The Container
Conversations at the crossroads of Consciousness, Human Connection, and Communion with the Divine. Adventure with us to far-out realms of reality, and let's figure out how we get there together.You'll find discussions on spirituality, philosophy, death, levels of consciousness, psychedelics, meditation, interpersonal relationships, self-improvement, science of mind, religion, anthropology, culture, and so much more.It's all here in The Container.
Practical Astrology w/ Amanda Walsh
Amanda “Pua” Walsh founded Astrology Hub, an amazing resource for astrological information online. In her new memoir, Life by the Stars, she goes on a spiritual odyssey from a conventionally successful life in the corporate world of Manhattan to the islands of Hawaii and on to the stars.
We talk to her about the book as well as practical tips for integrating astrology into your own life. The conversation offers insights that are equally pragmatic and heartfelt, as useful for beginners as those who are already acquainted with reading the omens in our sky.
Buy her book...What Is Occultism? w/ Denis Poisson (Foolish Fish)
Denis Poisson guides people through the world of the Occult. His YouTube channel Foolish Fish has helped hundreds of thousands of people wrap their minds around the Western Mysteries, and now, he’s come onto the show.
He acquaints us with the basics of Occultism and even points out easy (and practical) steps to begin your journey into real, actual magic.
Find more of his work at the Foolish Fish website: https://www.foolishfish.net/
The Foolish Fish YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FoolishFishBooks
The books Denis recommends:
Magickal Ca...Psychedelics for the Dying w/ Christine Caldwell
Christine Caldwell talks using psychedelics to work with those facing death. Through her non-profit End-of-Life Psychedelic Care (EOLPC), she supports the popularization and research of this breakthrough approach to death work.
She talks to us about their current home-based ketamine pilot, why these medicines are so potent in this stage of care, and so much more. Her insights take us deep into what it means to be conscious, human, and, if only temporarily, alive.
Find her work at EOLPC: https://eolpc.org/
Email her directly: christine@eolpc.org
Check out the official EOLPC...
Make the Most of Ketamine Therapy w/ Anna Krishtal
Anna Krishtal is a ketamine coach and host of the Ketamine Connections podcast. She joins us to talk the ins and outs of ketamine, the compound at the forefront of the psychedelic renaissance.
Ketamine is the leading chemical used in legal psychedelic therapy in the US, and it's widely considered as one of the most versatile, effective, and direct tools available to improve mental health. But as Anna emphasizes, getting the highest potential out of Ketamine requires intention going in and integration coming out.
We get to all of it: the basics of Ketamine (like...
Explore Feminine Leadership w/ Martje Witzel
Martje Witzel is a leader in the Relational Arts movement. And on this episode, she comes back onto The Container to talk about feminine leadership.
What is the special wisdom in the vessel? How can vision, holding, and space making transform? Is it possible to define feminine leadership outside of a comparison with masculine leadership?
It's this and so much more on this episode!
If you'd like to work with Martje, you can email her directly at: info@all-there-is.com
Check out her website: https://www.all-there-is.com/
See...
Access Spiritual Powers (Then Go Beyond Them) w/ Frank Elaridi
Frank Elaridi began his career as a journalist, going on to win four Emmys and covering everything from forest fires to celebrities. But then, he struck out on his own to spread the story of mysterious practitioners who are able to see while blindfolded. That began an odyssey into the strange world of spiritual powers where he ended up becoming a healer himself.
Today, his podcast Quite Frankly gets millions of downloads and his energy healing helps everything from physical illnesses to relationships to mental and spiritual wellbeing.
You can find all of his work...
Author Faces Parkinson's w/ Stephen Jenkinson
Stephen Jenkinson is a culture activist and author who brings together ceremony, music, and story. His much-loved book Die Wise taught us how to face that hardest of topics: death. In 2024, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Now, in his new book Trembling Still, he captures in intimate detail his path with the illness.
You can find his work at Orphan Wisdom (https://orphanwisdom.com/).
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More Abou...
