Meghan Bay on Writing Poetry, Creativity as a Spiritual Practice, and Appreciating Every Version of Yourself
In this episode, poet Meghan Bay reveals how writing poetry is a way to practice presence. She shares how creativity can be seen as a gift from the Creator and how to create space to invite in more creative ideas. Meghan also shares the importance of honoring every version of yourself as you grow and evolve, allowing your journey of transformation to be uniquely your own.Follow Meghan on Instagram: @meghan.bay And find her writing: Meghan’s SubstackEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:42 “the fool’s hunt” - poem by Meghan Bay05:24 How do you know when you’ve written something that’s really true?07:00 morning pages & digital journaling 08:53 Meghan's story: growing up Christian, moving to Australia, getting into writing16:04 letting yourself be seen: sharing on social media19:56 the process of writing a book: capturing poems when they arrive22:11 creativity as a gift from the Creator to help shape this world25:41 are you actually giving yourself what you need?27:31 morning routine & a meditation practice31:58 the discipline of a writing practice 33:06 creating space to invite creativity to land34:06 Meghan's mission: creating a space for people to expand into themselves36:10 let yourself move slowly, one small step at a time39:04: how can we shift from a focus on the outcome to a focus on presence?40:38 reality creation: fate or free will?42:46 sending love to past or future versions of yourself 43:53 why are we here?47:37 the path to transformation & liberation will be uniquely yours52:42 appreciating the contrast of emotions & experiences 54:46 qualities of an exceptional leader57:08 the billboard question
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grow your yoga business & moral ambition as a yoga teacher
In this episode, I break down the four steps every yoga teacher needs to grow a business with moral ambition. Let's talk about why your mission is your most valuable business asset, why your systems determine your sustainability, how to face numbers, pricing, and fees without shrinking, and how “minimum viable structure” can change your whole life. I walk you through the ONE symbolic action you can take today—something you might look back on years from now as the exact moment everything began to change. If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or “not business-minded enough,” this is for you. Your dream isn’t meant for someone richer, older, more experienced, or more confident. It’s meant for you—and the world needs what you're building. This episode includes a tour of OfferingTree, my sponsor. Try OfferingTree for free with my link here. (My sponsor)Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.Ritual of Writing Journal One spot left. Come on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat YouTube social media video I mentioned:https://youtu.be/h_yQswsXwhY?si=SXLofxnBfWuwziIO Time stamps:00:00 setting the mood07:50 animation10:00 luck is when opportunity meets preparation11:40 agenda for today & offeringtree15:47 part 1: how to make actual progress20:00 David Swenson example23:30 part 2: creating offers29:00 gene key 26 & divine pride31:00 part 3: money33:40 rates teaching yoga34:00 social media income38:00 courses and yoga retreats40:00 part 4: systems & offeringtree45:00 cost of systems & software 54:00 personal use & podcasting software55:00 take notes on students56:00 homework57:00 inspirational send off :)
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Eva Vriens on Listening to Your Body, Dreaming Big & Teaching Yoga
This conversation with yoga teacher Eva Vriens explores embodiment, discerning gut feelings, teaching yoga in other languages, why there is no such thing as going backward, and much more!Find Eva on Instagram @eva.vri Sign up here to join the next Yoga Teacher RoundtableTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:53 moving to Italy07:19 teaching yoga in other languages12:23 it’s exactly what makes you nervous that will bring the change you desire16:28 interpreting gut feelings: trusting what your body is telling you20:49 what did you want to be when you grew up?25:06 the magic of yoga as a return to self & to presence26:54 how was teaching your first yoga class?31:18 breakthroughs in teaching yoga34:29 retracing our steps can actually help us move forward35:59 how do you prepare yourself to teach?37:58 morning routine42:16 creating our realities43:53 how can we start to believe something different is possible for us?45:59 book recommendations?51:16 qualities of an exceptional leader?53:14 if you could chat with anyone over coffee or tea, who would you invite?57:16 the billboard question
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the discipline of patience: 4 steps to stop living addicted to stress and follow your dreams calmly
In this episode, I talk about what it means to live addicted to the hormones of stress—constantly rushing, pushing, and chasing success instead of allowing life to unfold. I share how I learned to slow down, cultivate patience, destress, and trust the process of following my dreams without burning out. If you’ve ever struggled to find calm, balance, and faith while chasing your purpose, this conversation will help you remember that slowing down is how you truly speed up.Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway.artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.Ritual of Writing Journal Come on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat 00:00 intro01:00 music04:00 synchronicities08:40 one: jeju island mistake14:00 the meditation of patience17:30 gabriel garcia marquez and magical realism22:00 open gifts after dinner23:30 Mr. Beast’s first $10k25:00 two: patience protects you from your mind27:00 walk towards the storm29:24 don’t go fast32:30 true trust35:38 TEND 39:00 space for the unknown42:00 time is a construct
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Amy Newmark of Chicken Soup for the Soul on the Power of Stories, Gratitude & Forgiveness
Amy Newmark, publisher and editor-in-chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul, shares how stories can inspire, heal, and transform our lives. We talk about forgiveness, gratitude, synchronicities, and the kinds of stories the world needs most right now. The Chicken Soup For The Soul Website The Chicken Soup For The Soul Podcast Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00:00 intro00:02:06 the power of stories00:04:32 where does your interest in human stories come from?00:06:35 finding chicken soup for the soul00:10:54 how did working on wall street shape your path?00:13:03 entering the publishing world00:14:57 change your habits, change your life00:15:58 the editing process00:18:31 the best stories will make you feel something00:19:59 you have a to-do list, but do you have a to-enjoy list?00:22:01 do you ever feel self-help overwhelm or advice-overwhelm?00:23:02 a gratitude practice can change your life00:24:22 the power of forgiveness00:25:37 if you’re convinced you have a good story: keep submitting00:28:11 what kinds of stories do you think the world needs the most right now?00:32:07 “pre-forgiveness”00:33:36 the freedom of letting go of resentment00:35:25 what do you think is happening when we read a story that sets us free?00:37:20 the chicken soup for the soul podcast00:39:55 consistency in creative work00:42:17 have you included any of your own stories in the books?00:44:21 a flat tire and the power of positive thinking 00:46:00 a synchronicity story: the family reunion 00:49:21 what makes an exceptional leader?00:51:54 what’s your greatest joy?00:52:58 billboard question
Here we talk creativity, confidence, and presence through conversations with inspiring teachers and spiritual leaders who walk the path ahead of us. You’ll hear my personal stories—woven with poetry, storytelling, and even musical episodes—all rooted in a spirit of reconnecting with the magic of life and inspiring you to remember that your dreams are made for people like you. Above all, this is a space for discovering what it means to live with deeper awareness, to bring yoga into leadership, and leadership into yoga. Here’s to feeling at home in the unknown. -@shawnakru
Ireland