - The most important person in the world
On this episode Brian Berneman talks about the importance of self-prioritization and its impact on personal growth and relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Self-prioritization is crucial for personal well-being and showing up authentically for others.Choosing oneself over belonging can lead to more genuine relationships and better self-understanding.Implementing boundaries and self-care practices are essential steps in making oneself a priority.Gradual, small changes in daily life can help shift towards self-prioritization without drastic disruptions.The Importance of Self-Prioritization:
Recognizing oneself as the most important person in one's life is crucial for personal growthSelf-prioritization doesn't diminish...Episode 205 with Christina Rinne - The healing power of your voice & sound
On this episode Brian Berneman talks with Christina Rinne about the healing power of the voice and sound.
She describes her journey from becoming a social worker to a music therapist, and how she now combines vocal embodiment, emotional release, and energetic body work in her practice.
The importance of voice and expression:
Chrissy and Brian discuss the significance of using one's voice for self-expression and emotional regulation. They explore how shame and conditioning can inhibit people's willingness to fully express themselves, and the importance of trusting and honoring one's authentic voice.
Episode 204 - Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: A Spiritual Perspective
Importance of emotional intelligence in leadership:
Brian Berneman discusses how emotional intelligence is a critical aspect of modern leadership, going beyond just IQ and technical knowledge. Developing self-awareness, empathy, and resilience through spiritual practices like mindfulness can make leaders more effective at navigating challenges, communicating with their teams, and bringing out the best in people.
Mindfulness as a tool for emotional intelligence:
He emphasizes the value of mindfulness practices in cultivating the self-awareness and presence needed for strong emotional intelligence. Mindfulness allows leaders to better recognize emotions, patterns, and behaviors in...
Episode 203 with Shaté Hayes - Following Your Path & Sharing Your Story
On this episode Brian Berneman talks with Shaté Hayes about following one's path.
Shaté shares the story of her journey, starting as a professional dancer and dance educator, and then transitioning to a corporate career and now working in workforce development to help others find purpose and joy in their work. She discusses the courage it took to pursue her passion for dance despite her family's initial hesitation.
The importance of finding alignment and purpose:
Shaté and Brian discuss the importance of finding work that is aligned with one's values and inn...