How Spirituality, Politics, and Philosophy Shape Reality w/ C. Derick Varn
C. Derick Varn is a poet, philosopher, and podcaster (among so much else). He comes on The Container to talk about how we make reality. Spoiler alert: it's a mixture of spirit, mind, history, politics, and so on. In particular, he helps us understand why the political left broke off from spirituality. We even talk a little bit about how to enchant the incredible theoretical work of Marx and those he later influenced.
Varn gives us so much rich context to chew on. And we're even more excited because Varn is a long-time podcasting hero of Jonathan's...
The Relating Arts (R)evolution w/ Peter Munthe-Kaas
The Relating Arts teach us how to engage with ourselves, each other, and the world in a more conscious way. So, what would happen if we grew these practices at scale?
Peter Munthe-Kaas comes on The Container to talk about just that. His Relating Arts project gathers these kinds of practices into a single, easy to use space. It's beautiful, too!
[There is an audio issue on this episode with Jonathan's mic. We had a discussion and everything is better now, thank you.]
Get your links!
The Big Rebirth Is Coming
The rebirth of humanity is upon us. Everywhere you look, people are participating in something big. The renewable energy revolution. The rise of urban agriculture. The return of God and enchantment.
All over the place, we find signs that humanity is about to undergo a cultural, spiritual, and economic revival and renaissance.
But here's the thing: we have to be the ones to do it.
We can't wait for others. It has to be us.
A bit of an odd episode, but one that really comes from the heart.<...
Energy Healer on Your Hidden Abilities w/ Lubaina Choudhury
Lubaina Choudhury is a powerful energy healer with a hands-on, in-depth knowledge of how to care for and operate this magnificent human body.
Her background is in Eastern traditions like yoga. But her mentor delivered high impact teachings from the Kabbalah, a fundamental force in Western Occultism. Now, she blends East and West (along with her own inherent gifts and honed skills) into a healing modality that far surpasses what we are told is possible.
In this episode, she talks to us about her path and how her power to heal informs her view of...
Awaken Through Poetry w/ Will Jefferson
Will Jefferson is a writer, coach, and facilitator who brings poetry into vivid connection and conversation with everyday life.
Interested in his Poetry of the Everyday course? Use promo code ‘container’ for 20% off!
It starts Tuesday, April 28. But spots will go fast, so be sure to sign up today.
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-poetry-of-the-everyday-6-week-online-course-registration-1986201370767
For more of Will’s work, check out: https://willjefferson.com
Some of the poems we talked about:
“Composed upon Westminster Bridge” by William Wordsworth“Humpbacks” by Mary OliverSupport Our...
You Forgot You're Already a Mystic w/ Mareike Christensen
The Container is launching a new adventure: Mystical Creatures.
On this journey, Jonathan and Marei are going to deep dive into mystical practice, that collection of tools that bring us into radical union with the sacred. Call it God, why don’t you?
In this conversation, Marei talks about her life, how she began to notice something strange was going on, and how you can begin to reclaim your birthright as a mystical creature.
Near the end, Marei even teaches us some pointers we can use to drop into a more unitive state of...
Tools for Awakening w/ Daniel Schmidt
Daniel Schmidt, the documentarian behind the fantastic Samadhi film series, shares the best practices he's found for spiritual awakening. This includes the ones used in the Samadhi Center's 7-Day I AM Retreat.
We touch on meditation, psychedelics, and even relating practices (like Charles Berner's two-person method of self-inquiry). But most of all, we investigate how any spiritual tool for awakening might be used on the Pathless Path.
Schmidt's wide-ranging interests and masterful way of communicating esoteric spiritual wisdom makes for a deeply rewarding conversation. And it's wonderful getting to hear the voice behind so many...
What is Stemless? w/ Harmony, James, and Sahil
Stemless is a radical new entry to the world of the relational arts, mindfulness, and social meditation. It takes us out into uncharted waters, where we use skillful projection to wake us up and make vital contact with how we create our reality.
We brought the entire founding team on to talk about what Stemless is, how it came from and builds off of Circling, and what you can expect when you jam with this new practice.
(BTW, welcome back James to the pod. We recently had him one for Episode 79 with Month of Potential.)<...
The Circle Is a Reality Playground w/ Andrew Venezia
The brilliant Andrew Venezia comes on the podcast to talk about the many layers of Circling. He takes us from the basics of an interbeing practice to deep insights into the nature of reality itself. It's a mind-bending episode, but it's always grounded in Andrew's warmth and openness to the questions themselves.
You can work with Andrew by visiting his website here: https://www.andrewlouisvenezia.life/You can also go right ahead and book a conversation with him here: https://www.andrewlouisvenezia.life/schedule-a-psychoactive-conversationAlso, you'll notice we have a new theme song! That comes from The...
Circling and the Occult w/ Ben Hodgson
Can circling bring us into deep mystical and magical practice? Certainly, yes. And Ben Hodgson comes into The Container to tell us just exactly how that might work. He also gives us a delightful account of his magical journey.
Oh, did I mention we talk about the Kabbalah, ritual magic, and insanity?
It’s that kind of discussion.
You can work with Ben at Transformational Connection.
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect...
Starting a Conscious Community w/ MoP
The Month of Potential (MoP) experiments with living in radical connection. Using the practice of circling as the foundation, they recently spent a month living and working together fully engaged in relational practice.
They share their experiences, challenges, insights, and plans for the future. They even give tips and insights (and invites) to people who want to go on similar journeys.
You can find documentation of their work here: https://publish.obsidian.md/potential/If you would like to learn more about their work as individuals, reach out to them using the links below:
The Ultimate Group Transformation Process w/ Angelo DiLullo
Angelo Dilullo is an author, podcast host, and teacher who brings a down-to-earth reality to the topic of awakening.
His podcast Simply Always Awake is a treasure trove of insights into awakening with a refreshing lack of pretense or unnecessary spiritual window dressing. His approach is practical and lived in, and that’s probably why tens of thousands of people have benefitted so much from his teachings.
Angelo’s book Awake is a great reminder that awakening is a natural process just about anybody can experience.
Today, we have him on The Container to t...
The Book of Circling with Marc Beneteau
Marc “Marco” Beneteau is a major force in the Authentic Relating and Circling world. His newsletter has become a must-read feature of the field, and his introduction to Circling has been one of the most important resources for newcomers.
And now… Marco’s working on a third version of his intro book, bringing in some of the biggest names in Authentic Relating to help. He comes on the podcast to help us.
Find out more about his Circling Guide here: https://circlingguide.com/Contribute to the fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-circling-guide-3rd-editionSubscribe to his news...Five Books
These five weird books will change your life. This isn’t a list of great books you’ve already read. No, no. These are a bit off the beaten path, but they all support a spirit-forward life. These will guide you, support you, and even entertain you, whether you are seeking enlightenment, sainthood, or a little growth in the right direction.
Below is the full list with links to buy them:
Spacecruiser Inquiry by A.H. Almaas
ThiftbooksBookshop.orgGetting Our Bodies Back by Christine Caldwell
ThriftbooksBookshop.orgBoundaries and Circling
Boundaries define us. They draw the border of the country of ourselves. They help us negotiate relationships. They help us discover what's important to us. And when they are violated, they call us to go inward and pursue explosive personal growth.
The Circling practice in particular allows us to discover our edges and learn how to be artful when we move into deep territory in others. All that and more on this very special episode.
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to o...
The Magic of Wearing Masks (Happy Halloween!)
It's our Halloween Episode of The Container! We discuss the power of masks that we wear in our lives: the Cool Guy, the Good Mother, the Professional, etc. Sometimes, we struggle to feel authentic while wearing masks, but there is so much more to what's going on. If we are really paying attention, it even touches our ability to shape reality.
We also see how circling is such a rich practice space to explore masks and how Halloween is the perfect technology to understand the best approach.
This is based broadly on our most recent...
Myths and Family w/ Sean Wilkinson
What do archetypal stories like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and the Gruffalo teach our families? How can we more consciously relate with these contemporary sources of mythic images? And can we use them to raise children and fortify ourselves on our own journeys?
Sean Wilkinson of Transformational Connection comes on The Container to answer all these questions (and many more).
🔗 Learn more about Transformational Connection
👉 https://www.transformationalconnection.org/
🌿 Book your stay at the Connection Hub in Portugal
Looking for a retreat space rooted in the pract...
Power Dynamics in Circling w/ Hannah Hellsing
This episode is a can't miss. Hannah Hellsing comes on the podcast to talk about Power. And in a first for our show, Sigh hosts solo. Together, we explore the meaning of power and how we can work with it in the practice.
Just like the previous Jordan Myska Allen episode, this engages the evergreen issue of power in the practice but from an exciting new perspective.
Hannah Hellsing is a therapist and coach who has experience certifying through Transformational Connection's SAS program. If you'd like to work with here, you can reach her at...
Power Dynamics in Circling w/ Jordan Myska Allen
Power dynamics and hierarchy are rarely talked about features of any community. In Circling, where so many participants value egalitarianism, this can become tricky.
So let’s dive into it with one of the world’s leading experts on the practice! Jordan Myska Allen is a veteran of the art of circling who has pioneered the practice while also creating an organization devoted to it.
On this episode, we explore the gifts and perils of power in a circle with him. And yeah, this is feeling like part one of a million-part series, doesn't it?
...
What Do We Do Now? w/ Rob Kancler
Okay, so you've woken up. You've escaped the Matrix. Now what?
What do we actually do? And what kind of world can we start building now that we're on the spiritual path?
All this and much more with this massive interview.
📚 Join Rob’s group work here: https://bedroomgenius.com/
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the Relational Arts
🖥️ Our website (www.the...
Anger, Eros, and Boundaries with John Thompson
The amazing John Thompson comes back into The Container for a discussion coming at you from the very frontiers of the relational arts. We talk about how these practices can be taught to just about anybody, how to work with anger and eros, and how to artfully deploy boundaries.
Check out his incredible team at Transformational Connection.
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the Relational Arts
🖥️ Our website (www.t...
Is It All a Psyop? w/ Rob Kancler
Do we have the ultimate unplug from the real Matrix? Did aliens implant religion into humanity as a psyop? What's going on with emotions anyway?
This conversation goes EXTREMELY deep into how we navigate moving into and out of the Matrix: the network of constructions, helpful fictions, ideologies, and notions that make up the world we know.
📚 Join Rob’s group work here: https://bedroomgenius.com/
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Escape the Matrix w/ Rob Kancler
DISCLAIMER: Some of the conversation was a bit too controversial for the RSS feed, so we've put the full, unedited discussion up on our Patreon.
In this conversation, we welcome Rob Kancler back on the show to talk about the Matrix, both what it is and how we enter and exit it at will.
We discuss the implications of the Matrix on personal development, sexuality, and community dynamics.
And yes, we lean HEAVILY on the metaphor of the Matrix.
📚 Join Rob’s group work here: https://bedroo...
Believe in God (Again)
Can you feel the world waking back up to God and magic? In this conversation, Jonathan and Sigh crack open The Container to explore how anyone can rediscover an enchanted life even in the Post-AI Era.
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the Relational Arts
🖥️ Our website (www.thecontainerpod.com)
📺 Our YouTube (www.youtube.com/@TheContainerPod)
👥 Our Facebook group
Magic and Manifestation with Raven Elise
Raven Elise is a healer, life coach, and expert in manifestation. On this episode, we dive deep into her new oracle deck, as well as the fine points of magnetizing what you want.
🔮 Check out her oracle deck and coaching services on her website here. | https://www.itsjustraven.com/
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the Relational Arts
🖥️ Our website (www.thecontainerpod.com)
📺 Our YouTube (www.youtube.com/@TheConta...
Post-AI Religion
The AI revolution changes everything. And as humanity navigates our way through this tumultuous moment in history, it might be time to turn once again to the spiritual technology of religion.
Check out our AI prompt for meditation hereCheck out our interview with Leif Hansen on AI hereSupport Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the Relational Arts
🖥️ Our website (www.thecontainerpod.com)
📺 Our YouTube (www.youtube.com/@TheContainerPod)
👥 Our Facebo
Developmental Trauma as Connection Intelligence with Sean Wilkinson
What if the traits we associate with developmental trauma are signs of a unique relational intelligence?
In this episode, we sit down with Sean Wilkinson, co-founder of Transformational Connection, to explore how early life experiences shape our sensitivity to connection—and how mystical, relational practices can explore and grow in this capacity.
Whether you’re a practitioner of the relational arts or simply someone seeking healing outside the clinical box, this conversation has something for you.
🔗 Learn more about Transformational Connection
👉 https://www.transformationalconnection.org/
🌿 Book your stay at...
Stages of Consciousness with Brad Mewhort
Brad Mewhort teaches us about the Stages of Consciousness and this practice of circling that helps evolve through them.
Brad is a hypnotherapist and facilitator. He’s also a writer. He penned the book The Peaceful Man about addressing and healing from male-on-male violence.
⭕️For more information about Brad's late-stage Circling groups, you can email him at brad@mirroring.one
🧘♂️Try out Brad's hypnotherapy
📖Check out his book The Peaceful Man
Connect to him by email here: brad@peacefulmanbook.com
For more on circling:
A quick video explaining the practiceA blog...AI and Digital Mysticism with Leif Hansen
Leif Hansen gives us a deeply spiritual look at the AI revolution and what it means. Truly, the aliens have landed. Already, we can use these tools to delve into the depths of our psyches, form new and more fulfilling relationships with technology, and grasp what consciousness really is.
Find more of Leif's work here:
🤖 Check out Leif's new FutureLab ChatBot for his upcoming Catalyst Collective
🧘♂️Coaching and other inquiries
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
...
Authentic Relating Everywhere with Ryel Kestano
Ryle Kestano is a major name in the Authentic Relating movement--he literally wrote the book on the topic. In this discussion, he shares his thoughts on bringing these important practices beyond the workshop format and into our everyday lives with everyone we know.
His message calls us to make more powerful and real connections. Despite all the reasons we might have to reject or refuse people, can we show up for more authenticity in every part of our life?
🎓 You can learn Authentic Relating from the group Ryel co-founded here at AuthenticRelating.co.
📖 And you...
Facing the Fear of Death with Susan Campbell
Susan Campbell returns to talk about the fear of death. It's harrowing, it's confronting, but it's also a pathway to deep self-learning.
📬 Get Susan Campbell's fantastic Substack here.
🎧 Plus, listen to Episodes 24 and 25 to hear Susan walk us through her incredible From Triggered to Tranquil system.
📚 You can also find her extraordinary books (we highly recommend them) for sale here.
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and review
🙌 Become a patron on Patreon
💌 Subscribe for free to our newsletter
Connect and Learn More About the...
Integral Circling School with Jason Digges
Jason Digges is an absolute legend in the world of circling and authentic relating. So we were happy to have him back to discuss his journey opening up a new circling school.
What makes his school different?
Jason is resurrecting the Integral Circling movement. It’s also offering an affordable way to practice with plans starting at just $40 a month.
📚 Check out Jason Digges’ circling school here: https://www.integralcirclingschool.com
Also, check out episodes 19 and 20 for more Jason Digges!
Men, Shame, and Freedom with Rob Kancler
This is the second half of our series of interviews with Rob Kancler. He is a guide and spiritual teacher for men who want to become pioneers of their sexual futures. His work opens our eyes to the million myths and false narratives that bind our energies and block the full expression of who we are and what we could become.
If you love this discussion, make sure to check out Episode 55.
📚 Join Rob’s group work here: https://bedroomgenius.com/
Support Our Work
📈 Like, subscribe, rate, and...
